American Readership on the Rise
A new report published by the National Endowement for Arts shows that American reading is on the rise.
The report reveals, "After decades of declining trends, there has been a decisive and unambiguous increase among virtually every group."
This new trend cuts across racial, ethnic, age, and gender, showing an increase in the reading thirst of the groups. Young adults have the most significant increase in reading. "The youngest group (ages 18-24) has undergone a particularly inspiring transformation from a 20 percent decline in 2002 to a 21 percent increase in 2008—a startling level of change," the report shows.
The NEA does not know yet what has caused this sudden shift, but is confident that its "26 years of detailed statistical data—augmented by data from the dozens of
other substantial studies summarized in the NEA’s To Read or Not to Read report—do provide some basis to make an intelligent hypothesis."
The outgoing chairman of NEA, Dana Gioia, has commended "the legions of teachers,
librarians, writers, parents, public officials, and philanthropists who helped achieve the renascence."
Whatever the cause of the rise in the reading trend, it is welcome news to writers. It is good to know that there is a market out there to read our works.
The report reveals, "After decades of declining trends, there has been a decisive and unambiguous increase among virtually every group."
This new trend cuts across racial, ethnic, age, and gender, showing an increase in the reading thirst of the groups. Young adults have the most significant increase in reading. "The youngest group (ages 18-24) has undergone a particularly inspiring transformation from a 20 percent decline in 2002 to a 21 percent increase in 2008—a startling level of change," the report shows.
The NEA does not know yet what has caused this sudden shift, but is confident that its "26 years of detailed statistical data—augmented by data from the dozens of
other substantial studies summarized in the NEA’s To Read or Not to Read report—do provide some basis to make an intelligent hypothesis."
The outgoing chairman of NEA, Dana Gioia, has commended "the legions of teachers,
librarians, writers, parents, public officials, and philanthropists who helped achieve the renascence."
Whatever the cause of the rise in the reading trend, it is welcome news to writers. It is good to know that there is a market out there to read our works.
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