Read the Sample TDA Passage. Then write your response.

Question

The Surprising Truth about Reading Stories

Many people choose not to dive into a good fiction book, but they are missing out. Some people
believe that reading fiction is a waste of time because the stories are not true. However, scientists have found that reading fiction can benefit the brain and reduce stress. Reading fiction can help readers solve problems and even help them to become more thoughtful human beings. Contrary to being a waste of time, fiction can actually help the reader have a more productive life.

With all the options for entertainment today, it might seem like fiction books would decline in
popularity. But each day, around 2 million books are sold in the United States. People will wait in line for hours when a new novel in a popular series becomes available because they cannot wait to find out what happens next. Most likely, these readers are completely unaware of the practical benefits they are also receiving when they devour exciting new stories.

Practice without Risk
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle recognized how stories connect us. In his time, novels were not readily available, so people watched fictional plays. Aristotle said that when people watch a tragedy, they feel emotions, including pity for the character and concern for themselves.

Fictional stories cause readers to imagine what it is like to be a character in a story. People may
consider how they might react if they were in the same circumstances. Scientist Keith Oatley
believes that this reaction helps people practice understanding the feelings of others. He calls fiction “the mind’s flight simulator.” When people train to become pilots, they sit in a flight simulator. There, they perform all the actions they would in a real airplane cockpit but without any risk. According to Oatley’s research, fiction acts the same way. It allows people to practice solving problems or communicating with others but without taking any actual risks.

Studies show that as people read, they start to think about a character’s goals instead of their own. If the character is racing against time to accomplish something important, readers will feel emotions as if they were in the same position. In fact, the parts of their brain that would perform the actions in real life become activated. For example, when we read the word “jump,” the parts of our brain that are related to physically jumping become active.

By practicing different experiences without actually doing them, readers learn how to handle life’s experiences better. They gain wisdom from the experiences of the characters and become better at solving problems. In addition, they may become more caring about the feelings of others.

The Personal Connection
Recently, scientists have been exploring the connection between fiction and caring for other people in the real world. Scientist Diana Tamir of Princeton University performed brain scans of people as they read fiction. She saw increased activity in the parts of the brain that think about what others are thinking or feeling. Readers cared about the characters and their struggles, concerns, and hopes.

Other studies have shown that people who read fiction tend to perform more volunteer work and
help people in need more often. They may also care more about how animals are being treated.
Why is this so? When people read about characters, they come to care about them. Instead of
thinking and caring only about themselves, they are thinking and caring about others. This attitude carries over into real life. Once again, fiction becomes a chance to practice. Practicing caring helps build the habit of caring.

A Sharper Mind
When people read stories, their brains are constantly processing. They imagine what might happen next or how the story might end. As they gain new information, they may adjust their predictions. All of this helps the brain. Scientists have found that reading fiction increases creativity, and it has other brain benefits. Fiction readers gain improved memories and larger vocabularies. All of this helps to strengthen the mind.

A Happier Life
According to researchers at the University of Sussex in England, reading is the most effective way to reduce stress. When people read fictional stories, their brains get a chance to rest from trying to solve their own problems. Scientists found that after just six minutes of reading, people’s heart rates slowed down and their muscles became less tense. Perhaps this is also why studies show that reading fiction helps people to sleep better at night.

Finally, one of the best things about reading fiction is that it makes readers happy. In one study,
76 percent of fiction readers said that reading improved their life and helped them feel good. They became more satisfied with life and happier in general.

There is no doubt that good stories can be entertaining, exciting, and inspiring, but reading fiction provides so many additional benefits that it is clearly not a waste of time. It is a wise investment. So go ahead; curl up with a good book. Your life will be better for it.

Prompt:
Read the sentence from the passage.

Some people believe that reading fiction is a waste of time because the stories are
not true.

Write an essay analyzing the effectiveness of the author’s response to this
statement. Use evidence from the passage to support your response.

Answer 1

In the sample passage, the author effectively responds to the statement that reading fiction is a waste of time because the stories are not true. The author counters this belief by presenting scientific evidence that reading fiction has numerous benefits for the brain and overall well-being.

Firstly, the author acknowledges that many people hold the belief that reading fiction is a waste of time. However, they immediately refute this argument by presenting scientific research indicating that reading fiction can help the brain and reduce stress. By introducing this evidence early on, the author establishes credibility and begins to persuade the reader that the initial statement is not accurate.

The author then proceeds to outline the benefits of reading fiction, using a logical structure to support their claims. They explain how reading fiction allows readers to practice without risk, comparing it to a flight simulator for the mind. This analogy helps readers understand how fiction can help them improve problem-solving skills and empathize with others.

Furthermore, the author presents studies that demonstrate the personal connection readers develop with fictional characters. By showing increased brain activity in the parts related to understanding others' thoughts and feelings, the author strengthens the argument that reading fiction can foster empathy and compassion in real-life interactions.

In addition to the personal connection, the author highlights how reading fiction improves cognitive abilities. They explain that the constant processing of information while reading stories stimulates the brain, leading to increased creativity, improved memory, and a larger vocabulary. This evidence supports the idea that reading fiction is not only enjoyable but also beneficial for cognitive development.

Finally, the author addresses the emotional and physiological benefits of reading fiction. They cite research that shows reading fiction reduces stress, slows down heart rate, and relaxes muscles. By presenting this evidence, the author suggests that reading fiction can contribute to overall well-being and happiness.

Throughout the passage, the author effectively uses a combination of scientific research, logical reasoning, and emotional appeal to counter the statement that reading fiction is a waste of time. By providing evidence of the various benefits of reading fiction, the author persuades the reader to reconsider their initial belief and see fiction as a valuable and worthwhile activity.