Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should multicultural literature be included in the high school curriculum?
Position1 of 3
Yes, multicultural literature should be taught in schools
Argument2 of 5

Overall academic prosperity

Introducing multicultural literature will give students a broader knowledge base and academics will improve.

The argument

Research has found that overall academic achievement improves when students have a stronger literacy and reading background. By reading a culturally diverse collection of literature, not only will students be conscious of ethnic history and subjects, but their academic and critical thinking skills will strengthen altogether. In terms of academics, multicultural literature will introduce students to current cultural and political issues that can be seen in all subjects. When students experience the feelings and emotions of others through literature, they are encouraged to look critically at the world and gain a greater understanding of the global community.

Premises

[P1]Academic achievement improves when students have a stronger literacy and reading background. [P2] Multicultural literature broadens students' reading exposure and introduces them to current cultural and political issues relevant across subjects. [P3] Engaging with diverse perspectives in literature strengthens critical thinking and understanding of the global community. [C] Therefore, multicultural literature should be included in the high school curriculum to support overall academic prosperity.

Counter-arguments

The reading material doesn’t necessarily have to incorporate diverse people or settings. An overall stronger reading background will improve a student’s academics, regardless if it's multicultural or not.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Literature does not need to be diverse for students to improve academically.