Conventional literacy This is the most basic form of literacy This is the most basic form of literacy This defintion requires little more than one being able to read and write in order to be considered literate. This defintion requires little more than one being able to read and write in order to be considered literate. In the 1980s census the Census Bureau defined literacy as “the ability to read and write a simple message in any language.” (Tozer et al. 1998). In the 1980s census the Census Bureau defined literacy as “the ability to read and write a simple message in any language.” (Tozer et al. 1998).

Functional literacy Functional literacy implies the a people are able to comprehend what theyread well enough to function in society. Functional literacy implies the a people are able to comprehend what theyread well enough to function in society. It asks for example, can one write a check or fill out an application? It asks for example, can one write a check or fill out an application? There is a social component to functional literacy There is a social component to functional literacy

Informational Literacy “ability to read and absorb the kind of knowledge that is associated with the school and to write examinations and reports based on such knowledge” (Finn, p. 124). “ability to read and absorb the kind of knowledge that is associated with the school and to write examinations and reports based on such knowledge” (Finn, p. 124). This level of literacy tends not to be creative and encourages memorization of facts. Informative literacy is different from functional literacy in that it does encourage one to demonstrate their comprehension of a text, but, unlike critical literacy, it does not encourage further synthesis or inquiry of information to create one’s own knowledge. This level of literacy tends not to be creative and encourages memorization of facts. Informative literacy is different from functional literacy in that it does encourage one to demonstrate their comprehension of a text, but, unlike critical literacy, it does not encourage further synthesis or inquiry of information to create one’s own knowledge.

Literacy for Personal growth This type of literacy allows one to believe they “have special powers of self improvement” (Irwin, 1996, p. 147). This type of literacy allows one to believe they “have special powers of self improvement” (Irwin, 1996, p. 147). These powers are developed through personal writings and through reading novels, classics, and philosophy. These powers are developed through personal writings and through reading novels, classics, and philosophy. Literacy for personal growth is seen in many classrooms today. Students are encouraged to develop a love for literacy by being surrounded with many forms of writing and by becoming authors themselves. Literacy for personal growth is seen in many classrooms today. Students are encouraged to develop a love for literacy by being surrounded with many forms of writing and by becoming authors themselves.

Cultural literacy To fully comprehend what is read the reader must have some cultural knowledge about the context in which something is written To fully comprehend what is read the reader must have some cultural knowledge about the context in which something is written “Language cannot be disentangled from the cultural knowledge and understanding that give language meaning.” (Tozer et al., 1998). “Language cannot be disentangled from the cultural knowledge and understanding that give language meaning.” (Tozer et al., 1998).

Critical literacy This perspective aims sot “empower people to criticize and to emancipate themselves from oppression social or economic conditions.” (Tozer et al., 1998). This perspective aims sot “empower people to criticize and to emancipate themselves from oppression social or economic conditions.” (Tozer et al., 1998). People need to be taught how to think and act reflectively about what they read in order to recognize how power relations operate in our society, People need to be taught how to think and act reflectively about what they read in order to recognize how power relations operate in our society,