Welcome back to my school essays, I hope you enjoy it and let’s begin!
American literature refers to the written works produced in the United States and its territories, including those in English and other languages. It includes a wide range of genres, such as fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction, and covers a wide range of topics and themes.
Now, let’s talk about two ways to study American literature: print and movies.
Print refers to written works, such as books, short stories, and poems, that are meant to be read on paper or on an electronic device such as a Kindle or tablet. Studying American literature in print form allows you to experience the written word as the author intended. You have control over the pace of reading, can revisit passages that you find particularly interesting or challenging, and can take notes easily.
Movies, on the other hand, refer to moving images and sound that are created to tell a story. Studying American literature through movies allows you to experience the story in a different way, as it has been adapted for the screen. You can see the characters and settings come to life and hear the dialogue, which can bring the story to life in a new way. However, it’s important to keep in mind that movies are not always a faithful representation of the original work and may leave out important details or change elements of the story.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both studying American literature in print form and through movies. Let’s take a closer look at each:
Print:
Advantages:
~ Control over pace: As mentioned earlier, when you study American literature in print form, you have control over the pace of reading. You can read at your own speed, and you can take as much time as you need to understand the material.
~ Access to original text: Studying American literature in print form gives you access to the original text, which is exactly what the author wrote. This is particularly important if you want to get a true sense of what the author was trying to say or if you want to appreciate the author’s writing style.
~ Ability to make notes: When you’re reading a book, you can easily make notes in the margins or underline important passages. This can be a great way to keep track of what you’ve read and to help you remember key points.
Disadvantages:
~ Limited visual representation: When you study American literature in print form, you don’t have the benefit of visual representations of characters and settings. This can make it harder to imagine the story in your mind.
~ No sound: Studying American literature in print form doesn’t give you access to the sound of the characters’ voices or the background music. This can make it harder to get fully immersed in the story.
Movies:
Advantages:
~ Visual representation: Studying American literature through movies allows you to see the characters and settings come to life. This can help you imagine the story in your mind and get a better sense of what the author was trying to convey.
~ Sound: When you watch a movie, you have access to the sound of the characters’ voices and the background music. This can help you get fully immersed in the story and experience it in a new way.
~ Easier to understand: Sometimes, movies can make it easier to understand a story, especially if the story is complex or difficult to follow. This is because movies often simplify the story and use visual cues to help convey important information.
Disadvantages:
~ Loss of original text: When a story is adapted for the screen, it may not be a faithful representation of the original text. Elements of the story may be changed, important details may be left out, and the author’s writing style may not be fully appreciated.
~ Lack of control over pace: When you watch a movie, you don’t have control over the pace of the story. The movie unfolds at its own speed, and you can’t go back and revisit a scene or slow down to understand a particular moment.
In conclusion, both studying American literature in print form and through movies have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which method you choose will depend on your personal preferences and learning style. If you prefer to have control over the pace of the story and access to the original text, then studying American literature in print form might be the way to go. However, if you enjoy visual representations of characters and settings and the ability to get fully immersed in the story, then studying American literature through movies might be the best option for you. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience of learning about American literature and to appreciate the stories and the authors who wrote them.
Thank you for reading this essay! I hope you enjoyed reading it or learned something new! I’ll be posting more soon so stay tuned! If you haven’t done so yet, feel free to check out:
Anastasia's Blog 