Ebooks

Focus Questions

  1. Summarise the BtN story.
  2. What is an Ebook?
  3. What sorts of devices can Ebooks be read on?
  4. What is an Ereader and what features do they have?
  5. What concerns do book publishers have about Ebooks?
  6. How are Ebooks being used in libraries?
  7. Which well known author does not want her books to become Ebooks?
  8. Would you rather read an Ebook or a paper book? Why?
  9. Do you think Ebooks will encourage kids to read? Explain your answer.
  10. What do you think the future of paper books is?

Ebooks

Students will develop an argument for or against the following statement `All schools should use Ebooks instead of paper books’. Students can work individually or in pairs to develop their argument. The transcript of the story is available on the BtN website http://abc.net.au/news/btn/

Developing a persuasive argument (exposition)
To help students decide on whether they will argue for or against the statement, ask them to list the pros and cons of Ebooks. They may also like to survey other students and adults within the school to help them decide on what their position will be on the issue.

Structure of an exposition

Statement of position

·  State what the issue or topic is

·  Clear statement of position or opinion (All schools should/shouldn’t use Ebooks instead of paper books)

Argument stage

·  Why should people believe you?

·  Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence which introduces each point

·  The rest of the paragraph gives more reasons

Reinforcement of statement of position (Summing up)

·  Sums up the authors position

Language features of expositions

Conjunctions linking words (because, therefore)

Evaluative language (important, best, cheapest, more expensive)

Thinking verbs (we believe, people think)

Students can present their argument orally or online using the text organisers at the following website http://www.writingfun.com/ Encourage students to share their arguments with the class and discuss the different points of view on the issue.

Reflection

On a scale of 1-10, how convincing do you think your argument was? What changes would you make to make it more convincing?

8 Related Research Links

Art Media – FAQ Ebooks
http://www.artmedia.com.au/faq_ebooks.htm

Suite 101 – What are Ebooks?
http://audiobooks.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_are_ebooks_and_how_are_they_read

The Guardian - Arnold Schwarzenegger to scrap school textbooks in favour of Ebooks
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/09/arnold-schwarzenegger-school-textbooks-ebooks

CNET Australia – Ebook readers
http://www.cnet.com.au/ebook-readers-a-guide-to-the-world-of-digital-books-and-how-to-read-them-339298241.htm

© ABC 2009