E 111 comparative

2

Mikia Wilson

Eng 111

Module 4 Half Draft

9/12/2024

"Learning to Read" by Fredrick Douglass and "Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading" by Motoko Rich are the readings that I have chosen to compare in my analysis. Although both stories are about reading, one tells the story of the author's early years, during which he taught himself to read, and the other presents the arguments for and against allowing children and teenagers to read online. There is a significant difference between the two stories. According to my point of view, the struggles that Frederick Douglass faced in order to become literate highlight the contrast between reading during the time of slavery and reading in the digital age. Because it is now possible for anyone to read anything online, it appears that young people in today's society do not place the same level of importance on reading as Frederick Douglass did. Instead, they appear to place less importance on reading.

The fact that Frederick Douglass (1817–1895) was able to learn how to read and write during a time when it was against the law for slaves to do so is something that has always caught my attention. The first step in his personal literacy program was to read "The Columbian Orator" by Frederick Douglass, which was an intriguing experience altogether. Reading and writing are made simpler for children and adolescents through the use of online learning, as seen in Rich's story. It is a skill that will serve children well in the modern digital world, and the ability to read online has many advantages. Some of these advantages include the ability to find information quickly and accurately, as well as the ability to find evidence to support one's claims across a variety of websites (Rich, 1970). On the other hand, there are a lot of people who believe that students' falling scores on standardized reading tests are due to the fact that they use the internet too much (Rich, 1970). When compared to the time period in which Frederick Douglass lived, the value of reading has decreased for today's youth. This is due to the fact that many people in his day were unable to read or write online. Last but not least, I've come to the conclusion that the youth of today do not place a high value on one's ability to read and write. According to the narrative's conclusion, "Like Nadia, who might otherwise spend most of her time watching television, to read and write." Plus, they would rather learn to read and write through the internet. If other children and teenagers were forced to go through what Fredrick Douglass did when he was a child, I believe they would have a greater appreciation for the circumstances they are currently in. In light of the fact that no two people's upbringings are exactly the same, it is of the utmost importance that we cultivate an appreciation for the things that we have and not take them for granted, as we can never be certain when they will be taken away from us.

2

Mikia Wilson

Eng 111

Module 4 Half Draft

9/12/2024

"Learning to Read" by Fredrick Douglass and "Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading" by Motoko Rich are the readings that I have chosen to compare in my analysis. Although both stories are about reading, one tells the story of the author's early years, during which he taught himself to read, and the other presents the arguments for and against allowing children and teenagers to read online. There is a significant difference between the two stories. According to my point of view, the struggles that Frederick Douglass faced in order to become literate highlight the contrast between reading during the time of slavery and reading in the digital age. Because it is now possible for anyone to read anything online, it appears that young people in today's society do not place the same level of importance on reading as Frederick Douglass did. Instead, they appear to place less importance on reading.

The fact that Frederick Douglass (1817–1895) was able to learn how to read and write during a time when it was against the law for slaves to do so is something that has always caught my attention. The first step in his personal literacy program was to read "The Columbian Orator" by Frederick Douglass, which was an intriguing experience altogether. Reading and writing are made simpler for children and adolescents through the use of online learning, as seen in Rich's story. It is a skill that will serve children well in the modern digital world, and the ability to read online has many advantages. Some of these advantages include the ability to find information quickly and accurately, as well as the ability to find evidence to support one's claims across a variety of websites (Rich, 1970). On the other hand, there are a lot of people who believe that students' falling scores on standardized reading tests are due to the fact that they use the internet too much (Rich, 1970). When compared to the time period in which Frederick Douglass lived, the value of reading has decreased for today's youth. This is due to the fact that many people in his day were unable to read or write online. Last but not least, I've come to the conclusion that the youth of today do not place a high value on one's ability to read and write. According to the narrative's conclusion, "Like Nadia, who might otherwise spend most of her time watching television, to read and write." Plus, they would rather learn to read and write through the internet. If other children and teenagers were forced to go through what Fredrick Douglass did when he was a child, I believe they would have a greater appreciation for the circumstances they are currently in. In light of the fact that no two people's upbringings are exactly the same, it is of the utmost importance that we cultivate an appreciation for the things that we have and not take them for granted, as we can never be certain when they will be taken away from us.