ASASI TESL PROGRAMME

TSL024- FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING

Assignment 2

Literature Is Still Relevant in the 21st Century

NAME: roronoa husna 11522

MATRIC NUMBER: 2020
GROUP: T09
LECTURER’S NAME: MADAM NUR NATASHA
SUBMISSION DATE: 25 OCTOBER 2020

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 In a modern world with science and technology being its foundation, the existence of
literature totally brings an enormous impact on society. People often agree that literature
continues to be pertinent today, but how many of us clearly acknowledge the reasons why we
are saying so? Literature is still relevant in the 21st century because it develops higher-order
thinking skills, enables us to learn and understand the life of the past better, and works as a
medium of communication and expression.

Firstly, literature needs to be implemented as it develops higher-order thinking skills.

Literature enables an individual to experience a wonderful ‘journey’ and explore the aesthetic
of a language. However, due to the plot’s complexity and the usage of advance words, one
should think outside of the box to fully comprehend any literary work. Hayes (1990) claims
that to understand literature, one needs to make wise judgments according to reflective, rational
and reasonable thought. For instance, when reading a novel, one needs to grasp the main idea
of the story, identify the evidence and side details, comprehend the characters’ motivation and
reasoning, and later conclude the whole story. Readers

Next, the study of literature enables us to learn and understand the life of the past better.
Literary works such as poetry and novels have myriad information about past histories, culture
and even myths. According to Manal Ismail (2008), literature provides us with a detailed
insight into human experiences which enables us to connect on a basic level of emotion and
desire. As a result, through literature, one can become a 'time traveller' and ‘experience’ the
life of the past. For example, the novel, “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is based on the
Russian Revolution which took place around the year 1917 to the year 1923. Through this
novel, one can

Finally, literature can be used as a medium of communication and expression. One can
express themselves and communicate with others through writing novels, movies, poems and
even songs. The targeted audiences in return are able to connect their emotions and thoughts
with the authors. Ruonakoski (2012) claims that we can figure out that others might have
similar experiences and hurtful past like us through the act of reading. As an example, today.

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Many singers also use their songs to express their emotions. Hence, literature clearly can be
utilized as a platform to convey a message and express one's self.

In conclusion, it has been proven that regardless of what era it is, literature still holds
its significance within the society due to the stated benefits. We should learn and treasure the
beauty of literature because it is still pertinent in the current

(619 words)

End-text citation:

Hayes, W. H. (1990). Critical Thinking through Literature: A Dialogue Teaching Model.

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection. 140. Retrieved October 11, 2020,
from
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1139&context=cct_capston
e

Manal Ismail. (2008, February 24). ‘Literature is the mirror of society’. Gulf News. Retrieved
October 15, 2020, from https://gulfnews.com/general/literature-is-the-mirror-of-
society-1.86134

Ruonakoski, E. (2012). Literature as a Means of Communication: A Beauvoirian

Interpretation of an Ancient Greek Poem. Retrieved October 17, 2020, from
http://periodicos.pucminas.br/index.php/SapereAude/article/view/4785/4998