“Why Literature Matters” “Why Literature Matters” written by Dana Gioia includes reasoning and evidence to persuade the audience to read more. Young Americans’ interest in literature has declined, and Gioia’s purpose is to portray the importance and effectiveness of literature; however, Gioia’s poor use of logic to link the decline in literature with negative results in society makes his article ineffective. In paragraph two, Gioia uses evidence to back up his claim that there is a decrease in Americans reading literature. Gioia brings up a 2002 survey of the Public Participation in the Arts, which is a reliable source, and claims that ‘arts participation by Americans has declined for eight of the nine major forms that are measured...The declines have been most severe among younger adults (ages 18-24).” Throughout this paragraph, Gioia is just stating facts. He does not mention why the percentage of Americans reading literature is declining. He does not state the percentage, and he does not explain how the survey was measured. In addition, the range of the survey was small. Gioia did not prove that this actually has an effect on our society. Gioia mentions that not reading causes drastic changes in everyday life. Still, he does not provide evidence to his claim or even clarify what transitions he is referring to. He states, “the …show more content…
significance of reading has become a persistent theme in the business world.” Gioia is trying to use logic to prove that literature has a powerful impact on the youth’s future, but he never provides evidence to make his point, that what businesses are looking for links to reading, which causes him to be unsuccessful in persuading the audience to read more. Gioia refers to a reliable source, Wired Magazine, to make evident that businesses look for an artistic and creative side to people when deciding who to hire. Gioia does not establish; however, that reading develops those characteristics. Therefore, people who choose not to read will not be disadvantaged in society in comparison to those who spend time reading. People may argue that this is an effective article because in paragraph eight, Gioia stated that “declining rates of literary reading coincide with the declining levels of historical and political awareness among young people.” However, he does not provide any sort of evidence to verify his statement.
Then, he gives examples of how literary readers are more social than non readers. However, this is the first time in the article that Gioia ties the decline in reading with social life, and he still fails to provide evidence that the higher social activity is the result from the historical knowledge people gain from literary
reading. Throughout the article, Gioia uses logic to provide many facts to prove his point. His inability to provide evidence and to connect the decline in reading with people being less civically engaged makes his article ineffective and unpersuasive.
Andrew Solomon has some valid arguments in his article, and he tries to persuade the readers through logos, pathos, and ethos. Solomon wants the readers to understand the importance of reading, and how its decline can be harmful to the nation. To reinforce his arguments, Solomon shares a variety of examples, for instance, he mentions that reading helps improve memory and concentration, and the decline of reading is causing mental “atrophy.” He also calls upon the readers to take some sort of action to raise reading rates and help the society. This can grant the readers a form of power and control over the crisis that will lead to an em...
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
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...
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.
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.
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
Albrecht, Milton C. "The Relationship of Literature and Society." JStor. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. .
Literature is the most essential apparatus to help broaden understanding, help learn and communicate better, and to help escape reality even if its momentarily. So in the next available moment, before judging a book by its cover and length, remember all the knowledge that is contained in those pages that can be translated into the brain. Explore the different worlds and benefits that Literature has and continues to offer, because “"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."-George RR
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.
Compare and evaluate the ways in which literature on the one hand, and the human sciences on the other may help us to know and understand human behaviour.
Harry Levin suggests, “…the relations between literature and society are reciprocal. Literature is not only the effect of social causes; it is also the cause of social effects.”
...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.
Literature in Life Literature is the expressed influence of communities and the individuals in societies. Literature spans culture, beliefs, and attributes, the necessary component for corroborating how literature reflects, and portrays communities. The language from literature helps give cultural explanation of living in different society. Literature that is defined by the cultural aspect, gives details about such fascinating and affluent information or context. Certain works, and words used in literature, can help the reader understand and describe the sense of the community being read in the story.
Literature is incredible that reflects society, makes us imagine about ourselves and our society, allows us to take pleasure in languages and beauty, it can be informative, and it reflects on ‘the human condition’. It is the art form that arises out of the human capacity to produce language. Literature has undergone a great widening of connotation and has to come to mean ‘anything in print’-anything written. Literature in the factual interest, and characterized by permanence,
Today’s society makes myself wonder, why must I take courses in literature? Literature is a crucial course which adds color to life. It allows me to laugh and dream while it builds suspense for what to expect ahead. It might just be a read but it enables me to feel emotions and allows me to see the world from a different perspective. It allows me to see the social norms in society, along with providing society with a light of guidance. However, reading literature not only benefits one in gaining knowledge, but aids in breaking barriers between cultural norms and stereotypes with the bitter truth which allows others to appreciate past history.