There is no single definition of literacy as it depends on how people use it based on their life experiences and exposures. Literacy development and use is influenced by various social factors like ethnicity, age, socioeconomic class, and more. Literacy has also evolved over time, once only involving reading and writing but now encompassing other forms like signs, music, video games, and gambling slips. How people view and practice literacy is unique to the individual based on their particular circumstances and what is important to them.

1. LiteracyDevelopment & Social FactorsBy Maritza Ramos

2. In order for us to begin, we must first understand what literacy is.

3. What is

4. What isThere is no exact definition for the word literacy. Instead, we look at how people use literacy, which depends on what people do in their life and what they are exposed to.“Literacy is a many-meaninged thing.” -Sylvia Scribner

6. So…what factors have an influence on the way people use literacy? “It should not be surprising to see differences in literacy between members of different ethnic groups, age groups, sexes, socioeconomic classes, etc.” -John F. Szwed

7. IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSONSince everyone is different, everyone has different factors that have influenced the way in which they view/use literacy.

8. MedicinePhysicians may see x-rays and other charts as a form of literacy

9. On the other hand…Memorizing a sacred text may be more important to others, and it may be the only form of literacy that those people practice

10. As a result, literacy has changed over the years.

11. Martha DayDuring Martha Day’s time, literacy was only seen as reading and writingAs a result of her love for literacy, she was able to obtain a job as a columnist.“That I grew up on a farm helped me in some respects. It wouldn’t today.”-Martha Day

12. TodaySigns, music, graffiti, and even gambling slips are a form of literacyKyle sees words on videogames as a form of literacy

13. ReferencesBarton, David, and Mary Hamilton. “Literacy Practices.”Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed.Ed.Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 21-32. Print.Brandt, Deborah. “Literacy Opportunity and Economic Change.”Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed.Ed. Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 54-85. Print.Scribner, Sylvia. “Literacy in Three Metaphors.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed. Tabetha Adkins.Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 33-53. Print.Szwed, John F. “The Ethnography of Literacy.” Ethnographic Inquiries in Writing. 1st ed. Ed.Tabetha Adkins. Southlake, Texas: Fountainhead, 2010. 3-18. Print.