I almost always write 4 paragraphs, but sometimes the question requires a different approach. For example, a student asked me to return to the question below (from Cambridge IELTS 4). I wrote a couple of lessons about this topic back in 2012, but we didn't finish the full essay.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.
- comics
- books
- radio
- television
- film
- theatre
Here are my three main body paragraphs.
Can you add the introduction and conclusion?
The main advantage of books is that they are usually considered to be reliable sources of information. People tend to refer to books when they want to research a subject in depth, and for this reason they continue to play an important role in education. On the other hand, books quickly go out of date, and therefore they are not the best medium for communicating news stories.
Radio is a much more effective medium than books for the communication of up-to-date information. We can listen to news broadcasts about events as they happen, and a key benefit of radio is that we can listen to it while doing other activities, such as driving or working. The main drawback of radio, when compared to books or television, is that there is no visual element; we cannot see what the broadcaster is describing.
In my opinion, television is the most effective of these three media because it brings us closer to reality than a book or radio programme ever can. For example, we can watch events as they take place on the other side of the world, or we can see the body language of a politician who is being interviewed. The disadvantages of television are that programmes tend to be short and interrupted by advertisements, meaning that information is presented in limited depth.
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=The+main+advantage+of%2CThe+main+drawback+of%2Creliable+sources+of+information%2Care+usually+considered+to+be%2Crefer+to+books%2Cresearch+a+subject%2Cin+depth%2Cplay+an+important+role+in%2Cquickly+go+out+of+date%2Cmedium+for+communicating&case_insensitive=on&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t4%3B%2CThe%20main%20advantage%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3BThe%20main%20advantage%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bthe%20main%20advantage%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2CThe%20main%20drawback%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3BThe%20main%20drawback%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bthe%20main%20drawback%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Creliable%20sources%20of%20information%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Breliable%20sources%20of%20information%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BReliable%20sources%20of%20information%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Care%20usually%20considered%20to%20be%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Crefer%20to%20books%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Brefer%20to%20books%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BRefer%20to%20books%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Brefer%20to%20Books%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cresearch%20a%20subject%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Cin%20depth%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Bin%20depth%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bin%20Depth%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cplay%20an%20important%20role%20in%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cquickly%20go%20out%20of%20date%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cmedium%20for%20communicating%3B%2Cc0
https://www.google.com/search?hl=uk&tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=%22the+communication+of+up-to-date+information%22&num=10
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=a+much+more+effective+medium%2Clisten+to+news+broadcasts%2Cevents+as+they+happen%2Ca+key+benefit+of%2Cwhile+doing+other+activities%2Cno+visual+element%2Cbrings+us+closer+to+reality%2Cevents+as+they+take+place%2Cother+side+of+the+world%2Csee+the+body+language&case_insensitive=on&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Ca%20much%20more%20effective%20medium%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Clisten%20to%20news%20broadcasts%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cevents%20as%20they%20happen%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Ca%20key%20benefit%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3BA%20key%20benefit%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Ba%20key%20benefit%20of%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cwhile%20doing%20other%20activities%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cno%20visual%20element%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cbrings%20us%20closer%20to%20reality%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cevents%20as%20they%20take%20place%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cother%20side%20of%20the%20world%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Csee%20the%20body%20language%3B%2Cc0
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=who+is+being+interviewed%2Cdisadvantages+of+television%2Cinterrupted+by+advertisements%2Cmeaning+that+information+is%2Cinformation+is+presented+in%2Cin+limited+depth&case_insensitive=on&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cwho%20is%20being%20interviewed%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Cdisadvantages%20of%20television%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Bdisadvantages%20of%20television%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BDisadvantages%20of%20Television%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cinterrupted%20by%20advertisements%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cmeaning%20that%20information%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t4%3B%2Cinformation%20is%20presented%20in%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Binformation%20is%20presented%20in%3B%2Cc0%3B%3BInformation%20is%20presented%20in%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cin%20limited%20depth%3B%2Cc0
Posted by: zsófi | April 17, 2019 at 18:36
It is true that media communication has several types such as books, radio and television. Although these media means have both benefits and drawbacks, I think television is the most powerful medium for mass communication.
In conclusion, while I recognise the possible
advantages and disadvantagess of books and radio, I consider television to be the most effective overall.
Posted by: Murad | April 17, 2019 at 22:03
Nowadays, there are several types of mass media and it is understood that all of them have strengths and weaknesses. As far as I am concerned, I think that the most advantageous is television because it is up-to-date and has visual aid while broadcasting.
In conclusion, having considered media such as books, radio and television, I believe that the television is the most effective among all of them. However, it is suggested to reduce advertisement time in order to improve it.
Posted by: Maria Mirabella | April 18, 2019 at 05:01
Please help me to understand the potential issues in my essay.
People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
These days, many people are free to select jobs and places to reside in any part of the world because of the advancements in the information technology and transportation sectors. Although this development would allow skilled individuals to work in companies located in their preferred countries, I think the drawback of the formation of anti-social societies is more significant than any or all benefits.
The main positive of this development is that educated people can choose to work in overseas organizations based on their skills and educational qualifications. This will significantly help them to broaden their horizons, and to earn far more money than they could ever earn in their native countries. For instance, many well-qualified Indian people today migrate to Canada with the aim of improving their career prospects. However, I believe this advantage brings a significant negative impact on the economy of countries from where the efficient workforce is moving to other parts of the world in search of a successful career.
The potential disadvantage of this development is that the distance between people would increase drastically. That is to say, people would not prefer to meet their families and friends in-person as they have access to the high-speed internet and many communication applications, such as Facebook or Skype. For example, a recent survey has revealed that about 65% of Indian working people communicate with their closed ones mainly through online media rather than face-to-face meetings. In my view, the prime danger of this drawback is that it will develop isolated societies and thus will cause many negative social consequences.
In conclusion, while competent individuals can improve their career aspects due to innovations in technologies and transportation systems, I believe that this advantage is clearly outweighed by the critical disadvantage of the rise in the physical and emotional distances between people in the world.
Posted by: Vishaal | April 18, 2019 at 05:22
It is thought that books, radio, and television are the most significant medium of communicating information in the past and for the current time as well. I, however, prefer mostly TV is the best choice of communication's tools because of its some distinguish features compared to the other two sources of information.
In conclusion, may we had no reasons to deny the importance of any information getting tools but I, personally consider TV is something, especially moving pictures which makes it different from others.
Posted by: Akter | April 18, 2019 at 05:43
Small correction to my conclusion...
It is thought that books, radio, and television are the most significant medium of communicating information in the past and for the current time as well. I, however, prefer mostly TV is the best choice of communication's tools because of its some distinguish features compared to the other two sources of information.
In conclusion, may we had no reasons to deny the importance of any information getting tools but I, personally consider TV is something more significant, especially for moving pictures which makes it different from others.
Posted by: Akter | April 18, 2019 at 05:46
A local magazine editor has asked for readers opinion. Write a letter to the magazine editor;
-describe what made you choose this magazine
-why do you like and dislike about it
-what improvements do you want to see
Dear John
I am writing to share my views about your magazine called Science Direct.
I first came to know about your magazine when I was pursuing post-graduate studies in 2010. One of my teachers recommended me to refer the August issue of 2009 of your magazine for my thesis work, and since then I have been reading your magazine regularly.
The thing which really impresses me about your magazine is the publication of the latest research studies in the medical field, and I frequently use these study details in my work. However, I noted multiple typographical errors in many articles which is misleading, and thus readers, particularly researchers, cannot fully rely on the study data even though they are essential for their studies.
I would like to suggest you to ask the authors of research articles to assess their information thoroughly before giving them for the publication. Also, the appearance and the design of your magazine can also be upgraded as it looks old-fashioned and less interesting to me as a regular reader.
I hope you will find my opinion about your magazine helpful.
Yours’ sincerely,
Vishal Oza
Posted by: Vishaal | April 18, 2019 at 13:11
Nice blog for improving writing skills in IELTS.
It's really helpful for us to improve us.
Posted by: Kamini Kapoor | April 18, 2019 at 13:29
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=FRGoFxKels4C&pg=PA737&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwivusPOt9rhAhUaOisKHaRJBzM4KBDoAQhmMAk#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=ea48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA240&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibqrK5t9rhAhVQWX0KHbEpAWU4FBDoAQg8MAM#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=0_0qBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA264&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwilvJelt9rhAhVUX30KHT30C744ChDoAQhfMAg#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=SmpYPz85FYAC&pg=PA239&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwilvJelt9rhAhVUX30KHT30C744ChDoAQhRMAY#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=0QYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA74&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAtezkt9rhAhXNbX0KHa8EBkY4RhDoAQg2MAI#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=cMNeAAAAcAAJ&pg=PP132&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi1vuHVt9rhAhVDfSsKHZCWB7o4MhDoAQhLMAU#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=p6zPCvcFSUYC&pg=PA244&dq=%22.+After+heating+,%22&hl=uk&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi1vuHVt9rhAhVDfSsKHZCWB7o4MhDoAQhFMAQ#v=onepage&q=%22.%20After%20heating%20%2C%22&f=false
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=After+heating+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+heated+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+painting+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+dipping+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+painted+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+dipped+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+cleaning+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+cleaned+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+baking+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+baked+%26%2344%3B%2C&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CAfter%20heating%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20heated%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20painting%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20dipping%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20painted%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20dipped%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20cleaning%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20cleaned%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20baking%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20baked%20%2C%3B%2Cc0
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=After+shaking+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+shaken+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+driving+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+being+driven+%26%2344%3B%2CAfter+shaking+%26%2344%3B%2C+After+being+shaken+%26%2344%3B&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CAfter%20shaking%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20shaken%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20driving%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20driven%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20shaking%20%2C%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CAfter%20being%20shaken%20%2C%3B%2Cc0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergative_verb#In_English
Posted by: Oleg | April 18, 2019 at 21:20
The graphs show that for some 'ergative' verbs, the passive gerund is less commonly used.
Posted by: Oleg | April 18, 2019 at 21:23
Vishaal
Re: "I would like to suggest you to ask"
"Suggest" is never followed by a personal pronoun as an object, nor by an infinitive.
May I suggest that you always follow 'suggest' with 'that'? This will automatically fix the grammar. Make sure you do this in speaking too.
-> May I suggest that you ask the authors ...
Posted by: Oleg | April 18, 2019 at 21:30
Introduction
Different types of medium have their own benefits and drawbacks based on their own features for communication of information. I believe that television is the most effective medium when providing news stories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would argue that television works the most effectively for communicating information.
Posted by: suki | April 20, 2019 at 06:24
Can I ask a question? Why it is 'visual element' instead of 'visual elements' in the 2nd paragraph of Simon's example?
Posted by: suki | April 20, 2019 at 06:27
suki
The other elements might include the audio element, the narrative, news, social, and phone-in elements, the time element, the advertising element, and so forth.
Posted by: gigi | April 20, 2019 at 07:28
Thanks Oleg for the great advice!
Posted by: Vishaal | April 20, 2019 at 10:17
Vishaal
What are "anti-social societies" ?
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=brings+an+impact%2Cbring+an+impact%2C*_VERB+an+impact%2Chave+a+significant+negative+impact%2Chas+a+significant+negative+impact&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cbring%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B.t2%3B%2C%2A_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%2Cs0%3B%3Bhave_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bhad_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bhas_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmake_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmade_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bhaving_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmaking_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bis_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bmakes_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B%3Bbe_VERB%20an%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Chave%20a%20significant%20negative%20impact%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Chas%20a%20significant%20negative%20impact%3B%2Cc0
"would not prefer to meet their families and friends in-person": or would not be able to ...?
"their closed ones " -> close
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=*_VERB+consequences%2Ccause+*+consequences%2Ccreate+*+consequences%2C+have+*+consequences&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=
https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=disadvantage+of+greater%2Cdisadvantage+of+increased%2Cdisadvantage+of+the+rise&year_start=1960&year_end=2008&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cdisadvantage%20of%20greater%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cdisadvantage%20of%20increased%3B%2Cc0
Posted by: colette | April 20, 2019 at 20:20
hi simon. can i ask something?
In task two, one example is sufficient or we need to give two examples?
Kindly do reply.
Thankyou in anticipation.
Posted by: drsmsak | April 22, 2019 at 20:06
drsmsak
1) The Task 2 instructions are to "include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience". Note that 'examples' is plural: the instructions do not simply call for "an example" or "one example".
2) The marking criteria refer to "relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas", where 'support' presumably includes providing relevant examples.
3) In my view, the key is to make sure any example used is both relevant, and clearly linked to the argument. Consider whether it would be helpful to follow each example with an extra sentence highlighting the relevance to the point being made.
4) Better one relevant example, with an explanation of how this proves your case, than two irrelevant examples and no linkage. Try planning your essay around the examples you have (even if it means changing your viewpoint).
Just my thoughts.
Posted by: cara | April 22, 2019 at 20:46
drsmsak
For example, after Simon's sentence
"For example, we can watch events as they take place on the other side of the world, or we can see the body language of a politician who is being interviewed", we could add: This demonstrates that television with its visuals is more objective than a radio reporter, and we can make our own judgments accordingly, a big plus point.
[This links the example back to the main topic.]
Posted by: cara | April 23, 2019 at 03:57
It is true that the media plays a major role in communications in recent years. Although there are some drawbacks through the media, I believe that there are far more benefits with regard to books, radio and television respectively.
In conclusion, white I recognise the negative effects of the mass media, I believe that the positive aspects outweigh them in the long term.
Posted by: arch1001face | April 24, 2019 at 06:03
Media are the way people could get lots of communicating information. There are many different types of media such as comics, books, radio, television, film and theatre. This essay will attempt to illustrate three majority types of media: books, radio and television which people use today.
In conclusion, people receive the communicating information from media such as book, Radio and television and so on. Books are considered to be reliable sources of information. Radio is the medium for catching up-to-date information. Finally, television is the most effective medium that we can watch events that happened around the world.
Posted by: mini | April 25, 2019 at 06:34
People use different means such as books, radio and television for communication purposes. This essay will discuss each of their advantages and disadvantages and conclude that the best way to communicate is through television.
In conclusion, books, radio and TV all have their own share of audience. Personally, I believe TV is more effective because of its vivid images and the capability of reaching audience worldwide.
Posted by: lin | May 14, 2019 at 07:43