ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 19/11/2023
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 20/11/2023
Question: Fewer and fewer people today write by hand using a pen, pencil or brush. What are the reasons? Is this a positive or a negative development?
(IELTS Academic – 18/11/2023)
ANSWER (8.0+):
There is a clear trend indicating a decline in the popularity of handwriting over the past few decades. This shift can be attributed to the emergence of faster and more convenient writing methods. Despite the practical advantages of these modern approaches, I hold the view that this shift has negative implications, notably affecting writers’ skills and physical well-being.
To commence, modern individuals show a reluctance towards employing pens or brushes for writing because of two factors. Foremost among these is the efficiency of typing, which surpasses traditional writing in speed. Typists benefit from the use of both hands and multiple fingers, facilitating an accelerated work flow and affording additional time for diverse pursuits. Secondly, the act of typing often incorporates supporting features. Notably, online platforms such as Google Docs offer autocorrection, and more recently, AI-generated content suggestions. These technological advancements not only streamline the writing process but also contribute to an effortless writing experience.
Nonetheless, the abandonment of traditional writing tools like pens, pencils, and paper should be regarded as a disadvantageous trend. Chief among the concerns is its impact on physical health. Typing often involves the use of modern technological devices such as computers and smartphones, which have been scientifically proven to contribute to health issues such as poor vision. Another notable consequence is the potential detriment to an individual’s writing skills. Many, particularly younger generations, report an overreliance on technological tools for document preparation. For instance, numerous university students now employ ChatGPT to generate written content, gradually losing the ability to choose proper words or grammatical structures to create their own writing.
In conclusion, the declining preference for handwriting, driven by the speed and convenience of typing, is not only understandable but also warrants concern due to its adverse effects on both health and writing proficiency. That is why governments should discourage excessive typing, and educational institutions should prioritize accepting only handwritten essays and reports.
(Word count: 317)
WORD LIST
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Show a reluctance towards | Thể hiện sự miễn cưỡng đối với |
Traditional writing | Viết truyền thống |
Accelerated work flow | Tiến độ công việc tăng lên |
Diverse pursuits | Có nhiều sự theo đuổi |
Supporting feature | Tính năng hỗ trợ |
AI-generated content suggestions | Đề xuất nội dung bởi trí tuệ nhân tạo |
Streamline the writing process | Đơn giản hóa quá trình viết |
Effortless writing experience | Kinh nghiệm viết dễ dàng |
Detriment | Sự tổn hại |
Overreliance | Sự phụ thuộc quá mức |
Employ | Sử dụng |