There are several reasons why studying literature is important: 1) Literary references appear everywhere in common phrases and sayings that originate from classic works. 2) Reading literature allows you to engage in intelligent conversations with others about what they are reading. 3) Exploring classical and other literature provides insights into human nature and allows us to learn about ourselves. 4) Censoring access to literature violates basic First Amendment rights.

1. Why study literature?Are we ever going to use this stuff?!English 11

2. Literary References Appear EverywhereSource/Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0gXZTfuD1Q

3. Do you know why you say…Yahoo? Itis a term that was coined by Jonathan Swift in Gulliver's Travels.“…it's all Greek to me”? Julius Caesar“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”? It is the opening line of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities.

4. Engage with PeersBe able to hold an intelligent conversation with peers.As said in one episode of Gilmore Girls, “every kid… is inevitably reading books, and different books, and I want to be able to converse intelligently with each of them and I can’t do that unless I read books, at least a few from every genre and sub-genre.”While this is used as a joke in that circumstance, being well read in the staples of literature is important. No one likes to feel lost and confused.

5. Learn About Yourself“Good books do something to us. They change us, leaving us forever imprinted with a message that encourages us to live for the better, and giving us a broader understanding of the human condition.” Classical literature spans time and allows us to learn about ourselves in many different ways.

6. Because We CanCensoring what literature you have access to violates the rights given to you by the First Amendment.

7. ReferencesSlide 2 Image: http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/movies/Mr-Magoriums-Wonder-Emporium-Movie.phpSlide 3: Greenspan, S. (2008, August 27). 11 Literary References People Make Without Realizing It . Retrieved October 12, 2009, from 11points: http://www.11points.com/Books/11_Literary_References_People_Make_Without_Realizing_ItSlide 4: http://gilmore-ism.com/node/443 - Submitted by TimK : CC-licenseSlide 5: Horton, R. (2009, May 4). T he Modern Relevance of Classic Literature. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from http://wedgwoodcircle.com: http://wedgwoodcircle.com/uncategorized/the-modern-relevance-of-classic-literature/Slide 6: http://blip.tv/file/1284410