TOEFL, iBT, Independent Writing, Which is more important for success: the natural ability you are born with or hard work? - rewrite -

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 above average goal like winning a difficult game or becoming rich. It also may mean becoming a respectable adult. 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.    Competitions are held among talented people, of whom one working hardest will win. e.g. athletes

2.    Talent has a limit but hard work has not limit.  e.g. the story of the rabbit and the turtle.

☆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 a genius grows up in the worst environment

【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 make the best of given conditions for a better and happier life.

Sample 2

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

【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】

単語メモ  成功（する・している） success n.   succeed v.  successful  adj.

生まれつきの才能  talent   natural ability  innate ability  inherent ability  ability that one is born with

勤勉 hard work（名詞句） working hard（動名詞句） diligence  industriousness

Cf. work hardly ほとんど勉強しない