This pilot study was a limited exploratory investigation of certain aspects of visual symbolization ability in matched pairs of literate and illiterate adults. It was asserted that written symbolization serves as an economical means of reality comprehension and testing. This basic function of symbolization must be learned and accepted psychologically as an essential operational premise if symbols are to be employed profitably. It was argued that the failure of the illiterate to accept this premise may account in part for his illiteracy. The performance level was first tested on symbol items which were visually tied to "real" things. The attention span of the two samples were tested on a paper-and-pencil task. Finally, an instrument using abstract symbols was administered. The results were in the direction predicted. Further studies seem warranted to differentiate the several factors involved. (Nine tables and 16 references are included.) (author/ly)