LINEAR VS. e-TEXTS

EXAMPLE

1 They choose both, the print and e-book version.
2 It seems ‘lifeless,’ doesn’t smell of book/can’t feel pages/it’s another, more personal environment.
3 He can use the material or study the way it suits him, and he is less tempted to browse the Net.

QUESTIONS

Possible questions

Which do you prefer when reading for pleasure, a print book or an e-book? Explain why.
   • Possible questions if the answer is a "print book":
What are the main reasons for reading print books?
Why do you find them better?
What might be less convenient about print books?
Why would you (not) switch to an e-book?

     • Possible questions if the answer is an "e-book":
Why do you like e-books books better?
What device do you use to read them? Why?
Why would you recommend an e-reader to your friend?
What are the problems reading onscreen?

• Considering textbooks, do you think they should remain print books, should they all be turned into e-textbooks
(=become digitised) or should there be a combination of both? Justify.

You can add your own questions too.

ACTIVITY IDEA

Your school is planning to publish students' contributions, giving their opinion on e-reading. You have been asked to write an article of about 150 words on the topic. Choose one title below and submit it to the school magazine board.

The titles are:

· E-reading? Boring.

· E-reading? What fun!

You should not forget to organize it into paragraphs.

AUDIO SCRIPT

Professor Meta Grosman says:

“To understand the difference between linear reading and electronic reading we must first understand the difference between traditional linear texts which we learn to read at school. We first learn that the Slovene names for letters of ABC are also the names for individual sounds. Knowing all the letter names of the ABCs, we should be able to read any text in Slovene. This basic kind of reading is also necessary for the linguistic components of electronic texts, the so-called nodes (translated into Slovene as ‘vozlišča’). Electronic texts, however, can also include visual elements such as pictures, mobile pictures, or videos, and different sound effects. The easy use of all these expressive means has been made possible by the development of electronic texts on computers.”

WORDS TO REMEMBER

traditional = (adj.) existing for a long time;
linear = (adj.) appearing or being arranged like a line, or things, events, etc. following one another;
ABCs = (n.) the alphabet;
linguistic = (adj.) referring to language;
component = (n.) an element of a larger whole;
visual = (adj.) something that can be seen;
expressive = (adj.) clearly showing ideas, feelings, etc.;
means = (n.) type, method.

ACTIVITY IDEA

A classmate needs to find out more and discuss the topic on linear versus e-reading and asks you more detailed questions about both.
What is linear reading?
List some examples of traditional linear texts.
What do the letters of the ABC stand for?
Why is it important for us to learn the ABC first?
What are "nodes"?
List the elements an electronic text can include.

Do a Google search for more detailed information on electronic texts.