Composition books and notebooks are both used for taking notes. A composition book also
referred to as a composition notebook, has a more specific use than a notebook.
However, both are used interchangeably because a notebook is a quick way of referring to a composition book. Both words are grammatically correct.
What are the differences?
A composition book is used to specify the type of notebook used by students for schoolwork. It
is designed with ruled lines to make it easy for school work where young students can easily
write and align characters.
Notebooks vary in design; some are even blank without guiding
lines. Notebooks are hence more suitable for adults or students who have mastered writing.
Composition books are more affordable. Institutions order large volumes from production
companies for their students, purchasing them at a lower cost.
Notebooks tend to be more expensive of the various designs and sizes available.
Composition books are primarily used for schoolwork. In contrast, notebooks can document
activities in many places, such as office work and day-to-day activities.
Tutors tend to take students using composition books more seriously in their studies compared to when they use notebooks. This has hence encouraged the use of composition books in schools.
Composition books maintain their structure for the longest time. In contrast, the notebook structure changes with current trends.
Notebooks are made in different sizes, making them more portable than composition books. The portability of small notebooks makes them ideal for use in events such as seminars and workshops.
Notebooks can be designed to have a few pages for a one-day event.
Notebooks have a fun and vibrant look compared to composition books. Their designs are more
creative and colorful from the hardcover to the pages compared to composition books’ black
hard cover and white page nature.
As such, people can gift notebooks. They have special features such as stickers on pages and pen side pockets. In contrast, the composition book’s unique feature is only on the back cover with student details multiplication table or a map.
Composition books are more durable as companies try to maintain a specific standard for
students to use for a long time.
Notebooks are less durable as companies concentrate more on the designs than quality considering people tend to use notebooks for a shorter period.
Notebooks with blank pages are best for drawing and random sketches and, therefore, ideal for
creativity.
Composition books have horizontal and vertical lines, making them ideal for taking notes and calculations.
The pages are more suitable for ink pen writing than notebook pages, which tend to show ink on the other side of the page.
What are the similarities?
Both composition books and notebooks are used for taking notes. Students can use composition books to write school notes as they can contain either lined or square paper to help in specific subjects.
Notebooks are used to take notes of daily activities and work. Both have similar inside structures, considering they are made of pages.
Final thoughts
Both composition books and notebooks are used to refer to writing books. Composition books
specifically, refer to notebooks used by students for different subjects.
On the other hand, notebooks have no specific outlook structure and are generally used to take notes and drawings.
You can also use composition books to take notes but it would not be ideal. In understanding the differences, one can use each word correctly.
