Why Reading Matters Keith Oatley Analysis

Have you ever asked yourself “what is the need for reading if it is displeasing for me?” People may think that reading is a hobby and that it is not for everyone except for those that love reading. However, literature has similar effects to the brain as lifting weights or going on a run does for muscles in the body; it strengthens the brain and enhances thinking skills. Most would not argue that exercise is degrading to the body. Unlike with reading, many argue literature does not improve the brain’s function and do not see reasoning for it to be taught in the education community. The argument that literature is unimportant to our education and development of the brain has come up in society, but research and readers experience shows that literature helps with the improvement of the imaginative, critical thinking, and empathetic aspects of the brain. …show more content…
In “Why Reading Matters” Rita Carters research with the stroke patience shows that the brain uses various parts of the brain and not just one section (2:18). When reading stories you have to think of the overall message of a story. “In the Minds of Others” Keith Oatley uses a research about kids that have to choose which snack they prefer and what the toy figure adult prefers. As a result of television shows being short and having no explanation for the outcome, the test results “were better among kids who listened to more stories or watched more movies, they were not higher among kids who watched a lot of television” (Oatley) Unlike reading, television is a short story that is watched for a short plot and it lacks the connection a reader will make with a character in a story. In reading, instead of looking at the overall picture and plot of the story, readers have to look at the little details and understand the character to solve the theme of the story to change their perspective on life situations such as having empathy for