I have to write an essay (9th grad) and answer the question "Why is it worth reading books?". I can't really find anything good. Are there any obvious answers? It can be a bit hidden, like how books changed someones life, or how books helped to recover society? I found the Farneheit 451, but it seems a bit like not good enough to include in an essay. What would be your recommendation? Thanks
by CluckThePilot
17 Comments
you can’t think of a book worth reading?
The translation of the Bible into local languages so that people besides the aristocracy and clergy were able to read and interpret it was perhaps the single largest political change in Western Europe until World War I, but that’s a PhD thesis amount of researching, so probably beyond the scope of a freshman paper.
Farenheit 451 is perfectly good, I don’t know why it wouldn’t be good enough, it’s pretty on the nose. The Diary of Ann Frank is probably another good candidate that should be assigned reading around this grade level (at least it was when I was in school) if you wanted to make an argument about dissemination of information and creating personal rapport between the author and reader. There’s also something like the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn of you wanted to get into explorations of cultural periods and current issues. A Christmas Carol literally created Christmas as we understand it today, which is why it gets played to death every December.
Hopefully any of those will help. This prompt is annoyingly broad though, so don’t feel discouraged if you’re a bit lost.
when is the essay due?
What to read when by Pam Allyn might be helpful
I would pick a work of historical fiction that suits your interest and talk about how books can educate you, help you develop empathy for others, give you a unique viewpoint you might not otherwise have, etc.
Maybe The Librarian of Auschwitz
Three that come to mind and I think you would both really enjoy and would do a good job helping to answer your question are:
The Book Thief
The Giver
The Outsiders
Take a look at the synopsis. Good luck with your essay
Oh see now I would approach it thus – why is worth writing things down (in books)? What are the limitations of oral tradition and how does the writing of books (texts) serve to overcome those limitations? And, by extension, therefore why is reading that writing worthwhile?
Rather than try and extrapolate the value of reading from a book or two.
Good luck with your essay 🙂
You can’t find anything good? At all. You don’t have a single favorite book you absolutely love, you feel emotional attachment to? One that has a world you fell into and it was like you were there? One that made you question your morals or change to be better? One that made you happy in a depressed state?
If the answer to all of those are no, then I can’t really say books are worth reading to you. Otherwise, do a report on whatever book you chose even if it isn’t the traditional choice.
I would go with alienation concept of Marx. Why did tales become popular in the 19th century? Because people often feel disconnected from nature, from authentic communities, or from meaningful work. Many jobs today are abstract, repetitive, or feel pointless ( ‘bullshit jobs’, as some thinkers call them). Social media gives an illusion of connection, but often deepens loneliness. Today, we turn to fantasy like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or The Hunger Games because those stories have what reality lacks: a sense of magic, meaning, emotional connection. They create a world where individuals matter, where courage, loyalty, and wonder still exists. They are a way to imagine alternative realities, either by escaping to magical words or by criticizing the flaws of our own. Moreover, human mind craves stories to make sense of experience snd create meaning. Therefore, storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools we have. Reading books is a way to satisfy that deep essential need.
Good luck🍀
Animal farm by George Orwell
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury!!
I agree with other people, Fahrenheit 451 or The Book Thief.
I enjoyed the book Go Ask Alice, which can be a quick read.
Good luck on your essay!
You are overthinking this. Have you ever enjoyed a book, for whatever reason? There is your answer. “It was goofy and made me laugh.” “It blew my mind and made me think.” It made me cry, which I surprisingly enjoyed.”
*The Social Imperative* by Paula M. L. Moya makes an argument for why one should read fiction.
The Alchemist I read in the 10th grade, and it was a very good book to read
I’d suggest you read a historical fiction book and talk about how reading about historical events such as wars makes it more accessible to grasp and understand what it was like to life through those times