The proposal that adolescents’ interest in literature has diminish in America is clearly voiced by Dana Gioia, in the article, “Why Literature Matters”. Although, Gioia used different methods to persuade his readers, one way he tried to persuade is by indicating the disadvantages of not reading in society today. One of the many disadvantages Gioia told to persuade his readers was through the effects it had on a child’s development, with its mind. A quote from the article, stated, “... A time of crucial intellectual and emotional development bypass the joys and challenges of literature is a troubling trend”. The quote made by Gioia, can be explained that during a time of growth, knowledge is obtained. However, certain information and attributes that is wanted is gained through reading. Consequently, children, who are do not read will …show more content…
As stated by Gioia, “...Business leaders consistently set imagination, creativity, and high-order thinking at the top”. The quote explained, gives details on the employers’ requirements of characteristic traits when hiring someone. The employers want someone who is educated and can also display the attributes needed. Attributes like being able to expand their mind to different horizons; to think on a bigger perspective and be inventive with new ideas. In conclusion, Dana Gioia expressed his dissatisfaction of literature, by proclaiming the product of not reading is detrimental to young people. He persuaded his readers by stating the disadvantages of not submerging themselves in literature is only going to make their life more complicated. Reading is not awful nor is it harmful, but not reading can be harmful according to Gioia. Young adults and children need to read and gain the attributes and knowledge that comes with
Dana Giola believes literature is a crucial part of life, especially for young adults. In her passage “Why Literature Matters” she describes that young Americans' interests have diminished for literature. She persuades her audience using ethos, logos, and cause-and-effect reasoning. Giola starts off her passage by describing the interest young Americans showed in arts which “actually diminished”(Giola 1) because of how they “taught reading comprehension”(Giola 2).
Gioia uses statistics in his article to show previous studies that the decline of literature is dulling society as well as social interactions. He states, “Literary readers are markedly two to four more times likely to perform charity work, visit a museum, or attend
In the text, Dana states his argument by saying that Americans are losing interest in the arts and literature. Dana supports his arguments by using the 2002 survey of public participation in Arts with additional consensus similar to this, recites the quote of a known author and uses parallelism like “imagination, creativity and high order of thinking.” The main idea or purpose is to draw attention to this problem and to try to fix it because it will pose a serious danger for the future. The primary audience is the youth of the American people. In his introduction, Dana compares the positive aspects in American life and the main idea: the lack of interest shown by young Americans in the arts.
Pam Leo once said, “Let’s raise children who won’t have to recover from their childhoods.” Do parents with kids in high school or middle school really want their kids really want kids reading books about being drunk, smoking cigarettes, violence, “dirty talk”, and using God’s name in vain? Students should not have to read Fahrenheit 451 as an open book in class as it could go against what they believe in. This book could encourage kids to discuss or do things they should not be doing at their age. It also uses references to the bible and uses God’s name in vain.
He uses statistics from a 2004 survey by the National Endowment for the Arts to demonstrate that reading in America has declined in recent decades. He notes that "The percentage of adults who read literature has dropped dramatically over the past two decades," and that this decline is particularly directed toward young people . By presenting this data, Gioia demonstrates that the decline of reading is a real and significant issue that must be addressed. To further strengthen his argument, Gioia uses personal anecdotes to illustrate the benefits of reading. He notes that "reading books can be a form of self-discovery," and that literature has the power to "expand our horizons and help us see the world in a new way."
Books can create portals to different life experiences and encourage reading. A few schools and libraries have challenged the educational value of some books, however, therefore leading them to eventually be prohibited in a particular place. Each reason may be different depending on the book and the location of the exclusions. Books are icons of literature and their value should outshine the occasionally offensive topic. Be that as it may, there are multiple reasons why books should be taught and included in a curriculum.
She stated “I hate exercise…I work out and want to die…I knew I was in love with The Hunger Games when I did not want to get off the treadmill” (138). Her involvement with the text helped Gay to overlook the negative aspect being at the gym, making her a creditable source to encourage the audiences to realize literature can be used as a tool to surpass obstacles. Although Cox Gurdon, a young children book reviewer stated: “Young Adult Fiction has taken too dark a turn,” but Gay appeals to ethos by claiming, teens read book to escape dark aspect of reality (qtd Gay145). She quoted Sherman Alexie an American poet, who is a passionate writer who believes that, “There are millions of teens who read because they are sad and lonely and enraged,” to prove her argument against Gurdon (145). She successfully shapes her argument about kids reading book to escape reality, by telling the reader the reason she read The Hunger Game was because she likes the way the author placed people in their world.
The circumstances in which a child is raised can affect their feelings towards literature. If parents are supportive of a child’s education, they will grow up with more happiness towards learning and reading. For example, Jeannette Walls, in her memoir, The Glass Castle, tells how though she was raised in poverty, her parents supported reading. In the same way, Eudora Welty, in her memoir, One Writer’s Beginnings, explains how she was raised in a loving home by parents who completely supported reading. Whereas Walls was raised in poverty, Welty was raised with money.
Different types of literature open new doors through which students’ can explore the unknown and expand their knowledge of controversial topics. The great examples found in literature have been the subject of much debate, as school boards wrestle with whether children should be allowed to read such difficult, harsh topics, as said in the article “How Banning Books Marginalizes Children” (Source F). There are so many brilliant works of literature spanning a wide variety of genres and topics, and a single school board should not determine what students learn. No one is proposing that second graders read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but rather that we intentionally choose literature that will expand, rather than limit, children’s options and minds. Not only do these great works lay the groundwork for our future generation, but they also serve to diversify students’ writing and analysis skills.
In this essay, "Why Literature Matters", author Dana Gioia sets up an argument about literature. Which she uses various ways to persuade her audience be in favor of her proposal; by showing statistic evidence, facts, and historical evidence, as well as some ironies, diction, and the appeals to reader's emotion. First of all, Gioia begins with strong appeals to reader's logos by clearly laying out the statistic source. For example, "According to the 2002 survey of Public Participation in the Arts, the reading population of the Americans is declining. " In turn, is an attempt to point out the thesis statement and make the readers to think out about this topic wile reading through her essay.
In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, he states that the decline of interest in literature—especially from young teens—will have a negative outcome in society. Notably, he informs the readers by utilizing strong vocabulary, as well as rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience that the decline in reading will have a negative outcome. This allows readers to comprehend his views and join his side of the argument. Gioia’s word choice assists in showing the magnitude of the text by stressing the meaning and importance of his argument.
As the digital age comes upon us, more and more Americans become dissatisfied with the state of literacy in this generation. Because the Internet paves the way for shorter and shorter interactions, namely articles versus novels and six-second viral videos versus films, many people that grew up in the age of the Internet have a preference for this condensed form of entertainment. Dana Gioia of The New York Times asserts in his essay “Why Literature Matters” that the decline of reading in America is destined to have a negative impact on society as a whole. Gioia opens his essay with a bittersweet account of which trend is occurring in the twenty-first century America arts scene. He notes that as college attendance rates blossom, the interest
In a society where children are bombarded with electronics and technology, it can be challenging to convince them to sit down and either read or listen to a story. Reading and hearing stories helps to spark children’s imaginations and dreams. For some children, bedtime stories are not only special for the heroes or princesses they feature, but also for the scheduled time they get to spend one on one with their parent or guardian. In order for children to learn to enjoy reading they must be able to have a choice in what they are able to read. This is something that is taught to them from a young age, whether they are picking a bedtime story or a novel to read at school, it must be something that interests them.
Everyone knows that reading is important, but have you ever asked yourself why is that so? Reading is one of the most beneficial and practical activities that a human being can do. Unfortunately it is a disappointment that people these days read less. As we know, books were the main source of entertainment centuries ago, but with the widespread of technological advances such as the cinema, television, internet, among others, many people left their books on the bookshelf. The purpose of this speech is to present the benefits and the importance of reading.
Literature is a work of art that frees and liberates it’s reader. It allows one to gain knowledge so that they might be able to continually grow as a person. As a child, I could not go a day without reading. Due to those years of reading, I believe literature taught me how to write from my heart and truly be able to express myself. Reading literature creates an equal opportunity for everyone to enhance their lives by immersing themselves in the thoughts and wisdom of others.