When Malcolm his vocabulary and writing skills. He calls himself "one of the most articulate con men out there" (p. 143), but can barely read the words in most books. After numerous tablets filled with millions of words copied from the dictionary, reading a book became less difficult. By learning to read and write properly, it was as if “a new world had opened up” (p. 144). During his imprisonment, reading became an escape route for him, allowing his mine to remain occupied during the months of his stay. In the last sentence Malcolm (Page 144) telling the reader that illiteracy can prevent you from doing something you feel strongly about in life. This essay is a great example of how language can be much more than simply having the ability to speak it. While someone may be able to speak a language with slang or other jargon, knowing how to read and write is a real skill. The 21st generation is full of slang and improper grammar that many people ignore, but when you do things like write a letter or apply for a job, it can make or break you. When you write something, like a letter, the