ACADEMIC WRITING ASSIGNMENT

The Importance of Reading Literacy

Lecturer: Ratna Rintaningrum, S.S., M.Ed., Ph.D

By: Amirah Aulia Rachmat (5003201175)

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND DATA ANALYTICS
SEPULUH NOVEMBER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
2020
 Chapter 1

1.1 Background of The Study

Generally, literacy means the ability to read and write, however the word literacy
itself has a wider range of meanings than it is thought to be. There are many variations
to literacy, such as reading literacy, computer literacy, statistical literacy, ecological
literacy, critical literacy, art literacy, and so much more.

Reading literacy is one of the most essential variations to literacy, as people need
to be able to read first before learning anything else. Reading literacy not only refers
to written text but it can also refer to situations and such. Reading has so many positive
effects for the people but unfortunately, in Indonesia, the reading interest of the
average Indonesian citizen is relatively low.

1.2 Problem Statements

a. What is literacy?
b. Why is reading literacy important in our life?
c. What are the positive effects of reading on human life?

1.3 The Purpose of the Study

a. Explaining the concept and definition of literacy.
b. Explaining the importance of reading literacy.
c. Explaining the positive effects of reading.

Chapter 2

2.1 What is literacy

There are various definitions of literacy. In Indonesia literacy means
‘melekhuruf’ or literate in English, which is the ability to read and write. But
literacy has various definitions and concepts. The definition of literacy according
to The Victorian Department of School Education’s joint project with the Catholic
 Education Office of Victoria, literacy is a social construct, a complex idea that
means different things to different cultural groups at different times. Therefore
literacy is a relative term and dynamic. While literacy is popularly understood to
denote the ability to read and write process and other print texts, it is an integrated
complex of language and thinking processes and skills, incorporating a range of
habits, attitudes, interests and knowledge, serving a range of purposes in different
contexts. (Rintaningrum, 2009)
Currently, the term of literacy is increasingly expanded, so literacy is not
only based on the definition of mere reading and writing skills. There are digital
literacy, computer literacy, media literacy, and many more. (Rintaningrum, 2019)

2.2 Why is reading literacy important in our life

Reading is the foundation for learning all subjects. The ability to read is
very important for finding a job or going to school. Reading ability is also
important to support the development of a country. A study showed that if a
student's reading skills were low, it would have implications for difficulties in
learning other subjects. (Rintaningrum, 2019)
In Islam, reading is also very important. Reading is the first instruction
that The Prophet Muhammad received from God and this needs to be followed by
all Moslems. People are encouraged to read, whether it’s a written text or not,
because reading has some definitions. For example, people are required to be able
to read a situation, identify the characteristics of something, read what is on
people’s mind and many more. (Rintaningrum, 2019)
Reading literacy can improve or develop yourself, so it is important for
self-development. By reading literacy people know something that they haven’t
known, or people can do some evaluation about what they have done. Reading is
able to broaden their horizon that makes them open to a new experience.
(Rintaningrum, 2019)

2.3 What are the positive effects of reading on human life

There are many positive effects of reading. Reading can help people to
solve their problems. People who like to read will have rich information and
 knowledge. With the knowledge they have, they are able to solve their own
problems. Reading also helps people to improve their soft skills such as
communication skills, presentation skills, leadership skills, etc. Reading helps
people to be more creative and innovative. So there are a lot of positive effects of
reading and there’s actually so much more.(Rintaningrum, 2019)

Chapter 3

3.1 Conclusion
Literacy has various definitions, but it is commonly known as an ability to
read and write. Read literacy is a skill that everyone should have because it is
required in our daily life. Reading has a lot of positive effects because reading
helps us to learn something new so we will have more knowledge.
 References

Rintaningrum, R. (2009). Literacy: Its Importance and Changes in the Concept and
Definition. Teflin, 20(2009), 78.

Rintaningrum, R. (2019). Explaining the Important Contribution of Reading Literacy to

the Country’s Generations: Indonesian’s Perspectives. Journal of Turkish Science
Education, 11(1), 3–23.