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I have been writing consistently at least 2 essays a week for the past 3 and a half years. Much as I enjoy writing, I love showing my work to the world. And I don’t just write for the sake of Writing. I, instead, write strictly TIMED essays you will most likely expect in the IELTS. Bare in mind that the TIMER is your true friend, and this makes time abundance your foe. Always time yourself 1 hour for a FULL test or 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2. Remember to tackle the question(s) without any pre-reading since this element of surprise of having a random question thrown right into your face is what IELTS Writing is all about. These under-exam-condition essays, no matter how shitty they turn out to be, are indicative of your TRUE level of English, of what you could reasonably do in a real test, and also a foundation on which you can build up and keep refining your skills. And finally, you can take advice from me as someone who has, countless times, pulled off an 8.0 in Writing. Have fun reading and stay hungry for knowledge. Ngoc.

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Easy Essays

Ex-prisoners
Nicky Nguyen
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Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There is some evidence that formerly incarcerated inmates can later become good members of society. Though ex-offenders can be given chances to speak to teenagers about the risks of getting involved in wrongdoings, I believe that convicts are far from the best educators in this regard. 

Supporters of this sentiment rightly point to a deterrent effect of having ex-convicts talk to young teenagers. For example, former offenders could be welcomed as guest speakers in schools to share vivid accounts of their convictions, the inherent dangers of a life behind bars, and their struggles during rehabilitation. These experiences will likely raise teenagers’ awareness of the law and inform them of the consequences for lawbreakers. As a result, young people might be discouraged from committing illegal acts, such as abusing drugs or attempting murder for fear of imprisonment.

Nonetheless, I would argue that ex-prisoners are not the best role models and, therefore, encounters with these individuals can evoke a propensity for violence. The aforementioned instances of ex-prisoners helping teenagers are largely theoretical and cannot be simplistically generalized for all cases. This is because teenagers tend to be impressionable and lack critical judgments. It logically follows that they can gradually harbour blind adulation towards the wrongdoers. This false sense of admiration would nudge teenagers towards attempting to break the laws rather than striving to be law–abiding citizens. This scenario would not happen, and teenagers’ views on social justice would not be biased if they did not encounter ex–perpetrators. 

In conclusion, despite the marginal preventive effects of letting former criminals talk to teenagers, I believe that convicts are far from being effective mentors. Parents and schools are, therefore, the best teachers of children regarding the consequences of committing crimes. 

Essay Breakdown

Structure

Introduction

[1] There is some evidence that formerly incarcerated inmates can later become good members of society. [2] Though ex-offenders can be given chances to speak to teenagers about the risks of getting involved in wrongdoings, I believe that convicts are far from the best educators in this regard.

1. Paraphrase the topic

2. A clear statement showing my opinion using a concessive clause

Body

Paragraph 1

[1] Supporters of this sentiment rightly point to a deterrent effect of having ex-convicts talk to young teenagers. [2] For example, former offenders could be welcomed as guest speakers in schools to share vivid accounts of their convictions, the inherent dangers of a life behind bars, and their struggles during rehabilitation. [3] These experiences will likely raise teenagers’ awareness of the law and inform them of the consequences for lawbreakers. [4] As a result, young people might be discouraged from committing illegal acts, such as abusing drugs or attempting murder for fear of imprisonment.

1.  Topic sentence with the main idea – the effect of having ex-prisoners talk to young teenagers.

2. Use a fact as an example to explain my main idea. 

3. Develop the example.

4. Conclude by providing the result of the mentioned example.

Paragraph 2

[1] Nonetheless, I would argue that ex-prisoners are not the best role models and, therefore, encounters with these individuals can evoke a propensity for violence. [2] The aforementioned instances of ex-prisoners helping teenagers are largely theoretical and cannot be simplistically generalized for all cases. [3] This is because teenagers tend to be impressionable and lack critical judgments. [4] It logically follows that they can gradually harbour blind adulation towards the wrongdoers. [5] This false sense of admiration would nudge teenagers towards attempting to break the laws rather than striving to be law–abiding citizens. [6] This scenario would not happen, and teenagers’ views on social justice would not be biased if they did not encounter ex–perpetrators. 

1. Topic sentence to support my preferred viewpoint

2. [Counter-argument] add a counterpoint to negate the idea in the previous paragraph

3. Explain the main idea

4. Continue developing the main idea by giving an example

5. Develop the example by providing its consequence

6. Use a hypothetical sentence to aid the example and fully develop my viewpoint

Conclusion

[1] In conclusion, despite the marginal preventive effects of letting former criminals talk to teenagers, I believe that convicts are far from being effective mentors. [2] Parents and schools are, therefore, the best teachers of children regarding the consequences of committing crimes

1. Conclude and state personal opinions one more time 

2. Extend the viewpoint

Vocabulary

There is some evidence that formerly incarcerated inmates can later become good members of society. Though ex-offenders can be given chances to speak to teenagers about the risks of getting involved in wrongdoings, I believe that convicts are far from the best educators in this regard. 

Supporters of this sentiment rightly point to a deterrent effect of having ex-convicts talk to young teenagers. For example, former offenders could be welcomed as guest speakers in schools to share vivid accounts of their convictions, the inherent dangers of a life behind bars, and their struggles during rehabilitation. These experiences will likely raise teenagers’ awareness of the law and inform them of the consequences for lawbreakers. As a result, young people might be discouraged from committing illegal acts, such as abusing drugs or attempting murder for fear of imprisonment.

Nonetheless, I would argue that ex-prisoners are not the best role models and, therefore, encounters with these individuals can evoke a propensity for violence. The aforementioned instances of ex-prisoners helping teenagers are largely theoretical and cannot be simplistically generalized for all cases. This is because teenagers tend to be impressionable and lack critical judgments. It logically follows that they can gradually harbour blind adulation towards the wrongdoers. This false sense of admiration would nudge teenagers towards attempting to break the laws rather than striving to be law-abiding citizens. This scenario would not happen, and teenagers’ views on social justice would not be biased if they did not encounter ex-perpetrators. 

In conclusion, despite the marginal preventive effects of letting former criminals talk to teenagers, I believe that convicts are far from being effective mentors. Parents and schools are, therefore, the best teachers of children regarding the consequences of committing crimes.

Vocabulary Highlight

  • incarcerate (v): to put somebody in prison or in another place from which they cannot escape
  • inmate (n): one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital
  • formerly incarcerated inmates (n): ex-prisoners
  • ex-offenders (n): ex-prisoners
  • wrongdoings (n): illegal activities
  • vivid (adj): producing very clear pictures in your mind
  • vivid accounts: clear experiences
  • inherent (adj): that is a basic or permanent part of somebody/something and that cannot be removed
  • rehabilitation (n): the process of helping somebody to have a normal, useful life again after they have been very ill or in prison for a long time
  • evoke (v): to make someone remember something or feel an emotion
  • propensity (n): a natural desire or need that makes you tend to behave in a particular way
  • evoke a propensity for violence: trigger an inclination towards violence
  • adulation (n): great praise, especially when it is greater than necessary
  • herald (v): to be a sign that something is going to happen
  • nudge towards (v):  to push somebody gently, especially with your elbow, in order to get their attention
  • law-abiding (adj): obeying and respecting the law
  • ex-perpetrators (n): someone who used to commit a crime or a violent or harmful act
  • preventive effects: deterrent effects
  • former criminals: ex-criminals

Reading

Further reading about this topic can be found here:

https://apps.urban.org/features/long-prison-terms/narratives.html

Listening

Further listening about this topic can be found here:

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