RAB Source Entry 2- Noureen Ayub

Source Entry 2: “Your Brain on Fiction 

Part 1 MLA Citation: 

Paul, Annie Murphy. “Opinion | Your Brain on Fiction.” The New York Times, 17 Mar. 2012. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-neuroscience-of-your-brain-on-fiction.html. 

Part 2 Summary: 

In The New York Times the article, “Your Brain on Fiction”, by Annie Murphy Paul, discusses how reading fiction affects our brain in unique ways. Paul explains that reading fiction is more than just entertaining us, it changes how our brain works. Paul illustrated that scientists have found that when we read about characters or events our brain reacts to different areas connected to our senses or emotions. For example, she mentioned, “reading words like “lavender” or “cinnamon”, can trigger our brain to go beyond just understanding the words. The part of our brain linked to olfactory cortex (smelling sense) becomes active as if we really smell those things. This demonstrates that reading can make us feel like we are experiencing the characters’ world by stimulating the brain’s sensory cortex involving our senses and emotions. Furthermore, Paul highlights how reading can make us better at understanding people. Stories allow us to see life from another perspective, helping us empathize and connect with others. Paul quoted, “scientists call this capacity of the brain to construct a map of other people’s intentions “theory of mind.” This emphasizes that researchers have found people who read fiction often have stronger social skills because they put themselves in the characters’ shoes. In conclusion, she illustrates that reading fiction helps our brain function through defining different brain sensory cortex building mental and emotional skills. This makes reading fiction powerful and even changes how we perceive the world.  

Part 3 Rhetorical Analysis 

The genre is opinion piece. The author is Annie Murphy Paul. She is credible because of her writing about scientific topics using reliable sources. Paul’s writing style is straightforward and easy to understand. Her tone is passionate and educational, expressing a sense of amazement at how the brain reacts to fiction. Paul uses ethos by referencing scientific studies. She uses pathos by emphasizing how stories enhance empathy and help us understand the characters. She uses logos by demonstrating the brains’ reaction to narrative language. The intended audience are students, educators, and general readers interested in psychology and neuroscience. Her purpose is to inform readers about how fiction can influence the brain, emphasizing its mental and emotional benefits. The occasion of the article reflects growing public interest in brains function and mental health, possibly due to advancement in neuroimaging technology, which has made these studies more available. The source is reliable because The New York Times adds credibility to her source. Paul history of being a science writer by exploring psychological and brain related topics is credible regarding to this opinion piece. The article is current and relevant about the brain’s response to fiction.  

Part 4 Notable Quotes 

1. “Narratives activate many other parts of our brains as well, suggesting why the experience of reading can feel so alive. Words like “lavender,” “cinnamon” and “soap” for example, ecilit a response not only from the language-processing areas of our brains, but also those devoted to dealing with smells. (Paul para 3) 

2. “Indeed, in one respect novels go beyond simulating reality to give readers an experience unavailable off the page: the opportunity to enter fully into other people’s thoughts and feelings.” (Paul para 6) 

3. “A 2010 study by Dr. Mar found a similar result in preschool-age children: the more stories they had read to them, the keener their theory of mind.” (Paul para 8)