Challenge the Written Word!

Challenge the Written Word!

Just because something is written down, it doesn’t mean that it is true. Nor does it mean it is relevant to each of our own unique needs. It took me many years of reading before I realized that I wasn’t just reading. But, what I was really doing was having a conversation. [wp_ad_camp_1]

Now if someone had told me that the written word was really a conversation I don’t think I would have believed it back during my youth. I would have thought that I was the only person physically present when I was reading so the process of reading must be one-sided. The writer wasn’t present, so the writer couldn’t possibly be having a conversation with me.

This lack of understanding has caused me in the past to blindly accept the written word as a universal truth. I never used to challenge the written word like I would have challenged a verbal conversation. I used to believe everything that I read. It must be true if it’s written down, right?

Sadly, it took me a long time to realize that not everything is true or relevant. What helped me learn this is when I realized that there really is a conversation taking place within the written words that I read. This conversation starts with us reading the words and thinking about those words. The conversations in our own heads about the written words are the beginning of a back and forth conversation between the reader and writer.

Once readers understand this dynamic of this exchange between readers and writers, the conversation in our heads become more real as we challenge the author to prove what he or she is saying. With each sentence, we are updating our conversation as we struggle with what is true and what is relevant.

Now teens, go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us. Remember to challenge the written word because really good interactive readers eventually make really good interactive leaders. And once again, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…