Full Name

Engl 111
April 11, 2021
Ms. Tina

E-books are Better Than Paper Books

With the worldwide spread of technology, the use of E- books has been rising in

popularity, but the debate on digital books and printed books has been a hot topic. Some readers

prefer paper books, whereas other readers prefer digital books. Opponents of electronic books

claim that printed books are better because they are less harmful to the eyes, easier to share, and

more fun to read and switch between pages. However, because they are cost-effective,

environment friendly, and easy to access, electronic books, in my perspective, are better than

printed books.

The first factor that makes electronic books better than printed books is that digital books

are cost effective. Compared to paper books, E-books are cheaper to the consumer. An E-reader

could be expensive, but it is a one-time investment. Readers will enjoy more than 90 books on

their digital readers. Also, there are many free digital books available online to download. For

example, a reader could download Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in

Wonderland online and read it for free. Moreover, when producing electronic books, the total

elimination of paper, printing, and binding decreases the costs. (1)

Another reason that makes E-books more preferable than paper books is that electronic

books are environment friendly. (2) The manufacturing of paper books uses up a lot of trees and

raw materials, while an E-book uses up fewer raw materials. When more electronic books are

bought and manufactured, more trees, which help reduce air pollution, are saved. Also, one study

shows that owning an E-reader could prevent approximately five billion kilograms of CO2,

which decreases the carbon footprint. (3) If readers started using e-books pollution caused by

discarded papers would also decrease.

 The last reason that makes digital books better than printed books is that they are easy to

access. Because of the e-book’s lightweight design, digital books are portable and could be taken

to all places such as offices, parks, and bus stations. Moreover, they could be read on a laptop, a

smartphone or a tablet. (4) Also, digital books take up less space, and they could be fitted in

small places such as handbags and backpacks. When owning an E-book, the need for a library at

home is no longer necessary. And that is because digital readers not only take up less space, they

also have a large capacity which allows digital books owners to have a whole library in one

device. (2)

All in all, both printed books and digital books serve the purpose of reading and getting

information. However, in my point of view, since electronic books are cost efficient,

environment friendly, and accessible, they are better than printed books. E-readers are an

investment that readers make once, and it gives them the opportunity of reading a lot of different

books. Also, E-books reduce air pollution and save more trees. Electronic books are also easy to

carry around and could be read in different places. Also, with the advancement of technology

these days, readers should invest in an E-reader.

 References:

1. The Economics of eBooks: What You Save, What You Stand to Gain [Internet].

[cited 10. Apr. 2020]. Available from: https://articles.ibpa-online.org/article/the-

economics-of-ebooks-what-you-save-what-you-stand-to-gain/

2. Bozkurt. A & Bozkaya. M. Evaluation Criteria for Interactive E-books for Open

and Distance Learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance

Learning. 2015. 16;5, 58-82. Available from: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1066301ar

3. Ritch. E. The Environmental Impact of Amazon’s Kindle. Cleantech Group.

Available from: https://gato-docs.its.txstate.edu/jcr:4646e321-9a29-41e5-880d-

4c5ffe69e03e/thoughts_ereaders.pdf

4. McCartney. J. Why eBooks Will Make Your Life Easier [Internet]. 2013 [cited

10. Apr. 2020]. Available from:

https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/ebooks-make-lives-easier/

5. Superior 5 Very Good 4 Progressing 3 Needs Work 0-2

Process/ □ All parts of the process
Format are well developed, on
task, and the essay is
carefully formatted.
&
□ 2 sources on reference
page.
2 in-text citation
Citation 4 sources maximum
□ 500 words-650
Organization □ Order and cohesion are
& strong moving reader
Cohesion through paper fluidly.
• Thesis well developed,
clear, sophisticated
• Intro relevant &
interesting
• Seamless transition using
correct lexical chunks
throughout body
□ One part of the process is
not developed sufficiently
and/or with 1-2 format
errors.
□ Slight problems in Work
cited page
• Slight problems in in-text
citations.
1 source on reference page
□ 450-400
□ Information logically
organized showing clear,
rational progression of
ideas.
• Thesis clear, but lacking a
degree of sophistication.
• 1-2 transition word
problems
• Idea sequence could be
better
□ Two parts of the process
is not developed
sufficiently and/or with
several minor format
errors.
□ Several problems in
format, not complete,
missing 1 or more of any
combination in-text
citations
□ 350-300
□ Ideas related but loosely,
breaking up unity requiring
re-look for somewhat
anguished understanding.
• Thesis is somewhat linear
• Intro and or conclusion
vague, tepid.
□ Any part of the process is
missing, and/or with major
format errors.
□ No citation page
No in-text citations or a
minimal, half-hearted
attempt at citing
□ less than 300
□ Off topic, lacking any
semblance of cohesion,
unity, rationale.
• Jumbled thesis
• Little or no introduction
• None or misused
transitions
• Missing conclusion
• Scrambled thoughts
• Body paragraphs
 paragraphs
• Conclusion is complete,
strong, and detailed
providing a sense of
satisfied culmination
Content □ No errors in assigned
rhetoric, logic or facts/All
relevant ideas
□ Consistent development
of main ideas
□ Fully developed
details/examples
Style, Tone & □ • Academic Vocabulary
Vocabulary used throughout
• No incorrect word
choices affecting meaning
• No spelling errors
Grammar & □ • No errors:
Mechanics capitalization, punctuation,
syntax, no fragments or
run-ons
• Varied, sophisticated
sentence structure (simple
sentences with reduced
clauses), compound &
complex
25
25
• Conclusion complete but
could be more vivid with a
more rounded sense of
closure
□ On-topic and evidence of
careful thought/
Only 1-2 irrelevant ideas
affecting the paragraph
unity
□ Main ideas are developed
and focused
□ Some/ limited related
details
□ • Displays a combination
of both formal and some
informal vocabulary
• 1 or 2 incorrect word
choices affecting meaning
• 2+ spelling errors
□ • 1-2 errors:
capitalization, punctuation,
syntax, no fragments or
run-ons
• Good differentiation in
sentence structure (simple
sentences with reduced
clauses), compound &
complex
□ Errors in logic or facts /
Random ideas severely
affecting the paragraph
unity
□ Most main ideas are
under-developed /one
main idea is missing
□ Unrelated/illogical details
□ • uses informal
expressions, contractions,
slang
• several incorrect word
choices affecting meaning
• several spelling errors
□ • Several errors:
capitalization, punctuation,
syntax, no fragments or
run-ons
• Satisfactory
differentiation in sentence
structure (simple sentences
with reduced clauses),
compound & complex
asymmetric to the point of
incoherence and
irrationality
□ illogical and
off-topic/rhetoric
□ No relevant ideas
□ Only one main idea
□ No details for main ideas
□ • Vocabulary inadequate
or incoherent
• Poor, effortless word
choice
• inept attempt at correct
spelling throughout
□ • Way too many errors:
capitalization, punctuation,
syntax, no fragments or
run-ons
• Poor differentiation in
sentence structure (simple
sentences with reduced
clauses), compound &
complex