GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 365
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
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.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [View: Advertising is NOT successful at persuading us to buy things.]
Advertising is an essential component of modern-day commerce. While some people believe that advertising is highly effective at influencing our purchasing decisions, others argue that advertising has become so commonplace that it is now often ignored. In this essay, I will examine both perspectives and argue that it is not effective to control our purchasing decisions.
On the one hand, advertising is believed to be highly effective in convincing people to buy things. Adverts are designed to appeal to consumers by highlighting the benefits and unique features of a product or service. For instance, commercials for fast food restaurants often depict delicious-looking meals and happy families enjoying them together. Such ads can create a positive association with the product in the minds of viewers, which can influence their decision to buy it.
On the other hand, some argue that advertising has become so pervasive that people have developed a kind of immunity to it. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements on television, radio, social media, and even in public spaces such as billboards and bus stops. As a result, many people have become desensitized to the messages conveyed by ads and are unlikely to be swayed by them. In addition, people are often wary of advertisements because they know they are designed to sell a product or service, which can make them sceptical of the claims being made.
In my opinion, these days, people are exposed to so much advertising that they may not pay attention to all of it. Furthermore, many people actively resist being influenced by ads because they are aware of their manipulative nature.
In conclusion, while advertising can be a powerful tool for persuading people to buy things, it is not successful in modern times. It is important for us to remain critical and discerning when exposed to advertising, and to make purchasing decisions based on our own needs and preferences rather than solely on the basis of ads.
Model Answer 2: [View: Advertising is highly effective at persuading us to buy things]
Advertising is a pervasive aspect of modern society, with adverts appearing everywhere we look. While some people argue that we have become immune to the power of advertising, others say that adverts are still incredibly successful at persuading us to buy different items and services. Personally, I think that adverts are still very powerful in persuading consumers to purchase products or opt for services.
One group of people argue that the ubiquity of advertisements has led to audience indifference. The sheer volume of advertising content bombarding consumers in various media formats has bred a phenomenon known as “ad fatigue.” As a result, people tend to tune out from advertisements, rendering them less effective in driving purchasing decisions. This saturation can lead to a situation where consumers actively avoid engaging with advertising messages, undermining the intended persuasive impact.
On the other hand, others believe that advertising has a significant impact on our emotions and can create desire and want for certain products and that is why they are extremely useful to persuade consumers to buy products or take a service. Advertisers use persuasive language and imagery to make their products appear desirable and appealing, tapping into our subconscious desires and aspirations. For example, a perfume advert might use images of a beautiful model and a romantic setting to create a sense of luxury and desire. By doing this, the advert is more likely to encourage people to buy the perfume. In addition to this, advertising is often very cleverly targeted to specific demographics. Advertisers use data about our age, gender, location, and interests to ensure that their adverts reach the people who are most likely to be interested in their products. This means that adverts can be tailored to individuals and be more effective at persuading people to buy things.
In conclusion, while some people argue that advertising is so pervasive that we no longer pay attention to it, I believe that advertising is still incredibly effective at persuading us to buy things. Advertisers use emotional appeals and clever targeting to create a desire for their products or services.