Though the central topics of her address are not unprecedented in this genre, their meaning both extends and is enriched by knowledge of Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter tales. In particular, she reflects on one of the underlying themes of her celebrated opus, explaining that “Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathise with humans whose experiences we have never shared.”

One of the qualities that makes Rowling’s books so transcendent is that they are simultaneously fun and wise, artfully mixing adventure and parable in ways that define the sort of literature that leaves a permanent mark on society. They are at once entertaining and thought-provoking, engaging and instructive, amusing and unsettling, enjoyable and cathartic. Rowling’s unabashed moral and political stance is evident in the novels (which is likely why they are more than occasionally banned), but it is a rare treat to learn about some of the experiences that have informed the author’s passionate positions. Though I consider being a children’s author one of the most exalted vocations in its own right, I especially admire Rowling for doing such an exceptional job using her authorship for the common good. Hers is a shining example of writing that transcends genres that tend to be artificially separated in the standard curriculum; she demonstrates that creative writing and persuasive writing are not mutually exclusive. The best fiction is full of truths, and there are more ways to explain a perspective or convince an audience than the five-paragraph essay.

Fortunately, children are smart enough not to limit their education to school. Henry Jenkins of MIT’s New Media Literacies Project speaks to this phenomenon in his article Why Heather Can Write, which characterizes how Web 2.0 media can support young authors in ways that schools often do not. He describes the Harry Potter fan fiction community, also featured in a new film called We Are Wizards. These irrepressible writers take inspiration from J.K. Rowling’s brilliant stories, which serve as templates rich with multifaceted characters and complex plots that engage readers’ imaginations and invite them to try their hand at authorship, guided by a helpful framework and a supportive community. Naturally, such “affinity spaces” are self-selecting, but teachers who employ such media and encourage such “participatory culture” in the classroom could distribute their benefits much more broadly. Sites such as Fiction Alley and The Daily Prophet provide infrastructure for paying tribute to Rowling’s literary genius and mobilizing new authorship in ways that were not possible before Web 2.0.

Ironically, Rowling’s commencement message seems to have evaded the very segment of the audience for which it was most directly intended. An NPR story about the event indicates that some graduates found her unworthy of the honor of speaking to them on the auspicious occasion of their transition to adult life. All the more reason, I suppose, that the rest of us should heed her sage advice.