IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1260 - News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures. Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words.
What is your opinion about this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Agreement]
[Band 9 Essay Sample]
The use of visual aids such as pictures, videos, and infographics is increasingly prevalent in modern news reporting. Some argue that pictures are more effective than words in conveying information and stimulating emotional responses. I agree with this opinion and believe that pictures are indeed a powerful tool for news reporting.
Firstly, pictures can capture complex events and convey them more effectively than words. For instance, the photographs of the devastation caused by natural disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, or the Turkey-Syria earthquake in 2023, can bring home the full impact of the tragedy in a way that words alone cannot. Similarly, pictures of war zones or crime scenes can provide a sense of immediacy and urgency that written reports may lack.
Secondly, pictures have the potential to evoke strong emotions and provoke action. This is because visual images can create a visceral response in the viewer, stirring empathy or outrage in a way that words cannot. For example, the harrowing images of child refugees fleeing war-torn countries can elicit strong feelings of compassion and motivate people to take action to help them.
Finally, pictures can also be used to hold those in power accountable for their actions. For example, the infamous images of many war prisons, and refugee camps played a crucial role in exposing the human rights abuses occurring in those places. Those images, in many instances, have brought international attention and condemnation, leading to a public outcry and calls for accountability.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that pictures are more effective than words in news reporting. They have the power to capture complex events, evoke emotions, and hold those in power accountable. Since they are so powerful, it is crucial for journalists to use them responsibly and ethically.
Sample Answer 2: [Disagreement]
[Band 8 Essay Sample]
These days pictures and visual representations often accompany news stories in newspapers and on television. While some argue that images offer superior effectiveness compared to written content, I firmly believe that written information provides more depth, accuracy, and clarity, making it more effective than visual representation alone.
Firstly, although images are impactful and immediately engaging, words deliver comprehensive details and context that pictures alone cannot convey. Pictures, while attention-grabbing, only provide a snapshot of events and can easily be misinterpreted if presented without adequate context. Conversely, written accounts delve deeper into issues, offering readers insights, explanations, and analysis that help them grasp complex events accurately. For instance, during political unrest, newspapers that deliver detailed written reports can explain the underlying causes and implications far better than mere photographs, which might evoke strong emotions without fully clarifying the situation.
Furthermore, written content possesses a higher potential for objectivity, thereby reducing ambiguity or misunderstanding. Images can be subjective and interpreted differently by various viewers depending on their personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, or emotional state. Textual reporting, on the other hand, strives to maintain objectivity and clarity, significantly reducing the risk of misrepresentation. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, statistical information and written guidelines published by health authorities proved more reliable and useful to the public than visuals alone, which could lead to misinterpretation.
In conclusion, despite the undeniable visual impact and immediacy of images, written information remains a more effective means of communication due to its ability to deliver context, accuracy, and detailed explanations. Thus, news consumers should place greater reliance on well-crafted textual content for a more comprehensive understanding of current events and societal issues.
Idea Generation for this IELTS Essay:
Essay Question:
News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures. Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words.
What is your opinion about this?
Essay type:
Opinion Essay.
The main Question of this Essay:
Do you agree or disagree that pictures accompanying news stories are more effective than words?
Reasons why pictures accompanying news stories are more effective:
1. Immediate visual impact and engagement:
Images capture immediate attention, provoking strong emotional reactions and quickly conveying the essence of a news story. They instantly draw viewers into the content, particularly in emergencies or crises. To illustrate, during natural disasters, striking photographs of the damage evoke stronger responses from the public compared to mere textual descriptions.
2. Universally understandable:
Pictures transcend language barriers, making news accessible to a broader audience. They enable individuals from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to grasp events quickly and effectively. For example, global coverage of natural disasters or conflicts relies heavily on images to communicate urgent information clearly without translation delays.
3. Evokes emotional engagement:
Pictures capture human emotions vividly and instantly, making stories more relatable and memorable. Images provoke empathy, sympathy, and urgency, prompting viewers to react emotionally and sometimes take action. For instance, powerful photos of natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes can trigger immediate humanitarian responses worldwide.
3. Enhances recall and impact:
Visual content is typically remembered longer than textual information. People tend to recall images more vividly, thus strengthening the message conveyed by the news. For example, iconic photographs from historical events, such as the moon landing, remain etched in public memory more clearly than descriptions alone.
4. Quick and engaging communication:
Images instantly capture attention, making them effective in conveying news rapidly, especially in a fast-paced, digital age where audiences prefer instant information. For instance, social media platforms heavily rely on images to quickly communicate breaking news stories.
Reasons why written words in news stories are more effective:
1. Provides detailed context:
Words convey nuanced details, background information, and explanations necessary to understand complex issues. Without written context, images alone can be misinterpreted or lack depth. For example, economic reports require detailed textual explanations of market trends, something impossible to convey through pictures alone.
2. Reduced ambiguity and greater accuracy:
Written reports provide clear explanations, reducing the risk of misunderstanding. Images, by contrast, can be misinterpreted or manipulated, leading to misinformation. For instance, during political events, accurate textual reporting helps clarify sensitive topics clearly, whereas photos might be ambiguous or misleading.
3. Depth and analytical detail:
Text allows for deeper analysis, background information, and expert opinions, giving readers comprehensive understanding beyond the superficial level. For example, detailed newspaper articles covering political developments offer extensive insights that images alone cannot deliver.
4. Essential for critical thinking and understanding context:
Written words encourage deeper thought, critical analysis, and understanding of complex situations. Images may evoke emotional reactions but typically fail to provide full context or in-depth understanding. For instance, opinion articles stimulate readers to reflect on underlying social or political implications that images might fail to communicate.
5. Conveying detailed information and complex issues clearly:
Many topics require depth and complexity to be effectively communicated, something achievable only through detailed written descriptions. For example, scientific findings, legal decisions, or detailed economic analyses require comprehensive textual explanations to ensure accurate public understanding.
Report