Final answer:
According to the writer of the letter, students of the past differed from those today in that they made a significant effort to read quality literature, reflected in the deeper engagement with complex texts and the value placed on traditional liberal arts education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writer of "Summitville Banner: Letter to the Editor" suggests that students of the past were different from students today primarily because they made the effort to read quality literature. This viewpoint reflects on how the cultural and intellectual practices have evolved over time. A classical education in the past emphasized rhetoric, philosophy, and the study of canonical works which implied that students engaged deeply with complex texts. In this context, reading was seen as an intellectual endeavor that was often accessible only to the elite due to high illiteracy rates and lack of leisure time for the lower socioeconomic classes.
Furthermore, previously, there was a stronger focus on traditional liberal arts education, while contemporary education tends to be more focused on preparing students for the modern workforce. Historical data points to a shift in educational content, and this has affected what students are exposed to and required to study in school, with a noted increase in professional school enrolments over traditional arts subjects. However, whether students of the past tried harder on tests or homework, as the question outlines, could be seen as a subjective argument. Nevertheless, a significant difference highlighted is the change in the nature of texts students engage with, especially with the growing inclusion of diverse and often previously excluded voices in contemporary curricula.
It is crucial to understand that a strong essay and a rewarding educational experience depend on a deep understanding of the literature, whether this literature is from classical texts or modern representations.