How To Become a Good Reader

In elementary school, reading, writing, speaking, and listening, are all lessons we are taught. However, not everyone learns the same way or at the same paste. It takes time and practice to learn these skills. In the story, "Learning How to Read," Malcolm X gives an overview of his past as a hustler, who gained the powerful knowledge of reading. Malcolm X was one of the most articulate and powerful leaders of African Americans during the 1960's. He grew up a street hustler and was convicted of robbery in 1946. During his seven months in prison, Malcolm X educated himself and became a disciple of Elijah Muhammed, founder of the nation of Islam. Malcolm X's journey of success all began in prison, where he had the opportunity to learn how to read.

Malcolm X is motivated to learn the skills he wants to gain. In the beginning of learning how to read, Malcolm copies down every word from the dictionary.

Malcolm X

Malcolm X Park Fireworks 3355

Malcolm X

Malcolm replies, "After that, aloud, I read back, to myself, everything I'd written on the tablet"(pg). By doing this Malcolm is not only learning all these words, but he is also learning about significant events from the past. Although it might have taken him a long time to finish the dictionary, Malcolm was determined to achieve these reading and writing skills. He was fascinated by what he read so he continued to read other books. He wrote a million of words during the rest of his time in prison. Malcolm X has never felt truly free in his life. Malcolm X explains, "From then until I left prison, in every free moment I had, if it was not reading in the library, I was reading on my bunk"(pg). In prison Malcolm X didn't sleep much because he was...