Finding a definition of literacy is not as easy as it seems. The Webster definition says that to be literate means to be “able to read and write.” But for some researchers this definition is too simplistic and leads to multiple models of literacy. Most Americans adhere to the autonomous model, which comes closest to the standard dictionary definition. Those who believe in this form argue that literacy is a cognitive activity that students learn like any other basic skill. It has a set of skills that you need to master to be able to decode and encode text (Alvermann, 2009; SIL International, 1999). A competing theory is the ideological model, which argues that literacy is intrinsically linked to culture, and therefore what constitutes a “literate” individual is continually evolving. According to this thinking, society has the greatest influence on literacy and is influenced by politics, religion, philosophy, and more (Alvermann, 2009; SIL International, 1999). These two are just the tip of the iceberg. For example, some studies recognize “literacy as a competency,” which is a “measure of competence to perform a certain task or work in a certain field” (SIL International, 1999), such as computer literacy. Although more and more researchers are recognizing and exploring multiple literacies, the one that most influences American schools is the autonomous cognitive model: the ability to read and write. This seems like a simple task to many, but millions of teenagers are struggling or reluctant readers, and there are many reasons why young readers have difficulty reading. XXXXXX------NEED HELP WITH THESIS STATEMENT HERE, PLEASE—(This article will focus on the effects of poor reading skills, some of the possible causes of reluctant and struggling readers... half of 'article... ...2009). There are many methods available for a variety of different purposes. Conclusion With such a large number of teenagers not reaching basic reading levels, illiteracy is a battle that must be fought head-on. The biggest dilemma with this struggle is the number of variations that cause teens to become reluctant, unmotivated, or struggling readers. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to encourage and strengthen readers of all ages, proving that adolescence is not the time to give up on faltering students. Rather, it's time to evaluate and intervene in an effort to turn a reluctant reader into an avid (or close enough) reader. Ultimately, educators must learn to appropriately assess a student's strengths and weaknesses (Curtis, 2009) and match them with appropriate intervention techniques. If one method doesn't work, there are countless others that take its place.