You can approach your IELTS essay task in two different ways. For example, you may opt for an argument-led approach or athesis-led approach.
Consider the essay questions given below.
1. Nowadays more and more teenagers get involved in criminal activities. Why do you think this is happening? What can be done to prevent this?
2. Nowadays more and more teenagers get involved in criminal activities. What can be done to prevent this?
The first essay topic includes two questions whereas the second one includes just one topic. When your essay topic asks you to answer more than one question, the argument-led approach is more suitable because it allows you to discuss and compare different views and analyse problems. The thesis-led approach is more useful when you have to answer only one question and when you have a clear opinion on that.
The argument led approach
This approach is helpful while discussing different views or comparing advantages and disadvantages.
Read the essay topic given below.
A large number of unmarried youngsters now live on their own in cities away from their hometowns. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
This essay asks you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of a particular trend. Before you start writing brain storm ideas for both sides of the argument; that is, both for and against the issue.
In your introduction, paraphrase the question showing the topic clearly. Do not repeat the exact same words or phrases given in the question. Of course, this is not always possible and sometimes you will have to repeat some of the words. However, avoid the repetition of the entire question at all costs. You may express your opinion in the introduction itself.
Here is a sample introduction statement.
The number of unmarried men and women who live on their own are definitely on the rise. This trend has both positive and negative aspects. For one thing, when people live on their own, they learn to become self-reliant. On the other hand, too much freedom can sometimes lead them astray.
Develop the body of your response
Now that you have clearly stated that this trend has both positive and negative sides, you have to develop your body paragraphs accordingly.
You may write about the positive sides in the first body paragraph. Make sure you support your arguments with valid examples from your own experience. Do not write anything about the negative sides in this paragraph. Discuss only one main point in each paragraph. In the next body paragraph, you can write about the negative sides. Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points.
The Thesis-led approach
Read the essay question given below.
A large number of unmarried youngsters now live on their own in cities away from their hometowns. Is this a positive or negative trend?
As you can see, this essay topic clearly asks for your opinion. The argument-led approach is not suitable in this case. Instead, you have to opt for the thesis-led approach. This approach is suitable when you have or when you are required to take a clear opinion on a particular topic.
If you believe that something is good or right, the whole of your essay – your introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion – should support that view. Do not write about the negative aspects after you have clearly stated that something is good. Now in case, you believe that something is bad, do not write one paragraph explaining why it is bad and another paragraph analyzing the positive aspects of the situation.
Here is a sample introduction statement for the essay topic given above.
More and more unmarried young men and women now live on their own in large cities. This is clearly a positive development. When people live on their own, they learn many skills necessary for success in life. For example, they learn to be responsible for their actions. They also learn to become self-reliant.
IELTS sample:
IELTS Essay: Should single adults be encouraged to study and live away from their parents
Thanks to urbanization, more and more young and often unmarried adults migrate to cities in search of jobs or a better life style. This trend is largely positive, but it does have a few negative side effects as well.
Let’s start with the positive aspects. When unmarried youngsters live on their own, they learn to become self-reliant. They learn to take care of themselves. They learn to cook, clean and wash. In fact, single men and women living alone in the cities learn all the skills necessary to run a home. They also learn to manage their time and money. They wouldn’t perhaps learn many of these skills if they were living with their parents.
Let’s start with the positive aspects. When unmarried youngsters live on their own, they learn to become self-reliant. They learn to take care of themselves. They learn to cook, clean and wash. In fact, single men and women living alone in the cities learn all the skills necessary to run a home. They also learn to manage their time and money. They wouldn’t perhaps learn many of these skills if they were living with their parents.
Independence is another plus point. When people live on their own away from their family they get an opportunity to explore and discover themselves. They discover their inherent skills. They learn to cope with challenges. They also learn several social skills.
On the flip side, too much independence can have a negative impact as well especially in the case of single adults who can’t distinguish between right and wrong. The cities are full of traps and young adults are their main targets. In the absence of a guiding voice, many youngsters living alone in the cities can get into bad company. They may also develop bad habits like smoking and drinking because they have no one to fear in the city. They may not develop these habits if they were living with their parents or elder siblings.
After analysing both aspects of the situation it is not hard to see that living on one’s own helps a youngster to grow into a mature and self-sufficient adult. There are some negative aspects as well, but this trend is largely positive and should be encouraged.
On the flip side, too much independence can have a negative impact as well especially in the case of single adults who can’t distinguish between right and wrong. The cities are full of traps and young adults are their main targets. In the absence of a guiding voice, many youngsters living alone in the cities can get into bad company. They may also develop bad habits like smoking and drinking because they have no one to fear in the city. They may not develop these habits if they were living with their parents or elder siblings.
After analysing both aspects of the situation it is not hard to see that living on one’s own helps a youngster to grow into a mature and self-sufficient adult. There are some negative aspects as well, but this trend is largely positive and should be encouraged.
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