Time For Reading Literature Review Sample

For this paper, the article that will be analyzed is "Time for Reading" by Lindsay Water's. The article presents an argument on the importance of teaching reading in school. It also examines the importance of slowing down reading in an effort to improve the reading culture and experience at all levels of education. According to the article, research indicates that there has been a decline in literacy levels in the United States of America. This decline has been noted in all levels of education from preschool to graduate school. The author attributes the reason behind this decline to the lack of education programs that advocate for reading. Secondly, the author attributes the noted decline to the neglect of the least advantaged children and the lack of programs that teach children how to read. Lindsay also argues that there is a need to slow down and teach children how to read and understand the content presented to them in any literary piece.
Furthermore, he explains that the belief that children are wired to use language competently also led to the decline in literacy levels. This led to the idea that it is not important to teach reading since it is genetically wired and children can easily take up the habit. In order to get a child to read the theory suggest that once a book is placed in the child’s hands he or she will be able to read automatically. However, children do not simply take up reading because it is skill and habit that can be taught and that they should acquire over time. The reason behind this observation is that it has led to educators adopting teaching methodologies that do not teach reading to learners. This in turn means that educators are leaving children to find their own meanings of words.
Similarly, the article argues that numerous English scholars and distinguished professors also advocate for teaching methods that discourage teaching children how to reading. Politicians have used such options (from scholars) in the formulation of education policies. The direct results of these policies is that there is no emphasis on reading. Lastly, from the article, the author explains that the thematic approach to reading literature has thrived as opposed to an approach focused on the literary devices utilized, literature structures, and forms utilized in any piece of literature.
Based on the reading it is evident that the ability to read has created a rift between the rich and poor. It is noted from the article that children coming from rich backgrounds are able to read when they are very young as compared to children from poor backgrounds. This implies that children from poor backgrounds should be encouraged to read so that they can match up to the other children.