You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Many people use written language in a less formal way and in a relaxed way than in the past. Why is that so? Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1
Recent decades have witnessed the growing use of informal language in various contexts. This can be attributed to an inclination towards verbal communication and the prevalence of the Internet. I am more inclined to the view that the drawbacks, such as lower academic results and reduced formality in enterprises stemming from this tendency, are more significant.
Firstly, there are two main reasons why informal language is increasingly preferred in the contemporary world. The first one is that many individuals today prefer spoken communication. Face-to-face conversations naturally involve more informal language and are more likely to be prioritized today since they are convenient and fast. Another explanation is that the proliferation of the Internet and mobile devices dramatically reduces formal language use. Online texting language often includes emojis, idioms, figures of speech, typos, and abbreviated words. As most businesses transition to online forms of communication, including email and video calls, formal forms of language, as in physical letters, have become relics of the past.
However, the prevalence of informal language engenders two critical negatives. First and foremost, this development can adversely affect students’ academic performances. Many students today tend to utilize informal forms, such as abbreviated words or slang, in essays and assignments requiring a greater formality. Consequently, their academic results are often lower on standardized tests, potentially affecting their overall learning progress. The second drawback is a possible lack of formality in business contexts. For instance, if a contract between two companies is written informally, it would not only appear unprofessional, but it might also lead to legal challenges as to the validity of the document.
In conclusion, more people use language less formally these days due to the convenience of oral communication and the advent of the Internet. Nevertheless, I believe this trend has more downsides as it can threaten learning outcomes and business dealings.
Sample Answer 2
Modern lifestyles differ from those of the past in many ways. The development of social networks and preferences for familiarity has led to the transformation of written language to a more informal form. From my perspective, this trend has more downsides as it can threaten learning outcomes and business dealings.
The informality of written language today can be attributed to several factors. Communication has become more frequent and varied than ever before. With the rise of social media, people are used to communicating in short snippets of text, resulting in more informal writing styles. Furthermore, writing something that a small group of people will only read is less likely to require substantial effort and time. With the vast majority of written communication being read by only the author or a small group of readers, there is less pressure to sound formal.
The advantage of this phenomenon is that it promotes connection on a more personal level. In a less formal setting, people would stop being vigilant and watchful, thus revealing their true feelings. This can lead to deeper relationships and enhanced mutual understanding. In addition, we can communicate more effectively by utilizing a less formal and more relaxed writing style. Simpler language and more straightforward sentence structures can eliminate barriers to comprehension as it would require less knowledge and effort for both the writer and reader to understand. Additionally, people would be more expressive in their writing when formal rules do not constrain them.
On the negative side, using informal written styles can lead to misunderstanding and be interpreted as disrespectful. It is best to err on formality in a professional setting to avoid any potential misunderstanding. For instance, if a contract between two companies is written informally, it would not only appear unprofessional, but it might also lead to legal challenges as to the validity of the document.
In conclusion, more people use language less formally due to the convenience of oral communication and the social media boom. Nevertheless, I believe this trend has more downsides as it can threaten learning outcomes and business dealings.
Sample Answer 3
Today, many individuals’ written language has become more informal and spontaneous. Specific causes lead to this development, and the drawbacks may outweigh the benefits.
On the one hand, several factors can give rise to a change in people’s writing behaviour. Firstly, instead of spending hours selecting advanced academic vocabulary and grammatical structures, which seems to consume a significant amount of time, using informal written language is more time-saving. Thus, this may significantly improve writing speed and allow people to converse more effectively in this hectic lifestyle. In addition, some individuals believe that less formal written language could also reduce the tension and serious unwanted tone when communicating with friends and relatives in writing conversations. For instance, when composing text messages, it is common to adjust the language to a more simple and relaxed way.
On the other hand, using a more casual and spontaneous written language could result in more negative impacts. There are specific situations when formal writing should be necessary, such as making proposal letters or curriculum vitae. However, if the writer applies a casual tone to those documents, the final result will be considered improper and neglected. Moreover, the way of writing in a relaxed style would seriously damage the uniqueness of traditional literature in the long run. With the appearance of slang and jargon, it can be seen that the art of classic literature is deteriorating day by day.
To sum up, less formal written language development could be attributed to time efficiency and intimate communicative contexts. I believe this change in many people’s writing behaviour would bring about more disadvantages than advantages.