Benefits of Reading

** Speech given at Toastmasters

                Statistically speaking, one in seven people in this room read at or below a fifth grade level or cannot read at all.  Staggering, isn’t it?  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines literacy as the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.  Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.”  In researching for material to incorporate in to this speech, my heart was broken to discover the statistics for literacy, not only in this country, but also around the world.  Countries with a literacy rate less than 55% have a per capita income of $600.  In the United Kingdom one in four children cannot read well by the time they leave primary school.  Literacy statistics yielded in the research abounded.  For the sake of our time together, allow me to focus on three benefits of reading.  Reading increases the intellect’s analytical skills, increases our ability to communicate, and is therapeutic.

                Reading and becoming proficient in the art improves our memories, increases our focus and concentration, and sharpens our analytical skills.  Every new memory we create forges new synapses (brain pathways) and strengthens existing ones.  This assists in short-term memory recall and stabilizes a person’s mood.  With an increased intellect, an individual acquires the ability to comprehend and become well-versed in abstract ideas not ordinarily based on the five sense.  On a daily basis anyone can watch the news and realize the state of global affairs.  History is filled with wars and movements based entirely on ideologies.  For example: The Crusades, the communist revolutions of China and Russia, and currently that of the Islamic State in the Middle East.  On a personal level, reading allows us to become more empathetic, easily able to understand other perspectives.  In the end, avidly reading has also shown to slow down or altogether prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

                Reading regularly also increases our ability to communicate.  The first byproduct of reading is expanding our vocabulary, which provides a greater outlet for personal expression.  Reading forces us to look at words and phrases we may not hear on a daily basis.  In fact, language in a children’s book are likely to be more sophisticated than the average conversation.  I often propose freedom of speech is merely the ends and final product of one’s ability to adequately express themselves.  In George Orwell’s book 1984, Big Brother undertook limiting the individual’s vocabulary, thus rendering people intellectually isolated without the means to express the flower of their personhood.  A populace disarmed of intellectual ideas and unable to think for themselves without an avenue of expression is no threat to a tyranny.  In addition to expanding our vocabulary, a person who avidly reads increases their writing skills and ability.  Reading how authors write greatly influences your own style of writing.  Each new idea may be taken in and tailored to your own personal flare.  An increased vocabulary and sharpened writing ability are avenues of expression not to take lightly or trivially.

                Finally, reading is therapeutic, entertaining, and promotes psychological and physical health.  A person who reads discovers an inner-calm and tranquility through reduced levels of stress not found very often in other personal pursuits.  Reading a great book transcends our current realm, transporting us to other worlds while granting a reprieve from the daily weight of our own existence.  Reading promotes mental and emotional health, which affects our physical health.  According to the Federal Government, low literacy adds an estimated $230 billion to the country’s annual health care costs and $225 billion in non-productivity in the workforce.  Ladies, the statistics show you are four times more likely to have a child before your 19^th birthday versus those with a secondary education.

                As I arrive at the end of my time, I encourage you to further research the statistics concerning reading and the benefits thereof.  While researching this topic, I was almost drowning in information.  In a nutshell, the benefits of reading are numerous.  I strongly encourage each and every one in this room to begin reading on a daily basis.  Challenge yourself in what you read.  Don’t become discouraged if you find yourself not where you want to be in your level of reading.  Persistence and diligence is important.  Developing proper reading skills and your mental faculties will not occur overnight.  Finally, visit your local library and sign up for a library card.  I am also personally available to answer questions concerning what to read and how to proceed in the wonderful and exciting world of reading.