Dana Gioia's Why Literature Matters

Literature; it has compelled us, entertained us, educated us, and drove us to madness. It has served as life instruction, by using the characters as the lesson plan. It is sometimes blunt, sometimes ugly, and in Truman Capote’s case, is so gruesome that we do not dare forget it.

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.

Dana Gioia's purpose of this essay is to explain to society that reading less will mentally impact them. She is trying to get the message across to everyone, so that they understand the image that there setting on themselves, and impact that is has on them outside of literature. It is also impacting them in the business world. With there decline in reading, it holds there brain from opening up and really creating artistic ideas.

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 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.

Gioia opens up the article by giving the readers an allusion to a survey from Public Participation in the arts. By doing this, it brings the readers attention up and interested in how the declines have affected younger adults all over America. ¨The most worrisome finding in the 2002 study, however, is the declining percentage of Americans, especially young adults, reading literature.¨ This quote makes the reader interested and curious on why this is happening, and wants them to keep reading.

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.

The negative diction that Gioia expresses lets his argument linger in the readers mind. The harsh word choice also maintains the ongoing importance and critical outcomes that may follow. Gioia states that as "more Americans lose this [reading] capability, our nation becomes less informed, active and independent minded." Gioia uses "less" and "lose" to show the declining factor that non-literary readers bring.

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.

INTRO PARAGRAPH: The author of the piece “Why Literature Matters”, Dana Gioia, builds a strong argument in favor of why reading literature matters so much, even in today’s technologically advanced and electronically centered environment. Gioia’s piece, (written in 2005), spoke volumes upon the the idea that even Albert Einstein once prophesied. “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.

Without literature Americans are facing negative long term social and economic problems. Dana Gioia wrote this passage to persuade people that literature is somthing we need in our society and without it we are doomed.

As I read, “The Dark Night of the Soul” by Richard E. Miller, I found it to be an interesting read. He inquires, why we read, why we write and what might literate arts be said to be good for? In his essay he describes the school massacres that have occurred throughout the years. As he describes these events, he asks a deeper question, “What is the point of continuing to read, write and learn in the face of such underlying dangers. I think that with all that is happening, individuals/students should continue with education because reading, television, writing and communication makes a difference in the lives of individuals around the world. The bottom line is that literary art has a way of touching students unexpectedly one way or another and students should not just throw the art away because of society’s perception.

Indeed, the best works of literature are those which are of relevance to our lives today. Through their relevance, these novels continue to persist and endure on. Through their relevance, we can better comprehend the messages, the themes, and the ideas that are imbued in them. Rather than literature being contradictory and in conflict with the truth and unpleasant reality of daily life, it becomes a weapon through which we can be educated about the existential crises facing our world today. In fact, the statement above could not be more far and distant from the reality of literature today. It is fatally flawed. Literature, whilst at the surface, seems whimsical and amusing is, at its very core, a medium through which we are enlightened