importance of literature to a student

iRiverAmerica

The Importance of Literature for Students – iRiverAmerica

Even after all these years and so many brilliant authors, many people underestimate the powers and benefits of literature. In fact, our world now is so obsessed with facts that only few stop to take literature in.

The truth is, literature is one incredible tool for self-development, education, and enjoyment. This is why it’s still widely present in education and takes a rather central part in the curriculum.

Education is more about facts and plain information. By including literature in, educators are giving the students a chance to explore the world and boost their critical thinking skills . Here is why literature is important for students.

Literature Expands the Horizons

With the help of literature, people can learn to open their eyes and listen more closely. Facts may show you the plain, straightforward information. But, students need literature to get out of the hustle and start thinking outside the box.

Literature expands the minds and the horizons. It helps students build their instincts, boost their curiosity, and sharpen their intuition.

One of the goals of education is to expose them to histories, cultures, other times, and places. Well, literature is an excellent way to achieve this.

Literature Builds the Critical Thinking Skill

When a student is exposed to all kinds of readings and literature, they learn to adjust to different styles, stories, times, as well as how to read between the lines.

The numerous literature pieces that are read and evaluated or reviewed at school teach students various lessons. But most importantly, they teach students of versatility and critical thinking.

By reading, the students shape their critical thinking skill. They build their preferences and style and start seeing things from their own, individual perspective.

After all, there are endless perspectives for a single literature piece. You should definitely check out these examples on literature papers here https://samplius.com/free-essay-examples/literature/ , to see how varied the critical thinking can be.

To make this even more effective, the educational system often requires that students consume literature, but also analyze it, review it, and discuss their opinions with others.

This helps them gain perspective and helps them learn to think on their own.

Literature Builds the Vocabulary

It is widely recognized that reading is one of the most effective ways to expand one’s vocabulary. Seeing how varied and fun literature pieces can be, this is an excellent way to learn thing whilst working on the student’s vocabulary and style.

The larger the vocabulary, the better are the critical thinking and communication skills. These are essential in life, which makes literature an excellent tool for self-development.

The more a student reads, the more they’ll be exposed to plenty of words they haven’t heard before. They’ll have the unique chance to see the words in context, look them up, learn their meaning, and use it in future.

It’s a much more effective method than just listing the unknown words to students, hoping that some of them will stick.

Literature Makes Us Appreciate Cultures and Beliefs

In many cases, students are given the task to read and evaluate literature that shares a story on history, religion, or anthropology.

This directly connects the student with information for other beliefs and cultures, making them more understanding of the same.

Before a person can immerse himself in a new culture, fit in, or accept a different belief, they have to understand it. Literature can help a lot with this mater.

Stories have the power to teach culture value. Some of them have helped shape the democracy of today, beat the racism, and connect people from different places, cultures, and backgrounds.

If students are to understand different cultures they may get in contact with, they need to have access to information. That’s exactly what literature provides them with.

The Bottom Line

Literature is necessary in education as it has always been. It’s often put in the centre of the curriculum because of its unique power to strengthen the mind, open new horizons, and provide growth to those who study it. Students should definitely grasp its power and the benefits it offers.

Author’s Bio

Nicholas Walker is a content writer and a poet. His daily job is also his freelance job for writing companies and magazines. In his spare time, Nicholas crafts amazing poems that touch the heart and feed the soul.

14 Reasons Why Students Need Literature

Some people love to read. Others don’t. Sometimes having students that don’t love to read can seem like torture, both to the teacher and to the student who doesn’t love to read. But at the end of the day, there are many reasons why students need literature. And as teachers, we can help both the students that love to read and the ones who don’t so much learn to recognize the richness that literature brings to life. In turn, those book-haters might just end up loving books more than they ever thought they could!

Please enable JavaScript

So, in light of us teachers bringing along all of our students into a love of reading, here is a list of 18 reasons why students need literature.

Table of Contents

1. It Expands Vocabulary and Communication Skills

Okay, I’m going to apologize here. This is probably one of the most boring reasons on the list. I realize the majority of students don’t care about the size of their vocabulary or their communication skills. But I guarantee, this is one skill set that they will be so grateful for as adults.

The great news about this boring point is that implementing it into the classroom can be fun! There are tons of great vocabulary games online. A google search will give you more than you can handle. Many times, kids will think of ways to change those games up too, which keeps things fresh in your class. AND letting them use their creativity to tweak those games covers most of the categories of Bloom’s Taxonomy–remember, understand, apply, analyze, and create. Here is a link to Bloom’s Taxonomy if you would like more information.

Kids also love to talk and be heard. I have had some of the most interesting (and sometimes lengthy) conversations with students who were learning new words. I found it so rewarding to see the light bulb come on. And I could see that they recognized something that they could use to expand their world.

One of the things kids love to do the most is argue. We don’t want to directly encourage them to argue. But teaching them vocabulary and communication skills (and adding reasoning skills) will help them to be able to express themselves in healthy ways. That is a win-win for teachers, parents, and students!

2. It Bolsters Their Imagination

Reading a great book can make some kids’ imaginations come to life. But for other kids it may not be so magical That’s where an awesome literature program comes in. Teachers can bring a book to life by helping the kids experience the book instead of just reading it. Finishing a dramatic reading of it (I love listening to recordings of the books with the kids), then discussing what the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s) experienced brings the story line to life. Ask them how they would have handled it if they were involved or if they one of the characters. It puts them right in the middle of the book.

Adding snacks, games, crafts, and even fun worksheets to the lineup immerses the students into the life of the book. It reaches all of their senses. They will see the book as so much more than just a book. They will be disappointed that they have to end with that chapter and excited to come back for the next one.

3. It Teaches Them About Other Cultures

Most kids see life through the very limited life that is happening directly around them. Some kids are fortunate enough to be well traveled and have a wide range of experiences at an early age. However, most of them only get that kind of life experience on a limited basis.

That is what makes this one of the best reasons why students need literature. Great books allow us to bridge that gap for them and experience life through a totally different lens.

Teaching the Difficult Stuff

There are also cultural themes that we would like our students to recognize. But we don’t necessarily want them to experience those themes. We want them to empathize with those around the world that struggle, whether it is for health, oppressive laws, or just personal difficulty in navigating life.

Every single culture in the world has downsides that cause its people to struggle. We may not want to go into great detail about these things with younger students. But it is good to talk to students that are old enough to start seeing the intricacies of the world. Even if it is in a limited context, it can do great good for them to recognize.

Using the Proper Perspective

We also want our students to realize that life looks different to everybody. This is especially true when people are from different parts of the world. They should recognize that some people live magical lives they would never be able to imagine in their own world. But even within those magical lives, they still struggle in very real ways.

Teaching them that life looks drastically different for everyone, rich or poor, healthy or sick, is good for them. And teaching them that it is okay to be different than everyone else is a good thing. We can help them realize that it is okay to be happy for someone that has more in life than they do. Hopefully that encourages them to feel blessed about what their life looks like.

We can encourage them to not feel that they need to compare themselves to others. Learning about these things through a book gives kids the perfect way to experience these difficult things. They can learn how to handle them without actually experiencing them.

Examples of Cultural Differences

A great book that falls in this category is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It is a loose autobiography of a young man who grew up on a reservation in Spokane, Washington. It details his struggles to stay there as well as his struggles with identity on choosing to leave.

For a totally different spin on cultural experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Who Was Princess Diana by Ellen Labrecque. It speaks to how she was born into a wealthy family. She grew up to become the most famous princess in the Western World. But yet her life was anything but easy.

She never faced poverty or hardship personally. But she worked with those who were impoverished all around the world. She faced struggles that could arguably be way more difficult than poverty or ill health. Much of the time her struggles were agonizingly difficult.

And this leads us straight to the next reason.

4. They Can Learn Resilience Through the Struggles of Characters

We can impart to kids at a pretty young age that everybody struggles. But we need to teach them a bigger lesson. They can learn that the issue is not necessarily the struggle itself. It is how to get through it that is the most important factor.

Show them ways to fight adversity with dignity and a GOOD fight. Show them that there is almost always a good way and a bad way to fight adversity.

Most people learn this lesson the hard way after many years. What if we could start teaching our kids about this from an early age? They may still choose the harder path over time, but they are at least better equipped to make a choice. This lesson alone could make this one of the top reasons that kids need literature.

This will be one of the students’ favorite reasons why they need literature because they will get to see how strong and resilient they can be, even at a young age. Sometimes kids think they are irrelevant and not able to be strong simply because they are not adults. Showing them that they can be strong and respectful and wise even at a young age is a magnificent lesson and one that they will treasure.

5. They Learn to Respect People that Live Different Lives Than Them

This point is also closely related to the third point in this article. But it is actually a valid point for anybody that students encounter, whether in books or in real life, from a different country or local. They can read books about characters and relate to them in positive ways. It doesn’t matter if the character being discussed is making decisions that are right or wrong. It also doesn’t matter if the character is making a decision that the student doesn’t agree with. In fact, that makes for perfect discussion. And that is why this one of the better reasons why students need literature–because this is a lesson they will use constantly the older they get. Learning it now sets them above and beyond the norm and equips them for life.

It is a great opportunity to teach the students how to respect people even if they don’t agree with what they are doing. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them how to graciously disagree with someone if they are faced with something that is blatantly wrong, and not just a judgment call.

I am not saying that they must respect anybody, regardless of whether they have done some really terrible things. I’m just saying that most people are generally just trying to do what they think is right or best most of the time. Respect and encouragement are great lessons to learn at an early age. But the better lesson is to learn them not just when it’s easy, but especially when it is difficult. But only when appropriate! That may be a lesson for another time.

6. It Helps Them to Learn About Empathy

So how do we teach kids that are conditioned to get what they need to stop looking inward and start looking outward toward others?

Dialog is always so important. Asking kids how they feel about someone is probably going to get a very direct answer, especially from younger students. But it gives you a foundation to gently guide their thoughts to stable ground.

It is easy to teach them to empathize with the character that is full of goodness. Their struggle is not from something they did that was bad but facing a trial that seems insurmountable at the moment. Conversation can flow easily when you ask them how they could possibly help someone facing the same trials as the character in the book. You can praise their heartfelt thoughts and even encourage ways to move even further towards helping a struggling person. If they aren’t sure how to answer make sure to have thoughts about this beforehand.

Showing empathy to someone who is struggling because of making bad choices ( The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton comes to mind here) is a bit more challenging. It is a delicate balance between supporting someone but not supporting the wrongdoing. But what a rewarding lesson it will be! It is something that could very well remain with your students for their whole life.

7. Teaches Them Good vs. Evil

Good vs. evil is everywhere. It is in real life. It’s in the Bible. It’s in the movies. It is even in the Iliad and Odyssey. Actually, we might be hard pressed to find a place that it is not. Not counting Heaven or Hell.

When kids are very young, they tend to see the good in everything. It is pretty easy to block out evil, especially since their parents are most assuredly doing that for them.

That fact makes this one of the best reasons that students need literature. It is a really good way to introduce them to one of the toughest aspects of life. The best thing about it is that they are learning through situations that they don’t have to experience personally. There are so many places that they can see this lesson on a daily basis, but in literature the lessons are definitely bigger and more pronounced. That makes for much better conversation. It also makes kids able to pick up the nuances of good vs. evil more easily down the road.

I already brought up several places that you can use this lesson for kids. It can even come up in casual conversation, which can be the best way to reach kids. But one more really good example that you can use with your students is The Narnia Series for younger grades and Lord of the Rings for older grades. Both series work well in either secular or religious settings.

8. They Can Be Warned of the Consequences of Making Bad Choices

I know that I have already talked about discussion with the students more than any of the other regular stuff that we do in Complete Literature. But really, the bottom line is that no matter what extra special projects we are doing in literature to drive the application home, keeping the lines of communication open is going to be the thing that the kids remember the most.

They will remember the special games, the crafts, the awesome themed snacks, and even the homework assignments that allowed them to be creative and artistic. But what will stand out even more is the fact that the whole time they were doing those things in class you heard them. You listened to them and cared about what they had to say.

So in this next reason that students need literature, I want to talk about how they can be warned about consequences before they get themselves over their heads.

What Making Their Own Choices Looks Like

As time goes on, they will have to make their own choices. And inevitably, they will make the wrong choice. We all do. But talking about the choices that were made in the books they read and evaluating why the characters made the choices they did make for really productive conversation. Then being able to talk through the consequences that the characters ended up facing after the decision is a great way for kids to see cause and effect in action. They learn that everything they do results in a consequence and they can start learning reasoning skills related to that at a pretty early age. Babies are taught very quickly not to touch hot stoves or play in the road. So middle school students can very quickly learn less tactile lessons with some great discussion.

A bonus to this is that you will very much enjoy listening to the kids feelings/thoughts as they work through this real-life exercise.

9. They Can Be Inspired by a Hero/Heroine

Reading a book that features a hero or heroine is probably one of the biggest imagination-generators. Kids instantly start dreaming of themselves being in the battle. Their imagination takes them to partnerships with the hero, being able to help out the hero, taking the hero’s place once he is gone, and even being rescued by the hero.

A great conversation to have is how we can all be heroes every day in so many ways. Being proactive about helping people (without being told to!), talking about ways we can make the world a better place, and recognizing people in our own lives that are heroes in their own rights are great ways to help students realize what really makes a hero.

10. They Can Learn Different Solutions to Problems Than They Would Have Thought of

This is one of my favorites, because I can literally see the wheels turning in their heads as they work through this. I love seeing the inspiration in their face when they realize there were even more options than what they had already thought of and they loved those new options.

A perfect way to implement this is in a way that your students will clearly see how their decisions affect what happens next or even down the road. In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace starts out making all the wrong decisions. His decisions are derived from jealousy and bitterness and meanness. He also hasn’t spent much time with other people in order to interact in healthy ways. So when he ends up spending the summer with the Pevensie children and faces life-threatening crazy adventure, he learns pretty quickly that personal responsibility in making good choices is critical. Of course, Eustace goes through some things that no child in your class will ever face. But the concepts remain the same.

Sometimes what seems common sense to us is not to others, especially kids. And if they have not learned good decision-making skills, it will not automatically make sense to them. Younger kids (and sometimes older kids) are not thinking about consequences, but about what they want at the moment.

I am sure that most kids of school age have learned that certain things they do will render certain consequences. But most of them haven’t yet learned how even seemingly benign choices can cause a different path in life. Those don’t have to be bad–it could change life for the better or worse, and they may not be significant changes. But things do change based on decisions made.

All of this is not to say that we should scare kids into being fearful of choices that would bring them unbearable consequences. But it is a great opportunity to see them understand how life works a bit better. It will equip them to make harder decisions as they get older because they will have had experience already.

11. It Could Inspire Them to Choose a Career/Job Field

Kids spend a lot of time dreaming. Getting them to talk about those thoughts and dreams is even more rewarding than the dreaming. It allows them to collect their thoughts and gain support for their dreams. And an adult who hears them and chooses to encourage them in productive ways is worth even more than the books that got them there.

It’s pretty cool to hear stories about people who chose a job field based on a book they read as a child. It is so awesome to hear those stories from people who went on to become doctors, teachers, decorators, engineers, homemakers, or any of a number of great choices.

It would be pretty awesome to hear from older teachers who had the privilege of seeing where their former students ended up and what it was that inspired them to get there.

The next reason why students need literature is tied closely to this one.

12. It Can Help Them to Picture What They Might be Like as Adults

This goes a bit further than inspiration to choose a certain job field. This is a great reason why students need literature because it allows them to see themselves as a whole person. They can apply themselves to whatever aspect of their reading touches them. It can be a character’s background, behavior, thoughts, dreams, relationships, location, or literally anything.

We can all think of times that kids came up to us and said, “When I grow up, I’m going to _____.” This is the perfect opportunity to hear the aspirations of kids who are thinking about what their future is going to look like. Will it look like what they are thinking at the moment? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that this type of thought isn’t greatly productive. And it will still shape their future greatly, even if they can’t predict their exact future and it likely won’t turn out exactly like they are thinking.

By inserting themselves into an adult character’s life, they can actually picture what their life could look like based on their life experiences combined with what they are reading. This is a great way for them to gain knowledge and wisdom without having to go through trials to get there.

Of course, we cannot guarantee that students will grow up to be totally reflective of themselves or choose the right pathways, but equipping them to be able to do so is as far as our job can take us.

13. It Helps Them Learn Ways to be in Better Relationship with Others

Kids can read a book and think about how they would have done things the same or differently than the protagonist. Or maybe there is a character in the background that resonates with them. They could think about how they would handle things if they were that person. Or they could even think about how they would help out that person or encourage them or be a friend to them.

On the flip side, they may read about an antagonist and react positively or negatively to how they would deal with whatever the situation is. In that case, you have two great avenues to guide them. The first is to praise a good decision they made in how they would deal either with the antagonist or the situation if they were the antagonist.

The second is to ask them some questions (non-interrogation style) as to how they came to the decision about how to handle the situation. The questions should be designed to help them form their train of thought in a way that lets them come to their own conclusion. This allows them to come to a better decision. But, even more importantly, it shows them how to guide their own train of thought for future decisions.

The possibilities are endless when kids start thinking about what they have read. And the best time to hear their thoughts is either while they are reading or right after. Their thoughts are fresh and easier for them to communicate during those times.

14. They May Develop a Lifelong Love of Reading

And here I have saved the best one of all for last!

I have had students that came into my class and immediately let me know that they were not fans of reading. My usual response was just to smile at them and let them know that some of my own kids felt the same way. What I didn’t tell them was that in the end just about everyone who finds a book that they actually do love will gain a love for reading. Some may just be a little pickier in which books they will read. At the end of the day, literally everyone can tell you about a book they read that was their favorite.

This is where the classroom is at a huge advantage in teaching a love for reading. Teachers have a captive audience, but they also have the ability to craft the literature program to what their current students love to do the most. Incorporating what they love into what they may not love at the moment (reading) could just turn the tide for the rest of their life.

Being paid to teach is a good thing. But almost nothing feels better than seeing a former student years later and hearing them tell you how something you did in that classroom years ago inspired them to change the course of their life, whether in some small or huge way.

I love to hear stories about how this has happened!

For an excellent list of the top ten middle school/young adult books click here.

Please share this share this content.

What is Digital Literacy and Why Your Students Absolutely Need It

Free Book Friday 4: Something for Everyone!

What is the Average Student Teacher Ratio? (And How to Make it Work for You)

This post has 83 comments.

I love this. I’ve always been a huge reader and I feel like it helped to shape who I am. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Yes, Krysten. I feel the same. Reading has definitely shaped who I am.

Yes! Books are the best. My kids have always been surrounded by them. I think that’s so important.

I think everyone need literature. Even adults. I read a lot as a kid, but as a grown up, I don’t have as much time as I would like to have to read.

I have such a huge pile of books waiting to be read!!! I constantly read growing up but have a hard time finding time as an adult as well. Maybe someday!!!

I think it honestly goes without saying that kids/everyone needs literature for all of these reasons!! Thank you for emphasizing this!!! 🙂

Reading is always a good thing. My kids love reading at bedtime.

As an avid reader since childhood, I could not agree with this more! I still love reading and enjoy reading with my kids.

Me too, Jessica! Reading is awesome, reading with your kids is even more awesome!

Great points!! Most of these could also apply to movies, but books do have a few added points as you mentioned of bolstering imagination, and of course improving reading comprehension and spelling. My oldest is turning 7 soon and just starting to get into books, mostly comics and not especially educational stuff, but I’m hoping to introduce him to the magical world of Harry Potter soon!

That’s awesome, Heather! And those comic books could be the thing that makes him love reading tons of books for the rest of his life!

I love reading and I never understand how some people hate it. I have learnt a lot from reading books.

I feel the same way, but as it turns out, while most of my own children loved reading, a couple of them did not. I guess it just depends on the way we are wired.

Great article. I totally agree! Literature definitely helped me develop my creativity and open my mind to different perspectives. I believe that it’s important to also recommend literature that students are interested in, in order to keep them motivated.

Absolutely true, Candace. If you don’t catch them with literature they will like, then you have lost their attention from the beginning.

So many great reason why literature is great for kids. I like that it teaches empathy the most, a book usually puts you in the protagonist shoes which creates instant empathy.

Yes, Kiwi! Empathy is one of the most important lessons that children can learn. It will prepare them for a much smoother adulthood if they can walk alongside those that they brush shoulders with.

Every child should be thought to love reading. The main reason is, and you started with it, the developing of the vocabulary.

There are so many good reasons, Joanna! Thank you for weighing in!

I totally agree. My kids love to read. They are 6 and 10 and they have vocabulary that can rival even college students. Or even professionals.

Yes, Mommy Sigrid, reading makes such a huge difference in all the other language skills.

I’ve always loved reading and see it as a form of escapism

I enjoy reading so much, it’s a great relaxing activity and takes my mind off everyday problems.

Me too, HolyVeggies! If I could I would spend most of my time in a corner, snuggled up and reading. 🙂

Wow, so many great points here! Reading is definitely important as books can allow one to learn about seeing things in different perspectives.

I admit that I’m really not a book-ish person. But I’ve read some and most of them were fictional novels with adventure and magic related themes. However, I really do regret that I have read less books during my younger age yet here I want to be a content creator which actually I have been struggling because of my limited vocabulary. So I definitely agree with you that young ones should start engaging in literature, it would really help them a lot in the future.

You are right, Loise. But it’s also never too late. And your writing is good now–it will improve even more with time and more reading! Thank you for sharing that with me. ♥

I love to read, its always been a passion for me since I learned how to read! I hope to instill my love of reading in my nephew as well.

I really think that you will instill that in him. I can picture you sitting him on your lap to read to him. 🙂 ♥

It’s true, reading is more than escaping to a wonderland. There are many lessons to be learned if we just open a book and really look at the message the author is sending. Thank you for the book recommendations.

Reading is so important for learning. Thanks for the information so I can motivate my kids to read more

This made me realize how lucky I was to grow up in a ridiculously literate household. You make great arguments and made me realize some of the luck I had growing up. Thank you!

That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing!

I grew up reading literature and yes I 100% agree with you, it helped shaped me in so many ways…Literature is a must for students there is no doubt about it.

I couldn’t agree more! Reading is so important and beneficial for soooo many reasons. I especially appreciate how you pointed out that it helps kids to learn empathy. That is something every child needs to learn!

I agree, Empathy seems to be becoming a lost art.

I do believe that literature should be a part of every student. and we are all students, regardless of age. It teaches us a lot of things that we can apply in our own lives.

Literature teaches visualization and formation of one’s own perspective. These two skills come in handy for the rest of our lives.

I agree with you that students can benefit in numerous ways from literature. They should be aware of this fact and it’s our task to inform them of these reasons! 🙂

Excellent post. I love to hear of kids reading as I don’t think enough do nowadays. My nieces certainly don’t but I’d love to get them into the joys of reading.

I know, seriously, it’s so hard to separate them from their devices. Once I get my kids away from them they are fine. But it is so hard at first.

As someone who was a humanities major (specifically English Literature), I strongly support these reasons. My worldview has expanded greatly as my professors introduced us to other cultures, cultures I never would have experienced otherwise.

I was, and still am, a big literature nerd in school, so I totally don’t understand why kids don’t love it! You’ve listed some important points; bolstering imagination and empathy is vital.

I have always been a literature nerd myself, lol. But I guess you can probably tell by my website. I never grew out of it!

Literature should be a part of every students lives because it teaches us a lot of things that are applicable to real life.

This is so true! Students can learn more from literature than regular textbooks because they see these things being lived out and not just facts spewed at them.

These are all great reasons! I love to read and literature is a big part of my life. I also try to share this with my kids as much as possible. I try to read to them everyday.

Thank you, Carrie! You and your kids will love the one I am finishing up tonight! I will be publishing soon!

sounds like a great tool to have anything that offers a helping hand is great in my opinion

It’s so true — presenting children with literature is so important! It’s beneficial in the long run.

These are all great points. I’ve actually had discussions about literature and brought up a few of these. I’ve always viewed literature as more than reading. Reading the classics is a combination of reading, history, social studies, and more when you get right down to it.

I totally agree that literature is so important and necessary for children! I am going to have to check out these books now!

Kileen cute & little

My daughter loves to read, and I recognize all these valid points you make about what reading can do and how this benefits children/students. This is a list that every parent and student should read. Thank you for sharing this!

Wow this is such great info, It is so important to teach your kids the right way. I still try and learn everyday.

Literature is great at every age. I would have struggled to come up with 24 reasons for kids to engage but you make your points well.

This is really cool and spot on. I developed a love for reading at an early age. I don’t do as much of it now as I did then, but to this day I remember fondly several of my favorite heroes, books, etc.

My girls have loved reading since they were very small. It’s definitely done wonders for their imagination!

I agree with you. Students need literature, but they need to be taught to feel, not to think logically on a subject. I believe it’s when literature brings to them imagination and creation.

I agree with these and not just for kids but also for adults. I always read things that interests me.

Students definitely need literature because it could help them learn better about the things around them and about many more things as well, this was a nice summary of all the benefits it could give, thanks for sharing these with us!

Literature is one of the subject that I love the most because it gives me a lot information about the culture and traditions not only by my own country but also the other country/tries.

Wow! This is such a thorough article you’ve posted for us and I loved it. Literature is so important as it help individual to develop sense of good and humility.

good point about cultural differences. i learned so much about other people groups and areas of the world by reading.

I agree with you, I always find it interesting learning cultures about different countries , hopefully they find it interesting as I did.

I think literature is enriching and very helpful to grow as a person

These all points are damn true..literature, reading books helps a person especially in self development…well glad to know that you shared this with us..great work though…

Yes to all of this! My mom is retired English teacher and reading is so important!!

Such a great article thank you for sharing, so many great points made!

Reading is a powerful way to expand our acceptance of the world and connecting to others.

Literature is really important to all of us. Teaching them to respect different lives is a good way to accept all kinds of people in the world.

My father was a journalist so I had access to a huge library at home at an early age. Literature is definitely great for kids and I owe my success today to being a voracious reader of literature when I was growing up!

I agree. It Expands Vocabulary and Communication Skills. It’s very helpful now especially during pandemic.

I love books , It has been my best friend while growing up !

Wow! I never thought about how literature shapes young minds like this. You sound like an awesome teacher!

Nnniiiiccceeeee….if there is anything that I ever loved and picked from studying literature, it was and is, “They Learn to Respect People that Live Different Lives Than Them”. I realise the world is so much bigger than I have been “told” it is.

This is exactly why I am introducing my kids to literature at a young age! IT’s so important.

Yes I 100% agree with this, it is great for both their imagination and also creativity. Additionally helps to express yourself x

Literature is one f my favorite subject when I was in college. I found it very interesting it gives me so much imagination.

I didn’t appreciate it enough as a child. I am glad I came around! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂

Great post. So many benefits for kids. I agree. Also better to start them at a young age too.

reading is so important. these are great tips.

I love how you mention that literature helps students imagine what they may be like as adults. I never really put that together, but now looking back I remember reading as a kid, and subconsciously dividing characters into categories of “wow, this could be me one day” and “this will never be me.”

I did the same exact thing, Jessie! It really does help us to dream and picture ourselves as we grow up!

What Is The Importance Of Literature?

Table of Contents

Literature allows a person to step back in time and learn about life on Earth from the ones who walked before us . We can gather a better understanding of culture and have a greater appreciation of them. We learn through the ways history is recorded, in the forms of manuscripts and through speech itself.

What is the importance of literature to students?

Literature provides a language model for those who hear and read it . By using literary texts, students learn new words, syntax and discourse functions and they learn correct sentence patterns, standard story structures. They develop their writing skills.

What is the purpose of literature?

The purpose of literature is to give pleasure to the reader .

What is literature and its importance essay?

Literature is the foundation of life. It places an emphasis on many topics from human tragedies to tales of the ever-popular search for love . While it is physically written in words, these words come alive in the imagination of the mind, and its ability to comprehend the complexity or simplicity of the text.

What is literature in your own words?

Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material . Derived from the Latin word literature meaning “writing formed with letters,” literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song.

What can we learn from literature?

Through literature, we develop emotional connections with characters and a shared community . We witness unparalleled kindness and terror. And though these experiences, we start to learn about ourselves and others. Reading the right passage can feel like the author knows us better than we know ourselves.

What are the benefits of reading literature?

Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life

How does literature relate to life?

So after the sequential elapse of time, it is proved that, literature definitely has profound sway upon life to a large extent. Literature influences us and makes us understand the every walk of life . Narratives, in particular, inspire empathy and give people a new perspective on their lives and the lives of others.

What does literature mean to you as a human being?

Literature is the foundation of humanity’s cultures, beliefs, and traditions . It serves as a reflection of reality, a product of art, and a window to an ideology. Everything that happens within a society can be written, recorded in, and learned from a piece of literature.

Why literature is important in the 21st century?

It teaches us about life by exposing us to the lives of different people through their stories, and from these vicarious experiences, we learn important lessons and values. Literature teaches us humanity – to be sensitive and empathetic towards others.

How literature influence the world?

Literature has had a major impact on the development of society. It has shaped civilisations, changed political systems and exposed injustice . Literature gives us a detailed preview of human experiences, allowing us to connect on basic levels of desire and emotion.

Can literature change a life?

Crucially, literature holds the power to change the self ; to reconfigure outlooks and imaginations, and to lead to increased understanding of our identities as well as question what we believe to be true about ourselves.

How does literature make us human?

Sharing a character’s experience through reading gives us a guide for experiences in the “real world.” Because these characters show us what humans have in common, literature can help tear down barriers in our divided society .

By Travis Thornton

Travis Thornton is an education expert who has dedicated his life to helping students achieve their academic goals. He has worked as a teacher, tutor, and administrator in both public and private schools, and he currently serves as the dean of admissions at a prestigious university.

Travis believes that every student has the potential to succeed, and he tirelessly works to help them reach their full potential. He is a passionate advocate for education, and he believes that every student should have access to a quality education.

Travis is also a father of three young children, and he loves spending time with his family. He enjoys playing sports and watching movies together.

You might also like:

Can freshman have cars at purdue, what cities are near purdue university, is purdue close to notre dame.

Recent searches (0)

FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS

Why Do We Need To Study Literature? What Are The Benefits?

Published on Oct 18, 2021

Kidadl Article Fact-checking Standards

At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.

We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.

Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.

Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

Get Inspiration For Education!

Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more

This subject does not have any particular language across the world and religions. Still, every definition of literature aligns with one another and gives true meaning to this beautiful artistic subject.

The subject literature broadens our horizons. This particular subject gives us the opportunity to learn and understand those people and incidents which are very different yet important to know.

Our cultural heritage has literature as a very valuable part, which anybody can access very easily and get the most out of it to enrich their lives through different ways. For some people, studying this particular subject can be daunting, but once you will understand to break the barrier, the texts of this subject will become one of the most entertaining, funny, romantic, yet tragic for you. This subject has the ability to take us beyond our limited imagination and thoughts with respect to life to make us experience and live the life of a different community of people at different points in time. It makes our brain grind itself both emotionally and intellectually to give us a deep knowledge of our society, history, and an actual understanding of our own lives. You can get a very real glimpse of what you haven’t seen or when you weren’t present. Literature enriches our experience in many ways.

If you want to know more about some common yet interesting things about daily life, you can check the articles on why do leaves fall and why do we fast .

What is the importance of literature?

The way literature gives relief from anxiety and stress, that not many subjects can give. You won’t believe but just giving less time to reading and understanding literature for a very short period of time in the day can create good health for your brain and it a break from all the complex thinking. It slows down the heartbeat whenever we feel anxiety and this has been proved by the studies itself. It takes the mind of readers away from the stress and worries in life. World Literacy Foundation says that reading literature is one of the ways to inculcate a strong imagination and creativity within you. Because when we study literature, we start to create that particular scene in our mind which gives us a good concentration. Watching movies is also nice but doesn’t need much imagination because we have the visuals in front of us. Anyone with a short attention span can give a chance to literature to improve it. Haskins Laboratories for the Science of the Spoken and Written Word came out with research that concluded that the brain takes a larger span of time to understand reading rather than watching media. Because sometimes, the books and novels get very challenging and complex with many twists within a story, which makes the brain divert its attention to every minor detail.

Benefits of studying literature

A window gets provided to those who do a study of literature to see the outer world through the eyes of literary genres. It makes you understand the way every society and culture is and with a historical record as well. It’s like a pathway to give you new adventurous experiences. Good personal skills are also get developed through literature. The benefits with which the literature comes is in itself sufficient to know the importance of it.

Reading not just only helps in building a good vocab, but also helps in inculcating a good reasoning ability in children and adults. Literature introduces you to a rich language, helps you develop and discover good skills and words, discover a new self, sense the problems in society by a critical view, explore texts with new perspectives, read about culture, understand the value of poetry, gain the literary skills of classics, and develop a good writing sense. They realize the problems which the other characters face and first-handedly think about the solution for it. They understand the reasoning of each and every character and respond to it. You can feel whenever the character in the book is getting successful or failing a task. Having a good vocabulary gives good improvement to the communication skills. And eventually helps in developing work relationships. You can develop and discover a new view on history (which most think is a boring subject) by your own self if you study it from a literature point of view.

Stack of old books isolated on beige background.

What are the reasons to study literature?

You won’t believe it at first, but the reasons because which you should study literature are very much connected to the ways you should live your life on a daily basis.

People haven’t changed their thinking and feeling style. The emotions they used to feel then, are the same they feel now. Every lesson you will learn will be applicable to your life in many ways. When a child starts to read literature, they understand the human’s reactions to various situations and the nature of our heart as well. The texts of essays, poems of good poets, novel stories, and diaries play the role of bridging the gap between two very distant timelines and between different ethnicities as well. They get the awareness of how to deal with certain situations and secure themselves from future problems. While reading classic literature, you will feel the connection to the outer world and its good principles. Literature is a very useful tool to make a child understand the evils and goods of society. Literature connects us to history. Many people consider history as an important part of our life. But if we read this subject with the sense of memorizing it, we will never be able to love it. Students can enjoy it more if they develop the habit of reading it through literature. The importance of empathy in society is a lot, else it will change into a dog-eat-dog society very soon, which is going to hurt everyone in turn. According to research, reading a number of literary works will develop empathy in people. The works of literary fiction are effective in this phenomenon, because readers like to understand deeply what the characters of this particular story are going through, hence they want to understand their joy, sorrow, and problems. People who read more and more have a good ability to discern the mind and feelings of people in the most logical way. Studying literature helps in developing an opportunity to inculcate the higher-order thinking skills in the mind of the reader. When you analyze the view of one story, you actually start to develop good thinking skills in yourself. Students, after reading literature, tend to apply what they read in the course of their own experience in life. They often compare the stories from books to their own life. Growing older, they develop such a good sense of morality that they can give strong discussion points. Because of a continuous habit of analyzing stories and relating to them from their own point of view often becomes the plus point during any general talk.

Benefits of literature to students

Reading literature is very important for students as reading gives development to the thought process, inculcates knowledge and valuable lessons for our mind to be creative. The way books hold interesting stories, feelings, thoughts, and information is very unlikely to be seen in anything. Texts in literary books make us understand that some things should not get underestimated and that's why they get taught in schools.

Student life has always been and will always be challenging and complex. Now if a little reading can help them understand some processes of life, then there’s nothing wrong with it, right? Reading literature is a fun activity. But also this fun activity comes with some benefits also for a student. When a student reads the word, its cognitive functions get stimulated and eventually sharpens the mind, especially that part that develops the critical analysis and concentration. What student life has as a major component is the ability to write. Start by just reading one book, and you won’t believe the change which you will realize after writing something after it. Today's students are even aware of many devices to explore and learn things from new perspectives about poetry, plays, art stuff, classics, cultures, ideas, and many other literary words by doing research on web media. In schools, often texts of Shakespeare and John Locke get read by students. The way they used to write is considered as the writing of the future. Students can do a study of literature very well through these two poets who had excellent skills with high value. Students can develop good skills and gain a lot if they will start reading a number of books related to literature either on the web or through a book from the beginning of their childhoods.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do we need to study literature, then why not take a look at why do boats float or why do people dance?

Nidhi is a professional content writer who has been associated with leading organizations, such as Network 18 Media and Investment Ltd., giving the right direction to her ever-curious nature and rational approach. She decided to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, which she proficiently completed in 2021. She got acquainted with video journalism during graduation and started as a freelance videographer for her college. Moreover, she has been a part of volunteer work and events throughout her academic career life. Now, you can find her working for the content development team at Kidadl, giving her valuable input and producing excellent articles for our readers.

Read The Disclaimer

Sponsorship & Advertising Policy

Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.

We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.

Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.

We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.

Was this article helpful?

How can we improve it? How helpful was it?

Your privacy is important to us. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information.

By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadl’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl.

Share this article with friends and family

Get inspiration for your Days Out with kids

We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.

Welcome to Kidadl!

Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:

Weekly Catch-Up

Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.

In-Person or Online

THE REASONS WHY A STUDENT SHOULD STUDY ENGLISH LITERATURE

By sue smith.

In this day and age there seems to be a move towards secondary school subjects which have a strong link to a tertiary course of study. For that reason, some parents and some students feel that the compulsory study of English Literature, especially among the international syllabuses offered in the majority of Hong Kong’s International schools, is misguided and disadvantageous to students, particularly if they are second language learners of English. However, there are still good reasons for the study of English Literature.

Students who study only English Language, with its emphasis on reading and writing skills, sometimes fail to see the point of studying English literature, especially if they have no plans to study English or Translation at university. But English literature can introduce students to a range of aspects, not only of the English language but also of English culture.

There are aspects of English culture that are encapsulated by English literature. Of course, this is quite obvious when studying the works of Shakespeare or of writers, poets and playwrights of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is, however, also true when studying other works of English literature. Students can learn about allusions and references to different aspects of English culture. They can also learn the context and meanings of famous quotes and phrases. Studying Literature does not confine the students to the traditions of England but includes the possibility of introducing them to traditions which inform English Literature, such as the study of Ancient Greek drama, and to literature in other contexts, such as American literature. It also provides the students with an alternative to the pervasiveness of “television culture” with its immediacy and, often, its shallowness. An enjoyment and appreciation of Literature will give students the ability to develop this into an interest in books and reading as they move away from their studies and into their adult lives. They will have the confidence to approach and tackle new forms of books and writing, since they were exposed to a range of literature during their school days. When studying Literature, students can learn not only language aspects such as vocabulary items but also that language can be used for specific and aesthetic purposes. Familiarity with the concepts of beat, metre and rhythm can improve their own writing as students are able to appreciate and apply these ideas. Finally, the study of Literature can provide students with a fresh and creative angle with which to approach their studies in particular and their lives in general. So the next time you are reading a newspaper article lamenting the lack of creativity and initiative in the local workforce, remember that in a small way the study of English Literature can help to add a refreshing and further dimension to a person’s life.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

Fill in the form below or you can also visit our contact us page .

It appears you have javascript disabled. Please enable javascript to get the full experience of gustavus.edu

Why our students study literature.

"Creative writing has been a happy part of my life since I first learned to hold a pencil, so once I chose Gustavus, I considered my career as an English major a given. Perhaps I am a rare bird for that, being so sure of myself so soon. But I could not have anticipated how much I learned about the value of reading, in every area of life, through the English major; nor did I see its potential to shape me as a writer. No matter how straight-forward a story may seem, the search for something deeper within it leads to all kinds of insights that, while perhaps not in line with the author's original intent (who knows?), teach you more about the world and the different ways people use language. The theory taught alongside literature, in combination with this analysis, gives you the power of perspective that is so essential to finding contentment and peace in communication with people who are different from you, in a way that is unique to the study of literature. To write you have to read, and to really read, you have to think, criticize, doubt, wonder, and stand amazed by words on the page. The English major showed me how to do that, and not only has it increased my skills as a writer, it has made me a more compassionate and honest person."

— Caitlin Skvorc

"I study literature because I believe there is power in stories. Literature is both intensely personal as well as a communal experience. I love examining how words, sentences, characters, plot-lines and tropes reveal who we are as humans. Humanity is a complicated thing, and requires an infinite amount of words to describe and analyze. That's the joy of studying literature, there is always a new reality to discover."

— Mikaela Warner

"For me, the decision to study literature has been a struggle. Since I was young, I always enjoyed reading and being read to, but I always considered the actual study of literature to be made up; seriously, poets don’t actually try to "invoke" some other work. Literary devices? Some make-believe stuff that people invented to make English seem scientific. Although I enjoyed it, literature, to me, was studied only by those who weren’t smart enough to study something real, something provable. As I understand it, those feelings are not uncommon. The difference for me, though (as compared to some other people I know), is that I grew out of them. I started really looking at rhetorical devices, and the use of language. I started to see that, although it still was not science, it was art, and art is the greatest expression of that which is human."

— David Lick

"As far as my own goals in literature, they are quite simple. Admittedly, part of my fascination is for ‘great ammunition for cocktail parties.’ There is a very attractive element to being able to talk about literature—great characters, famous stories—that I think attracts most people to literature. And it is a good feeling to know a lot about it. However, that is not my greatest concern. Most of all, my goal is to learn as much as I can about the human condition, and what it really means to be human, in all aspects."

"By studying literature I find that this sense of confusion and search for self-discovery is a common theme. I am confident that my choice to be an English major is one that I will be satisfied with. Thus far, in my opinion, to be an English major entails more than just being able to read and write well. An English major must also strive to understand and interpret the importance that various forms of literature have had on the society of the past and the present. Being able to express opinions is another important aspect, as is starting a piece of literature with an open mind. These habits are also important when facing everyday life, not just literature. The chance to read and write is something that everyone should be able to experience. Literature in all forms is everywhere in today’s society, and with this idea, it is clear just how important it is. Whether it is studied in the classroom, read for pleasure or purpose, literature is a central part of many lives. It offers not only a chance to enlighten a person, but it also gives the chance to broaden one’s horizons and perspectives. In my case, having the opportunity to study literature in two different languages has helped me to find similarities in two different cultures, and to also find that although literature varies in form and content, it is important and it is a central part of many lives."

— Stephanie Conroy

"Reading and writing, the basic principles involved in the study of English, serve as the gateway to a deeper level of thought. After mastering these elementary skills, comprehension, analysis, and interpretation are learned and used to better educate ones self. Studying literature and observing personal reactions to the literature can make one more aware of his or her own values. English skills are helpful in every area of life. Reading, writing, comprehension, analysis, and interpretation increase efficiency in multiple ways including communication, documentation in other areas of study, and reflection of personal values. I believe there is no area of study that English and communication skills do not influence."

— Maria Freund

"Reading and writing, in general, are undoubtedly some of the most valuable skills one can have; obviously, having these skills makes is much easier for people to communicate and to participate in society. However, there exists a purpose for reading and writing outside of these immediate practical purposes; the written word can be used to enlighten, to persuade, to express emotion, or simply for enjoyment. In these forms the written word becomes an art form, and a way of reaching out to others through a personal experience between the writer and the reader. Reading is an excellent way to associate oneself with the great minds of history and peer into their own thoughts. Reading is surely one of the most effective ways one can expand oneself."

— Matt Beachey

"Literature is a way in which we can capture and interpret what has happened and is happening to us personally and to the world as a whole. An entire culture exists in the written word, documenting the collective thoughts of everyone who cared to share them with the world. Therefore, I believe that for one to truly be a part of human society, it is critical that one take part in the evolution and self-realization that is literature, even if only in the reading aspect. Writing, however, carries a grave importance, as literature simply would not exist in the accessible form it does without written word, and for that reason I believe all who can write should. One should take advantage of the great opportunity to be part of and contribute to the world and society in which he or she lives through writing. I see literature in the societal sense a collective struggle to understand and make the best of the lives that we have all been given. Literature serves as a way to enrich our minds, and presents a way to improve the world not only through the beauty of its presence but through the ideas and tangible possibilities it possesses."

"The best of my English teachers taught us literature because they wanted the art of it to expand our minds and help teach us new ways of seeing the world. I was taught to both see a work of literature as a way to understand the time it was written, and the people who produced it, and to find the parts of that work that spoke to me in my time and place. While I am skeptical about whether or not anyone can ever really understand a culture or a time prior to their own, I do know that many times literature and art provide insights that cold hard facts do not. Most of all I find that literature makes the differences more manageable, and highlights the similarities between people. I can read a Greek tragedy two thousand years later and agree with things that some older white man was saying because he was a human being, and I am a human being. Although it may sound trite, I have had reading experiences that taught me more about what it means to live in this world."

— Sybylla Yeoman Hendrix

"Not everyone loves reading enough to do it in their spare time, but the people who do are the ones who get the most benefit out of what they read, because they want to be there in that world that literature creates. I have met very intelligent people who do not read. But all of the interesting people I know read, whether or not they are particularly intelligent."

"I read literature for a number of different reasons. Literature is an art full of passion and heart; it transcends the ages. Great literature hits on many different levels. Over the years authors have accomplished unfeasible tasks through the use of their words. Literature has prompted political and social change in societies and continues to do so to this day. It can be a battle cry for the proletariat to rise up and make a difference, and it can also provide personal counsel. Literature sets me free from the responsibilities of this world, and at the same time it ties me down to those same responsibilities. Some literature I read for an escape; to journey to a far away land and go on a grand adventure with creatures beyond my imagination. Other literature has much more serious subject matter, and I read it to remind myself that life isn’t all cupcakes and ice cream."

— Ryan McGinty

"To me, literature is about the obsession with ideas. We read literature to discover and to learn about ideas and we write it to discover and to cultivate our own ideas. No lover-of-ideas can go without either reading or writing. For me, if I go too long without one or the other, I get this huge build up of confused and jumbled ideas that suddenly overcome me and I just have to write them out in some form (philosophic prose, narrative, poetry, scribbled phrases, etc.). That must be why literature can appear in a multitude of forms: be it poetry or prose, the sonnet or the novel, the sestina or the short story, etc. All literature shares the common theme of the idea. Ideas explore, probe, inquire, and inspire. The reactions to such are all that become a part of the learning process. There is a great deal that literature can teach. Literature can teach to the individual and to all of society. It can teach us about the past and the present and even about the future. Subjects can be broad and far-reaching, but can also be specific. Literature teaches us about laughter and love, about remembering and forgetting. It can create emotion and warn us against our many human faults. It can attempt to disprove other ideas or attempt to find truth. I think we are all looking to find truth in some form or another. Oftentimes, the uncertainty of a specific meaning of a piece allows for its interpretation to be for the reader to decide. What is certain, however, is that there are things to be learned from literature that are specific to it, that cannot be attained through any other medium. To gather this knowledge and to experience its beauty all pertain to the importance of literature to me."

— Abby Travis

"Another reason that I enjoy reading so much is the places you can go to when you read. I know that that sounds pretty corny, like something on a PBS commercial, but I feel that there are a vast amount of experiences and people the reader gets to encounter in any work of literature."

— Stefan Kolis

"When I pick up a fantasy novel and fly through it in an hour, I do it for enjoyment, pure and simple. But I read things like The Grapes of Wrath or Heart of Darkness because they are more than just a moment’s diversion. What they contain that dime novels do not is a window into the things that make human beings tick, the methods behind our madness, so to speak. I go through life experiencing different situations and learning from them, but not always being able to put into words exactly what I have learned. I read literature because its function, as I define it, is to illuminate some aspect of the human condition. Not only is the uncovering of these truths significant in and of itself, but the revelation process also provides a common experience through which the reader can relate to every person who has discovered that same truth before him. One way that literature communicates the human condition to readers is that it brings the truths it contains to life."

— Rebekah Schulz

"Although I concede that it is not absolutely necessary to major in English in order to gain perspective from literature, I feel that English is a good lens through which to view the world, both present and past. When I study a great work of literature, I not only gain insight into the universal truth about which the author has chosen to write, but I also, in my attempts to understand, can learn about the culture in which the author lived, the history surrounding the country of his origin, and the various intellectual, political, and artistic movements of the time. Thus the window to humanity that lies at the heart of all literature can act as a sort of connecting portal to the culture surrounding each individual author. The reader stands on the common ground of the universal truth around which a work is constructed – the point at which the reader’s world and the author’s meet – and begins to understand some of the motivations behind the author’s own quest for truth. Once someone has become more experienced in the ways of the world, or in the ways of literature, it falls upon that person to begin to light the way for future explorers. Some may write literary works of their own, using words to illuminate their views on the truth about humanity. Others may decide instead to act as teachers, helping prospective explorers learn to traverse the dense and sometimes bewildering forest of novels they will encounter along their journey. No matter the manner in which people choose to serve, the task itself remains as timeless as the truths that humans have sought for centuries: As the great thinkers and authors of the past have marked out paths in the wilderness for we who have followed them, so we must serve as guides for those who will come after us. Great literature provides its readers with a window into various aspects of the human condition and a guide to the way we, as a species, relate to one another and to our surroundings. Literature gives us a mirror in which to examine our collective reflection as a people. It does not gloss over the pimples and blemishes of humanity, but exposes them quite openly. No concealer, no cover-up, only the truth. Literature is the reflecting pool into which every person that ever existed can look and see both his own face and the faces of all his fellow people. It enables each human to not only find the humanity within his own heart, but also to connect him to the generations of other people who have been doing so since the beginning of time."

Sage-Answers

Quick solution to any problem

What is the importance of literature to a teenager?

Table of Contents

Attract- ing the attention of middle and high school readers, as well as their teachers and library media specialists, well-written young adult literature provides adolescents with consider- able reading enjoyment; assists in the development of their sense of self; allows them to explore life experiences and realities; …

What are teenagers most influenced by?

It’s always worth remembering that media – good and bad – is just one of several influences on teenage behaviour and attitudes. Other influences include family, friends and peers, cultural background and more. Often these influences can be more powerful than media influence.

How does reading books help you in school?

An emphasis on reading and student literacy helps develop higher levels of focus and concentration. It also forces the reader to sort things out in their own mind – including topics that might not be familiar to them at all (Paris at the end of World War II, for example, or another planet in a science fiction novel).

What is the difference between children’s literature and adolescent literature?

What are the differences between children’s books and YA? Children’s books are meant for kids ages 12 and under. Anything targeted at ages 13-18 is considered “teen” or “YA” (young adult). This is usually indicated by the ages of the characters.

Why adolescence is the most important part of our lives?

Why do you say the teen years are a human’s most pivotal? Everything is established around this time – you establish your relationships, your social life. Especially important is you establish the way you think about yourself, you establish your romantic and sexual relationships.

Why is adolescence the best time of life?

Social constraints. From a biological perspective, adolescence should be the best time of life. Most physical and mental functions, such as speed, strength, reaction time, and memory, are more fully developed during the teenage years.

Why is reading the most important subject in school?

Reading is important because it develops the mind. Understanding the written word is one way the mind grows in its ability. Teaching young children to read helps them develop their language skills. It also helps them learn to listen.

At what age does the audience for children’s and adolescent literature begin?

The age range for children’s literature is from infancy through the stage of early adolescence, which roughly coincides with the chronological ages of twelve through fourteen. Between that literature most appropriate for children and that most appropriate for adults lies young adult literature.

What are the characteristics of children’s literature and their value in children’s development?

Children’s literature is important because it provides students with opportunities to respond to literature; it gives students appreciation about their own cultural heritage as well as those of others; it helps students develop emotional intelligence and creativity; it nurtures growth and development of the student’s …

Privacy Overview

Ranked amongst top 3 girls’ boarding schools of India

Enquire Now

Ecole globale accolades.

What is the importance of studying literature in school?

Most people don’t study literature in school anymore. There are some that still do, which is great because reading novels and different types of genres have obvious benefits to an individual’s growth as a person. This post will look at exactly what literature means, and why it may be important to study it at schools in India .

When you think of literature, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, it probably brings to mind Shakespeare – whose plays are as relevant and important today as when they were written hundreds of years ago. Literature is important for teaching you not only about the human condition but about different modes of writing. You learn about dialogue, exposition, and narrative by studying literature.

The subject of literature is one that arouses strong feelings amongst students. Some hate it, others love it, and some even dread it. But there is no denying that literature plays a vital role in the education of all students, and it can be interesting as well as fun.

What is Literature?

Literature covers many different forms of written expression. It includes poetry and drama, novels and short stories, essays, and letters. It covers everything from epic works like The Iliad to modern murder mysteries like those by Agatha Christie.

Although a lot of people will think that all writing is literature, it’s not just any kind of writing. Great works of literature are usually considered to be those that have been written over a period of time, usually by many different authors who were inspired by earlier works in this field. They are often regarded as the finest examples of the art form concerned, and they deal with themes that are universal to human experience.

How can we study Literature?

There are many ways to study literature at school. At first glance, it would seem like the two most obvious methods are either to read great works of literature in class or to study them out of class at home.

The importance of studying literature in school is that it allows you to develop your analytical skills and understanding. You will be encouraged to engage with a range of texts and discuss them, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of the world around you. The study of literature also allows you to link what you are learning in your subject lessons, such as history or geography, to the wider context provided by narrative fiction.

We may all have our own opinions as to why studying literature is important in school. It’s a great way to learn new vocabularies, master writing skills, and improve comprehension skills. Some people feel that reading the classics can be an avenue for the popular to appreciate art for what it is, and for the unpopular to gain an appreciation for the arts (it’s easier to relate). Studying literature also requires focus, an important quality that has been dwindling over time.

For any queries related to parenting, schooling, or for any student-related tips, click here to check out our latest blogs

Best coed boarding schools in India

6 Qualities That An IB Student Graduate Should Possess

Team Building Activities For Kids

Enquiry form.

Importance of Studying Literature

Studying literature broadens our minds since we gain a better understanding of people who are different from us. If you wish to know the importance of studying literature then here know the complete guide.

Alternatively, we might come across characters or poems that resonate deeply with us — it can be extremely gratifying to find out that your exact thoughts and feelings have been shared with someone else.

Since literature displays such effects, we are encouraged to pay attention to the full range of human experiences as we make decisions in our daily lives. In addition to improving our writing skills, studying literature also allows us to expand our vocabulary.

People these days tend to forget how important literature is, or they underestimate its ability to stand the test of time and impart great knowledge. The stigma in society asserts that those whose interests lie more in science and math will somehow be more successful in life.

While those who are more enthusiastic about literature and other art forms will be restricted to low-wage jobs and unfulfilling careers. Literature has been marginalized somewhere along the way.

What is Literature?

Literature encompasses a wide range of written expressions. There are several types of poetry and drama, as well as short stories, essays, and letters. The selection ranges from epic works such as The Iliad to modern murder mysteries such as those by Agatha Christie.

Many people believe that any writing is literature, whereas not all writing is literature. Generally, the best literary works are those that have been written over time, by many different authors, usually after being inspired by earlier literary works. These works are considered among the best examples of the art form, and they discuss universal themes.

Top Reasons Why Literature is Important

In general, individuals describe literature as writing that has cultural, artistic, and/or intellectual importance. In this type of writing, complex issues are examined, and readers are encouraged to consider new viewpoints. What is the purpose of literature? Below are the reasons:

1. Stress can be relieved by Literature

Literature relieves stress and anxiety , and that’s no secret to readers. Reading a good book does wonder for a stressed mind. A fast heartbeat can be slowed down by reading, reducing anxiety, and taking the reader’s sense off their racing ideas.

2. Literature inspires imagination

Among the finest methods to cultivate a vigorous imagination is to read, according to the World Literacy Foundation. Watching a movie requires very little mental work, whereas reading words from a page requires readers to mentally create the scene. In addition to strengthening the imagination, this exercise promotes creative thinking and innovation.

3. Literature keeps the brain active and healthy

The benefits of reading to the brain cannot be ignored. In addition to improving concentration, reading can also stretch the imagination. A person can keep their brain healthy and active by exercising it regularly. Alzheimer’s and dementia are degenerative brain disorders that can be delayed with regular mental stimulation.

4. Literature helps a person to expand their vocabulary

The vocabulary in literature is often more challenging than that in magazines or light books. Many readers might be unfamiliar with the language used in books published in the past.

A person’s vocabulary is expanded by reading a wide range of literature. The study of literature is a great way to enhance language skills for those learning new languages.

5. Literature enhances a person’s writing skills

Reading more will help an individual improve their writing. In order to improve, most successful authors praise reading. In addition to fueling imagination and expanding vocabulary, literature provides insight into different literary styles, ideas organization, character development, and more.

6. Communication skills are improved by reading literature

Reading improves a reader’s ability to write, which helps them to become a better communicator. This extends to their daily interactions and conversations as well. Every aspect of life requires good communication, from career to personal relationships.

When people are exposed to literature at a young age, they are able to build communication skills right away. Reading helps adults enhance their communication skills.

7. Literature motivates critical thinking

To live a fulfilling life, we must think critically. It helps people figure out what the truth is and work through problems. Literature is an excellent way for students to learn how to think critically.

To fully understand what’s going on in the book, readers must pay attention to details, form relationships, and develop their individual ideas. Textbooks are frequently used by teachers to help expand students’ vital thinking skills. They will be nicely prepared for their future careers with this tool.

8. Readers learn about history through literature

People say history repeats itself if we don’t learn from it. Literature offers a unique way to engage with history. It is much more exciting than learning a timeline or memorizing facts.

Regardless of the book’s fiction or focus, readers are exposed to perspectives from the time when it was written. In ancient China, books from 19th century England reveal different truths.

9. Reading literature can motivate kindness

Empathy is necessary at every level of society, or we descend into a dog-eat-dog atmosphere, which harms everyone. The study of literature has shown that reading can make one feel more empathic. Fictional literature has a particularly powerful effect on empathizing.

Why? Because it forces the reader to put themselves in the shoes of more complex characters. Scientists at Princeton’s Social Neurosciences lab have discovered that reading fiction regularly improves one’s ability to guess what other people are feeling and thinking. The idea that literature can help us grow as individuals is intriguing, even if it hasn’t been proven by science.

About the author

How To Study In Online Classes

How To Study For Exams In One Day

How to Increase Memory Power in Students?

Enquire now.

Get list of best school for your child with admission fees and procedure instantly.

Select Class 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

Quick Enquiry

What is the Importance of Literature and its Impact on Society?

What makes literature so important in our lives? How does it influence us and the society at large? Read on to find out.

“Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” ~ C.S. Lewis, a British scholar and novelist

This adage is perhaps the most appropriate description of the importance of literature in our lives. Literature reminds us of stories, epics, sacred scriptures, and classical works of the old and modern times. It is defined as the body of written works of a language, period or culture, produced by scholars and researchers, specialized in a given field. Why is literature important? Let us see.

Literature Adds Value

As stated in the quote by C.S. Lewis, literature not only describes reality but also adds to it. Literary works are portrayals of the thinking patterns and social norms prevalent in society. They are a depiction of the different facets of common man’s life. Classical literary works serve as a food for thought and encourage imagination and creativity. Exposing oneself to good literary works, is equivalent to providing one with the finest of educational opportunities. On the other hand, the lack of exposure to good literature is equal to depriving oneself from the opportunity to grow.

Parts of Literature

Prose, poetry , drama, essays, fiction, literary works based on philosophy, art, history, religion, and culture as also scientific and legal writings are grouped under literature. Creative nonfiction of the olden times and literary journalism also fall under literature. Certain extremely technical writings such as those on logistics and mathematics are also considered as a part of literature.

Literature Impacts Living

Some of the great literary works like the Bible and Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, among others, provide society with the guiding principles of life. Works by poets like Homer, Plato, Sappho, Horace and Virgil, Shakespeare’s sonnets and notable poetry by W.B. Yeats, John Keats, Wordsworth, Tennyson, and William Blake, among others, are timeless. They have always amused their readers and shall continue to. The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather, A Tale of Two Cities, and James Bond Series are some of the best-selling books of all time that have entertained several generations. While some literary and poetry works carry life’s lessons, many others make us think. Some works are known for the sheer entertainment they provide, while others intrigue. Many works in literature establish a strong connect with their audience through the stories they narrate or the message the carry. Readers tend to associate themselves with the emotions portrayed in these works and become emotionally involved in them. Literature thus has a deep impact on the readers’ minds and in turn, their lives.

Children’s Literature

The Adventures of Pinocchio, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Winnie-the-Pooh, as also the relatively recent Harry Potter Series are some of the greatest works in children’s literature. Due to a whole new world they create through words, or due to their characters that the readers can relate to, these books attract children. Amused by the stories they tell, kids associate themselves with these books’ characters and idealize some of them. Moral stories are an aid for parents and teachers to let the kids learn important lessons in life. Aesop, Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, and Mark Twain, among many others are some of the most widely popular children’s authors. They have enriched the childhoods of so many. Their works have amused millions of children the world over.

Literature Helps Understand Life

It is through reading great literary and poetic works, that one understands life. They help a person take a closer look at the different facets of living. In many ways, literature, in its different forms, can change one’s perspective towards living. Biographies of great people, real-life stories of courage, sacrifice and other good values never fail to inspire readers. Such works give the masses an insight into the lives of eminent people, and also serve as a bible of ideals.

It Provides Information

Literature serves as an enormous information base. Research works by famous inventors and literary works by notable scientists often narrate stories of their groundbreaking discoveries and inferences. Ongoing developments in the fields of science and technology are documented so that the world can know about them. Several ancient scriptures relating stories of human evolution and narratives of human life in those times, have been of tremendous help to mankind. Thus, literature has always served as an authentic source of information.

Scope of Literature

True, languages are the building blocks of literature. But the study of literature cannot be restricted to only studying languages. In fact, literature cannot be confined to an educational curriculum. A degree in language and literature is perhaps not able to provide one with everything that literature can offer. Its scope is so deep and wide that even a lifetime may not be enough to really ‘study’ literature.

Literature is Important

For the breadth of knowledge is gives, the moral values it carries, and the enjoyment it provides, literature is important. An exposure to good literary works is essential at every phase of life as it enriches us in more ways than one. Literature is definitely much more than its literary meaning, which defines it as ‘an acquaintance to letters’. In fact, it lays the foundation of a fulfilling life. It adds ‘life’ to ‘living’.

Like it? Share it!

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Further insights.

Who Are The Most Romantic Literary Figures of All Time?

Privacy Overview

Importance of literature review. 15 Reasons Why Literature Review Is Important? 2022-10-14

A literature review is an essential part of any research project. It is a summary and evaluation of the research that has been conducted in a particular field of study. Conducting a literature review allows researchers to identify gaps in the existing research, understand the current state of knowledge on a topic, and determine the next steps for their own research.

One of the main purposes of a literature review is to provide context for the research being conducted. By reviewing the existing research, researchers can situate their own work within the larger body of knowledge on a topic. This helps to establish the importance and relevance of the research and can also help to identify potential collaborators or sources of funding.

A literature review also helps researchers to identify patterns and trends in the existing research. This can be particularly useful for identifying areas where there is a lack of research or where the research is conflicting or inconclusive. This can help researchers to identify opportunities for further investigation and to formulate their research questions and hypotheses.

In addition to providing context and identifying patterns, a literature review can also help researchers to identify potential limitations and biases in the existing research. By critically evaluating the research, researchers can identify any methodological weaknesses or limitations that may affect the validity of the findings. This can help researchers to design their own studies in a way that addresses these limitations and reduces the risk of bias.

Overall, the importance of a literature review cannot be overstated. It is an essential part of the research process that helps to provide context, identify patterns, and identify limitations and biases in the existing research. Without a thorough literature review, researchers may be at risk of conducting unnecessary or duplicative research, or of overlooking important aspects of the topic. As such, it is essential that researchers take the time to conduct a thorough and comprehensive literature review as part of their research process.

Role of the Literature Review

What is the importance of literature as a student? We enjoy stories; it is a pleasure to meet characters and to live in their world, to experience their joys and sorrows. What are the advantages of literature? Four methods that are common in the instructional technology literature are recommended to pursue those goals. In the hard sciences, the literature consists primarily of factual information, and the review may be as simple as a summary of the important sources. Every field uses a different style of literature review. Related Video — How To Write A Literature Review 5. Delirium: why are nurses confused? The tabs on the left side of this page have additional information. Recent post: What Are Hospital Best Practices? Identify new ways to interpret prior research.

Why is it important to do a literature review in research?

Typically, a theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories, and existing framework demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your research proposal and that will relate it to the broader fields of knowledge in the class you are taking. It not only surveys what research has been done in the past on your topic, but it also appraises, encapsulates, compares and contrasts, and correlates various scholarly books, research articles, and other relevant sources that are directly related to your current research. It can be said that without a good literature review, any research study would be doomed to fail. This makes it hard to keep up with state-of-the-art and to be at the forefront of research, as well as to assess the collective evidence in a particular area of business research. To conduct research that adds value to the field, precise awareness of the level of wisdom on a subject is required.

The Importance of Literature Review in Scientific Research Writing

The topic described by Baker et al. This, in turn, can help them to develop their research study. Several organizations, both broadly and specifically, have published guidelines for conducting an intensive literature search in preparation for formal systematic reviews e. What are the five purposes of literature review? In a practical sense, an active imagination helps us perceive truth, make value judgments, and deal with the complexities of life in creative ways. It helps us understand where we come from, how we evolved, guides us towards the future, and adds meaning to our often chaotic, fantastically tremendous lives. There are four main functions of literature review; bring clarity and focus to research problem, improve research methodology, increase knowledge regarding the research topic, and build on your findings.

Importance_of_Literature_webapi.bu.edu

About Pubrica The team of researchers and writers at Pubrica generates scientific and medical research papers that might be valuable tools for authors and practitioners. While systematic reviews have become the global standard for evidence synthesis, many literature reviews fall short of these expectations and may present biased or incorrect conclusions. Studying Philippine literature is so important because it portrays as a living language. The Importance of Literature Review in Scientific Research Writing In brief Literature reviews are an important part of the scientific research process and communication. The complexity is based on how the research question is analyzed in the existing body of knowledge. Why do we study world literature I mean what can be learned from its study? Which guests might agree with each other? Assessing strengths and weaknesses of individual studies as well the existing research as a whole.

Why Is Literature Review Important? (3 Benefits Explained)

It can affect everyone around you. Approaching literature review for academic purposes: The Literature Review Checklist. Knowledge production within the field of business research is accelerating at a tremendous speed while at the same time remaining fragmented and interdisciplinary. Literature Review Helps To Identify Problems One of the main benefits of the literature review is that it helps researchers to identify problems, issues, or controversies in the existing body of knowledge on their topic. The world literature emerged because of the development of global economic and cultural relations. Argumentative Review Examines a literature review with the intention to support or refuse an argument, with the aim being to develop a body of literature that can establish a contrarian point of view.

What is the importance of literature as a student?

By doing so, it allows researchers to develop a clear understanding of the current state of knowledge on their topic and identify any gaps in the research that need to be filled. . In research articles, conversely, a literature review does not necessitate answering a research question on its own; instead, a literature review provides a short summary of the research topic and helps to identify the main theory of the paper. We learn through the ways history is recorded, in the forms of manuscripts and through speech itself. We understand how involving the writing process can be, and we are here to help you with writing if you currently feel stuck.

Reviewing the literature

Learning literacy is a task that can take a while, but it is not impossible. Literature enhances the adequacy of our ethical reflection and leads to more accepting, tolerant viewpoints as a consequence of readers being faced with an infinite range of characters, cultures and crises that they may not otherwise come into contact with. It will start by explaining in detail what literature is; by citation of different scholars and its constituent components, such as the theoretical framework. Reflecting what you have read shows that you have a clear understanding of what is being said. Current promising work in those areas is presented.

Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines

There is no formal literature review definition for a research paper in medical education; thus, a literature review can take many forms. Narratives, in particular, inspire empathy and give people a new perspective on their lives and the lives of others. For the novice reviewer undertaking a review can be a daunting and complex process; by following the stages outlined and being systematic a robust review is achievable. ENG 101 7 February 2012 Importance of Literacy Literature is a creative and imaginative type of writing. However, for a postgraduate dissertation, systematic LR is more useful than a traditional literature review. Stakeholders can be identified, mapped, and contacted without the need for large budgets for feedback and inclusion.

Importance of the Literature Review in Research

While Conceptual framework is a set of coherent ideas or concepts organised in a manner that makes them easy to communicate to others. Literature helps us, in other words, to be, or to come closer to being, moral experts. Take some time to look over the resources in order to become familiar with them. Every research project needs a literature review. Introduction All scientific research begins with a review of the literature. A literature review in research allows you to discover exiting knowledge in your field and the boundaries and limitations that exists within that field. It will start by explaining in detail what literature is; by citation of different scholars and its constituent components, such as the theoretical framework.

Importance Of Studying Literature

Why is the study of literature important? What skills do students learn through reading literature? What is gained from reading literature and evaluating it?

When we study literature, our horizons are broadened, because we can learn about and come to understand people who are different from us. Conversely, we might discover characters or poems that we really identify with—it can be really exciting and validating to discover that your exact thoughts and feelings have also been experienced by someone else. Because of these effects, literature encourages us to be sensitive to the whole spectrum of human experience and to consider this when making decisions in our day-to-day lives. Academically, studying literature also helps us to refine our own writing skills and expand our vocabularies.

Cite this page as follows:

"Importance Of Studying Literature" eNotes Editorial , 4 Dec. 2012, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-is-the-study-of-literature-important-what-408329. Accessed 5 Mar. 2023.

Expert Answers

Who are the experts? Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.

Educator since 2012

Literature is also a form of time travel that helps put today in context. All those apocalyptic lamentations about how "things used to be so much better" are controverted in literature of the last generation, the last century, all the way back to Shakespeare and beyond. Conversely, reading about how people lived in the past can really make you appreciate what humanity is able to accomplish and endure. In the classics, you may read about political battles, domestic abuse, prejudice and civil rights, unwanted pregnancy, binge drinking on college campuses, gangs and juvenile crime, homelessness, nationwide economic crises caused by speculation--as Solomon wrote thousands of years ago, there is nothing new under the sun. History tells us what people did; literature tells us what they were thinking.

Educator since 2013

Literature is important because it teaches the universal human experience. Literature provides different meanings to different people or teach different lessons to the same person at different stages of their life. However, what they all books or poems have in common - and this is the talent of a great writer - is that they capture the universal human experience. Regardless of what you learn from a book or what meaning an individual elicits from it, literature unites the reader with the universe, because there on the page is a moment, emotion, idea that they have felt or suspected, but never been able to express. .

5,365 answers

The study of literature has a civilizing effect on people. There is an extreme danger of education being used primarily to turn out engineers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, business men and business women and other professionals who are lacking in human feelings and who have been described as educated barbarians. The great Leo Tolstoy wrote a sadly neglected book titled What is Art in which he explained, among other things, the importance of all art to human society. Here is a critical excerpt which might induce some readers to look for the book itself. (See reference link below.)

As, thanks to man's capacity to express thoughts by words, every man may know all that has been done for him in the realms of thought by all humanity before his day, and can in the present, thanks to this capacity to understand the thoughts of others, become a sharer in their activity and can himself hand on to his contemporaries and descendants the thoughts he has assimilated from others, as well as those which have arisen within himself; so, thanks to man's capacity to be infected with the feelings of others by means of art, all that is being lived through by his contemporaries is accessible to him, as well as the feelings experienced by men thousands of years ago, and he has also the possibility of transmitting his own feelings to others. If people lacked this capacity to receive the thoughts conceived by the men who preceded them and to pass on to others their own thoughts, men would be like wild beasts, or like Kaspar Hauser. And if men lacked this other capacity of being infected by art, people might be almost more savage still, and, above all, more separated from, and more hostile to, one another. And therefore the activity of art is a most important one, as important as the activity of speech itself and as generally diffused.

A lot of what is offered as art in our modern world is what Tolstoy called "counterfeit art." It is totally insincere and produced mainly for money. Some of the characteristics of counterfeit art are imitation, and striking and unusual effects. In popular music it can be seen that amplified noise and screaming are substitutes for genuine feeling. Much modern painting looks like nothing more than blatant hoaxes.

Exposure to genuine art in school could conceivably help students to discriminate between real and counterfeit art, including real and counterfeit creative literature. If young people do not get such exposure in school—where are they going to get it when they leave school?

College Professor

Ph.D. from Columbia University

Educator since 2009

I agree with all of the above discussions; but I am especially gratified to read what spearfam has written: that literature enhances our capacity to empathize.

People talk about the intellectual values of literature: critical thinking, citing evidence and so on. But, I value literature most of all for its emotional and esthetic appeal.

Empathy is emotional; sympathy, intellectual. Literature evokes such human emotions as pity and terror (Aristotle), love and compassion (A. C. Bradley) and many other epistemic virtues (i.e., virtues that help us to know the world and make it better) like honor, bravery, honesty and integrity (Ramirez). But recently, Susan Zunshine has a written a book demonstrating how the human emotion of empathy is critical in our understanding and appreciation of the novel.

Think of any great novel: Pride and Prejudice , David Copperfield , Jude the Obscure , Lady Chatterley's Lover , Passage to India , Lincoln , The Namesake —all of these excellent novels need empathy to fully appreciate them.

But where do we get empathy from? Consider the odds against empathy. Even in real life we empathize with others without actually experiencing what they experience, a hard thing to do. How much more difficult would it be for readers to empathize with a character who is not actually going through anything!It is all fiction !

Yet we do. Prof. Zunshine says we do this because as we read our intellectual act of reading, i.e., making meaning from the text, triggers our neuro-cells "in some form of mirror effect," same as we would do in real life. However, because the novelist employs one more thing that is usually not present in real life events—esthetics—the emotional impact of novel events ( pun intended) enhance our empathy. Thus, because of our empathy we are able to not only realize the characters' emotions, we even anticipate them, Examples of what I am saying are legion, I need not give any more here.

Zunshine's book, and spearfam's reference to literature teaching us empathy, triggered this response from me.

I am grateful for your indulgence.

Students gain a percpetion of ife, an insight into the meaning of so many things

It is this perception and insight that makes literature worthwhile. If an individual can go beyond his or her actual experiences into literary experiences to draw upon when navigating the world, she or he will have better abilities at navigating the world.

I discuss this with my students, and I put it simply:

If you can understand why characters act the way they do, you can understand why people act the way they do. If you can analyze a character and situation, you can analyze any situation in life. If you can analyze a situation, you can make a better decision. Therefore studying literature is a study of life.

2,166 answers

Everyone makes great points. A concise summary of reasoning would be:

2,384 answers

This is a question that high school students consistently ask as they sit through another lesson on Shakespeare or Animal Farm and so on.

Literature is the amazing tool that all the previous posts have alluded to and it gives insight into the culture of others and of other times.

How though do we convince our high school learners of this? Only upon analysis and by making comparisons do they show an interest, it seems to me. By then, however, it is too late for some students because they never paid attention in the first place. Teaching technique is obviously crucial - and that's another whole discussion on its own I think. I saw a discussion post from February 2010

time periods may change, but people and society basically stay the same. The same themes that were present in the past, are still true today, and will remain in the future.

The teacher pointed out how amazed her students were when she related The Scarlet Letter to an article from 2006 when a young woman putting her baby up for adoption

had to disclose in the newspaper her past sexual history, including every partner she had, with a full physical description of her partners, etc

Her students could then better relate to it and were more inclined to attempt to understand it.

2,418 answers

The study of literature enhances our ability to communicate with others by acquainting us with the worlds other people live in, their history, geography, and culture, for example. Once we have a common reference, we can talk to anyone with greater ease. For example, when I read The Kite Runner and actually met someone from Afghanistan, I was thrilled to be able to talk to someone, having some understanding of what his native country was like. One term, I taught The Secret Life of Bees , and what was wonderful to me was that when I told my students I was the exact age as Lily and had lived through all the same times, it seemed to me that they were better able to communicate with me after reading the book because they had gained some insight into my world. Literature allows us to talk to one another more empathetically and knowledgeably.

606 answers

The study of literature is important because it, at its most basic, improves reading skills. From this involved reading of quality literature a student then develops their writing skills, as the two go hand in hand (the best writers are avid readers, typically). Beyond these basic benefits is the development of critical thinking and analysis skills through the study of literature.

The study of literature also helps students see the world - people, places, things, events - through different eyes and by way of a different viewpoint. This contributes to a student forming and developing their own belief set, opinions, views, and such.

Good stories, whether novels, short stories, plays, or poems, help students experience, in their mind, new vistas, customs, cultures, and ways of life. This helps students see how life is different (and the same in some ways) in other countries. Reading international literature gives students a glimpse of how people live and view life in other lands.

From a purely academic standpoint, reading literature of high quality helps a student discern good writing from bad writing. This helps them in their own writing.

7,014 answers

Aside from the obvious rudimentary skills it hopefully develops--improvement in reading, composition and vocabulary--the study of literature opens the imagination to previously undiscovered aspects of the outside world. Continued study will reveal other specifics of the individual authors such as symbolism and thematic intent, leading to a wider scope of the reader's own comprehension and knowledge.

5,905 answers

If students are taught to analyze literature carefully, using all the tools available for analysis (which presupposes the exclusion of Reader's Response, which may or may not employ analysis methods) then students learn to think logically and critically and they learn to argue from cause to effect as well as from effect to cause.

This sort of detailed analysis requires the mastery of such analytical tools as rhetorical techniques, even obscure ones like litotes and chiasmus. It also requires an understanding of the fact that language carries delimiting properties that exclude a range of interpretations. It also requires a mastery of higher order syntactical forms: if a student cannot understand a third conditional, the student cannot understand the overt meaning, much less the subtle meaning, of what the author has written.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the world's greatest dictionary, defines chiasmus as, "A grammatical figure by which the order of words in one of two of parallel clauses is inverted in the other."

Teacher (K-12)

B.A. from Texas Tech University

2,465 answers

Literature offers students the opportunity to discover, think, evaluate, and analyze the world around them in broader, more universal terms. Studying literature naturally lends itself to involving those higher level thinking skills that we as teachers so desperately want for our students. Whether its a novel-length text, play, or short story, a good piece of literature can be implemented in the classroom to train our students to be higher level thinkers.

Not only do they build their vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, students can build their metacognitive skills while annotating literature, and then use those annotations to assist them in comparing or contrasting, or evaluating and analyzing the text in terms of theme, conflict, figurative language, tone or mood.

3,630 answers

As in the study of algebra and calculus, the study of literature builds thinking skills that are native to the subject but applicable outside the subject as well.

Skills of argumentation (logical thinking, citing evidence, etc.), interpretation, critical thinking, and writing are all a part of the study of literature.

Literature - seen as a body of works - offers a unique education in itself, representing a wealth of ideas, perspectives, world views, emotional insights and more, all of which enrich the reader's "ideational vocabulary", expanding the range of thoughts and ideas available to the reader.

Educator since 2010

15,886 answers

One of the most important skills children learn through literature is how to react to different situations. Reading allows children to experience situations vicariously, and think about what they would do in the character's place.

Even in the case of fantasy, this can be valuable. Our children may not fight evil trolls and wizards, but they could face challenges where they will need friends’ help, as Harry Potter did. They may not see their father defend a black man in an unwinnable trial, but they can appreciate the importance of standing up for what you believe in as Atticus Finch did.

Bibliotherapy, the process of using books to help those suffering from mental disorders, can be applied to children (sometimes called developmental bibliotherapy). Kids can be given books like Missing May when they lose a loved one. As with adults in therapy, children can come to understand their own problems and talk about them more easily through books.

Many are relieved to find that others have had the same disorder or problem and have coped successfully with it or recovered from it. (enotes, see first link)

I have used books like There's a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom with elementary school students who struggle with behavior problems, and books like The Great Gilly Hopkins for gifted kids trying to understand why they are different. Books are great levelers, and great healers. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about a character’s problems than your own, but you are really talking about yours.

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Already a member? Log in here.

Author: William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

Indeed literature is the foundation of life, people should know and appreciate these kind of things

its very useful info thanks

very helpful…..tnx

Hi, thanks!

First year student who wants to know about literature and how I can develop interest in reading novels.

Fantastic piece!

wonderful work

Literature is anything that is artistically presented through writtings or orally.

you may have tangible wealth untold, caskets of jewels and coffers of gold, richer than i you could never be, i know someone who told stories to me.

there’s a great saying that “the universe isn’t made up of at atoms, its made of stories” i hope none will argue this point, because this is the truest thing i have ever heard and its beautiful…….

I have learnt alot thanks to the topic literature.Literature is everything.It answers the questions why?,how? and what?.To me its my best and I will always treasure and embress literature to death.

I agree with the writer when says that Literature is the foundation of life. For me, reading is the most wonderful experience in life. It allows me to travel to other places and other times. I think that also has learnt me to emphathize with others, and see the world with other´s eyes and from their perspectives. I really like to read.

This is the first time i am presenting on a literature and i am surprised by the amount of people who are interested on the same subject. I regret my absence because i have missed much marvelous thing in that field.In fact literature is what is needed by the whole world,it brings the people of different culture together and by doing so it breaks the imposed barriers that divided people.My address now goes to the people of nowadays who prefer other source of entertainment like TV,i am not saying that TV is bad but reading is better of.COME BACK TO … Read more »

literature is a mirror; a true reflection of our nature. it helps us see ourselves in a third persons point of view of first persons point of view. it instills virtues and condones vices. literature forms a great portion of fun and entertainment through plays, comedies and novels. it also educates individuals on life’s basic but delicate and sacred issues like love and death. it informs us of the many happenings and events that we would never have otherwise known about. literature also forms a source of livelihood to thousands of people, starting from writers,characters in plays, editors, printers,distributors and … Read more »

I believe that life without Literature would be unacceptable , with it i respect myself and loved human life . Next week i am going to make presentation about Literature, so i benefited from this essay.

Thanks a lot

7 Reasons Why Literature Is So Important

"literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity." — p. t. barnum.

Today, there are too many people who believe that literature is simply not important or underestimate its abilities to stand the test of time and give us great knowledge.

There is a stigma in society that implies one who is more inclined toward science and math will somehow be more successful in life, and that one who is more passionate about literature and other art forms will be destined to a life of low-paying jobs and unsatisfying careers. Somewhere along the line, the world has come to think that literature is insignificant.

SEE MORE: Odyssey Template: What Books You Need To Read Summer 2020, Depending On Who You Are

To me, however, literature serves as a gateway to learning of the past and expanding my knowledge and understanding of the world. Here are just a few reasons why literature is important.

1. Expanding horizons

First and foremost, literature opens our eyes and makes us see more than just what the front door shows. It helps us realize the wide world outside, surrounding us. With this, we begin to learn, ask questions, and build our intuitions and instincts. We expand our minds.

2. Building critical thinking skills

Many of us learn what critical thinking is in our language arts classes. When we read, we learn to look between the lines. We are taught to find symbols, make connections, find themes, learn about characters. Reading expands these skills, and we begin to look at a sentence with a larger sense of detail and depth and realize the importance of hidden meanings so that we may come to a conclusion.

3. A leap into the past

History and literature are entwined with each other. History is not just about power struggles, wars, names, and dates. It is about people who are products of their time, with their own lives. Today the world is nothing like it was in the 15th century; people have changed largely. Without literature, we would not know about our past, our families, the people who came before and walked on the same ground as us.

4. Appreciation for other cultures and beliefs

Reading about history, anthropology, or religious studies provides a method of learning about cultures and beliefs other than our own. It allows you to understand and experience these other systems of living and other worlds. We get a view of the inside looking out, a personal view and insight into the minds and reasoning of someone else. We can learn, understand, and appreciate it.

5. Better writing skills

When you open a book, when your eyes read the words and you take in its contents, do you ask yourself: How did this person imagine and write this? Well, many of those authors, poets, or playwrights used literature to expand their writing.

6. Addressing humanity

All literature, whether it be poems, essays, novels, or short stories, helps us address human nature and conditions which affect all people. These may be the need for growth, doubts, and fears of success and failure, the need for friends and family, the goodness of compassion and empathy, trust, or the realization of imperfection. We learn that imperfection is not always bad and that normal can be boring. We learn that life must be lived to the fullest. We need literature in order to connect with our own humanity.

Literature is important and necessary. It provides growth, strengthens our minds, and gives us the ability to think outside the box.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

5 things to do at the end of winter, it can be hard to find things to do in between winter and spring..

Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. While we face the last couple of weeks of winter there are many things you need to do. You might have been counting down the days until spring, but make the most of these chilly and cloudy days. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days.

1. Hot Chocolate

This one might seem obvious, but what if I told you that having a cup of hot cocoa is more than chocolate powder in warm milk? I'm sure you have left over hot chocolate from November and December, so it's time to finish them off. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on.

And you don't have to settle for regular milk! Mix it up using almond or coconut milk. Lastly, the best part is the toppings. By adding some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, a regular cup of warm chocolate powder in milk becomes more like a dessert. So when it is too cold for an ice cream party, you can have a hot chocolate party instead!

Now that you have you hot chocolate, it is time to relax. Wrapping up in a warm blanket with a hot drink and some calming music is one of the best ways to spend and indoor kind of day. Especially if you have school work to do, background music can help fill the silence of late night studying. I created a Chill Pill playlist on YouTube for some relaxing vibes.

Soon, weekends can be filled with park trips and beach adventures, but for now, the weather is temperamental, so a movie night can suffice. Romances and horrors are great genres to cozy up to in the dark. If you have Netflix or Hulu , the possibilities of movies are endless.

If movies aren't your style or you need a quieter way to relax, pick up a good book. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world.

You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. Time to forget about any work you have to do, and treat the weekend as a weekend. The only way to properly do this is to be comfortable, because why relax when you could relax ? Build a pillow fort on your bed in any clear space using four chairs, an abundance of blankets and all the pillows you can find. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. This works in making work more enjoyable too.

A New Church

Condemning each other is so not-cool..

We think of the church as the place we go, or don't go, on Sunday mornings. Our mindset of the church has been split into different denominations, different ways of going about things. When we think about what God intended the church for though, it was not like this at all. The church was intended to be the people of God. The church was never meant to be a building or a denomination, it was meant to be a family.

But within the family things get complicated. People become offended by churches. People get hurt, and they let this put a wedge in their personal relationship with Christ. What offends people the most? Judgement. Judgement passed on them for their current, or even past sins. Why? Because of society.

Society tells us that some sins are worse than others. Society tells us that it is more acceptable to be drunk every weekend than cheat on spouses. It teaches us that "little white lies" are okay, but homosexuality is condemned. We grow up in a culture that tells us not to associate with others because of their certain sins. When we think back to the Bible though, is this how Jesus treated others?

Jesus called things as He saw them. He did not sugarcoat things, and he never compromised the truth. There were times when when He grew so frustrated with sinners just like you and I. Matthew 21:12-13 is a prime example of this. Jesus was in the temple when He saw others selling and bargaining inside. He became upset that they had turned the temple into a "den of robbers." So, yes, there were times He was frustrated with the sinful ways of man, but many times He loved. In Luke 19, Jesus called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, down from a tree. Jesus stayed at his home, and all who witnessed it were so surprised that Jesus would associate with a sinner such as Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus became a changed man because of that time with Jesus. There are several instances of his grace, just like this. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), Peter and his constant doubting and slip-ups, and the sinner hanging on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:40-43.) In John 8, Jesus is at the Mount of Olives, where he sees a woman accused of adultery. In this time, the punishment for adultery was to be stoned to death; however, Jesus came to this woman's defense. In verse 7, He declared "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone."

This is such a powerful moment in scripture to me, because how often do we cast our (hypothetical) stones on others? We are all sinners, every single one of us. God does not see our sins as buildings from the perspective of being on the ground; this would mean He sees sins as bigger or smaller than other sins. Rather, He sees our sins as buildings from a bird's eye view; from above, there is no differentiate which ones are taller or shorter.

We have to stop driving each other away from the church. Yes, we are to hold each other accountable, but by no means should we be viewing ourselves as any better than a fellow brother, sister, or even someone who has not come to Christ yet. Homosexuality is no worse than continuous alcoholism, or habitual lying, gossiping, or constantly doubting Him. God sees these on-going sins as all equal. Open your doors and your hearts to those from all walks of life; we all struggle with our own sins in many, many different ways. We do not know the true intentions of each others hearts, that is up to God to judge, so stop judging others away from the church - welcome them. I don't know about you, but I am ready to see a less rigid church, and a more loving church, a more loving body of Christ, instead.

The Best Celebrities That Share Your Zodiac Sign

You're such a beyonce.

Hello, there! I'm no expert in zodiac signs, but I do spend a fair amount of time looking at both zodiac sign memes and entertainment news on Instagram and Twitter, so I feel as if I'm certified to do this. If you think I'm wrong, then you're probably a Taurus (did I do that right?)

Elton John! You should be over the moon to share a sign with him.

Adele! If you can sing like her, too, it's a plus.

Marilyn Monroe! Just one of the biggest stars of the 1950s, no big deal.

Selena Gomez! Who wouldn't want to have something in common with her?

Sandra Bullock! I know Twitter just discovered her because of 'Bird Box,' but she has a million other movies that are just as amazing (you're one step closer to being Miss Congeniality).

Beyonce! I might be a little biased since this is my sign, but come on, it's Beyonce. This is clearly the best one.

Kim K! I know she's pretty controversial in terms of who likes her and who doesn't, but she is kind of famous for nothing (and also a millionaire) so that's pretty inspiring. Minus the whole sex tape thing .

Anne Hathaway! Is it even possible to not like her?

Sagittarius

Miley Cyrus! Whether you're more of a Miley or a Hannah, you hit the jackpot in the celebrity-zodiac-sign-twin lottery.

Elvis Presley! You're an icon, Capricorn. Never forget it.

Oprah Winfrey! I mean, can it get any better than this?

Rihanna! Pisces are so talented they don't even need a last name.

What's your sign? (and no, that's not a pickup line).

A Birthday Letter To My Best Friend

It all started with a spongebob joke..

A letter to my best friend,

I want to start by wishing you a happy birthday. You're like the big sister I always wanted, but more importantly, you're my best friend. Though we technically met in Kindergarten, we officially met at freshman orientation in high school. I can literally remember it like it were yesterday: I was terrified and clutching my red folder like it was my lifesaver in a room where I was drowning. And then, through an incredible teacher, I was introduced to you. I knew from looking at you that you were the cool kid in the room, the one who knew what was happening and didn't care about any of it. I envied your blasé attitude and I feared that my over-excitable nature would ruin a friendship before it began. And yet, you smiled and told me your name.

We found out that we had the same classes and sat together at lunch. We had the same, stupid sense of humor and bonded over Spongebob jokes. We sat at the same lunch table for four years. I remember how we told each other everything, good and bad, and received hugs all the same. I remember how senior year, you told me you were applying to one of the same schools as me. I remember when we both received acceptance letters to Notre Dame of Maryland University and swore we'd stay best friends through college. And we did. We even lived as roommates for two (and a quarter) years.

I've known you for 7, almost 8 years now and with each passing year I am more and more grateful to call you my best friend. Though life has changed our paths and you go to a different school, we still talk weekly, sometimes daily. We see each other frequently and always have some new story (and a Spongebob reference or two). My mom calls you her third daughter and your mom reminds me I'm always invited over. We're practically family at this point.

In this time, I've grown plenty, but I've watched you grow as well. I've watched you experience family struggles, heartbreak and personal struggle, but I've also watched you experience success, happiness and love. I've gotten to see you at your highest and lowest and I love you so much at times I wonder how I could have gotten so lucky to call you my friend. I'm so proud that you share all of this with me and call me your friend, that you have invited me into your home and introduced me to your incredible boyfriend.

I don't know what made God or the Fates or whichever All-Powerful Being decide that we both should be so lucky to not only know each other, but to share so much of each others' lives by being best friends, but I know I will thank them until the end of my days. I wish you the happiest of birthdays and just know that I will be here to celebrate each year with you forever and ever. As your best friend.

The shy girl with the red folder

7 Inspirational Women In History

Making history herstory..

Every single one of my history classes has thus far been the chronicle of world events as told by men about men. However, this is not because women did not have a profound effect on history or the world. Yes, we learn about some influential women, but most have been forgotten or buried in the margins of textbook. But, below is a list of seven unexpectedly inspirational women who have certainly made their mark on the world and have helped make HIStory HERstory.

1. Coco Chanel

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”

Whether it’s the familiar scent of Chanel no 5 on your classy aunt or the covet-worthy quilted purse in the window of Saks, we all know the Chanel name. The iconic Chanel logo however would not be possible without its even more iconic founder Coco Chanel. Although a fashion designer, Chanel irrevocably changed the world for women. She turned the fashion world on its head by liberating women from the hated corset in favor of a more comfortable yet still elegant style. She also pioneered her famous “Chanel suit” thus empowering working women. Through the art of fashion, Chanel taught, and still continues to teach, women to break free from societal norms and constraints. She proves that women can both be well-dressed and feminine as well as strong and independent.

2. Temple Grandin

"The world needs different kinds of minds to work together."

Temple Grandin is arguably one of the most inspirational human beings to date. She is not only a renowned animal behavioral specialist, but is also on the Autism spectrum. Because of Temple’s disability, she faced many unique difficulties growing up.

For instance, she did not begin speaking until she was three and a half years old. She was also ridiculed and harassed by her school mates in high school because of her differences. Her disability caused strife even within her own family; her mother and father divorced when she was 15 largely because of the stresses of raising Temple. Despite her struggles, Temple eventually found her passion for science and animals.

With the support of her mother, teachers, therapists and loved ones, she went on to receive her doctoral in animal science. Additionally, she has become a major spokesperson for Autism and has served as an inspiration to thousands worldwide. Temple Grandin shows us that no matter what obstacles or hardships we face in life, we can still achieve both greatness and happiness through perseverance and dedication.

3. Lise Meitner

"Science makes people reach selflessly for truth and objectivity; it teaches people to accept reality, with wonder and admiration, not to mention the deep awe and joy that the natural order of things brings to the true scientist."

Lise Meitner was an Austrian physicist who, alongside chemist Otto Hahn, discovered Nuclear fission. Meitner was an absolutely brilliant scientist, and collaborated on research at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institute with Hahn. The two had not only become a scientific powerhouse, but also close friends.

Meitner was on the verge of a breakthrough, but was forced to flee the country because of the anti-Jewish Nazi regime. Via letters, she continued to collaborate with Hahn, and they eventually discovered nuclear fission. However, Otto Hahn and co-collaborator Fritz Strassman took all credit for the discovery and excluded her from the publication as well as subsequent accolades including the Nobel Prize. Despite this heartbreak, Meitner still proves to the world that women can be and are exceptional scientists, whether or not they are given the due credit.

4. Josephine Baker

"Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one's soul, when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood."

Josephine Baker was born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. She had a difficult childhood rattled with extreme poverty and racism. Often times she was hungry, and while working as an in-house domestic was abused. At age 13 she was married, but left shortly after to pursue her passion for theater as a vaudeville performer.

She became a hugely successful and widely popular dancer. She eventually moved to Paris and became a French citizen. When discussing her move, Baker said, “I wanted to get far away from those who believed in cruelty, so then I went to France, a land of true freedom, democracy, equality and fraternity.”

Josephine went on to pursue her career in show business. She also worked for the Red Cross in WWII and as a Civil Rights supporter. Josephine Baker shattered the glass ceiling and continues to be an inspiration for women of every color.

5. Frida Kahlo

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best."

Frida Kahlo is one of the greatest painters and feminists of the modern era. Kahlo’s life was very much colored with pain ranging from her contraction of polio at age six, growing up during the Mexican Revolution, a traumatic bus accident, her tumultuous marriage to artist Diego Rivera and several miscarriages. Kahlo’s art was influenced and sometimes a direct reflection of the painful experiences in her life. Through her struggles, Kahlo inspires us to create something meaningful out of the pain that we will inevitably face in life. Furthermore, Frida challenged typical beauty standards through her art. She teaches women to embrace their own natural beauty in the face of the societal pressures for perfection and conformity.

6. Malala Yousafzai

“If one man can destroy everything, why can't one girl change it?”

When reading the above quote, no one other than the speaker herself comes to mind. Although only 18, Malala has made tremendous waves not only in Pakistan, but the world at large. She has been an advocate and fighter for woman’s rights from a very young age, despite the adversity she has been confronted with.

At age 15, she was shot by the Taliban on her school bus because of her desire and persistence to pursue an education. This did not deter Malala, in fact it only strengthened her resolve and influence. Since then, Malala has continued to fight for women’s rights and children’s education. She went on to be the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. In the face of terror and hatred, Malala acts with grace and courage. Her bravery and determination makes her a role model for every woman.

7. Audrey Hepburn

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."

Audrey Hepburn is remembered as one of the greatest actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood, an international fashion icon and a humanitarian. She starred in numerous movies and shows and received many awards for her work. She was also featured on the covers of countless magazines and still is seen on present day fashion blogs.

Yet what sets Audrey apart from every other starlet is her work as a humanitarian and her inspiring personal story. As a young girl, Audrey lived under German occupation in the Netherlands. She suffered from malnutrition and other hardships as a result. However, she actively participated in the Dutch resistance. Inspired by her painful childhood and grateful for her subsequent success, Hepburn became a UNICEF Ambassador. Audrey Hepburn was a true Renaissance woman. As a mother, celebrity, philanthropist, survivor and a lady, she teaches us women can in fact have it all.

Top Creators

1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society 2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook 3. Kristen Haddox , Penn State University 4. Jennifer Kustanovich , SUNY Stony Brook 5. Clare Regelbrugge , University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Importance of Literary Criticism in Literature to Students & Teachers Essay

Table of Contents

Introduction

However, many students are unaware of this word, but understanding literary criticism is as crucial as any other study, exam, or assignment . In this piece of writing, we will discuss everything about literary criticism, the purpose of literary criticism, the benefits and functions of literary criticism, and its importance to the students.

What Is Literary Criticism?

What is the purpose of literary criticism, what are the benefits of literary criticism to students, what are the functions of literary criticism, final thoughts:, have you read these.

Essay On Importance Of Literature

Show More Education would not survive without literature. Every aspect of education requires some form of literature. Literature classes should be required for all education levels. It is a subject that is often required less than other subjects. Students gain enormous benefits from studying literature. They are able to gain knowledge, experiences, and improvements that helps them throughout their entire life. Literature offers several benefits to academics and society as a whole. Studying literature will allow one to develop survivor skills that he or she will be able to use throughout life. The benefits that literature provides makes literature very important to any education level in one 's academic life (James 200). Therefore, it is prudent to have …show more content… Through literature children can enhance their knowledge and interests by just reading stories. They can learn about different places, different people, and there is no limit to the knowledge. With this knowledge they can gain new experiences They are able to learn about the past, the present and be able to equip themselves fully for the future. This can be attributed to literature. Children or students can understand about society as they grow. This does some of the common objectives and emotions that are with the people of all times and places (Patricia 197) There are books that teach children about famine, its causes and how to prevent it. For an example, “Nory Ryan’s Song” written by Patricia Giff is a perfect example of some of the harsh conditions that individuals have survived in. It’s a story that is set to explain the harsh conditions that were experienced in Ireland during the famous potato famine of 1845 (David 120). In the story “The Butterfly” written by Patricia Polacco, describes some of the challenges that nations experience. In this case, it talks about dealing with Nazis resistance and in some parts the Jewish persecution during World War Two. It is prudent for children to gain an understanding of some of the challenges that people in society experience so they will be well prepared to face …show more content… Literature aids in thinking capacity because it develops the learners thinking skills through engaging them in a visualization of actions and characters. With this the individual can be creative as the readings will help them think critically. Students can embrace the skills learned through literature and apply them throughout their life. Better thinking skills can help society because individuals can solve problems using critical thinking and have good results at the end. History books and other literature helps students understand the problems that the world has faced and how they were able to overcome. They will be able to resolve their predicaments alone without much dependence on other people. Through this the goals of education are realized, and a society of individuals that can make independent decisions is realized. This is enhanced by the visual literacy that is achieved when students do engage in literature books (Dong

Value Of Studying Literature

If everyone started to read literature, common problems could be solved by acting on the experiences of the characters in the text. This also helps me specifically as I too, like everyone in this world, go through difficult times. If I continue to read and study literature I will be able to find solutions to my problems more effortlessly than before. Literature helps people grow and develop themselves through reflecting upon their actions. However, it also helps readers see other people through their…

The Significance Of Reading Literature: The Importance Of Literature

Reading is an excellent practice to learn how to communicate effectively with others. We need to communicate in our daily life, but if we learn new words we can handle conversation with people from different social class, education, and races. Expanding our vocabulary make us feel better and confident about ourselves with others, because we know how we want to others understand our points of view. I n particular, I have learn a lot in this class, especially vocabulary that help me to improve my word choice in my writing assignments. On the other hand, it can contribute to finding a better job and remuneration.…

My Reflection On The Goal Of Guided Reading

Shared reading is one of the important ways to teach children how to read and understand print concepts. Sometimes the best way to help your students to understand literature is to first read it aloud and discuss the literature (Cooper, 2000). This will also help activate knowledge that the children already know while helping them develop vocabulary.…

Student Conferencing Essay

We as role models and mentors are their to build up students to be the best they can be, by unearthing and utilizing a students strengths not only benefits their work but their self esteem. Such approaches as conferring allows students to be exposed to questioning about their writing, it creates this personal world of self reflections, sharing of ideas and creates closer trust connections as students are able to led a conversation about their work and it gives the teacher an opportunities to tune into their students imaginative world of…

Shared And Guided Reading

The students are then given the opportunity to read the story individually and are generally asked to look for answers to questions during reading, the teacher is able to prompt them if they lose meaning. After reading the teacher guides the students in a discussion relating to the text and the specific learning goal of the lesson. The session is concluded by a related follow up activity and some form of assessment. Guided reading has many benefits as it allows for a more individualised learning experience. It allows the students to interact in a scaffolded environment and discuss aspects of the text and help each other create a deeper meaning to the text.…

Literacy Conference Reflection

The literacy conference was a great experience. It opens my mind to new ideas and strategies I can use in my classroom. I honestly believe reading is the most important facet of education. It is the basis for all other knowledge to grow. I believe that learning to read well is a key part of being successful in life.…

Why Is It Important To Read Well

The Magic of Reading Why it is important to learn to read well? I believe that if I can not read well, I am going to face many problems in my life. Many people throughout the world look at the reading positively. So, they automatically assume that reading is very useful for us. To my mind, reading can improve our writing skills and help us to become knowledgeable.…

Reading Autobiography Analysis

I believe society runs on the idea of people being literate. As a person, I believe reading allows my mind to expand and escape from reality. Writing allows me to express my feelings in a way that I cannot by just speaking about them. It lets me think about what I want to say before actually saying it. As a student, reading and writing are very important to being a successful student.…

Bridge Reading Comprehension: The Importance Of Reading Comprehension

al, 2009). The practice is powerful because it not only keeps students actively engaged as they read, but also helps them to develop the metacognition to understand why they don’t understand the things that confuse them. In particular, annotation can be a gateway to helping students build the necessary background knowledge and academic vocabulary in context that is critical for reading success (Nagy & Scott, 2000). In addition, making text-self, text-text, and text-world connections helps students to process and remember what they read in meaningful ways (Wolfe & Goldman, 2010). By directly modeling these skills and having my students share their annotations with one another, I hope to both foster community and help students of varying literacy backgrounds and skill levels to see how their peers think about and evaluate the world.…

Ready To Get Started?

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Choose a Dissertation Topic

Introduction

Choosing a dissertation topic often poses many challenges for postgraduate students. It could require more than simply selecting subject matter that intrigues you or that you think might impress your supervisor; rather, it may involve finding an area of research that could aligns with your abilities, research goals, and the state of the art in your field. As such, the selection process may be a critical part of writing a dissertation and could impact the success of your entire dissertation project.

An important key to choosing a dissertation topic that is both feasible and engaging is to understand that a topic isn’t so much an idea as a question. The goal of your dissertation isn’t to create a scholarly work about existing knowledge, it is to answer a question that is timely and relevant. Keep this in mind as you work through the steps that follow.

This comprehensive guide outlines steps for choosing a researchable and interesting doctoral dissertation topic and provides you with insights and factors to consider when choosing your dissertation topic. So, if you are ready to unlock the secrets of choosing a great dissertation topic, read on!

Overview of the steps for selecting a dissertation topic

Your first thought in choosing a research subject might be: I need to start brainstorming! But brainstorming without structure may not yield the types of topics that, ultimately, could lead to a quality dissertation. Instead, try implementing a more systematic approach to selecting your dissertation topic:

Getting a Handle on the Basics

Before you start the ideation process, you take time to understand the requirements of your program. You also need to ensure that you have a firm grasp of the types of research and data analysis methodologies you may be implementing in your dissertation.

Program requirements

You are typically given a list of requirements to guide your dissertation writing. At a minimum, the requirements may provide minimum and maximum word count and deadline. But stricter requirements might also specify methodological conditions, tone (academic or professional), types of sources you may use, and whether you need to conduct fieldwork. You might save yourself lots of time and a boatload of frustration if you understand the dissertation guidelines of your department before you embark on your search for a topic.

If you feel unclear about any aspects of these requirements, now is the time to speak with your dissertation advisor.

Understanding the research process

You might think this step is unnecessary—after all, you may have worked on research projects in the past and taken extensive coursework in research practices. However, you might have stronger command of one practice over the other; or, your dissertation requirements might specify methodologies that you may not be as familiar with.

You wouldn’t start building a bridge if you were fuzzy on engineering protocols; and you shouldn’t dive into your dissertation without having command of the methodologies you may be using. At the least, you should understand the differences between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research and have a firm grasp of data analysis methods.

Reviewing Past Dissertations

You’ll find a myriad of quality dissertations out there that could guide you in writing your own dissertation.

Past dissertations might serve as helpful examples and may give you a sense of what your own dissertation should look like. As you review other dissertations, pay attention to things such as extent of the bibliography, depth of the literature review, the types of research and data analysis methodologies, and salience of the results.

You might also use findings in those dissertations to spark your own questions. Check out the bibliography section for articles that might inspire further ideas of the types of topic you may want to write about.

Identifying Your Areas of Interest

It might seem obvious that your dissertation topic should be about something that interests you—after all, dissertations typically take time to complete, and you want to be engaged through the process. However, sometimes students may be tempted to choose a topic that is their supervisor’s passion and not their own. Writing about a topic you are lukewarm about could erode your motivation and might make a challenging process even more difficult.

When it comes to identifying your interests, think broadly. There may be subsets within a general area that you had little knowledge of or wouldn’t have thought of. In addition, limiting the breadth of your ideas could box you into a topic that has insufficient depth or opportunities for research.

Also consider past work you may have done. Were there any projects that particularly piqued your interest and that you excelled in? Were there some that you found tedious and unmotivating? Use these experiences to guide your exploration of topics.

Conducting a Literature Review

In a sense, you may have already started your literature review by exploring dissertations. Now, however, you could step it up a notch by focusing on journal articles and other scholarly works.

Importance of a literature review in dissertation topic selection

Conducting a literature review could be helpful in nailing down a feasible and relevant dissertation topic. In exploring the literature, you are not only looking for topic ideas—you are looking to understand two things: the current state of knowledge in a field and the “gap.”

The current state of knowledge refers to what is already known. What are the latest important discoveries? What kinds of questions are being asked? What types of research are being conducted? If you aren’t aware of the current state of the topics you have identified so far, your dissertation could wind up being outdated and unoriginal.

The “gap,” then, refers to what isn’t known. These are the kinds of things you may want to think about in selecting your dissertation focus. What research still needs to be done? What direction is the research going in? What questions still need to be answered? By focusing on the gap, you may help ensure that your dissertation is timely and worthwhile.

Where to start

Your literature review should be based on material that is timely and scholarly. Where do you find such material? Start with your college library. Academic librarians could assist you in crafting effective searches and help you tap into the interlibrary loan service (ILL), which allows libraries to borrow journal articles they don’t own.

Another good source could be reading lists from previous courses. Literature chosen by your professors is likely to be timely and informative. Review the lists and choose articles that may relate to the areas you want to explore.

In addition, there are a number of search engines that are geared toward finding scholarly articles. Some of these include:

Finally, once you find articles that align with your topics and standards, check the bibliography to discover further sources that could benefit your efforts.

Identifying topics from your literature review

As you review the literature, remember: You are looking to answer a question in your dissertation. Focus not only on the area of research in the literature but also on the questions the author was asking.

As you explore, organize the results of your search. When you find ideas that intrigue you, make a note of them—the topic area they fall into, the questions you might ask, and what the answers might contribute to the field. Make sure to cite the original source so you could go back again if you need to.

Check bibliographies for other articles that cover topics you are interested in. Many journal articles include a “Further Research” section, which could be a goldmine in providing you with ideas that are relevant and timely.

Take time to be thorough. Read carefully to ensure that you fully comprehend the information and are able to formulate questions to ask based on it. Consolidate any ideas that overlap or might be redundant.

Once you generate a list of questions, go back to the literature to make sure those questions haven’t already been answered.

Narrowing Down Your Topic Options

Narrowing down topics generally involves more than just choosing a few that might be more interesting than others. It’s time to assess the topics you identified as to whether they are plausible.

Evaluating the feasibility of a topic

Although the timeline for completing your dissertation may sometimes seem almost interminable, the reality is there is an end date, a deadline. Consider each topic you’ve made note of. How complex is it—would you have enough time to adequately discuss it and stay within your word count? How extensive would the research and data analysis have to be? Would you be delving into areas that you have little or no familiarity with?

Also take time to assess whether you might have the resources—and skills—to research and analyze data for each topic. What facilities are available to you? What types of research have you effectively done before? What types of research methods are of interest to you?

In sum, you could set yourself up for failure by being overly ambitious or not staying within your comfort zone and time constraints.

Identifying a researchable dissertation topic

Some topics may lend themselves to being researched—or to being researched further—while others may not. For each topic you are considering, ask yourself: Are the questions answerable through research—or even answerable at all?

Examine the scope and depth of each topic. Is there enough literature to draw from and enough existing data to build on? What types of research have already been conducted? Do the results of that research open up further questions?

Also consider the potential for research that could make an original contribution . This doesn’t necessarily mean that your results need to be groundbreaking—rather, they might clarify or put a new spin on previous findings.

Go back to the literature you noted during your review and revisit it with this question in mind: Does the research in this article contribute to an understanding of the field? Does the bibliography contain other research articles pertaining to the field? Are there questions that still need to be answered?

With all that you have gleaned in mind, bite the bullet and select a topic that covers the bases: feasible, researchable, engaging, and original.

Receiving Approval for Your Dissertation Topic

You typically will need to write a proposal for your topic and submit it to your supervisor. Then, assuming the proposal isn’t rejected point-blank, sit down with them and thoroughly discuss it. The feedback you receive could be important.

Discuss the criteria from the previous section. Does your advisor think your proposal is feasible? Is your topic researchable? Be open to criticism and try to learn from it.

You may need to revise your proposal based on your advisor’s feedback. If so, don’t feel discouraged—your goal is to generate a proposal that is robust, feasible, and original.

If there is one message you could take away from reading this article, it might be this: Don’t rush the process of working toward finding a dissertation topic. Take time to use the work of others to guide your search. Give yourself room to be thoughtful and creative. Anticipate the time the selection process might take and build it into your dissertation schedule. Remember that building on the work of others is not “cheating”—it may be one of the important components to guiding exploration and making new discoveries.

While writing a dissertation may seem daunting, using a rigorous approach to selecting a topic could make the process easier, help you avoid pitfalls, and contribute to your overall success.

Share this article

Popular Online Programs

Business Administration, Psychology, Information Technology, Human Services…

The Importance of Time Management in a Student’s Life

Student life is disorganised if there is no proper time management. The importance of time in a student’s life is never to be neglected. Most successful students who are toppers or rank holders plan a schedule that meets their academic and leisurely pursuits. Time management is vital for students who want to build a career in Maths and Science.

Students who understand the importance of time management can seek help from friends and family first. For expert guidance, they can enrol at tuition centres. The tuition centre faculty maintains regularity in students’ lives through tight schedules and regular assessments. Physics Class 10 students and those who follow Class 10 Maths and Class 9 Maths curriculums can opt for support to score better in exams.

Time Management in a Student’s Life

What is time management?

It is the needful allotment of time to specific activities in your day so that all activities and tasks are meaningfully accomplished. Students need to learn the art of discipline to manage time successfully. Apart from studies, most students participate in various co-curricular activities and hobbies in their daily lives. Proper time management makes it possible to complete all activities smoothly. This article will discuss the importance of time management in a student’s life.

Benefits of Time Management in a Student’s Life

Below are some points to explain the importance of time management in a student’s life.

Organising and Prioritising Work

Learning time management helps students organise their time according to their workload. They learn to prioritise work according to the nature of attention required. While studying, some subjects and topics require our undivided attention and dedication. Assigning more time to subjects/topics can help students cover their syllabus faster. Time management also teaches them the value of time during studies.

Finishing Maximum Work in Minimum Time

Splitting work to finish tasks within the allotted period can help students meet the deadline on time. Usually, students appearing for board exams try to solve mathematical problems and assignments without setting a time limit. But organising our study schedules can discipline us to focus on solutions rather than misspend time. Physics Class 10 problems can be practised smoothly by setting deadlines. Students of Class 9 Maths and Class 10 Maths can finish their work quickly by organising it.

Reducing Stress

As students, we undergo stress and anxiety around the exam season. Time management makes us more relaxed and confident about our performance in exams. Following an organised time management schedule can help us finish our syllabi, practice sessions and revision sessions on time. For example, a topic in a Physics Class 10 textbook, like the electric current, can have theories, practicals and numerical topics. It takes a lot of work to finish this topic in one day. But if we decide to complete all the lessons and assignments related to this topic on time, we will be able to clarify our doubts and study extra resources. Thus, our competency for future exams is also enhanced.

Preventing Procrastination

Time management can help students prevent procrastination. It results from the anxiety of having to deal with work in bulk. When a solid study table is set for students, it becomes easy to finish studies and assessments early. For instance, if students of Class 10 Maths and Class 9 Maths complete their work within the stipulated time, they will have no reason to worry before exams. A tuition centre near a student can help them manage time according to the specified time mentioned in the syllabus. Faculty at tuition centres can also coordinate with parents to help students follow a schedule for studies at home.

Reaching Goals Faster

Time management in studies helps students decide which topics to learn first and which to follow. In subjects like Maths and Science, students need guidance and regular practice. Revision sessions lead to resolving queries at schools or tuition centres. Physics Class 10 lessons comprise a lot of complex concepts. Setting deadlines regularly for Physics chapters and assignments can help students accomplish their goals. The same applies to finishing lessons in Class 10 Maths and Class 9 Maths curriculums.

Participating in Co-curricular Activities and Hobbies

Correct utilisation of time can also result in students’ successful participation in co-curricular activities. Assigning time to study daily also allows students to engage in extracurricular activities and hobbies. Apart from schooling, students can play after their studies at the tuition centre near them. They can also attend music or dance classes if they are interested. Moreover, students can hang out with friends and have an active social life.

Personal Development for Future Careers

The ability to plan our daily life schedules will help in our academics and bring about necessary personal growth in our personalities. Work-life balance is a massive topic of debate nowadays – owing to the immense amount of time and energy consumed on working days. Healthy time management habits can aid individuals in preparing for the realities of the future. There needs to be more to life than studying for a career; learning basic life skills, like time management, are also crucial factors in determining a successful career.

Importance of Time Management in a Student’s Life – Start with BYJU’S Tuition Centres (BTCs)

BYJU’S Tuition Centres (BTCs) are one of the recent initiatives BYJU’S took to provide quality tuition classes for Maths and Science. We follow a standardised syllabus and research-based learning materials for these subjects. Expert teachers are there to guide students all the way to help them harness their full potential. You will get access to high-tech teaching aids at any tuition centre near you for delivering crisp and coherent lessons for better understanding and long-term retention of concepts in Maths and Physics. Tuition at BYJU’S Tuition Centres (BTCs) comprises animated videos, games, puzzles and various other interactive activities for an immersive peer-learning experience.

At BYJU’S Tuition Centres , we keep parents well-informed about their children’s progress. We provide Science and Maths tuition to students from Grades 4-10 following the CBSE, ICSE and other selected state boards. Personalised tuition classes are arranged for students who struggle with certain topics.

To summarise, you can avail of

If you feel confident enrolling at a BYJU’S Tuition Centre near you, go to our official website for more information and clarity on our products and services. Feel free to contact us if you face any problems reaching us.

Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

What Is a Financial Goal?

Why is it important to set financial goals early, types of financial goals, 7 financial goals for students, what is a common financial goal, what are 5 long-term goals for students, what is the best financial goal, the bottom line.

Personal Finance

Financial Literacy

Financial Goals for Students: How and Why to Set Them

Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.

With the right financial start in life, a student can avoid excessive debt, start building savings, and build toward financial independence. Often, this right financial start requires a road map. Financial goals can help students create that road map and keep them on track.

Let’s take a look at financial goals, how to set them, and ways to increase the chances of success down the road.

Key Takeaways

A financial goal is a money objective that you hope to achieve. This might be to build a million-dollar nest egg or save enough for a weeklong trip next year. Your financial goals can help guide you as you build up savings, decide to invest, or become debt free. Your financial goals are milestones on the road map to living the kind of life you want.

Setting financial goals early can help establish effective money habits that can provide you with a greater chance of achieving financial well-being later in life. Plus, the earlier you start setting goals like saving and investing, the more money you’re likely to have when it’s time to retire.

As you set financial goals, consider the three main types of goals, which can be broken down by time frame:

Be realistic about what you hope to accomplish and a potential time line.

When setting financial goals , Alissa Krasner Maizes , the founder of Amplify My Wealth , and a licensed attorney and registered investment advisor , suggests that you start with your values.

“Your list of what you value most can guide you in making the best decisions for you, making you more successful at reaching your goals,” Maizes says. “Next, decide what financial goals you want to achieve that align with your values, starting with smaller achievable and measurable goals that you can track, knowing you can always revisit and tweak them.”

Here are some potential goals for students.

Create a Budget

Your budget helps you visualize your income and expenses. You can use your budget to see how much money is coming in and list your most common costs.

“Creating a budget is an essential step toward financial stability,” says Markia Brown , a Certified Financial Education Instructor and Registered Financial Associate at The Money Plug LLC . “It helps you track your income and expenses, prioritize your spending, and identify areas where you can cut back. It’s a short-term goal that you can achieve within a few hours or days.”

Brown suggests listing all sources of income and then reviewing your spending. Then, she recommends determining whether your expenses are needs or wants. This can help you determine what to cut back on when things get tight. It can also help you figure out how much money to direct toward other goals, such as paying off debt or saving for retirement.

“Review and adjust your budget regularly to reflect changes in your income and expenses,” Brown says.

Open a Savings Account

Build a habit of saving now, and you’ll feel more comfortable with it later. Brown points out that many financial institutions will let you start an account with as little as $5 or $10. Set up recurring transfers so that money automatically goes into your savings account. Even $5 a week can help you start a good savings habit.

“Although opening a savings account is usually as easy as going online and entering your information, first consider whether you prefer a brick-and-mortar location near school,” Maizes suggests. “Consider the interest rate they will pay you for money in your account, or whether they have student accounts offering bonuses, fewer fees, no ATM fees, and lower minimums.”

Compare two to four choices and choose an account that works with your lifestyle.

Start Investing for Retirement

No matter how much money you make, investing for retirement can be a major goal for you, according to Jeff DeMaso , Chartered Financial Analyst, a former portfolio manager, and editor and founder of The Independent Vanguard Adviser .

“ Compounding may be the eighth wonder of the world, but it takes time to see the results,” DeMaso says. “So, you want to start investing as early as possible, even if you are starting out small.”

If you have an employer that offers a plan, have a portion of your paycheck deducted each period and set aside for the future. You can also open a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) , Maizes points out. With this approach, you can take advantage of your current low tax rate to start building a nest egg for the future.

DeMaso recommends looking for low-cost index funds and making sure you automatically invest, whether you’re using an employer-sponsored plan or opening your own account. Over time, as your income increases, boost the amount of money you set aside in your retirement account.

Establish an Emergency Fund

Maizes points out that an emergency fund can help you prepare to live independently, once you finish school. You might have help from your parents or some other source, such as scholarships and grants, to cover most costs. Once you graduate, though, dealing with unexpected costs can be more difficult.

Starting an emergency fund today can help you build over time. Similar to a savings account, an emergency fund can be started with just a few dollars. Consider setting a goal to eventually save at least six months’ worth of expenses. Start small, with perhaps $10 a week, and then increase as your income and financial situation improves.

“Your emergency fund is your safety net in the event you ever run out of money,” Maizes says. “An emergency fund is an excellent lifetime goal whether you are a student or not.”

Apply for Financial Aid to Reduce Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt can feel like a millstone when you graduate. Maizes suggests investigating scholarships and grants to reduce what you borrow.

“Consider applying for scholarships and grants that do not mandate you to pay back any money,” Maizes says. “These opportunities are open to students to apply for within and outside your school throughout your educational journey.”

Check with your financial aid office and your academic department head to find out what’s available. Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine what aid you might qualify for.

You can also look for opportunities through federal work-study programs to earn money for expenses, rather than using student loan debt.

Start Building Credit

Now is the time to start building credit , DeMaso points out.

“You’ll need a loan to buy a new car or house,” he says. “Your credit score will impact the interest rate you have to pay for those loans. So start building a good credit history now.”

One of the easiest ways to build credit is by getting and using a credit card . Choose one or two items to pay for with your credit card, and pay off the balance each month. Use your credit card as part of your regular spending plan, and make sure you only buy what you can afford.

DeMaso warns that the high interest rate charged by a credit card can hold you back. Use your card strategically so that you aren’t losing ground to debt .

Use Debt as Little as Possible

Finally, even if you need some debt to accomplish your education goals, try to use as little as possible.

“Finding another way to make money towards your expenses can also go a long way, from tutoring, internships, dog walking, babysitting, and retail,” Maizes says.

Once you finish school, Maizes recommends putting together a debt repayment plan that can help you tackle any debt you have as quickly as possible. The most efficient approach is to order your debts from highest interest rate to lowest and put extra money toward the first debt while maintaining minimum payments on others. As you pay off each debt, you can add that extra payment to the next item on your list.

This might be a medium- to long-term goal, depending on how much debt you have and your ability to put extra money toward reducing your debt when you get your first job after graduation. However, you can still put some money toward other goals, even as you attempt to reduce your debt.

Financial goals can be broken up into three time frames: short-term, medium-term, and long-term. One common financial goal is building an emergency fund, which can help reduce the financial impact of unexpected costs.

Five good long-term goals for students to have can include:

Perhaps the biggest long-term financial goal for most people is saving enough for retirement. How much you’ll need to save for retirement will differ based on your current lifestyle, desired lifestyle in retirement, financial profile, and obligations.

It’s never too early to have a plan for your money . In fact, establishing good financial habits now and learning how to set financial goals can help set you up for a better financial future.

As you set financial goals and work toward success, Maizes suggests celebrating your milestones and recognizing how far you’ve come.

“Whether you have extra money each month or not, celebrate being mindful of your money,” Maizes says. “This is a huge accomplishment. These steps will always serve you well and help you make better decisions with your money.”

Alice Morgan / Investopedia

Federal Student Aid. “ The Standard Repayment Plan Is the Basic Repayment Plan for Loans from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. ”

Internal Revenue Service. “ 401(k) Plan Overview .”

Certificate of Deposits (CDs)

Financial Literacy Resource Center

Student Loans

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

NEET PG 2023 to begin today; here are important guidelines for students

The NEET PG exam will conducted across 271 centers across the country

NEET PG 2023: The examination will be conducted in a single day and single session as a computer based examination.

NEET PG 2023: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences will be conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- Postgraduate (NEET PG 2023) Exam today i.e. 5 March 2023. The examination will be conducted in a single day and single session as a computer based examination.

NEET PG is a national level entrance exam in India for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MS, MD, and PG Diploma courses. The exam is conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray being welcomed on his arrival in Khed

EC a slave of those in power, can never take away Shiv ...

FILE - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit the track and field event at the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, Sunday, April 17, 2022. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have been asked to vacate their home in Britain. Frogmore Cottage, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, had been intended as the couple’s main residence before they gave up royal duties and moved to Southern California. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Prince Harry, Meghan to leave UK cottage, but King Char ...

Read March 6, 2022 daily horoscope by Chirag Bejan Daruwalla to know astrological predictions related to career, business and money for all zodiac signs

Horoscope Today: Money astrological predictions for 6th ...

Shift in production ecosystem to boost efficiency

The exam comes after the SC order who had dismissed petitions seeking to postpone NEET PG 2023. The petition was filed by the aspirants of NEET PG 2023 to postpone the exams and also to extend the internship cut off date. Some of the students doing their internship had demanded postponement as they were finding it difficult to get time to prepare for the exam.

The NEET PG exams that will held today will begin at 9 am-12: 30 pm. The exam will conducted across 271 centers.

Speaking of the paper pattern of the exams, It comprises of 200 Multiple Choice Questions with each question having 4 response options/ distractors in English language only. The students are required to select the correct/best/most appropriate response/answer out of the 4 response options provided in each question.

Here are some Important Guidelines for Students:

Documents to be carried for the exams: Printed copy of Barcoded/QR Coded Admit card with recent coloured photograph pasted on it, Photocopy of Permanent / Provisional SMC/MCI/NMC registration, to be retained by the test centre, any original and valid documents like Aadhar, Pan card, Driving License, Voter ID.

In case, any candidate reports to the test center with eAadhaar Card with Aadhaar number printed on it as proof of identity, the e-Aadhaar Card should be a good quality colour print out with clearly visible photograph. The photograph should not scratches and stains, and should definitely match with the candidate presenting the e-Aadhaar Card.

Movement of private craft fell 17.1% in 10 months to January.

Wealthy ditch private jets for commercial as covid eases

The long road to sustainable development

Indians no closer to finding a viable Oppn

Candidates without valid ID proof shall not be allowed to enter the examination premises.

Candidates are required to report at the ‘Reporting Counter’ of test venue at as per time indicated in their admit cards. To avoid crowding at the test venue entry, there will be staggered time slots for candidates to report.

Candidates will be compulsorily required to carry face mask, Admit card, ID Card.

Any stationery item like textual material (printed or written), notes, Plastic Pouch, Calculator, Pen, Writing Pad, Pen, Drives, Eraser will not be allowed beyond security check point.

Any electronic device like Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphones, Microphone, Pager, wrist watch/Health Band, Calculator, Electronic Pen/ Scanner etc

All ornaments like bracelets, Ring, Earrings, Nose-pin, Chain/ Necklace, Pendants, Necklace with pendants, Badge, Brooch etc will not be allowed.

The candidate will flash the admit card and ID proof for verification to the exam functionary standing across the table with barcode/QR code reader. Candidate shall be informed about the assigned lab number.

If during entry, any candidate is observed to be having above normal temperature or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 infection, he/she will be allowed to take the examination in a separate isolation lab.

After verification of ID and capture of photograph, candidates will be escorted to the designated computer terminal at the test centre ensuring social distancing and an Invigilator will assist the candidate for check-in process of the test.

Wait for it…

You are just one step away from creating your watchlist!

Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.

Your session has expired, please login again.

Congratulations!

You are now subscribed to our newsletters. In case you can’t find any email from our side, please check the spam folder.

Subscribe to continue

This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp

IMAGES

7 Reasons Why Literature is So Important
The Importance of Literature & Benefits of Reading Books
Literature and its importance
Why is it important to do a literature review in research?
Read with the Best: British Literature Student Workbook
American Literature Student Text 2nd Edition

VIDEO

HOW TO STUDY LITERATURE MORE EFFECTIVELY
Literature Review Presentation
The Importance of Studying Literature
Billionaire Bachelor Is Attracted To Innocent Girls & Controls Them
My life as an English Literature student📚 #englishmajor #englishliterature #college #book #booktube
Snoop Dogg Rushes to Class after SKIMS Family Photoshoot

COMMENTS

The Importance of Literature for Students
Literature expands the minds and the horizons. It helps students build their instincts, boost their curiosity, and sharpen their intuition. One of the goals of education is to expose them to histories, cultures, other times, and places. Well, literature is an excellent way to achieve this. Literature Builds the Critical Thinking Skill
14 Reasons Why Students Need Literature
So, in light of us teachers bringing along all of our students into a love of reading, here is a list of 18 reasons why students need literature. Table of Contents 1. It Expands Vocabulary and Communication Skills 2. It Bolsters Their Imagination 3. It Teaches Them About Other Cultures Teaching the Difficult Stuff Using the Proper Perspective
What Is The Importance Of Literature?
What is the importance of literature to students? Literature provides a language model for those who hear and read it. By using literary texts, students learn new words, syntax and discourse functions and they learn correct sentence patterns, standard story structures. They develop their writing skills. What is the purpose of literature?
Why Literature Is Important For All College Students
Reading literature can heal you and challenge you. It can reveal your friends to you, and reveal yourself in new ways. It can encourage you to grow in new ways and give you new perspectives on life. Truth be told, you won't know all the great things literature can do for you until you start reading it.
Why Do We Need To Study Literature? What Are The Benefits?
Benefits of literature to students Reading literature is very important for students as reading gives development to the thought process, inculcates knowledge and valuable lessons for our mind to be creative. The way books hold interesting stories, feelings, thoughts, and information is very unlikely to be seen in anything.
What Is the Importance of Studying Literature?
Those people studying literature look at poems, plays, essays, stories and novels. Reading and learning about these helps people to sympathize with others and see how complex humans truly are. It aids in broadening a person's intellectual horizons and it stimulates a more active imagination.
The Reasons Why a Student Should Study English Literature
It also provides the students with an alternative to the pervasiveness of "television culture" with its immediacy and, often, its shallowness. An enjoyment and appreciation of Literature will give students the ability to develop this into an interest in books and reading as they move away from their studies and into their adult lives.
Why Our Students Study Literature
Literature can teach to the individual and to all of society. It can teach us about the past and the present and even about the future. Subjects can be broad and far-reaching, but can also be specific. Literature teaches us about laughter and love, about remembering and forgetting. It can create emotion and warn us against our many human faults.
(PDF) Why Studying Literature is Important
First, the study of literature allows individuals to develop an extraordinary ability to think outside of the box. ... Using drama in the Palestinian EFL classroom: teachers' attitudes,...
What is the importance of literature to a teenager?
Children's literature is important because it provides students with opportunities to respond to literature; it gives students appreciation about their own cultural heritage as well as those of others; it helps students develop emotional intelligence and creativity; it nurtures growth and development of the student's ….
What is the importance of studying literature in school?
The importance of ...
Importance of Studying Literature
The study of literature is a great way to enhance language skills for those learning new languages. 5. Literature enhances a person's writing skills Reading more will help an individual improve their writing. In order to improve, most successful authors praise reading.
What is the Importance of Literature and its Impact on Society?
An exposure to good literary works is essential at every phase of life as it enriches us in more ways than one. Literature is definitely much more than its literary meaning, which defines it as 'an acquaintance to letters'. In fact, it lays the foundation of a fulfilling life. It adds 'life' to 'living'. « Previous Post Next Post » Like it?
⛔ Importance of literature review. Why is it important to do a
What is the importance of literature as a student? By doing so, it allows researchers to develop a clear understanding of the current state of knowledge on their topic and identify any gaps in the research that need to be filled. . In research articles, conversely, a literature review does not necessitate answering a research question on its ...
Importance Of Studying Literature
The study of literature is important because it, at its most basic, improves reading skills. From this involved reading of quality literature a student then develops their writing skills, as the ...
Importance of Literature: Essay
Literature is of great importance and is studied upon as it provides the ability to connect human relationships and define what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, words are alive more than ever before. Author: William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team) https://schoolworkhelper.net/ Tutor and Freelance Writer.
Why Is Literature Important and Why Do We Study It?
Literature Transports Us To the Past. Like other recovered art objects, literature has the power to tell us about ancient civilizations. Not only can we understand their customs, values and lives, but we can get a better idea of what their entertainment looked like. The first-known examples of literature can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia.
7 Reasons Why Literature Is So Important
Here are just a few reasons why literature is important. 1. Expanding horizons. First and foremost, literature opens our eyes and makes us see more than just what the front door shows. It helps us realize the wide world outside, surrounding us. With this, we begin to learn, ask questions, and build our intuitions and instincts.
Importance Of Literary Criticism In Literature To Students & Teachers
Literary criticism is to examine the study and make the meaning clear, and in the end, evaluate its worth. It helps a reader to develop critical thinking skills. Criticism gives a reader a cognitive thought by analyzing what critics say and then applying it to the piece of literature. Moreover, various approaches can define the term deeply.
(PDF) The Importance of Literature in Primary School Pupils
Students' attitude towards learning literature is very important as it reflects the ideas and concepts that the students understand. It is considered as one of the integral part of...
Essay On Importance Of Literature
Literature offers several benefits to academics and society as a whole. Studying literature will allow one to develop survivor skills that he or she will be able to use throughout life. The benefits that literature provides makes literature very important to any education level in one 's academic life (James 200).
A Comprehensive Guide on How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
An important key to choosing a dissertation topic that is both feasible and engaging is to understand that a topic isn't so much an idea as a question. The goal of your dissertation isn't to create a scholarly work about existing knowledge, it is to answer a question that is timely and relevant. Keep this in mind as you work through the ...
Project-Based Learning: A Literature Review. Working Paper
The concept of project-based learning (PBL) has garnered wide support among a number of K-12 education policy advocates and funders. This working paper builds on and updates a seminal literature review of PBL published in 2000. Focused primarily on articles and studies that have emerged in the 17 years since then, the working paper discusses the principles that underlie PBL, how PBL has been ...
The Importance of Time Management in a Student's Life
This article will discuss the importance of time management in a student's life. Benefits of Time Management in a Student's Life. Below are some points to explain the importance of time management in a student's life. Organising and Prioritising Work. Learning time management helps students organise their time according to their workload.
Financial Goals for Students: How and Why to Set Them
Key Takeaways. Setting financial goals early can help establish effective money habits, which are key to securing your financial well-being in adulthood. Financial goals can be broken into three ...
NEET PG 2023 to begin today; here are important guidelines for students
The students are required to select the correct/best/most appropriate response/answer out of the 4 response options provided in each question. Here are some Important Guidelines for Students: