TEFL iBT Independent Writing, Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? - revesed -

Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

☆Let’s think

When choosing one out of two, you compare them. To decide which to buy out of two items, say, melons or tablet computers, you will compare the two, examining each closely, factor by factor. In essay writing, in order to say something is the better of the two, you cannot avoid discussing both. In other words, you have to explain why you think one is better than the other. Therefore, even though the topic does not say “Compare and contrast,” it is natural that you discuss both cases.

 

 

☆Ideas and Expressions

♦About taking classes in many subjects

1.     People who have general ideas about varieties of subjects can be competent and resourceful, because they can see things in many perspectives and easily stay abreast of others over latest topics.

 

2.     University students are still growing mentally, so they might find other subjects more interesting than their major during their undergraduate years. Universities should accommodate students’ intellectual development by providing many fields of discipline.

 

3.     Studies are becoming more interdisciplinary. Students who major in biology also have to study chemistry and those who major in psychology also have to study neurology.

 

4.     In the globalized economy, it is advantageous to have many skills. An engineer who can speak a foreign language will be able to find a job more easily than one who does not if other qualifications are the same.

 

5.     Even seemingly unrelated subjects can be useful for students’ development. For example, a doctor who has studied the humanities can be more sensitive to patients’ feelings than a doctor who tends to look at only the physical aspect of a human being.

 

6.     Counterargument: Taking many different subjects would be a burden and there would be many students who would drop many subjects. ⇔ Time-management would be the key.

 

♦About specializing in one subject

1.     Universities are where people pursue subjects of their interests. They are supposed to have acquired general knowledge concerning main subjects by the time they graduate from high school, and at university they are expected to delve into specific areas they have chosen. Therefore, it makes sense for students to focus on one subject.

 

2.     It is more efficient for students to concentrate on one subject. It is too much for students to study other than the subjects of their interest. For Asian students who aspire to be doctors, for instance, studying European literature would be a burden except for some who are also interested in art and literature.

 

3.     Counterargument: Focusing on one subject would make students narrow-minded. ⇔ Today’s world requires everyone to make efforts to acquire a wider points of view, and media for self-study are abundant. On the other hand, one can obtain special knowledge and technical skills only at university.

 

 

 

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

 

【Point 1】

 

 

【Point 2】

 

 

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

 

 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

 

 

 

Paragraph Development

Paragraph development is a key to giving sufficient background information. If a paragraph has only one sentence or two, it lacks some essential sentences such as supporting details (background information). Adding sentences to help convey your idea more effectively would be a good idea. A sample of a paragraph development is as follows:

 

【Thesis Sentence】A sentence which represents the paragraph briefly

【Supporting Detail - in general】 A sentence which introduces the following example

【Supporting Detail - specific】A sentence which provides a specific example

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】A sentence making up for some lacking information.

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】 A sentence which wraps up the paragraph

             

Sample paragraph development:

【Thesis Sentence】Today’s academic situation, which is more interdisciplinary than before, requires students to have wider knowledge.

【Supporting Detail - in general】 Research and development activities are getting interrelated.

【Supporting Detail - specific】The up-and-coming nanotechnology requires the knowledge of biology and chemistry as well as physics. A new field of anthropology is molecular anthropology, which was created by a molecular biologist who was interested in ancient Egypt.

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】Even though those who will became specialists are few, knowledge of related areas will help students keep up with the development of their field.

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】Studying many subjects provide and support the environment of creation.

 

☆Your test paragraph development:

【Thesis Sentence】

 

 

【Supporting Detail - in general

 

 

【Supporting Detail - specific】

 

 

 

【Follow up / Counterargument-treatment】

 

 

 

 

【Conclusion of the Paragraph】