IELTS Task 2: Devices and Literacy
The Question
Some people think that the increasing use of computers and smartphones to communicate has had a negative effect on young people's reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- •Take a clear position and sustain it
- •Negative case: reliance on autocorrect, informal abbreviations, shorter attention spans, less long-form reading
- •Positive/counter case: young people read and write more than ever (just digitally), exposure to diverse texts
- •Distinguish between informal digital writing and formal literacy
Sample Band 8 Response
203 wordsWritten by EduForEveryone — for guidance only. Not an official examiner response.
It is frequently argued that the growing use of computers and smartphones for communication has harmed young people's reading and writing abilities. I only partially agree with this claim.
There is certainly some evidence to support this concern. Relying on autocorrect and predictive text can weaken young people's spelling and grammar, while the informal abbreviations common in messaging may carry over into formal writing. In addition, the habit of skimming short online posts, rather than reading books or long articles, may shorten attention spans and reduce the ability to engage with complex texts.
On the other hand, it can be argued that young people today actually read and write more than any previous generation, albeit in digital form. They are constantly composing messages, posts, and comments, and they have instant access to an unprecedented range of texts online. The issue, therefore, may not be a decline in literacy itself but a difference between informal digital communication and formal academic writing.
In conclusion, while I accept that digital communication can encourage careless habits, I do not believe it has simply destroyed young people's literacy. With proper guidance from schools to distinguish informal from formal writing, technology can support rather than damage these essential skills.