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Superiority of Reading Fiction to Watching Television

Student name: yyy

University: yyy

English 106: First Year Composition

Professor: yyy

Due date: yyy

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to prove that reading fiction is more enjoyable and beneficial than

watching movies or TV shows, even if they are based on works of literature. To facilitate the

research, various databases and online sources are analysed, reviewed, and evaluated so that

relevant sources could be used to support the argument. The results of the research reflect that

reading fiction helps people in developing favourable personalities. This paper further talks

about the three main reasons that show how and why reading fiction is advantageous when

compared to watching TV.

Keywords: Reading fiction, benefits, favourable personality, watching movies

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Superiority of Reading Fiction to Watching Television

Spend time curled up with a book and you become an educated person but spend time

watching your favourite television show and you become a couch potato. Indeed, reading is

an important habit that helps in the development of a favourable personality through building

knowledge and sharpening the intellect. Several universal examples prove that people who

read tend to be more successful than people who don't. We should be reminded that fiction is

a well of both knowledge and wisdom. Even though there are many young people who

claim that watching TV is more entertaining and beneficial for them, reading fiction is

definitely the most advantageous past time activity as it simulates reality, improves

language, and enhances understanding.

The first reason why reading fiction is better than watching movies is because

fiction imitates reality. Unlike movies where situations are usually exhibited as larger-than-

life realities, fiction books can expose us to the hardships that we face in real life. Most

fiction books have themes that deal with complex situations, ideas, and problems that every

man is likely to encounter. When people are confronted with such situations, they think about

different solutions and possible outcomes instead of just being spoon-fed by the story and

given ready-made answers. For example, the character of Pip from Great Expectations makes

people think of numerous ‘what ifs’ for the ending. Not only that, but some novels work

brains up with realistic simulations. This refers to a situation where we imagine ourselves in

the place of fictional characters, and we start thinking, worrying, or being in a dilemma on

how to resolve a physical or an emotional issue. All the dramatic scenarios in fiction enable

people to understand the uncertainties of real life without experiencing them. “Familiarity

with fiction is positively correlated with mentalizing” (Toppings, 2014, p. 361). People who

read function apply solutions acquired from fiction books that they have read to their own life

situations.

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The second reason why reading fiction is better than watching movies is that it can

enhance the language skills of people. When people read fiction, they will be able to find

new words that improve their vocabulary. By reading several expressions used by different

authors, people can comprehend how certain words convey specific emotions. For example,

if the writer uses the adjective livid, we understand that his character is beyond angry.

Subsequently, fiction becomes responsible for building connections between people through

eloquence and improved communication. Along with that, fiction is also responsible for

teaching decent writing skills to people. It is only after reading fiction from a wide range of

genres that most people develop an intricate passion for writing. JK Rowling from Harry

Potter books is a classic example of such a writer who got inspired from reading fiction.

Thus, fiction supports people in reinforcing writing skills that let them grow personally and

professionally.

The third reason why reading fiction is better than watching movies is due to its

facilitation of better understanding. According to various reports made by neurologists,

fiction contributes to increased brain activity. Those who read fiction have shown a relatively

better interpretational ability due to the constant development of the left temporal cortex.

Through this development, people who read fiction strengthen their imaginative and

interpersonal skills. Based on the research done by Erikson and others, the participants of the

reading fiction experiment saw multiple benefits for their self-awareness and theoretical

understanding (Samur et al., 2017, p.143). All the imaginative stories of fiction also help

people in manifesting empathy. By reading and responding to different emotions that are

included in fiction, people move through the emotional scale rapidly. Due to such reflexes,

they talk, feel, and commiserate better in various situations imposed on them. This means that

reading fiction helps people understand their own emotions, the emotions of others, and it

also helps them act appropriately in turbulent times.

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On the other side of the argument, some people claim that reading fiction is inferior to

watching movies as movies instantly release stress and provide happiness. It does not take

much time and effort to watch a movie, and benefits of this kind of entertainment are

immediate and numerous. The characters are already there so we do not need to imagine them

for ourselves; the scores, the effects, the funny situations are all immediately obvious. We

laugh and cry when we watch a movie as we are exposed to many effects and feelings at the

same time without having to construct them ourselves. This argument is partially true, but

reading fiction is more enjoyable precisely because of the long-lasting effects it has. A person

who reads a book with unparalleled focus will remember the book for a lifetime due to the

freedom that comes with imagining the situations in the book. The consumption time of

fiction is longer which is why the associated happiness is also longer. Another factor that

makes reading fiction superior to watching TV is the notion that fiction readers are mentally

active, whereas TV viewers are mostly passive. To illustrate, when a novel character is

described as chubby with grey hair, the reader automatically visualizes him. On the other

side, TV takes all that imagination away. Therefore, fiction readers are surely happier and

smarter.

In conclusion, between fiction and movies, reading fiction should always be preferred

because it simulates real life, builds up vocabulary, and facilitates comprehension. By reading

fiction, humans can practice the act of empathizing with others and acquire better social

skills. It is advised to take at least two hours every day and read fiction for better physical and

psychological

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References

Ehrlich, T., & Fu, E. (2015, June 14). Why read fiction, Forbes. Retrieved December 3, 2021,

from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ehrlichfu/2015/06/14/why-read-

fiction/?sh=33c48b4dc6a7.

Nikolajeva, M. (2015). Reading for learning: Cognitive approaches to children’s literature.

Children's Literature Association Quarterly, 40(2), 202–204.

https://doi.org/10.1353/chq.2015.0013

Samur, D., Tops, M., & Koole, S. L. (2017). Does a single session of reading literary fiction

prime enhanced mentalising performance? Four replication experiments of Kidd and

Castano. Cognition and Emotion, 32(1), 130–144.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2017.1279591

Topping, K. J. (2014). Fiction and non-fiction reading and comprehension in preferred books.

Reading Psychology, 36(4), 350–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2013.865692