R U Really Reading?

With the internet becoming a commonplace and inextricable part of life, especially for the “new generation”, we have to redefine what reading means in the digital age. Is it better to read books in the traditional style or read on the internet? Motoko Rich explores this question in the article Literacy Debate: Online, R U really reading? He argues that although the two styles are different, both are essential. The internet is the future; anyone seeking a good job should have above-average digital skills. At the same time, they should be a proficient reader, with the ability to focus on linear narratives for an extended period.

The first half of the article looks at the question from a pro-book perspective. Proponents of traditional reading methods argue that books help readers develop intellectual and emotional growth whereas online reading only provides disjunct information with numerous distractions. They believe that learning can only be acquired through prolonged exposure to books. They attribute declining scores on standardized tests to the fact that students spend more time online that reading books. Many articles on the web are poorly written with incorrect grammar, which become part of many peoples’ speech.

The next half of the article presents the pro-web view. According to this view, reading online is better than not reading at all. Most teenagers do not read novels and books for fun; the internet provides a fun way for reading. A study that gave low-income kids internet access found that their reading scores increased. The internet also allows a topic to be more thoroughly examined than a book. It is much easier to view multiple viewpoints on the web since a book usually expresses only the opinions of the author only. Research is also much easier and efficient on the internet.