Dana Gioia's Why Literature Matters

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.

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.

Today, in our society, reading is a crucial part of us growing, and learning. It can cause us to expand our minds, and our thought process. Books can take you anywhere in the world. When we read a book, our mind is in control, and no one can take that away from us. If there were no books, we would not be free.

Dana Giola writes an essay persuading the american people, specifically young adults, to read more in order to achieve a better understanding of the world as well as learning how to interpret and comprehend any type of text, even in the workplace. Dana builds her argument by blending quotes and facts to illustrate how reading less diminishes society as a whole. The author first builds her argument by revealing to us how a decline in reading affects our ability to think creatively. We are told that the more we read, the more we are able to use our imagination to solve problems and create new ideas.

In a compelling argument about the necessity of literature and arts, Dana Gioia, argues that not only has society, mostly the young adults of this generation, stopped reading, but the benefits in political and economic stances diminishes with the lack of reading. An intriguing persuasive passage is made to try to convince the reader as to why reading is so important and why young adults show reconsider it. Information from political to economic and social readings were useful to help support his claim. Using the knowledge of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Gioia wanted to prove what can happen if society as a whole doesn’t continue to read. With the lack of literature, is a lack of civic knowledge and to confirm it, the “2003 study of 15- to 26- year olds’ civic knowledge… concluded young people do not understand the ideals of the citizenship… and their appreciation and support of American democracy is limited.”

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 reading by Americans isn´t by all Americans, Dana Gioia states that the “ declines have been most severe among younger adults ages 18-24.” (pg 1) Dana uses this fact from the 2002 survey to support her conclusion that the decline of reading will have a negative effect on society because it “ signifies deep transformations into a contemporary life.” (pg 1)

In this article from 2005, Dana Gioia is telling Americans how much the decline in reading among young Americans has gone. Gioia is encouraging Americans to read, and writes about the consequences of not having this literature reading skill.

In this passage Why Literature Matters by Dana Gioia, he argues the reading is an important thing to be doing.After he collected data which shows that “the declines have been most severe among younger adults”, which explains the reasoning for the lack of creativity and knowledge.Throughout this passage Gioia started it off with a survey that happened then was followed by why the study was important and was explaining the importance of it.

In the article, “Why Literature Matters”, the author, Dana Gioia, states how reading is taking a turn downhill as young adults are not reading literature. Gioia addresses that in order to fix the issue, politicians and business communities need to try and fix the problems. Dana Gioia uses a series of logical appeals to show how the decrease in literature is affecting the society.

As a young girl, I remember my grandma used to read me a story every night before bed. Now that I’m older I find writing as an escape, a way to let my feelings out. However, in the persuasive essay, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, it is brought to light that literature is a dying subject. The author informs the reader of this tragedy by providing a solid, well built argument, and backing it up with factual evidence.

Some topics are more interesting to read than others. In an article called ‘Why Literature Matters’ written by Dana Gioia, this article can be viewed as highly persuasive because of the techniques he uses to get his points across to the audience .Gioia is able to build arguments though his use of evidence and different literary techniques.