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#35498
Passage Discussion

Paragraph One:

The author begins by outlining the widely held belief that the Internet will render printed
books obsolete. The belief is immediately countered and a competing prediction presented: the
instantaneous transmission and retrieval of digitized books will make it possible for such books to be
printed and bound “on demand” at point of sale. This prediction forms the basis for the discussion in
the second and third paragraphs.

Paragraph Two:

This paragraph examines in greater detail the economics of digital publishing, and explains why it
will be less expensive than traditional publishing. While it may be unnecessary to remember every
aspect of the publishing industry that will be affected by the new model, you should at least highlight
the section of the text that enumerates the most significant changes that digital publishing is likely
to bring (lines 16-20). The second paragraph also qualifies the prediction that digital publishing will
likely replace traditional publishing by observing that the transition will not happen overnight.

Paragraph Three:

The third paragraph continues the discussion from the previous paragraph, delving into a more
detailed analysis of how the economics of digital publishing will affect author compensation. Having
dispensed with the overhead costs of printing, selling and distributing physical books, publishers will
likely be forced to pay a greater percentage of their revenue to the authors themselves. The author
predicts that this competitive pressure will favor smaller, upstart digital-publishing firms, which are
not burdened by the traditional practices and infrastructure of more established publishers, and can
therefore afford to accommodate higher royalty payments to authors.

VIEWSTAMP Analysis:

The primary Viewpoint presented here is that of the author, who argues that the new model of digital
publishing will eventually displace or at least rival traditional publishing (lines 6 and 24-25). The
only other perspective presented is the commonly held belief that the Internet will make printed
books entirely obsolete (lines 3-6).

The Structure of the passage is as follows:
  • Paragraph 1: Introduce the new digital model of publishing.

    Paragraph 2: Explain why the new model is more economically advantageous than
    traditional publishing.

    Paragraph 3: Discuss the competitive pressures created by digital publishing with respect to
    author compensation, and elaborate on some of the obstacles facing traditional
    publishing houses.
The author’s Tone is reasonably optimistic about the possibility that the new model of digital
publishing will eventually displace traditional publishing.

The Argument is that the new model of digital publishing will likely replace traditional publishing
is supported by a series of observations about the economic advantages and efficiencies of the new
model.

The Main Point of the passage is to describe the effects of digital publishing on the publishing
industry, and elaborate on some of the implications of that transformation.

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