Effects of Literature on Culture

1022 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Influences of culture in society

Every day humans participate in the consumption of media. Technology has changed the means of production of media making it more readily available. The advancement in technology, such as television, smart phones, and the internet, has caused a declination in the use of literary communications. People are more inclined to watch an online video rather than read the daily newspaper; also, people tend to enjoy watching movies rather than reading a book. Society, especially in the United States, has become consumed by the advancements in technology. People no longer have to read printed books, due to the invention of the Kindle and Nook along with the apps on other tablets to read. The use of the internet has made it accessible to order books directly from websites rather than going to the bookstore. All these things factor into the consumption of literary communication. Literature effects people in unique ways compared to other sources of media. Each reader perceives a text in a different way and each book affects each reader in different ways. If reading literary communications promotes creativity and encourages the mind to interpret the content of a text and to analyze the effect it has on the reader; then the declination of reading will affect the perspective of life in a culture.

Reading or the lack thereof, is important in a culture because it impacts how the citizens perceive life. Over time the amount of people who enjoy reading has declined. Technology, providing other means of entertainment, is partially responsible for making reading seem less desirable in comparison to the internet or television. However, the groups of people who are least interested in reading are the children, teenagers, and the young adults. How do Am...

... middle of paper ...

...nsition." Screen Education 63 (2011): 72-74. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Hakemulder, Frank. "Literary Potential: The Unexplored Powers of Reading." Information Design Journal (IDJ) 16.2 (2008): 126-132. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Moyer, Jessica E. "What Does It Really Mean To 'Read' A Text?." Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 55.3 (2011): 253-256. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Singer, Amy E. "A Novel Approach: The Sociology of Literature, Children's Books, and Social Inequality." International Journal of Qualitative Methods 10.4 (2011): 307-320. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Tsao, Ya-Lun. "Using Guided Play To Enhance Children's Conversation, Creativity And Competence In Literacy." Education 128.3 (2008): 515-520. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • The Closing of the American Book by Andrew Solomon

    701 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Closing of the American Book,” published in the New York Times Magazine, Andrew Solomon argues about how the decline of literary reading is a crisis in national health, politics, and education. Solomon relates the decline of reading with the rise of electronic media. He believes that watching television and sitting in front of a computer or a video screen instead of reading can cause the human brain to turn off, and lead to loneliness and depression. He also argues that with the decrease of reading rates, there will no longer be weapons against “absolutism” and “terrorism,” leading to the United States political failure in these battles. The last point Solomon makes is that there is no purpose behind America being one of the most literate societies in history if people eradicate this literacy, and so he encourages everyone to help the society by increasing reading rates and making it a “mainstay of community.” Solomon tries to show the importance of reading in brain development and he encourages people to read more by emphasizing the crisis and dangers behind the declination of reading.

    Read More

  • On The Importance Of Reading Gioia Summary

    2077 Words  | 5 Pages

    Gioia identifies all that is at stake in a world where reading is obsolete in his essay On the Importance of Reading. He paints imagery to show the comparisons of readers and non readers as well as the affects literacy and illiteracy have on the world. Gioia asserts his opinions on why reading is losing the battle of popularity. According to Gioia a person who reads is civic-minded, active, empathic, and imaginative. Gioia expresses the opposite benefits are true of illiterate or semi literate people they lead passive lives, are less likely to volunteer, and less imaginative. Among all of these benefits of reading Gioia identifies, he writes in depth about empathy gained through reading. I also feel one of the greatest benefits of reading

    Read More

  • A Parallel Between Two Worlds: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bradbury attacks loss of literature in the society of Fahrenheit 451 to warn our current society about how literature is disappearing and the effects on the people are negative. While Montag is at Faber’s house, Faber explains why books are so important by saying, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores” (79). Faber is trying to display the importance of books and how without them people lack quality information. In Electronics and the Decline of Books by Eli Noam it is predicted that “books will become secondary tools in academia, usurped by electronic media” and the only reason books will be purchased will be for leisure, but even that will diminish due to electronic readers. Books are significant because they are able to be passed down through generation. While online things are not concrete, you can not physically hold the words. Reading boost creativity and imagination and that could be lost by shifting to qui...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Counting Chips And Chopsticks

    1782 Words  | 4 Pages

    Leong was featured in the May 2003 issue of the NAEYC’s Young Children. The article explores the conflict between children's play and meeting academic standards; more frequently, teachers are forced to limit playtime in order to teach essential skills to students; however because of limited imaginary play, increased academic demands of young children, and more realistic toys, children are almost unable to imagine. Although play has been proven to benefit children’s cognitive and social development, administrators do not consider it to be an important aspect of young children’s education. Because of this, preschool and kindergarten teachers are put in a challenging predicament; in order to compensate for children’s lack of play, teachers would need to prioritize play development at the level in which they prioritize phonics awareness and fine motor skills development. Although it is difficult to do, it is not impossible to incorporate play into the curriculum. Teachers can facilitate mature play by providing multi purpose props, encouraging children to create their own props, and allowing time for children to plan their roles and scenarios for dramatic play. In addition to play helping children develop foundational skills and concepts necessary to master math and reading, it has been shown to increase classroom cooperation, the effectiveness of instructional time, and the number of friendships developed in the

    Read More

  • The Essay 'Staying Awake’' by Ursula Le Guin

    1339 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reading is on the decline and our reading skills are declining right along with the amount of reading we do. This is happening right across the board through both genders, all age groups and education levels, people are busy and they just do not have time to read books that they are not required to read for school or work. There are serious consequences to this neglect of reading that will continue to worsen if ignored. We need to take notice of what is happening to our culture and stop this situation from continuing, we must act to correct these issues that we are faced with. These things are discussed in the essay “Staying Awake’’ by Ursula K. Le Guin who uses the NEA essays “To Read or Not to Read’’ and “Reading at Risk’’ to support her argument that there is a decline in the amount of time that we are spending on reading and our ability to understand what it is that we are reading.

    Read More

  • Literary Analysis: "Everyday Use"

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    Schakel, Peter J., and Jack Ridl. "Everyday Use." Approaching Literature: Writing Reading Thinking. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 109-15. Print.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Dana Gioia's 'Why Literature Matters'

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “Why Literature Matters” the author, Dana Gioia, argues that literature is very important in today’s society. He talks about the decline of reading over the years and the effects it has on different companies and communities. Gioia uses many persuasive techniques, such as evidence, jingoism, and diction, to try and persuade the reader that literature is important.

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of The Joy Of Reading And Writing: Superman And Me?

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a world dominated by technology, reading novels has become dull. Instead of immersing into books, we choose to listen to Justin Bieber’s new songs and to scroll through Instagram posts. We have come to completely neglect the simple pleasures of flipping through pages and getting to finally finish a story. Sherman Alexie and Stephan King’s essays attempt to revive this interest in books that has long been lost. They remind us of the important role that reading plays in our daily lives. “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me,” for instance, demonstrates how being literate saved the narrator from the oppressive nature of society. The author explains that even though he was capable of reading complex books at an astonishingly young

    Read More

  • Banned Books

    1205 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Reading." The Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence. Ed. Jerome Kagan and Susan B. Gall. Online Edition. Detroit: Gale, 2007.

    Read More

  • Similarities and Differences between Reggio Emilia and High Scope

    1688 Words  | 4 Pages

    ..., J., & Garzoli, E. (2007, November 11). The Effectiveness of a Play-Based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://teachplaybasedlearning.com/8.html

    Read More

  • English Literacies: A New Perspective

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    X, Malcom. "Learning to Read." Wardle, Elizabeth and Doug Downs. Writing About Writing A College Reader. Boston: Bedford/St.Martin's, 2011. 353-361. Print.

    Read More

  • How Has Literature Changed Over Time Essay

    584 Words  | 2 Pages

    Literature has had a major impact on society, and, also our history. Literature has reformed and shaped civilizations, changed political systems, and has exposed injustices (3). Our literature has changed and developed as we have, keeping up with our society. “...literature is crucial for the advancement of society (3).” With literary works, we can convince others to view things a certain way, share our opinions, and more. Literature is greatly intertwined with our society and everyday lives, and they would not be the same without it. Literature plays an irreplaceable role in our

    Read More

  • Tunnel Vision In Reading

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reading involves translating symbols and letters into words or sentences. Anderson defines reading as a process of constructing meaning from a written text. We indulge in reading for many different purposes, be it survival, leisure or occupational. In a way, reading serves as a kind communication between the writer and the reader. The writer encodes what he or she wishes to convey while the reader decodes according to his or her own perception. Johnson quotes “A young man should read five hours in a day, and so may acquire a great deal of knowledge.”

    Read More

  • At Risk Students and Reading Proficiency

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is a “reading world” we live in and students should be guaranteed every opportunity to succeed in this information driven society. Children today are overwhelmed with more reading material than ever before on billboard, television, the Internet and at school, causing reading to become a relevant and essential need in the life of every child (Lumpkin 1972). Being able to read has become the core of our information driven society. Yet, reading difficulties continue to plague the foundation of our education system creating a problem that only seems to be escalating. Hasselbring affirms that reading difficulties are a serious concern to our nation’s students claiming that, “as many as 20 percent of 17 year olds... [are] functionally illiterate and 44 percent of all high school students…[are] described as semi-illiterate”(2004). This is a harsh reality to face – a reality that stems from difficulties developed at the elementary level where reading complications arise and usually go unchecked. These reading difficulties are carri...

    Read More

  • The Future of Reading

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...wan believes, one of the best things about our digital lives is the ease with which we can share ideas with others. It is now possible for readers to connect with each other worldwide, as well as recommend and share their opinions about a particular piece of literature. Our need to engage in “deep reading” will not go away, as Rosen believes. The act of how we read may evolve as it has been evolving since beginning of mankind. How we read and write has evolved from cave walls to stone tablets to paper to keyboards. The digital world will not change what we read, but how we read. Because the experience of reading, the love of narrative, and cravings for story-telling is instilled into our DNA. Reading is a basic human need, it is evolutionary. Even though our means of attaining information or story telling may change, the act of reading is literally forever-lasting.

    Read More

More about Effects of Literature on Culture

Open Document