When Malcolm to expand your vocabulary and writing. SKILLS. He considers himself "one of the most eloquent con artists" (p. 143), but he is barely able to read the words in most books. After many tablets filled with millions of words copied from the dictionary, reading a book became less of a challenge. By learning to read and write correctly, it was as if a “new world had opened” for him (p. 144). While incarcerated, reading became an escape for him, keeping his face busy during the months of his stay. In the last sentence, Malcolm ” (Pg. 144) telling the reader that illiteracy can prevent a person in life from being able to do something they care about. This essay is a great example of how language can be so much more than just the ability to speak it. Even though someone may speak a language with slang or other jargon, knowing how to read and write is a real skill. The 21st generation is filled with slang and inappropriate grammar that many people overlook, 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