Literacy is more than just the ability to read and write; it is also a fundamental skill that opens the door to personal development, job opportunities and the acquisition of knowledge.

Unfortunately, in addition to 21% of American adults being illiterate, 54% of American adults have a literacy level below sixth grade, according to the National Literacy Institute. The U.S. ranks 36th in literacy worldwide.

Literacy issues have been correlated with socioeconomic factors, as 43% of adults with the

lowest literacy levels live in poverty. However, there are many other contributing factors to these low levels, such as learning disabilities and inadequate resources available for individuals attempting to learn English.

Justin Tackett, who began teaching in the Department of English at NC State in 2024, suggests that the literacy crisis, in part, is the result of our decreasing attention spans in an era of growing digitalization.

“In a way we’re reading more than ever before. We’re constantly reading online, social media, reading emails, we’re reading text messages,” Tackett said. “I think it’s more a matter of attention and concentration.”

Tackett also said that, although these statistics may appear concerning, we shouldn’t overlook the country’s literary accomplishments.

America has produced some of the world’s greatest writers, such as Kate Chopin, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harper Lee. In Tackett’s 19th-century American literature class, he explores the works of remarkable writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen Crane, all of whom have undoubtedly shaped modern American literature.

“Our achievements in literacy are huge and are really central to what makes this country wonderful,” Tackett said.

As students at NC State, we are fortunate enough to have easy access to ways to improve our own literacy. Although many people shy away from reading and writing after high school, NC State’s Department of English offers a wide array of courses from screenwriting to science fiction that can be beneficial to students of all majors.

These classes prepare students for their own unique careers by improving communication skills, increasing cultural awareness and enhancing reading comprehension, which are important in both personal and professional settings.

Adding English as a major is another option for those wanting to take their literary career beyond just a class or two, but how far is a degree in English really going to get you after college?

The possibilities are endless, as there are job opportunities from journalism and publishing to politics and law. NC State offers six concentrations within the Bachelor of Arts in English: creative writing, film studies, linguistics, rhetoric and professional writing, literature and teacher education.

“Wherever there are words, you will have skills that will make you hirable,” Tackett said.

Many people are hesitant to try a field like English because of the potential for a lower paying job, and it is true that people in STEM occupations generally make a significantly higher salary than those in non-STEM fields, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nevertheless, this is not a reason to give up your passion or pass on an opportunity for a wider knowledge base. Tackett encourages students to look deeper than money as a motivator in choosing their career path and consider pursuing what they love.

“You will seldom have this chance of four years just to absorb knowledge,” Tackett said. “In this country we have a kind of paradise where you get these four years to learn things that you love, which, to me, is a great reason to pursue literature.”

In addition to English courses, NC State’s English Club, which meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m., offers the opportunity to get involved with the University’s community of readers and writers.

At NC State, we’ve been presented with unlimited opportunities to expand our literacy, and many people across the country aren’t fortunate enough to have this same opportunity. With that being said, try an English class. The reading, writing and communication skills that you’ll gain are essential to navigating both the college experience and professional world.