Memorization of Information by Frequent Repetition- IELTS Writing Task 2

Memorization of information by frequent repetition, namely rote learning, plays a role in many education systems. To what extent do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Outline

Essay Type

Advantages and disadvantages Essay

Introduction

Sentence 1: In today’s rapidly evolving educational area, rote learning or memorization of information plays an essential role.

Sentence 2: Some people think memorizing the information thoroughly will lead them to score good grades, while others believe that rote memorization reduces meaningful learning. Both sides of the argument will be discussed in the next paragraphs.

Body

Paragraph 1: Students employ rote learning from childhood. Most educational institutions adopt the rote memorization method to teach students to easily recall what they have memorized which is beneficial only during childhood because it becomes troublesome in the workplace.

Paragraph 2: Rote education is not an active learning strategy when compared to meaningful learning because memorizing information blindly without understanding the facts will lead the students to achieve good grades. It will not improve their understanding skills.

Conclusion

Restate whether advantages outweigh disadvantages or vice versa.

Sample Essay

Many schools and educational organizations use rote learning as one of their most prevalent study strategies. However, it is believed that frequent repetition or memorization of a mass amount of information helps students achieve good results. In the following paragraphs, both sides of the argument will be discussed and a conclusion will be reached.

Most students, right from the beginning of their schooling, adopt the memorization or rote learning methods. For example, they are taught to learn the alphabet in the nursery and memorize the periodic table later. Furthermore, educational institutions have inadvertently constructed a system defining success based on students’ success at memorizing facts and information for exams because rote memorization helps individuals to quickly remember and recall information when asked, which also develops their foundational knowledge. Consequently, memorization or rote learning has become a pillar of modern education.

Unfortunately, this method of memorizing or learning disconnects the individual from past and future learning, and they’re likely to get bored of repeatedly reciting the same thing. In addition, this learning method affects students’ understanding of the concept because memorized facts cannot be applied in practice. As a result, rote memorization discourages practical implementation. Besides, individuals solely dependent on memorization continue to use it even in their future careers, which becomes problematic in the workplace as they lack the ability to think, analyze, act, and promptly provide solutions. Again, this happens due to the absence of conceptual understanding from an early age.

To summarise, rote learning is still employed by students and teachers, even though it is an unproductive learning technique. As a result, I believe that individuals who understand the concept deeply with meaningful learning are likely to solve the problems better than those who learn by rote. Thus, the disadvantages of rote learning outweigh its advantages.

Vocabulary

• Mass 

Meaning: large quantity or number
Eg: A mass of people gathered at the stadium.

• Beneficial 

Meaning: resulting in good; favourable or advantageous
Eg: The government introduced a scheme that is beneficial to working women.

• Analyze 

Meaning: examine (something) methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it
Eg: The doctor analyzed the patient thoroughly.

• Rote 

Meaning: mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned.
Eg: All my childhood, I have been dependent on rote learning.

• Unproductive 

Meaning: (of an activity or period) not achieving much; not very useful.
Eg: I found the online sessions to be unproductive.

• Pillar

Meaning: a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part
Eg: The members of the management are the pillars of the institution.

• Practical 

Meaning: (of an idea, plan, or method) likely to succeed or be effective in real circumstances; feasible
Eg: The Dean gave some practical advice to the students.

• Problematic 

Meaning: constituting or presenting a problem.
Eg: The situation became problematic to everyone in the society.

• Inadvertently 

Meaning: without intention; accidentally.
Eg: John had inadvertently missed his project this time.

• Recall

Meaning: bring (a fact, event, or situation) back into one’s mind; remember.
Eg: The victim tried to recall the incident.