The Importance of Reading Literature

Reading literature allows everyone to gain insight into different perspectives and understand other people’s experiences which is beneficial for working with others and being a better person. The following articles discuss the benefits of reading literature:

Blunt, Tom. “This Is How Literary Fiction Teaches Us to Be Human.” Signature Reads, 15 Sept 2016. Accessed 12 July 2018.
This article focuses more on literary fiction in general rather than “traditional” literature, but there are still benefits of developing empathy and understanding other points of view.

Olmstead, Gracy. “Why You Need to Read Literature.” Intercollegiate Review, Intercollegiate Studies Institute: Educating for Liberty, 11 June 2018. Accessed 12 July 2018.
Literature works to increase the imagination, portray reality, and act as a source of enjoyment.

Paul, Annie Murphy. “Reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer.” Time, 3 June 2013. Accessed 12 July 2018.
Paul advocates for deep reading of texts rather than superficial reading of everyday text like emails, messages, and online posts. Deep reading allows for an immersion into the text which is stimulating for the brain.