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Should first-year academic writing courses be compulsory for all students—not just for international students or those whose first language is not English? In your essay, consider both sides of the argument, and state your own opinion clearly.

Should first-year academic writing courses be compulsory for all students—not just for international students or those whose first language is not English? In your essay, consider both sides of the argument, and state your own opinion clearly.

There is a growing interest whether academic writing courses in universities should be compulsory for all first-year students or only international students and students whose first language is not English be required to participate in that course. From my own perspective, there are many arguments to support the viewpoint on two hands.

To begin with, an academic writing course seems like an essential skill for every student in long-term worklife. To be more specific, in such an educational environment people are going to deal with many situations that require writing skills such as email reply, meeting minutes, customer reply and plenty other things. In that case, students who take part in academic writing courses will be able to handle the situation effectively and probably have better results. Furthermore, writing courses would benefit students in many ways. For instance, students can develop problem-solving to solve some of the problems for the topic with brain-storming technique, critical thinking skills and other related skills. As a result, students may have a better chance to get higher scores in other subjects as every subject in university requires them to have such a skill.

On the other hand, students who are native English speakers tend to find academic writing courses unnecessary. More particularly, some students find themselves having strong writing skills so attending more writing courses could result in wasting time and personal budget. Moreover, the writing courses should only be allocated to those who really need to save human and financial resources. For example, lecturers could have more time to do research or prepare lessons for students in other subjects and university can save more money for other activities. In consequence, both lecturers and students can avoid overworking and be able to spend more time on other things which also leads to better results and could benefit universities themselves in return.

In conclusion, I personally believe that academic writing courses could bring many advantages to students themselves even after their graduation while there are also some opinions that academic writing courses should be optional for native English speakers. In my opinion, writing courses should be mandatory for every student as it will benefit them in every way even if they have good writing skills.


Gợi ý nâng cấp từ vựng

  1. "There is a growing interest whether" -> "There is growing interest in the question of"
    Explanation: The phrase "There is growing interest whether" is grammatically incorrect. The correct structure should be "There is growing interest in the question of," which clarifies the topic and improves the sentence’s grammatical accuracy.

  2. "on two hands" -> "on both sides"
    Explanation: "On two hands" is an idiomatic expression that is not appropriate in formal academic writing. "On both sides" is a more formal and precise way to indicate consideration of multiple perspectives.

  3. "seems like an essential skill" -> "is an essential skill"
    Explanation: "Seems like" is too informal and vague for academic writing. "Is" provides a direct and assertive statement, enhancing the formality and clarity of the sentence.

  4. "in long-term worklife" -> "in long-term professional life"
    Explanation: "Worklife" is not a standard term. "Professional life" is the correct and formal term used in academic contexts to refer to one’s career or occupation.

  5. "people are going to deal with" -> "students will encounter"
    Explanation: "People are going to deal with" is too general and informal. "Students will encounter" specifically targets the academic context and is more precise.

  6. "plenty other things" -> "numerous other tasks"
    Explanation: "Plenty other things" is informal and vague. "Numerous other tasks" is more specific and formal, suitable for academic writing.

  7. "brain-storming technique" -> "brainstorming technique"
    Explanation: "Brain-storming" is a compound word that should not be hyphenated in formal writing.

  8. "problem-solving to solve some of the problems" -> "problem-solving skills to address various challenges"
    Explanation: The original phrase is awkward and repetitive. The suggested revision clarifies the meaning and enhances the formality of the sentence.

  9. "native English speakers tend to find academic writing courses unnecessary" -> "native English speakers often consider academic writing courses unnecessary"
    Explanation: "Tend to find" is less direct and less formal than "often consider," which is more precise and suitable for academic writing.

  10. "could result in wasting time and personal budget" -> "could result in a waste of time and resources"
    Explanation: "Wasting time and personal budget" is informal and imprecise. "A waste of time and resources" is more formal and appropriate for academic discourse.

  11. "could have more time to do research or prepare lessons" -> "could allocate more time to research or lesson preparation"
    Explanation: "Could have more time to do research or prepare lessons" is informal and vague. "Allocate more time to research or lesson preparation" is more precise and formal.

  12. "be able to spend more time on other things" -> "have more time for other activities"
    Explanation: "Be able to spend more time on other things" is verbose and informal. "Have more time for other activities" is concise and maintains a formal tone.

  13. "could benefit universities themselves in return" -> "could benefit the universities themselves"
    Explanation: "In return" is unnecessary and informal in this context. Removing it enhances the sentence’s clarity and formality.

These changes aim to refine the essay’s language to meet the standards of academic writing, ensuring precision, formality, and clarity.

Band điểm Task Response ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Task Response: 7

  • Answer All Parts of the Question:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay addresses the prompt by discussing both sides of the argument regarding the necessity of compulsory academic writing courses for all students. The first half presents the benefits of such courses for all students, while the second half discusses the perspective of native English speakers who may find them unnecessary. However, the essay could have provided a more balanced exploration of both sides, as the arguments for the opposing view are less developed.
    • How to improve: To enhance the response, the writer should ensure that both sides are given equal weight. This could involve elaborating on the reasons why some students might feel that writing courses are unnecessary, perhaps by providing specific examples or statistics. Additionally, a more explicit acknowledgment of the counterarguments could strengthen the overall argument.
  • Present a Clear Position Throughout:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay presents a clear position in favor of making academic writing courses compulsory, particularly in the conclusion. However, the initial statement of the writer’s perspective is somewhat vague, stating there are "many arguments to support the viewpoint on two hands," which may confuse the reader about the author’s stance.
    • How to improve: The writer should clarify their position more explicitly in the introduction. A strong thesis statement that clearly outlines the writer’s opinion would help guide the reader through the essay. Consistently reinforcing this position throughout the essay, especially when discussing the opposing view, would also enhance clarity.
  • Present, Extend, and Support Ideas:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay presents several ideas supporting the necessity of academic writing courses, such as improved writing skills leading to better performance in other subjects. However, some points are not fully developed, and there is a lack of specific examples or evidence to substantiate the claims made. For example, the mention of "brain-storming technique" and "critical thinking skills" could be elaborated upon to show how these skills are directly linked to academic writing.
    • How to improve: To strengthen the support for ideas, the writer should include specific examples, anecdotes, or data that illustrate the benefits of academic writing courses. Additionally, expanding on how these skills translate into real-world applications would provide a more compelling argument.
  • Stay on Topic:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay generally stays on topic, discussing the relevance of academic writing courses for both international and native English-speaking students. However, there are moments where the focus shifts slightly, such as when discussing the financial implications for universities, which could detract from the main argument.
    • How to improve: The writer should ensure that every point made directly relates back to the central question of whether these courses should be compulsory. Keeping the discussion tightly aligned with the prompt will help maintain focus and coherence throughout the essay. Using clear topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph can also help reinforce the main argument.

Band điểm Coherence & Cohesion ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Coherence and Cohesion: 7

  • Organize Information Logically:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay presents a clear structure, with an introduction that outlines the topic and states the writer’s perspective. The body paragraphs are organized to discuss both sides of the argument, which enhances logical flow. For instance, the first body paragraph effectively argues for the necessity of academic writing courses, while the second body paragraph presents the opposing viewpoint. However, the transition between the two paragraphs could be smoother, as the shift from one argument to the other feels somewhat abrupt.
    • How to improve: To enhance the logical flow, consider using transitional phrases that explicitly connect the ideas between paragraphs. For example, phrases like "Conversely," or "On the contrary," can help signal a shift in perspective. Additionally, ensuring that each paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the main idea will further aid in guiding the reader through the argument.
  • Use Paragraphs:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay utilizes paragraphs effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the argument. The introduction, two body paragraphs, and conclusion are clearly delineated. However, the paragraphs could be more balanced in length and depth. The first body paragraph is more detailed than the second, which may lead to an imbalance in the argument presented.
    • How to improve: Aim for a more balanced approach by expanding on the second body paragraph. This could involve providing more specific examples or elaborating on the reasons why native English speakers might find the courses unnecessary. Additionally, consider breaking down complex ideas into smaller, more digestible parts within the paragraphs to enhance clarity.
  • Use a Range of Cohesive Devices:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay employs some cohesive devices, such as "To begin with," "Furthermore," and "On the other hand," which help to connect ideas. However, the range of cohesive devices used is somewhat limited, and there are instances where the connections between sentences could be clearer. For example, the phrase "In that case" could be more explicitly linked to the preceding sentence to clarify the relationship between the ideas.
    • How to improve: To diversify the use of cohesive devices, incorporate a wider variety of linking words and phrases, such as "Additionally," "Moreover," "Consequently," and "In contrast." This will not only enhance the flow of the essay but also demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency. Furthermore, ensure that each cohesive device is used appropriately to maintain clarity and coherence in the argument.

Overall, while the essay demonstrates a solid understanding of the topic and presents a coherent argument, addressing these areas for improvement will enhance the overall coherence and cohesion, potentially leading to a higher band score.

Band điểm Lexical Resource ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Lexical Resource: 7

  • Use a Wide Range of Vocabulary:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay demonstrates a good range of vocabulary, with phrases like "growing interest," "essential skill," and "problem-solving." However, there are instances of repetitive vocabulary, such as "students" and "writing courses," which could be varied more to enhance the richness of the language. For example, instead of repeatedly using "students," synonyms like "learners" or "participants" could be employed.
    • How to improve: To improve lexical variety, the writer should actively seek synonyms and related terms. Keeping a thesaurus handy while drafting could help in identifying alternative words. Additionally, incorporating more academic phrases or idiomatic expressions would elevate the overall quality of the essay.
  • Use Vocabulary Precisely:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay generally uses vocabulary appropriately, but there are some instances of imprecise usage. For example, the phrase "students can develop problem-solving to solve some of the problems" is somewhat redundant and could be clearer. The term "brain-storming technique" is also slightly awkward and should be "brainstorming techniques."
    • How to improve: To enhance precision, the writer should focus on clarity and conciseness. Instead of saying "develop problem-solving to solve some of the problems," a more precise phrase could be "enhance their problem-solving abilities." Regularly reviewing vocabulary in context and practicing paraphrasing can also help in achieving more precise language use.
  • Use Correct Spelling:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay shows a good level of spelling accuracy, with only minor errors such as "brain-storming" instead of "brainstorming." Most words are spelled correctly, which indicates a solid grasp of spelling conventions.
    • How to improve: To further enhance spelling accuracy, the writer should proofread the essay carefully, perhaps reading it aloud to catch any overlooked errors. Utilizing spelling and grammar checking tools can also be beneficial. Additionally, maintaining a personal list of commonly misspelled words and reviewing them regularly can help reinforce correct spelling habits.

Overall, the essay demonstrates a commendable level of lexical resource, but with targeted improvements in vocabulary range, precision, and spelling accuracy, the writer could aim for a higher band score in future essays.

Band điểm Grammatical Range & Accuracy ước lượng: 7

Band Score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 7

  • Use a Wide Range of Structures:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay demonstrates a good variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences. For example, the use of phrases like "To begin with" and "On the other hand" effectively introduces contrasting ideas. However, some sentences are overly long and could be broken down for clarity. For instance, the sentence "To be more specific, in such an educational environment people are going to deal with many situations that require writing skills such as email reply, meeting minutes, customer reply and plenty other things" could be simplified to enhance readability.
    • How to improve: To diversify sentence structures, consider using more varied introductory phrases and clauses. Incorporate more complex sentences that include subordinate clauses to express nuanced ideas. For example, instead of saying "students who take part in academic writing courses will be able to handle the situation effectively," you could say, "students who engage in academic writing courses are likely to develop the skills necessary to handle various writing situations effectively."
  • Use Grammar and Punctuation Accurately:

    • Detailed explanation: The essay generally maintains good grammatical accuracy, but there are several instances of awkward phrasing and punctuation errors. For example, "students whose first language is not English be required to participate" should be corrected to "should be required to participate." Additionally, the phrase "plenty other things" is grammatically incorrect; it should be "plenty of other things." Punctuation is mostly correct, but commas are sometimes missing, which affects the flow of the text. For instance, "In that case, students who take part in academic writing courses will be able to handle the situation effectively and probably have better results" could benefit from a comma before "and."
    • How to improve: To enhance grammatical accuracy, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Regularly practice identifying and correcting common grammatical errors in your writing. Additionally, read your essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing and punctuation issues. Consider using grammar-checking tools or seeking feedback from peers to identify areas for improvement.

Overall, while the essay demonstrates a solid command of grammatical range and accuracy, focusing on sentence clarity and grammatical precision will help elevate the writing to a higher band score.

Bài sửa mẫu

There is a growing interest in the question of whether academic writing courses in universities should be compulsory for all first-year students, or if only international students and those whose first language is not English should be required to participate in such courses. From my own perspective, there are many arguments to support both sides of this debate.

To begin with, an academic writing course is an essential skill for every student in their long-term professional life. Specifically, in an educational environment, individuals will encounter numerous situations that require effective writing skills, such as replying to emails, drafting meeting minutes, and responding to customers. In this context, students who participate in academic writing courses will be better equipped to handle these tasks effectively and are likely to achieve better results. Furthermore, writing courses would benefit students in various ways. For instance, students can develop problem-solving skills to address various challenges related to their topics through brainstorming techniques, critical thinking, and other related skills. As a result, students may have a better chance of attaining higher scores in other subjects, as every discipline in university requires strong writing abilities.

On the other hand, native English speakers often consider academic writing courses unnecessary. More specifically, some students believe they already possess strong writing skills, so attending additional writing courses could result in a waste of time and resources. Moreover, writing courses could be allocated only to those who genuinely need them, thereby saving human and financial resources. For example, lecturers could have more time to focus on research or lesson preparation for other subjects, and universities could allocate more funds to various activities. Consequently, both lecturers and students can avoid overworking and have more time for other activities, which could lead to better outcomes and could benefit the universities themselves.

In conclusion, I personally believe that academic writing courses could bring numerous advantages to students, even after their graduation. While there are valid opinions suggesting that these courses should be optional for native English speakers, I maintain that writing courses should be mandatory for every student, as they will benefit them in every aspect, even if they already possess good writing skills.

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