Austin Liam J.

Andres English X – Del Pilar

“The Effectiveness of Different Learning Modalities”

As online learning becomes more common and more and more resources are converted to digital form,
some people have suggested that public libraries should be shut down and, in their place, everyone
should be given an iPad with an e-reader subscription.

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because libraries are
expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to read because they won’t have
to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on what they want to read and read it from
wherever they are. They could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy physical
copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital copies as they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital books and
resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print resources. A study done on
tablet vs book reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain 20% less information,
and understand 10% less of what they read compared to people who read the same information in
print. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health problems,
including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than
reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile devices excessively also have a higher incidence
of more serious health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and
muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired
and my neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people, especially young people,
more reasons to look at screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book lending.
Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has a physical location.
Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving people a way to converse with their
neighbors, holding classes on a variety of topics, providing jobs, answering patron questions, and
keeping the community connected. One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted
community events such as play times for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting
spaces for senior citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community.
Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American adults feel that
closing their local library would have a major impact on their community. People see libraries as a way
to connect with others and get their questions answered, benefits tablets can’t offer nearly as well or as
easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would encourage people to
spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad issues surrounding them. It would
also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people have come to rely on. In many areas,
libraries are such an important part of the community network that they could never be replaced by a
simple object.

Processing questions:
Austin Liam J. Andres English X – Del Pilar

1. What is the main argument presented in the sample you have chosen? How is it presented?

The text's primary assertion is that it would be a harmful error to substitute public libraries with
tablets and digital resources. According to the author, libraries provide irreplaceable services and
advantages that digital devices cannot duplicate, and exclusively depending on tablets for
reading and information access could adversely impact learning and health.

The case begins by acknowledging the assertions made by advocates of replacing libraries with
tablets, including the cost benefits and improved accessibility. These points are then refuted
with evidence demonstrating that reading from tablets is less effective than reading from print,
with research indicating slower reading speeds and decreased retention rates. Furthermore, the
passage underscores the health concerns associated with prolonged screen use and stresses that
libraries provide valuable services beyond book lending, such as community involvement and
educational resources. The conclusion reiterates the importance of libraries in communities,
emphasizing that replacing them with tablets would be an imprudent choice.

2. What pros and cons were presented? Enumerate.

Pros of Replacing Libraries with Tablets

1. Cost Savings: Closing libraries could save local cities and towns money on maintenance and
operational costs.
2. Increased Accessibility: People could easily access books and reading materials from anywhere
with a tablet, eliminating the need to travel to a library.
3. Digital Availability: Libraries could offer more materials without the constraints of physical
copies, as they can rent digital copies as needed.

Cons of Replacing Libraries with Tablets

1. Reduced Learning Efficacy: Research shows that reading on tablets results in slower reading
speeds and lower retention and understanding of information compared to print.
2. Health Issues: Prolonged screen time can lead to various health problems, including eye strain,
headaches, and musculoskeletal issues.
3. Limited Services: Libraries offer numerous services beyond book lending, such as quiet study
spaces, community events, classes, and job resources, which tablets cannot provide as
effectively.
4. Community Connection: Libraries play a vital role in fostering community engagement and
connections, with many residents valuing their local libraries as important community hubs.

3. How did the writer conclude the text?

The writer concluded the text by asserting that replacing libraries with tablets may appear to be a
straightforward solution, but it would ultimately lead to increased screen time and its associated
problems. The conclusion emphasizes that doing so would eliminate many of the essential benefits that
libraries provide, which people have come to rely on. The author reinforces the idea that libraries are
integral to community networks and cannot simply be replaced by digital devices, highlighting their
Austin Liam J. Andres English X – Del Pilar

importance as community hubs. Overall, the conclusion underscores the necessity of preserving libraries
for their multifaceted role in society.

4. What can you say about the use of language features like modals, evaluative language, and
transitional devices in the text? How did these elements contribute to the achievement of the writer's
purpose?

The text effectively uses language features like modals, evaluative language, and transitional devices to
strengthen the argument against replacing libraries with tablets.

1. Modals

Modals such as "should," "could," and "would" are used to express possibility, necessity, and suggestion.
For instance:

 "It would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets."

 "Libraries could offer more materials without physical constraints." These modals help the writer
express the potential negative outcomes of closing libraries and the hypothetical benefits
proposed by the opposition, making the argument more persuasive.

2. Evaluative Language

Evaluative language is used to make clear judgments and express strong opinions:

 "A serious mistake" suggests a firm disapproval of replacing libraries with tablets.
 "Incredibly narrow-minded" strongly critiques the assumption that libraries only offer book
lending. By using evaluative language, the writer clearly communicates their stance and conveys
the gravity of the issue, persuading readers to agree with their perspective.

3. Transitional Devices

Transitional devices like "however," "first," "second," and "similarly" help the writer organize ideas and
guide readers through the argument smoothly:

 "However, it would be a serious mistake..." signals a shift from acknowledging the opposing view
to refuting it.
 "Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded..." introduces the next point in the argument. These
transitions enhance the flow and clarity of the argument, making it easier for readers to follow
and understand the points being made.

By using modals, evaluative language, and transitional devices, the writer effectively builds a structured,
coherent, and persuasive argument. Modals emphasize the potential consequences of replacing
libraries, evaluative language expresses clear judgment, and transitional devices ensure logical flow.
Together, these language features help the writer achieve their purpose of arguing against the closure
of libraries in favor of digital alternatives.