Responses to the Rhetorical Reading

 Justin M. Vera

Ms. Katie Jones

Eng. 210

June 1, 2018

Responses to the Rhetorical Reading

Summary

Dana Gioia, article, and “Why Literature Matters”, (April 10, 2005), asserts that civic and historical knowledge are directly affected by the increase or decrease of literary reading. The author develops this by stating, “the interest young Americans showed in the arts- and especially literature- actually diminished,” (Giona, 2005) and he continues by highlighting the effects caused as a result by saying, “declining rates of literacy reading coincide with the declining levels of historical and political awareness among young people” (Giona, 2005). The authors apparent purpose is to sway the population (an age group of around 15 – 26 mostly) in order to get them, if they are not already, to read literature. By doing so he singles out this age group and tries to sway them to read by saying if they do they, “are more likely to perform charity work, visit a museum, or attend a sporting event,” (Giona, 2005),  he sets up the list to emphasize the “fun” and hide the “boring” stuff in plain sight.

Analysis

Pardon the egocentric first statement, but just yesterday this specific topic was discussed, “Local schools inadequately taught reading comprehension” (Giona, 2005).  This is easy to see that it is the basic driving force behind Gioia’s paper. If the foundation is shaky then the levels being added upon it will not fit solidly. This can be noted with statements like: “Young people do not understand the ideals of citizenship,” (Giona, 2005), and this is short term, “the decline of literacy reading foreshadows serious long-term social and economic problems” (Giona, 2005).  The author not only tackles with the social well-being but also personal. He uses Daniel Pink’s statement to further entice readers to side with his claims by stating that businesses seek employees that have: “the ability to create artistic and emotional beauty, to detect patterns and opportunities, to craft a satisfying narrative” (Giona, 2005).  In fact they placed traits like “imagination, creativity, and high order thinking at the top” (Giona, 2005).   

Response

I am delighted, and I agree with most of what Gioia is saying. Having that said, I do not like that he used one particular source, the arts endowment. Their annual budget is 152.8 million USD (2018), they, if they wanted to, could pay of the research and tilt the results so that it favors them and their cause so that they can ensure the budget continues. The fact that he included that citation threw red flags up for me

On the other hand what he is highlighting is very true. Many schools, and if I may add to it further, households, have been overlooking the important benefits of reading literacy. The effects are very evident with young adults’ attitude toward reading as a load and not as a benefit. His stressing of various issues brought about by this incapacity is troubling. His message, I believe, is very effective and informative. I enjoyed reading it and I enjoyed reviewing the various details even more.   

Reference

Adapted from Dana Gioia, "Why Literature Matters" ©2005 by The New York Times Company. Originally published April 10, 2005. [A] Strange thing has happened in the American arts during the past quarter century. While income rose to unforeseen levels, co. (2017, January 11). Retrieved from https://www.testbig.com/sat-essays/adapted-dana-gioia-why-literature-matters-2005-new-york-times-company-originally

NEA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.arts.gov/