Handwriting skills in schools has become a highly debated topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing frequently in recent years. Based on analysis of past IELTS exams, this topic has appeared in various forms, particularly focusing on the relevance of handwriting in the digital age. Let’s examine one common question format that has appeared in recent tests.
Analyzing the Task Question
Some people think that handwriting skills are no longer important for children at schools since computers and typing skills are more relevant today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question requires candidates to:
- Take a clear position on the importance of handwriting
- Evaluate the relevance of traditional vs. digital writing skills
- Support arguments with relevant examples
- Consider modern educational needs
Band 8.5 Sample Essay
In today’s digital age, while computers have become ubiquitous in education, I strongly disagree with the notion that handwriting skills have become obsolete in schools. Both traditional penmanship and digital literacy serve crucial yet distinct purposes in a child’s educational development.
The cognitive benefits of handwriting cannot be replicated by typing alone. Research has shown that the physical act of writing by hand engages multiple brain regions simultaneously, enhancing memory retention and learning capabilities. For instance, studies conducted at several universities have demonstrated that students who take notes by hand typically outperform their peers who use laptops in terms of conceptual understanding and long-term information retention.
Moreover, handwriting remains essential in various real-world scenarios. Despite technological advancement, many professional situations still require handwritten communication, from signing legal documents to taking quick notes during meetings. Additionally, in many countries, academic examinations continue to be conducted in written format, making proper handwriting crucial for academic success.
However, this doesn’t diminish the importance of digital skills. The ideal approach is to maintain a balanced curriculum that develops both handwriting and typing proficiency. Schools should integrate both traditional and modern writing methods, preparing students for a world where both skills are valuable. This dual approach ensures students can adapt to various situations and maintain cognitive flexibility.
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
I disagree that handwriting is not important anymore in schools. Although computers are everywhere now, writing by hand still has many benefits for students.
First, when students write by hand, they remember things better. Many research studies show that writing helps the brain to work better. For example, in my country, students who write notes in class usually get better grades than those who only type on computers.
Second, we still need handwriting in many situations. Some examples are when we fill forms in banks or write exams. Not everything can be done on computers, so students must know how to write clearly.
Also, sometimes computers might not work or we might not have them available. In such situations, knowing how to write properly is very important. For instance, during power cuts or when batteries die, we can still take notes by hand.
However, typing skills are also important today. Students should learn both skills because both are useful. Schools should teach handwriting and typing to prepare students for the future.
Analysis of Band Scores
Band 8.5 Essay Analysis
- Task Response (9.0): Clear position with fully developed arguments
- Coherence & Cohesion (8.5): Logical organization with effective paragraphing
- Lexical Resource (8.5): Sophisticated vocabulary use with natural examples
- Grammar (8.5): Complex structures with minimal errors
Band 6.5 Essay Analysis
- Task Response (7.0): Clear position but simpler development
- Coherence & Cohesion (6.5): Basic organization with some progression
- Lexical Resource (6.5): Adequate vocabulary with some repetition
- Grammar (6.5): Mix of simple and complex structures
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- ubiquitous (adj) /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/ – present everywhere
- penmanship (n) /ˈpenmənʃɪp/ – the art of handwriting
- cognitive (adj) /ˈkɒɡnətɪv/ – related to thinking and mental processes
- obsolete (adj) /ˈɒbsəliːt/ – no longer used or needed
- retention (n) /rɪˈtenʃn/ – the ability to keep or remember something
- proficiency (n) /prəˈfɪʃnsi/ – skill or expertise in something
- conceptual (adj) /kənˈseptʃuəl/ – related to ideas or concepts
- diminish (v) /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ – to become or make less
Suggested Practice Topics
- “Should schools completely replace handwriting with typing skills?”
- “Is digital literacy more important than traditional writing skills?”
- “How can schools balance traditional and modern writing methods?”
Feel free to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.