Summary Of Why Literature Matters By Dana Gioia

In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, the author presents information on the decline in literature among young adults in America. Gioia builds the argument and persuades the readers through various mediums such as; the use of surveys, making connections to other fields related to the subject, and further explaining possible consequences of the problem. Throughout the article Gioia often refers to various surveys as sources to statistically support her argument in the decline of literature. These include, the “2002 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts”, and “Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America”. Both of these surveys were conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts by the US Bureau. Therefore, the audience can be assured of the credibility of the sources used, furthermore strengthening her position with reliable data. Having evidence which includes numbers will make the claim Gioia is making much more believable to some people. Another form in which Gioia supports her stance is by expanding into problems interconnected with the main point of the article. Gioia explains the importance of the main problem in

Gioia uses them in a large scale referring to the entire nation and society as whole. This strategy also comes with an emotional approach, such as instilling a sense of worry and fear in the readers towards the consequences of the decline in reading. Statements like the following, “…our nation becomes less informed, active, and independent-minded.”, “These are not the qualities that a free, innovative, or productive society can afford to lose.”, are strong enough to keep the reader thinking even after having finished reading the article. It is a strategy that secures persuading the reader into agreeing with her claim, because after all an emotional approach may leave a bigger impact than any other evidence used in the