TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Suppose you have enough money to buy a book or watch a movie. Which would you rather spend the money on, the book or the movie? - revised -

Writing Topic: Suppose you have enough money to buy a book or watch a movie. Which would you rather spend the money on, the book or the movie?

☆Let’s Think

1.      Which of the following two questions do you think is more appropriate for the thesis sentence of the essay on this topic?

a.      I think that it is better to spend money on a book than it is to spend money on a movie.

b.      I would choose to spend the money on a book rather than on a movie if I had enough money to buy a book or watch a movie.

-       Note the expression “Which would you rather spend the money on?“ This question is asking about your choice/preference. The answer can be subjective. You do not necessarily have to make an objective judgment.

2.      Compare and contrast the merits of buying a book and watching a movie.

☆Hints for Points

	a book	a movie
a	a physical material	an experience
b	like your best friend―you choose it carefully  and repeatedly return to it.	like friends or fashion―you enjoy their novelty but most of them just come and go.
c	Non-fiction: a lot of detailed information fiction: about what is going on in the character’s mind	non-fiction: a brief, digested explanation fiction: the plot and point of the original story
d	academic training (vocabulary, sentence structure, etc.)	composite art  (picture, music, fashion, etc.)

                                                                                          

☆Sample Comparison

The experience you have through reading feels more real than that you have through watching a movie. When you read, you draw on your own experience to understand what is written, and it makes the story more real to you. For example, when the leading character is scolded by a strict teacher, you think of a particular teacher in your elementary school and remember the shock and embarrassment you felt when you were scolded by her. In a movie, the character of a strict teacher is presented through the interpretation of the actor and the director, which is different from your own image. Although it is always exciting and inspiring and therefore enjoyable to see the images created by great actors and directors, when it comes to reality, no other interpretation can beat your own. The teacher in your memory is scarier than any interpretation by professionals. The world you build through reading is more real and intimate to you, and hence reading often gives you more satisfaction than watching a move.

Your Juxtaposition of one of the differences between buying a book and watching a movie:

☆Sample Body Structures

A    【value】A book which costs a movie ticket is usually very valuable.

【experience】A book will keep me awake at night while a movie ends in a couple of hours,

【My choice】My tight schedule does not allow me to read a book, so I would go see a movie.

B    【Point 1】A book provides more detailed information.

【Point 2】Reading makes you more mature and develops your language ability.

【Counterargument-treatment】It is true that watching a movie takes less time to finish a story, but the effect is weaker than reading. The difference is like that between a tour and a stay.

Your Sample Body Structure

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

☆Paragraph development

Sample Paragraph Development of Point 1 in the Essay Plan above

【Main Idea】 (主張)

A book can make you more mature more often than a movie can.

【Supporting Details-general】 (詳細 - ―般的)

Reading develops your thoughts and emotions more effectively than watching a movie, For example, novels tell you the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail.

【Supporting Details -specific】 (詳細 - 具体的)

While watching an episode of the Harry Potter Series, for instance, you just see some troubled face of Harry when he has difficulty in mastering an important magic for defense, in the book you see precisely what is going on in his mind, that is, his mixed feelings: an urge to achieve the magic, frustration, and the secret desire to fail again as he can see his late father’s image whenever he fails.  

【Follow-up】 (補足)

Of course a movie can use expressions and narratives for the same purpose, but the effect is limited. You just understand or feel the same way. On the other hand, literature develops a piece of real life in you. By reading word by word and going through each single thought and feeling that are in Harry’s mind, you will actually own this orphan’s longing for his father which is stronger than the fear of death.

【Conclusion】 (結論)

You can enrich yourself in humanity by reading a good book.　

Your Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】 (主張)

【Supporting Details-general】 (詳細 - ―般的)

【Supporting Details -specific】 (詳細 - 具体的)

【Follow-up】 (補足)

【Conclusion】 (結論)