this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2025
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So, what were you reading in the sixth grade? My memory isn't that good, but I think I was past reading Captain underpants, maybe I was up to reading Percy Jackson (sorry got a bad case of CRS). I definitely gave Harry Potter a pass through, didn't like the main character.
Anyway, I feel like in 6th grade I was good at reading the text of a book, but not much beyond that. Symbols, themes, subtext — those are hard for a 6th grader.
You hit the nail on the head. Literacy is about more than just sounding out words - understanding the intended message is equally important.
I wish I could be surprised, but I’ve been on internet forums long enough that it’s undeniable. It’s like understanding subtext (and even overt context) is a lost art. Making a short post and expecting readers to correctly “connect the dots” practically invites commenters to misinterpret things. So the choice is either “over-explain and risk making a super long post,” or “come back again and again when someone inevitably argues something you didn’t intend.” It’s so frustrating.
On the other hand sometimes I get people telling me to re read their arguments because I don't understand them. Like maybe they just suck at presenting their argument? Maybe they could re-state it so it was easier to understand? Maybe I do get it and their argument sucks? No clearly what they wrote is gold and you would understand if your reading comprehension was better.