What is critical literacy?

Critical literacy encompasses the ability to analyze texts not just for their content, but also to understand the underlying power dynamics and social contexts in which those texts exist. This viewpoint encourages readers to question and challenge the perspectives presented in texts, recognizing that literature is often influenced by issues of power, equity, and social justice. By engaging in critical literacy, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of how language shapes thought and how texts can either reflect or challenge societal norms and values.

While promoting genres of literature, aiding in memorization, and improving spelling certainly contribute to literacy development, they do not align with the comprehensive analytical approach that critical literacy embodies. Critical literacy goes beyond simple comprehension; it calls for a critical stance that interrogates the societal implications of texts, making choice A the most fitting representation of what critical literacy involves.