The article Viewing vs. Reading, written by Marie Winn, is an article which examines and contrasts the processes of reading a book and watching television. In her article, Winn goes into detail regarding the effect that each of these activities has and how they may affect the lives of those who choose to indulge in either activity. The majority of the article is spent going back and forth arguing and explaining, but at the end, Winn makes her stance on the issue clear, “reading is somehow ‘better’ than television viewing” (Winn 255). Though she does not crystallize her thesis until the end, Winn argues that reading is superior to viewing television due to the positive neurological effects, development of imagination, as well as the flexibility …show more content…
Winn argues a child, “may take a book with him wherever he goes...he can control the use of books.”(Winn 254) Winn finds this to be an advantage of books as they do not root you inside of your own house on your living room couch. Winn describes viewing television as an activity that you are “powerless” in, as though the television controls you (Winn 255). Winn does bring up a valid point in this part of her article, but it is not a completed argument. She glorifies reading because it is mobile, but does not talk about the benefits that come with having the ability to read in other places than your house. In this case, one could easily argue, that viewing television is something that is done at the same hour by everyone and provides topics of conversation during social gatherings. Furthermore, it could be argued that books are of less value in terms of mobility, as by bringing them places you are showing that you would rather read than interact socially. This argument could have merit for Winn, and she has the opportunity to further explain the value in reading, but she fails to do so here, just like she does in many other