The Benefits of Reading | Ella Lee | TEDxYouth@MBJH

Summary

In this heartfelt reflection on the power of reading, the speaker highlights how books offer more than just stories—they provide perspectives, empathy, and self-discovery. From classics like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to modern tales such as 'The Help' and 'Divergent,' reading fosters understanding across cultures and experiences. The speaker shares personal stories of how reading has shaped their life, encouraging others to embrace books for both enjoyment and personal growth. The message is clear: reading not only enhances education but also enriches the soul, offering a path to new worlds and deeper connections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reading can be both fun and educational, allowing individuals to engage with stories and gain new insights.
• 😀 Reading develops empathy by helping you understand others' emotions and experiences from their perspectives.
• 😀 Books like *The Help* can make us reflect on the challenges others face, particularly in terms of race and injustice.
• 😀 Through reading, you can gain deeper understanding of different cultures, as seen in *A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow*.
• 😀 Studies show that reading more can improve academic performance, such as better grades and higher test scores.
• 😀 Even historical figures like Albert Einstein endorse the value of reading, particularly in stimulating intelligence.
• 😀 Fictional characters, like Beatrice from *Divergent*, inspire readers to step outside their comfort zones and grow personally.
• 😀 Reading helps build strong connections with others, as books can bring people together through shared interests.
• 😀 Books offer endless opportunities for adventure, allowing readers to experience things they may never encounter in real life.
• 😀 Reading encourages personal growth by helping readers discover new parts of themselves and build self-awareness.
• 😀 Engaging with books can provide an escape, help overcome limitations, and offer new perspectives, even in challenging situations.

Q & A

What is the speaker's general attitude towards reading?

The speaker has a positive attitude towards reading, seeing it as both enjoyable and transformative. They find reading an essential part of their life, helping them develop empathy, gain new perspectives, and improve their educational and personal growth.

How does reading contribute to empathy, according to the speaker?

Reading allows individuals to consider things from other people's points of view. The speaker emphasizes that through books like *To Kill a Mockingbird* and *The Help*, readers can experience characters' emotional journeys, which fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of others' challenges.

How does the speaker describe their personal relationship with reading?

The speaker describes themselves as an avid reader, often staying up late at night reading just one more chapter. They also mention spending a lot of time in the library and have formed close relationships with librarians, which has led to meeting a fellow reader who has become a close friend.

What specific moment in *The Help* had a strong emotional impact on the speaker?

The speaker was deeply affected by a moment in *The Help* when Abilene, the black housemaid, is told she is not allowed to use the restroom inside the house but must instead use a separate restroom constructed for the help. The speaker felt heartbroken and deeply empathetic for Abilene's injustice.

What role does reading play in educational success, according to the speaker?

Reading plays a key role in academic success, as it improves classroom grades, vocabulary, and community skills. The speaker cites research from an educational institute stating that people who read more tend to perform better academically and score higher on tests like the SAT.

What does the speaker learn from the book *A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow*?

From *A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow*, the speaker learns about Cuban culture, particularly through the protagonist's experiences and memories of her Cuban heritage, including her love for traditional Cuban food.

How does reading help the speaker grow as an individual?

Reading has helped the speaker grow by inspiring them to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. They mention being inspired by Beatrice from *Divergent*, which led them to try new extracurricular activities, make new friends, and learn more about themselves.

How does the speaker suggest reading can provide a sense of adventure?

The speaker suggests that reading offers the chance to experience exciting adventures and live out different lives through the characters in books. For example, readers can fight for survival like Katniss Everdeen or soar over buildings like characters from other stories, all through the act of reading.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of fiction in intellectual development?

The speaker emphasizes that fiction plays a crucial role in intellectual development, citing Albert Einstein’s belief that reading fairy tales can make children more intelligent. Fiction not only entertains but also educates and helps readers develop important life skills such as empathy and critical thinking.

Why does the speaker encourage people to give reading a try, even if they think it is boring?

The speaker encourages people to give reading a try because they believe that reading has greatly benefited them, and they think it could help others as well. They highlight that even if someone initially finds reading boring, the potential benefits, such as personal growth, empathy, and fun, are well worth the effort.