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This essay argues that the cause and effects of reading books are numerous,
but will focus on one cause, starting to read books on a regular basis, and two
effects, increased comprehension abilities, and the promotion of vocabulary
growth. Reading skills are essential to success in society today. The ability to
read is highly valued and very important for social and economic advancement.
The following paragraphs will try to explain some of the important effects that
reading books will have in a person’s life. In America today, most children are
beginning or trying to talk around the age of two years. This is a time when
language skills are just starting to develop. Even though it usually too early
of an age to expect a child to read, there is no reason why the parent cannot
start the reading process by reading aloud to them. Instilling reading into a
child’s life can prove to be one of the most valuable skills that they will ever
learn. As a result from reading books, the child will be more likely to read and
speak in front of people. This is a very marketable skill to have in the
workforce and for school. One of the effects that reading has on a person, is
the ability to understand more terms or words, over a period of time. This is
commonly 1 referred to as comprehension. Reading can be a challenge but is one
that must be met accordingly in order to succeed. Children who are successful
readers tend to exhibit progressive social skills. Having confidence in reading
only comes from the daily practice of reading. One good way to accomplish the
task of reading daily is through books. Reading books can develop a person’s
comprehension by learning new words. The easiest way to do this is to look up
words in the dictionary that are not understood when they are first read.
Writing these words down and reciting them aloud also help to establish them in
memory. Incorporating these new words in everyday speaking will increase
language skills and boost confidence in the speaker as well. The second effect
that reading books has is vocabulary growth. Along the same lines of
comprehension, the growth of vocabulary is also very important. Having a large
vocabulary is not only impressive but useful in many areas of public speaking.
For example, many politicians say the same things over and over again, and to
the untrained listener this might go on unnoticed. Their ability to do this
comes largely from an extensive vocabulary base. Many different words have the
same meaning, or as they are more commonly referred to are synonyms. Upon
looking up a word in 2 the dictionary one might be surprised to realize that
they already know the definition to it. By cross-checking these words and
learning the different synonyms to them, a vocabulary is being established. As a
result of reading books over a period of time, a learning process is formed. In
summary, although only two effects are mentioned within this essay, there are a
great many benefits to be gained from reading books. It is proven that in this
technological society, the demands for higher levels of literacy are creating
unfavorable consequences for those who fall short. This is even more of a reason
to get into the habit of reading books. Sharing books with a child is an active
approach to the learning of lifelong language skills and to ensure future
success. 3
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