Summary Of Why Literature Matters By Dana Gioia

In the reading from “why literature matters”, Dana Gioia constructs an argument using statistical evidence and strong diction to persuade his readers that the decline of reading in America will have a negative effect on society. Gioia provides statistical proof and factual evidence by quoting a series of studies that prove the decline of interest in literature for young Americans. The author uses a “2002 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts” to show the reader proof that there is a “Declining percentage of Americans, especially young adults, reading literature.” This gives his audience a solid source of evidence towards his claims and allows the reader to believe in this decline. He continues to do this later in the article in the seventh

The first evidence of Dana using this tactic come in the first paragraph, where he utilizes positive phrases like “college attendance ballooned, and access to information increased enormously” He does this to give the reader a sense of positive feelings to lift them up before continuing the statement with “the interest young Americans showed in the arts-and especially literature-actually diminished.” What this does is give his reader with a false sense of positivity before dropping the main negative comment and subject of his writing. When Gioia does this he allows his reader to possibly feel guilt about society and capture his audience. He continues to do this throughout the reading until the end where he gives his readers the call to action in saying “As more Americans lose this capability, our nation becomes less informed, active, and independent minded. These are not qualities that a free, innovative, or productive society can afford to lose.” What Dana is trying to accomplish here is to give his readers one last point to think about, saying that such a great society can't afford to lose the intelligence and independence of its people, makes his reader feel as if they should do