Films Are Never Better Than Books

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 1

FILMS ARE NEVER BETTER THAN BOOKS. DO YOU AGREE ?Essay Outline for JC2 General Paper Revision 2014


STEP 1 : INTERPRET•Never – absolute word; cannot agree with this categorically

•Films – driven by audio-visual representations

•Books – driven by language•Better – comparison word

• for whom (kinds of audience) ?• for what purpose ?


STEP 2 : CRAFT POINTS

STEP 3 : ADD SUPPORT

STEP 4 : ORDER


INFLUENCE ON THINKINGFILMS

• (1) Can be thought-provoking BUT …

• (2)• Director imposes his

interpretation• Great for propaganda films• Resorting to sensationalism

to make $$$ dumbing down audience

BOOKS

• (3)• Reader has more control

over interpretation• Imagination• Deeper morality• Reading itself is an

activity that is not bound by space & time – encourages reflection


DOING JUSTICE TO THE STORYFILMS

• (1) Use of technology to re-create scenes – very impressive BUT …

• (2) Superficial or over-simplification of selected parts due to time or budget constraints

BOOKS

• (3)• Character development –

no pressure to over-simplify, and produce one-dimensional characters

• Fleshing out of issues or sub-plots


LEARNINGFILMS

• (1) Sparks interest & can help build general knowledge quickly BUT…

• (2) Cannot afford to be detailed

BOOKS

• (3)• Depth – the writing can go

on for chapters or volumes on a particular topic

• Revised editions as new perspectives are formed (less costly to get this done than making a new film on the issue)

• For language learning


APPEAL / ENJOYMENT – depends on what kind of escapism /relaxation a person prefers

FILMS

• New generations of viewers who want to escape want high-tech entertainment

• & immediacy • We can argue that there are

independent or indie films made for niche groups, but generally, films are made for mass market, and universal appeal (themes, characters, plot…)

• Transcend language barriers• No need to even be literate to enjoy• The stars in the film are a major

draw

BOOKS

• For those who value imagination & find this kind of immersive experience for fulfilling

• For those who find beauty in the intricacies of language


As a group activity, both have strengths and one need not be better than the other.

FILMS

• Form of leisure group activity in modern societies

• Let’s watch a movie together (NOT let’s read a book together)

• Talking about the film, and the common experience of watching it

BOOKS

• Book clubs to discuss books

• Reading a book – close activity – parent to child for bonding

• Recitation & learning of religious texts, for personal spirituality and spiritual brotherhood


STEP 5 : Thesis Statement• Despite some strengths that both films and books have, I think that books are better in several significant ways.

Documents

Films Are Never Better Than Books