do you prefer reading books or watching movies essay

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

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

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.

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 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

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

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

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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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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Books Vs Movies Essay | Books or Movies ? How to Figure Out Which One is Important?

October 20, 2021 by Prasanna

Books Vs Movies Essay: Books Vs Movies are important in their own aspects. So which is more important, books or movies ? How to figure out which one is more important? Let us see.

When comparing Books Vs Movies, books are always a better option than movies. Books help us to have a sharp mind and be more creative. Books can let you imagine the events happening in the story in your own way of imagination.

In movies, the characters are designed according to the director because sometimes the character described in the book cannot be brought into reality and so they are different and totally the opposite as compared to in the books. As a result movies sometimes leave out some important details.

You can also find more  Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Movies are just a source of entertainment. But to make a movie out of the book only limited things from the book could be taken. Also some extra things must be added to make the movie interesting .Also not everything gets covered in the movie. Which means the content of the story is changed to a great extent. Many things get left out while converting a book into a movie. Take for example, the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire series. This book already had a lot of action in it, but the movie missed out huge chunks of the storyline. Unnecessary action scenes are added in the movie for entertainment, which had no effect on the story and that resulted in missing out important details.

A movie could get produced from a good book, but have you seen any book written from a movie? No, that is not actually possible. Because movies have more entertainment material. Movies don’t give a lasting impression on the person’s mind. But books definitely leave a good impression on the person reading it.

Reading a book needs time and dedication. Not everyone has the patience to read a lengthy book as it takes time to complete it. While movies usually last only for 2 to 3 hours. Their main purpose is for entertainment and so it does not leave any impression on our minds.Movies are available at a particular time in the theatre, while we can read books any time during the day or night.

In a book, a person actually visualizes a scene in his mind which improves his thought process as the brain is continuously working. While a person watching a movie is seeing it live and so he doesn’t have to think about anything just enjoys the scenes.

A good reader knows the importance of reading on an everyday basis. Books are an important asset for that person. He can survive without anything but not without books.

Books are very important for all age groups of people as it is a great source of knowledge. In comparing Books vs Movies, books play a vital role in the development of human beings. All the people in reputed jobs such as CEOs, MDs, Executives Directors have a good habit of reading books.

The human brain requires exercise and a good book provides that. So it becomes important to read good books.

It is very important to read good books as it increases our english skills, vocabulary and also imagination. Regular reading of books is good for mental health and we can learn new things.

People who don’t like reading books and investing time in it would prefer watching a movie based on the book.

Furthermore, a book cannot be judged by a movie.

Short Essay on Books Vs Movies

In comparing books vs movies, books always proved to be a better option than movies.

When we read a book, we tend to visualize the characters in our own way while in movies they don’t look like the way we want them.

Movies tend to have a limited time. They last about two to three hours and hence have to rush things so that they can end it fast within the time limit. While books can take their own time and last longer. As a result many details are missed out in the movies.

Everyone does not has access to movies or can afford going to movie theatres but books are easily available and can be borrowed from the library or from a friend.

Books are portable, can be carried anywhere and can be read online at any time.

Reading books gives us more knowledge and it helps us improve our vocabulary.

It helps us to become a better human being while movies are just for entertainment purpose.

Watching a movie can’t give you the same depth of the story, which reading a book gives. Watching a movie can never get you a better job. So now It’s your choice whether to watch a movie or read a book.

Books attract the reader to continue reading and creates suspense and curiosity so that the reader will be hooked to finish the book to find out the truth. Reading books can improve the reader’s English writing and reading skills, while watching movies brings nothing else than entertainment.

But usually people like to watch the movie which tells the story in a short amount of time which is more convenient for them. Either they are too lazy or don’t have much time to read a book.

Books are not replaceable, we grow up reading and studying books even the first thing we learned the alphabets are also from books.

So when debating over books vs movies, books are nothing more than an advantage, and a library is nothing but a WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE AND IMAGINATION.

FAQ’s on Books Vs Movies Essay

Question 1. Why is reading good books good for your mental health?

Answer: Research shows that reading a good book increases your vocabulary and comprehension. Improves your thinking power and also strengthens your brain.

It is also discovered that students who read books regularly at a young age gradually develop vocabularies and language skills. And that can influence many areas of your life, from scores in different tests to college admissions and job opportunities.

Question 2. What is the difference between a book and a movie?

Answer: The main motive of both the book and the movie is to tell a story to the audience. But the major difference between books and movies to narrate a story is the amount of time each needs. A movie has a strict time limit of 2 to 3 hours whereas a book can have an unlimited number of pages. A movie needs a big budget in making whereas a book is budget friendly.

Question 3. Which is a better option: books or movies?

Answer: according to my opinion books are always the better option than movies. Books are much more detailed than movies, they improve your English skills, vocabulary and are proven to help you get better jobs. Meanwhile films are socially better, quicker to watch and made just for entertainment.

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Books vs. movies: the age-old debate.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Robiati Endashaw offers a balanced perspective on the age-old debate between books and their movie adaptations. As an avid reader, she acknowledges the initial skepticism toward films based on beloved books. However, she also appreciates the unique advantages of both mediums of storytelling. While books allow for deeper immersion and detailed character development, movies excel in visual storytelling and immersive experiences. Endashaw emphasizes that comparing books and movies is like comparing apples to oranges; they serve different purposes and offer distinct pleasures. Her insights encourage readers to appreciate the merits of both forms of storytelling and explore adaptations with an open mind.

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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Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay

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Books Vs. Movies – Introduction

Similarities between books and movies, difference between books and movies, works cited.

This paper examines the similarities and differences between books and movies. Although both tell stories and evoke emotions, they also have distinct characteristics. For example, books rely on the reader’s imagination, while movies present a pre-determined visual interpretation. Another difference between books and movies is that books typically offer a more in-depth exploration of characters, while movies may prioritize visual spectacle over character development. Despite these contrasts, both books and movies have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. This essay compares and contrasts the two products in detail and provides examples from famous works.

Books and movies are two of the most important mediums for communicating ideas to an audience. The two can be used for various purposes, including entertaining and informing. Books make use of written words to communicate with the reader. On the other hand, movies utilize audio-visual technology to communicate with the viewing audience. Books and Movies have several significant similarities and differences.

A major similarity is that both books and movies set out to tell stories that are often fascinating to the audience. Regardless of which medium is being used, efforts are made to create stories that are going to be engaging to the reader or viewer. For both movies and books, the story is a central part, and the authors or directors come up with themes and plotlines that can captivate and entertain the audience (Bordwell and Staiger 262). By using elements such as characters, setting, conflict, and resolution at the end, book authors and movie directors can come up with successful stories.

Another similarity is that both books and movies make great use of characters through whom the story is told. Bordwell and Staiger note that the characters used must be well suited to the story, and they must be clearly distinguished from one another (262). They are given personalities and used to fulfill the key elements of the story being told through the book or the movie. In most cases, it is the characters that make the audience regard a movie or book as superior or inferior.

A significant difference between books and movies is in the manner in which the visual images are created. When reading a book, the reader has to use his/her imagination to create a visual image from the words contained in the book (Mayer 17). For example, in the Harry Potter books, the reader is required to form his/her own image of the various magical creatures. On the other hand, movies present the reader with a ready visual image. In the Harry Potter Movies, the images of creatures such as trolls and goblins are presented to the audience. The imagination of the viewer is not required since the movie makers have already created the image they want the audience to have.

Books and movies differ in the level of detail provided. In books, the author spends a lot of time providing details of characters, events, objects, and places. These lengthy descriptions are necessary to help the reader to create a mental image of the story. With movies, there are no lengthy details used. Movies do not have to engage in detailed descriptions since a complicated image can be shown in a single movie shot. Mayer notes that a movie can, within the span of a few seconds, graphically show a mass of details to the viewer (17).

Books and movies are both adequate means of telling a story. While the two make use of different technologies to communicate with an audience, they have some similarities. These include the use of stories and the reliance on characters to tell the story. However, the two have major differences in terms of the level of imagination required of the audience and the use of details. Overall, books and movies are important communication mediums that play a great role in our society.

Bordwell, David, and Janet Staiger. The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960. NY: Routledge, 2003. Print.

Mayer, Robert. Eighteenth-Century Fiction on Screen . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2020, June 17). Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/

"Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." IvyPanda , 17 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay'. 17 June.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." June 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

1. IvyPanda . "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." June 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." June 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

To Watch or to Read: The Great Debate of Books vs. Movies

The debate between books vs. movies has been raging for decades. Some people prefer the immersive experience of reading a good book, while others enjoy the visual and auditory spectacle of a blockbuster movie. While both mediums have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, there is no denying that they both offer a powerful and engaging way to tell a story.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both books and movies and delve into the reasons why some people prefer one medium over the other. We will also examine the impact that film adaptations have had on the literary world, and how books and movies have influenced and inspired each other over the years.

Through this exploration, we hope to provide a better understanding of the book vs. movie debate and help readers decide which medium they prefer. Whether you’re a die-hard bookworm or a film buff, there’s no denying that both books and movies have a place in our cultural landscape. So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the great debate of book vs. movie.

Book Vs Movie: Compare And Contrast

Books vs. movies: The age-old debate. Here’s a chart summarizing the key differences between books and movies:

These are just a few of the many differences between books and movies, and there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to deciding which medium you prefer. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you enjoy most in a story.

The Advantages of Reading a Book Over Watching a Movie

Books and movies are two very different forms of media. While movies can be visually stunning and entertaining, books offer a deeper, more immersive experience that simply can’t be replicated on the big screen. In this section, we’ll explore some of the key advantages of reading a book over watching a movie and find out the reasons why good books are better than movies.

Reading a book offers a more immersive experience than a movie, as it allows readers to delve deeper into the story and form a stronger connection to the characters. With more extensive descriptions of people, places, and events, readers can visualize the story in their own way and bring their own experiences and perspectives to the reading experience. This personal connection is not possible with a movie, which visualizes the story for the viewer.

Reading also has cognitive benefits, improving memory, focus, and concentration, as readers actively process and make connections between story elements. Additionally, reading expands vocabulary and language skills, exposing readers to a wider range of words and sentence structures.

While movies have their own unique advantages, such as a cinematic experience and visual and auditory stimulation, reading a book offers a deeper, more engaging experience that cannot be matched by any other medium. Overall, the benefits of reading make it an essential and highly rewarding activity.

The Advantages of Watching a Movie Over Reading a Book

While there are numerous advantages to reading a book, there are also many reasons why watching a movie can be a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. In this section, we’ll explore some of the key advantages of watching a movie over reading a book and find out the reasons why movies are better than books.

Movies have a distinct advantage over books due to their visual medium, which can create stunning visuals, deliver visceral impacts, and transport viewers to different worlds. Movies are also more convenient than books, as they require less time and effort to enjoy. Additionally, movies are accessible to a broader audience, including young children and those with limited literacy skills. 

Finally, movies offer a shared experience that can bond friends and family and create lasting memories. While books offer a deeper, more immersive experience and can improve cognitive functioning and language skills, movies should not be overlooked. Movies are an essential and valuable part of our culture, and their unique advantages should be appreciated.

The Importance of Originality: The Book vs. Movie Debate

The importance of originality is a crucial factor in the debate of book vs. movie. Books and movies require originality to stand out in their respective mediums. 

In books, originality is crucial to the success of the story, as readers are looking for something new and fresh. Authors who can deliver original and compelling stories are more likely to attract a loyal following of readers. 

On the other hand, movies need to offer something unique and different from what has come before to succeed in a crowded marketplace. Audiences want to be entertained and challenged, to see something they haven’t seen before. The challenge lies in adapting a book for the screen, as movies need to capture the essence of the original story while also offering something new and original to viewers. A successful movie adaptation captures the spirit of the original story while also offering something fresh and unique to the audience. 

Overall, originality is crucial for both books and movies to be successful and memorable.

The Impact of Film Adaptations on Book Sales

Film adaptations of books have become common in the entertainment industry, and their impact on book sales is significant. A successful movie adaptation can result in a surge of book sales and increased attention for the author. However, a poorly received adaptation can damage the reputation of the source material and turn potential readers away. 

The impact of film adaptations on book sales can also vary depending on the genre of the book , with young adult novels having a particularly strong impact. A successful adaptation can also lead to increased interest in the author and their other works. 

Nonetheless, the relationship between books and movies is complex, and a delicate balance must be struck between staying true to the source material and offering something new and original. 

Despite the challenges, it is clear that the relationship between books and movies is important, with each medium having the potential to influence and enhance the other.

Comparing the Popularity of Books and Movies: A Statistical Analysis

This section explores the popularity of books and movies by analyzing sales figures and audience engagement. 

According to the Association of American Publishers, book sales in the US reached $25.8 billion in 2020, while global box office revenue for movies was $42.2 billion in 2019. However, these figures are not necessarily indicative of overall popularity, as the success of a book or movie can depend on various factors such as genre and marketing. 

In terms of audience engagement, a survey by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults reported reading a book in print or digital format in 2019, while data from the Motion Picture Association shows that the average US moviegoer attended about 5 movies in theaters in 2019 . 

Nonetheless, it is important to note that reading books and watching movies are not mutually exclusive activities, and personal preference and taste play a significant role in determining the popularity of these two forms of entertainment. 

Ultimately, both books and movies have the potential to provide enjoyable and meaningful experiences for viewers and readers alike.

Why Some Movies Fail to Capture the Essence of the Book

Movie adaptations of books often face challenges in capturing the essence of the original work. The biggest challenge is condensing the story into a shorter running time, which can result in a movie that feels rushed or incomplete, with important plot points or character development left out. 

Another challenge is finding the right tone and style, as books can be written in a variety of styles, from lyrical and poetic to straightforward and simple. Filmmakers may make changes to the story or characters that alter the tone or style of the original work, resulting in a movie that feels different from the book. Inner thoughts and emotions, which are extensively described in books, can be difficult to convey visually, leading to clunky or awkward voiceovers or other techniques. 

Lastly, some movies fail to capture the essence of the book simply because they are not faithful to the original work, as filmmakers may make changes that are not in line with the author’s vision.

Overall, adapting a book to a movie is a challenging task that requires balancing various elements such as condensing the story, finding the right tone, conveying inner experiences, and staying faithful to the original work. However, when done well, a movie adaptation can provide a fresh perspective on a beloved story and introduce new audiences to the world of the book.

How Movies Can Enhance or Detract from the Reading Experience

Movies can impact the experience of reading books in both positive and negative ways. While a well-made movie adaptation can bring a story to life in a new way and provide new insights into the characters and settings, it can also limit your imagination and leave out important details or changes that affect the overall meaning of the story

A movie adaptation can enhance the reading experience by providing a visual representation of the story and bringing new nuances to the characters and events. On the other hand, movies can detract from the reading experience by limiting the reader’s imagination and leaving out important details or changing aspects of the story that affect its overall meaning. When a movie adaptation leaves out a key subplot or character, the story may feel incomplete, and if it changes the ending of the story, it can alter the entire meaning of the book. 

Ultimately, the decision to read a book or watch a movie adaptation is a personal one and depends on the individual’s preferences and the specific book and movie in question.

Does Reading the Book First Ruin the Movie Experience?

The debate over whether reading the book before watching the movie adaptation ruins the movie experience has been ongoing. Some people believe that knowing the story beforehand takes away the suspense and surprises that make movies enjoyable, while others argue that reading the book first enhances the movie experience. 

Those against reading the book first argue that it takes away from the suspense and surprise of the movie and leads to constant comparison with the book. However, reading the book first can also provide a deeper understanding of the story and characters, making the story more meaningful and impactful. It can also help fill in gaps that are often left out in the movie adaptation. Movies have to condense the story, leaving out important details or subplots, which can leave viewers feeling confused or unsatisfied. 

Ultimately, whether reading the book first ruins the movie experience is a matter of personal preference. It’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to read the book first or wait to see the movie without any prior knowledge of the story.

The Role of Directors and Screenwriters in Adapting Books for Film

Adapting a book into a film is a challenging task that requires a skilled director and screenwriter to bring the story to life on the big screen. They must carefully decide which elements of the book should be included in the movie, considering the pacing, structure, characters, and motivations, to ensure that the movie stays true to the spirit of the book while also being entertaining for moviegoers. Without understanding the psychology of movie watchers, a movie hardly gets success at the box office. The tone and mood of the book must also be captured in the movie adaptation, which can be particularly challenging when adapting books known for their unique style or voice.

Practical constraints of the movie medium must also be considered, such as deciding which scenes and characters can realistically be portrayed on screen and which elements of the story may need to be altered or omitted to fit within the constraints of the movie format.

The success of a movie adaptation depends on the skill and creativity of the director and screenwriter, who must work together to craft a cinematic experience that stays true to the book while also being engaging for moviegoers. When done well, a movie adaptation can bring a beloved book to life in a new and exciting way, creating a powerful and memorable cinematic experience.

The Future of Books and Movies: Will One Outlast the Other?

The future of books and movies is uncertain, and it is difficult to predict which medium will outlast the other. 

Books have been around for centuries and provide an immersive experience, allowing readers to engage with the story and characters. They have a wide range of genres and subject matter, making them accessible to a broad audience. On the other hand, movies offer a unique cinematic experience that cannot be replicated by any other medium. They visually immerse viewers in the story and characters and can reach a wider audience through mass distribution in theaters and online streaming platforms.

However, concerns remain about the future of both mediums. The rise of e-books and audiobooks and the decline of traditional print books are concerns for the book industry, while the decline of movie theaters and the rise of streaming services are affecting the movie industry. 

Despite these concerns, both books and movies have shown resilience over time. While the formats may change, the desire for stories and entertainment will always be present. It is likely that both mediums will coexist in the future, with each offering its unique benefits to audiences.

The debate between books and movies will continue as both have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on personal preference. While books provide an immersive experience and movies offer a unique cinematic experience, the impact of movie adaptations on book sales and the role of directors and screenwriters in the adaptation process is crucial. Both books and movies have influenced and inspired each other, but some movies fail to capture the essence of the book. 

Ultimately, both mediums have a place in our cultural landscape, and it’s important to celebrate and appreciate their unique benefits while enjoying the stories and characters they bring to life.

So, Keep Watching and Be Bookish !

Dennis K. Hawkins is a writer, blogger, book critic and bookish person. He has written several books and regularly write blogs. As a bookish, he reads a lot and regularly share his opinion regarding books. Besides, he has a huge collection of unique accessories related to book. So, he is an expert and also a real user of the book accessories that he chooses to write on.

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How Reading Books is Different from Watching Movies

• Post author: Marie
• Post published: August 7, 2019
• Post category: Classroom Ideas / Lesson Planning / Literature Programming
• Post comments: 100 Comments

My kids and I have been spending some significant time watching movies and reading the books that go with them this summer. So I started thinking about what the differences in value between the two are.  Then I wondered how reading books is different from watching movies.

Some people prefer to watch the movie first.  Others prefer to read the book first. Consequently, I see value and differences in both.  But regardless of one’s preference, reading and watching movies are pretty different things.

So how is reading books different from watching movies and how can we take advantage of the benefits of both?  Reading books can give you many more details than watching a movie and also helps brain function among other things.  Watching movies is great for social life and a great form of entertainment among other things.  Both are great for stress relief, growth in knowledge and vocabulary and are great hobbies.  Read on to find out how each or both can be beneficial as well as fun for you!

Table of Contents

The Benefits of Reading a  Book

There are actually more benefits to reading than I can fit in this one paragraph of a blog post.  Maybe that will be a separate blog post of its own one day soon.  Let me just touch on a couple of the most beneficial reasons for reading a book.

The mental stimulation that occurs from reading a book is far reaching.  The reader learns words they have never heard before (or heard but never learned what they meant) by reading in context.

Totally separate from that form of mental stimulation is the scientific theory that reading to keep the brain engaged can slow down or even prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia.    I have actually heard that reading 15 pages a day can improve your memory and productivity.

Interestingly enough, the earlier and more children read and carry the habit into adulthood, the more it is believed to aid in preventing Alzheimer’s and Dementia entirely.  For more on this,  see this article by the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.

Reading can reduce stress.  I know that there are times that I will start reading a book and get totally immersed in the characters and situations I’m reading about.  Before long I have totally forgotten what was going on before I started reading.  This could be good or bad!

But seriously, the studies I have read ( here is one ) indicate that reading has the ability to lower your heart rate and relax your muscles.  And it works faster than drinking a cup of tea or listening to music!

The Benefits of Watching a Movie

Okay, I’m going to go ahead and start with the obvious one:  movies are entertaining.  We enjoy them.  Generally it is an experience for us.  Sometimes we watch movies as a social event. Maybe it’s when we meet friends at the movie theater or host a movie night at home.  But there is just as much value in settling in for the night for a movie by yourself.  Blankets, pillows, tea, your favorite movie, and you have the perfect recipe for a night in.

Surprisingly, watching a movie can also relieve stress, just like reading a great book.  Don’t watch horror though, especially if you are already stressed out!

How Reading a Book and Watching a Movie are Similar

I already shared with you that whether you are reading a good book or watching a great movie, you have found a good stress-reliever.  But there are plenty of other similar benefits to reading and books.

Both are learning experiences.  They don’t even have to be documentaries.  The best books and movies are produced with real-life facts throughout.  It makes the experience so much more enjoyable when the reader is able to relate what is going on in the plot to their life.  But actually, even if the plot is so far overboard that the reader/watcher can’t imagine it in their life, they still tend to be able to relate on some level as they engage with whichever format they are using.

Both can also help us to evaluate our lives.  They can inspire us to change in ways that improve our quality of life.  They don’t even have to be documentaries.  Some examples of books/movies that improved the way we perceive life and encourage us to change are   The Pursuit of Happyness , Cast Away ,  and  Pay it Forward .   All of these movies speak to the underlying spirit behind the actions we take in life.

How Reading a Book and Watching a Movie are Different

Reading a book puts ideas, pictures, people in your head that you have no context except for the description of the book.  By the end of a really good book, you have such a clear picture of what the characters looked like, what their movements looked like, what they were feeling at various points, and so much more.

Watching a movie gives you the images and you fill in with the plot lines.  There isn’t a lot of imagination, but there can be tons of inspiration.

I love reading a book, having a picture in my head of how that book would play out if I were observing it, and then watching a movie and seeing how similar or different my picture was.  Most of the time it is so incredibly different than what the movie portrays.

On the flip side, watching a movie first, then reading the book opens a whole new world that the movie barely scratched the surface of.  It’s like going on an extended adventure after you thought you had already experienced so much.

Honestly, I’m not sure I know which way I like better.  I think I just like both for the rich experience that they both give.

The Strengths vs. the Weaknesses

One for the books.

So, let’s start with the strengths of books.  First of all, they have no limits on time constraints.  If it takes you a couple of weeks or even a month to finish a book, you can put a bookmark in it and keep it nearby until next time.  While a tv series certainly has the same ability, it’s really not the same.  You can enjoy a book that is one hundred pages by reading it in a night.  You can also enjoy a 1,000 plus page book just as much, although you are only able to read a few of those pages at a time.  You can still pick up that book and instantly be thrown back into life with those characters.

While movies are certainly more visual in this department, they don’t always have the same immersive effect that books tend to have.  This is especially true when the book spends a good amount of time building up the plot and characters.  You can definitely feel the character and plot development in a movie, but books have the ability to make you a part of them.

One for the Movies

Books, on the other hand, can have a very make-it-or-break-it lifespan.  If the first couple of chapters don’t engage the reader, then they certainly aren’t going to invest in hundreds more pages.  Movies can have the same effect.  But generally, the reader can make it all the way through a bad movie as well as a good movie.  This is true especially if they have forked out a significant amount of money to see it in the movie theater.  Another example of making it all the way through a bad movie is simple peer pressure.  A good friend tells you how inspiring a certain movie is.  So you hold out to the end, hoping to get a glimpse of what they saw.

So, which do I think is better–a great book or a great movie?  My answer is both!  You pretty much need both to get a well rounded experience.  They both have value that they bring to the table.  And doing both gives you much more than just one or the other–more inspiration, more entertainment, more imagination, more brain development.

There are so many ways to enrich your life by confirming how much you enjoyed a book by watching the movie and vice versa.

And for the record, I actually love to read the book AND watch the movie!

So for your “homework” this week, watch a movie based on a favorite book you have read sometime in the past.  Or read a book that you greatly enjoyed watching a movie about. While you do that, think about how reading books is different from watching movies.  But also think about how they are the same and how similarities and differences make for a better overall experience. Enjoy!

And for you literature teachers:  have a movie day for the books that you teach that have movies.  Your kids will love you for it.  And they may just tell their own kids what an awesome lit teacher they had back in the day!

To learn about more ways to reach your students in ways they will embrace (besides movies and reading),  click here.

Click here for some amazing facts on how reading positively affects your brain activity.

Here are some related articles that you may find fascinating as well:

How to Choose the Best Books for Your Classroom This Year

What Makes These 10 Books so Well-loved?

Related posts:

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This post has 100 comments.

Both have played such an important role in my life. If a movie is based on a book, I say, read the book, watch the movie, then read the book again to fill in the blanks from the movie.

I fully agree!!!

I’ve always preferred books over everything, they never have anything to do with movies. They are more engaging. Rich and exciting.

I much prefer to read a book! It’s what I do for self care. I find it relaxing. I like seeing movies too, but there’s nothing like a good book.

I love reading! It allows me to imagine the scenes in my head rather than having them fed to me. Often I find that when reading the book I come up with much better imagery than is portrayed in the movie. Harry Potter III is a prime example.

I agree. I love reading the book and forming my own pictures, then comparing it to how the movie portrays it. It’s always awesome to see how it turns out!

I love reading books first before watching the movie. I always make my kids spend 20 minutes before bed reading as I think it does calm them and helps them to shut their brain down.

I almost always get angry when they adapt a movie from a book – the book is almost always better. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!

I need to get back into reading with my boys. They seem to not enjoy reading like I did as a kid.

Great points. I agree on both! Like most things, pros and cons. 😉 I do love to read a good book and watch a thrilling movie.

I am an avid reader! While I love movies, I think I enjoy books more. I like creating the scene in my head and getting completely drawn into a new world.

Thanks for letting us know all that! I enjoy watching movies but I love reading books/stories!

It’s always different reading the book! I usually like to read the book, and maybe watch the movie after that 🙂

Yes! Great points. I love reading and watching movies both. I think reading stimulates our imagination so much more since we form our own scenes in our brain.

I prefer reading books simply books movies tend to spoil that special thing called the imagination. I also prefer practical books with great lessons for life that I can apply straight away.

I’ve always loved reading books. I feel like reading has definitely improved my productivity and memory! When it comes to modern technology, we live in a world of instant gratification. But there’s something incredibly methodical and relaxing about reading books. They help me remember to slow down and breathe when my life becomes busy.

So incredibly true, Candace!

What a great blog post topic! You did a great job of sharing the differences! I love reading the books and watching the films.

I love doing both as well, Brittan!

I totally agree. With both we can have a better experience. I read the Harry Potter books and then I watched the movies and I loved them both. Reading the books first also helps to comprehend more each character.

I fully agree. Reading the book first gives you so much more background on the movie.

I feel like books a lot of time give more in depth background info more than movies. Also I’ve noticed that sometimes I can experience the way a character is feeling in a book more than a movie.. However I guess it depends on the person that is hired to play those roles too.

Yes! The books describe everything so I am not trying to figure things out like with a movie. Sometimes I miss the expressions or other subtle hints as to what is going on. With a book, I don’t miss those cues. But when I read the book first, I do get all the subtle cues that are in the movies!

I always read book before going to sleep. This is my way of relieving my whole day of stress in work. And that is really awesome.

I prefer watching movies but reading books is something else. Netflix predominantly, it is with me every night. This is an interesting post.

We are big book and movie buffs! One thing we love to do is to compare the movies to the books, but generally, the book is always better!

Reading books and watching movies are both favorites of mine. I feel like they tap into different parts of my brain and can both entertain and educate me.

I always manage to build a more vivid picture of things from reading. I’ve also read some awesome fantasy books and thought they’d make great movies, then wondered why no one had adapted them.

Haha, I am very similar. I always find that the picture in my head ends up being very different than what the movie produces! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I happened to see films taken from my favorite books and although I liked them I missed everything that the book gave me in the descriptions of the places, characters and emotions … the books are completely different. They allow you to immerse yourself in that particular story in a different way.

That is true, Cristina. I always have a way different picture in my head in the book than what the movies show.

I like both, reading and watching as well. The thing I like about reading is just the context is into the whole novel/fiction while watching the movie it will help you visualize the what you have read. So both context for me is applicable

My fave books are the Harry Potter series and the Crazy Rich Asians series. I’ve read the books first, before seeing the movies. And the movies will always fall short of my imagination, and so I get a bit disappointed. But afterwards, I do understand the limitations of the film industry executions versus that of my mind’s, exactly because the imagination has no limits or restrictions. So, the movies are still enjoyable, most especially when I watch them again.

I love to compare the movies to the pictures that the books put in my head. It is usually very different.

I prefer to read books but I also like to watch movies and compare them and check differences.

I do exactly the same!

Me too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I pick the movie. Or an audio book haha. I love books but can never fully concentrate on the letters on the page 🙂

Haha, I am the exact opposite. The words help me to focus. I’m fine with a movie, but with an audiobook, I spend the whole time rewinding because my mind constantly wanders with audio.

I always prefer books over movies. It’s just easier to engage and I always find that the stories are richer. I have a friend who has watched all the Harry Potter movies and is FINALLY reading the books. I’m so excited for her.

That is awesome! You will have to go out to lunch to talk about it when she is done!

Books give us freedom of imagination! Movies are also great when I have no time reading a book!

xoxo Lovely

http://mynameislovely.com

I agree, Lovely!

That is exactly my perspective, Lovely! Plus sometimes it’s fun seeing how differently the movie portrays it than what my mind imagined.

I love to enjoy both. If a book is adapted to film, I must read the book first or I will not enjoy the movie!

I agree, Adrienne!

I always prefer movies are better than reading books. I like to watch movies than reading movies.

I just can’t decide which one is my favorite because I love movies but if you give me a great book I will devour it in two or three days so I think I love them both.

I agree with you, Jessica. I love both!

I agree with you, Jessica. I am exactly the same.

I have always loved watching a movie instead of reading a book. I now understand that both are different and play an important role. Now I am more informed. Thank you for bringing this out so well.

I would much rather read a book before watching a movie. Growing up we read books before the movie even existed! But, on the other hand, when the movies came out, I loved how they made them come to life! Especially animated movies!

I agree, Tonya! Thank you for sharing your perspective!

I love both. However I will say that whenever I read a book first, that was then turned into a movie, I hate the movie. it’s never how it was in my head.

yeah I agree with you, both have their advantages but I personally prefer reading a book and let my own imagination build the set for me lol

I love doing that and then watching the movie to see how different it is than the picture in my head. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Chad.

I always find that reading books takes you on a more detailed and lengthly journey than a movie might. I’ve been let down by so many movies (that were once books) that I’ve lost faith in them to be honest. I prefer the detail on the paper and my own imagination, thank you

I have seen a lot of movies that amazed me too, though! I do feel like I have been pleasantly surprised more than disappointed.

I am so behind reading a book. I need to catch up soon, and yes it’s a big difference.

Both for sure. Sometimes I’ll watch a movie and love it so much that I get the book so that I can really get into it. Then I’ll read a book and find out that there is a movie and I HAVE to see it to see how it compares to the book. Great post!!

I agree, Margaret. I am the same way.

I wished I liked reading more. I do better watching movies.

yes! I prefer to read books as well because i can create my own pictures of the characters and the environment based on the authors’ words. we all have different interpretations. 🙂

Exactly, Cha! Thanks for reading.

I love reading but then again, I love watching movies too! I think they are different but a bit similar in some ways too!

I like doing both. Reading books relaxes me and that is my quiet time for myself. I usually watch movie with my friends.

I love reading books if I have a lot of time and If I really love that book and also I love watching movies too. I love do both 🙂

Such a marvelous article to read, it’s very detail and informative. I’ve agree with everything you’ve cited here and for me it’s definitely the essence of this two. Thanks for sharing this to us.

I love that you included positives and negatives for both books and movies. I think they both have their place. I feel like they fire up different parts of the brain.

I’ve always felt like movies and books were almost two sides of the same coin. They both transport you to different worlds, they just do it in a different way. Great post.

I’ve always loved the way that both books and movies can take you on such amazing adventures. Unlike a lot of readers, I actually enjoy pairing the together. I don’t get upset when a movie adaptation strays from the book. I consider it the same story in an alternate universe. LOL

I love reading book than watching the tv. You can feel more all the words in it. Like reading the harry potter books, its more interesting.

I find books to be way better than the actual movie. You can easily spot the differences whilst watching the movie. Reading books takes you into a different world and opens up your imagination trying to picture and put the pieces of the book together.

It so very true. I prefer reading to watching movies but a part of is true because you do not require that much time for a fine read.

To me, the books are always more detailed than the movie version. If I’m a big fan, I’ll read the book first, but otherwise I’ll just watch the movie.

What a great post. I love how you compared the two. In my opinion, I love to do both, read the book and watch the movie. I like comparing and contrasting the book to the movie. I think this is a great activity to do with my students and do it whenever I get the opportunity.

I love both books and movies. And yet sometimes if I love a book or movie I will hate the other medium. Mostly it is because of a decision to eliminate my favorite scene or line from the book when making the movie. Or suddenly a bad guy is now the good guy. Whahaa?

I totally agree with you. I am both lovers of both. And I could n’t disagree much, reading is better than watching movies. Watching movies retention for me is less than a week. But reading books last for a long time.

Both books and movies gives us inspiration, knowledge and wisdom, I love to read book as well as watch movies. Good differentiate reading books and watching movies.

I prefer watching movies and I do enjoy a good Thriller or Horror if it is not too bloody 🙂

I prefer watching movies but I also agree that the book versions are much better! I love to do both activities as well so it’s a win for me!

It’s crazy that you even had to explain it haha. I am a book reader but also a movie lover but I do know that those two give you really different experiences.

I’m a very visual person so I really prefer watching than reading. Although, I’m a book worm, it’s easier to get the story while watching. It’s more fun too!

Both reading books or watching movies are good habits. Surprisingly both can help you to relive stress in this tough time we are going through.

I must add on that reading a book keeps me wide awake…which a movie or tv show may not do; no matter how catchy it is!

Great points! I’m actually more into movies then reading which to be honest I wish I could turn it over. I would love to love reading.

reading is always so much different. i love reading the book first as i can use my imaginion more.

this is why I let my kids read books more than watching tv.

I agree–reading is so much better than tv!!! Thank you for sharing!

i let my child read more then letting him watch

Hi Erick, it is always such a balancing act trying to find that perfect balance, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing.

Hi, I am a mature student doing a research paper on “To What Extent Do Film/TV Adaptions of Novels Encourage Reading?” I am wondering if any of you read the books because the film or TV adaptation was good? If any of you were not an avid reader or know of anyone (a child etc) where a film has encouraged them to start reading? Also, when you have watched the adaptation first then read the book, do you visualize new characters and scenes, or use the actors from the adaptations?

Hi CP! Yes, many of my students as well as some of my own children were not avid readers. And many times, showing them a great movie did actually inspire them to read the books. But many times, when we worked on a book in class, some of my students had already read it. It was always fun when they shared what they had visualized when they read the book first. I have not had any instances where students visualized new characters and scenes after watching the adaptation first. Honestly, I think watching the movie first really does kill the creativity. But I do think it helps make the book come alive for them, especially when they may not have been willing to read the book beforehand. Thank you for sharing your project.

I like the way you explain

Thank you, Hiren!

books could reserve us More room for imagination, which could Let you remember it for a long time, but movies could save you more time, and give you the key directly

You are exactly right, Nacy. One of my favorite things to do was read the book first so I would have a picture in my head, then watch the movie so I could see how different my vision was from the movie. Sometimes my version was better, but sometimes the movie version ended up being above and beyond anything I had imagined. Thank you for sharing!

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Opinion | Reading books vs. watching TV — is one…

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Opinion | Reading books vs. watching TV — is one really better for us?

I know people who say they don’t watch television, and I always nod and agree. Reading is an intellectual endeavor, even if it’s a comic book, and television is lowbrow entertainment geared toward the lowest common denominator, right? Only idiots enjoy the idiot box, right?

Idiots like me. I’m going to Scotland this year, and three different people told me I must watch “Outlander” before I go. I don’t have STARZ, so I ordered old-fashioned DVDs from Netflix. “Outlander” is like “Game of Thrones” for fans of romance novels: a little magick (with a “k”), a lot of sex, some tasteful 18th-century violence and handsome men in kilts. I watched the first four hourlong episodes back to back.

When I stood up from the couch I felt sick, and it wasn’t just the cookies, popcorn and peanut butter crackers I’d scarfed down without noticing. My brain was fuzzy, but worse, I felt furtive and ashamed. I looked outside surprised to see the sun had set. My house was dark around me except for the blue glow of the TV screen. I had spent half a day on the couch. Research for Scotland? Not exactly.

A few days later I had a library book due: The National Book Award winner “The Friend,” by Sigrid Nunez, about a woman mourning the death of her best friend who then inherits his enormous Great Dane. It was wonderful and I loved it, but I needed to finish it, so I read the last half straight through. I was immersed in Nunez’s New York City, worrying about the grieving dog and the narrator’s pending eviction because of it, as well as her career and her future. I finished the book with tears in my eyes and stood up feeling, well, great.

I had wasted another four hours on my couch. I hadn’t eaten as much junk food because I needed my hands free — and not sticky — so I could turn pages and return the book to the library relatively clean, but I hadn’t moved and once again it was dark outside.

Why did I feel so much better and guilt-free? I would have proudly told someone I spent the entire day reading, but when my sister called and asked if I’d watched “Outlander” yet, I hedged, too embarrassed to admit I was sucked into the vortex of the MacKenzie/Fraser clans.

Full disclosure: My husband produces television shows, but I think of myself as a TV snob. We don’t have one in the bedroom. My children never had their own TVs. I limited their viewing.

I told my kids TV would rot their brains, and there are plenty of studies to back that up. In 2013, Hikaru Takeuchi, at Tohoku University in Japan, found that the more TV a child watched, the lower her verbal reasoning and the higher her levels of arousal and aggression. The child’s frontal lobe actually thickened.

But recently another investigation by criminologists Joseph Schwartz, of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Kevin Beaver, of Florida State University, concluded that genetics has the greatest effect on how children react to TV. A kid with aggressive tendencies might prefer watching television to being with other children. Same with a child with a tendency for depression.

And in 2015, a study at the University of Maryland found that kids who watched “Sesame Street” as preschoolers were better prepared to learn when they entered kindergarten. Of course, that study didn’t look at what happened if a child binge-watched four straight hours of Bert and Ernie and Big Bird.

All the research says reading a book is good for you. Better even than listening to an audiobook or reading one on an e-reader. It reduces stress, promotes comprehension and imagination, alleviates depression, helps you sleep and may contribute to preventing Alzheimer’s.

Reading is active; watching TV is passive. The act of physically turning a page creates a momentary pause for understanding to sink in. Our brains have to work to translate the black squiggles on the page into words and then interpret the meaning and intent of those words. When a character is described as tall with brown hair, a reader creates her own picture. TV takes all that imagination away.

And yet sometimes it’s great to just sit on the couch and surrender. Let someone else do the work. Since my kids have left home, I watch more TV, and I look forward to it.

TV is egalitarian. Even if we aren’t all watching the same three networks anymore, we are all connected via video. Who didn’t catch at least some of the Brett Kavanaugh hearings or Bishop Curry’s homily at the Markle-Windsor royal wedding? At work or a party, it’s easier to share the latest plot twist in “The Americans” than to talk about how you’re finally getting around to reading “Middlemarch.” It’s more fun to discuss the baked-Alaska controversy on “The Great British Bake Off” than whether “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer deserved the Pulitzer Prize.

Many people tell me they just don’t read anymore, and that breaks my heart, but there’s a lot of good TV now, Golden Age-type TV. I’d like to say the answer to TV versus books must be, as Aristotle said, “Moderation in all things,” though he never had a television or a computer and had to read his papyrus scrolls by candlelight.

I believe too much television is bad for you. I know I feel better if I binge-read, but it won’t stop me from watching too. I’m willing to risk thickening my frontal cortex. Therefore my resolution: When I watch, just as when I read, I’m going to banish feeling furtive and guilty. And take an extra walk.

My second DVD of “Outlander” has just arrived, and as soon as I get this essay done, the rest of my day is free.

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Diana Wagman is a contributor to the Los Angeles Times’ Opinion section.

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Reading a Book or Watching a Movie

Nowadays, people often read books or watch movies to entertain themselves in their free time. Since the film was invented, the use of the book has vanished a lot. However, some argue that the film has negative effects on both the individual and society, because it makes us lazy and not very communicative to other people. Others support watching movies, stating that it is more entertaining and convenient. Reading books makes people more interactive and open minded.

Movies are a much more exciting and intense form of entertainment. It presents a series of actions, emotions and takes the audience to the story in a much more structured way than what the reading books can produce. One can watch a movie within 2 or 3 hours. This is one of the key reasons why most people prefer watching movies than reading a book. Instead of taking a couple of hours or days reading a novel, they want to see it for 2 hours and get over it. However, that’s as far as movies go.

Books have shown again and again that they are more valuable than any other literary technological advancement tool that man has. They are more attractive than movies, and a reader can go deeper and understand the content more than they would for a movie. First, the books show an original version, that is, the version written by the same author. Normally, the best explanations, phrases and descriptions are found in the book because they are those of the author, the creator of the book. All the ideas in the book are the true descriptions, without alterations. Reading allows the reader to develop their mind, either to imagine or conceptualize. Words allow the reader to improve their thoughts, making them more fluid. For example, a person who has read a good book can argue better than someone who has not. This is because you do not need time to know how to express your ideas, just ‘come out’ without any problems.

As an example, I will present my case: In these days of holidays they have returned to put on TV the saga of Harry Potter and I can not help but think that, as a fan of this saga of books, the films degenerated into a lack of ‘love’ for the books, the plot and even its characters, often losing the coherence of the story.

In conclusion, the books are a timeless treasure. They are more detailed and are highly informative and educational compared to a movie. The authors are not limited by time and budget constraints such as movie editors. Technological changes have little impact on the effectiveness of the book whose greatest value is not found in the paper on which it is written, but in the content of the pages. The books will definitely stand out during the next two unlimited centuries. The book produces an emotional connection between the reader and the characters in the book and is deeply endearing and compelling. A film requires actors to emulate the plot and behave in a certain way, but human beings are prone to deficiencies and some end up not acting or behaving as expected, so viewers find that some films are not satisfactory in comparison with the characters that are vividly described in the books.

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Why Should Reading (Books) Be Preferable to Watching (Television)?

• First Online: 01 January 2024

Cite this chapter

• Dalit Milshtein 4 &
• Avishai Henik 5  

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Narrative comprehension may be considered as one of the most essential aspects of reading books as well as watching movies or TV series. Although narratives can sometimes overlap, it would be inaccurate to claim that the reader’s experience is the same as that of the viewer. Can a similar argument be made with respect to the cognitive processes involved in narrative comprehension? Different theoretical approaches emphasize that different cognitive processes are involved in narrative comprehension. Quasi-perception, completion of perception, simulation processes and assimilation in narrative imagery are four relevant perspectives, with extensive, diverse and up-to-date empirical research, as well as a broad theoretical discourse. These different perspectives imply different cognitive bases of narrative comprehension in reading versus watching. In the present chapter, we present key concepts and findings in each of the above perspectives and examine how they can affect narrative comprehension during reading and watching. Importantly, cognitive research cannot unequivocally prioritize one medium (i.e., books) over another (i.e., TV series). Nonetheless, we suggest seriously considering reading as an act that manipulates more cognitive processes and allows for a richer and deeper narrative comprehension compared with watching.

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Milshtein, D., Henik, A. (2023). Why Should Reading (Books) Be Preferable to Watching (Television)?. In: Hung, W.L.D., Jamaludin, A., Rahman, A.A. (eds) Applying the Science of Learning to Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5378-3_6

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An Evaluation of The Activities, Reading Books and Watching Movies

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Books vs. Movies

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Do you prefer watching films or reading books?

I prefer reading books although in  some cases I prefer watching films. Always the books are better than their films ' counterpart , because, with the book you may imagin e the landscape, the main character like you want, and you may feel their feelings. There are many people that prefer watching film t o reading books, yet others do not think the same. There are many differences between watching a film and reading a book. Let´s start with the film. In the film the director  with the budget that he has,  contracts the best  actor he can   for the main character. The special effects are very important in almost all film s , but  especially in the action film s and science fiction. The  success of the film is important  so they  can recover the money that they have invested in the film. On the other hand the book. The writer has to fill out the descriptions of  all the characters with a lot of details. And of course, it  is very important that the plot is interesting. When you read a book and after you watch film equivalent, you may see that everything said the book isn't in the film. I prefer reading books  about romanc e and adventure and books that are  thriller s and I prefer watching film of science fiction and action film s .

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Books Vs. Movies: What do you Prefer?

Books vs movies – for many, the answer isn’t that simple. Movies seem enticing but the world of books is something exquisite. Let’s take a look at it both.

All bibliophile and cinephiles, this is one of those typical questions that our new acquaintances and friends over social media ask us while discussing ‘This or That ?’ or ‘What do you prefer more?’.

To be very honest, even we question ourselves at times as to what do we like or love the most, reading a book or watching a movie . Don’t worry – I am going to help you out in choosing between books vs movies.

The Top Advantages of Watching a Movie

Every movie lover will be like, “movies are fun,” we do not need any reason to compare which one is better, but some of us are always in a dilemma as to which helps me more, which helps me better to focus and concentrate and which provides me more knowledge. Here are seven points that I have been able to gather about the advantages of watching a movie, and I will try to compare them with books.

1. Books vs. Movies: Experience

When you watch a movie, you can experience life, and somehow you get the capability to feel the emotions of the actor playing a role in the screen. While reading a book, you have to imagine the feeling and the experience of the character, but when you are watching a movie, you will able to see the expression, and hence it will be more relatable.

2. Books vs. Movies: True Scenario

Image source: thecuriousreader.in

When you read a book, most of the time, you have to use your power of imagination. You will not be able to match and imagine a monster’s height, a beautiful palace with the imagination of the writer. You will somehow find yourself to believe the same monster you have seen in a movie before. But, when you see the film of the same book, you will get to know how massive the beast and how beautiful the palace is, from the imagination of the filmmaker.

3. Books vs. Movies : The Background

The best thing about watching a movie is the music. Always music!

Can you even imagine a fight sequence, some climax with an exceedingly catchy dialogue, or a romantic ballroom dance without music, nowadays? I bet no. Plus, added to that, the visual effects, it is so advanced nowadays. It combines the best flavor to contemporary movies and every television production.

4. Books vs. Movies: Time

Image source: 123rf.com

You will need three days and probably a week to complete an entire novel, but you just need two to three hours to complete a movie. You do not have to wait for the suspense to get revealed the next day you open the novel and turn the pages again. Well, nowadays people rely on technology more than books; all they do is search and get the answer. If somebody is not properly prepared for a particular book, all they do is just open YouTube and search the topic.

5. Books vs. Movies: Activity

Movies are always more engaging than books. You can read a book for an entire week alone and then give spoilers and share your opinions regarding that to the people who have not read it yet, or you can indulge yourself in an argument due to differences of opinion with people who have already read it. But you can summon your friends or sit with your family and can enjoy a movie without being alone.

Some of us just watch movies to know the presentation of a particular novel, irrespective of the fact that it is not even the real content. But, the movie gives us a new perspective, the perspective of the filmmaker. 

6. Books vs. Movies: The Repeat

You will rarely hear somebody saying that they have read a single novel twice. It is tough and hard to read and focus the same novel on repeat for days when you are acquainted with the entire plot and story. But you can just watch a movie the very next day after watching it because it is less time-consuming. 

7. Books vs Movies: What’s Easy to Understand?

Yes, movies are a lot easier to understand than books. Books have a specific vocabulary that all of us are not familiar with, and then we need the help of the internet or dictionary. But, in movies, the writer makes changes and makes it easier for us to understand by cutting off some of the unnecessary scenes. A kid can understand movies better than books, you can be of any age, but movies are always easier to understand since it does not require much focus and attention. 

The Top Advantages of Reading a Book

Image source: pinterest.com

I know a book is nothing but an ADVANTAGE, and a library is nothing but a WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE AND IMAGINATION. Books, the first thing we learned is alphabets, those are from books. Books are not replaceable; we grow up reading and studying books. Here are eight points that I have been able to gather for you to decide and compare which one you would choose, or would you even dare to choose or not BETWEEN MOVIES AND BOOKS.

1. Books vs. Movies: The Authenticity

A booklover can rarely watch a movie and get entirely pleased by the screenplay of a similar book. There are a lot of reasons behind this.

 The limitation of words, a novel can have about a hundred thousand words, but an average screenplay can only have about a ten thousand, and to fit in that, a lot of dialogues and few characters get cut off from the screenplay. 

Every great novel has some features which make them great and delightful for the reader. A lot of words that we rarely use in our daily life, famous lines of poetries, metaphors, different languages, and whatnot. So, a movie can never please the way a book can.

2. Books vs. Movies: The Plot

A plot can anytime make better sense in books than in movies; after all, it was the writer’s imagination in the first place, a movie is just a mere abduction of the thought added with few great characters and special visual effects. A movie needs to be visually pleasant and add more actions to make it a hit, even if the scene does not exist in the original plot of the book.

3. Books vs. Movies: What’s Easier to Use?

We do not need a battery or any electricity to read a book. All you have to do is set the mind to read, open the book, and turn the pages.

4. Books vs. Movies: What’s more Time-Consuming?

It is true, books are time-consuming, a novel may take your three days or a week, but it will give you the excitement and enjoyment for that entire week as well. You will watch a movie for three hours and stay excited for hardly a day.

5. Books vs. Movies: The Outcome

Image source: ebookfriendly.com

Reading a book will never give you an adverse outcome because we imagine what we want to believe in our head, be it a good thought or a scary one. But, you can watch a movie and find it too gloomy or too much to take, because it is somebody else’s imagination and point of view. 

6. Books vs Movies: The Special Effects

There is no special effect in a book which will let you know about the twist by playing a different kind of music, which makes it more authentic. You can be surprised about a twist while reading a book. 

7. Books Vs Movies: Strengthens Memory

Feeling bored, unproductive, just grab a book! A book can cure all the clinomania and stress out of you and make you extremely focused and productive. Reading books strengthens your memory and gives you new perspectives, lets you know words that you were not familiar with, and gives you knowledge about different cultures, people, and whatnot. Any knowledge you receive comes from books.

If you love to write down your thoughts and feel proud of yourself yet inadequate, the book is your best friend. Like our body, our brain needs to work out or else it will stop functioning, reading books is one of the best exercises for the brain. 

8. Books vs Movies: Sleeping

Lots of people above age 15 have insomnia. Yes, the human body is sleep deprived. If you add reading books in your daily routine, it will help you fall asleep since it reduces stress, tension, it helps you focus, so the brain gets tired, and it gives you a good sleep. Wondering what you should read? Here are a few great books we found that can help you.

Did you find the guide useful? If you are still confused, it is alright, you do not have to choose. But if you have decided which one you would want, comment down below- books vs. movies.

Last Updated on August 19, 2023 by Laveleena Sharma

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Nowadays, we can watch entertainment performance on the screen and no need to watch it live. to what extent do you agree or disagree, when talking about success, we often think of people who are rich or famous. in your opinion, what are the qualities that characterise a successful person why do you think these should be the criteria, many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because the universities are in different place what are the advantages and disadvantages of both situation , nowadays traffic congestion is a major issue.what do you think of this problem and what measures can be taken.

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do you guys prefer reading books or watching movies

just want to do a quick survey, which one do you guys prefer more. Recently, I just found myself really couldn't hold much attention when watching movies, especially with a smartphone. I just couldn't sit There watching two hours of dazzling motion pictures. But I could really put myself into a book I really like, I could focus on the plot, language and anything in this book. And it was more rewarding than watching a movie when ends. I used to watch some blockbusters in the cinema with friends and people around me, sometimes with popcorn, that was much better than being alone with a phone watching small-sized films. I guess I just don't like it in this way. How about your guys?

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Many movies or films are based on books. Some people prefer to read the original book before they watch the movie, while others prefer to watch the movie before reading the book. Which one do you prefer?

John lovingly perused the letters that Savannah had written to him during the course when he was missioned in Afghanistan. He safely stored and kept all the love letters that Savannah had sent to him as a way of proving her affection for him and confirming that she would wait for him. When John returned home, Savannah, however, was no longer here and everything that John was familiar with had drastically altered. This is the denouement of a very famous romantic movie called Dear John, based on a romantic fiction by Nicolas Sparks’ 2006 novel of the same name, which however has a totally different ending. Nowadays, movies that are adapted from books have caught on, becoming more and more prevalent. The majority of people prefer to watching movies before reading books since they probably have little time to finish the entire book or they enjoy visual and sound effects that movies can bring forth. However, as a bookworm, I lean towards reading the original book first before heading to the theater to watch the cinematic adaptation.

To begin with, reading original books gives me more time to digest the information and the plot in a more detailed and careful way, thus giving me a full picture of the story. To be more specific, movie adaptations typically have to condense long-winding stories into a one- or two-hour screen time, so such movies might have to leave out some essentially minute, if not all, components. Therefore, I might not be able to enjoy the full story. Such privilege, however, is not lost on reading books first. I recently finished reading George Orwell’s 1984, a fictional work that delineates a dystopian society, where the ruling party controls and manipulates every single fabric of the society. The novel invests a lot of space into describing how the protagonist Winston Smith conjured up ideas and actions to attempt to overthrow the ruling party, the Big Brother and how he spent time dating and caressing his love affair Julia. The novel also delineates the process of torturing him and the tools used once Smith was caught red-handed for having the intention of subverting the government. The language used in the novel is very detail-oriented and vivid. However, I watched a movie adaption later, and since the movie was only about an hour-long, it narrated and moved along the story in a very abrupt manner. The story seemed pretty chopping and disconnected since the screen time forced the director or the producer to leave out essential parts. For instance, Julia and Smith were only together before they got caught by Thought Police in the movie, whereas in the story, they did not get arrested for about half a year until someone else betrayed their secret love affair and subverting motives.

Furthermore, reading original books allows me to imagine more widely. That is, if I watch movie adaptations from the get-go, my thoughts and the images formed when reading books after might be significantly framed and influenced by movies themselves. Therefore, I might not be able to let my thoughts roam free or have my own imagination since my trains of thought would be directly or indirectly clouted by the presentation of movies. For example, the fiction A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood depicts a sullen English professor who leads a soulless life after his partner got killed in a car crash. The author paints the story with many descriptive elements and rhetorical devices in his depiction so that as a reader, I could form a wide variety pictures of what kinds of emotions that the protagonist George was undergoing in the story. The 2009 drama film with the same name, however, focuses more on using facial expressions to depict the characters’ emotional state. The issue with using facial expressions is that it might not be able to issue out that much of depth and profundity as words might. Therefore, I cannot discern how sad or gloomy or heart-broken George was, if these layers of emotions meant differently, since there was always one kind of sad expression on his face.

Irrefutably, some movie-lovers might disavow my arguments by claiming that watching movies first allows them to get the gist of the story and exuberant, colorful images shown on the big screen also gives them a venue to experience the story as if they were in the story. However, I believe that reading books first before watching movie adaptations would be even better since readers can swim in the sea of words and texts, without being confined to whatever interpretations being imposed on viewers by movies. After all, just as Frederick Douglass once said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

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Essay evaluations by e-grader

Grammar and spelling errors: Line 1, column 746, Rule ID: PREFER_TO_VBG[1] Message: Did you mean 'watch'? Suggestion: watch ...alent. The majority of people prefer to watching movies before reading books since they ... ^^^^^^^^ Line 3, column 1098, Rule ID: ENGLISH_WORD_REPEAT_BEGINNING_RULE Message: Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Reword the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym. ...intention of subverting the government. The language used in the novel is very deta... ^^^ Line 5, column 984, Rule ID: ENGLISH_WORD_REPEAT_BEGINNING_RULE Message: Three successive sentences begin with the same word. Reword the sentence or use a thesaurus to find a synonym. ...t the characters' emotional state. The issue with using facial expressions is ... ^^^

Transition Words or Phrases used: also, first, furthermore, however, if, so, therefore, thus, well, whereas, after all, for example, for instance, kind of, to begin with

Attributes: Values AverageValues Percentages(Values/AverageValues)% => Comments

Performance on Part of Speech: To be verbs : 26.0 15.1003584229 172% => OK Auxiliary verbs: 15.0 9.8082437276 153% => OK Conjunction : 31.0 13.8261648746 224% => Less conjunction wanted Relative clauses : 20.0 11.0286738351 181% => OK Pronoun: 60.0 43.0788530466 139% => Less pronouns wanted Preposition: 99.0 52.1666666667 190% => OK Nominalization: 14.0 8.0752688172 173% => OK

Performance on vocabulary words: No of characters: 3903.0 1977.66487455 197% => OK No of words: 786.0 407.700716846 193% => Less content wanted. Chars per words: 4.96564885496 4.8611393121 102% => OK Fourth root words length: 5.29487408139 4.48103885553 118% => OK Word Length SD: 2.66803357591 2.67179642975 100% => OK Unique words: 397.0 212.727598566 187% => OK Unique words percentage: 0.505089058524 0.524837075471 96% => OK syllable_count: 1219.5 618.680645161 197% => OK avg_syllables_per_word: 1.6 1.51630824373 106% => OK

A sentence (or a clause, phrase) starts by: Pronoun: 15.0 9.59856630824 156% => OK Article: 11.0 3.08781362007 356% => Less articles wanted as sentence beginning. Subordination: 7.0 3.51792114695 199% => OK Conjunction: 1.0 1.86738351254 54% => OK Preposition: 5.0 4.94265232975 101% => OK

Performance on sentences: How many sentences: 29.0 20.6003584229 141% => OK Sentence length: 27.0 20.1344086022 134% => The Avg. Sentence Length is relatively long. Sentence length SD: 57.861842916 48.9658058833 118% => OK Chars per sentence: 134.586206897 100.406767564 134% => OK Words per sentence: 27.1034482759 20.6045352989 132% => OK Discourse Markers: 4.65517241379 5.45110844103 85% => OK Paragraphs: 4.0 4.53405017921 88% => OK Language errors: 3.0 5.5376344086 54% => OK Sentences with positive sentiment : 18.0 11.8709677419 152% => OK Sentences with negative sentiment : 4.0 3.85842293907 104% => OK Sentences with neutral sentiment: 7.0 4.88709677419 143% => OK What are sentences with positive/Negative/neutral sentiment?

Coherence and Cohesion: Essay topic to essay body coherence: 0.271584554092 0.236089414692 115% => OK Sentence topic coherence: 0.0683162218098 0.076458572812 89% => OK Sentence topic coherence SD: 0.0877275705809 0.0737576698707 119% => OK Paragraph topic coherence: 0.17123820205 0.150856017488 114% => OK Paragraph topic coherence SD: 0.0596216167458 0.0645574589148 92% => OK

Essay readability: automated_readability_index: 15.5 11.7677419355 132% => OK flesch_reading_ease: 44.07 58.1214874552 76% => OK smog_index: 8.8 6.10430107527 144% => OK flesch_kincaid_grade: 13.8 10.1575268817 136% => OK coleman_liau_index: 11.84 10.9000537634 109% => OK dale_chall_readability_score: 8.75 8.01818996416 109% => OK difficult_words: 188.0 86.8835125448 216% => Less difficult words wanted. linsear_write_formula: 13.5 10.002688172 135% => OK gunning_fog: 12.8 10.0537634409 127% => OK text_standard: 14.0 10.247311828 137% => OK What are above readability scores?

--------------------- Write the essay in 30 minutes. Better to have 5 paragraphs with 3 arguments. And try always support/against one side but compare two sides, like this:

para 1: introduction para 2: reason 1. address both of the views presented for reason 1 para 3: reason 2. address both of the views presented for reason 2 para 4: reason 3. address both of the views presented for reason 3 para 5: conclusion.

So how to find out those reasons. There is a formula:

reasons == advantages or

reasons == disadvantages

for example, we can always apply 'save time', 'save/make money', 'find a job', 'make friends', 'get more information' as reasons to all essay/speaking topics.

or we can apply 'waste time', 'waste money', 'no job', 'make bad friends', 'get bad information' as reasons to all essay/speaking topics.

Rates: 73.3333333333 out of 100 Scores by essay e-grader: 22.0 Out of 30 --------------------- Note: the e-grader does NOT examine the meaning of words and ideas. VIP users will receive further evaluations by advanced module of e-grader and human graders.

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An Olympics Scene Draws Scorn. Did It Really Parody ‘The Last Supper’?

Some church leaders and politicians have condemned the performance from the opening ceremony for mocking Christianity. Art historians are divided.

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By Yan Zhuang

A performance during the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on Friday has drawn criticism from church leaders and conservative politicians for a perceived likeness to Leonardo da Vinci’s depiction of a biblical scene in “The Last Supper,” with some calling it a “mockery” of Christianity.

The event’s planners and organizers have denied that the sequence was inspired by “The Last Supper,” or that it intended to mock or offend.

In the performance broadcast during the ceremony, a woman wearing a silver, halo-like headdress stood at the center of a long table, with drag queens posing on either side of her. Later, at the same table, a giant cloche lifted, revealing a man, nearly naked and painted blue, on a dinner plate surrounded by fruit. He broke into a song as, behind him, the drag queens danced.

The tableaux drew condemnation among people who saw the images as a parody of “The Last Supper,” the New Testament scene depicted in da Vinci’s painting by the same name. The French Bishops’ Conference, which represents the country’s Catholic bishops, said in a statement that the opening ceremony included “scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity,” and an influential American Catholic, Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota, called it a “gross mockery.”

The performance at the opening ceremony, which took place on and along the Seine on Friday, also prompted a Mississippi-based telecommunications provider, C Spire, to announce that it would pull its advertisements from Olympics broadcasts. Speaker Mike Johnson described the scene as “shocking and insulting to Christian people.”

The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, said at the Games’ daily news conference on Saturday that the event was not meant to “be subversive, or shock people, or mock people.” On Sunday, Anne Descamps, the Paris 2024 spokeswoman, said at the daily news conference, “If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really, really sorry.”

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