2017年3月10日金曜日

Pre-TOEFL writing, Why is music important to many people?

Writing Topic
People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Let’s Think
People who are not really interested in music do not have to think that they are an anomaly. The question says “many people”, not “people”, so thinking music important is not universal, though existence of music in cultures is universal and its fundamental significance to humankind can be seen as a matter of fact. Rather, those who seldom listen to music can have an objective viewpoint about behavior related to music. They could observe when, where, and how people listen to music. They could also compare music with other cultural activities.

Words and Expressions
1.    When: People play music in the morning, during meals, or at parties. Also, they listen to music when they feel sad, happy, or excited.
2.    Where: People listen to music in their room, on the train, or everywhere with music player. They may want to shut noises out of their mind, make the room filled with their favorite sound, and feel good.
3.    How: People enjoy music along with other fun like conversation or spirits as part of entertainment. People also concentrate on listening to music as hobby.
4.    Why: Probably people listen to music to release stress, recover from sorrow, amplify joy, or get inspired. They also use music to express what they cannot put into words.
5.    Comparison: Unlike other cultural activities, music is all about feelings, easy to access, and peaceful. To understand music, you can think but you do not really have to. You just feel it. You do not need a lot of money or time to enjoy it. You never see fights between classical fans and hip-hop fans.
             
Sample Essay Structure
Introduction = OutlineBirds sing and we humans play music. Music is important to many people probably because it has power to facilitate living.
Point 1It is natural to listen to music and what is natural and good is important.
Point 2Like literature, music supports our lives. 
Point 3Music takes listeners to a different world.   
Conclusion = Wrap-upMusic is important for many people because it is the instrument that gives wings to their souls.

Your Sample Essay Structure
Introduction = Outline

Point 1           
                                                                                                                               
Point 2
                     
Point 3

Conclusion = Wrap-up
                                                             


Sample Paragraph Development
1. It is natural to listen to music. We all live in some kind of rhythms, melodies and lyrics. Even those who do not think much of music can hum some phrase. Although it is not clear exactly why music is good for us, it is certain that our world would be a very unbearable place to live in without it. Just as birds need to chirp, so humans need to string notes for some meaning of lie. Music is natural and good, and thus it is important.

2. Like literature, music supports our lives. It helps express feelings. When sad, we try to be healed by our favorite songs. When happy, we dance to a popular tune. It also helps establish lifestyle. Many start their day by turning on their music player so that they can keep their cool all day. It is well-known that one’s favorite music genre corresponds with one’s lifestyle. We never see rockers or rappers being dishonest or hypocritical. Also, it might be difficult to find a rigid and frigid jazz fan.

3. Music takes listeners to a different world. Music pieces and songs let you play around the musician’s world. Some music has the power to make our mind fine-tuned to eternity. Pieces of Moody Blues, especially Watching and Waiting, show it to me. The instant the sound comes into my brain, my mind will blend in to their world of peace and gentleness and the world that made them make their music. The experience is important to me and I am sure many others have the same kind of experience with the music of their choice.