Some People Say that Advertising is Extremely Successful- IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a prompt, showcasing your ability to articulate a clear argument. In a discussion essay, you are required to explore multiple viewpoints on a given topic. This type of essay involves presenting both sides of an argument without favoring one over the other. Your task is to provide a balanced analysis of the issues at hand, using relevant examples and evidence to support each viewpoint.

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Discussion Essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Paraphrase the topic with the use of synonyms to create an understanding of it.

Sentence 3 – Mention that advertisements are still compelling because it creates the desire for the products it is selling.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Talk about how advertisements have played an indispensable role in persuading people to buy products.

Paragraph 2 – Talk about how advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it.

Conclusion

Restate your views.

Sample Essay

Some people feel that advertising effectively influences consumers’ buying decisions. In contrast, others claim that it is so commonplace and, as a result, cannot draw people’s attention anymore. Although social media has made advertising more common than ever before, I think it is still compelling because it creates the desire for the products it is selling.

On the one hand, nowadays, industries are using a plethora of marketing strategies such as captivating packaging designs, coupons, hefty discounts and other alluring offers to attract customers and amplify their sales. Moreover, not only do some companies reach their target audience with the help of sophisticated technological advancements such as email newsletters and online promotions but they also increase their customer count. For instance, according to a survey conducted by the Times of India, there was a massive rise in online sales in the past five years with a considerable change in the advertising strategies used to charm consumers. Hence, it is discernible that although there are reforms in the advertising approaches, they still have an indispensable job to play in persuading people.

On the other hand, as most people are aware of the traps of these advertisements, they are now avoided. Online advertising is an excellent example of this. Potential customers scarcely click on or even glance at a website’s combination of pop-up ads, banners, spam or promotional mailing list requests, and auto-playing video advertisements. These have become so frequent that consumers have evolved the unconscious practice of skipping ads on YouTube, swiftly closing pop-ups and scrolling past in-page advertisements. Advertisers have struggled to counter this by making their marketing less conspicuous, like ads that resemble actual posts on social media sites like Instagram. Still, their sheer frequency means they can quickly identify and do not stand out.

In conclusion, in my opinion, in some ways, giant advertisements have achieved their objective of persuading demand amongst consumers, to the extent that we tend to buy and possess multiple products. Regardless, to a smaller extent, we do not pay attention to some advertising on various media channels.

Vocabulary

• Compelling

Meaning – evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
Example – One significant feature common to all three series is a compelling struggle between good and evil.

• Plethora

Meaning – a large or excessive amount of something.
Example – In addition, there are a plethora of villas, three campgrounds and quaint bed-and-breakfast inns.

• Captivating

Meaning – capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.
Example – It remains to be seen whether the film is as captivating as the book.

• Hefty

Meaning – large and heavy.
Example – Details of their hefty pay slips have drawn intense public criticism and astonishment.

• Amplify

Meaning – enlarge upon or add detail to (a story or statement).
Example – To amplify the character of the tea, pour the tea from high above the glasses and garnish with mint.

• Discernible

Meaning – distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses.
Example – I could find no discernible psychological damage or mental health difficulties.

• Indispensable

Meaning – absolutely necessary.
Example – It is an indispensable resource for informed professionals who strive to shape the juvenile justice system today.

• Spam

Meaning – irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over the internet, typically to a large number of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc.
Example – It is estimated that a majority of all email traffic on the internet is spam.

• Conspicuous

Meaning – clearly visible.
Example – The tiger was conspicuous due to its colour, but it was trying its best to hide from the hunter.

• Sheer

Meaning – nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis).
Example – I can’t remember much of the day except that we ate chips on the seafront and laughed at the sheer tackiness of everything.