Writers Blog: Using one of the readings from this unit

Literacy: A Lineage by Melanie Luken 

Paraphrase:
Melanie Luken began focusing the most on her writing during the end of High School, when she discovered her love for poetry. During High School she would take English classes and would join literacy magazine. After High School her enjoyment for literacy grew. So she started taking English classes in College as well, such as Beginning Poetry, Intermediate Poetry, Honors 598, which than lead to her improvement in reading and writing. While taking these classes, she has learned that authors have to stand criticism and only focus on comments that can be beneficial for them. At this time her father would support her as well giving her feedback on what to do to continue to improve. One of the things her father recommended for her to do was to ignore criticism and to believe that she is a better poet than her father has ever been.  (134-135)


Summarize:
In Melanie Luken's essay, A Lineage, she explains how literacy can be more than just learning how to read and write. Literacy has become a family tradition for her and has noticed that parents can influence or encourage their children to enjoy reading. (135)
         Literacy is generally known as the ability to read and write. My definition of literacy is:                      the ability to read, write, and understand within a tradition. For me, this is a familial 
         tradition that has permeated my literacy experience. Parents have an incredible power to           
         influence their children through their own behaviors and attitudes, and it is certainly true
         that my father has impressed upon me his own attitude towards literacy and literature. 
         Now, every time we talk he asks me, "What are you reading? What do you think about it?" 
         We talk about what each of us is reading, as well as our thoughts and impressions. 
         In this way, the tradition continues. 


Quote:
From the essay, A Lineage, the author Luken believes that Literacy is just like learning a new language. In the similar ways as not being familiar with it, which can be difficult to quickly learn, but as we progress, with time, we will get better at it.
"I believe that my choice to major in French is also rooted in this tradition of language and Literature. Studying a foreign language can, at times, be just like learning how to read and write as a child." (135)