how to write positive and negative essay in ielts

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Positive or Negative Development: IELTS Model Essay

An IELTS model essay for positive or negative development questions. It is common in IELTS writing task 2 to be asked to choose either something is a positive or negative development/trend. Your task is to answer the question in the introduction and explain your answer in the body paragraphs.

These instructions are asking for your opinion so it is important that you give it clearly. If you fail to present a position of your own (a view point), you will have failed to complete the task and that will affect your score.

IELTS Positive Negative Essay Question

Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialise online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development?

IELTS Model Essay: Positive or Negative Development?

An increasing number of people meet and talk to their friends online instead of in person. In my opinion, this is a negative development which can lead to isolation, potentially harmful situations and also problems later on in life.

One serious problem that can arise from people socialising online is that it can lead to isolation. Before the internet, people would frequently go out to meet friends, for example in cafes, bars or restaurants, whereas now people prefer to stay at home alone, chatting online. As a result, people are starting to spend the majority of their time alone at home in their room without meeting others. Isolation of this kind is not healthy and can sometimes lead to depression and other issues.

Another issue is that meeting people online can be risky. In other words, people can assume fake identities online as well as hide their true characteristics. This is particularly concerning for teenagers who are impressionable and can easily be led into dangerous situations. Furthermore, as this interaction is online, parents have no way of monitoring it and protecting their children.

Finally, socialising online can end in difficulties years later as conversations and shared photos that had been forgotten reappear. This situation is currently critical for many people, again especially for teenagers who do not think carefully before posting online. That is to say, information which is put online can remain there forever and while people may share intimate communications with close friends, these words can then resurface later on leading to much embarrassment.

In conclusion, although it has become more popular for people to socialise through the internet, it has brought about too many problems for this to be considered a positive trend.

Examiner’s Comments: This essay provides a clear answer to the essay question. The position is clearly presented in the introduction and also explained and supported throughout the essay. Linking devices are well used and ideas are organised logically. Language is flexible and accurate. This would reach band 9. (Word count = 286)

More IELTS Model Essays:

• IELTS Agree Disagree Essay (Opinion Essay)
• IELTS Discussion Essay
• IELTS Direct Question Essay 
• IELTS Solution Essay
• All IELTS Model Essays, Tips & Free Videos for Task 2

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Hi, Liz! Is it possible for you to check out my essay? If not, it’s okay. I hope you take care and thank you so much for providing the best IELTS lessons for free!

Recently, many people have preferred to meet with others online rather than in person. In my opinion, this is a negative development that could lead to isolation and being dependent on technology.

One serious problem that arises from people preferring to socialize online is isolation. This is because they are glued to their screens most of the time, ignoring their surroundings and the people near them. There is no spare time to bond with family and friends in person, which leads to feeling left out and alone. For example, going outdoors with friends for a simple walk or doing sports can have a positive impact on a person’s mood. However, they find it difficult to stop meeting people online since hiding behind their screens gives them a false sense of identity, which results in fake confidence and online dependency.

Another issue that stems from talking and meeting people on the internet is becoming dependent on technology. If their computers, laptops, or phones break one day, they do not know how to interact in person since they are used to communicating online. For example, they cannot express their feelings well in person compared to typing what they want to say. There is no healthy balance between socializing online and offline which has its own consequences.

In conclusion, the internet is being used recently to communicate with people more often than in person. Problems arise from this such as being isolated from family and friends who are near and turning to technology as the only means of socialization. There should be a healthy balance between spending time with people that you love offline and interacting online.

My website isn’t aimed at providing feedback but I will make a quick comment so that you and others can learn more. You have excellent English and the potential to really nail IELTS. Be careful of having a conclusion longer than your introduction. It is usually shorter than the introduction. So, pay attention to that in my model essays on this website. You can find more model essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ .

However, there is a more serious problem with a lack of direction in your body paragraphs and disconnected supporting points. Your topic sentence said that your main point was about isolation. But then you talk about having no time for people and ignoring surroundings (those two points aren’t actually directly connected to isolation which is your main point). You can see the connection in your own mind, but you haven’t connected these points to in writing inside the sentence. IELTS isn’t just about having ideas, it’s about connecting those ideas and presenting them according to IELTS band score requirements.

1) ignoring surroundings….”Socialising online not only isolates people from each other, but also isolates people from the outside world. In other words, the lack of time people spend being outside in nature because they are glued to their gadgets has a huge impact on their mental health which can lead to depression and other chronic illnesses.”

– As you see, I’ve now connected the idea of the outside world to the main point which is isolation.

IELTS writing isn’t just about good English. It’s 50% about writing skills and techniques for IELTS. Now you know how you must improve to hit band 8 or 8.5 or even 9. Either review my free model essays (link above) or get my advanced lessons to help you focus: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ .

I really appreciate your feedback Liz. You give me more motivation for my exam. You are such a wonderful person. Again, thank you!

I have my exam in four day’s time, could you please check my response and provide me a score to the essay question.

In today’s world, people are preferring to socialize online as compared to meet each other like earlier days. In my opinion, it is a negative development as both the persons involved in socialization can get misguided, addicted and develop trust issues.

Misguidance can occur in myriad ways. An imposter can post a fake profile, a fake photo or even a fake description which can misguide the person socializing on the internet. As internet is open to people of varying age groups, young children being at tender age and easily gullible are influenced easily. Their ability to challenge is not formed and are at age where they refuse to listen to their elders making them even more vulnerable.

The other issue with socializing online is addiction to the internet and harming one’s own health. There has been a trend where children are always glued to the screens. This has not only affected their physical health but also mental health. Their ability to use own brain and take part in various activity has been significantly reduced making them a ‘couch potato’. Young children are getting obese and are acquiring lifestyle diseases.

To resolve the growing issue of people socializing online than offline, children should be encouraged from an early age to do a physical activity and an environment should be created for them to adopt a hobby where they direct their energies. Parents should also take an active part in child’s growth and the discipling should not be left to television or screens.

Just a few quick points: 1) you mentioned three reasons why it is negative in your introduction, but had only two main points for body paragraphs. This will lower your score. The points you mention in the thesis must reflect your body paragraphs which cover each point. This usually means you wrote your introduction before you planned your body paragraphs and supporting points. Never write one word until your whole essay is fully planned. 2) you lack a conclusion which will be a huge problem for your band score. Putting solutions in a final paragraph when the task never asked for solutions anyway, does not count as a conclusion. Your conclusion must summarise your main points. I strongly suggest you get my advanced writing task 2 lessons and learn the right way to tackle IELTS essays. There’s a discount on for the next few days: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz, if the question ask to what entent it is an advantge and disadvantge, do I discuss both sides or give my opinion?

The questions are: To what extend do you agree or disagree? What are the advantage or disadvantages? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? or Are the advantages more important than the disadvantages?

The first one is an Opinion Essay and your whole essay is about your opinion. The second requires you to give both sides The last one asks you to evaluate both with an opinion.

Make sure you don’t confuse wording and that you understand which essay type you are tackling. See my advanced lessons for detailed training. You can find them in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

in the question there was no request to give your opinion, but you still wrote “in my opinion” i don’t understand IELTS ☠️

There was a clear request for an opinion in the instructions. If you are asked to choose between two options, it will require your personal choice (that means, your opinion). See the main writing task 2 page of this website and you’ll find a link to “When to give your opinion in writing task 2”: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Dear Liz, first of all, many thanks for the countless effort you’ve put into the content of this website! I’m a bit confused about the ”positive or negative development” subtype of essay: your advanced material catalogues this kind of question as being another variant of advantages and disadvantages; however, in the aforementioned example you’ve made it pretty clear on which side of the fence you at. I can’t figure out why then an opinion essay backbone was used here instead of the regular A vs D model? Fair wind to all the candidates!

This is definitely not an essay similar to “what are the advantages and disadvantages?”. That essay requires no opinion at all. The essay “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages” is an essay which does require an opinion and so does the positive negative essay – but they are not the same essay type. They are different, even though they both require an answer based on your personal opinion. The essay “Is this a positive or negative development” is one that I call a direct question essay and I don’t have an advanced lesson for it yet, but I will be making one soon.

hi I have a question . when it said that positive or negative trend/ development is this an agree/disagree question or an advatages /disadvantages question?

It is a positive/negative trend essay question. It is a different essay type with one single question that you must answer.

Hi Liz, Thank you so much for your content. I wish you all the best! Thanks to your lessons, I got an 8.5 overall and 8.0 for Writing. I just can’t believe it! Thank you so much!

Great job! Very well done to you 🙂

you’re my favorite teacher, as well you look like my mother 🥰 My mother died in 2015😔

I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. That is a great loss for you. I hope I can remind you of happy memories

Hello Dear Madam: It’s my essay about this title that you provided. Could you please reply me, is it a good way that I should write? Thank you.

These days an increase number of individuals are opting to communicate on the internet instead of meeting each other. In my view, it’s a negative development which bring some obdurate problems and unstable result during their performances.

Firstly, the most important reason is which in the internet people cannot find trusts to each other. In fact it is very hard to have a stable relation with the public. For instance, when individuals start some conversations such as politics or about some social jobs, which will be difficult to everyone to do completely in a better way. Furthermore a research has shown which doing some talks on the internet not only may not have a good result but also it maybe wasteful of time.

Secondly, another prominent reason is which individuals may not have relation forever. Clearly having a social correlation physically is better than online. Because on the internet humans are in idiomatic world. On the other hand, if humans may not have access to internet they may miss or interrupt their communications. For example, if people may have meeting on the internet such as in (what s app, Telegram, Twitter and other social media applications which as a result it will not affect effectively whether they visit each other.

In conclusion, online communications may not be more effective which sometimes it will create unclear result and would be hardship to have relation in all parts of the life. It is a predication which individuals should evolve their visiting in a physical way.

Hi liz, from India here. Thankyou so muuuuuch for your content!! I got 8 overall, and a 7.5 in writing, the one I always dreaded. I had a question on the causes of (topic) and whether its a positive or negative development combined as a single question. Just days before I went through this particular essay, and I used it to structure my essay. I didn’t expect it to come as it rare to ask this type. Nonetheless, thanks once again!

Very well done to you!! A great score 🙂

Hello mam Can write an essay introduction without a background statement.

No. All good IELTS essays will introduce the topic and specifics of the question which your essay will tackle in a background statement (the first sentence of your essay and of your introduction paragraph).

Where are you mam,,,,, I have been missing you for ages,,,, Won’t you back YouTube?

As soon as my health is more stable and I’m stronger, I’ll continue making videos. Each year I hope it will happen, but each year my health continues to be an issue. Lets see what happens next year.

The rising numbers of people preferring to socialize online rather that to search for real life connections is perceived as a negative development due to the detrimental effect it had on mental well-being, making it questionable to consider social media as a beneficial invention, highlighting the necessity of face to face communication.

Firstly, people leaning to make friends and spend time texting online rather than meeting and socializing in real life have shown to be harmful to one’s state of mind, causing people to feel alienated due to the ease of making friends online in contrast with real life, making it a better alternative for a lot of teenagers regardless to the fact that such sites like Facebook and Twitter have the tendency to bring the worst in people, resulting in a hostile environment where many face constant bullying and abuse.

Such drawbacks made it logical to put social media under the microscope as it proved to have many disadvantages, making it less efficient as an alternative to face to face communication owing to the benefits people gain from real life conversation and overall, real life socializing. a clear example of that, is the rise in popularity, meeting apps are experiencing in the last years, which presented better virtual environment where people can get to know each other, removing many of the useless features other social media apps have, directing people’s attention to setting plans and meeting in real life.

to conclude, despite the rise of people choosing to use social media sites as an alternative to the real-life old ways of socializing, it’s often seen by many to be nothing but a trend because of it negative effects, as other apps that focus on pushing people to meet provide better outcomes both practically and commercially.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Mam, Will it be okay if I will write the positive development means pros of visiting their usual doctors in P1, as well as, ( Negetive development means) cons of not visiting their usual doctors in P???

I think these(my above ) both views are almost same.

Or Is it okay if I write 1 benefit of Visiting their usual doctors in P1 and its explanation too with relevant examples.And another benefit of same with explanations and examples in P2 ?

Would you mind suggesting me which will be going to right?

Please help me with this. I am little bit confused 😕

Try not to change this into an advantage disadvantage essay. It isn’t. It is a direct question essay. It gives you only one issue – people turning to alternative medicines instead of conventional medicine. And it asks you for the positive and negative of this trend. What is positive about people using alternative medicine instead of conventional medicine? What is negative about people using alternative medicine instead of conventional medicine. Those are your two body paragraphs. Always follow the instructions very carefully and don’t try to change the essay type.

Hi Liz, it has been a long time you have not uploaded any video on YouTube. Are you okaY?

I’m battling a serious long-term illness. I will continue making videos when I feel my health is more stable.

Wish you all the best!

This generation prefers to communicate via social media instead of one-on-one interaction. I believe this trend has resulted in an increased incidence of social isolation and loneliness which is harmful to mental health.

Firstly, although social media has created a platform where a person can reach another across the globe, it has also increased the incidence of social isolation. People spend more time online interacting with strangers. They would rather spend time with people online than have meaningful conversations with close friends and family. Social isolation and loneliness have been associated with an increased risk of depression and other mental illnesses.

Secondly, social media has increased the incidence of cyberbullying. Some people connect online to retrieve people’s personal information which they use to incite rumors. These bullies attempt to make their victims self-conscious and insecure. Worst case scenario, these bullies can locate their victims using the information they got online, and at times cause bodily harm to their victims. Cyberbullying has been linked to an increased rate of suicides and suicidal ideation.

Finally, most teenagers spend the bulk of their time each day online. With time, it is estimated that most young adults will lose their social skills. Humans are social beings. Without social interactions, one of the key components of human existence will be lost.

To conclude, social media has created a platform to improve connectivity. Ironically, it has instead increased the incidence of social isolation and loneliness. it is estimated that if this trend continues, people will no longer be able to socialize and have meaningful interactions.

Hi Liz, I hope you’re doing better than before. Thank you for sharing all the great information on this website and on Youtube. I just had one doubt regarding this type: What does it mean when you wrote “If you fail to present the position of your own (a view point), you will have failed to complete the task”? Like should I only mention only one side, i.e, positive or negative, because I was thinking we can balance it out too by mentioning both of them?

You need to be careful with your understanding of ” a balanced approach”. You can’t say that one thing is positive and negative at the same time. But you can QUANTIFY. This means you are very very specific about in which why it is positive and in which way it is negative and this is presented in your introduction as your position. Your whole essay will then support your position. Having a clear position is vital. For example: children watching TV – you think it’s positive and negative and your essay discusses this. In this case, you have converted an opinion essay into a discussion essay – you will lose marks. But if you say that watching too much TV is negative, but watching only some educational programs are positive – you now have a position which you will explain in your essay. Never take this approach unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing. Otherwise, you will lose marks.

Thank you for sharing this great essay. The conclusion paragraph has only one sentence. Can we write a paragraph which contains only one sentence?

The conclusion is short and the essay is short. The average IELTS essay contains only around 13 – 15 sentences. That’s a very short essay. This means the introduction and conclusion will be short so that you can extend your body paragraphs for a high score.

“An increasing number of people meet and talk to their friends online instead of in person.”

Where is the verb?

There are two verbs: meet / talk

A simple way of writing this is with one verb:

“People meet their friends online instead of in person.”

From the simple sentence above, it is easier to spot the verb.

Hi Liz, Why are you not uploading new videos on YouTube?

Due to illness. I’ll try to make a video about my personal situation soon

God will heal you completely ma.

May God heal you. I have never know and very cheerful and happy person online. Watching your videos gives me so much joy

Dear Liz, I would like to know how many body paragraphs should a Positive Negative essay have? Does the marking scheme specify two or three to makes it decrestionary? I ask because some samples I’ve seen on this essay type, including yours, consistently give three body paragraph , whilst generally giving two for the other essay types.

Is the rule or mere coincidence, Please?

God bless you and your team for your selfless and humanitarian acts. The world is grateful.

There is nothing in the marking criteria which states how many paragraphs or body paragraphs you should have for any type of essay. Paragraphs need to be logically organised. Body paragraphs need to long enough that idea are sufficiently developed which means having too many body paragraphs would be a problem because they are likely to be too short. This means that either two or three body paragraphs are appropriate. You can’t have one body paragraphs because you are being marked on dividing main ideas into logical paragraphs. Thanks for your best wishes to my team – I work alone 🙂

Q.In the world today, the families has become smaller..

Is it a positive or negative development for families and society?

I approached this question by talking about the positive side of having a small family in the first paragraph and then in second para I discussed the negative side of having a small family while comparing it with having a bigger family with some relevant examples and finally concluded by saying it is a negative development by my personal view.

Is this approach correct for this question?

This question requires your opinion – not a discussion. If you think it is only negative, then you can’t write about the positive side. Your opinion must be consistent throughout the whole essay. If you think it is largely negative, but not completely negative, then you have a chance to present both sides.

Hi liz! hope you are all doing well.

I am wondering whether you can write ” in my opinion ….” in this question type. because it does not ask your opinion and just ask ” is this positive or…..” .

i think if the question was like this: ” Do you think this is a positive…..” you would be able to write “in my opinion”.

i am not sure and now i am confused! please let me know what do you think about this.

“Is this positive or negative” AND “do you think this is positive or negative” are the same questions. 100% the same. They are both directed to you personally and you must choose. It is a personal choice. It is your opinion in both.

Thanks mam for clearing this

In a positive or negative development question, can you choose both sides as your own opinion? Thanks

You can present both sides, but your opinion should favour one more than the other. It is asking for your opinion – not just a plain discussion.

Now a days, more people are choosing to socialize online rather than face to face. It is a positive or negative development.

These days, many people are communicating online rather than meeting in person. From my perspective, using online to stay connected is a negative development and it will create lots of problems. Technology had helped people to stay connected but it has also lead to unhealthy disorder. For example, 90% of younger generation had undergone depression and suicidal attempt due to loneliness. As they started to isolate themselves from others and had been interacting with people only through internet. Which is very unhealthy and cause these disorder. Moreover, it is very difficult for parent to monitor their kids and protect them through social network. Another negative aspect of this will harm individual life. To illustrate, people especially younger generation tend to make a relationship through different social website like facebook without even knowing him/her. Besides this, people used fake identities to make business and some even make their living through it. Which is very risky and will create lots of obstacle in people life. Non the less people will lost their trust in humanity. Lastly, choosing social network to socialse will make them distance between family and friends. It will also cause jealousy and lost in fait in one another. For example, my sister does not stay with us and we rarely meet. We used to interact like once in a blue moon through video calling and it did create a lots of distance between us as we work in different country. To conclude, socializing through social network have way more negative development. As it create lots of problems and it is very unhealthy. Therefore, it is much better to meet rather then connecting through online.

Dear Liz, Thank you for your outstanding Tips and Tricks. I have taken CD-IELTS today. I feel that it went good. In writing Task-II, the Question was: In some societies, fashion is more and more changing many people’s choice. Why is this? Do you think it is a negative or positive development?

I planned it in the following way.

Intro=Background statement+ reason+my opinion BP1= Reasons (Why?) BP2= ideas supporting my points-(negative opinion) Conclusion= restatement of background and reasons along with my opinion. (272 words)

Now I just want to know, what do you think? Was my approach right? Thanks in Advance Best Regards

All sounds fine. However, Task Response is more than just a brief outline of ideas. It’s about how you write topic sentences, how you explain yourself, how you connect ideas to the many task to make them 100% relevant. Good luck with your results 🙂

Your samples are really helpful and thanks to your work, I find it more easier from now.

Hmm, is it really correct sample? I mean there is no opinion or view written. What do you think? If I am wrong, please let me know why. And also I should mention that I am not professional like you 🙂

I’m a bit confused by your comment. The opinion is presented in the introduction: In my opinion, this is a negative development which can lead to isolation, potentially harmful situations and also problems later on in life. It is then explained in the body paragraphs. The thesis statement of the introduction always presents the opinion if the instructions ask for it.

If question asks for do the topic has more positives than negatives than the format to follow is same as advantages outweigh disadvantages?

I can’t thank you or praise you enough for the amount of good materials and information that you provide via your YouTube videos or your blog or your paid videos. I took your writing videos subscription along with your ebooks and they are of immense help to me.

However, I could not come across this ‘postive negative development’ type of essay types in any of your videos i subscribed to. If you could please help provide your two cents on correcting my understanding of this essay type of it falls under ‘advantages outweigh the disadvantages essay type with our won opinion’ OR does it fall under the bucket of opinion based essay that is ‘ do you agree or disagree and write your own opinion’. please help provide the structure just like your writing videos or direct me to one. Pretty please.

It falls under the label of “Direct Questions Essay”. This means you are given a direct question or questions. Not all teachers use the same names for essays or categorise them in the same way. It’s best to go for a balanced view with your opinion clearly leaning to one side more than the other.

We should try to use “phrasal verb” in writing or not?

You should use appropriate language and that might include phrasal verbs.

Dear Liz, I am a big fan of you and I appreciate your lessons and blog. Unfortunately, when I read your model essay about positive and negative developments I saw in the conclusion paragraph there is a big mistake because at the beginning you supported it is a negative development but later at the end, you said that is a positive trend. So, please read the essay again and correct it otherwise it could be confusing for us.

All the best for your future…

There is no error. The introduction and conclusion match You’ll need to review your understanding of this phrase in the conclusion “it has brought about too many problems for this to be considered a positive trend.”. It means – this cannot be positive because there are too many problems.

I am really sorry, that was my mistake because I couldn’t understand the inner meaning of this phrase. I am extremely sorry, I shouldn’t say that way before a clear review. Anyway, I wish you good luck and want more lessons from you…

All the best

No need to apologise. This is the kind of language that comes in the reading or listening test to check your understanding. The more familiar you are with such language, the better 🙂

Thank you so much for your kind information.

Dear mam, “Discuss it’s positive or negative sides”. In this types of question, is it mandatory to write our opinion? e.g. In my opinion………………..

And should we discuss only one side or we have to discuss its both side? Plz mam guide me how to write this types of question.Thanks❤️

I have never seen such instructions. You either get “discuss both sides” or “Is this a positive or negative development”. It isn’t actually possible in English to have “Discuss its X or Y” – it should be “and” when you have “Discuss it’s …”.

Plz mam tell me that i have discuss both postive and negative in the essay in which or was given if this will be wrong or not as i have attempted it partially

It is completely fine to have a partial approach – present both sides with your opinion clearly favouring one side.

Dear liz, In your above example task 2 can we write negative in para 2 and positive in para 2 or we have to justify any one of it in a complete essay. Thank u

I’m not sure why you would put negative first. You should keep a logical order when it comes to paragraphs. The examiner should never feel confused about the order.

Hi Liz, firstly, thank you so much for sharing your expertise and knowledge freely. my question is: some teachers categorize Task 2 questions into only 4 primary types, the so called “Opinion” / “Discussion” / “Opinion-Discussion” / “Situational (Direct Question)” and then suggest paragraph and content planning based on those. For example, it is recommended to NOT discuss both views in the “Opinion” type, which includes what you’d usually call “positive or negative” questions as well as the plain “what is your opinion” questions, and so on.

What is your take on this kind of classification? is it too broad? or just broad enough? (this might or might not be relevant, but I’m aiming to improve my band score from 7 to 8, so I tend to be extra vigilant when it comes to these types of guides/tips)

It makes no difference how a teacher categorises essays. The key aspect is if you feel fully prepared for all essay types. I break it down into five essay types, but within those five there are more variations. But again, there is no right or wrong – there is only full preparation or not enough preparation from a candidates perspective.

Hi Liz, Please if you don’t mind, can you summarily help to suggest how to go about this kind of question if we meet it in the exam. It seems to be a bit confusing in the approach expected.

“People born today can expect to live longer than people in the previous generation. What are some of the positive and negative implication of this phenomenon”

This is a simple advantage and disadvantage essay. It is asking for both sides = one body paragraph for each side.

Mam my local teacher has taught me that positive negative and adv outweigh disadv essays can be written with same style. Is it a right approach?

Yes, it is possible to do that – it would be a partial agreement where you admit one side and favour the other.

Sorry, I forgot to mention what my teacher writes in the outline of positive negative essay— In this essay advantage outweigh disadvantage

If it is still right then can a person score a 8 band with partial agreement?

You don’t get a particular band score because you chose a particular approach. Your score is based on other marking criteria. Even within Task Response it is about how you present ideas, how you use them, how you support them, much development you give them etc. Scores are not so simple to predict or estimate.

Thanks mam for your guidance I’ll keep that in mind

Dear Liz, I want to say a big THANK YOU for all your work. Your website is really helpful .I followed your tips many times and the explanations you give is so easy to be understood by everyone (even for those who have poor english😉).Keep going and don’t listen to those persons who are too frustated to understand the actually meaning of this website.By the way, tomorrow I have the second atempt for the IELTS test.The last one was overall 7 ,but W=6😕.Hopefully this time I will take it with at least 6.5.😁Many thanks again and hope you are feeling better now.😘😘

Fingers crossed tomorrow!! Remember that you need to take time to plan your task 1 and task 2. Then writing will be easier. Also keep your eye on the clock so that you manage your time properly. See this page for last minute tips on each section of the test: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-exam-tips-on-the-day/ . I’m really glad you found my site useful 🙂

thank u a lot mamm you are so nice 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

Can we consider this kind of essay (Is this a positive or negative development) as an opinion essay when answering? I am asking just because I need to be clear on when planning this type of essay.

IT is asking for your opinion. Yes, you can consider it similar to an Opinion Essay.

Hello mam Can i apply a balanced opinion approach to a negative or positive development essay Like you have done in the advanced video of the opinion essay

Q- more and more measures to improve security in urban areas have been introduced in many countries because of the increased crime rate Is it a positive or negative development?

Intro Increasing level of crime rate have promoted authorities in many countries to strengthen their security through a variety of measures. While Some of these measures pose potential risk to individual privacy, I feel that their benefits to city residents and cities as a whole make these changes a positive development overall.

BP1– POSITIVE EFFECTS lowering of crime rate Which has increased sense of safety Attract more investments

BP2 NEGATIVE privacy intruded Agencies can access call details However this concern is undue, authorities have no self vested interest So chances of this is extremely low.

In conclusion, although some of the security measures have been introduced infringe on people’s right to privacy, it is largely a positive development as the improved security makes city dwellers’ lives more secure and cities more desirable place to live, work and invest in.

Could u please clear my doubt? Is this a right approach

It’s fine.

Thanks mam for helping me again☺ Now I can apply it. I feared that it would lower my band scores

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How to Write a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 22, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In task 2 of the IELTS writing test, you could be asked to write a positive or negative development essay . This article will explain how to analyse the question, plan your answer, and then write an essay that can score you at least band 7.

What is a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay?

There are different kinds of question in task 2 of the IELTS writing test, but one of them will give you a statement and then say something like “Is this a positive or negative development?” In a sense, then, it is a form of opinion essay.

Here is an example:

Today, more people are waiting until their thirties to get married and have children. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

This kind of question is quite simple because you are given a development (that more people now wait to have children) and you must decide whether that is positive or negative . There is nothing tricky about this.

Still, it is worth mentioning a few things because people often make mistakes with this sort of question:

• This is not a discussion essay , so you do not have to give a balanced answer
• If you say “this is a very negative development,” then don’t explain the positives
• Once you have given your answer, you should try to justify your perspective

Analysing the Question

Let’s consider the above question a little more closely. You must decide whether it is a positive or negative development that people now wait until their thirties to get married and have children. Thus, we can essentially have three possible answers:

• It is a positive development.
• It is a negative development.
• It is neither wholly positive nor negative.

I strongly recommend that you choose an approach that allows you to develop your answers clearly and convincingly. By that, I mean you should decide to give the answer that allows you to present good ideas and then justify them. Take a minute or two to figure this out before you begin properly planning and writing your essay.

For example:

When you look at these ideas, which ones do you think would be the easiest to develop? There is no correct answer here – it is totally up to you .

Remember that for a good score in Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion , you must develop your ideas and sequence them logically. Thus, choose carefully at this stage.

If you have trouble generating ideas , then you can research different topics in preparation for your essay by looking online. For example, here we are discussing having babies at an older age, so we might look for news articles and then take ideas and vocabulary from there. Here is an article from Forbes about why millennial women are waiting longer to have children. Here is one from The Guardian about waiting until you’re in your fifties! Remember: Good writers read a lot.

How to Structure a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay

There is no perfect way to structure an IELTS essay, but there are good ways and bad ways. I strongly recommend writing four paragraphs and making sure that each paragraph has a single focus. For a positive/negative development essay, it would be a good idea to pick two main arguments in support of your view, then provide them as the focus of each body paragraph.

That’s pretty simple, right?

Mistakes that people make here include:

• Putting too many ideas into each paragraph
• Feeling that they have to give balance
• Providing an unclear position

The best approach to IELTS is keeping things simple. I cannot stress enough that overcomplicating an issue is a bad idea . Thus, using the above structures is a really effective way to produce a great essay that is capable of achieving at least band 7.

Keep in mind that approach #3 (neither wholly positive nor negative) is naturally going to be a little more complicated than the others. If you are not confident in your ability to structure an essay, you might want to avoid this one.

Personally, I feel that this issue is not purely positive or negative, so I would choose the third option. Here is my sample answer.

Sample Band 9 Answer

While in previous generations it was normal for people to get married and start a family at a very young age, nowadays people tend to wait until they are in their thirties. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this development, and so this essay will explain why it is neither a wholly positive nor negative trend.

Traditionally, people would get married and settle down at a very young age because life expectancies were short and there were also few other options available to most people. Nowadays, with people expected to live into their seventies or eighties, it is reasonable to wait until later to get married and have children. This allows people to develop more prior to starting a serious relationship or embarking on the journey of parenthood. They can gain an education, see the world, find out more about themselves, and even have the sort of fun experiences that are difficult in the midst of parental responsibility.

However, it could also be argued that people are naturally inclined to settle down earlier. The human body has evolved over millions of years to reproduce at an early age and, when people try to have children later, it often ends in failure or even with birth defects. Therefore, perhaps it is more reasonable to settle down and do this at an earlier age, and then the parents can enjoy more freedom once their children have grown up and left home. In terms of love, people who meet later might also feel a sense of regret that they did not share their younger years as this is a special time when life can be more eventful and passionate.

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages to settling down early, and it is really just a personal choice that will suit different people in different ways.

Notes on the Answer

You may look at this and think, “But that’s an advantages and disadvantages essay …” Well, it certainly looks like it because I have used the phrase “advantages and disadvantages” twice! However, I have made it clear that it is about the positive vs negative issue and that my position is that it cannot be said to be either of them.

For me, this allows an in-depth discussion that gives nuance and allows me to show my critical thinking skills to the examiner. One thing to avoid, though, is cramming too many ideas into each paragraph, which can be a big problem with balanced essays like this.

Another Sample Essay

Ok, let’s take another look so that we can get an idea of how to give a straightforward answer.

Here’s the question:

Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialise online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development?

And here’s my answer:

In the twenty-first century, the internet is changing the way that people socialise. Where we used to talk face-to-face, now we tend to use different types of technology to communicate. This essay will argue that it is a positive development.

The first reason why this is positive is that humans have always adapted in order to communicate more efficiently. In fact, our ability to communicate well has led us to be the most sophisticated and powerful animal on the planet. We have developed thousands of complex languages, then learned to write them down, and in the last few hundred years we have discovered printing and telephones. Now that we have the internet, our communication skills are becoming even greater as a species, and it is hard to see why that could be a negative development.

Furthermore, the internet has allowed people from all over the world to interact with each other. Rather than speak only with our immediate friends and family, or our social or national group, we can now speak with people from anywhere, and the communication is instant. This allows us to break down traditional cultural barriers and will hopefully lead to a worldwide decline in prejudice and hatred. This is an unprecedented development in world history, and one that I think is going to make largely positive changes for all humankind.

In conclusion, the switch from face-to-face to online communication is not a negative development in human history; instead, it allows us to communicate better and interact with other people from different backgrounds.

My position was clear throughout the essay, which is really important. I started by using this easy phrase:

• This essay will argue that it is a positive development.

I then transitioned nicely into the next paragraph by saying:

• The first reason why this is positive is that…

I built up my argument convincingly throughout that paragraph, then switched to my second argument with:

• Furthermore…

Again, that paragraph built up a nice argument, and this time is reached a sort of summary sentence:

• This is an unprecedented development in world history, and one that I think is going to make largely positive changes for all humankind.

That led naturally into the conclusion, which reaffirmed my position.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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How To Write A Positive Or Negative Essay

One of the first things you should do is read the marking criteria  to see what the examiners expect. This is really important, as you need to know what they are looking for in the band 7+ boxes. 

If you would like to purchase a 29 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >

WRITING TASK 2 Positive/Negative STRUCTURE

TIP >>  It is very important that spend a full 40 minutes on this task as the score you get for writing task 2 is two-thirds of your total writing score. You also need to write a minimum of 250 words and use your own ideas. 

IT IS A 4-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE >>

Paragraph 1 – The Introduction

Do you understand what I mean, when I say ‘paraphrase’ the question?

Then your next sentence should outline for the examiner exactly what you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. For example, Firstly this essay will discuss……… Secondly this essay will discuss…….

There are two sentences you need in the introduction >>

The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study to support your view. 

SAMPLE Positive/Negative ESSAY >>

Writing task 2 band score 9 criteria >>.

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook , then follow us on Instagram  and  Pinterest . 

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In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make | ielts writing task 2, ielts positive/negative essay sample 5 – economics, 3 thoughts on “how to write a positive or negative essay”, leave a comment cancel reply.

IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Positive Negative Development

by Dave | Understanding Task 2 Writing | 3 Comments

I have collected here a variety of positive or negative development question task types from the real IELTS test.

Enjoy and consider signing up for my Patreon Ebooks here .

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Read my essay here.

Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university.

Is this a positive or negative development?

In many societies, there is a growing emphasis on individualism, with people prioritizing their personal goals and desires over collective interests.

Is this is a positive or negative development?

My full EBook (including past EBooks) is available here.

Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing .

Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels. 

Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends, family, and businesses.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.

Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments.

Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced.

What are the reasons for this?

Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking.

Read my sample answer here.

Nowadays some older people choose to live in retirement communities and centers with other people, rather than living with their adult children.

Film stars and celebrities often share their views on public matters that have little to do with their profession.

Some countries import a large amount of food from other parts of the world.

To what extent is this a postive or negative trend?

Many people nowadays tend to marry and have children in their thirties rather than at a younger age.

Some countries invest in specialized sports facilities for top athletes but not for the average people.

The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is increasing.

Many local languages today are dying out due to the rise of languages like English.

Due to television and the internet it is easier today for a large number of people to become famous.

More and more people today are becoming overly dependent on the internet and phones.

Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots.

Is this a negative or positive development?

Nowadays because of digital technology it is possible for not only studios but also individuals to produce their own films.

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Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay: Structure, Common Questions, Sample Answers 

• Updated on  
• Jan 5, 2024

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 includes the challenging “positive or negative development” essay. Such questions pose a unique challenge for test takers, demanding they analyse a given topic’s negative or positive implications and articulate a clear stance. Students must demonstrate both critical thinking and linguistic prowess, judging whether the topic presents positive or negative implications overall. That said, read the entire article to learn more about the positive or negative development of IELTS model essays . 

This Blog Includes:

Frequently asked ielts ‘positive or negative development’ questions in ielts essay , positive or negative development essay structure , best tips for ielts positive or negative development essays, ielts positive or negative development essay sample model answer.

Success in IELTS Writing Task 2’s Positive/Negative Development essays transcends mere English proficiency. Beyond grammatical accuracy and stylistic flair, these essays demand insightful evaluation, discerning judgement, and the courage to advocate a stance. 

Such essays require students to showcase their linguistic mastery, critical thinking and analytical prowess. While the intriguing nature of these prompts entices many, they can simultaneously pose a significant challenge for others. To excel, one must move beyond superficial analysis and embrace a multi-faceted approach. 

For students tackling the IELTS exam , familiarity with frequently encountered positive/negative development prompts proves highly advantageous. This preparedness offers a twofold benefit: it grants valuable insight into potential test topics and empowers you to hone your essay-writing skills for optimal scoring.

By acquainting yourself with these recurring themes, you gain a solid foundation upon which to build your analytical and argumentative skills. You can anticipate the types of scenarios and challenges you might face, allowing you to pre-emptively develop effective solution-oriented approaches and articulate well-reasoned stances. Here are some of the most commonly asked Positive or Negative Development questions in IELTS Essay.   

• The government has transformed numerous parks and playgrounds into residential complexes. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Today, children tend to devote more time scrolling through their social media handles rather than spending time with family. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Nowadays, singers use auto-tune to refine their songs. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
• Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?
• Today, the younger generation believes in changing their jobs every once in a while rather than sticking to one company. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social media or online banking. Is this a positive or negative development?
• Today, cigarette smoking has become the new norm among youngsters. To what extent is this a positive or negative trend?

While the initial prospect of attempting a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 might appear challenging to some, thorough preparation and strategic study can transform it into a manageable, even achievable, task. By equipping yourself with knowledge of the essay structure and familiarising yourself with sample questions, you can approach this essay type with confidence and significantly improve your chances of success. 

Here is the basic structure of a Positive/Negative Development Essay. Adhere to the following structure whenever attempting such essays in IELTS writing task 2. 

Introduction

You must paraphrase your topic into a coherent and concise sentence in your introduction. Once done paraphrasing the questions, take a clear stance on what you think. Give your viewpoint and never take a moderate position. Taking neutral stances in such essays can lead to a loss of scores. 

Main Body Paragraph 1

Provide a solid explanation of your viewpoint in the body paragraph 1. Take a clear stance on your opinion. Provide examples and anecdotes to add weight to your content. Brevity can be your ally in such essays. To put it simply, be as concise and articulate as possible. Meandering through the topic will only result in a waste of time and energy. 

Main Body Paragraph 2

Try explaining your argument with the help of more in-depth insights. Use examples to add gravitas to your voice. A good hold in vocabulary can help you land better scores in such essays. Ensure to use a diverse array of words to make your essay more impactful. The final sentence of your body paragraph 2 can add to your previous developments. 

In the end, conclude your essay by summarising your viewpoint and the major justifications.  

Here are the best tips for writing Positive or Negative Development Essays in IELTS Writing Task 2: 

• A thorough understanding of the topic lies at the very heart of crafting a successful Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. Yet, overlooking this crucial step is a common misstep among test takers. Unfortunately, attempting to write without fully comprehending and evaluating the issue will inevitably lead to incoherent responses and muddled stances.
• When tackling a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, test takers must comprehensively evaluate both the potential benefits and drawbacks of the given topic, not simply focusing on one aspect while neglecting the other.
• Providing examples can help you add weight and gravitas to your answers. You can add examples that are anecdotal to make your essay more readable and relatable.
• Clarity and conviction are hallmarks of a successful Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. While presenting a balanced analysis of both sides is crucial, your essay hinges on adopting a distinct viewpoint and consistently advocating for it throughout. This unwavering stance demonstrates intellectual confidence and persuasiveness to the examiner.

Refer to the sample essay answers below to learn how to tackle IELTS Positive or Negative Development essays in IELTS writing task 2. 

Question 1:  Some children spend hours every day on smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Ans: Ans- In recent years, the usage of smartphones among children has increased significantly. Many children spend hours daily on smartphones, engaging in various activities like social media, gaming, and streaming videos. There are several reasons why this trend is gaining momentum, and opinions are divided on whether this development is positive or negative. In this essay, I will discuss the reasons behind the increasing usage of smartphones among children and present my view on how this is a negative development.

One reason for children’s excessive use of smartphones is the increased availability and affordability of these devices. With technological advancement, smartphones have become cheaper and more accessible, and children are more likely to have access to them. Moreover, the popularity of social media platforms among children, such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, has contributed to this trend. Children need to stay connected with their friends and peers, which leads them to spend more time on these platforms. Another reason for the growing usage of smartphones among children is the convenience factor. Smartphones provide an easy and quick way to access information, communicate, and entertain oneself. Children find it easier to use a smartphone to research or get information on a topic than to go through books or other sources. Similarly, smartphones provide a quick and convenient way to communicate with friends and family.

In my view, the excessive usage of smartphones among children is a negative development. Spending hours every day on a smartphone can adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. Excessive usage of smartphones can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of obesity and other health-related issues. Moreover, the blue light emitted by the screens of smartphones can cause eye strain and headaches. Apart from the physical health effects, excessive usage of smartphones can also hurt the mental health of children. Children spending hours on smartphones daily are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Social media platforms can contribute to this by exposing children to cyberbullying and negative comments.

In conclusion, the increasing usage of smartphones among children is a concerning trend. While smartphones offer many benefits, like easy access to information and communication, excessive usage can adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. It is crucial to limit the usage of smartphones and encourage children to engage in other physical and social activities. Parents and caregivers must be aware of the harmful effects of excessive smartphone usage and take steps to protect their children’s well-being.

Question 2: In some countries today, children are taught from a young age that competition is important and that winning is everything. Is this a positive or a negative development?

Ans: In contemporary societies, children are often instructed that competition is paramount and that winning is the ultimate goal. I firmly believe that this trend is detrimental as it imposes significant pressure on children, fosters unethical behaviour, impedes the development of crucial social skills, and instils a pervasive sense of failure in students.

The persistent emphasis on winning can result in elevated levels of stress and anxiety, significantly affecting a child’s mental health. Children may find themselves overwhelmed by the continual pressure to outperform their peers, leading to burnout and a diminished interest in learning. Furthermore, this emphasis on winning may contribute to a decline in ethical behaviour, as children might resort to dishonest means such as cheating to achieve victory. This not only diminishes the principles of fair play but also poses risks to their future development.

Moreover, this approach can contribute to a deficiency in empathy and understanding among students. They may become so self-centred that they neglect to consider the feelings of others, creating a barrier to the development of their social skills and impeding the cultivation of emotional intelligence. In addition to this, an excessive focus on winning can instil a fear of failure. A child may become so apprehensive about losing that they refrain from taking risks or trying new things, thereby constraining their potential for personal growth and development.

In conclusion, while competition can have some benefits, the current trend of teaching children that winning is everything is a negative development. We must foster a more balanced approach, where children are taught the value of effort, learning, and personal growth rather than focusing solely on victory.

That was a wrap on the topic of IELTS Positive or Negative Development  Essays. Having said that, we hope the blog has covered all your major queries about the topic. If you still have any questions or have any suggestions, drop them in the box below.

Ans. Positive or Negative Development essays are segmented into different components such as the introduction, main body paragraph 1, main body paragraph 2 and conclusion. 

Ans. Individuals must intricately evaluate their topic before attempting such essays. When tackling a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, test takers must comprehensively evaluate both the potential benefits and drawbacks of the given topic, not simply focusing on one aspect while neglecting the other. Furthermore, one must provide examples to add weight to their argument. 

Ans. The scoring range of IELTS writing is 0-9. 

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Shubham Das

Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.

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• IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Positive or negative development essay – Structure and template

A few years ago a new question was added to IELTS Essay task: - Is this a positive or negative development?

It is very similar to Agree / Disagree Essay.

For example:

Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development?

Here is a simple structure for this type of essay

1) IF YOU THINK IT IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

1§ Introduction (2 SENTENCES): Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: positive development

2§ Why is it positive? + Explanation + Example

3§ Why is it positive? + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ On the other hand, + Why negative? + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: positive development (2 SENTENCES)

2) IF YOU THINK IT IS A NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT

1§ Introduction (2 SENTENCES): Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: negative development

2§ Why is it negative?+ Explanation + Example

3§ Why is it negative? + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ On the other hand, + Why is it positive?+ Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: negative development (2 SENTENCES)

4§ You can skip the opposite point of view part but your essay will look better if you write about it. This way it comes out as a balanced answer.

Bonus: IELTS Punctuation PDF Guide Everything you want to know to have correct punctuation in your IELTS Writing for 7.0-9.0 Score (31 pages, .PDF)

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