tokens: Is image more powerful than the written word? "A picture is worth a thousand words" is a popular maxim that is being used for a very long time . This strongly depicts the power of images in conveying messages, ideas, or opinions to people . Nevertheless, the importance of written word can never be denied as it is also another way of communication that is commonly used . Hence, I agree only to certain degree that in today's world, image serves as a more effective means of communication . Firstly, pictures can influence the way people think . For example, nowadays horrendous images are displayed on the cigarette boxes to illustrate the consequences of smoking . As a result, statistics show a slight reduction in the number of smokers, indicating that they realize the effects of the negative habit . Not only that, the magnificent photograph captured by Kevin Carter, which portrayed a starving Sudanese child struck by extreme poverty has successfully highlighted the plight faced by the citizens in Sudan . Apart from that, images are also widely used in newspapers, magazines and advertisements . Thus, it is undeniable that images in the absence of words can obviously claim the attraction of many . Looking from another perspective, written words are also vital in order to spread across certain messages . With only pictures, everyone is left to their own interpretation on how they perceive the images . Nonetheless, this is different when words are used to explain what the illustration is about . Furthermore, the primary way of educating students is also by this way . Academic textbooks these days are laden with words besides pictures to guide the readers to comprehend better . To conclude, both images and words go hand in hand and one cannot wholly emphasise on only one aspect, either images or words . Hence, for a more meaningful communication, these two elements have their respective roles to play: image to exemplify and words to describe a particular subject .