Why Literature Matter By Dana Gioia Summary

Humans are becoming less and less interested in reading literature. Dana Gioia tells her readers why it is astronomically important to stop this. In her essay, "Why Literature Matters," Dana Gioia exemplifies the importance of reading literature and how the declining percentage of Americans reading is severe. Gioia builds an urgent tone using logos, examples, and argumentation. Interest in literature has diminished, and although most Americans think nothing of it, it is riskier than they can imagine. As Gioia states, "It is probably no surprise that declining rates of literary reading coincide with declining levels of historical and political awareness among young people." By appealing to the readers' common sense, Gioia is trying to establish

Continuing this thought, she transitions to the problems with social life: "Literary readers are markedly more civically engaged than nonreaders, scoring two to four times more likely to perform charity work, visit a museum, or attend a sporting event." By emphasizing the effect this can have on Americans' social lives, Gioia warns that the less you read, the less of an engaging social life you may have. Next, using her argumentation skills, Gioia explains, "Being less informed, active, and independent-minded are not qualities that a free, innovative, or productive society can afford to lose due to not reading enough." Hoping she can persuade her audience to read, Gioia characterizes the country, explaining that America's productive society cannot diminish just because they cannot pick up a book. In conclusion, Gioia wants Americans to praise the art of