Pre-TOEFL writing, Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work?

Writing Topic

Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? Explain your opinion, using specific reasons and examples.

☆Let’s Think

What is success? Perhaps it means achieving an almost unattainable goal like winning a difficult game or becoming rich and famous. How are these two words, the natural ability you are born with and hard work, related to success? Thinking of some so called successful people would help answer this question. For example, Barak Obama and Muhammad Ali are probably two of many successful people who were born with great abilities and worked hard as well. Which of these two elements were more important in their success?

☆Hints for Points

Natural Ability

1.    Successful people appear in all social classes in any kind of society.  

2.    Heredity plays a decisive role in one’s performance.

Hard Work

1.    In most fields, we see competitions of talented people, who go through hard training. e.g. athletes

2.    There are many sources of success that must be learned.  e.g. communication skills, networking, etc.

☆Sample Essay Structures

Sample 1

【Introduction = Outline】In my opinion, genetic factor is the most important in success.

【Point 1】Bigger people are much better than smaller people under the same conditions in most sports.

【Point 2】It is often the case that an academic prodigy grows up in the worst circumstance for study.

【Pint 3/follow-up】Of course, to win a competition, hard work is necessary, but when two people make the same amount of effort, the more talented one will win.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】 Rather than sanctifying diligence, we had better know ourselves and try to get the most out of given conditions for better and happier life.

Sample 2

【Introduction = Outline】This is a difficult question to answer because “nature versus nurture” is an age-old inquiry. However, I think hard work plays a larger role in success than genius.

【Point 1】 The story of the rabbit and the turtle teaches us that a hard worker can beat a talented opponent in the end.

【Point 2】Gifted people do not seem to work hard, but actually they do. They just enjoy hard work and often do not realize that they might be working twice as much as the others.

【My Opinion】No person with inherent ability can be successful without working hard.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】I believe industriousness is more important for success than innate quality.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】