Name: Piper Curda

General Purpose: To call to action

Specific Purpose Statement: To call my classmates to help solve the problem of illiteracy in the
United States by donating books and skills.

Introduction
I. Attention Getter: Most everyone, at our age, has a book that they can say changed
their lives or that significantly changed the way that they think. Some popular books
that are most referenced to as life-changing are The Alchemist, Life of Pi, and even
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. For me it was Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It
was the first non-fiction, faith-based book I had ever read and it was near the
beginning of my love story with Jesus. This book was all about not just the love Jesus
had for us, but the love we should have for Him and how to develop those feelings.
That book made me fall deeper in love with Jesus than I had ever been before and
marked a significant checkpoint in my journey with Him. Some people find out their
life’s calling through books, some people come to realizations about their lives or
their relationships, and some people even discover Jesus in these books. It’s one of
the coolest things in the world to me that a book can change a life and it’s one of the
saddest things in the world to me that there are people in America that never get to
experience those life-changing moments.

II. Relevance Statement: I want you to think of the book that changed your life right
now. Think of why it changed your life. Think about if your life would be the same
right now if you hadn’t read that book. Think about how different the world might be
if everyone in existence read that book. Books can change lives. Reading can change
lives and, subsequently, it can change the world. I’ve said it so many times that I’m
pretty sure you are all very tired of hearing it, but I’m going to say it again—illiteracy
doesn’t just affect those that cannot read, it affects the rest of the population too. You
need to and you can do something about it.

III. Credibility Statement: Illiteracy is widespread and affects people of all gender, race,
and age. However, it is most vital to treat illiteracy among young people since they’re
literacy levels inevitably affect the next generation’s. There are many organizations
committed to solving this problem like Literacy Partners who implemented reading
programs and after-school assistance for low literate students. This is also similar to
Heifer International’s Read to Feed program, but treating illiteracy goes beyond
foundations and corporations.

IV. Thesis Statement: You need to donate books to underprivileged schools and families
and volunteer your time at local libraries in order to alleviate the problem of
illiteracy.

Directional Transition: Some of the top contributors to illiteracy are due to a lack of money. A
lack of money in homes leads and a lack of money in schools leads to a lack of proper
development of literacy skills. However, this lack of funds leads to a lack of something deeper.
 Body
I. The lack of income/monetary funds is a heavy contributor to the causes of illiteracy.
A. The absence of funds affects homes and schools.
i. The lack of books is the number one cause of illiteracy.
ii. “Children from middle-income homes have on average 13 books per child.
There is only one book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods”
(Research, n.d.)
ii. The underfunding of schools significantly affects a child’s literacy levels.
B. Not having access to books or a proper education can severely affect a child’s future.
i. “Among those who reach adulthood with the lowest level of literacy
proficiency, 43% live in poverty” (Research, n.d.)
ii. Over 1.2 million teens drop out of high school due to their inability to
understand what they are learning as a result of illiteracy.

Directional Transition: The causes may seem daunting and the effects may seem even more so,
but fixing it is not as hard as you may think.

II. In order to aid illiteracy, you can donate your old books and volunteer at local libraries.
A. You can donate books to schools or charities.
i. Organizations like First Book provides necessary tools for educators and
administrators.
ii. KPMG’s Family for Literacy donates books directly to low-income families
that don’t have access.
iii. Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville sponsors multiple programs like Turning
the Page, Jan’s Book Angels, and Andrea’s Angels that take monetary donations
as well as book donations to provide children in need with books. They also offer
books to high school students as well as opportunities to meet and talk with young
adult authors.
B. Volunteering at local libraries can help as well.
i. Programs like Project Read offer one-on-one tutoring to adults that cannot read
above a ninth grade level. The Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, IL is just a 30
minute drive away and they are looking for volunteers to teach basic reading and
math skills.
ii. “Libraries and their literacy programs not only can respond to rapid worldwide
change, but can also be the agents for the information that stimulates that change”
(Kong, 2013)

Directional Transition: If you are able to implement these simple strategies, you are looking at
an overall brighter future for our country and its citizens.

III. If you donate your books and use your time in an effort to resolve illiteracy, you will see
positive effects in children, adults, and the rest of America.
A. Children exposed to books and reading will go on to lead more successful lives
academically and career-wise.
i. Children who are read to at a young age will be more ready for school and are
more prone to educational success.
 ii. Children who read more do better on reading and writing tests and tend to have
more of a thirst for learning in general.
B. An increase in literacy among adults will lead to benefits for all of us.
i. Adult literacy leads to greater productivity in the workforce and a stronger
economy.
ii. Adults with higher literacy levels are offered better job opportunities and are
subject to higher retention levels.
C. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: not fixing these issues is no bueno.
i. Billions of dollars go towards illiteracy and this will continue to be true and the
country will fall deeper into debt.
ii. Prison population, gang population, and high school dropouts will increase.

Conclusion

I. Restatement of Thesis: Illiteracy has had extreme affects on people in America, and
will continue to do so if no one tries to stop it. Though it is a widespread problem, it
isn’t hard to start doing your part. Donate a book you used to read as a kid, but
haven’t picked up in years. Check out what kind of programs your local library has to
offer and find out how you can volunteer. Not only do you know how to fix these
things, you need to.

II. Clincher: How many books were read to you or did you read as a child? Probably too
many to count. Most likely, your old childhood books are still laying around your
house. Somewhere out there, there’s a kid who has never owned a book in his or her
life. That child is looking at a potential future of low income, unemployment, and
potentially an unfinished education. By donating your dusty stash of childhood books
to this kid, you are allowing them access to a future of a high school diploma, maybe
a college degree, increased employment opportunities, and a brighter future for them
and their future family. If you’ve ever wanted to change someone’s life, now is your
chance. You could change a child’s life. All it takes is a book.
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