The essay writing task requires you to consider a given issue or opinion and then explain your point of view on the subject by citing relevant reasons and/or examples based on your experience, observations or reading. An issue task requires you to take a position. However, you should be careful about the way in which you go about doing so. What is being assessed is your ability to think and write critically. Show that you recognize and understand the complexities of an issue before you take a position. Consider the issue from various perspectives, and think about your own experiences or reading related to the issue. Work your way to a position rather than simply announce one.
Do I have to completely agree/disagree with the issue statement? Can I take a middle stand? You may use any of a variety of strategies.
- You can completely agree with the statement provided your line of reasoning is strong and persuasive.
- You can completely disagree with the statement provided your line of reasoning is convincing enough.
- You may qualify the statement i.e. to some/great extent you can agree with it, and to some/great extent you can disagree with it. In such a case you’ve to develop reasoning, and illustrate for both perspectives of the issue.
Before you begin writing, do spend 5 to 7 minutes to jot down points on a scrap paper; jot down both sides of the issue.
Here we have jotted down points for few essay topics. Use these points for reference. You can add your own points
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Topic 15:
Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Topic 16:
Many people in cities today live in high-rise apartment blocks. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of living?
Topic 17:
Part time courses are on the rise and students are taking them up as an alternative to full time courses. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Topic 18:
Some people believe that if a child commits a crime he or she should be punished, while others think it is the child’s parents who should be punished. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Points
Topic 15:
Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
View 1: Entertainment should educate viewers on important social issues.
- The outreach of popular TV shows is in millions, hence they can influence populations on prevalent issues like climate change, mental health, effects of recent science technological developments, racism and gender equality.
- Entertainment should not be the only aim of media producers, it is apparent that it is a powerful tool to shed light on and raise awareness about social issues and hence aim to also fulfil its social responsibility.
- Entertaining shows engage the audience and when educational content is presented in such a manner it is more impactful and memorable than traditional formats.
- TV programmes have the freedom to challenge predominant stereotypes, promote understanding and empathy towards complex social dynamics and help develop informed decision-making.
- All viewers don’t necessarily have proper education and through entertaining shows it can empower even illiterate masses with information and inspire positive change.
View 2: TV programmes should not be involved in social issues.
- The primary purpose of entertainment is to relax and escape reality, audiences would not want to be hounded by serious matters.
- Freedom of creative expression in shows becomes limited and not all genres are suitable to disseminate commentary on serious social matters. (Eg: fantasy, comedy, reality TV, sports etc.)
- Some shows may be inadequately researched and not serve to properly educate the masses and could further cause biased opinions and misinformation to spread.
- Educational content to be presented in all shows deprives the viewers from being able to choose between educational and entertaining content.
Topic 16:
Many people in cities today live in high-rise apartment blocks. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of living?
View 1: Advantages of living in High rise apartments.
- More people are able to avail accommodation even if land area is available limitedly for housing in over-crowded cities.
- Higher floors come with panoramic views, more natural light and better air quality elevate living experience.
- Such high story residential estates are usually located near public transport, markets, business districts and entertainment hubs. Amenities are available in a smaller vicinity.
- High rise accommodations are accompanied by security personnel, designated parking spots, CCTV, gated community, providing a sense of security and belonging.
View 2: However, there are some significant disadvantages to high rise apartment blocks.
- Limited availability to private outdoor spaces can be isolating and stifling and thus affect the mental health of a person.
- In close quarter living spaces noises from neighbours can become can issue and expensive maintenance charges are levied for the perks of shared facilities and services.
- Residents are dependent on elevators, which can be a major inconvenience especially for people on higher floors during power outages or maintenance.
- Apartment layouts are fixed and one cannot personalize the space, expand or make modifications to suit their requirements or lifestyle.
Topic 17:
Part time courses are on the rise and students are taking them up as an alternative to full time courses. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
View 1: Part-time courses have many advantages.
- Part-time courses allow students to opt for flexible timings, making education or up-skilling more accessible.
- Students are able to work along with studying and are able to ease financial burdens while gaining work experience.
- Learning is a life-long pursuit and part-time courses enable parents, professionals and adults who have missed out on basic education to avail certified learning opportunities.
- Due to their non-mainstream nature, tuition fees can be spread-out and paying it becomes manageable in smaller installments.
- It encourages deeper learning by allowing students to take up fewer subjects and study them exhaustively.
View 2: There are various drawbacks of part-time courses.
- Since timings are flexible, sometimes it may take longer to complete the course, consequentially impacting career advancement and earring capacity.
- Part-time courses do not include subjects that require hands-on learning, lab facilities and specialized disciplines.
- It can be tricky to manage work, personal/family life and study leading to stress, anxiety, burnouts and lower productivity in students.
- University based full-time educations provides space for extracurricular activities, opportunities for networking and a supportive alma mater/perks of being an alumni.
Topic 18:
Some people believe that if a child commits a crime he or she should be punished, while others think it is the child’s parents who should be punished. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
View 1: Children should be the ones to receive punishment.
- The child is one who has committed the crime and should be held responsible for it. This is what will help them grow a conscience for right and wrong and experience the consequences of their actions.
- Holding the child accountable with appropriate legal punishment will be a deterrent to engaging in such criminal behaviour in the future.
- Justice should be delivered regardless of age. When such cases are handled befittingly in childhood will be an effective stimulus for moral thinking and character development.
- Children are to a greater extent influenced by their peers, as they grow older than parents and should be answerable to their individual conduct.
View 2: Parents should be punished.
- Parents are morally and legally obliged to instill conscientious behavior in their children.
- At the backdrop of juvenile crimes is parental neglect/lack of proper supervision/protection, poor discipline and lack of regular guidance.
- Unless parents are also held accountable, reformative measures will not take place in society. Legal persecution for parents will encourage better parenting.
- It will not be effective to punish children who may not have fully comprehended the seriousness of their actions.
- Legal action for parents emphasizes correcting the family environment, i.e. the root problem, rather than punishing the child severely.
