Analysis Of Dana Gioia's Essay Why Literature Matters

Larissa MacFarquhar’s essay titled,“Who Cares if Johnny Can’t Read?” , was published in the Slate magazine in 1997, rebuts the misconception that Americans in today’s society don’t read as much as people did in the past. MacFarquhar presented factual information to back up her claim that Americans do read and that they read more now than they ever did. In addition, people do not read classics as much as they read genre fiction and self-help in today’s society. MacFarquhar also stated that reading books is better than television. According to MacFarquhar, she believed that reading can stimulate emotions and allow people to participate unlike television. Later, she acknowledged that certain television can also stimulate emotions and allow people

In the article, “Why Literature Matters,” Dana Gioia predominantly focuses on the use of logos, logical fact-based evidence and stimulating, emotional-based language to entice the audience. Gioia elaborates on the theme of correlation between young adult Americans and the decline of literature in this age group. He continues his argument with the consequences with the decline of literature in the lives of these Americans.

In the passage “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, Gioia states that the decline of interest in reading in America is decreasing. She then claims that this lack of interest will hold negative effects on the future of our society. Gioia uses facts and evidence to support her claim.

In Dana Gioia’s article titled “Why Literature Matters”, he explains about the decline of reading literature for young Americans. Although “income rose to unforeseen levels, college attendance ballooned, and access of information increased enormously” he states, “the interest young Americans showed in the arts… diminished”. In his article, Gioia uses surveys, articles, studies, and statistics to persuade his audience that the decline of reading in America can have a negative effect on society.

Dana Giona persuades his audience on how the decline of reading in America will impact society negatively by incorporating a precise set of diction usage and including irony in his article.

Dana Gioia calls out millennials and younger generations in america, to spark a conversation about the increasingly declining and destructive behavior of NOT reading! Gioia makes very many fantastic points and uses very many persuasive elements on why literacy actually is vital to to our society and the negative effects that come from this lack of literacy. She gives us factual evidence and credible sources to pull the reader into her side of the argument.

Dana Gioia claims that the decline of reading in america will have a negative effect on society. Gioia uses studies and facts to appeal to her audiences logical and emotional sides. By adding these studies, Gioia strengthens her claim and makes her audience worry for the future society of America. Throughout the essay, Dana Gioia uses surveys, studies, and facts to draw her audience's attention to the issue at hand.

Dana GIoia uses factual evidence and strong reasoning to develop his view of the literature crisis into a persuasive article.

She then continues and presents the reader with a clear statistic of the number of the American decline in the interest towards the Arts. Dana then clearly states how the decline in literature affects society.” In 2001 the National Association of Manufacturers polled its members on skill deficiencies among employees. Among hourly workers, poor reading skills ranked second, and 38 percent of employers complained that local schools inadequately taught reading comprehension.” (Dana Gioia, “Why Literature Matters”) By presenting the reader with clear conflicts that the decline in literature has established helps the reader become aware that it is not just an opinion that Dana has but instead it is a real

In the passage “Why Literature Matters,” Dana Gioia uses facts and statistics as well as strong word choice and tone to help persuade the audience.

In the novel “Fahrenheit 451”, by Ray Bradbury, the people of society burn books and are evidently non-intellectual. They have no books to read, and the few that have stolen books, are considered criminals. Surprisingly, the loss of books drastically impacted the society. People committed suicide, many taking drugs, using violence. These are the possible occurrences if books are taken from society. Evidently, society significantly benefits from literature. Although we have our different reasons for why life is worth living, it is essential that you read, primarily because books teach us life lessons, and form impacts on how we view society, and our lives.

Dana Gioia in his article, “Why Literature Matters” discusses the decline in youth interest in literature in order to persuade his audience to recognize the importance of literature to society. He achieves this through a passionate and caring tone, informational evidence, and suspenseful transitions. Dana Gioia is an author for the New York Times, this is an appeal to ethos because it shows he has accreditation. Gioia opens his article by explaining that while college attendance has risen, there has been an immense decrease in the arts. To show the towering decrease, Dana Gioia uses powerful diction.

In the article, “Why Literature Matters,” Dana Gioia is trying to get the reader to understand that reading actually benefits American citizens, and inversely not reading has negative consequences. Gioia built his argument by using a multitude of literary devices that include diction, organization,using direct quotes, and using credible sources/ facts. By utilizing many different types of literary techniques, Dana made his argument more persuasive. At the beginning of his argument, Gioia starts of his argument by using facts from credible sources that explain how young Americans reading has “diminished” and then transitioning into the impact of how not reading has negative consequences.

In Why Literature Matters Author Dana Gioia expresses and supports his opinion on why schools should support and teach arts and literature. Gioia shows the rapid decline in Americans not reading literature anymore, he shows the consequences you will face in the real world, like when you try to get a job. Gioia uses facts and statistics throughout the essay, as well as appealing to your patriotism.

The decline of literature has a negative impact on society and Dana Gioia emphasizes this in his New York Times article “Why Literature Matters” using the views from various sides. Using facts from reports and studies, Gioia strengthens his view on the importance of reading and literature and forewarning the risk of what could occur if numbers of literate civilians continues to dwindle. He looks at the social, personal and economical roles of literature and how it impacts an individual. Dana Gioia starts off mentioning the young adult audience and how they were the most worrisome out of all the other age groups when it came to the decline of literature and reading. One method that he used was the 2002 Survey of Public Participation in the