TOEFL iBT Independent Writing 1) In what ways do you think movies and televisions influence people's thoughts and actions? 2) In your education up to now, what is the most important or enjoyable class you have ever taken? - revised -

Writing Topic A

In what ways do you think movies and televisions influence people's thoughts and actions? Support your answer with specific details and examples.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Let’s start by discussing the words in the writing topic.

1)    What do movies and televisions have in common? e.g. good-looking people, happy-ending, stereotypes

2)    What do these factors influence people’s thoughts and actions? 

3)  Check the word, “media propaganda”.

 

 

☆Hints for Points

1.    The commonalities between movies and television programs are celebrities, sponsors, advertisements, trends, media most people use to get information, etc.

 

2.    Movies and television programs widen people’s views by providing information from around the world and reporting data from the past. For example, documentaries show us hidden facts and buried historic events and let us know what kind of world we live in and what kind of nature humans have.

 

3.    They give us false impressions about the present and past events and promote racial stereotypes by dramatizing the stories or exaggerating some aspects. For example, by emphasizing enthusiasm of Columbus during his exploration and omitting massacre of native Americans he conducted, his heroic impression will be instilled in us. Also, focusing on the technological inferiority of some tribes would make us believe the people are uncivilized and ignorant although in fact they have sophisticated cultures in their own ways, which are untold in the story.

 

4.    They help us learn “common sense.” For example, children learn dos and don’ts and adults learn what actions are viewed normal in public. Boys and girls learn from them how men and women should behave. There were scenes in which women were treated as materials like hitting a woman in the face to make her stop talking, but there were little objections before. They also shape our habits. There were many smoking scenes and many smokers in the past.

 

5.    They narrow our views and interests. Sports, music, fashion, food, and celebrity life are what most of our thought are about because they are featured in TV programs and movies. This prevents us from seeing the whole picture of our society. Great athletes, beautiful people, or amazing love affair do not actually exist around us, and yet many spend much time fancying them. On the other hand, human rights are violated, the income gap is widening and global warming gases are accumulating, but they are not taken up in TV programs or on the movie screen. Thus, we are ignorant of what are vital in our lives.

 

6.    They make us spend money. Cool advertisements such as product placement make people believe unnecessary items are necessary. They make people obsessed with unimportant things like fashion trend and distract their attention from what they really need to know.

 

7.    They shorten our attention spans because most television programs attract our attention in thirty seconds from their start, keep doing it every thirty seconds and give us a conclusion or moral in fifty minutes. Movies also end in two hours. Thus, we are accustomed to being entertained every thirty seconds and seeing a conclusion or leaning something in a few hours. However, many things in reality require patience and long time to see the results or get an insight, and some even do not provide any prospect of coming to a conclusion. Few of us have tolerance to it.

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】Movies and televisions make people easier to control.

【Point 1】Movies and televisions greatly help shape people’s values.

e.g.  Most good guys are white men although most mass-shooters are white men in reality.

【Point 2】TV and movies encourage consumerism.

e.g. Thousands of brand names are instilled in children in the US.

【Counterargument-treatment】There can be good news shows and documentaries, but as most media depend on sponsors, they cannot go so far as to be straightforward about the dark side of the power, and people’s perception of the world will be biased.

【Conclusion】Movies and television programs provide information and values which comply with the status quo, and people tend to think and behave accordingly.

 

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a 50-second speech on this topic.

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】Movies and televisions greatly help shape people’s values.

【Supporting Details】 They create people’s desire for what is valued in their society. For example, children watch TV and decide what they want to be. With the intense attention to the celebrity life of the media, American girls fancy being a celebrity instead of someone in a specific profession like an actress. On the other hand, in the Islamic extremists’ animation, Americans are villains, and their boys aspire to become soldiers to be a martyr, i.e. suicide bomber.

【Follow-up】 Other media and the society that we are in also help shape our values, but since movies and televisions are more attractive and easier to access than others, the influence is greater.

【Wrap-up】 By watching popular movies and televisions we acquire values they value.

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Follow-up 】

 

 

【Wrap-up】

 

Show each other what you have written.                                   

 

 

 

Writing Topic B

In your education up to now, what is the most important or enjoyable class you have ever taken? Why did this class have an impact on you? Include specific details and reasons in your explanation of your choice.

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Answer the following questions, and ask each other these questions.

1)    Why did you take the class? What were impressive aspects about it?

e.g. practical skill, good lesson, nice teacher, enjoyable atmosphere, key events, good facility, etc.

a.

 

 

b.

 

 

c.

 

 

 

 

2)    What impact did it have on you?

e.g. interest in the subject, interest in studying, acquisition of some skills or knowledge, finding what you want to do in the future, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】The most important class I have ever taken is a mock language class for English language instructors.

【About the Class】A non-existent language was taught using picture cards. It was my first experience to learn a “language” without the aid of my mother tongue.

【Reason of Impact 1】I learned effective skills.

【Reason of Impact 2】I also learned students’ psyche in class.

【Conclusion】The class was not only informative but also inspiring.

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】

【           】

【           】

【           】

【Conclusion】

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a 50-second speech on this topic.

 

 

☆Paragraph development

Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】 I also learned students’ psyche in class.

【Supporting Details】 The foreign language class showed me how students feel in class and helped me improve my job as an English instructor. I was surprised at and frustrated by the slow speed of my learning.

I repeatedly failed to pronounce words properly and had difficulty in memorizing names of the things on picture cards.

【Follow-up】 Since I had thought that I was a quick learner and had a confidence in my short-time memory, the class was shocking enough for me to double my ability. This helped me reflect on my ability and attitude as a teacher in class, where I would often expect my students to learn new skill and information with ease.

【Wrap-up】 I came to see students’ uneasiness in class and became more patient with them.

 

 

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points you have prepared in the essay structure above and develop it, using the paragraph development structure below if you like.

【Main Idea】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Follow-up 】

 

【Wrap-up】

 

 

Show each other what you have written.