IELTS Project - Bà Rịa

Day 1- WEAK WORDS!

This week, we will provide you with the five weak words that you should avoid—and what to use instead

Number 1. I believe/I feel/I think
Example: ”I believe the author has a great point here…”

I had this professor in the university who wasn’t afraid of telling you just how crappy your writing was. One day he pulled me aside and said, “Kris, you don’t need to say ‘I believe.’ We already know it’s what you believe, you’re the one writing it.”

Why it’s a problem: ”I believe,” “I feel,” and “I think” do not inspire confidence in the reader—they do the exact opposite. Their use causes the reader to question the author’s authenticity and honesty. These words make the writer sound unsure of themselves and the topic discussed. It also forces the writer to overuse pronouns and that’s bad news. Here’s why:

Computer programmer James Pennebaker analyzed over 400,000 texts in his mission to see what our word choice reveals about us. When Pennebaker analyzed military transcripts, his team could tell individuals relative ranks based entirely on patterns of speech. What does this tell us? Our choice and use of pronouns reveals how we view ourselves and how we view our relationships with others. In short, it reveals our personality to the reader. This is fine in cases of autobiography, but most of the time it only serves to weaken your work.

The use of words like, “I think” or “I believe” changes the focus of the sentence. Instead of the focus being on the subject, it is on the author. It’s like a big blinking neon light saying, “Hi, this is me the author talking, look at me sitting here talking about my opinions! Isn’t this great?” It’s not great. You take the reader out of the piece completely which is generally something a writer wishes to avoid, especially if you are trying to persuade the reader.

Case in point: “I believe the researcher has a great point here.”

Instead try: “The researcher has a great point here.”

This causes the power dynamics to shift. The sentence goes from sounding wishy-washy to sounding confident. It also places the focus back where it belongs. Bonus points to everyone.

Day 2- HOW?

HOW TO THINK OF IDEAS?

How did technology affect us? Did it affect us in a positive or a negative way?

because...
1. Dependency
The more advanced society becomes technologically, the more people begin to depend on computers and other forms of technology for everyday existence.

This means that when a machine breaks or a computer crashes, humans become almost disabled until the problem is resolved. This kind of dependency on technology puts people at a distinct disadvantage, because they become less self-reliant.

2. Less Value In Human Workers
At the same time, human workers retain less value, which is a disadvantage of technological advances.

Because machines automate processes and do the work of 10 people with one computer, companies find they don't need to employ as many people to get the job done. As machines and computers become even more advanced and efficient, this will continue to be a growing disadvantage of technology and an issue that has a global impact.

because...
1. Great Discoveries In All Industries
Technology advances show people a more efficient way to do things, and these processes get results.

For example, education has been greatly advanced by the technological advances of computers. Students are able to learn on a global scale without ever leaving their classrooms. Agricultural processes that once required dozens upon dozens of human workers can now be automated, thanks to advances in technology, which means cost-efficiency for farmers. Medical discoveries occur at a much more rapid rate, thanks to machines and computers that aid in the research process and allow for more intense educational research into medical matters.

2. Cost Efficiency
Cost efficiency is an advantage in some ways and a disadvantage in others. As technology improves on existing processes and showcases new ways to accomplish tasks, machines are able to produce the same -- if not more -- output than humans in certain industries.

This results in cost savings for business owners, allowing them to invest in growth in other areas of the business, which contributes on a positive level to the economy as a whole.