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 does “external appearances” mean?
Note:
One’s external appearance means mainly one’s body and clothing. Features of a
body are hair color, skin color, stature, body shape, face features, posture, expression,
and so on. Clothing can be divided into two categories: clothing that indicates
social status like uniforms or very expensive attire and clothing that indicates
the personality, tastes, cultural background and other characteristics of the
person who is wearing it.
2.
Can you say that you never judge a
person based on the appearance? Are your judgements correct?
Note:
Consciously or unconsciously, we always look at the appearances of people
trying to know who they are. However, our judgement can be wrong. Objectively, perceptions
are deceiving. Also, impressions vary depending on the person. Combined with
the habit of deducing by stereotypes, uneducated judgement 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 wrong)
2.
People who judge others by their looks can
become racists.
Disagree
3.
You can trust your first impression and
it benefits you.
4.
It is natural to try to tell what others
are based on their looks because it is instinctive.
☆Organizing Ideas
Sample Organization 1
【Introduction
= Outline】Forming an
opinion about someone by the appearances should be avoided under any
circumstances because it is potentially dangerous.
【Point
1】We think we
can tell the book by its cover and we are often right.
【Point
2】However, visual
perception can be wrong.
【Point
3】Assumption based
only on appearances is a prejudice, and prejudice is potentially harmful.
【Conclusion
= Wrap-up】Not to try
to stop categorizing others by their looks is ignorant and immature.
Sample Organization 2
【Introduction
= Outline】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
1】It is true
that judgement made through observations of appearances are sometimes wrong.
【Point
2】However,
most of the time, a person’s looks reflects who the person is
【Point
3】Life depends
on its senses for survival and judging through the sense of sight is essential
to us. Thus, always abiding by the idea of the statement is impossible.
【Conclusion
= Wrap-up】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 framework notes
【Main
Idea = Outline】
【Point
1】
【Point
2】
【Point
3】
【Conclusion
= Wrap-up】
☆Essay for Ideas and Expressions
Appearance
is a major concern of 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 fashion or make-up
indicates the person’s temper. A person with a pleasant expression and a good
posture is healthy and has good habits. 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 trust them. We depend on our visual perceptions for safety.
However,
visual perception can be wrong. We often experience that someone turns out to
be totally different from what we thought he or she was. We know that a neat
businessman in a well-tailored suit can commit a white-collar crime, and many
of us have found that a gloomy person is actually kind and gentle. Disguise and
mistaken identity are common plots of suspense stories as we all agree that we
are easily deceived by appearances.
Assumption
without concern about individuality is a prejudice, and prejudice is potentially
harmful. Prejudice ignores personalities and denies dignities. It does not give
the person who is judged a chance to prove themselves. This 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 peaceful. Voluptuous women
are often supposed to be easy to approach and are harassed or even killed just
by rejecting a courtship. Misjudgment based on looks often leads to crimes.
Visual
judgment is closely related to prejudice and discrimination. It is difficult to
stop categorizing others by their looks, but to not try to doubt what appearances
indicate 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.
☆Reference To meet the minimum 300 words requirement
Sometimes you realize that you
have not written more than 300 words, the minimum requirement for high scores
in TOEFL iBT independent writing, after discussing everything you had come up
with. In such a situation, adding another point difficult. 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) develop the main idea well: If
a paragraph has only one or two sentences, chances are that you have not
developed well enough. Make sure that each paragraph has its main idea,
supporting details (examples), conclusion, and additional supporting details
like counterargument treatment if necessary.
2) describe/develop each idea
well: An idea usually has some exceptions or needs some conditions or
concessions. Look for a sentence that you can add a reason, condition,
concession, or any other additional information, and add “because …”, “except that
…”, “as long as …”, “although …”, etc.
3) describe words well: Which of
the following sentences gives a clear picture of someone’s pet? A) I have a cat. B) I have a nice cat. C) I have a friendly black cat. 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 adverbs such as First, Also, In
addition, Moreover, or 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 are supposed to write about other choice. Doing so
will make your essay more convincing and longer. (Make sure that you do not
digress)
5) take up counterarguments if
necessary: While you are writing, sometimes a counterargument, “Well, but what
about this case?” comes up to your mind. Then it is better not to ignore it. Take
it up and give a counter-counterargument or two. By doing so, you can show that
your English is good enough to confirm your argument.
The key to remember is to try to
put what you want to say into words as accurately as possible. Then you cannot
help adding some more words and sentences, and some more... As a result, your
essay will have enough words to meet the 300-word requirement
