Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In recent years, many have argued that the best way to read the news is no longer in newspapers. In my opinion, though there are sentimental reasons to prefer newspapers, newer forms of media are far superior.
Those who continue to value newspapers tend to be older individuals. They have typically maintained this habit for years or even decades. Over such a long period reading newspapers, it is logical that they will have developed an emotional attachment to the act of buying and reading a physical copy of the news. For example, The New York Times continues to publish and sell physical copies of their paper in select markets. The people buying these papers could save time and money by reading the same articles online, but might be attracted to the feel and memories surrounding physical newspapers.
However, new forms of media allow audiences a wide range of choices that enhance the overall experience. A user accessing a media website can not only read an article from the convenience of their phone or laptop, but also take advantage of features like automatically generated text-to-speech, videos, links to related content, the ability to share an article, and more. All these features are also complemented by the ability to select a diversity of news sources. Instead of reading a single news outlet that might have a liberal or conservative bias, a discerning reader can seek out multiple viewpoints and find the news that is most trustworthy over time.
In conclusion, despite the respect due to the history of journalism, there are now a wide array of better options online. Individuals should nonetheless be wary of less trustworthy sources.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix the opening phrase Original: Over such a long period reading newspapers Suggested revision: After reading newspapers for such a long period Why it matters: The revision gives the opening phrase a clear subject and time relationship.
- 2. Use singular agreement Original: their Suggested revision: its Why it matters: The singular organisation name takes the singular possessive its in formal usage.
- 3. Use a concise subject Original: The people buying these papers Suggested revision: People who buy these papers Why it matters: The relative clause is clearer and less cumbersome than the original participial phrase.
- 4. Clarify the attraction Original: feel and memories surrounding Suggested revision: tactile experience and memories associated with Why it matters: The revision expresses both the physical and emotional appeal more precisely.
- 5. Use a natural collocation Original: allow Suggested revision: offer Why it matters: Offer is the more natural verb with a wide range of choices.
- 6. Name the feature precisely Original: automatically generated text-to-speech Suggested revision: text-to-speech audio Why it matters: The revision identifies the media feature more directly and accurately.
- 7. Remove vague wording Original: , and more Suggested revision: Delete Why it matters: The open-ended phrase is vague after an already detailed list.
- 8. Remove redundant emphasis Original: All these features are also complemented Suggested revision: These features are complemented Why it matters: All and also add unnecessary repetition to the transition.
- 9. Correct the collocation Original: select a diversity of news sources Suggested revision: choose from a diverse range of news sources Why it matters: English uses choose from a range rather than select a diversity.
- 10. Fix subject-verb agreement Original: are Suggested revision: is Why it matters: The head noun array is singular and therefore takes is.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: In recent years, many have argued that the best way to read the news is no longer in newspapers. Suggested revision: In recent years, many have argued that newspapers are no longer the best way to access the news. Why it matters: The rewrite removes the awkward idea of a way being in newspapers while preserving the claim.
Suggested Rewrites
- Over such a long period reading newspapers After reading newspapers for such a long period
- their its
- The people buying these papers People who buy these papers
- feel and memories surrounding tactile experience and memories associated with
- allow offer
- automatically generated text-to-speech text-to-speech audio
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a clear opinion, considers both perspectives, and develops its comparison through specific, well-integrated examples in a concise structure. The main limitation is that the case for newspapers rests almost entirely on nostalgia, making that side somewhat narrower than the discussion of digital media. Strengthen the balance by adding one practical advantage of print and weighing it directly against an online alternative.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are directly discussed, the opinion is explicit throughout, and the supporting ideas are relevant and well developed.
Broaden the newspaper argument beyond emotional attachment and compare its strongest practical benefit with digital media.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced, clearly paragraphed, and smoothly connected without distracting overuse of cohesive devices.
Make the final comparison slightly more explicit so the conclusion more fully synthesizes the two body paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and natural, with effective language for discussing habits, media features, and source reliability.
Replace broad phrases such as and more with one precise final example to maintain lexical specificity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentence forms are used flexibly and accurately, with only rare agreement or reference slips.
Check agreement in constructions such as there is a wide array and keep pronoun reference consistent for singular organizations.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.