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Books Vs Movies: Which Is Better? The Debate Settled!

Last Updated on August 18, 2023 by Louisa

Books and movies are two of the most popular forms of entertainment, but which is better? This age-old debate of books vs movies has been causing a stir for decades, so I’ve decided it’s time to settle the score once and for all.

While both offer unique ways to experience stories, there are pros and cons for each. When determining which is better, reading books or watching movies, the answer really is determined by a number of factors.

If you ask any reader, they will of course tell you all the reasons why books are better than movies, but if you ask a movie buff, you will receive a strong counter-argument for why movies are better.

In this guide, I’ve listed the reasons why you would want to choose a book over a movie, or a movie over a book, and in doing so, settle the debate once and for all.

To be clear, in this guide, we are concentrating on books that have been adapted into movies.

Books vs Movies Pros and Cons

If you need a quick summary of whether reading books or watching movies is better, then check out the below table which summarizes the points in this article.

Keep reading for a detailed analysis of reading books vs watching movies.

Pros of reading books over movies

  • There is more depth to a book, scenes are described in more detail, and have more plot-setting scenes.
  • A book allows the reader to use their imagination.
  • Readers follow the plot as it was intended by the author.

Cons of reading books over movies

  • Books take a long time to read, sometimes several days.
  • Some books can drag in the middle.
  • Dialogues can sometimes be unrealistic in books but come to life on the big screen.

Pros of watching movies over reading books

  • Movies are quicker than books.
  • You can watch a movie with a friend, but you can’t read a book with someone else.
  • You don’t have to concentrate on a movie and there is less need for your own imagination.
  • Acting is an art form.

Cons of watching movies over reading books

  • Scenes are often adapted or deleted based on what looks better visually.
  • Viewers are often left asking questions because scenes from the book not being included.
  • Characters can often be drastically changed.

Why books are better than movies?

If you’re a book enthusiast looking for arguments for books over movies, these are some of the reasons why books are better than movies.

#1. Books nurture the reader’s imagination

is reading books better than watching movies? A man reading a book

When it comes to reading books, readers have an unparalleled level of control in terms of how they visualize the story. When I first read The Hobbit, I pictured a very different-looking Bilbo Baggins to that seen on screen.

Readers can also move through a story at their own pace and use their imagination to create vivid scenes in their mind’s eye. Sometimes even filling in the blanks where there are questions that need answering.

Not only this, but you also get to experience the book in the way the author intended. When directors make a movie adaptation, they have to decide what scenes are the most action-packed and therefore keep the audience engaged.

This often means that some scenes are cut out from the plot that may seem important to the overall storyline.

The biggest example of this is how characters are described in books. Often characters in books look different in movies.

Frankenstein’s monster comes to mind here. In the book, he is described as:

“He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated; and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence.” Frankenstein, Victor Hugo, Letter 4

The monster was intended to be gentle. Frankenstein wanted to create a friend, not the brutish monster that we see in the movies.

#2. Books have more depth than movies

books are better than movies argumentative essay

But the biggest argument as to why books might be better than movies is that books often have more depth than films due to the additional time they spend on character development and intricate plot points.

When I talk about depth, I am referring to descriptions. The reader gets more insight into how words are said, how characters look, and how scenes are created.

The small details in a book, such as short scenes or little descriptions, are the parts of a book that help readers ask the right questions, start to piece parts of the story together, and even predict what will happen next.

There are usually some key depth features that are missing in movies.

#3. Movie adaptations miss out on key points

If you think about the number of hours you spend reading a book compared to watching a movie, then you get an idea as to how much is missing.

Films tend to lack some of the detail and nuance found in books due to time constraints. This usually leads to unanswered questions after watching the movie.

One of the biggest examples of this is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

In the movie, there is a scene in which Harry sees a patronus charm of a doe, which leads him to a pond covered in ice where he discovers the sword of Griffindor beneath the surface.

If you watch the movie without reading the book, this scene would be somewhat confusing.

While we do later learn that Severus Snape’s patronus is a doe, and therefore alludes to him placing the sword for Harry to find, the movie never answers the question: how does Snape find Harry?

We also don’t learn how Snape has the sword in the first instance and why it never fell into the ministry’s hands.

While I absolutely loved the movies, I can honestly say I loved it more because I had read the book prior to watching and was able to fill in the blanks.

My partner has never read the books (yes I know, a book blogger is dating someone who has not read Harry Potter. Dumpable offense? Let me know in the comments) and he was constantly badgering me with questions to which I always responded with “in the book, this happens”

#4. Reading has other benefits

There is more to reading books than just following a story. Reading helps to grow your knowledge, expand your creative horizons, and even helps improve your mood.

According to Healthline , reading books can help strengthen your brain, both cognitively and in terms of your mental health.

So you see, there are many reasons why reading is important , not just for something fun to do!

#5. Books allow the reader to think more deeply

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Books often have an underlying theme or moral tone that allows the reader to think deeply about certain topics or situations.

The storylines can help you to empathize with certain characters, and reflect on how situations would be handled in our own world.

In classic literature books such as 1984 , for example, there are a lot of areas in which the reader can think about how political influences shape society, but in the movie, you do get a sense of this but it is less developed than in the book.

Why are movies better than books?

If you’re looking for arguments for movies being better than books, here are some reasons why you may prefer a film vs a book.

#1. Movies help bring hard-to-visualize scenes to life

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Movies offer a unique cinematic experience that allows viewers to sit back and enjoy a story without having to actively think about it.

This is great for those who don’t have a vivid imagination or struggle to see a clear picture of what an author is describing in their mind.

Movies provide visuals that can often be breathtakingly beautiful or incredibly intense, sometimes more so than written in a book.

One great example of this is in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.

In the book, Bilbo is hit on the head and knocked out for the whole battle. Only when he awakes does Gandalf fill him in on what happens, but it’s short and to the point.

When you watch the movie, you see all these incredible stunts and action-packed scenes.

Yes, it does feature some gravity-defying performances from Legolas who does not appear in the books, which is something Peter Jackson decided to add to the storyline to make the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchise more connected.

But in the book, you don’t get any of that.

#2. Acting is an art form

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Something that readers may not appreciate about movie adaptations is the acting.

Acting is an art form, and by watching movies, audiences can appreciate acting performances as well as special effects such as CGI or stunts that would be much more difficult to experience in a book.

#3. Movies are quicker than books

Reading often requires more time and effort than watching a movie. Reading a book from start to finish usually takes a few days with breaks in between.

If you do sit down to read from start to finish, you can take several hours to get through the entire story.

One reason why you wouldn’t want to do this is that you will instantly forget what happens or you won’t appreciate the detail enough.

Reading should be savored like a fine wine, allowing you to digest information and ponder on the themes, morals, and messages.

If you don’t have time on your side, then movies are your saving grace.

#4. Social interactions are more relatable in movies

Often times when I am reading the dialogue in a book, I feel it’s too staged, or unnatural.

When dialogue is spoken in a movie, it can feel more authentic, as often actors will improvise the script and make it feel more real.

#5. You can watch a film with friends

books are better than movies argumentative essay

While you can always go to a book club to talk about a book you love, this is really an activity that hardcore readers enjoy more.

When you go to the cinema, it becomes a larger social outing that can bring together people with all different hobbies and interests.

Should Books Be Made Into Movies?

So while you can now see there are many pros and cons to books and movies, the question remains; should books be made into movies?

Absolutely.

While we can all agree that there is less detail in a movie than in a book, I personally feel that when a book I love has been made well on the big screen, I love the book more.

The best example of this is Lord of the Rings. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch the movies or read the books, I fall in love with the story and characters all over again.

I also find that when I’m not in the mood to read, watching a movie brings back fond memories of the book and helps me get out of a reading slump and inspired to read again.

And it’s not just me that thinks this. According to a study by SuperSummary , 82% of people agree that movie adaptations bring a book to life.

Books vs Movies: The Verdict

Ultimately, which form is better comes down to personal preference as both offer unique experiences that shouldn’t be compared side by side.

While books allow you to use your imagination to its fullest, movies allow the viewer to follow a story without concentrating.

You get more depth to a plot from a book, but you spend less time watching a movie.

Whichever way you choose, whether it’s curling up with a good book or settling into your couch for some movie night fun, there can be no doubt that both will result in an enjoyable escape from reality.

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books are better than movies argumentative essay

About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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Bookish Wisdom

10 Reasons Why Are Books Better Than Movies

There’s no doubt that movies are a dominant form of entertainment these days. They seem to be constantly evolving and getting more and more complex, with higher production values and bigger budgets. However, there’s one problem with movies: they’re not books. Books have been around for centuries, and they show no signs of going away. In fact, books are better than movies in many ways.

Table of Contents

Are movies better than books?

There are a lot of people who would say that movies are better than books. After all, movies provide an experience that is more immediate and visceral than reading a book. They can be more exciting, and they can take you to worlds that you could never visit in real life.

However, there are also a lot of people who would say that books are better than movies. Books can provide a more in-depth and nuanced experience than movies can, and they can often be more emotionally powerful. They can also be more intellectually stimulating, teaching you things that you could never learn from a movie.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide which is better: books or movies. However, it’s hard to deny that both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks.

In this post, we will talk about why books are better than movies but before that, let’s not forget about the good things movies offer and why movies are better than books(in some aspects).

Why Movies Are Better Than Books?

There are a few reasons why movies are better than books.

First, movies are visual. You can see the characters and the setting, and it’s all in one place. With a book, you have to imagine everything yourself.

Second, movies are more exciting. They have music and sound effects, and they move quickly.

Third, movies are more social. You can watch them with other people and talk about them.

Fourth, movies are easier to understand. You don’t have to read the book to know what’s going on.

These are the reasons stand out for movies over books.

Why Are Books Better Than Movies?

Now let’s move into the benefits of reading books over movies. Here are a few reasons why books are better than movies.

Books provide a more in-depth and well-rounded experience than movies

Books allow readers to use their imaginations and create their own images instead of being restricted to what is shown on the screen. This also means that books can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the reader’s perspective, while movies are generally more one-dimensional.

Books also allow for a greater level of detail than movies. For example, a book can describe a character’s appearance in great detail, while a movie would only be able to show a snapshot of that character. Books can also explore complex topics and ideas that movies cannot handle.

Books can be paused, reread, and analyzed more thoroughly than movies

One of the biggest advantages that books have over movies is that they can be paused. This may not seem like a big deal, but it actually allows for a lot more analysis and reflection. For example, when watching a movie, if something confusing or surprising happens, you only have a few seconds to try and figure out what’s going on before it moves on(In case you are watching a movie in a theater). With a book, you can take your time to digest what’s happening and think about how it fits into the rest of the story.

Additionally, books tend to be more analytical than movies. This is because books are often slower-paced and allow for more description. Movies, on the other hand, are more action-packed and rely more on visuals. As a result, books often provide a more in-depth look at characters and plotlines than movies do.

Books Allow for Imagination

Movies are a visual medium. They show you what the director wants you to see. They are limited by what is possible on screen. With books, your imagination is engaged. You can see anything in your head that you want to. This leads to a more personal experience with the story. As a result, readers can create their own images in their minds based on the author’s description.

Books can be more detailed

Books are more detailed than movies. This means that readers can get a better understanding of the story and all of its intricacies. In movies, it’s often difficult to fit in all of the necessary details, which can leave viewers feeling confused.

There are a lot of movie adaptations of books where you will feel like the movie isn’t much detailed compared to the books you read.

Books have pages after pages to explore a topic, while movies are limited by the runtime. This means that readers can learn more about the story and the characters. In addition, books allow for more complex storylines and character development, which isn’t always possible in a movie.

Books can be interpreted differently

Every person who reads a book will interpret it differently. This is due to the number of different perspectives that books offer. With movies, it’s often more difficult to create a variety of interpretations due to the visual nature of the storytelling. This means that people may not have as much of an opportunity to connect with a movie on a personal level.

Books can stay with you for a long time

Movies come and go. You might see a movie once and never think about it again. But a book can stay with you for a long time. You can keep rereading it, thinking about it, and getting something new out of it every time.

So, books can stay with you for a long time. Most of the time, when you watch a movie you might forget about it within a few days. But a good book will stick with you for weeks, months, or even years.

Stories can be ruined by bad acting

One of the biggest problems with movies is that they can be ruined by bad acting. Actors can completely change the feel of a story through their poor performances.

This is not a problem with books, as the reader can always imagine the characters in their own way.

Books improve your vocabulary

Books can improve your vocabulary. Sure, you can learn new words from movies too, but there’s something about reading that makes them stick in your mind better. A lot of time, books will use words that you wouldn’t hear in everyday conversation. This is a great way to improve your vocabulary and learn new words!

Movies focus more on being commercial and compromise on quality

Books are more likely to be focused on telling a good story and providing exciting and valuable content rather than trying to make a quick buck. This is because books don’t rely on box office sales in order to make money – they can be sold at any time to any customer. Therefore, the focus can be on the story and the content rather than on trying to make the movie as flashy and commercial as possible. This often means that movies are more likely to compromise on quality in order to cram in more commercial elements.

For example, a movie might have a shorter running time in order to fit in more advertisements, or it might use well-known actors who might not be the best choice for the role. In contrast, a book is unlikely to have these same commercial pressures, so it can take time to develop the characters and the story. This often leads to a more satisfying experience for the reader.

Movies have limited storytelling time

Movies have a limited storytelling time. It’s not possible to put all the details of the book in a two hours movie. Hence, movies can miss out a lot of good parts because of it’s limited time.

On the other hand, books do not have any limited time to read. It depends on the reader how fast they can read.

A book can be picked up and put down, again and again, allowing the reader to take their time in consuming the story. Books allow for the imagination to run wild, picturing the characters and scenes in any way possible. This is not to say that movies are not powerful, but books allow for a more personal connection with the story.

Other reasons:

Books are more likely to lead to discussions than movies.

One of the great things about books is that they can lead to discussions. When you’re watching a movie, it’s a passive experience — you watch, and then you move on. But with a book, there are different interpretations, and people can have different reactions. This can lead to some really interesting conversations.

Books can provide new insights with each reading

Whereas movies are typically watched just once, books can be read multiple times and provide new insights with each reading. This is due to the level of detail that books can provide as well as their ability to allow readers to interpret the text in their own way.

In contrast, movies are limited by what can be shown on screen and cannot provide the same level of detail as a book. As a result, movies may not always provide an accurate portrayal of the story that is being told.

Conclusion:

Though movies can be great, they often cannot compare to the experience of reading a book. Books allow for more immersion in the story and can provide a richer experience because readers can visualize what is happening in their minds.

Additionally, books tend to have better storylines and characters than movies do. For these reasons, I believe that books are better than movies. Have you ever read a book that was better than a movie? Let me know in the comments.

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Books vs. movies: the age-old debate.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

The Mountain Between Us , It , Murder on the Orient Express , Wonder , My Cousin Rachel . These films released in 2017 have one thing in common, and you may have guessed it already: They were all books that were later adapted into movies.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Similar to its affinity for sequels and remakes , it seems to me like Hollywood is increasingly looking to books for inspiration for the next blockbuster hits. From a business standpoint, it makes total sense because producers can draw on the popularity of a certain book and use that to their advantage when it comes to marketing the film’s release.

As an avid reader, I am always excited at the news that a book is being adapted as a feature film. My mind is occupied by thoughts of who the actors/actresses are going to be (and if I approve), if the film will stay true to the book, and most importantly, if the movie will be just as good as the book. The thought of finally being able to visualize what has only previously been limited to my imagination is always an exciting prospect.

However, I am usually underwhelmed after watching a certain film based on a book, and if you asked me a year ago which one I would prefer: the movie or the book, I would have immediately chosen the book.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Hands down. No doubt. However, within the past year, I have come to appreciate movie adaptations of books more because I have realized that comparing books to their counterpart movies isn’t fair; at the end of the day, the two mediums of storytelling have different advantages and different qualifications for what makes them good. Like Stephen King once said, comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges. They are both great sources of entertainment, but they aren’t comparable. For those still reluctant to accept this theory, I’ll be delving more into this age-old question: “What’s better: books or movies?” I’ll make a case for each argument and let you make the final call.

The popular belief is that books are often a hundred times better than their movie counterparts; if you need any further proof, just take a look at the following Washington Post visual.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Books are great because they allow the reader to be a part of the story; we are the observers that have insight into the character’s thoughts and feelings, and all the nuances that create three-dimensional characters. With books, there’s just more. More detail, more focus on character development, and more depth to the meaning of the artwork. It’s also the more time-consuming form of the two, and after finishing a novel, after a couple of hours of being immersed into a different world and mind space, it seems like you have suddenly been thrust back into reality.

On the other hand, the great thing about movies is their ability to show, and the overall experience of watching one. While reading a book, I often have a movie reel playing in my head. I can map out the setting, I can see the characters’ expressions, and I can empathize with their emotions.

However, watching the same story unfold on the big screen is a different experience. While reading spurs your imagination, a movie helps you visualize all the elements of the books that were previously confined to your imagination. It immerses you into the story in a different way than a book.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

For example, instead of reading about the magical world of Harry Potter, while watching the movie, I can actually see what J.K. Rowling means by “He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked simply too big to be allowed, and so wild – long tangles of bushy black hair and beard hid most of his face, he had hands the size of dustbin lids and his feet in their leather boots were like baby dolphins.” To put it simply, movies make it easier for us to just lean back and enjoy the show.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

An added benefit of movies is the music and visual designs that enhance the experience of watching a film. Imagine, for example, that you are watching an emotional scene. It’s the climax of the story, and in the background plays a gentle orchestra, that eventually swells into a big crescendo as the story reaches its resolution. In that moment, you feel exactly what the characters feel, and your heart races along with the melody of the music. So although (in some cases) the audience might not have a play by play of the characters’ thoughts and emotions, movies have another way of conveying the emotion and tone of a certain scene.

If you feel like further exploring this age-old debate personally, come down to Media Services to check out movies even the worst critic would have to admit are just as good as the books. Don’t know where to start? Try Pride and Prejudice, Psycho, Jaws, The Godfather, etc.

Until next time! RE

Robiati Endashaw is a sophomore studying public policy analysis in KSB with a minor in Economics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading non-fiction and watching crime documentaries.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

Oh gee thanks so much . I also feel quite the same way too when it comes to books as in they are so much enjoyable because they allow us as the reader to explore the depths of my imagination and every thing happening Is felt dearly. 😊

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55 Writing about the Novel: Film Comparison

You began the process of writing your literary comparison paper in the Introduction to the Novel chapter by choosing an essay, reading it carefully, and writing a personal response. In this chapter, we will move through the remaining steps of writing your paper.

Step 3: Choose a Film for Comparison

The key to a good comparison essay is to choose two subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison is not to state the obvious, but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities.

When writing a film comparison paper, the point is to make an argument that will make your audience think about your topic in a new and interesting way. You might explore how the novel and the film present the theme…or how the novel and the film explore the identity of a main character…or…the options are limitless. Here’s a quick video giving you a little overview of what a film vs novel comparison might look like:

To this end, your next goal is to choose a film adaptation of your novel. Some novels may only have one, but some have many that have been created over the last 100 years! Your adaptation could be a feature film, a YouTube short, or an indie film. Choose one that allows you to make an interesting point about the portrayal of the theme of the novel and the film.

Step 4: Research

Once you’ve chosen a second piece, it’s time to enter into the academic conversation to see what others are saying about the authors and the pieces you’ve chosen.

Regardless of the focus of your essay, discovering more about the author of the text you’ve chosen can add to your understanding of the text and add depth to your argument. Author pages are located in the Literature Online ProQuest database. Here, you can find information about an author and his/her work, along with a list of recent articles written about the author. This is a wonderful starting point for your research.

The next step is to attempt to locate articles about the text and the film themselves. For novels, it’s important to narrow down your database choices to the Literature category. For essays, you might have better luck searching the whole ProQuest library with the ProQuest Research Library Article Databases or databases like Flipster that include publications like newspapers and magazines.

Finally, you might look for articles pertinent to an issue discussed in the novel. For example, The Grapes of Wrath is about the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, but it also contains an environmental theme. Depending on what aspect you want to highlight in your comparison, you might look for articles about the Great Depression or about farming and the environment.

Remember, it is helpful to keep a Research Journal to track your research. Your journal should include, at a minimum, the correct MLA citation of the source, a brief summary of the article, and any quotes that stick out to you. A note about how you think the article adds to your understanding of the topic or might contribute to your project is a good addition, as well.

Step 5: Thesis & Outline

Similar to other academic essays, the film comparison essay starts with a thesis that clearly introduces the two subjects that are to be compared and the reason for doing so.

This video highlights some of the key differences between novels and films:

Begin by deciding on your basis for comparison. The basis of comparison could include items like a similar theme, differences in the focus of the piece, or the way both pieces represent an important issue.

This article gives some helpful advice on choosing a topic.

Once you’ve decided on the basis of comparison, you should focus on the points of comparison between the two pieces. For example, if you are focusing on how the literary elements and the cinematic elements used impact the message, you might make a table of each of these elements. Then, you’d find examples of each element from each piece. Remember, a comparison includes both similarities and differences.

By putting together your basis of comparison and your points of comparison, you’ll have a thesis that both makes an argument and gives readers a map of your essay.

A good thesis should be:

  • Statement of Fact: “The novel and the film of Pride and Prejudice are similar in many ways.”
  • Arguable: “The film version of Pride and Prejudice changes key moments in the text that alter the portrayal of the theme.”
  • Personal Opinion: “‘The novel is definitely better than the movie.”
  • Provable by the Texts: “Both the novel and the film focus on the importance of identity.”
  • Obvious: “The movie provides a modern take on the novel.”
  • Surprising: “Though the movie stays true to the original themes of the novel, the modern version may lead viewers to believe that the characters in the book held different values than are portrayed in the novel.”
  • General: “Both the novel and the film highlight the plight of women.”
  • Specific: “The novel and the film highlight the plight of women by focusing on specific experiences of the protagonist. “

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience. You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways:

  • Block: Organize topics according to the subjects themselves, discussing the novel and then the film.
  • Woven: Organize according to individual points, discussing both the novel and the film point by point.

Exercises: Create a Thesis and Outline

You’ll want to start by identifying the theme of both pieces and deciding how you want to tie them together. Then, you’ll want to think through the points of similarity and difference in the two pieces.

In two columns, write down the points that are similar and those that are different. Make sure to jot down quotes from the two pieces that illustrate these ideas.

Following the tips in this section, create a thesis and outline for your novel/film comparison paper.

Here’s a sample thesis and outline:

Step 6: Drafting Tips

Once you have a solid thesis and outline, it’s time to start drafting your essay. As in any academic essay, you’ll begin with an introduction. The introduction should include a hook that connects your readers to your topic. Then, you should introduce the topic. In this case, you will want to include the authors and title of the novel and the director and title of the film. Finally, your introduction should include your thesis. Remember, your thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction.

In a film comparison essay, you may want to follow your introduction with background on both pieces. Assume that your readers have at least heard of either the novel or the film, but that they might not have read the novel or watched the film–or both–…or maybe it’s been awhile. For example, if you were writing about Pride and Prejudice , you might include a brief introduction to Austen and her novel and an introduction to the version of the film you’ve chosen. The background section should be no more than two short paragraphs.

In the body of the paper, you’ll want to focus on supporting your argument. Regardless of the organizational scheme you choose, you’ll want to begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. This should be followed by the use of quotes from your two texts in support of your point. Remember to use the quote formula–always introduce and explain each quote and the relationship to your point! It’s very important that you address both literary pieces equally, balancing your argument. Finally, each paragraph should end with a wrap up sentence that tells readers the significance of the paragraph.

Here are some transition words that are helpful in tying points together:

Finally, your paper will end with a conclusion that brings home your argument and helps readers to understand the importance/significance of your essay.

In this video, an instructor explains step by step how to write an essay comparing two films. Though you will be writing about a novel and a film, rather than two films, the same information applies.

Here’s another instructor explaining how to write a comparison essay about two poems. Note the similarities between the two videos.

Here’s a sample paper:

Attributions:

  • Content created by Dr. Karen Palmer. Licensed under CC BY NC SA .
  • Content adapted from “Comparison and Contrast” from the book Successful Writing licensed CC BY NC SA .

The Worry Free Writer Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Karen Palmer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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An author you can refuse ... The Godfather.

A novel idea: is the book always better than the film?

It’s a cliche as old as cinema itself. But dismissing film-making as the weak sibling of the arts is often rooted in snobbery

In the Guide’s weekly Solved! column, we look into a crucial pop-culture question you’ve been burning to know the answer to – and settle it, once and for all

Saturday afternoon, any given multiplex, pre-Covid. The credits roll. We rise and shuffle, still brushing popcorn husks off our fronts. And it’s about now that you’ll hear the braying of the literati in the row behind: “Well, obviously, the book is always better than the film.”

It is a viewpoint as old as cinema itself. I wasn’t at the premiere of Alice in Wonderland’s silent-film adaptation in 1903, but it’s a safe bet that someone piped up afterwards to say that it wasn’t fit to stitch the leather binding of Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel. They probably weren’t sure about the casting of the White Rabbit, either. And so, this cultural snipe has echoed through the ages. The book is always better than the film. It just is.

But is it, really? Firstly, if you have already read the book, of course the film won’t seem as good. You’ve already travelled along the narrative arc. The characters have already taken form in your mind’s eye, and they look nothing like Tom Cruise’s platform-heeled Jack Reacher or Sean Connery’s “overgrown stuntman” Bond (as Ian Fleming would have it). You have already experienced the rug-pulling twists, too, such as Fight Club’s Tyler Durden turning out to be the embodiment of the narrator’s schizophrenia. Oh, sorry. You knew that, right?

Whereas, if you watch the film first, the book loses its page-turning power, because we see it all coming: the Hogwarts Express; the Wizard of Oz’s unmasking; Boo Radley saving the day. But you don’t see cinephiles tossing literary classics from their shelves: “Yeah, yeah, there’s a mad woman in the attic. Change the record, Brontë … ”

Perhaps there is another factor at play here. When we say the book is better, we’re announcing that we read, we’re cultured, we feed our brains something loftier than big, colourful moving images. This is rooted in the stubborn snobbism that film is the weak sibling of the arts. “Over the years, I’ve grown used to seeing the cinema dismissed as an artform,” wrote Martin Scorsese in 2017 . “It’s tainted by commercial considerations … there are too many people involved in its creation … it ‘leaves nothing to the imagination’.”

Nobody has ever said the book is better than the play. We’d be terrified of someone countering that we’ve just misunderstood Sir Trevor Nunn’s mise-en-scène. The best a film adaptation can hope for is that it’s deemed better than the rollercoaster, like Pirates of the Caribbean.

Actually, when you line them up, the film often leaves the book for dust. Would you rather slog through Peter Benchley’s Jaws (in which, boringly, the shark slowly succumbs to its wounds)? Or choose Mario Puzo’s The Godfather over Brando’s hamster-pouching charisma? Has any child ever laughed harder at Beatrix Potter’s finger-wagging tales than when James Corden’s Peter Rabbit pumped Mr McGregor with 10,000 volts?

And Tolkien fans might toss me into Mount Doom for saying this, but if you would rather digest marathon descriptions of irritatingly named dwarves, instead of being sprayed with the glorious multisensory spectacle of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, then God help you.

So, no, the written word is not always better than the silver screen. If you disagree, you can throw the book at me in the comments.

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  • How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

  • Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
  • Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
  • Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
  • Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
  • Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
  • Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

  • Make a claim
  • Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
  • Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
  • Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

  • Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
  • Cite data to support your claim
  • Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
  • Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

  • Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
  • Highlight the problems with this position
  • Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
  • Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

  • Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
  • Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
  • Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
  • Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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books are better than movies argumentative essay

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/argumentative-essay/

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English Summary

2 Minute Speech On Why Books Are Better Than Movies In English

Good morning to everyone in this room. I would like to thank the principal, the teachers, and my dear friends for allowing me to speak to you today about why books are better than movies. In most cases, books are superior to movies. Reading a book might help you visualize the scene or the actions taking place. They are also more thorough than movies, which can skip important facts. Some movies change the characters since they are completely different and the reverse in the novel.

The characters in a book often appear different from how we see them in our minds, and the same is evident in movies. It let us down in a lot of ways. I’ve read books previously with a surprising twist at the conclusion, but the movie never includes it.

Books take their time and are lengthier in length than movies, which typically run two hours. Movies hurry things up so they can get to the finish quickly. Books can be borrowed from a friend or the library if you don’t have access to them or the money to go to the movies.

Books may be read anywhere and at any time online. We get more information and develop our vocabulary when we read books. Character descriptions are significantly more accurate and thorough. Books contain more background information than movies do, which is an important feature that movies lack. Thank you.

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Book vs. Movie (Essay/Paper Sample)

Book vs. movie.

When it comes to the consumption of literature materials, different people have different tastes and preferences. In some cases, movies and books perform the same function particularly in cases where both the book and the movie are based on similar stories thus have related content. Some people argue that watching is better than reading but such an argument is subject to debate. This paper holds the view that one gains more by reading content than watching.

Movies are a good source of entertainment and information. One can watch a documentary within 2 or 3 hours. This is one of the key reasons why most people prefer to watch movies to reading a book. Instead of taking a couple of hours or days reading a novel, they want to ‘watch for 2 hours and get over it. However, that is as far as movies go. Books have proved time and again, that they are more valuable than any other literary technological advancement tool that man comes up with. From the early bible to modern books used in libraries, books are a permanent source of knowledge. They are more engaging than movies, and a reader can delve deeper thus understanding content more than he would for a movie.

A movie is usually limited by time. An account of the deeds and works of Jesus Christ, for instance, are given in details and elaborately in the bible. A step by step explanation enables the reader of the bible to fully understand who Jesus was. However, movies on the works and deeds of Jesus are brief, as they are limited to 2 or 3 hours only. Consequently, during editing, the editors remove some of the key parts of the story due to time limits, implying that the movie audience does not get a chance to watch every aspect of the storyline due to time and other budget constraints.

Such books as “DA Vinci Code” and “The Notebook” have corresponding movie titles but the movies are not even half as engaging or popular as the books, some of which are best sellers, having sold millions of copies all over the world. “Fifty shades of grey” is an erotic romance novel written in 2011. In 2015, a film was made from the movie and given a similar title. However, readers continue identifying themselves with the book, not the movie due to the compelling nature of the book, how vivid and detailed the author describes scenes and makes the reader picture exactly what he means. The book brings about an emotional connection between the reader and the characters in the book and is deeply endearing and compelling. A movie requires the actors to emulate the storyline and behave in a certain manner but human beings are prone to inadequacies and some end up failing to act or behave as expected thus viewers find some movies to be unfulfilling in comparison to the characters vividly described in books.

Moreover, books are an eternal source of knowledge. A book that one read 20 years ago is still as relevant, entertaining, and inspiring as it is today. Take Robert Kiyosaki’s inspirational books and tips on how to excel financially, for instance. Such books still make sense half a century after their publication because they give a detailed breakdown of how an individual can effectively pursue wealth and manage his finance. Movies are, however, subject to change in technology. Movies of the 19th century, for instance, are not as desirable as books written during a similar period because most of them employed inferior technology, and are mostly done in “black and white.” Books are eternal as no technology can render a book unfeasible.

In conclusion , books are a timeless treasure. They are more detailed and are highly informative and educative in comparison to a movie. Authors are not limited by time and budgetary constraints as movie editors are. Technological changes have little impact on the effectiveness of the book whose greatest value lies not on the paper on which it is written, but on the content of the pages. Books will definitely stand out for the next limitless couple of centuries.

books are better than movies argumentative essay

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Argumentative Essay on Are Movies Better Than Books?

Argumentative Essay on Are Movies Better Than Books?

Introduction.

For many centuries before the development of modern technologies, literature was enshrined in books an novels. Generally, the history of written literature (novel) dates backs to the third century A.D. in the Heliodorus times. They were developed as more formal genres but were only limited to a selected few in the societies (Dean, 2009). Notably, education was more class-oriented than universally accessible as it is the case today. As a result, only the privileged could gain the needed literacy to read novels. Advancement in technology has seen a paradigm shift from novels as the sole source of literature to development of movies. Currently, thousands and thousands of movies have been produced as a product of industrial work. Interestingly, most of these movies have borrowed a lot and others entirely produced based on novels. Consequently, cinema has become the most popular form of art, far much better compared to movies. Cinema has been as a result of modern civilizations by different cultures. Critically assessing the comparison between movie and books, movies are far much better as compared to books.

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Visual Appeal: The Advantage of Movies over Novels

One of the fascination advantages of movies over novels is their visual appeal. As opposed to the traditional presentation of literature, movies have not only audio appeal, but also visual appeal, which is more appealing than the traditional form. When we talk about the visual appeal, we specifically mean the audio-visual feature of movies, since most novels had images which accounted for the visual aspect. History has proven over and over again that most cultures were more oriented on the visual aspect of works of art as compared to reading. The American culture, for example, the very first best selling work of art has illustrated the book. These were Hieroglyphikes (1638) and Emblems (1635) by Francis Quarles which were matched with allegorical illustrations together with bible quotations. These became the best emblem books produced both in America and England in English (Dean, 2009). These facts prove that man for a very long time was more inclined towards the visual aspect of art.

Secondly, movies are far much better from books as they offer a more realistic appeal to the audience as opposed to imagination. It allows the audience not only to interact with the sound, but also the visual representations of the character, places, and objects. In explaining the differences between film and novels, the philosopher C. S. Peirce uses two terms; sign and icon, to relate two different things that represent another thing or object. Sign in his view, refers to an arbitrary relationship between two objects (Bo, 2008). For example, a world "desk" can be a sign of a desk. On the other hand, a picture of a flower, which is closer to a desk than the word "desk," can be an icon of the flower. Therefore, the film is made of the icon while novels are made of signs as mediums of representation (Bo, 2008). Consequently, the images visible in a film offer a more immediate relationship with what it describes as compared to words. They hence offer reality more intelligible and more directly. More importantly, the twenty-first century has greatly changed the perception of learners, especially literature students, than in any other given centuries. Different generations have been discussed, the current one being generation Z. In teaching and learning for people born in this generation, realism is more appealing as opposed to idealism (Reeves & Oh, n.d.). Hence, the use of film will be more appealing as compared to books in such a competent technological generation. These features make it easier to understand movies better than books.

Realistic Representation: Movies vs. Imagination in Books

Moreover, movies greatly enhance the audience's comprehension through sounds as compared to books. Audiences in movies are able to receive both sounds and images, while book readers are limited to just the text. In films, sounds can be classified into three types, music, speech and noise. In most instances, even one of the three sounds can tell a story in a clearer and more realistic way as compared to novels (Bo, 2008). The sounds in the movies are able to create an environment where the audience is able to feel and understand characters emotions in a clearer manner. For example, in an instance when there is a description of a sad experience, music can be used together with cries that are visible to the audience in a film. This, in turn, enhances the audience to relate more to the movie by understanding the mood in the movie. Further, some attitudes and emotions can fail to appeal to the reader. Conversely, use of words, facial expressions and use of sounds help the audience in a film to come into a position where they understand and relate with the character in a more vivid manner. The magic behind it is that films can actually duplicate sounds together with images in real life directly and immediately. While a novel writer is limited to using silent words in the description, a film director uses excited conversations, fantastic music, joyful laughter, and all kinds of noise to present and description more clearly and realistically (Bo, 2008). These advantages from the sound feature make films a multilayered and hence more powerful in the creation of reality than it is possible in a novel or a book.

Movies in Language Teaching: Communication, Non-Verbal Aspects, and Cross-Cultural Comparison

In language teaching, using movies and film in teaching language and literature is more appealing as it facilitates learning through communication, non-verbal aspects, motivation, and cross-cultural comparison. Therefore, the use of film as complementary materials in literature becomes more efficient and easier. Unlike the use of books, a class is made livelier with the use of cinema. The students are in a position to visually interact with the characters cultures and the customs of the people in the film. Most importantly, nonverbal aspects such as posture, expressions, dressing, gestures, and surroundings are made more eloquent for learners. It is not possible for the learner to understand the use of these nonverbal aspects of communications in real communication unless if they actually see them in actual use (Bo, 2008). Thus, learning materials with visual elements become more appealing and meaningful in helping the students to interact and understand the real world more clearly in the classroom context.

Although a great debate arises on the narrative advantage of movies over books, it is indisputable that narrative in films is clearer than it is in books. Due to the iconic nature of movies, it can be seen more of a tale without a teller. In other words, while novels tell people the story, the films show people the story. This difference makes the whole difference in the aspect of movie narration. Notably, novels are narrated in all tenses, either by an omniscient narrator (someone outside the novel) or by the first person. On the other hand, most movies are from an omniscient point of view, as film directors are able to direct what the audience is able to see and hear. By this very nature, visual images in movies clearly display what things are happening to the audience as they watch (Bo, 2008). For example, the famous scene from Rebbeca, a famous film in 1998, the narrator is a young girl who has just become a second wife to Maxim de Winter. The narration in the first two pages of the book explains Rebecca's terror and awkwardness is clearer in the movie simply when Mrs. Danvers emerges the first time with her severe face lit from the shadows. This presentation makes the audience cringe with the same fear felt by the new Mrs. De Winter (Rebecca) (Davies, n.d). In other words, narration in movies is clearer and more engaging as compared to books.

Despite the many advantages of movies over novels, the limited times in which novels are presented is one of the few shortcomings of using movies over books. Generally, films are acted and presented to the viewers in two hours or so. This time is limited as compared to written books. Novels and books allow the readers to have an unlimited imagination and explore their own reality as they read the book. Conversely, this is limited in movies as the reality presented in the movies depends on the sole interpretation of the screenwriter. For example, expression of a statement, "he angrily dashed out of the room" could have different appeal in movies and books. In a book, the reader is able to create personal imagination based on his/her own experience and hence relate more to the statement, as compared to a film, where the acted form limits imagination (Davies, n.d.). However, this sole advantage of books over movies cannot dispute the fact that to a greater extent, movies are far much better than books.

In conclusion, an adaptation of films from movies has been clearly evident from the twentieth century. Critical analysis of the different aspects evident in movies clearly shows that movies are better than books by far. First, the visualization of scenes and characters in the movies gives the audience a chance to create and relate to the author's reality more directly and more immediate. Secondly, viewers are in a better position to interact with a more realistic aspect of the story as opposed to mare imagination. Further, the use of different types of sounds greatly enhances the viewer's comprehension of the story more clearly than readers of novels and books are able to do. The teaching of language, especially the nonverbal communication aspect is made clearer to the audience and hence teaching and learning of language becomes easy and efficient. Finally, narration in movies, though limited in tense, is more real and more appealing as compared to books. Despite the limited scope of imagination and time of presentation of a story in movies, it is undeniable that movies are greatly advantageous to the audience than books.

Bo, B. (2008). The differences between novels and films -Enhance literature teaching by using films. US-China Education Review, 5(7). Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502579.pdf

Davies, A. (n.d.). ADAPTATION: FROM NOVEL TO FILM. MASTERPIECE THEATRE. Retrieved from https://d2buyft38glmwk.cloudfront.net/media/cms_page_media/11/FITC_Adaptation_1.pdf

Dean, J. (2009). Adapting History and Literature into Movies. Americas Studies Journal. doi:10.18422/53-07

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10 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Movies

Reading, Support, Personal Development, Self Growth, Mother, Kid, Song, Daughter

Various novels have been adapted as movies, and many people prefer watching movies rather than reading a book. What do you choose?

Well, people mostly prefer movies because movies make a visual appeal. It attracts easily. However, books are far more interesting. Once a person starts reading, he can never stop. That’s the magic of books. After that, a person will always prefer books.

I started reading two years ago, my first novel was “The Invention Of Hugo Cabret” by the author Brian Selznick, which was full of pictures, and that’s why I picked it. Although, it was the story that attracted me and not to mentions the feeling of ecstasy I felt while reading. It was a great experience, and it opened me to books. I started reading more and more. Of course, even the books without pictures and were as much enjoyable as the first one.

As I started reading, I realised that books are far much better than movies. Many books have been adapted as movies or television series. Although comparing the two, books are always preferred. Books are better than movies’ persuasive text.

Here are 10 reasons why books are always better than movies:

Books give you imagination:

Books make you creative and increase your imagination. You visualise everything in your mind. It’s like you are watching a movie in your head. However, the thing I like the most about books is that every feature of a person and scenario is written, and you give it life.

Take the famous Harry Potter series, for example, by author JK Rowling. It’s the best seller series of all time. It is a fascinating example of the phrase “Imagination has no bounds”.

Books are Deep:

Books are more far-fetched and deeper. The scenarios are elaborated. Every part of a scene, every character’s personality is explained better. The characters are given time.

Books take their time. You can read and re-read and re-read. You can re-read your favourite lines, mark them. And also can re-read to understand better.

They are not bounded by anything.

They Change Your Life:

Books do not give you exact knowledge but a sense of life. Every book has some kind of moral in it, making you think, which will change your perspective about things in your life. They give you facts about life.

One book which I highly recommend to everyone is “A thousand splendid suns” by Khaled Hosseini. It completely changed my life. The cruelty which women go through in Afghanistan and still can love, it’s adorable and regrettable at the same time. It’s a mind-blowing piece of art. Could you read it, you will know?

Put the pieces together:

As movies are rushed, they try to cover everything but can’t. Movies always leave some gap holes. And when you read the book, you will understand better.

That’s the credibility a book gives to its reader, and it allows the reader to put the pieces together. Script-writing may not do the story justice.

Taking the Harry Potter series as an example again, even though the movie is made in parts, various scenes are cut off, even some characters. And various things are left unanswered in the movie. Books cover it all, from Why Harry’s aunt Petunia hated him to Voldemort’s past and his family. All in all, books are better than a movie’s conclusion.

Increase linguistic Skills:

In movies, we already see an actor playing a role, although when we read, we imagine the scenario, character’s facial features, personality, attire, ourselves, as described in books. Hell!! Even the sound and the pitch in which the dialogues have been delivered.

It helps us in understanding the language. Linguistic skills include listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Books provide us with all of them. We listen to the dialogues in mind while reading them. We speak to ourselves about the plot and twists while writing the best of dialogues for ourselves.

Develops Vocabulary:

Vocabulary is not just about the words in a language but also the artistic forms and movements in the language. Books help a lot in our learning of words and their techniques.

Various times, while reading a sentence, there comes a particular word which we haven’t heard before, but as we read the sentence, the meaning of the word automatically comes into our mind. I am sure this happens to all of us. If not, we look into a dictionary or google it. This is how our knowledge of words increases.

They are not rushed:

Movies are limited to a three-hour time limit, even though parts can be made, but still, not everything can be covered in movies. There have been many movie adaptations of best-seller novels, and you can always see some of the scenes are always cut off.

Scriptwriting is different from novel writing. Scriptwriting does not do justice to the novel.

Take The Da Vinci code by author Dan Brown; for example, the movie is rushed, and many scenes have to be cut off that are present in the book.

Portable Get-Away:

Books are portable. You start living in that world of the story. You start connecting with it. Books provide insights, a feeling of attachment.

They are like a getaway from real life. They have the power of transporting you to another world. Words have their power of attaching, catching the eye of their reader.

You live a different life with it. As  George R. R. Martin  said,  “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

Reduces Stress:

Books are relaxation boosters. They calm your mind. They improve awareness and apprehension.

Researchers say books are way better than watching tv or listening to e-books. Books diminish depression and reduce stress.

Indeed, books sharpen your minds. As per research, reading books helps in preventing Alzheimer’s.

Best Teacher:

A book reader always manages his/her time well. Also, the reader always has a sitting habit. Books provide a sense of discipline and loyalty. They provide the basic values of humanity.

Books are the best of friends a man can have, and it’s completely true. A book will always teach you well, and it can never give you a negative opinion. They make you a better person.

Conclusion:

Books are a medium of life. They bind you with your life. They are protectors. They are better than movies’ persuasive text.

Books are you. If you are an avid reader like me, you will relate to this,

“ Sometimes, somehow, you relate someone from your world to the character in your story. But mostly, you lose yourself in a story. You imagine yourself as a part of that story’s world of the book you are currently reading. It becomes a get-away from reality. “

Avani Singhal

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E-Books VS Printed Books: An Argumentative Essay

The norm for school reading is heavy, expensive textbooks. But some have proposed that e-textbooks, available through school tablets or laptops, could be a better alternative. A textbook is a book used to formally define concepts in education. An e-textbook contains the same material, but is not bound to a single physical object. A typical print textbook is not only expensive, costing 50 US$ or more, but also cumbersome to house and maintain. E-textbooks, on the other hand, are easily accessible with most devices and are much less expensive. In this paper, we’ll be discovering why e-textbooks are a better investment than cumbersome print textbooks.

One of the largest factors of resource decisions is the cost, and this applies to textbooks in addition to many other things. Print textbooks are a big investment for a school. The price of print textbooks is high simply because of the amount of materials required to make them. E-textbooks, however, are priced solely on their content, and tend to be much less expensive than print textbooks. Another factor is the costs going forward after the initial purchase. A print textbook is vulnerable to rips, stains, and mildew, and because of this print textbooks must be cared for carefully. If a print textbook falls victim to one of these mishaps, often a new textbook is required. E-textbooks, though, are accessible to all of the school upon purchase, and cannot degrade or be damaged. As a result, E-textbooks are very low maintenance.

The accessibility of the material is also important. With a print textbook, there is only a few copies, or sometimes only one, in circulation. Only one student can use a given book at a time. These problems are eliminated in e-textbooks, which can be accessed by anyone with an authorized device, even simultaneously. In addition, print textbooks are sometimes not allowed to leave the school, forcing students to read at school. However, with an e-textbook, a student can access the textbook from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Something that might not be considered as much is engagement. Many print textbooks look dull and boring just from their size, their rough paper, and their minuscule type. E-textbooks have the advantage of not being associated with a physical weight, and being presented through a screen that can be zoomed in to focus on the content. Print textbooks also have a stereotype applied to them that claims that they are flat, dull, and long-winded, which is only reinforced by their physical medium. But e-textbooks? They are accessed through an electronic device, the same devices that are used to plan outings with friends and chat with fellows. Simply by being accessed through a device that is often considered useful, or even fun, e-textbooks have the advantage of being associated with that usefulness.

Some might say that this is a disadvantage, and that being on a such a device would distract the student’s attention from the textbook. This point becomes moot if the device is issued by the school and does not allow access to distracting services such as social media. Others may claim that print textbooks make the student connect more with the real, physical world. It might do so, but since the connection is through a print textbook, the students might end up associating the dullness of such a book with the physical world.

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Example Of Essay On Harry Potter- Books Vs Films

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Cinema , Family , Harry Potter , Books , Movies , Literature , Film , Reading

Words: 1000

Published: 01/26/2020

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A Compare and Contrast A Compare and Contrast Harry Potter, the series of J.K Rowling’s fantasy novels has been one of the most popular book-series in history of literature. Millions of readers, especially children used to wait earnestly for the release of every new book from the series. Undoubtedly, the movie series based on the novel too got extreme attention from children as well as teenagers worldwide. But, those who have read the Harry Potter books find the films to be less or different in content than the original stories. It is true that when it comes to reading the novels, it is always a better and far more enriching experience than watching the film. This essay elucidates a compare and contrast between the original Harry Potter books and the films based on them.

The Similarities

When one reads the Harry Potter novels, the story is obviously elaborated exclusively. The language is used in a simple yet highly effective way. The reader gets imbued entirely in grasping the pure literary pleasure while reading the book. Especially, the first book- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is full of rib-tickling descriptions of events involving the Dursleys. In a similar way, the movie too has shown some very funny sequences in the movie. Though the events have been changed at several places to make it dramatic, but the storyline has not been altered much. An amazing similarity lies in reading about and watching the Quidditch matches, magical events, battles between the wizards and above all, the structure and location of Hogwarts. One cannot deny that whichever part of the original story has been shown in film, it seems perfectly fulfilling to what one imagines while reading the books. E.g. the flying Nimbus 2000 in Part I, the dragons in Part IV and deathly hallows in Part VI and VII. The visual effects put life to the scenes described in books.

The Dissimilarities

Mainly it is the detailed content which suffers in films. Is it possible to show each and every detail and plot of a novel in a 2-hour film? Not really. Also, some theatricality is needed to make a film appealing. Therefore, there are some major differences between the books and films. In the Part I, it is shown that professor Quirrell turns to ashes on being touched by Harry. In book, Quirrell actually gets burnt by an enchantment done to Harry by his mother, Lily Potter. Also, Quirrell’s snaps do not result in Harry being tied by a rope in the film. Instead, Harry gets surrounded by a ring of fire. The famous Mirror of the Erised which showed Harry himself with his parents in the film, it actually showed Harry himself with his extended family along with his parents. One major difference between the films and books is in the role of Neville Longbottom and Peeves the Poltergeist. Both of these characters have a colossal significance in the story. Peeves the Poltergeist is supposed to be in Hogwarts since its inception. He is not only a trouble maker and hilarious tormentor but also fights the Battle of Hogwarts bravely. Neville too is a part of the Harry-Ron-Hermione trio while they find Fluffy, fight with Draco Malfoy and make significant contribution for the well-being of Hogwarts in Part I, II and V respectively. Another example of dramatics is seen when Ron and Harry play chess in Part II. There was no rule of destroying the captured chess piece with a sword. Also, the pieces could advice the players in the original story. Dobby, which was initially enslaved by the Malfoy’s but later is freed by Harry Potter is also an important character. He is much more powerful than what is shown in movies. The Part VI- Harry Potter and Half-blood Prince has not been filmed well however, in terms of plot and certain crucial events. (Bibbiani, 2011) It is Professor Snape who is the Half-blood Prince but the story behind it is never told well-enough.

The Understandable Differences

There is no doubt that the books steal the show in terms of content. The films could not portray or demonstrate teh significance and complete story of certain characters like Peter Pattigrew and things like the Marauder’s Map. It is not possible to fit the hours of story-telling into a couple of hours for film. So, much of the Dumbledore’s legacy is not shown. A lot from the history of James Potter and Severus Snape has been cut off (Kaplan, 2010). The finer details of many wizards, witches and magical equipments have been skipped. Above all, the pleasure of reading J. K Rowling’s brilliant words is more than watching the movie. Her words have made readers laugh heartily when she describes the events where Mr Dursley tells harry- MOTORBIKES DONT FLY and when Harry breaks a rib or two trying not to laugh to see Dudley clad in a uniform. Lord Voldemort looks terrific in the films, no doubt. But, as one reads the books, his dark power and personality leaves a greater impression on the reader.

It depends on personal opinion. It also depends on if a person is an avid reader or movie-watcher. But those who can read well and also watch a movie patiently, they would always find the books better to revel in the fantasy of Harry Potter and his great world full of legendary wizards, witches and villains.

Alexandria Kaplan . “Harry Potter: Book Vs. Film, Part I.” November 17, 2010. Retrieved from Web on 11 March 2011. http://www.mania.com/harry-potter-book-vs-film-part-i_article_126469.html William Bibbiani . “The Top Ten Things the ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Left Out.” July 15th, 2011. Retrieved from Web on 11 March 2013 http://www.craveonline.com/film/articles/171155-the-top-ten-things-the-harry-potter-movies-left-out

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The Nobel Prize-Winning Professor Who Liked to Collaborate With His Adversaries

A colorful illustration of two identical-looking youths in a bucolic setting. One is in red overalls and is before a red lawnmower, and the other is in blue overalls and is before a blue lawnmower. They are glaring at each other, and each has a foot pressed against the other’s. The two lawnmowers have carved a circle in the grass.

By Cass R. Sunstein

Mr. Sunstein is a law professor at Harvard and an author of “Noise,” with Daniel Kahneman and Olivier Sibony.

Our all-American belief that money really does buy happiness is roughly correct for about 85 percent of us. We know this thanks to the latest and perhaps final work of Daniel Kahneman, the Nobel Prize winner who insisted on the value of working with those with whom we disagree.

Professor Kahneman, who died last week at the age of 90, is best known for his pathbreaking explorations of human judgment and decision making and of how people deviate from perfect rationality. He should also be remembered for a living and working philosophy that has never been more relevant: his enthusiasm for collaborating with his intellectual adversaries. This enthusiasm was deeply personal. He experienced real joy working with others to discover the truth, even if he learned that he was wrong (something that often delighted him).

Back to that finding, published last year , that for a strong majority of us, more is better when it comes to money. In 2010, Professor Kahneman and the Princeton economist Angus Deaton (also a Nobel Prize winner) published a highly influential essay that found that, on average, higher-income groups show higher levels of happiness — but only to a point. Beyond a threshold at or below $90,000, Professor Kahneman and Professor Deaton found, there is no further progress in average happiness as income increases.

Eleven years later, Matthew Killingsworth, a senior fellow at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, found exactly the opposite : People with higher income reported higher levels of average happiness. Period. The more money people have, the happier they are likely to be.

What gives? You could imagine some furious exchange in which Professor Kahneman and Professor Deaton made sharp objections to Dr. Killingsworth’s paper, to which Dr. Killingsworth answered equally sharply, leaving readers confused and exhausted.

Professor Kahneman saw such a dynamic as “angry science,” which he described as a “nasty world of critiques, replies and rejoinders” and “as a contest, where the aim is to embarrass.” As Professor Kahneman put it, those who live in that nasty world offer “a summary caricature of the target position, refute the weakest argument in that caricature and declare the total destruction of the adversary’s position.” In his account, angry science is “a demeaning experience.” That dynamic might sound familiar, particularly in our politics.

Instead, Professor Kahneman favored an alternative that he termed “adversarial collaboration.” When people who disagree work together to test a hypothesis, they are involved in a common endeavor. They are trying not to win but to figure out what’s true. They might even become friends.

In that spirit, Professor Kahneman, well into his 80s, asked Dr. Killingsworth to collaborate, with the help of a friendly arbiter, Professor Barbara Mellers, an influential and widely admired psychologist. Their task was to look closely at Dr. Killingsworth’s data to see whether he had analyzed it properly and to understand what, if anything, had been missed by Professor Kahneman and Professor Deaton.

Their central conclusion was simple. Dr. Killingsworth missed a threshold effect in his data that affected only one group: the least happy 15 percent. For these largely unhappy people, average happiness does grow with rising income, up to a level of around $100,000, but it stops growing after that. For a majority of us, by contrast, average happiness keeps growing with increases in income.

Both sides were partly right and partly wrong. Their adversarial collaboration showed that the real story is more interesting and more complicated than anyone saw individually.

Professor Kahneman engaged in a number of adversarial collaborations, with varying degrees of success. His first (and funniest) try was with his wife, the distinguished psychologist Anne Treisman. Their disagreement never did get resolved. (Dr. Treisman died in 2018.) Both of them were able to explain away the results of their experiments — a tribute to what he called “the stubborn persistence of challenged beliefs.” Still, adversarial collaborations sometimes produce both agreement and truth, and he said that “a common feature of all my experiences has been that the adversaries ended up on friendlier terms than they started.”

Professor Kahneman meant both to encourage better science and to strengthen the better angels of our nature. In academic life, adversarial collaborations hold great value . We could easily imagine a situation in which adversaries routinely collaborated to see if they could resolve disputes about the health effects of air pollutants, the consequences of increases in the minimum wage, the harms of climate change or the deterrent effects of the death penalty.

And the idea can be understood more broadly. In fact, the U.S. Constitution should be seen as an effort to create the conditions for adversarial collaboration. Before the founding, it was often thought that republics could work only if people were relatively homogeneous — if they were broadly in agreement with one another. Objecting to the proposed Constitution, the pseudonymous antifederalist Brutus emphasized this point: “In a republic, the manners, sentiments and interests of the people should be similar. If this be not the case, there will be a constant clashing of opinions, and the representatives of one part will be continually striving against those of the other.”

Those who favored the Constitution thought that Brutus had it exactly backward. In their view, the constant clashing of opinions was something not to fear but to welcome, at least if people collaborate — if they act as if they are engaged in a common endeavor. Sounding a lot like Professor Kahneman, Alexander Hamilton put it this way : “The differences of opinion, and the jarrings of parties” in the legislative department of the government “often promote deliberation and circumspection and serve to check excesses in the majority.”

Angry science is paralleled by angry democracy, a “nasty world of critiques, replies and rejoinders,” whose “aim is to embarrass,” Professor Kahneman said. That’s especially true, of course, in the midst of political campaigns, when the whole point is to win.

Still, the idea of adversarial collaboration has never been more important. Within organizations of all kinds — including corporations, nonprofits, think tanks and government agencies — sustained efforts should be made to lower the volume by isolating the points of disagreement and specifying tests to establish what’s right. Asking how a disagreement might actually be resolved tends to turn enemies, focused on winning and losing, into teammates, focused on truth.

As usual, Professor Kahneman was right. We could use a lot more of that.

Cass R. Sunstein is a law professor at Harvard and an author of “Noise,” with Daniel Kahneman and Olivier Sibony.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

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    Books provide a richer understanding of the character's motivations and growth throughout the narrative. The reader has the flexibility to pause, reflect, and return to any part of the story, Books foster a more immersive and contemplative reading experience. Books are better than movies because you design the set the way you want it to look ...

  15. 2 Minute Speech On Why Books Are Better Than Movies In English

    In most cases, books are superior to movies. Reading a book might help you visualize the scene or the actions taking place. They are also more thorough than movies, which can skip important facts. Some movies change the characters since they are completely different and the reverse in the novel. The characters in a book often appear different ...

  16. Argumentative Essay: Books Vs. Movies

    Movies. Argumentative Essay: Books Vs. Movies. It seems an unfair view to expect a movie about a book to be exactly the same down to every single detail. Communities of fans will always find something wrong with a story, for it has "failed" to match expectation. Books are a place where someone can be dragged into the story and forget about ...

  17. Book vs. Movie, Essay/Paper Sample

    In some cases, movies and books perform the same function particularly in cases where both the book and the movie are based on similar stories thus have related content. Some people argue that watching is better than reading but such an argument is subject to debate. This paper holds the view that one gains more by reading content than watching.

  18. Why Books are Better Than Movies Persuasive Essay-Soha Shah.docx

    Researchers looked at ratings of 800 books and their movie adaptations on Goodreads, an online reading community, and IMDB, a film site, concluded that most people really do rate most books higher than movies. Altogether, books had a higher rating than their movie versions 74 percent of the time, according to researchers. In about half of all cases, the book ranked "much better" than the ...

  19. Reading Books Is Better Than Watching TV Essay Example

    Lots of children would say that they love coming home from school, relaxing on the couch and watching some TV. But it is not better for you and the question is are books better than TV. So, if you want to find out the true reasons why books are better than TV then read on. TVs are expensive, you cannot say they are not.

  20. Argumentative Essay on Are Movies Better Than Books?

    These features make it easier to understand movies better than books. Realistic Representation: Movies vs. Imagination in Books. Moreover, movies greatly enhance the audience's comprehension through sounds as compared to books. Audiences in movies are able to receive both sounds and images, while book readers are limited to just the text.

  21. 10 Reasons Why Books Are Better Than Movies

    Many books have been adapted as movies or television series. Although comparing the two, books are always preferred. Books are better than movies' persuasive text. Here are 10 reasons why books are always better than movies: Books give you imagination: Books make you creative and increase your imagination. You visualise everything in your mind.

  22. E-Books VS Printed Books: An Argumentative Essay

    E-Books VS Printed Books: An Argumentative Essay. The norm for school reading is heavy, expensive textbooks. But some have proposed that e-textbooks, available through school tablets or laptops, could be a better alternative. A textbook is a book used to formally define concepts in education. An e-textbook contains the same material, but is not ...

  23. Harry Potter Books Vs Movies Essay Example

    Example Of Essay On Harry Potter- Books Vs Films. Harry Potter, the series of J.K Rowling's fantasy novels has been one of the most popular book-series in history of literature. Millions of readers, especially children used to wait earnestly for the release of every new book from the series. Undoubtedly, the movie series based on the novel ...

  24. Opinion

    In 2010, Professor Kahneman and the Princeton economist Angus Deaton (also a Nobel Prize winner) published a highly influential essay that found that, on average, higher-income groups show higher ...