Literature’s role in fostering empathy and diverse perspectives has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing approximately twice per year in recent examinations. Based on analysis of past papers, this topic frequently emerges in questions about education, cultural understanding, and social development. Let’s examine a recent IELTS question on this subject.
Task Analysis
Some people believe that reading literature is important for developing empathy and understanding different perspectives, while others think it’s not essential in today’s digital age. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss multiple viewpoints on literature’s role
- Evaluate the relevance of literature in modern times
- Present and justify a personal stance
- Provide relevant examples and supporting evidence
Model Essay 1 (Band 8)
Reading literary works has long been considered a gateway to understanding human nature and developing emotional intelligence. While some argue for its irreplaceable role in cultivating empathy, others question its relevance in our technology-driven era. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my view that literature remains crucial for developing emotional and cultural awareness.
Those who advocate for literature’s importance in developing empathy present compelling arguments. Literary works expose readers to diverse characters, situations, and emotional experiences that they might never encounter in their daily lives. For example, reading Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” allows readers to understand the complexities of Afghan culture and human relationships, fostering deep emotional connections with characters from different backgrounds. Moreover, well-crafted narratives encourage readers to view situations from multiple perspectives, enhancing their ability to understand and relate to others’ experiences.
However, critics argue that modern digital media can serve similar purposes more effectively. They contend that interactive content, documentaries, and social media provide immediate, real-world exposure to diverse perspectives. Virtual reality experiences and online cultural exchanges, for instance, offer direct interaction with people from different backgrounds, potentially creating more immediate empathy than traditional reading.
In my opinion, while digital media offers valuable tools for cultural understanding, literature provides unique benefits that cannot be fully replicated by technology. The act of reading requires sustained engagement with characters’ thoughts and emotions, allowing for deeper psychological insight and emotional processing. Furthermore, literature’s ability to present complex moral dilemmas and nuanced perspectives helps develop critical thinking alongside empathy. The combination of these elements makes literature an irreplaceable tool for developing emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
To conclude, while modern technology offers alternative means of experiencing different perspectives, literature remains fundamental in developing deep empathy and understanding. The ideal approach would be to leverage both traditional literature and digital resources to foster comprehensive emotional and cultural awareness.
Model Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
In today’s world, people have different opinions about whether reading literature is important for understanding others’ feelings and perspectives. Some think it’s very important, while others believe it’s not necessary anymore because of technology. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who support reading literature say it helps us understand others better. When we read stories, we learn about different people’s lives and problems. For example, when students read books about people from other countries, they learn about different cultures and ways of living. This helps them become more understanding and kind to others.
On the other hand, some people think we don’t need literature anymore because we have the internet and social media. They say we can watch videos and use social media to learn about other people’s lives directly. Also, many young people prefer watching videos or playing games instead of reading books.
I believe that reading literature is still very important today. While technology is useful, books give us a special way to understand others’ feelings. When we read, we spend more time thinking about the characters’ feelings and problems. This helps us become more empathetic people.
In conclusion, although technology provides new ways to learn about others, reading literature is still very important for developing understanding and empathy. We should use both books and technology to learn about different perspectives.
Scoring Analysis
Band 8 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “irreplaceable,” “cultivating,” “compelling”
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear organization with well-developed arguments
- Effective use of examples
- Coherent progression of ideas
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Simple but clear vocabulary
- Basic sentence structures
- Some repetition of ideas
- Limited use of complex language
- Basic organization maintained
Key Vocabulary
- empathy (n) /ˈempəθi/ – ability to understand others’ feelings
- perspective (n) /pəˈspektɪv/ – point of view
- cultivate (v) /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ – develop or acquire
- irreplaceable (adj) /ˌɪrɪˈpleɪsəbl/ – impossible to replace
- compelling (adj) /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ – convincing
- nuanced (adj) /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle differences
- foster (v) /ˈfɒstə/ – encourage development
Consider practicing with these similar topics:
- The role of storytelling in preserving cultural heritage
- Digital versus traditional methods of learning about other cultures
- The importance of emotional intelligence in modern education
Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and discussion.