What does critical literacy enable a reader to do?

Critical literacy is an approach to reading and interpreting texts that encourages a deeper engagement with the material. It goes beyond just understanding the surface meaning of a text; it empowers readers to analyze and critique the content and the context in which it was produced. By critically examining texts, readers can uncover underlying biases, question the motivations of the authors, and reflect on societal implications, such as power dynamics, cultural assumptions, and social injustices.

This deeper level of analysis requires readers to not only ask "What does this text say?" but also "Who wrote this text, why was it written, and what impact does it have on society?" Hence, critical literacy equips readers with the skills to deconstruct messages and recognize how language influences thought and behavior.

In contrast, the other choices focus on different, more superficial aspects of reading. Memorizing text verbatim does not require analysis or understanding of implications. Reading at a faster pace emphasizes speed rather than comprehension or critique. Summarizing texts without personal interpretation neglects the essential evaluative aspect that is a hallmark of critical literacy. Thus, the emphasis on critically analyzing texts and understanding societal implications is what makes this option the most accurate representation of what critical literacy enables a reader to do.