This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of writing a friendly letter.
The key with all letter is:
Use the right level of formality/informality.
Include enough detail about all 3 points.
If you can do that, you’ll at least get a really good task achievement score.
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IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Friendly Letter (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Write a letter to friend to inform them of a celebration you are having for a recent job promotion. Include information about
The promotion
The celebration
Their accomodation
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Hey Sally,
It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
Really hope to hear from you!
Jim
Analysis
1. Hey Sally,
Say ‘hello’ or ‘hi’ because this is an informal letter.
1. It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. 2. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! 3. It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. 4. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
Begin to discuss the first point by saying your purpose for writing.
Add more detail.
Keep adding detail for 2 – 3 sentences.
The more detail on each point, the better task achievement score!
1. I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. 2. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. 3. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
Start writing about the second point.
Develop it with specific detail.
Add as much as possible!
1. If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. 2. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. 3. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
Write about the third point.
Make sure it is fully covered…
and detailed or you will get a low task achievement score!
1. Really hope to hear from you!
2. Jim
Write ‘Best Regards’ or a similar informal phrase to end the letter.
Sign/write your name at the end.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Hey Sally,
It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
Really hope to hear from you!
Jim
Answers
been a while taken some time
touch base with reconnect with
brag show off
big promotion moving up the ladder
gunning for trying to get
new job offer new employment opportunity
head up be in charge of
marketing department advertising
rival company competitor
salary wages
pivotal moment key point
well-known famous
authentic dishes real food
reservation get a table/seat
some of the best ravioli among the best pasta around
free not busy
stay at my place sleepover at my home
get the train back take the train to your home afterwards
whole weekend saturday and sunday
no problem either also fine
really hope to hear from you looking forward to your response
It’s b______________e since we were last talked and I wanted to t______________h you. Actually, I’m writing to b______g because I just got that b________________n I’ve been g_____________r! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a n_________________r to h___________p the m_________________t for a r_________________y. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better s___________y!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this p_________________t in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is w_____________n for its a_________________s and how hard it is to get a r______________n. They make s____________________________i I’ve ever had!
If you are f______e on the 23rd for dinner you can s_________________e after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can g_____________________k to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the w_________________d, that would be n__________________r.
Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and advertising is not needed.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many have argued that advertisement serves no real purpose as necessity motivates all purchases. I disagree with this completely because ads give consumers a minimum guarantee of quality and also develop wants into needs.
First of all, advertising is the most direct way to inform customers of a given product’s quality. The content of the ad is less important than the fact they were able to produce, distribute and, oftentimes, get a celebrity endorsement. For example, KFC typically signs the most famous football players to massive sponsorship deals, thereby evidencing the continued relevance and quality of their food. When a lesser known company premiers an advertisement this is evidence that they are generating enough revenue to validate whatever product they sell or service they provide.
Secondly, advertising does not simply meet needs; it creates them. Most people could live more fulfilling lives with fewer products but advertising stimulates desires by appealing to consumer psychology and those initial wants eventually become habitual. A good example of this would be the rise of Apple products in the last two decades and the role of advertising in making them popular. Apple phones and computers are famed not only for their quality but also the sense of being part of a community of users. Stylish ads like the ‘think different’ campaign helped foster their dominance. Now the desire to become part of the Apple community and appear cool has become a basic need for many users hooked into the Apple ecosystem of high-quality consumer electronics.
In conclusion, advertising serves an important role in society. This does not mean that it should not be regulated, simply that consumers and officials should be mindful of the full contribution of advertisers.
Analysis
1. Many have argued that advertisement serves no real purpose as necessity motivates all purchases. 2. I disagree with this completely because ads give consumers a minimum guarantee of quality and also develop wants into needs.
Paraphrase the overall topic of the esasy.
State your opinion clearly.
1. First of all, advertising is the most direct way to inform customers of a given product’s quality. 2. The content of the ad is less important than the fact they were able to produce, distribute and, oftentimes, get a celebrity endorsement. 3. For example, KFC typically signs the most famous football players to massive sponsorship deals, thereby evidencing the continued relevance and quality of their food. 4. When a lesser known company premiers an advertisement this is evidence that they are generating enough revenue to validate whatever product they sell or service they provide.
Write a topic sentence with a single main idea at the end.
Explain or develop your main idea.
Begin a specific example.
Develop your example.
1. Secondly, advertising does not simply meet needs; it creates them. 2. Most people could live more fulfilling lives with fewer products but advertising stimulates desires by appealing to consumer psychology and those initial wants eventually become habitual. 3. A good example of this would be the rise of Apple products in the last two decades and the role of advertising in making them popular. 4. Apple phones and computers are famed not only for their quality but also the sense of being part of a community of users. 5. Stylish ads like the ‘think different’ campaign helped foster their dominance. 6. Now the desire to become part of the Apple community and appear cool has become a basic need for many users hooked into the Apple ecosystem of high-quality consumer electronics.
Write another topic sentence with a new, distinct main idea.
Develop or explain the main idea.
Give a specific example.
Develop the example.
Keep developing the same example.
Draw out conclusions from your example.
1. In conclusion, advertising serves an important role in society. 2. This does not mean that it should not be regulated, simply that consumers and officials should be mindful of the full contribution of advertisers.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final thought/detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many have argued that advertisement serves no real purpose as necessity motivates all purchases. I disagree with this completely because ads give consumers a minimum guarantee of quality and also develop wants into needs.
First of all, advertising is the most direct way to inform customers of a given product’s quality. The content of the ad is less important than the fact they were able to produce, distribute and, oftentimes, get a celebrity endorsement. For example, KFC typically signs the most famous football players to massive sponsorship deals, thereby evidencing the continued relevance and quality of their food. When a lesser known company premiers an advertisement this is evidence that they are generating enough revenue to validate whatever product they sell or service they provide.
Secondly, advertising does not simply meet needs; it creates them. Most people could live more fulfilling lives with fewer products but advertising stimulates desires by appealing to consumer psychology and those initial wants eventually become habitual. A good example of this would be the rise of Apple products in the last two decades and the role of advertising in making them popular. Apple phones and computers are famed not only for their quality but also the sense of being part of a community of users. Stylish ads like the ‘think different’ campaign helped foster their dominance. Now the desire to become part of the Apple community and appear cool has become a basic need for many users hooked into the Apple ecosystem of high-quality consumer electronics.
In conclusion, advertising serves an important role in society. This does not mean that it should not be regulated, simply that consumers and officials should be mindful of the full contribution of advertisers.
Answers
serves no real purpose pointless
necessity needed
purchases what is bought
consumers customers
minimum guarantee at least
wants desires
most direct way straightforward
inform customers tell consumers
given product’s quality how good something is
content of the ad what they say in the advertisement
distribute send out
oftentimes usually
celebrity endorsement famous people representing a brand
signs signals
massive sponsorship deals lots of money to endorse
Many have argued that advertisement s_______________________e as n______________y motivates all p____________s. I disagree with this completely because ads give c___________s a m___________________e of quality and also develop w_______s into needs.
First of all, advertising is the m_______________y to i________________s of a g______________________y. The c___________________d is less important than the fact they were able to produce, d___________e and, o_____________s, get a c_______________________t. For example, KFC typically s______s the most famous football players to m_______________________________s, t_________y evidencing the c_______________________e and quality of their food. When a l______________________y p______________________t this is evidence that they are g_______________________________e to v_______________e whatever product they sell or s____________________e.
Secondly, advertising does not simply meet needs; it creates them. Most people could live more f___________g lives with fewer products but advertising s______________________s by a______________g to c________________________y and those i________l wants e____________y become h__________l. A good example of this would be the rise of Apple products in the last two decades and the r_____e of advertising in making them popular. Apple phones and computers are f__________d not only for their quality but also the s__________e of b___________f a c_____________________s. S_________h ads like the ‘t___________________________n helped f_______________________e. Now the desire to become part of the Apple community and a___________l has become a basic need for many users h______________o the A________________________m of high-quality consumer electronics.
In conclusion, advertising serves an important role in society. This does not mean that it should not be r___________d, simply that consumers and officials should b______________f the f___________________n of advertisers.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch some iconic Apple ads below:
Reading Practice
Here is a really, really old and interesting article about advertising and psychology:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of education spending from the real exam.
It is an interesting question and provides a good example of how to develop clear main ideas.
Please consider signing up for my Patreon here in order to support my efforts and receive exclusive Ebooks and materials related to IELTS!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Education Spending (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some believe that money for education should mainly be spent on better computers while others believe it would be better spent on teachers.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many today are of the view that education funding ought to be chiefly directed towards upgrading computer technology in schools while others would prioritise teachers. In my opinion, better computers will have the most identifiable impact, but teacher quality is more important.
Those who want increased investment in computers can highlight the unquestioned relevance of computers today and in the future. The single most important skill students will learn and that will serve them in professional and personal contexts over the course of their life, will be computer literacy. Jobs in traditional domains are rapidly vanishing or deteriorating while information technology positions are the most likely to be stable in an uncertain future job market. Someone who learns how to code in school will have a lifetime job at a good salary. This clear evidence insulates from criticism decision-makers opting for increased funding for computers over teachers.
Regardless, the overall impact of teachers is far greater, if not as immediately discernible. A good example of this is in Finland, which has invested heavily in education generally and in teachers particularly. Teachers often remain with the same students for years and are able to form stable bonds, guiding them through both their social and intellectual development. Students will remember these teachers their entire lives but the greatest impact comes from the values and habits instilled by teachers that may never reach the level of conscious gratitude. Students will simply be indebted to them without being able to trace the roots of some of their best qualities.
In conclusion, the quantifiable support for investing in computers only veils the true value teachers hold for education. Educational leaders with the vision to make unpopular, risky decisions will reap later rewards.
Analysis
1. Many today are of the view that education funding ought to be chiefly directed towards upgrading computer technology in schools while others would prioritise teachers. 2. In my opinion, better computers will have the most identifiable impact, but teacher quality is more important.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write your opinion clearly.
1. Those who want increased investment in computers can highlight the unquestioned relevance of computers today and in the future. 2. The single most important skill students will learn and that will serve them in professional and personal contexts over the course of their life, will be computer literacy. 3. Jobs in traditional domains are rapidly vanishing or deteriorating while information technology positions are the most likely to be stable in an uncertain future job market. 4. Someone who learns how to code in school will have a lifetime job at a good salary. 5. This clear evidence insulates from criticism decision-makers opting for increased funding for computers over teachers.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Being to develop your main idea.
Keep developing it with supporting ideas – don’t switch to a new main idea.
Here I include a hypothetical example.
I conclude the paragraph with a criticism of this approach which leads into my next paragraph.
1. Regardless, the overall impact of teachers is far greater, if not as immediately discernible. 2. A good example of this is in Finland, which has invested heavily in education generally and in teachers particularly. 3. Teachers often remain with the same students for years and are able to form stable bonds, guiding them through both their social and intellectual development. 4. Students will remember these teachers their entire lives but the greatest impact comes from the values and habits instilled by teachers that may never reach the level of conscious gratitude. 5. Students will simply be indebted to them without being able to trace the roots of some of their best qualities.
Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Give an example – make it specific.
Develop the example.
Pull out the results of your example.
Conclude the paragraph with a powerful statement!
1. In conclusion, the quantifiable support for investing in computers only veils the true value teachers hold for education. 2. Educational leaders with the vision to make unpopular, risky decisions will reap later rewards.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final detail or thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many today are of the view that education funding ought to be chiefly directed towards upgrading computer technology in schools while others would prioritise teachers. In my opinion, better computers will have the most identifiable impact, but teacher quality is more important.
Those who want increased investment in computers can highlight the unquestioned relevance of computers today and in the future. The single most important skill students will learn and that will serve them in professional and personal contexts over the course of their life, will be computer literacy. Jobs in traditional domains are rapidly vanishing or deteriorating while information technology positions are the most likely to be stable in an uncertain future job market. Someone who learns how to code in school will have a lifetime job at a good salary. This clear evidence insulates from criticism decision-makers opting for increased funding for computers over teachers.
Regardless, the overall impact of teachers is far greater, if not as immediately discernible. A good example of this is in Finland, which has invested heavily in education generally and in teachers particularly. Teachers often remain with the same students for years and are able to form stable bonds, guiding them through both their social and intellectual development. Students will remember these teachers their entire lives but the greatest impact comes from the values and habits instilled by teachers that may never reach the level of conscious gratitude. Students will simply be indebted to them without being able to trace the roots of some of their best qualities.
In conclusion, the quantifiable support for investing in computers only veils the true value teachers hold for education. Educational leaders with the vision to make unpopular, risky decisions will reap later rewards.
Many today are o____________w that e_________________g ought to be c________________________d towards u___________________________y in schools while others would p____________e teachers. In my opinion, better computers will have the most i__________________t, but teacher quality is more important.
Those who want increased investment in computers can h____________t the u________________________e of computers today and in the future. The single most important skill students will learn and that will s________e them in p____________________l and p________________s over the c_____________________e, will be c___________________y. Jobs in t_____________________s are r__________________g or d____________________g while i____________________________________s are the most likely to be s___________e in an u__________________________________t. Someone who learns how to code in school will have a l__________________b at a good salary. This clear evidence i_______________________m d____________________s opting for increased funding for computers over teachers.
Regardless, the overall impact of teachers is f________________r, i__________________________________e. A good example of this is in Finland, which has invested heavily in education g________________y and in teachers p_______________y. Teachers often remain with the same students for years and are able to f_____________________s, g_____________g them through both their s__________________________t. Students will remember these teachers their e_______________s but the greatest impact comes from the v___________s and h____________________d by teachers that may never r_________h the level of c______________________e. Students will simply be i________________d to them without being able to t__________________s of some of their b__________________s.
In conclusion, the q________________________t for investing in computers only v____________s the t____________________e teachers h________d for education. Educational leaders with the v__________n to make u_______________r, r_______________s will r__________________s.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn here about Finland’s teacher training schools:
Reading Practice
Read another perspective on computer literacy here:
This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay from the real academic exam on the subject of higher education (a bar chart).
There are a couple of key areas to note before you start writing.
First, this graph shows change over time so you will have to describe the full trend for full marks on your overview.
Secondly, there is a lot of data but you must include all of it.
Finally, it is important to structure and compare the data.
Read how I did that below!
Find out more about my exlusive Patreon essays here.
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Higher Education Bar Chart (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
The bar chart shows the percentage of young people in higher education in 2000, 2005 and 2010.
Courtest of IELTS Nguyen-Huyen
The bar chart details changes in the proportions of young people studying in higher education across 4 countries and at 3 intervals of 5 years from 2000 to 2010. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that, with the exception of country B where growth was flat, all countries experienced rises. Country D had the highest overall numbers throughout, while country A overtook country C and country B was generally lowest.
Looking first of all at the overall leader, country D, 60% of young people studied higher education in 2000 followed by a slight uptick to 65% in 2005 and a final upswing to 80%. In contrast, country B had far lower levels at 40% in both 2000 and 2010, with a small dip in between to just under 40%.
Country A had 37% of youngsters studying in university at the beginning of the period, trailing country C by approximately 13%. Both countries underwent increases in 2005 (by 11 and 2%, respectively) before country A surged ahead to nearly 60% and country C’s growth stagnated at 53%.
Analysis
1. The bar chart details changes in the proportions of young people studying in higher education across 4 countries and at 3 intervals of 5 years from 2000 to 2010. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that, with the exception of country B where growth was flat, all countries experienced rises. 3. Country D had the highest overall numbers throughout, while country A overtook country C and country B was generally lowest.
Paraphrase what the graph is showing.
Begin your overview. You must include all areas and say whether they increase/decrease.
Also include the ranking and any other notable areas.
1. Looking first of all at the overall leader, country D, 60% of young people studied higher education in 2000 followed by a slight uptick to 65% in 2005 and a final upswing to 80%. 2. In contrast, country B had far lower levels at 40% in both 2000 and 2010, with a small dip in between to just under 40%.
Begin to write about some of the data. I chose to compare the low and high in this paragraph.
Compare and be sure to include all data.
1. Country A had 37% of youngsters studying in university at the beginning of the period, trailing country C by approximately 13%. 2. Both countries underwent increases in 2005 (by 11 and 2%, respectively) before country A surged ahead to nearly 60% and country C’s growth stagnated at 53%.
Describe the data for the other countries.
Be sure that you are always comparing and you don’t miss out on any data.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The bar chart details changes in the proportions of young people studying in higher education across 4 countries and at 3 intervals of 5 years from 2000 to 2010. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that, with the exception of country B where growth was flat, all countries experienced rises. Country D had the highest overall numbers throughout, while country A overtook country C and country B was generally lowest.
Looking first of all at the overall leader, country D, 60% of young people studied higher education in 2000 followed by a slight uptick to 65% in 2005 and a final upswing to 80%. In contrast, country B had far lower levels at 40% in both 2000 and 2010, with a small dip in between to just under 40%.
Country A had 37% of youngsters studying in university at the beginning of the period, trailing country C by approximately 13%. Both countries underwent increases in 2005 (by 11 and 2%, respectively) before country A surged ahead to nearly 60% and country C’s growth stagnated at 53%.
Answers
details describes
proportions percentages
higher education university
intervals periods
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
exception what is different
growth was flat stayed the same
throughout all during the period
while at the same time
overtook surpassed
generally lowest overall at the bottom
overall leader highest in general
slight uptick small increase
final upswing large increase
far lower levels not nearly as high
small dip tiny decrease
just under a little less than
beginning of the period at the start of the time surveyed
The bar chart d___________s changes in the p_______________s of young people studying in h___________________n across 4 countries and at 3 i__________s of 5 years from 2000 to 2010. L_____________________________________________________________________t, with the e___________n of country B where g______________t, all countries experienced rises. Country D had the highest overall numbers t____________t, w_________e country A o__________k country C and country B was g________________t.
Looking first of all at the o____________r, country D, 60% of young people studied higher education in 2000 followed by a s______________k to 65% in 2005 and a f______________g to 80%. In contrast, country B had f___________________s at 40% in both 2000 and 2010, with a s_____________p in between to j_____________r 40%.
Country A had 37% of youngsters studying in university at the b_____________________________d, t______________g country C by a___________________y 13%. Both countries u_______________t increases in 2005 (by 11 and 2%, r_______________y) before country A s______________________y 60% and country C’s g______________________d at 53%.
Listen and check:
Writing Practice
Write about the bar chart below then check with my sample answer:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of art from the real exam.
Art is a really common topic on IELTS and could come up on the listening, reading, writing, or speaking parts.
Read below to get some experience with this topic!
Please consider signing up for my Patreon here in order to support my efforts and receive exclusive Ebooks and materials related to IELTS!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Film as Art (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. Music and film have now displaced them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
Analysis
1. Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. 2. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
Write your opinion – choose one side!
1. Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. 2. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. 3. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. 4. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. 5. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
Write a topic sentence with a main idea at the end of the sentence.
Begin developing or explaining your main idea.
Use specific examples – real filmmakers or films.
Develop your example – don’t run away from it.
Conclude the paragraph with the results or draw conclusions.
1. However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. 2. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. 3. Music and film have now displaced them. 4. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. 5. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
Another topic sentence with a main idea for the other side.
Explain or give background for your main idea.
Vary long and short sentences.
Here I use a hypothetical example.
And I conclude the paragraph with a real example.
1. In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. 2. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final thought/extra detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more elevated mediums like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the blatant commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more important art form for the 21st century.
Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is to make money. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as studios have assumed greater power. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films that earned decent returns. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to justify anything other than tentpole franchises. The artistic merits of these big movies tend to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and fan service.
However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination. Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. Music and film have now displaced them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that also have a degree of mass appeal.
In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. It is, however, still important for audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry to remain vibrant and innovative.
Answers
looked down on deride
in comparison with compared to / in contrast with
elevated mediums more well-regarded forms
blatant commercialisation obviously just for money
undermines hurts
claim contention
art form kind of art
minimise make lesser
point out argue
primary purpose main reason
increasingly true more and more the case
assumed greater power become more powerful
auteurs skilled professionals
modestly budgeted films movies made for little money
earned decent returns made enough money
advent of blockbuster films generally beginning of big movies overall
Film is often l__________________n as a less important art form i_____________________h more e____________________s like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the b_______________________n of film often u____________________s its c_______m to be art at all, it is a clearly more important a_____________m for the 21st century.
Those who would m_______________e the importance of film, can p__________t its p____________________e is to make money. This has become i________________e in the last several decades as studios have a______________________r. It used to be common for a_________s like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make m___________________________s that e________________________s. The a_____________________________________y and superhero movies i__________________r makes it much harder for studios c_____________g to their s____________________s to j___________y anything other than t_____________________s. The a__________________s of these big movies t_______________________w as they are often m_______________________e and s________e only for e_____________m and f_______________e.
However, film has clearly o___________n other forms of art in the p____________________n. Hundreds of years ago, c__________________s, p______________s, n______________s, and painters were h______________________m and their works were the c_______________________e. Music and film have now d____________d them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th century, would now o____t to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people and the m__________m is newer and more o_______________________y. A good example of this would be a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates t__________________l, e________________________s that also have a_________________________l.
In conclusion, film as an art form is a______________t today. It is, however, still important for audiences to t__________n to a w_______________________s in order to encourage the film industry to r__________________t and i_______________e.
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