Writing Topic
Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
One should never judge a person by external appearances.
☆Let’s think
1.
What is the word in the writing topic
that should be noted?
Note:
The statement has the word “never”. Most things have exceptions, while there
are things that we should never do.
2.
What does “external appearances” mean?
Note:
One’s external appearance means mainly body and clothing. Features of a body are
hair color, skin color, stature, body shape, face features, posture, expression,
and so on.
3.
What kind of clothing indicates social
status? What other aspects of a person can clothing indicate?
Note:
Uniforms or very expensive attire indicates social status. Clothing also indicates
personality, tastes, or cultural background.
4.
What do you think of the statement?
Note:
We always look at the appearances of people trying to know who they are.
However, our judgment can be wrong because perceptions are deceiving. Also,
impressions vary depending on the person or situation. Habit of judging others
by stereotypes can bring about problems.
☆Hints for points
Agree
1.
You cannot judge a book by its cover. Opinions
about others based on their looks can be deceiving.
2.
People who judge others by their looks can
become racists.
Disagree
3.
That the first impression counts is a
cliché.
4.
It is natural to try to tell what others
are based on their looks because it is instinctive.
☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions
Appearance
is a major concern for most of us. It is often said that you are judged at
first glance and we know we are doing it to others all the time. However, I
think it should be avoided under any circumstances because it is potentially
dangerous.
We
think we can tell the book by its cover and we are often right. People who are
dressed nicely usually have common sense. A certain type of hairstyle or
make-up indicates the person’s temper. A person with a pleasant expression and a
good posture has good habits and is healthy. Those with nasty looks on their
faces are very likely to bother you. It is better to stay away from them rather
than try to find out their real personalities. We depend on our visual
perceptions for safety.
However,
visual perception can be wrong. In everyday life, we often experience that
someone turns out to be a person who is totally different from his or her looks.
We know that a neat businessman in a well-tailored suit can commit a crime, and
many of us have found that a gloomy person is actually nice and warm-hearted.
Assumption
based only on appearances is a prejudice, which is harmful. Prejudice ignores
personalities and denies dignities. It does not give others a chance to prove
themselves. This often leads to discrimination. More blacks are mistaken for criminals
than whites. Some people are afraid of women wearing a head scarf because of
the bad image attached to the religion of Islam, whose teaching is actually
very peaceful. Voluptuous women are often supposed to be easy to approach and
are harassed or even killed just by rejecting a courtship. Misjudgment made
based on how someone looks can cause tragedies.
Visual
judgment is closely related to prejudice and discrimination. It is difficult to
stop categorizing others by their looks, but not to try to doubt what meets the
eye is ignorant and immature. Therefore, I totally agree with the opinion that
one should never judge a person by external appearances. If you do not want to
be judged by how you look, you should not do it to others.
☆Sample Essay Structure
Sample Essay Structure 1
【Introduction】Forming an
opinion about someone by the appearances should be avoided under any
circumstance because it is potentially dangerous.
【Point for disagreement】We think we
can tell the book by its cover and we are often right.
【Point for agreement 1】However, visual
perception can be wrong.
【Point for agreement 2】Assumption based
only on appearances is a prejudice, which is harmful.
【Conclusion】Not to try
to stop categorizing others by their looks is ignorant and immature.
Sample Essay Structure 2
【Introduction】I cannot
agree with the opinion that one should never judge a person by external
appearances because the idea does not suit the reality.
【Point for agreement】It is true
that judgment made through observations of appearances are sometimes wrong.
【Point for disagreement 1】However, a
person’s looks often reflects who the person is.
【Point for disagreement 2】Life depends
on senses for survival and judging through the sense of sight is essential, so it
is impossible to always abide by the idea of the statement.
【Conclusion】Judging
others only by their looks may lead to a mistake and it must be done carefully,
but the behavior itself is as natural as breathing for all creatures with eyes.
Your Sample Essay Structure
【Main Idea】
【Point 1】
【Point 2】
【Point 3】
【Conclusion】
☆Reference To meet the minimum 300 words requirement
Sometimes you realize that you
have not written more than 300 words, the minimum requirement for TOEFL iBT independent
writing, after discussing everything you had come up with. In such a situation,
adding another point/reason seems to be the easiest way to write more, but it
is actually difficult to think of an extra point/reason after you have
brainstormed once. Therefore, I recommend concentrating on the logic and
details. The details are as follows.
To increase the volume of your
essay, find the shortest paragraph, which might want some more sentences or
words, and …
1) describe/develop the main idea
well: If a paragraph has only one or two sentences, chances are that you have
not described/developed well enough. Make sure that each paragraph has its main
idea, supporting details (examples), conclusion, and additional supporting
details like counter-argument treatment if necessary.
2) describe/develop each sentence
well: A statement usually has some exception or needs some condition or
concession. Look for a sentence that you can add a reason, condition,
concession, or any other additional information, and add “except …”, “as long
as …”, “although …”, as well as “because …”
3) describe words well: Which of
the following sentences gives a clear picture of someone’s pet? A) I have a pet. B) I have a cute cat. C) I have a little fluffy kitten. With two
adjectives and a specific noun, Sentence C) depicts an adorable pet well and it
happens to be the longest of the three. Also, use transitions such as First,
Also, Moreover, Therefore when necessary.
4) discuss other choices: Even if
the Writing Topic does not say, “Discuss the two views” or “Compare and
contrast the choices,” you can write about other choices. Doing so will make
your essay more convincing and longer. Make sure that you do not digress.
5) take up counter-arguments if
necessary: While you are writing, sometimes a counter-argument, “Well, but what
about this case?” comes up to your mind. Then it is better not to ignore it but
take it up and give a counter-counter-argument or two. By doing so, you can
confirm your argument. If you can do it well, you will get a high score.
The key to remember is to try to
put what you want to say into words as accurately as you can. Then you cannot
help adding some more words and sentences, and some more... In the end, your
essay will have many words.
