GMAT Essays (AWA)

“Writers who want to succeed should try to write film screenplays rather than books, since the average film tends to make greater profits than does even a best-selling book. It is true that some books are also made into films. However, our nation’s film producers are more likely to produce movies based on original screenplays than to produce films based on books, because in recent years the films that have sold the most tickets have usually been based on original screenplays.”

Discuss how well reasoned….
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The comparison between books and films can be extensive and any debate on this should be thoroughly reasoned. Assumptions often need to be made but it is the classification of these which strengthen or weaken the advert.

Firstly, whilst the comparison of profits between books and films is relevant, it is important to consider timelines for this comparison. Films generate publicity and attract people at their release to cinemas and premieres. However, it is the release to video, DVD or the internet which generates ongoing revenues and profit for film studios and writers. Books, on the other hand, are likely to generate minor publicity at their release but secure revenue over a longer period of time.

Secondly, the writer aligns success with profits which is not necessarily always true. There have been multiple accounts of writers such as K. Deanson who have defined themselves to be successful over a lifetime, yet made very little profit from their books. Discussion of profits is valid since this is a standard measure between books and films. In addition, if success were to be defined in more clarity, a worthwhile debate could ensue.

In conclusion, it is worth understanding the link between books and films and also success and profit but the two discussions need to be reasoned in depth. Furthermore, the text itself is an ad for a book and if the writer were truly confident of his text, it may be worth considering writing his book as a screenplay!