book vs phone essay

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Books Vs. Phones: Which Is Better?

Which one is the best

Chinna Nguyen and Delaney Hopp January 10, 2019 | 6,245 Views

Here at Gunderson, reading for leisure is a lost art. These days, people tend to use their phones more than ever. There are solutions to this crisis, though. To increase reading activity, the school should implement a designated SSR time, like brunch, so people can enjoy the thrill of visiting new worlds or learning about new places or people. During GLC, students have the opportunity to read or do homework during the first half of the period, but, unfortunately, some teachers are ignoring this rule or not encouraging it, leading to little or no impact on increased reading.

Though many don’t know, there are many benefits to reading every day. Reading physical books is even better. Physical books provide context during reading, giving the reader a better understanding of the text, according to a study conducted by UC Berkeley. Reading books also increases vocabulary, especially in children. Reading heightens intelligence in general. According to The Huffington Post , reading increases memory function. Reading a real book before bedtime helps one sleep better while bright screens cause one to stay awake longer and not sleep as well.

There are many reasons one should read. Reading reduces stress, and according to a study conducted by Yale University, it can increase one’s lifespan. Reading increases language skills and increases empathy and creativity, and these benefits have proven higher test scores.

Though too many people use their phones too much, they should be aware of the side effects of long-term phone use. Cell phones produce a small amount of radiation when being used. Case companies claim their cases stop radiation, but this isn’t the case, according to the World Health Organization. Cell phone radiation can cause brain cancer from too much exposure. Cell phones, as well as most bright screens, cause retinal damage because of all the bright blue lights embedded in the screens, said Gary Heiting OD. Using technology too much has horrible consequences as well. Back and head pain can occur from one staring at their screen and being in an unnatural, hunched position causes spinal strain. Overuse of phones can also cause mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, according to Science Direct. If the district would comply, everyone would benefit from reading instead of excess phone use. Students should read more because of the overall benefits that come from it.     

Students shouldn’t have to read books to learn more information. Even though there are many times cell phones have been seen as a distraction. Phones can be really helpful in many situations, you can learn as much information from your phone as you can at school. Also, if you want to read a book but are too lazy to stand up and travel to some other destination to get a book, you can just start reading immediately with just a touch of a screen.

Cell phones are one of the most important tools we need in life. They can be helpful throughout school and they can also be helpful when you are in a dangerous situation, even if you are rarely in bad situations phones can REALLY come in handy whenever you are in one. Even though phones have a bad reputation for new and old generations, people never really dig deep enough to know how beneficial a phone can be and would just believe what would be shown in articles and the news about how bad technology can be, which can be viewed from your phone .

From personal experience, ever since I’ve started using this device, I’ve been able to research for my projects while going out and about, find out about new books to read about and find how important I can be to other people that I’ve met through the internet world which can be accessed just through my phone. Many other people have the same experience as I have had throughout these few years of using this technology, for example; I’ve seen many netizens come together to help people in their troubling times and supported them through it all, from what I can see, phones are more beneficial than what others think of it.

If you think that you can’t learn anything by using your handheld device, then you’re wrong. Many articles can be accessed through the internet, and all you have to do is tap a button. Additionally, many schools rely on students to use any device; specifically, phones and PCs to access homework and classwork, for example, many teachers want their students to use a laptop to obtain data for their project, instead of having to go through many papers and books just to find a simple piece of information. Besides, books can take up too much paper and there are too many trees that are being chopped down just to create paper-based items such as novels. Furthermore, devices such as phones are overlooked and should be more known to be a beneficial tool.

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Short Essay On Books Vs Mobile Phones

Books and mobile phones are two very different forms of technology. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Books have been around for centuries and have been a reliable source of knowledge and entertainment. They can be used to learn about virtually any subject, from history to mathematics. Books can also be used to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life.

On the other hand, mobile phones are a relatively new form of technology. They offer a wide range of features, from communication and social media to gaming and entertainment. Mobile phones are convenient and easy to carry around, making them perfect for those who are always on the go.

When it comes to books vs mobile phones, there is no clear winner. It really depends on the individual and their needs. For those who enjoy reading and learning, books are still the best option. They provide a wealth of knowledge and entertainment that cannot be found on a mobile phone. For those who are more interested in entertainment and communication, a mobile phone may be a better choice.

Both books and mobile phones have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Books can be expensive to buy and may require regular trips to the library. They can also be heavy and bulky to carry around. Mobile phones, on the other hand, are relatively cheap to purchase and easy to carry. However, they can be distracting and it is easy to become addicted to them.

In the end, it really comes down to personal preference. Some people may find that books are the best way to learn and relax, while others may prefer the convenience of a mobile phone. No matter which one you choose, it is important to be aware of the pros and cons of each so that you can make an informed decision.

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Books vs. screens: what does the latest research say, digital texts can be useful for teaching certain foundational skills, but they do not equally develop cognitive patience and slower, deeper processes in the brain that serve comprehension, retention and focus..

WHICH IS BEST FOR COMPREHENSION, SCREENS OR BOOKS?

Hooked on computer phonics, preserving deep reading.

Students learn better from books than screens, according to a new study

Limiting students to a purely digital world may not be helping all students to learn effectively. Image:  REUTERS/Michael Kooren

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Lauren m. singer.

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Stay up to date:, youth perspectives.

Today’s students see themselves as digital natives , the first generation to grow up surrounded by technology like smartphones, tablets and e-readers.

Teachers, parents and policymakers certainly acknowledge the growing influence of technology and have responded in kind. We’ve seen more investment in classroom technologies , with students now equipped with school-issued iPads and access to e-textbooks. In 2009 , California passed a law requiring that all college textbooks be available in electronic form by 2020; in 2011 , Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring public schools to convert their textbooks to digital versions.

Given this trend, teachers, students, parents and policymakers might assume that students’ familiarity and preference for technology translates into better learning outcomes. But we’ve found that’s not necessarily true.

As researchers in learning and text comprehension, our recent work has focused on the differences between reading print and digital media. While new forms of classroom technology like digital textbooks are more accessible and portable, it would be wrong to assume that students will automatically be better served by digital reading simply because they prefer it.

Speed – at a cost

Our work has revealed a significant discrepancy. Students said they preferred and performed better when reading on screens. But their actual performance tended to suffer.

For example, from our review of research done since 1992 , we found that students were able to better comprehend information in print for texts that were more than a page in length. This appears to be related to the disruptive effect that scrolling has on comprehension. We were also surprised to learn that few researchers tested different levels of comprehension or documented reading time in their studies of printed and digital texts.

To explore these patterns further, we conducted three studies that explored college students’ ability to comprehend information on paper and from screens.

Students first rated their medium preferences. After reading two passages, one online and one in print, these students then completed three tasks: Describe the main idea of the texts, list key points covered in the readings and provide any other relevant content they could recall. When they were done, we asked them to judge their comprehension performance.

Across the studies, the texts differed in length, and we collected varying data (e.g., reading time). Nonetheless, some key findings emerged that shed new light on the differences between reading printed and digital content:

Students overwhelming preferred to read digitally.

Reading was significantly faster online than in print.

Students judged their comprehension as better online than in print.

Paradoxically, overall comprehension was better for print versus digital reading.

The medium didn’t matter for general questions (like understanding the main idea of the text).

But when it came to specific questions, comprehension was significantly better when participants read printed texts.

Placing print in perspective

From these findings, there are some lessons that can be conveyed to policymakers, teachers, parents and students about print’s place in an increasingly digital world.

1. Consider the purpose

We all read for many reasons. Sometimes we’re looking for an answer to a very specific question. Other times, we want to browse a newspaper for today’s headlines.

As we’re about to pick up an article or text in a printed or digital format, we should keep in mind why we’re reading. There’s likely to be a difference in which medium works best for which purpose.

In other words, there’s no “one medium fits all” approach.

2. Analyze the task

One of the most consistent findings from our research is that, for some tasks, medium doesn’t seem to matter. If all students are being asked to do is to understand and remember the big idea or gist of what they’re reading, there’s no benefit in selecting one medium over another .

But when the reading assignment demands more engagement or deeper comprehension, students may be better off reading print . Teachers could make students aware that their ability to comprehend the assignment may be influenced by the medium they choose. This awareness could lessen the discrepancy we witnessed in students’ judgments of their performance vis-à-vis how they actually performed.

3. Slow it down

In our third experiment, we were able to create meaningful profiles of college students based on the way they read and comprehended from printed and digital texts.

Among those profiles, we found a select group of undergraduates who actually comprehended better when they moved from print to digital. What distinguished this atypical group was that they actually read slower when the text was on the computer than when it was in a book. In other words, they didn’t take the ease of engaging with the digital text for granted. Using this select group as a model, students could possibly be taught or directed to fight the tendency to glide through online texts.

4. Something that can’t be measured

There may be economic and environmental reasons to go paperless. But there’s clearly something important that would be lost with print’s demise.

In our academic lives, we have books and articles that we regularly return to. The dog-eared pages of these treasured readings contain lines of text etched with questions or reflections. It’s difficult to imagine a similar level of engagement with a digital text. There should probably always be a place for print in students’ academic lives – no matter how technologically savvy they become.

Of course, we realize that the march toward online reading will continue unabated. And we don’t want to downplay the many conveniences of online texts, which include breadth and speed of access.

Rather, our goal is simply to remind today’s digital natives – and those who shape their educational experiences – that there are significant costs and consequences to discounting the printed word’s value for learning and academic development.

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Essay on Books vs Mobile Phones

Essay – books vs mobile phones.

Books vs Mobile Phones Essay: Books are considered the ideal sources of knowledge since ancient times. Children start learning from the beginning stage through books. Books become the constant companion to gain knowledge over every aspects. Children used to read all kind of books in their leisure time like comic books, story books, novels, short stories, magazines etc. besides their textbooks. But now with the constant upgradation of mobile phones, it has captured the place of books at some level. Now children can get pdf of every book from internet so they do not need to depend on hard copies only. So, they are becoming interested in using mobile phones for reading purpose too as it is cost effective. In this essay, students will find out the effective purposes of using books and mobile phones in right ways.

Books are good companion:

Books are definitely good companions for people of all ages. It helps us to enhance knowledge over many aspects that are directly or indirectly connected with our life. We get to know about history and culture of ancient times through books. We have read the endless battles and sacrifice of freedom fighters for attaining freedom from the British rule. We have known the lifestyle of people living in ancient civilisation and how modern human beings turned out from the ape. Children find out their different tastes over books from constant reading and love for books. Some like reading comic books, some prefer adventurous stories, some like to read ancient stories while some read novels of famous authors. Books are the doors of the great world from which we can know different culture, history and people of other places without visiting there.

Advantages of mobile phones:

In the era of technological advancement, we depend on mobile phones for nearly all purposes. Mobiles phones have captured the place of books at some level as we can read books online or from pdf from through the screen. We can read daily newspapers and become aware about the current affairs regularly just by a click over mobile phones. There are various channels that provide us constant information about the whereabouts around the world. We can keep pdf files of our favourite books in mobile phones. The most favourable part is it is cost effective to use mobile phones for reading. We do not need to invest money in buying as many books as we want to read when we have mobile phones and internet.

Contrast of books and mobile phones:

Both books and mobile phones have their own effective ways to provide us knowledge and help us in many ways. Using mobile phones is easier as it is cost effective and handy to use anywhere. But reading cannot be enjoyable always through mobile phones. We should keep this in mind and opt for reading wisely. Books make us nostalgic and connect us with the entire world in a way which cannot be found from mobile phones.

Conclusion:

Students should adopt both mobile phones and books in their life based upon their needs. Students can keep using books to continue their habit of reading. They can also use mobile phones for keeping an eye over the news of the world. Books and mobile phones have secured an irreplaceable importance in our life. students should continue using books over mobile phones to keep this good habit and gain knowledge even in the technology based world.

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current events conversation

What Students Are Saying About How Much They Use Their Phones, and Whether We Should Be Worried

New research challenges assumptions about the negative effects of social media and smartphones on children. We asked teenagers whether their parents should worry about how much time they spend on their devices.

By The Learning Network

Please note: This post is part of The Learning Network’s ongoing Current Events Conversation feature. We invite students to react to the news via our daily writing prompts and, each week, we publish a selection of their comments.

We frequently ask students about their relationship with screens, but a question we posed this week seems to have struck a chord with the teenagers who comment on our writing prompts.

Inspired by the article “ Panicking About Your Kids’ Phones? New Research Says Don’t ,” we asked students: Should the adults in your life be worried by how much you use your phone?

We heard from over 300 teenagers who gave a flurry of nuanced, thoughtful and enlightening responses. In fact, their comments were so good that we decided to feature only this prompt in this week’s Current Events Conversation, instead of the usual three , so we can highlight as many responses as possible.

Some students admitted to spending upward of eight hours a day online, with the majority averaging around two to four hours. Some said their devices were a reasonable escape from the pressures of teenage life, while others explained they were essential for school. And still others raised an insightful question: Why is their “phone addiction” perceived as more harmful than that of the adults in their lives?

As you’ll see below, one thing was crystal clear in their reflections: These teenagers spend a lot of time thinking about their phone usage. And they have a critical lens not only on how much they use their phones, but also on how it affects their education, emotional life and relationships.

Read on for a fuller scope of the comments, but before you do, we want to offer a warm welcome to new classes from Ames High School, Iowa ; Carney ; Florida ; Fort Mill High School ; Georgia ; Hightstown High School, N.J. ; Nelson County High School ; New Berlin, Wis. ; New York ; and Pennsylvania .

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear exactly as they were originally submitted.

I know I’m on my phone too much.

I think that I spend a little too much time on my phone per day. And by a little, I mean a lot. I’m not sure my average but I know I could be going to bed a lot earlier and get my work done quicker if I just put it down. I do many things on my phone like text people, snapchat, play games, and so on.

I think it does have a positive benefit on my well being because without it, I would not have friendships and relationships I have today. The negative effects it has on me is time usage and keeping me from doing work and going to bed on time. I am worried about being on my phone too much but I don’t think it interferes with me being social, especially in this day and age.

My average screen time is probably about 12 hours a day. I worry a lot about how much time I spend on my phone. But the way I socialize is through my phone. I use social media to communicate, and I have to use my phone to make calls and text. But whenever I have to study, I pull out my phone and go on it for about an hour …

When it is time to go to sleep, I go on my phone in the dark with dark mode on. My bed has my charger connected to it so I can easily stay up all night. I want to remove it but because I am so addicted to my phone, I do not. One time I fell asleep at 2 am because I was on my phone, and it made me extremely tired (this was on a school night).

— Jessica Chen, J.R. Masterman, Philadelphia, PA

Since I got an iPhone, I have spent more time on my phone because of social media apps. I caught myself on multiple occasions telling myself “only 15 more minutes and then I’ll start my homework,” but then I end up spending 30 minutes on my phone. When I have tried to use my phone less I end up watching tv, so I just go from one type of a screen to the next.

— Allison Ciero, Glenbard West HS Glen Ellyn, IL

I spend too much time on my phone. I sometimes think about how much I am on my phone and I’m disgusted with how much time I feel like I’m wasting. But the truth is, I do a lot more than scroll through social media or watch stupid videos on my phone. My phone is a portable library that carries all of my favorite books on it. And those stupid videos and posts sometimes completely change my day for the better.

— Mason Evans, Hoggard High School Wilmington, NC

On average, I spend about 6 hours a day on my phone. It is spent with me going on social media, playing games, or watching Netflix. Every weekend, a notification pops up showing me how much time I have spent and each week it has gone up. I am starting to become a lot more cautious about how much time I spend on my phone because it is starting to worry me. My phone has become something that I always have to have and it never leaves my side. It has gotten in the way of me studying and spending time with my family which has started to worry me. I believe that parents should know how much time their kid is using their phone but I don’t think that they should act upon it.

— Mark, Hightstown

Teenagers should monitor their own phone use.

I understand a little micromanaging when it comes to technology time. However, by the time we reach high school, we should all be responsible for ourselves in that realm, to turn in homework, to know our time limits. It is time for the parents to release their grasp unless it is absolutely necessary.

It is our job as teenagers to learn what happens when we stay on our phones too long and we don’t get enough sleep or don’t finish a homework assignment, we won’t understand the consequences if we don’t learn for ourselves.

— Josh Reifel, Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, IL

While I stand by this statement, I would also like to point out that our parents didn’t grow up with this stuff, and they may not know how to handle our usage in the best way. Often times I find my parents using the phone — that they bought for us — as punishment. They threaten to take it away or to throw it out, this only makes out subconscious want it more. Moreover, they make us feel guilty for being born in a world where we do have access to these devices — as if we could help it. They say “when I was a kid we didn’t have to talk to our friends all the time, we would wait to see them the next day at school.” They try us guilt you into not using which once again, will only make us want it more to spite them.

— kenna royce, Glenbard West HS Glen Ellyn, Il

While some parents see it beneficial to limit teens usage on phones, others don’t take any action. For example, my parents have always trusted me to be responsible in my time management, and balancing school, Church, and friends. However, I do understand that my parents pay for my phone, and data usage, and I would willingly comply if they had any restrictions or rules. Phones, however, often rely as a crutch for parents, meaning they often incorrectly blame their child’s issue, or challenges for how much time they spend on their phone.

— Anna Atwood, Bryant High School Arkansas

In observing my friends and classmates, I think that most of us have a handle on what an appropriate amount of screen time is. Social media can be a breeding ground for bullying, which can then lead to depression and anxiety, but I’m not entirely sure that would correlate with simply spending more time on devices. Hopefully, if parents instill the value of limitations while kids are young, they will be able to control themselves appropriately in the future.

— Sarah Song, Ames High School

I feel like I’m extremely in touch with my personal media usage, but it isn’t easy. Apps are designed to keep you on them as long as possible, and sometimes it’s horribly hard to put down a phone after seeing a Snapchat from your friend pop up. After checking just now, I spent an average of 1 hour 58 minutes on my phone last month. Just shy of 2 hours, which is the recommendation maximum time adolescents should spend on non-education related screens. Many of my peers use them 6+ hours daily.

I notice an exact correlation between the amount of time I’m on my phone and how productive I am that given day. If I get out of bed and don’t immediately pick up my phone, I feel like I can get ready faster, and feel more energized and motivated.

Sometimes, if I have a lot of homework one night, I plug my phone in in a separate room, so I won’t think about it. It’s just so easy to forget about the essay you need to write if you unlock your phone and start messing around. They’re excellent distractions.

I couldn’t agree more with the statement that “phones increase anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation among teenagers.” I’ve seen it happen in myself and my peers. In the 3 years I’ve had a phone, there have been too many nights I regret sacrificing sleep for texting to a friend online or getting lost on YouTube. It’s becoming more important to be aware of how our phones affect our lives as they take over more and more aspects of our days.

— Mollie Brinker, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC

Who is supervising how much adults use their phones?

I think that in some ways it could be good for adults to monitor how much children are on their phones today. However, who is going to monitor the adults? What I have noticed while growing up in this world of technology, is that so many adults around me are on their phone just as often as the children. I think it can be difficult to stay away from our phones when everyone around you is on their phones. I think we have to accept technology’s role and try to be as responsible with it as we can.

— Kaylee Phillips, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL

Some evenings at my house consists of our family in the same room, each of us on our same devices. Adults should worry about cell phone usage, in both their life and their children’s lives.

A part of the issue is that parents can use their devices just as much as the kids. Adults must realize that they too must change. If they take their kid’s phone away, they should put theirs away too. They should push their child to have real-life experiences, where words can’t be misinterpreted.

— Evan Lippolis, Ames High School

Screens are affecting our mental and physical health.

I feel like phones have a negative effect on the mental stability of most teenagers today. There are so many things we worry about now … “How many snaps have I got this hour?”, “Has he seen my story yet?”, “I wonder if he’s just ignoring me?”

Our phones present us with an ultimatum, Go out and be social, or stay in and get on facetime. It’s not the same, there are certain endorphins your mind releases when you are physically in contact with another person. Human interaction is healthy.

My phone brings me mixed emotions, and I kind of rely on my phone for almost everything. Before I had a phone my life was so easy and I was a social butterfly, now I’m a 17 year old girl who comes home from work and watches a movie on my phone until my eyes physically will not open.

— Brooklyn Harcrow, Lubbock, TX

I usually spend about 3 hours a week on my phone. I grew up in Haiti, so most of the time I am in contact with my friends back home. When we lived in Haiti, FaceTime was a way that I could not only talk to my sister, who was at Iowa State, but we could also see her.

My phone has had negative impacts on my health. I have had chronic migraines that have been affected by my posture, which is aggravated by being hunched over my phone all day. I also find myself in more pain after even a short time on my phone. Social media has also left me feeling left out and more discouraged about my own life. As someone who is in a new atmosphere and environment, when I see on social media my friends’ activities I feel more isolated and alone.

— Kerlande Mompremier, Ames High School

I most definitely see the connection between higher levels of stress and being on your phone for a more than needed amount of time. Scrolling through social media and looking at small square sized snapshots of a person’s “picture perfect life” can really have an effect on both self-esteem and mental health. The world and especially the younger generations must learn to spark creativity and imagination. Those things can only be formed through one’s mind, experiences, and thoughts, not any phone or device on the planet can provide them.

— Sadie Dunne, Hoggard High school in Wilmington, NC

For me personally, I tend to find myself veering away from my phone during stressful times because I feel like all it does is add to it. I have anxiety and have seen that the negative effects from social media only add to that anxiousness. I agree that phone usage and constant usage of social media can definitely increase anxiety and depression, if you allow yourself to get involved so much you can’t return to a normal lifestyle without it. I think that as I feel like I’m starting to feel more anxious and stressed, my phone does not help the situation but makes it worse, so I try to stay away from it during these times.

— Taylor Tomlinson, Lubbock, TX

Social media has made me feel more connected to others, not less.

Speaking personally, I can recall many times in which social media has helped me feel less lonely than I otherwise would have been. I have severe anxiety, so the idea of socializing with people in a less formal setting, such as in a lunchroom, or outside of class is terrifying to me. So, as a result, I am often alone during these periods. I’ll go off and find my own corner, and I sit and have to watch as those around me have fun with their friends and socialize.

I have gone through this process near-daily for ten years, and I am confident that without social media to fall back on, I would have been driven mad. Social media makes me feel as though there are people out there I can talk to, and that I can control the conversation however I like. I can have friends that I respond to at my own pace, leaving me room to better formulate my responses.

— Jackson Bumgarner, Bryant High School, AR

My mom is a really busy woman and she’s not always there for me and my phone has been my shelter since 5th grade. When I came home feeling sad in school, a couple of youtube videos can cheer me up. Smartphones also make contacting friends and families easier making me less lonely during my sad times. The use of phone also opens a new window of opportunities, I learnt how to edit and shoot videos from youtube. There was a time when my mental health was just not great and the internet saved me.

— shirley, fhs

My first friend was an online friend. I was in fifth grade and I was obsessed with Hamilton, and would spend hours reading about and listening to the songs. My family was on vacation in WildWood, and we were living in a small hotel. I was swimming in the pool and a kid came up to me, and I found out we both liked Hamilton a lot, so we started talking. At the end of the vacation the kid told me her email and we started texting on hangouts. We still text to this day. My phone played a big part in letting me stay in touch, and it built my relationship with her.

— Arianna Andriyevsky, Julia R. Masterman

More screen time can be beneficial.

As the life of a teenager continues to increase in its complexity and demands, the resources and tools a smartphone can provide help keep teenagers grounded. So, before adults chastise us for our use of phones (while they’re leveling up in Candy Crush) it’s important to show that phones are very powerful tools, sometimes too powerful.

With how many activities a teenager can be involved in these days, smartphones help make more productive use of their time, keeping up with meetings, get-togethers, and updates. Whether it be communicating with other club members, or simply catching up with friends, these communication tools help bring people closer without necessitating time-consuming travel.

— Sayre S., Ames High School

I am on my phone about three hours a day. The majority of this is spent on social media apps like snapchat or twitter and listening to music. My phone has a positive influence on me. I feel more connected to the world and what is going on and while that is not always a good thing it is nice to be informed and updated on events within seconds.

— Mehdi Sebghati, Ames High School

My average screen time is about 40 minutes per week. I typically look at news, talk with my relatives in China through WeChat, or go on Youtube to watch cooking videos … My phone does help me build my Chinese skills when texting in WeChat. On WeChat, I can also build relationships with my relatives and friends that I cannot meet face-to-face.

However, my parents are still very worried about my time on my phone. That’s because I have glasses, and my eyesight has been worsening every year. They express their concern by speaking my name in a warning tone when they think I’ve been on my phone long enough. I listen to them, because I know that they are trying to do the best for them.

— Daniella Liang, J.R. Masterman

Teenagers shouldn’t be on their phones as much.

I think adults should be worried about how much their child is on their phone. If my child was constantly on their phone I would be mad because it is disrespectful when you are with someone and they won’t get off their phone. I get offended and annoyed when my friends are on their phones instead of talking to me and I wouldn’t want to be that rude to someone so if my parents told me I shouldn’t be on my phone I think that’s a good thing. Parents are supposed to teach their children how to talk, walk, and ride a bike, they should teach them proper manners and to not go be on your phone for too long.

— Anna Diab, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL

The answer to this question is different for me than many of my peers because unlike many “savvy” teens I have a flip phone. When I was fifteen I decided to stick with a flip phone, it solved my basic needs. I’m currently seventeen and have friends. It came down to me seeing kids and people on their phones at dangerous and inappropriate times. They were on their while driving, in school, and at the supper table. When I see somebody on their phone it reminds me that there is more to life. I am on my phone for less than ten minutes a day, still, I have survived. I can call and text people without the hassle of getting social media notifications. I’m not saying smartphones are bad they can be very useful. I just prefer reality.

— Ethan Morton, Ames, Iowa

I hate that I’m one of those teenagers who have a mini heart attack when they don’t feel their phone in their pocket. I know I’m not on my phone nearly as much as some of my peers, but even the time I do spend there I resent. Despite what the article says about technology not having any real negative influence on mental health, I can’t help but feel like it causes other problems.

We text and DM people when we have something to say, leaving behind outdated voice-calling and — gasp — that archaic practice of talking in person. So much of communication is nonverbal. Many today struggle to maintain eye contact, pay full undivided attention to others, and meaningfully interact in person. Screens are our modern-day masks and boy, do we love hiding behind them. While maybe it is true that technology doesn’t directly connect to the rise in mental disease and anxiety, it leads to a host of other problems, most prominent among these being social decay.

— Grace Robertson, Hoggard High School Wilmington, NC

Phones are not the problem.

Basically I have always had really bad anxiety way before I got a phone. Once I got to middle school and I started to mature it got worse because I was finally able to see all the bad in the world that my parents had protected me from. Which I believe is one of the leading factors of my depression. But once I got a phone I was so happy because I was always able to communicate with my friends no matter where I was. Then when I was given social media I really felt connected because I was able to get updates on what everyone was doing and what was going on in the world, but then when my parents found out about my depression they complete ignored the fact that they had sheltered me my entire life and blamed it all on my phone so now I do not have social media and I still feel the same way but I feel less connected and more isolated.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think that phones have ruined a generation I think it’s the parents, they don’t realize that sheltering us is hurting us …

— Caleb, America

I feel like the anxiety, stress, and depression are not the result of my phone but from the expectations from parents and teachers, how unsafe I feel in my school, from the medication making me “normal and calm,” and from the news where nothing good is heard. I don’t think my phone stops me from socializing or from sleeping, and I am constantly trying to put down my phone. My parents will warn me once or twice but they are on it as much as me.

But I believe that adults try to use phones as a scapegoat instead of admitting that there are bigger issues, such as global warming, political divisions etc. that teens face or the problems that they themselves cause with high expectations.

— Lilian, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC

Book Reviews

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you write a book review, a report or essay that offers a critical perspective on a text. It offers a process and suggests some strategies for writing book reviews.

What is a review?

A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews. For a similar assignment, see our handout on literature reviews .

Above all, a review makes an argument. The most important element of a review is that it is a commentary, not merely a summary. It allows you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and with other audiences. You can offer agreement or disagreement and identify where you find the work exemplary or deficient in its knowledge, judgments, or organization. You should clearly state your opinion of the work in question, and that statement will probably resemble other types of academic writing, with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Typically, reviews are brief. In newspapers and academic journals, they rarely exceed 1000 words, although you may encounter lengthier assignments and extended commentaries. In either case, reviews need to be succinct. While they vary in tone, subject, and style, they share some common features:

• First, a review gives the reader a concise summary of the content. This includes a relevant description of the topic as well as its overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
• Second, and more importantly, a review offers a critical assessment of the content. This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand.
• Finally, in addition to analyzing the work, a review often suggests whether or not the audience would appreciate it.

Becoming an expert reviewer: three short examples

Reviewing can be a daunting task. Someone has asked for your opinion about something that you may feel unqualified to evaluate. Who are you to criticize Toni Morrison’s new book if you’ve never written a novel yourself, much less won a Nobel Prize? The point is that someone—a professor, a journal editor, peers in a study group—wants to know what you think about a particular work. You may not be (or feel like) an expert, but you need to pretend to be one for your particular audience. Nobody expects you to be the intellectual equal of the work’s creator, but your careful observations can provide you with the raw material to make reasoned judgments. Tactfully voicing agreement and disagreement, praise and criticism, is a valuable, challenging skill, and like many forms of writing, reviews require you to provide concrete evidence for your assertions.

Consider the following brief book review written for a history course on medieval Europe by a student who is fascinated with beer:

Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600, investigates how women used to brew and sell the majority of ale drunk in England. Historically, ale and beer (not milk, wine, or water) were important elements of the English diet. Ale brewing was low-skill and low status labor that was complimentary to women’s domestic responsibilities. In the early fifteenth century, brewers began to make ale with hops, and they called this new drink “beer.” This technique allowed brewers to produce their beverages at a lower cost and to sell it more easily, although women generally stopped brewing once the business became more profitable.

The student describes the subject of the book and provides an accurate summary of its contents. But the reader does not learn some key information expected from a review: the author’s argument, the student’s appraisal of the book and its argument, and whether or not the student would recommend the book. As a critical assessment, a book review should focus on opinions, not facts and details. Summary should be kept to a minimum, and specific details should serve to illustrate arguments.

Now consider a review of the same book written by a slightly more opinionated student:

Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 was a colossal disappointment. I wanted to know about the rituals surrounding drinking in medieval England: the songs, the games, the parties. Bennett provided none of that information. I liked how the book showed ale and beer brewing as an economic activity, but the reader gets lost in the details of prices and wages. I was more interested in the private lives of the women brewsters. The book was divided into eight long chapters, and I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to read it.

There’s no shortage of judgments in this review! But the student does not display a working knowledge of the book’s argument. The reader has a sense of what the student expected of the book, but no sense of what the author herself set out to prove. Although the student gives several reasons for the negative review, those examples do not clearly relate to each other as part of an overall evaluation—in other words, in support of a specific thesis. This review is indeed an assessment, but not a critical one.

Here is one final review of the same book:

One of feminism’s paradoxes—one that challenges many of its optimistic histories—is how patriarchy remains persistent over time. While Judith Bennett’s Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 recognizes medieval women as historical actors through their ale brewing, it also shows that female agency had its limits with the advent of beer. I had assumed that those limits were religious and political, but Bennett shows how a “patriarchal equilibrium” shut women out of economic life as well. Her analysis of women’s wages in ale and beer production proves that a change in women’s work does not equate to a change in working women’s status. Contemporary feminists and historians alike should read Bennett’s book and think twice when they crack open their next brewsky.

This student’s review avoids the problems of the previous two examples. It combines balanced opinion and concrete example, a critical assessment based on an explicitly stated rationale, and a recommendation to a potential audience. The reader gets a sense of what the book’s author intended to demonstrate. Moreover, the student refers to an argument about feminist history in general that places the book in a specific genre and that reaches out to a general audience. The example of analyzing wages illustrates an argument, the analysis engages significant intellectual debates, and the reasons for the overall positive review are plainly visible. The review offers criteria, opinions, and support with which the reader can agree or disagree.

Developing an assessment: before you write

There is no definitive method to writing a review, although some critical thinking about the work at hand is necessary before you actually begin writing. Thus, writing a review is a two-step process: developing an argument about the work under consideration, and making that argument as you write an organized and well-supported draft. See our handout on argument .

What follows is a series of questions to focus your thinking as you dig into the work at hand. While the questions specifically consider book reviews, you can easily transpose them to an analysis of performances, exhibitions, and other review subjects. Don’t feel obligated to address each of the questions; some will be more relevant than others to the book in question.

• What is the thesis—or main argument—of the book? If the author wanted you to get one idea from the book, what would it be? How does it compare or contrast to the world you know? What has the book accomplished?
• What exactly is the subject or topic of the book? Does the author cover the subject adequately? Does the author cover all aspects of the subject in a balanced fashion? What is the approach to the subject (topical, analytical, chronological, descriptive)?
• How does the author support their argument? What evidence do they use to prove their point? Do you find that evidence convincing? Why or why not? Does any of the author’s information (or conclusions) conflict with other books you’ve read, courses you’ve taken or just previous assumptions you had of the subject?
• How does the author structure their argument? What are the parts that make up the whole? Does the argument make sense? Does it persuade you? Why or why not?
• How has this book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book to your reader?

Beyond the internal workings of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the circumstances of the text’s production:

• Who is the author? Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. Does it matter, for example, that the biographer was the subject’s best friend? What difference would it make if the author participated in the events they write about?
• What is the book’s genre? Out of what field does it emerge? Does it conform to or depart from the conventions of its genre? These questions can provide a historical or literary standard on which to base your evaluations. If you are reviewing the first book ever written on the subject, it will be important for your readers to know. Keep in mind, though, that naming “firsts”—alongside naming “bests” and “onlys”—can be a risky business unless you’re absolutely certain.

Writing the review

Once you have made your observations and assessments of the work under review, carefully survey your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Check out our handout on thesis statements . Then, outline the arguments that support your thesis.

Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner. That logic, unlike more standard academic writing, may initially emphasize the author’s argument while you develop your own in the course of the review. The relative emphasis depends on the nature of the review: if readers may be more interested in the work itself, you may want to make the work and the author more prominent; if you want the review to be about your perspective and opinions, then you may structure the review to privilege your observations over (but never separate from) those of the work under review. What follows is just one of many ways to organize a review.

Introduction

Since most reviews are brief, many writers begin with a catchy quip or anecdote that succinctly delivers their argument. But you can introduce your review differently depending on the argument and audience. The Writing Center’s handout on introductions can help you find an approach that works. In general, you should include:

• The name of the author and the book title and the main theme.
• Relevant details about who the author is and where they stand in the genre or field of inquiry. You could also link the title to the subject to show how the title explains the subject matter.
• The context of the book and/or your review. Placing your review in a framework that makes sense to your audience alerts readers to your “take” on the book. Perhaps you want to situate a book about the Cuban revolution in the context of Cold War rivalries between the United States and the Soviet Union. Another reviewer might want to consider the book in the framework of Latin American social movements. Your choice of context informs your argument.
• The thesis of the book. If you are reviewing fiction, this may be difficult since novels, plays, and short stories rarely have explicit arguments. But identifying the book’s particular novelty, angle, or originality allows you to show what specific contribution the piece is trying to make.
• Your thesis about the book.

Summary of content

This should be brief, as analysis takes priority. In the course of making your assessment, you’ll hopefully be backing up your assertions with concrete evidence from the book, so some summary will be dispersed throughout other parts of the review.

The necessary amount of summary also depends on your audience. Graduate students, beware! If you are writing book reviews for colleagues—to prepare for comprehensive exams, for example—you may want to devote more attention to summarizing the book’s contents. If, on the other hand, your audience has already read the book—such as a class assignment on the same work—you may have more liberty to explore more subtle points and to emphasize your own argument. See our handout on summary for more tips.

Analysis and evaluation of the book

Your analysis and evaluation should be organized into paragraphs that deal with single aspects of your argument. This arrangement can be challenging when your purpose is to consider the book as a whole, but it can help you differentiate elements of your criticism and pair assertions with evidence more clearly. You do not necessarily need to work chronologically through the book as you discuss it. Given the argument you want to make, you can organize your paragraphs more usefully by themes, methods, or other elements of the book. If you find it useful to include comparisons to other books, keep them brief so that the book under review remains in the spotlight. Avoid excessive quotation and give a specific page reference in parentheses when you do quote. Remember that you can state many of the author’s points in your own words.

Sum up or restate your thesis or make the final judgment regarding the book. You should not introduce new evidence for your argument in the conclusion. You can, however, introduce new ideas that go beyond the book if they extend the logic of your own thesis. This paragraph needs to balance the book’s strengths and weaknesses in order to unify your evaluation. Did the body of your review have three negative paragraphs and one favorable one? What do they all add up to? The Writing Center’s handout on conclusions can help you make a final assessment.

Finally, a few general considerations:

• Review the book in front of you, not the book you wish the author had written. You can and should point out shortcomings or failures, but don’t criticize the book for not being something it was never intended to be.
• With any luck, the author of the book worked hard to find the right words to express her ideas. You should attempt to do the same. Precise language allows you to control the tone of your review.
• Never hesitate to challenge an assumption, approach, or argument. Be sure, however, to cite specific examples to back up your assertions carefully.
• Try to present a balanced argument about the value of the book for its audience. You’re entitled—and sometimes obligated—to voice strong agreement or disagreement. But keep in mind that a bad book takes as long to write as a good one, and every author deserves fair treatment. Harsh judgments are difficult to prove and can give readers the sense that you were unfair in your assessment.
• A great place to learn about book reviews is to look at examples. The New York Times Sunday Book Review and The New York Review of Books can show you how professional writers review books.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Drewry, John. 1974. Writing Book Reviews. Boston: Greenwood Press.

Hoge, James. 1987. Literary Reviewing. Charlottesville: University Virginia of Press.

Sova, Dawn, and Harry Teitelbaum. 2002. How to Write Book Reports , 4th ed. Lawrenceville, NY: Thomson/Arco.

Walford, A.J. 1986. Reviews and Reviewing: A Guide. Phoenix: Oryx Press.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

Watch CBS News

Books vs. e-books: The science behind the best way to read

By Amy Kraft

December 14, 2015 / 6:00 AM EST / CBS News

While browsing the bookstore to buy a gift for that special someone (or yourself), you may be faced with a tough decision: e-books or the old-fashioned kind? Each one has its pros and cons, and choosing the best option depends on a number of factors.

Some of the practical advantages of going digital are obvious: A portable little e-reader can carry an entire library wherever you go, which is great for travelers or those who always want a choice of reading material.

On the other hand, research has been stacking up to show that reading on paper has a number of benefits, too. Plus, there's the nostalgia factor .

"First and foremost, consider the person and their lifelong preferences," Dr. Matthew H. Schneps, director of the Laboratory for Visual Learning, a collaboration between the University of Massachusetts Boston and MIT, told CBS News in an email. "Some people absolutely love the look, smell, and feel of the classical book held in the hand, and such people may not want to give up the sensory experience of reading from a paper book. If the recipient of your gift is someone who is adventurous when it comes to gadgets, but otherwise doesn't read much using traditional books, giving the gift of an e-reader can be a life-changing experience for them."

Here's a look at some of the science to consider before you spring for a Kindle, a Nook or a stack of new hardcovers.

Young, reluctant readers prefer e-readers

A 2014 study published in the journal Library & Information Science Research found that out of 143 10th grade students, most preferred e-readers . Boys and those who did not care much for reading also shared a strong preference for e-readers.

"An e-reader has more in common with the electronic devices that young people use all the time, like smartphones or iPads, than a paper book, when it comes to turning of pages, the possibilities of adjusting font size, etc.," lead author of the study, Åse Kristine Tveit, told CBS News in an email.

Reading on paper may boost retention

Several small studies suggest that reading on paper instead of an electronic screen is better for memory retention and focus. The Guardian reported on an experiment from Norway where people were given a short story to read either on a Kindle or in a paperback book; when they were quizzed later, those who read the paperback were more likely to remember plot points in the right order.

"When you read on paper you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right," the lead researcher, Anne Mangen, of Norway's Stavanger University, told the Guardian. "You have the tactile sense of progress ... Perhaps this somehow aids the reader, providing more fixity and solidity to the reader's sense of unfolding and progress of the text, and hence the story."

Paper suits readers with sleep problems and eye strain

High levels of screen luminance from an electronic device can contribute to visual fatigue, a condition marked by tired, itching, burning eyes.

There are also potential considerations for those reading e-books on light-emitting e-readers at night (although a number of e-readers do not use light-emitting screens), Dr. Margaret K. Merga, a reading and education specialist in Australia, told CBS News in an email. "Artificial light exposure from light-emitting e-readers may interfere with users' ability to sleep , ultimately leading to adverse impacts on health."

A 2014 study published in the journal PNAS found that reading an e-book before bedtime decreased the production of melatonin, a hormone that preps the body for sleep. E-books also impaired alertness the following day.

E-books help the visually impaired

Individuals with poor eyesight or reading disorders like dyslexia can benefit more from e-books because they provide a range of options for changing the text size and spacing of lines. A 2013 study in the journal PLOS One observed reading comprehension and speed in 103 high school students with dyslexia. The study found that people with dyslexia read more effectively, and with greater ease, when using the e-reader compared with reading on paper.

Schneps, who was the lead author on the paper, said, "What made the difference was the ability of the device to display lines of text that were extremely short (about two or three words per line), as well as its ability to space out the text. When these people read using the modified formatting, their reading instantly improved."

His team has a website where people can preview the effects of some of these features before making a purchase. Try out the interactive tips at readeasy.labvislearn.org .

A fondness for books

Many book-lovers still prefer the traditional option and value the tactile sensation of a bound paper book. "Paper books are, as a rule, very well designed, they look and smell good, and they carry with them a more human touch," Tveit said.

In Merga's experience with students in Australia, avid readers also tend to prefer reading on paper. While conducting the West Australian Study in Adolescent Book Reading (WASABR), Merga and colleagues found that students preferred reading paper books. "One student described this attitude as a preference to 'own something (rather) than just use it,'" Merga said.

More from CBS News

Essay on Books vs. Internet

Students are often asked to write an essay on Books vs. Internet in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Books vs. Internet

Introduction.

Books and the internet are two primary sources of knowledge. While books have been around for centuries, the internet is a more recent phenomenon.

Books: The Traditional Route

Books offer a focused and in-depth understanding of topics. They are reliable, and the reader can take their time to absorb information.

Internet: The Modern Approach

The internet provides quick access to vast information. It’s interactive and constantly updated. However, it can be distracting and not always reliable.

Both books and the internet have their strengths and weaknesses. The choice depends on individual preference and the nature of the information sought.

250 Words Essay on Books vs. Internet

In the modern world, the debate between the traditional medium of knowledge, books, and the new-age powerhouse, the internet, is prevalent. Both have their distinct advantages and drawbacks, shaping our learning and knowledge acquisition.

The Case for Books

Books have been a time-tested medium for centuries, offering in-depth, well-researched, and often peer-reviewed information. They provide a tactile experience, aiding memory retention, and promote focused reading without digital distractions. Their linear structure encourages comprehensive understanding and critical thinking.

The Power of the Internet

Contrarily, the internet offers vast, immediate, and diverse information. It facilitates interactive learning through videos, infographics, and online forums. It’s a dynamic platform, allowing real-time updates and global collaboration. However, the internet’s credibility can sometimes be questionable due to unregulated content.

Striking a Balance

While the internet is an incredible tool for quick access to a broad range of information, books remain invaluable for in-depth study and cognitive development. Striking a balance between the two can maximize learning. Utilizing the speed and breadth of the internet, combined with the depth and focus offered by books, can create a holistic learning experience.

In conclusion, neither books nor the internet can be declared superior outright. They serve different purposes and complement each other in the pursuit of knowledge. The key lies in discerning the right tool for the right task, leveraging the strengths of both mediums.

500 Words Essay on Books vs. Internet

The advent of the internet has significantly transformed the way we access, consume, and share information. The traditional reliance on books as the primary source of knowledge has been challenged by the vast, digital expanse of the internet. However, the debate between books and the internet is not a simple one, as each offers unique benefits and drawbacks.

The Charm of Books

Books have been the cornerstone of knowledge for centuries. They offer a tactile and intimate experience that many readers cherish. Reading a book allows for an immersive experience, free from the distractions that are often present with digital platforms. Furthermore, books provide a linear, structured approach to presenting information, which can aid in understanding complex topics.

Books also promote better concentration and improve cognitive abilities. The physical act of turning pages and the lack of hyperlinks leading to other information sources contribute to a more focused reading experience. Additionally, books are often better curated and edited, ensuring a high-quality, reliable source of information.

On the other hand, the internet offers unparalleled accessibility and diversity of content. It enables instant access to an almost infinite amount of information, from scholarly articles to forums, blogs, and multimedia content. This broad spectrum of information can cater to different learning styles and preferences.

The internet also promotes interactivity and collaboration, enabling users to share and discuss ideas, thereby fostering a dynamic learning environment. Moreover, it allows for real-time updates, ensuring that the information is current and relevant.

Drawbacks: Books vs. Internet

Despite their respective merits, both books and the internet have their drawbacks. For books, the information can become outdated, and the physical form limits their accessibility. They also lack the interactive and dynamic nature of online content.

Conversely, the internet, while offering vast resources, can also lead to information overload. The credibility of online content can be questionable, and the constant barrage of hyperlinks and multimedia can be distracting. Moreover, prolonged screen time can lead to health issues like eye strain and can negatively impact sleep patterns.

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach

Books and the internet represent different ends of the information spectrum. While books offer a focused, immersive experience, the internet provides a dynamic, interactive platform for learning. Instead of choosing one over the other, a balanced approach that leverages the benefits of both can lead to a more enriching learning experience.

In conclusion, the debate between books and the internet is less about superiority and more about how we can integrate these resources to enhance our knowledge and understanding. Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of each can guide us in making informed choices about when to use books and when to turn to the internet.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Excessive Use of Internet
• Essay on A Day Without Internet
• Essay on Uses of Electricity

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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55 Writing about the Novel: Film Comparison

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

Step 3: Choose a Film for Comparison

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

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

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

Step 4: Research

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

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

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

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

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

Step 5: Thesis & Outline

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

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

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

This article gives some helpful advice on choosing a topic.

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

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

A good thesis should be:

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

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

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

Exercises: Create a Thesis and Outline

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

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

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

Here’s a sample thesis and outline:

Step 6: Drafting Tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s a sample paper:

Attributions:

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

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

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I've Stopped Comparing My Kindle to My Books

When it comes to reading, I realized I can have my cake and eat it too.

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Books became a comforting constant in my life. I loved the smell and the feel of crisply-bound pages. Hours-long visits to Barnes and Noble were pure bliss. And I realize I wasn't alone. According to the Pew Research Center , old fashioned print books are still more popular than e-readers. In fact, 67 percent of Americans have read a paperback in the past year, and 39 percent of people only opt for print. Contrastingly, 29 percent of readers use both formats, and only 7 percent exclusively consume books digitally. Now that I'm older, I'm in that minority.

In high school, I discovered that Harry Potter fan-fiction was a thing, and quickly began absorbing it on my Android. The fact that I could easily access my favorite fictional hero with the touch of a button suddenly made digital reading not so bad. Meanwhile, I noticed that my aunt, a fellow book lover , had fallen victim to a Kindle . She loved it, and enjoyed having thousands of stories at her fingertips. I was intrigued.

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And then, for Christmas 2016, my aunt bought me my first Kindle , the best gift I've ever received. I haven't been the same since. Regular books were always there for me, but once I finished one title, who knew when I'd get to start the next? My Kindle, however, makes the process of hunting for a book thrilling. On command, it allows me to navigate a curated list of thousands of authors and genres , making the journey feel endless. Plus, it's bigger than my smart phone, on which I'd have to squint to view the tiny text.

My Kindle Fire comes with me on road trips, to the bathroom, to lunch, and on rare excursions to the gym. It has a special place in my bed, tucked under my pillow every night. I'm mesmerized by the 7.5-by-4.7 inch screen, and let me tell you: the world of 99 cent smutty e-books is a dark, dangerous, and addicting place.

Yet as I was looking at my bookcase recently, I noticed it hasn't changed much since my high school days. Even though I've read 66 novels in the past two years (the average American reads 12 books in one), only four were print. This alarmed me.

As someone who used to willingly spend hours flipping through pages at a book store, I wondered, Have I betrayed bibliophiles everywhere? Should I sacrifice it all and chuck my Kindle? To answer these burning questions, I consulted some experts to assess the factors that contribute to the ultimate showdown: E-readers vs. real books. But unlike a proper bookworm, I'll go ahead and ruin the ending for you: There's no real winner here.

E-readers change the way you retain information.

Reader, come home.

According to Maryanne Wolf, director of UCLA's Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners,and Social Justice—and the author of Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in the Digital World — text in print slows your mind down, allowing time for critical thinking processes that cultivate empathy and perspective. Basically, these factors allow you to absorb details, a useful benefit for academics.

When it comes to reading digitally, the opposite occurs since you do so at a faster speed, which Wolf says provokes multitasking and skimming. This could come in handy if you're perusing emails, however, too much e-reader time can slightly affect whether or not you'll remember those crucial plot details. Admittedly, I've found myself swiping back several pages to reread passages. It's not that e-readers are bad for you—nuggets read via paperback just stay in your mind longer.

Because of this, it's important to take a break from the screen. Wolf's tip? Stowe away your laptop, phone, and other electronic devices before bed and read a paper book instead.

But both types of books affect your eye health.

American Optometric Association President Samuel Pierce, OD, says that neither e-readers or paperbacks are better for your vision. However, it's important to acknowledge the drawbacks of each. Not being able to adjust the font size in a print book can lead to eye strain , which causes headaches, dry eyes, and general discomfort. That's not to say that electronic devices can't do the same, but being able to zoom in or out is beneficial if, like me, you don't have 20-20 vision.

Eye Buy Direct Clear White Glasses

Pierce adds that after many years, digital devices expose us to " blue light ," a relatively new phenomenon that's been linked to skin cancer and macular degeneration , an eye disease that causes severe vision loss with aging. In addition, a 2015 study found that the light emitted from screens can make falling asleep more difficult.

While this may sound frightening, Pierce says this is no reason to ax your electronics, as long as you take precautions. He suggests following the 20-20-20 rule, which is when you stare at something 20 feet away from your screen for 20 seconds after 20 minutes of face time. You can also take advantage of devices with blue light filters , or lenses that reduce it .

Plot twist: people also now read on their phones.

According to a 2016 report by the Pew Research Center, the 28 percent of Americans who read electronically are actually more likely to do so on a smart phone or tablet as opposed to a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo. This is a reflection of e-reader shipments, which dropped by 16 million units from 2011 to 2016.

Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Fire 7 Tablet

Kobo Clara HD

Nook GlowLight 3

Let's talk money..

One of the reasons I love my e-reader is because there are so many $1 books to choose from. But according to Jonathan Stolper, senior vice president of Nielsen Book Americas, e-book sales have decreased because of how expensive individual titles are. As he suggested last year, the average price of a digital book increased by $3 to $8 after the "Big Five" publishers (Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster) gained the ability to set their own prices in 2015.

What's confusing is that the New York Times Best Sellers list contradicts Stolper's findings. The paper version of James Patterson's Juror #3 , for instance, is 60 cents cheaper than the digital one, while Clive Cussler's Shadow Tyrants costs $6 more in paperback. Meanwhile, Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians is 39 cents more expensive on a Kindle, and Dean Koontz's The Forbidden Door is $34.65 in paperback, $16.80 in hardcover, and $14.99 on a Kindle.

So what's the answer to the big money question? It's up to you. You can pay $99 to invest in a Nook and then shop for e-books that vary in price. Or you can go to bookstore and do the same. Another option is to head to the local library, which will cost you next to nothing.

Juror #3 by James Patterson

Shadow Tyrants by Clive Cussler

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz

And what about practicality.

Ask yourself this: Would you rather tote one 400-page book in your carry-on or access it via a .91 pound device? A 2017 Statista survey found that 27 percent of people, out of over 1,000 participants, find e-books more convenient. As someone who looks at my Kindle as a portable bookstore, I can get behind that sentiment. This preference is also reflected in bookstore sales , which saw a 3.6 percent drop in 2017 compared to the previous year, a puzzling statistic considering other studies say that Americans prefer to read paperbacks.

With this in mind, I reached a decision.

Determining whether e-readers are better than real books isn't so black and white. Yes, an e-book is easier to carry around, yet preferences for paperbacks remain strong. In the end, the decision is up to the person behind the book. It's your choice if you prefer to squint to read tiny printed text, or zoom in electronically, tap to finish a chapter quickly, or dog-ear pages to really let the story sink in. Me? I'm choosing not to get rid of my Kindle. I was worried that, somehow, my switch to a screen diminished my love for literature. But if anything, it's intensified it. I haven't stopped reading, I'm just doing it differently—and much, much faster.

What I will do is make an effort to not solely read on a device. I'm already attached to a screen for eight hours at work, not to mention the hours I spend watching TV or texting. To me, reading is a way to take a break, so why wouldn't I make use of a tech-free alternative? As Wolf suggested, rekindling (no pun intended) my relationship with paperbacks will only help. I'll be able to slow down, take a deep breath, and escape. Because that's why I fell in love with books in the first place.

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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Essay on Mobile Phone for Students and Children

500+ words essay on mobile phone.

Essay on Mobile Phone: Mobile Phone is often also called “cellular phone”. It is a device mainly used for a voice call. Presently technological advancements have made our life easy. Today, with the help of a mobile phone we can easily talk or video chat with anyone across the globe by just moving our fingers. Today mobile phones are available in various shapes and sizes, having different technical specifications and are used for a number of purposes like – voice calling, video chatting, text messaging or SMS, multimedia messaging, internet browsing, email, video games, and photography. Hence it is called a ‘Smart Phone’. Like every device, the mobile phone also has its pros and cons which we shall discuss now.

Advantages of Mobile Phone

1) Keeps us connected

Now we can be connected to our friends, relatives at any time we want through many apps. Now we can talk video chat with whoever we want, by just operating your mobile phone or smartphone. Apart from this mobile also keeps us updated about the whole world.

2) Day to Day Communicating

Today mobiles phone has made our life so easy for daily life activities. Today, one can assess the live traffic situation on mobile phone and take appropriate decisions to reach on time. Along with it the weather updates, booking a cab and many more.

3) Entertainment for All

With the improvement of mobile technology, the whole entertainment world is now under one roof. Whenever we get bored with routine work or during the breaks, we can listen to music, watch movies, our favorite shows or just watch the video of one’s favorite song.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

4) Managing Office Work

These days mobiles are used for many types of official work From meeting schedules, sending and receiving documents, giving presentations, alarms, job applications, etc. Mobile phones have become an essential device for every working people

5) Mobile Banking

Nowadays mobiles are even used as a wallet for making payments. Money could be transferred almost instantly to friends, relatives or others by using mobile baking in the smartphone. Also, one can easily access his/her account details and know past transactions. So it saves a lot of time and also hassle-free.

Disadvantages of Mobile Phones

1)  Wasting Time

Now day’s people have become addicted to mobiles. Even when we don’t need to mobile we surf the net, play games making a real addict. As mobile phones became smarter, people became dumber.

2) Making Us Non- communicable

Wide usage of mobiles has resulted in less meet and talk more. Now people don’t meet physically rather chat or comment on social media.

3) Loss of Privacy

It is a major concern now of losing one’s privacy because of much mobile usage. Today anyone could easily access the information like where you live, your friends and family, what is your occupation, where is your house, etc; by just easily browsing through your social media account.

4) Money Wastage

As the usefulness of mobiles has increased so their costing. Today people are spending a lot amount of money on buying smartphones, which could rather be spent on more useful things like education, or other useful things in our life.

A mobile phone could both be positive and negative; depending on how a user uses it. As mobiles have become a part of our life so we should use it in a proper way, carefully for our better hassle-free life rather using it improperly and making it a virus in life.

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Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay

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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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." October 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

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Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing

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Book reports share some similarity with essay writing: both can rely on exposition to communicate information, and both should share some prewriting organizational strategies, such as brainstorming, outlining, drafting and revision. However, essays are significantly more complex than book reports, in both the forms an essay can take as well as the individual challenges faced when writing one.

Purpose of a Book Report Vs. an Essay

A book report focuses primarily on providing a summary of a book rather than making an argument about it. The objective is to give brief descriptions of the plot, characters, setting and theme, along with other basic information such as the title and name of the author. An essay, even a descriptive or expository essay, requires a thesis, or a claim that you are trying to prove by means of a logical written investigation.

Structure Differences

The common length of a book report is anywhere from 250-500 words and doesn't have to adhere to any particular construction: it could be a single paragraph or two or three, depending on the teacher's directions or the choice of the student. an essay, however, must follow a formal structure, which is slightly different depending on the type of essay. For example, all essays must have separate paragraphs for the introduction, body and conclusion, as well as for each separate idea in the body. Some essays, like the extended definition, should also have a separate paragraph for exposition before the main body.

Differences in Methods

Essays rely on rhetorical strategies to prove their claims. The three appeals of logos, pathos and ethos are often applied. Logos refers to the use of facts to prove a claim. Pathos is an appeal to the emotions of the reader. For example, if you're writing an essay to persuade the government to outlaw smoking, you might tell the story of how a loved one died from smoking-related lung cancer. Ethos is an ethical appeal in which you attempt to use the reader's sense of ethics as support for your own argument. Book reports don't utilize appeals because they argue a claim; they simply describe a text.

Educational Setting

Book reports are usually assigned in the K-12 setting, but most often at the elementary and middle school levels. Essay writing is assigned from the middle school level up through the highest levels of graduate education and professional level as well. This is because the book report is a rudimentary writing mode, a precursor to essay writing. Students first learn how to communicate basic information clearly in book reports before taking on the challenge of asserting a logical and thorough argument.

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Christopher Cascio is a memoirist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and literature from Southampton Arts at Stony Brook Southampton, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in the rhetoric of fiction from Pennsylvania State University. His literary work has appeared in "The Southampton Review," "Feathertale," "Kalliope" and "The Rose and Thorn Journal."

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