As a Diploma in English Communications student, Critical Literacy is included as one of my course subjects. By the name of it, to me it sounded kind of challenging as it has the word “Critical” in it. After almost four months taking up this subject, it is critical indeed but I have gained a lot from it. Critical Literacy advocates the critical side of thinking especially in analyzing text. Personal emotions are definitely a big no. To be critical, one needs to have concrete facts to support their own opinions. By using the all the components of critical literacy, the readers not only reading the text solely on the apparent but also get to uncover the underlying messages as well.
This particular course had really improved me in sense of viewing things in daily life. For instance when implying the Rule of Ten of Critical Literacy to several articles given by my lecturer, Sir Alif Ibrahim bin Abd Radzak. Most of the articles given revolve around political topics and mind boggling topics. All of them require deeper thought to digest. Reviewing such articles made me realize that when we are giving out opinions or our own perspectives, fully understanding of it must be done. Being able to produce opinions that are based of factual information are crucial. I also learnt not to be bias when saying things. In order for us to claim that something is right or wrong, we cannot just simply judge only by the exterior. Everything happens for a reason. Get to know the actual story, by then only we can make a conclusion from it.
Learning this particular course had really changed me, not only as a student but as a better person as well. Having own solid perspectives without getting the emotions and first impressions of things in the way in viewing things in life. Critical Literacy has indeed made me grown into a more mature and sensible in decision-makings.
Critical literacy, as understood by those who coined the term, is the "use of language in all of its forms, as in thinking, solving problems, or communicating" – Venezky, 1982
