How does julseth demonstrate both literal and cereal reading in the analyzing new literacy?

In "Analyzing New Literacies," Julseth doesn't explicitly use the terms "literal" and "cereal" reading (the latter being a playful neologism referencing a superficial, quick read). However, his work implicitly demonstrates both approaches through the different ways he analyzes and interprets new literacy practices. We can infer these readings through his methodology and the examples he provides.

Literal Reading (Close Reading): Julseth advocates for a close, detailed examination of the specific practices and artifacts associated with new literacies. This aligns with a literal reading. He analyzes the forms, structures, and content of digital texts, multimodal compositions, and online interactions. For example, he might meticulously examine the layout of a website, the use of hyperlinks, or the visual elements of a digital story, paying close attention to the specific choices made by the creator and how they shape meaning. This detailed analysis is akin to a literal reading of the text—paying attention to what is *actually* there rather than inferring broader meanings without evidence.

"Cereal" Reading (Superficial/Generalized Reading): While Julseth wouldn't explicitly endorse this, we can see how a "cereal" reading could be critiqued or contrasted within his framework. A cereal reading would be a quick, superficial interpretation of new literacies that overlooks the complexities and nuances of digital environments. For example, it would be a cereal reading to simply state that "social media improves communication" without carefully examining the potential for misinformation, echo chambers, or the differing communicative practices within various platforms. Julseth's emphasis on the situated nature of literacy practices — how literacy skills are shaped by context and tools — directly challenges such generalized pronouncements. He encourages a deeper, more critical analysis that avoids simplistic conclusions and considers the social, cultural, and technological factors at play.

In essence, Julseth's approach steers away from the "cereal" reading towards a robust, nuanced, literal reading of new literacies. His focus on the detailed analysis of specific practices and their context implicitly critiques the generalized and often superficial understandings of digital literacy that a "cereal" approach would promote. He advocates for a more rigorous and attentive examination to avoid simplistic and potentially misleading generalizations.