Analysis Of Reading Literature Makes USarter And Nicer By Annie Murphy Paul

Annie Murphy Paul claims that literature improves us as people. In her essay, “Reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer”, published in 2013 she stresses the importance of deep reading by using previous studies, research, and statistics of reading on the Web. Annie Murphy Paul uses two different studies conducted by credible sources. She refers to the studies by a psychologist at York University in Canada, Raymond Mar, and by a professor at the University of Toronto, Keith Oatley. The reported studies were published in 2006 and 2009. These studies supported her claim that literature improves us as people because the studies conducted reported that individuals who read fiction are able to understand and empathize with people.
Paul uses research conducted in cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience revealed that deep reading is a distinctive experience. Paul uses asyndeton when she is explaining what deep reading is. She describes deep reading as “sensory detail and emotional and moral complexity”. Her use of “and” is her making a point to her audience how overwhelming deep reading is. Lastly, Paul uses statistical research conducted by Britain’s National Literacy Trust to compare reading results done on the Web and on printed material. The facts and results were in favor of Paul’s claim and how the difference can even have an effect on academic performances. Annie Murphy Paul challenged the claim that literature does not improve us as people by using previous studies, research, and comparing statistics to online reading.