This is an academic research essay that I wrote for my Language Arts Class. We were supposed to research a topic that we find interesting and then write an informative but also slightly argumentative essay. I decided to research the questions ‘Why do we read?’ and ‘Why should we read?’. Enjoy!
Why do we read? Well, reading is a powerful tool in our daily lives. The ability to read provides us with the ability to understand more about the people around us. Working on the credibility of the statement, ‘reading is beneficial’. I believe that people who read are more successful later in their lives, especially those who read all their life. I contend that reading can make us happier and healthier people, and therefore, everyone should be a reader.
Reading at a young age is essential, however, you can also be read to. When you start to read, you are introduced to a varied vocabulary, and begin thinking in more creative ways. When you start your reading at a young age, you are able to pick up concepts faster, especially due to the fact that children learn faster than adults. Laura Phillips, PhysD, the senior director of the Learning and Development Center at the Child Mind Institute says, “Reading and exposure to words helps kids maximize their language and cognitive capacity” (Sheldon-Dean and ABPdN). When exposed to books from an early age, some kids are even able to start talking and develop mentally earlier in their life. There have also been studies that show that, “Babies and children form neural connections at a rapid pace, which makes learning new languages easier” (Galatro et al.). These studies have shown that it is important to read when you are younger so that you can establish these connections early on and have an easier time learning them when you are older.
Reading is not only beneficial to children, but also to the elderly. Reading has the potential to lengthen your lifespan by up to twenty percent. According to the researchers, “any level of book reading gave a significantly stronger survival advantage” (“What Are the Benefits of Reading Books? A Lot, Actually.”). This study also discovered that reading anything isn’t enough, it’s only reading books that makes the difference. The research says that, “Books contributed to a ‘survival advantage that was significantly greater than that observed for reading newspapers or magazines,’” (“What Are the Benefits of Reading Books? A Lot, Actually”). Through this study, we can see the impacts that reading has on our lives.
How does reading make you more successful? When you spend time reading, you have an easier time performing critical thinking skills, and become more well rounded. Nearly all the most successful people in the world are well-read. According to Thomas Corley, the author of the book ‘Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals, “rich people (annual income of $160,000 or more and a liquid net worth of $3.2 million-plus) read for self-improvement, education, and success. Whereas less well-off people (annual income of $35,000 or less and a liquid net worth of $5,000 or less) read primarily to be entertained” (Carlos). Since successful people are reading to improve themselves, reading has more of an impact on how they act and see the world. Some examples of successful people who read include; Warren Buffet, who reads for about eight hours a day, and Bill Gates who, “shared that he reads about 50 books a year. Gates will actually take reading vacations for 2 weeks at a time. Elon Musk has said that he taught himself physics as well as rocket science simply by reading a lot of books.” Oprah Winfrey had called reading her “path to personal freedom” (Carlos). All of these people have led happier and healthier and generally more successful lives due to their reading.
From a young age, we are constantly encouraged to read. We are encouraged to read because reading is a vital part of our lives. Most of us read for a majority of our day, whether it is for work or personal reasons. It is extremely important for us to be able to read and comprehend what we are reading. However, we are encouraged to read books specifically. Not just anything is going to boost your vocabulary and lower your cognitive decline in old age. Reading also encourages empathy, reduces both stress and cognitive decline, encourages empathy, improves critical thinking, promotes self-care, enhances conversation skills, and fosters connections to the world and the people around you.
I have heard many people say that they don’t like to read, or that they don’t believe reading to be valuable. We are encouraged to read due to the fact that reading is important, beneficial, and extremely vital to your health and everyday life. There are so many benefits that can be found. Through reading, we can learn to be the best version of ourselves, and find escape in another world. Though success is linked to the type of book you read, reading any book helps. You can become a happier and healthier person just from reading.