As we have learned, all English essays have
certain important elements. The basic structure of an IELTS Task 2 essay should
be as follows:
Paragraph
1: Introduction with Main Idea
Paragraph
2: General idea to support Main Idea with examples and details
Paragraph
3: Second general idea to support Main Idea with examples and details
Paragraph
4: Possible third general idea to support Main Idea with examples and details
Paragraph
5: Conclusion – be sure to restate the Main Idea!
If you follow this structure, it will help you
to achieve a high score in Coherence and Cohesion, since it provides your ideas
in a well organised way. However, today we are going to learn that there is
more than one way to organise an essay, especially when that essay is asking
you to compare two different ideas and give your opinion. Many IELTS questions
have a structure that looks like this:
Many people believe that A is correct
because it is beneficial for society. On the other hand, some people support B.
Please give your opinion on this issue and give evidence to support that
opinion.
So, the essay is asking us to compare A and B
and give our opinion about which one is better. There are two basic ways to
organise this essay (while maintaining the basic structure that we need.)
Ø The
first way is called the Thesis-Led
approach. To write a thesis-led essay, I always state my opinion very firmly at
the beginning of the essay, and make sure that all my statements support this
opinion. This very basic example will give you an idea of how your essay should
look with a thesis-led approach.
Paragraph
1: Undoubtedly, A has more advantages than B.
Paragraph
2: A is beneficial for children whereas B is not.
Paragraph
3: A is enjoyable for adults while B is not.
Paragraph
4: Implementing A is far less expensive than implementing B.
Paragraph
5: In conclusion, it is clear that A is superior to B.
You can see that
each paragraph of the essay mentions both A and B. If I am using a thesis-led
approach, I should not separate the sides of the topic, but compare each one
with the general ideas that I have chosen to separate my paragraphs. Thesis-led
essays are often very strong and persuasive.
Ø The
second way to organise an essay is called the Argument-Led approach. While I should still give my opinion on the
topic, I can also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each argument
before finally stating my opinion strongly. An argument-led essay should be
structured as such:
Paragraph
1: While both A and B have merits, this essay will discuss the reasons why A is
ultimately preferable to B.
Paragraph
2: B has some benefits. On the other hand, B has many drawbacks.
Paragraph
3: Although A has some negative aspects, A has more advantages than B.
Paragraph
4: In conclusion, it is clear that A is superior to B.
Ø Look
at the following Task 2 topic which we have previously discussed:
While globalization has made it possible
for us to buy a wide variety of international products, many people believe
that it’s preferable to buy local products, rather than those from
international companies, in order to support the local economy. Please discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of this issue, and present your own opinion.
Ø Now
look at the two essays on the following pages. Which one is using the
thesis-led approach? Which one is using the argument-led approach?
1.
Undoubtedly,
the development of globalization in the past few decades has led to a massive
increase in the number and variety of products that are available to buy. All
the same, there has been some debate about whether it is better to buy products
from large multinational corporations or to purchase from local producers.
While it may sometimes be convenient or preferable to buy goods from overseas,
I would argue that it remains beneficial to buy the majority of our goods from
local producers.
Admittedly,
the quality and variety of internationally produced items cannot be
disputed. We can buy imported clothing
in any style or any colour at a reasonable price. We can have a taste of
international culture through products such as Swedish furniture, German cars,
and Indian textiles. Overseas companies like the Apple Corporation produce the
most up-to-date technology and gadgets which simply can’t be recreated locally.
International products can sometimes be cheaper and more easily accessible than
ones produced at home.
Even so,
it would be unwise to ignore the true cost of buying from abroad. Whenever we
send our dollars to another country, we are sending jobs there, too. Eating
fast food from McDonald’s harms the business of local restaurant owners and
takes jobs and money away from the local economy. If international companies
put local merchants out of business, this will ultimately lead to less variety
and control over what we consume. Furthermore, buying products that have been
transported long distances has a highly negative effect on the environment.
Thus,
although it is tempting to purchase predominantly from large multinational
companies, I believe it is in the best interest of the community for people to
buy locally whenever possible. Even if it costs a few dollars more to buy
something from a local producer, the benefits to society will certainly repay
the difference.
2.
For
several decades, there has been a heated debate about the advantages and
disadvantages of globalization. More specifically, consumers must decide
whether they will purchase a majority of their goods from global corporations
or from local producers. It is my opinion that people should buy from local
companies in order to support the local economy, maintain national solidarity,
and protect the environment.
Buying
from international producers harms small independent regions in several ways.
Firstly, it takes money out of the local economy and sends it overseas, often
to large companies in wealthy countries. This can also increase the
unemployment rate in the region, as local shops and producers are forced out of
business by international competitors. As these local shops close, consumers are
then forced to buy from the overseas producer, giving them fewer choices and
less control over their daily lives. Because they are not mass-produced, local
goods may be more expensive but are often of higher quality. Additionally,
since local producers are small, they often provide superior service and care
to the customer.
Another
reason to buy products that are made close to home is that this does
significantly less damage to the environment. Local products are made from
nearby materials, and so manufacturers have a vested interest in taking care
of, and not exploiting, the resources they use. Furthermore, regional goods do
not travel long distances before they are sold, which means less petrol and far
less pollution are involved with their production.
In sum,
while there may be some products that simply cannot be purchased from the local
area, consumers should make an effort to buy locally-produced items whenever
possible. This ensures the security of the local economy and the protection of
the global environment for many years to come.
Now
you try! Look at the IELTS Task 2 Topics in the boxes below. Choose one which
is interesting to you and try to make 2 different essay plans, one using the
thesis-led approach, and one using the argument-led approach.
Although developing countries receive a
great deal of financial aid from elsewhere in the world, they continue to have
issues with poverty. Do you think that developed countries should give more
help or a different kind of help? Or do you think that developing countries
must find their own solutions to poverty?
Some have argued that the term
globalization should actually be called “Americanization” because it largely
consists of United States culture and products being dominant all over the
world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Differences between countries are
becoming less and less evident with each passing year. Nowadays, everyone in
the world has the same fashions, eating habits, and media. To what extent do
you agree with this statement? Do you think the changes associated with
globalization are largely positive or largely negative?
Thesis-Led Plan
1.
I firmly believe that
___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________
5. In
conclusion, ___________________________________________________
Argument-Led Plan
1.
While
___________________________________________________ has many positive aspects,
___________________________________________________ is preferable.
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4. In
conclusion, ___________________________________________________
