IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1204 - It is unnecessary to teach children skills of handwriting
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that in our modern age, it is unnecessary to teach children about the skills of handwriting.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Disagreement]
Many people believe that handwriting skill is no longer important in this era of technology, and children do not require investing time to hone their handwriting, especially when they will most likely type instead of writing for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, this opinion is misguided. I strongly believe that handwriting skill is important even in today’s digital world.
Good handwriting is important because when children learn to write clearly and concisely, they also learn how to express themselves properly. This leads to better academic and professional performance. I reckon handwriting is much more than simply putting letters on a page; it is a key part of learning and expressing ideas. Scrawls that cannot be read may be compared to speaking that cannot be understood. Handwriting is also important because children are required to use it daily in school, and those who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes or completing their schoolwork. This can affect both their self-esteem and their attitude toward school. Good penmanship means better grades as studies show that the same mediocre paper is graded much higher if the handwriting is neat.
More importantly, handwriting proficiency inspires confidence despite some people's belief that handwriting is not related to better academic performance. The more children practise a skill such as handwriting, the stronger the motor pathways become until the skill becomes automatic. Furthermore, handwriting aids memory. For example, if a person writes a list or a note and then loses it, he is more likely to remember what he wrote than if he just tries to memorize it.
In conclusion, computer and digital data have no way replaced the necessity of handwriting skills. They are even more prevalent in this era of technology where good handwriting is related to academic performance and success, on the one hand, and inspires confidence, on the other hand.
[Written by - Stephen]
Model Answer 2: [Agreement]
Handwriting skills involve craftsmanship and an artistic way of presenting letters, and require a great deal of time and practice. Since students are more likely to type rather than write on paper for the rest of their life, I do not believe that this skill is prevalent in this modern era where computers are used both in the academic and professional arenas.
To begin with, neat handwriting was a criterion for academic success in the past, but not anymore in this digital era. Assignments, classwork, tests and other school activities are mostly done on computers and this is why a student needs to grasp the skills of computing and typing more than presenting immaculate letter formations on paper. To illustrate an example, I submitted three assignments during my last term and all of them were submitted to my teachers' emails, and not a single one was handwritten. Besides, time invested in honing excellent handwriting can be better utilised in mastering more important subjects and skills.
Moreover, the use of computers and the Internet in offices is a common trend. An employee is expected to be an expert computer user, and immaculate handwriting is not a requirement to be hired by a company. Ironically, better penmanship has little value in a world surrounded by technology. Considering the future, when computers would be more predominant, parents and teachers should focus more on teaching technology to students than instructing how much a letter should be stressed or curved!
To conclude, academic activities and professional needs, in this era of technology, compel students to have skills in computers and this is why it would be more practical to enhance their technical skills rather than handwriting skills- which have already become less important.
Sample Answer 3: [Disagreement]
The dominance of technology has changed many people's views on teaching students the art of writing as they believe that the skill of handwriting is no longer necessary in modern times. But I personally disagree that modernisation and the use of technology have made handwriting skills obsolete. I firmly believe that good handwriting of pupils is one of the essential skills for academic success.
To begin with, good penmanship leads to better school performance in most cases. Also, it puts a solid impression on the readers or examiners. When an examiner reads an answer that is neatly presented with nice handwriting, it gives a positive impression to the mind of the examiner. This leads to a better score for the examinee. To exemplify this particular impression, 71 per cent of learners who have clear and nice handwriting, have good academic records and a reputation among schoolmates and teachers.
Moreover, only reading and speaking skills are not enough for better academic performance. Practising the topics by writing them on paper could be a much more efficient way to learn. For example, in mathematics, it is helpful to practice the problems and learn the formulas by writing. Additionally, writing is also a pivotal part of communication and this skill is necessary because research shows that when children learn how to do it, they also learn how to express themselves.
To conclude, it can be summarized that learning to write is indispensable and should be taught to children. Amid the sea of typed materials and digital data, handwritten materials have their own dominance, hence, handwriting skills should not be ignored.
[Penned by - Sruchi]
Sample Answer 4: [Disagreement]
In today's digital age, some people argue that teaching children handwriting skills is unnecessary. They form their argument on the basis that those children will type, or use voice commands rather than writing when they become adults, and this is why teaching them the skill of handwriting is a waste of time. However, I disagree, and believe that children should learn to write by hand as it still is an important skill.
Firstly, teaching children handwriting skills is beneficial for their cognitive development. Research has shown that when children learn to write with their hands, they engage different parts of their brain than when they type on a keyboard. Writing by hand helps children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. In addition, the act of writing by hand helps children learn to remember and process information better than typing on a keyboard. For instance, when taking notes in class, students who write by hand are more likely to remember what they wrote than those who type their notes.
Secondly, handwriting is a fundamental skill that will always be needed, even in the age of technology. It is essential for signing legal documents, writing letters, and filling out forms. Children who lack handwriting skills will face difficulties in performing basic tasks in the future. Therefore, teaching children handwriting skills is crucial for their success in the future. Finally, the act of writing by hand can also provide therapeutic benefits, such as stress reduction and increased creativity. Writing by hand allows people to slow down their thoughts and connect more deeply with their ideas.
In conclusion, despite the prevalence of technology in our daily lives, teaching handwriting skills to children is still important. Not only does it promote cognitive development, but it is also an essential skill that will be necessary for many aspects of their lives.
Model Answer 5: [Agreement]
In this age of technology, some individuals argue that teaching children the skills of handwriting is no longer necessary. While handwriting is a useful skill that has been taught for centuries, I believe that the importance of teaching handwriting skills to children is decreasing quickly.
Firstly, with the rise of technology, individuals can now communicate using various digital devices, which has significantly reduced the need for handwriting skills. Typing skills have become more critical in today's digital age, and in the future, we will be able to write using our voice commands. So, it is important for children to learn how to use technology to communicate effectively and the skills of manual writing will become less and less prevalent in the future.
Secondly, children can now learn alternative forms of communication that are more efficient than handwriting. For example, text messages and emails can be used to communicate with individuals across the world in a matter of seconds. In contrast, sending a letter through the mail may take several days, making it less efficient than digital communication methods.
Moreover, the time spent teaching children handwriting skills in school can be utilized for teaching other subjects or skills that are more relevant to today's world. For instance, children can be taught digital literacy skills such as coding, which will prepare them for the digital world.
In conclusion, while handwriting is a valuable skill, it is no longer as crucial in today's digital age. As technology advances, individuals can communicate more efficiently using digital devices, and it is essential for children to learn digital literacy skills.
Tips: Why handwriting skill is important for children:
1. When young children learn to write clearly and concisely, they also learn how to express themselves.
2. Handwriting stimulates young students' brains more than typing on a keyboard because handwriting involves more complex motor and cognitive skills.
3. Being able to write effortlessly enables youngsters to focus more fully on a topic rather than being distracted.
4. Children who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes, completing their schoolwork and taking tests.
5. Good handwriting has a positive impact on grades.
6. Illegible handwriting can cause poor self-esteem. Poor self-esteem can trigger a lack of confidence among students.
7. Studies show that the same paper is graded much higher if the handwriting is neat and legible.
8. Good handwriting skill is appreciated by classmates, parents and teachers alike.
9. Students retain learning better when working with new ideas through handwriting instead of typing on a computer.
10. Handwriting can help them slow down and fully engage with their thoughts while typing on a computer may not.
Nowadays, a large number of institutions in the world accept online assignments and printed classwork. So children do not need to write on papers much - sometimes even not their names. Thus most students aggressively learn how to type on IT devices because the skill becomes much more important for young people in their academic life and even after graduations since fewer companies bring in paper materials now, while a lot of offices opt to use technology and computers. Therefore, typing skills are required for young people while handwriting skills are not required at all.
However, I see handwriting as an important skill. In Japan, parents traditionally make their children learn the skills of handwriting because many people believe that organized letters by handwriting have affirmative impressions on others. Likewise, I believe that it is a mandatory task that children should learn how to write letters by hand neatly in order not to make others feel unpleasant while reading their texts. Apart from that, in terms of the necessity of handwriting, I judge that it will not happen that it will disappear completely in the future.
In conclusion, I am partially in favour of the view that children do not have to overemphasize learning handwriting in this modern era of computers and technology. However, I believe that they should prepare for the opportunity that they should use the skills of handwriting.
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