Cinema both entertains and educates the masses: Argumentative Essay

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Last Updated on December 2, 2024 by sanjjeett

Hello students, we are providing English Essays for ICSE students. These essays are useful for ICSE Class 9 and 10 studying students. The resources for English Essays are not proper and organised. So, to help students we have created English Essays Series for ICSE students. In this article, you will find an argumentative essay on “Cinema both entertains and educates the masses”

SubjectEnglish
Type of EssayArgumentative Essay
Essay onCinema both entertains and educates the masses
BoardICSE
ClassClass 9 and 10
Important LinkEnglish Essays for ICSE Class 9 and 10

Cinema both entertains and educates the masses. Express your views, either for or against this statement.

  • Introduction: Cinema both entertains and educates the masses, for it mirrors our social values.
  •  Offers an affordable source of entertainment catering to a variety of tastes, interests, and moods.
  • Powerful tool for education through audio-visual medium. Films like Gandhi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and Mughal-e-Azam promote brotherhood, communal harmony, and nationalism.
  • A powerful tool for social change, awakening public conscience against social malpractices, like unsociability, sati pratha, dowry, child labour, and corruption.
  • Excellent medium for advertising products and services. Also used for propaganda by government to promote social harmony and health care.
  • Unscrupulous persons exploit it for personal gains, showing scenes of sex and violence, which corrupt the youth and society.
  • Conclusion: As conclusive proof, the government has a Films Division for production and distribution of films to the general public.

Cinema today has come a long way from the early days of ‘silent pictures’. The true to life sets, dramatic screen plays, photographic techniques, acting histrionics, and their portrayal on a 70 mm screen, with digital sound effect, in plush multiplexes, have made cinema an ideal medium for entertainment and education. Its close affinity to the people, mirrors their social values and ethos often showing the true picture of life. The evils that plague the society vividly portrayed on screen, makes it a powerful medium for social change, that not only entertain but also educate the masses.

There is no disputing the fact, that cinema offers an easy and affordable means of entertainment to the masses. For some, after a day of hard work it is an escape from the tension and worries of life. To others it is a respite from boredom. The true to life portrayal of characters, evoke our emotions, moving us to tears, laughter, thrill or even shock. It is this ability of catering to a variety of tastes, interests, and moods which make it an ideal medium of entertainment.

It is also a very powerful tool for education. The audio-visual mode of presentation leaves an indelible mark on our mind and makes learning a pleasant experience. This is for we get to see, and hear about different people, places, and customs leading to a better understanding and assimilation of ideas and knowledge. Historical movies bring to life the dead pages of history. Pictures like Gandhi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and Mughal-e-Azam give valuable insight about these great people, their struggle, aspirations, and ideology. Such films promote nationalism, brotherhood, and communal harmony. They remind us of their sacrifices and our rich cultural heritage.

Cinema is also a very powerful medium for social change. It effectively reflects the evils prevailing in the society. The portrayal of social malpractices like unsociability, sati pratha, dowry, child labour, and corruption prick the conscience of people leading to social change.

It is also an excellent medium for advertising and propaganda. The advertisements and endorsements help in promoting the sale of goods and services. The government also uses it to promote social harmony and health care. Documentaries create awareness for prevention of AIDS, Polio eradication, and other information to benefit the society. The fashion industry owes its genesis and growth, to cinema. The youth, imitate the costumes and hairstyles, of popular film stars.

The popularity of cinema, however, has led to some unscrupulous mandarins of the industry exploiting it for personal gains. Unwarranted scenes of sex and violence, are displayed, to draw the crowd to fetch them the moolah. They contend that these are essential for a film to be realistic and commercially viable. This is a very frivolous and irresponsible argument, which corrupt the youth and the society. Such tactics are basically used to cover up the weak story line, lack of creativity, and direction. This has been amply proved, by the resounding success of good films, like Three Idiots, Taare Zamin Par and others, which did not use such cheap gimmickry. The censor board plays an important role in censoring films that are in bad taste.

Realising its significance the government has set up the Film Division, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the production and distribution of good films for the general public. This is a conclusive proof of the significant role that cinema plays in entertaining and educating the masses.

Also check

Guidelines for writing an argumentative essay

  • Jot down all the points that come to your mind under the heads ‘for’ and ‘against’.
  • Decide whether you are going to write ‘for’ or ‘against’ the statement. In case you are to discuss or give advantages and disadvantages, then you have to dwell on both aspects of the subject.
  • Begin with a statement of your assertion on the issue, whether it is for or against the proposition. State its importance and relevance.
  • In the body of the composition justify your assertion, by giving practical, and historical evidence, to substantiate your point.
  • Begin each point/justification in a separate paragraph, substantiating it logically.
  • Refute your opponents arguments/points already listed by you point by point, with practical and historical evidence to support your assertion.
  • Don’t use first person. Instead of saying, “I don’t think global warming is worth worrying about”, you may say, “A two degree rise in temperature over the next hundred years makes global warming a trivial problem.”
  • Reserve your strong points or argument towards the end.
  • Conclude with a well-thought out personal view on the subject.

Pitfalls of writing an argumentative composition

Having chosen your line of argument, do not waiver, by acceding to the point in favour of the opposition. You may only do so if you are required to discuss the subject, where you have to dwell on both the aspects.

Writing this type of composition is very rewarding. You should attempt it only if you have complete knowledge of the subject. Illogical arguments or arguments not properly supported by factual data or evidence would be counter-productive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on English Essays

Q1: What types of essays are included for ICSE Class 9 and 10 students?

A1: Essays for ICSE Class 9 and 10 students typically include descriptive essays, narrative essays, argumentative essays, and reflective essays. These essays cover a range of topics from personal experiences and observations to debates on social issues and creative writing.

Q2: What is the structure of a well-written essay for ICSE exams?

A2: A well-written essay typically follows this structure:
Introduction: Introduce the topic and present the thesis statement or main idea.
Body: Develop the main points or arguments with supporting details and examples. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the topic.
Conclusion: Summarize the key points and restate the thesis in light of the arguments made. Offer a closing thought or reflection.

Q3: How can I improve my essay writing skills for ICSE exams?

A3: To improve your essay writing skills, practice regularly and seek feedback on your work. Focus on organizing your thoughts clearly, using appropriate vocabulary, and adhering to grammatical rules. Reading various essays and writing on different topics can also help enhance your skills.

Q4: Are there specific formats to follow for different types of essays?

A4: Yes, different types of essays may have specific formats:
Descriptive Essays: Focus on vividly describing a person, place, or event. Use sensory details to paint a clear picture.
Narrative Essays: Tell a story or recount an experience with a clear sequence of events and personal reflections.
Argumentative Essays: Present a clear argument on a topic, supported by evidence and counterarguments.
Reflective Essays: Reflect on personal experiences or events, exploring their significance and impact.

Q5: How important is it to adhere to word limits for ICSE essays?

A5: Adhering to word limits is important as it demonstrates your ability to convey ideas concisely and effectively. It also ensures that you follow exam guidelines and avoid overloading your essay with unnecessary information.

Q6: Can you provide tips for writing a compelling argumentative essay?

A6: To write a compelling argumentative essay:
Choose a Clear Position: Clearly state your stance on the issue.
Provide Strong Evidence: Support your arguments with facts, statistics, and examples.
Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge and refute opposing views to strengthen your position.
Conclude Effectively: Summarize your arguments and restate your position in a convincing manner.

Q7: Are there any common mistakes to avoid in ICSE essays?

A7: Common mistakes to avoid include:
Off-Topic Writing: Ensure your essay directly addresses the given topic or prompt.
Poor Organization: Structure your essay logically with clear paragraphs and transitions.
Overuse of Complex Vocabulary: Use vocabulary appropriately and avoid using words you are not comfortable with.

Q8: Where can I find additional resources for writing English essays?

A8: Additional resources for writing English essays can be found in:
Textbooks: Refer to your ICSE English textbooks for guidance and examples.
Online Guides: Explore educational websites and writing guides for tips and sample essays. XamContent offer a large number of English essays for icse students.

Cinema both entertains and educates the masses: Argumentative Essay

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