With The Rise In eBooks Comes The Decline In Paper Books | Band 8 IELTS Essay Sample
With the rise in e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
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Reading books on electronic devices such as tablets and smart phones is becoming increasingly popular. On the one hand, some feel that this change is a positive one, but on the other hand, people see this as a negative development. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with this trend.
The biggest advantage of eBooks is that they can be stored and carried around easily/conveniently. Thousands of e-books can be stored on electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones which are no bigger than the size of your palm and therefore, people can carry their entire library with them wherever they go. A survey by the New York Times reported that more than 70 percent of the University students prefer e-books as they can now carry a single device containing an array of digital books in their pockets instead of a huge backpack filled with paper / hardcover books.
On the flip side, people feel that the over-reliance on electronic devices for reading puts a strain on the reader’s eyes. This is because tablets and smartphones emit blue light from their screens which causes stress and irritation to the eyes upon prolonged exposure. Ophthalmologists have found that more than half of the patients who visit them face issues with their eyesight primarily due to the excessive usage of electronic devices for reading purpose. Therefore, people need to take precaution while relying on reading books on their gadgets. Also, software glitches or a weak battery can make these devices useless and reading impossible. Since this can happen at the most inopportune times, it is not safe to rely on eBooks alone.
To conclude, the major benefit of e-books is the convenience of carrying a vast number of files on a single device that people can access anywhere. Despite the advantages of this trend, it has the drawback of affecting the reader’s eyesight. Also, any problem with the eBook reader can make the books inaccessible.
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There is no doubt that electronic books have replaced paper books to a great extent and people’s interest is continuously declining in text books. Hence, two diverse views have emerged from this change. In this essay, I will discuss both the pros and cons of this trend.
First of all, people who generally believed that this change is a good step towards future mention some solid benefits. First and foremost advantage is of their convenience. E- books are much more convenient to read than regular books and easy to keep number of books in one folder. Secondly, These books are cheaper than print books and most of them can be downloaded free of cost from internet and other book apps. For example, on Google scholar all subject books, general researches and articles can be easily read and downloaded. Thirdly, electronic books are durable than print books and can be assessed life time. Their updated versions can easily read. Hence, no need to buy new versions each time.
On the contrary, there are people who think this trend is not good at all say that not all readers have access to internet and to other electronic sources to read those books. Old age readers still prefer to read print books because these books are safe for health. They protect eyes from harmful rays of computer. Moreover, Not all readers can sit before computer for longer hours to read them. Furthermore, print books keep away from distraction and help us to absorb more information from them.
In conclusion, though e books have brought revolution and bring convenience for readers but nothing can lesser the importance of text books for becoming a good reader.
This is close to band 7.
Today, the internet has undoubtedly made life easy and fast. It is observed that after the popularity of online books; paper-based books are losing their importance and are gradually reducing. This decline is debatable, many people consider this as positive, while others think the way around. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks the trend brings.
One evident benefit of reading through e-books is their cost-effectiveness. Some paper-based books are costly, which is not affordable by numerous students; whereas, e-books can be easily downloaded free of cost. Furthermore, they can be easily accessed anytime, anywhere. For instance, before the arrival of the electronic book concept, students were bound to do odd jobs merely to collect money to buy a specific book, which indeed has eradicated after the arrival of online books. Another, merit of this trend is that it plays a vital role in protecting the environment. Since, the demand for paper-based books is diminishing, this prevents the trees from being cutting to produce paper.
On the flip side, there are certain negative aspects associates with this trend. Poor eyesight is one of the obvious disadvantages. To access the e-book, one has to face the screens of laptop or mobile constantly; the harmful rays emitting through the screen seriously damages the eyes. Lasik eye hospital, for example, reported that around 35 percent of youngsters or students wear glasses. Besides, with the evolution of e-books, the sale of local bookstalls has declined drastically; severely impacting the income of book stores.
To conclude, affordability, ease of access and less tree cutting are some of the major advantages of the fore mentioned trend; however, poor vision and low sales are the major drawbacks.
This seems band 6.5 to me.
The evolution of technology over the years has resulted in the increase in usage of digital books. People have begun to move on from traditional paper books, leading to a drop in paper, book sales. Nevertheless, the introduction of e-books has its merits and demerits.
There are several advantages to e-books. Firstly, they are environment friendly. Since books are available online on different sites and apps, trees need not be cut down to produce paper for these books. Ink is also saved in the process. Secondly, digital books are portable and easy to carry around books can be accessed on laptops, phones and smart watches it reads us of the tedious task of bringing along a paperback, which can get easily damaged. Students can also download PDFs of their books on a single device and take it to class instead of a heavy bag full of thick textbooks.
However, e-books too have their downsides. The most common complaint against the rise of digital books is regarding ‘blue light’. Blue light is typically emitted by the sun, but laptops, smartphones, tablets, and TVs are also sources of blue light. Research shows that blue light affects the sleepiness hormone. A part of the brain responds to blue light and makes a person feel more awake. Since it is quite common for people to read before bedtime, the exposure to blue light from an e-book makes them feel less sleepy and thus results in loss of sleep. Moreover, digital books require a power source. As soon as the battery runs out, the book is inaccessible.
To conclude, while e-books are eco-friendly and convenient to carry around, they also negatively affect the reader’s eyesight. The matter of whether paper books or e-books are better, ultimately boils down to personal preference.
This seems band 7.5 to me.