The New Literacy: Clive Thompson Article Summary

In his article “Clive Thompson on the New Literacy,” Clive Thompson discusses the findings of a study done by Andrea Lunsford, a professor of writing and rhetoric at Stanford University. He begins his article by briefly stating the current belief of many people, (or “pundits” as he calls them) the general belief, Thompson says, is that “kids today can’t write” (par. 1). Thompson explains that this belief is not only untrue, but that in fact today’s generation may be the best writers since the Greeks. Lunsford’s study concluded that “young people today write far more than any other generation before them” (Thompson par. 4). As well as writing much more effectively due to the fact that so many of our social interactions are done through text. Previous generations generally only wrote when it was absolutely necessary, such as for work or school (Thompson par. 5). This is compared to the days when the Greeks used writing to convey arguments and their opinions. Today’s generation’s writing style is in fact much closer to this traditional Greek writing than to our parents and grandparents writing styles (Thompson par. 6). These “pundits” which Thompson mention, seem to believe that academic writing pieces should be the dry, one-size-fits-all, essays which address everyone and no one.
Thompson also discussed the impact of technology on writing. The way this generation of students writes has improved their rhetorical skills, giving them the ability to “adapt their tone and technique to best get their point across” (Thompson par. 6). In other words, while some may see this new age of technology and short hand writing as making today’s generation worse writers, it has actually made them able to better recognize the type of writing style they need to use and when. This new way that students are able to effectively address their audience is what Lunsford is quoted as calling a “literacy revolution” (Thompson par. 3). It’s a new and exciting concept.
My own view is that while perhaps not everyone of today’s generation can be brilliant writers with excellent rhetoric, the way technology has influenced young people is not necessarily what keeps them from becoming so. I believe this technological era of communication ultimately helps students with their academic writing, as Lunsford’s study has shown. While some people may believe that this generation has less motivation to sit down and write something meaningful, they may not be taking into account the countless amounts texting, blogging, and journal writing that is taking place in most people’s homes every day. This type of writing may be considered trivial, even disabling, by some; however the students Lunsford observed proved quite the opposite. Today’s generation (my own), I believe will continue to expand our writing techniques and pass these techniques down to future generations. As Thompson points out, “good teaching is always going to be crucial” (par. 8). I believe that teachers will quickly recognize the importance of working with the “new literacy” of the younger generations, and realize that we young people have something to contribute to the art of academic writing as well.