The basic meaning of literacy is the ability to read and write. However, it outspreads to include the dire use of writing and reading skills in people’s lives. The capacity to solve problems, which makes human beings useful as individuals, find a place of work, and contribute to functioning of the society as a whole, is normally regarded an outcome of literacy. It is also related to the acquisition of certain skills that makes one stand out in life in various cultures or even in isolated communities. The skills such as computer literacy have a huge impact on an individual’s behavior, attitude to others, and the overall conduct in the society. I have encountered various manifestations of literacy, and some of them became my best experiences connected with obtaining and using knowledge.
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As a young child, I predominantly had interest in books where I could read anything adventurous with events changing one another. However, my parents were strict on what books I should choose. Thus, most of what I was supposed to read was “recommended” by my mother who is a literature teacher. I also had a note book where I would note down new words and phrases as well as their meanings which I would later use to write poems. During my free time, I was either reading or writing poems. By now, I have selected several dozen pieces I regard the best and which I am considering to publish shortly. In high school, I got interested in speech writing and public speaking. I read books, watched videos, and tried my hand at writing with the help of my mother beyond what I learnt in class with the teacher. In class, I was taught the format of writing and the methods of delivering a speech and later had a chance to test them practically through oral presentations or written exams.
A good speech must be clear and unambiguous, concise, engaging and most importantly spiced with an informal but respectful touch through body language that is appropriate to the audience. A successful oral speech must also encourage the participation of the audience. After we learn all these in class, the crucial thing is to put it into practice the theoretical knowledge in our places of work, study, or other social venues. My liking for good-quality speeches began after watching them made by Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, and Barrack Obama. I enjoyed the fluency, the eye contact, and the use of simple well-articulated language that the three used to address the Americans with.
Fortunately or not, as literacy continues to evolve with the developing culture, our generation is required to have computer skills that enable them to send data and perform such feats that were unavailable until the arrival of certain modern digital means. These skills include the ability to use the computer, laptop, or a mobile phone, browse the internet and download a whole lot of useful information. That is how I found the videos and audio recordings of speeches delivered on various occasions by ex-President Obama and Martin Luther King. I used their examples before I wrote my first own speeches and always rehearsed them all in front of a mirror as well as before my family to get some criticism. I would later record videos of some of them and store them in DVDs for later review and analysis.
Besides, since I knew that a good orator must have a good mastery of vocabulary to describe the event, situation, or convey the idea clearly and intelligibly. I believe these are the capacities which distinguish a good speaker from a bad one. For instance, I soon realized that the vocabulary and kind of words to use during a burial event is naturally different from those which is utilized in an inauguration ceremony.
When at college, there come events like a Prize Giving Day or Education Fairs where dignitaries from various sectors of government are invited as the honorary guests. One such event was the Annual Prize Giving Day that took place in my second year of study. It is a rule that second year students give a welcoming speech. At that time, I was, to say the least, not prepared to do any of that because my stage fright was enormous. Since none of us was experienced, the teacher singled me out telling that it will benefit me in the future. I have always looked presentable; probably that was the main reason why the teacher chose me. I doubted, hesitated, and was extremely reluctant to take on such responsibility until that weekend when my mother told me that she had received a call from my teacher asking me to consider her request which I eventually did. Since that was a joyous celebration, I used words that connote happiness and encouragement, as well as all those that revolve around the importance of gaining literacy skills through education that make us, human beings, functional in our various positions in the society. It required a lot of rehearsing before my family to train my body language, speech tempo, and good articulation of words.
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Finally, I mastered and organized the thoughts in my mind so well that I did not need the written speech. Besides, I made sure I looked even more presentable than ever. On the arrival of all dignitaries, it was the time to begin my speech. I was informal, articulate, and funny. In the end, I couldn’t help rejoicing when I saw the audience clapping in appreciation. It got me more confidence. I raised and lowered my voice when necessary, in addition to asking questions to which I received supportive answers. At the completion of my speech, I was glad to see everyone cheer in admiration. I also got congratulatory messages from every accolade who spoke after me. I knew my life has changed. I was invited to education boards and some big events to talk to people besides getting university scholarships to top schools in America.
Back in school, I became a friend to everyone; the students appointed me as their representative in the school senate. I realized that literacy goes beyond reading and writing to using it to communicate and create change in the society, earning a living and having a sense of belonging to a particular culture or time period. Consequently, I can confidently conclude it was my interaction with literacy through reading, writing, watching, dressing, talking, and using a computer that earned me that fame as an excellent presenter, and saw me gracing events as well as sitting at education boards’ events at my tender age.
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