RUNNING HEAD: HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

How I Became a Literate Person

The University of Texas at El Paso
Aida Acosta

HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

A literate person is someone who has the ability to read and write proficiently. There is no
specific age or time when people officially become literate. Some are able to dominate this
quality at an early age, others along personal experiences and others, rarely, are not able to
dominate it at all. I believe that this quality is developed throughout one's education, influences
from their surroundings and books.
My education has driven me become a literate person. I believe that if it werent for my
education I would be nowhere near to be able to write a paper or read properly. I remember
throughout school I would always complain about my classes being 'too boring' along with there
being too much homework and assignments. Yet one thing I never realized was how helpful and
useful those assignments were working towards advantage. Without noticing I started to get
better each day as I studied what we went over in class. This skill is very useful in any course
because practice makes you perfect.
In a lot of cases, teachers are the ones who make the course more interesting for the
students to learn and understand in an effective way. Everyone has its own way of teaching, and
definitely, some teachers are more effective than others. For instance, I am currently in a class
where my professor reminds us frequently on not to hesitate on asking him questions, and to
clear any doubt about the themes we discuss in class. However when we raise our hand he many
times overlooks us and continues to lecture without calling out on us and other times he
intimidates those who speak up and say the wrong things or those who won't speak up to
participate. It was a disappointment because I was looking forward for this course in particular
when I first enrolled, but at the same time it will be useful for later on encounters when I may
have with difficult professors, clients, or bosses. Apart from this I've had actual approachable
teachers and professors throughout my school years that are willing to help.

HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

A remarkable encounter I've had with a professor will have to be with my 0312 English
professor during my first semester at UTEP. I did have to take English remedial class and I do
not regret it at all. I believe this was a very useful course that worked towards my advantage.
Instead of losing or how others would classify it 'repeat' a course, I gained so much knowledge
and learned a great variety of tips on how to be more approachable and literate when it comes to
reading and writing. I developed a strong bond with my professor where I had the confidence to
ask her any kind of question about assignments. Now this is what I am talking about when I refer
to an approachable professor and when his or her lectures are fun, educative and profitable for
my success. This is the most recent encounter I've had, but the very first memory I can make of
was way back when I was in primary school.
The earliest memory I have of writing was nine years ago to when I was in fourth grade. I
remember Mrs. Jean assigned the class to write a short story, although I can't remember the
precise instructions of what specific theme we had to let our imagination flow on. I was very
young and short in vocabulary since it was my second year studying in the United States. I recall
writing about a movie to which I loved to watch, The Prince of Egypt. I narrated the whole
story and I ended up writing about a page and a half long. Back then writing over half a page was
a big deal and I remember feeling proud and confident with my work that day because Mrs. Jean
used my writing as an example to the class. I believe it is important to point people out when
they do a good job because that gives them confidence and a desire to keep up the good work.
Even when they are as young as I that time in fourth grade. This is the only memory I am able to
recall from my whole childhood that had to do anything with literacy. And why is this? I believe
it is because this teacher may have been the only teacher that made a remarkable statement to

HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

which I will never forget. She made a difference in me that day and gave me the confidence to
continue to go above and beyond.
Comparable to writing Ive also had encounters with reading too. Ive valued a good
amount of books Ive read along my school years and in my own time. Although there has been a
few that in my opinion were just as boring and painful to read as the typical list of 'reading books
for the summer.' I am more of a person who is into reading non-fiction books. I like to read
stories in which I can relate to or maybe learn from it. I like to be lectured while I enjoy reading
a good piece of work. One of my favorite novels of all time is the classic diary of Anne Frank.
Anne was a very intelligent young girl that developed literacy skills throughout practicing
writing on a daily basis while she hid from the Nazis. On one of her diary entries she makes a
remarkable statement that quotes, "Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right
paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." (1956) pg. 260. This
quote really bring about on how a person is in the process of becoming literate. A person may
rely on others or things, but the result one truly wants will only flourish if one is willing to do the
effort to help themselves reach it. For instance, I may have a good education and parents that
care about my success, but if I don't contribute on being an active learner student and obeying
my principals then I will never be able to be even close to having what I desire. Going back to
the holocaust theme, my obsession over this topic made some of my high school related courses
more enjoyable and easier to understand. I was so much into it that I tried to read whenever I had
free time about different holocaust books, and especially when it was a refugee narrating the
story, for instance, The Star of David. Romance is another genre I enjoy reading. I've read
quite a few romance books most of them from the author, Nicholas Sparks, that have left me in
very emotional state. Most of his books have the same sequence on what is going to happen and

HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

how the story ends but there is always something catchy about his books that makes me want to
keep reading them even though I the drill. Reading is a mental exercise that had a lot of pros; for
instance it lets your imagination flow, reduces stress, increases your ability to understand,
develop strong thinking skills among thousand other beneficial reasons.
Reading and writing increases one's ability to focus. Focusing on what you are reading
and writing will increase you capability of understanding and being more effective in school. It is
such an importance to be able to dominate these two factors because they will always be useful
in whichever field one chooses to be take. The chances of becoming a better person and standing
out from the crowd are high enough. I am still in the process of becoming an efficient literate
person with the possibilities of overachieving my tasks and goals.

HOW I BECAME A LITERATE PERSON

Reference Page
Goodrich, F., Hackett, A., & Frank, A. (1956). The diary of Anne Frank. New York: Random
House.