The following appeared as part of an article in the book section of a newspaper: “Currently more and more books are becoming available in electronic form—either free-of-charge on the Internet or for a very low price-per-book on compact disc.* Thus literary classics are likely to be read more widely than ever before. People who couldn’t have purchased these works at bookstore prices will now be able to read them for little or no money; similarly, people who find it inconvenient to visit libraries and wait for books to be returned by other patrons will now have access to whatever classic they choose from their home or work computers. This increase in access to literary classics will radically affect the public taste in reading, creating a far more sophisticated and learned reading audience than has ever existed before.”

The following appeared as part of an article in the book section of a newspaper:

“Currently more and more books are becoming available in electronic form—either free-of-charge on the Internet or for a very low price-per-book on compact disc.* Thus literary classics are likely to be read more widely than ever before. People who couldn’t have purchased these works at bookstore prices will now be able to read them for little or no money; similarly, people who find it inconvenient to visit libraries and wait for books to be returned by other patrons will now have access to whatever classic they choose from their home or work computers. This increase in access to literary classics will radically affect the public taste in reading, creating a far more sophisticated and learned reading audience than has ever existed before.”

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

The speaker is correct in claiming that more literature is now available electronically than ever before, and this will lead to a more sophisticated reading audience. Reading has always been a major pastime, but the advent of computers has made it easier for people to access texts. Before the widespread use of computers, a library had to rely on physical books, many of which had to be returned to the library in order to be circulated. This created queues that inhibited the swift circulation of books and a backlog of books that had to be shelved. Libraries also had to be paid for and staffed by individuals who had to be paid. In addition, libraries had to be large enough to accommodate all the books desired by users, which created a large inventory of books that had to be purchased and stocked

With the advent of computers, however, libraries can now use e-books and audiobooks as substitutes for physical books. E-books can be downloaded to computers and can be read on e-readers or smartphones. Likewise, audiobooks can be downloaded to computers and can be played on an MP3 player. The ease of use of computers means that users can download texts immediately, thus eliminating the need to return them. In addition, because computers are equipped with ample memory, users do not have to worry about running out of memory space. Similarly, libraries no longer need to stockpile books for users to read. These electronic texts can be accessed from anywhere in the world, allowing readers to read on the go. The ease of downloading texts also means that people who do not have access to the Internet can still access books, thus eliminating any limitations on the audience for literature

Finally, computers have made it possible for libraries to develop their own e-readers and apps. The e-readers can be used in conjunction with a library’s website and allow users access to a variety of books, including e-books. These e-readers can also be downloaded to smartphones and other devices, thus allowing readers to have access to texts even when they do not have a computer. Libraries are also developing apps that allow users to access their e-book collections. These apps can be downloaded to smartphones and other mobile devices, thus allowing users to read e-books even when they do not have a computer or internet connection

The speaker claims that the availability of books in electronic form will radically affect public taste in reading. It is hard to argue with this claim. People are no longer content to read only print books. E-books can be read on computers, smartphones, and other devices, giving readers access to texts regardless of their location or device. Readers no longer have to wait for books to be returned by other patrons, thus eliminating waiting times. In addition, readers can access texts virtually instantly, thus eliminating the need to purchase a book, have it shipped, and wait for it to arrive. The vast selection of books available online means that readers can never run out of reading material. As more readers gain access to e-books, they will develop a taste for reading, which will affect the public’s taste in reading

Public libraries are also benefiting from the widespread use of e-books. E-books cost less than print books, thus providing libraries with more money to purchase new books. The ease of downloading texts also means that libraries do not have to purchase as many physical copies, thus limiting their inventory. Furthermore, e-books can be downloaded to e-readers or apps, thus allowing users to obtain texts even when they are not in the library. This convenience ensures that libraries will continue to thrive because users will always be able to find something to read

The speaker’s argument does have some weak spots. First, the author claims that more books are now available in electronic form than ever before. However, this statement contains some inaccuracies. Since the advent of the e-book, there have been several new electronic formats that allow users to access texts. In addition, many libraries still rely on print books, though these are becoming less common. Nevertheless, the number of books available in electronic form has increased substantially compared to the number of books available in print form, and this will lead to a more sophisticated reading audience

Second, the author states that people can now read for whatever price they choose. It is true that many e-books are free, but this does not necessarily apply to books available in libraries. Many libraries charge fees for books, usually based on the amount of time that the book is borrowed. Thus, while many people may read for free, others must pay for the privilege. This again limits the audience for literature

The speaker also claims that access to literary classics will increase a more sophisticated reading audience. This statement is problematic because it implies that only sophisticated readers read classics. While it is true that many classics were written centuries ago, this does not mean that they cannot be enjoyed by a modern audience. Many classics have timeless themes and incorporate universal themes, thus appealing to a wide range of readers. In addition, many classics are relatively short and easy to digest, so readers can frequently return to them without feeling fatigued. Finally, many classics represent the best that literature has to offer, so reading them will help readers develop an appreciation for great literature. For these reasons, readers who do not consider themselves sophisticated can still benefit from reading classic fiction.