Some people think that the best way to get the news is through newspapers while others think it is through online media. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
The debate over the most effective medium for staying informed about different local and international events has intensified in the digital age, with some advocating for traditional newspapers while others favour newer forms of media. This essay will examine both perspectives and opine that traditional newspapers are far better sources as they offer authentic and in-depth news.
On the one hand, proponents of online news websites and social media, argue that these mediums offer greater immediacy, accessibility, and diversity of perspectives. With smartphones and digital devices becoming ubiquitous, people can access news updates instantly from anywhere with an internet connection. Furthermore, social media platforms allow individuals to engage with news stories, share opinions, and participate in discussions, creating a more interactive and dynamic news experience. For instance, breaking news stories often unfold on Twitter, where users can follow live updates and contribute to the conversation through tweets and retweets.
On the contrary, supporters of printed newspapers argue that they offer in-depth coverage, analysis, and credibility that other media platforms may lack. Newspapers often employ professional journalists who adhere to journalistic standards of accuracy and objectivity, providing readers with comprehensive and well-researched reports on current events. Additionally, the physical format of newspapers allows readers to engage with the news at their own pace, without the distractions often present in digital media. For example, individuals may enjoy starting their day with a cup of coffee and a printed newspaper, savouring the tactile experience and depth of coverage offered by traditional print journalism.
In my opinion, while digital media platforms and social media offer unique advantages in terms of immediacy and interactivity, they lack authenticity and reliability. This is why I favour the idea that newspapers are by far the best media to get news.
To conclude, individuals need to get news from reliable and authentic sources. From this perspective, newspapers are still the best way to get local and international news.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove redundancy Original: different local and international events Suggested revision: local and international events Why it matters: The two categories already express difference, so the extra adjective is unnecessary.
- 2. Use natural reporting Original: opine Suggested revision: argue Why it matters: Argue is a more natural academic verb for stating the essay's position.
- 3. Improve collocation Original: authentic and in-depth news Suggested revision: reliable and in-depth reporting Why it matters: Reliable reporting is a more precise collocation than authentic news.
- 4. Remove repetition Original: online news websites Suggested revision: news websites Why it matters: Websites already identifies an online medium, making online redundant here.
- 5. Remove subject comma Original: social media, argue Suggested revision: social media argue Why it matters: A comma must not separate the complete subject from its verb.
- 6. Use standard plural Original: mediums Suggested revision: media Why it matters: Media is the standard plural of medium in this formal context.
- 7. Use contrast linker Original: On the contrary Suggested revision: On the other hand Why it matters: The paragraph presents the second side of a debate rather than contradicting a preceding assertion.
- 8. Remove redundant modifier Original: printed newspapers Suggested revision: newspapers Why it matters: Newspapers in this comparison already refers to the printed format.
- 9. Avoid repetition Original: a printed newspaper Suggested revision: a newspaper Why it matters: The surrounding contrast with digital media makes printed unnecessary.
- 10. Fix number and form Original: the best media to get news Suggested revision: the best medium for getting news Why it matters: The singular superlative requires medium, and for getting forms a natural complement.
- 11. Use precise wording Original: get news from reliable and authentic sources Suggested revision: obtain news from reliable sources Why it matters: Reliable already conveys the relevant quality, while obtain suits the formal register.
Suggested Rewrites
- different local and international events local and international events
- opine argue
- authentic and in-depth news reliable and in-depth reporting
- online news websites news websites
- social media, argue social media argue
- mediums media
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay fully covers both positions, maintains an unequivocal preference, and develops a fluent comparison through well-selected advantages and examples. Its principal limitation is that the decisive claim that digital news lacks authenticity is asserted more strongly than it is demonstrated, while a few linking and word-choice slips slightly weaken precision. Give direct comparative evidence for reliability and polish the few awkward expressions to make the argument more compelling.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are directly addressed with relevant, extended support, and the writer's preference remains clear throughout.
Substantiate the central reliability comparison by explaining how editorial safeguards make newspapers more trustworthy than online sources.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through distinct perspectives and a clear opinion, with cohesive devices managed effectively overall.
Use a more accurate contrast marker than On the contrary when moving from online advantages to the newspaper perspective.
Lexical Resource
A wide and flexible vocabulary conveys precise distinctions, with only occasional awkward choices such as best media to get news.
Refine isolated collocations and use medium or news source consistently when referring to a single channel.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentence forms are varied and predominantly accurate, with only rare punctuation or agreement lapses.
Remove unnecessary punctuation that separates subjects from their verbs, as in social media, argue.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that the best way to get the news is through newspapers while others think it is through online media. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.