IELTS Writing Task 2: Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Outline

Opening:

- Paraphrase: video games have adverse effect -> video games detrimental to people's development

- Despite threats are real -> there are benefits

Body:

Playing video games has many drawbacks

- look at screen longer => reduced eyesight

   -> many game players wear glasses

- playing too much video games => addiction

   -> less time for studying

- video games promote aggression

   -> contents filled with violence and nudity

Cannot eliminate video games altogether

- many games are designed for education

   -> children develop thinking skill by solving puzzles on games

- animations on games improve creativity

   -> teachers are using games to make lessons more fun

Conclusion:

- Video games have drawbacks, but can be turned into an educational tool

Video games are often portrayed on the media as being detrimental to personal development, especially that of a child. However, while the threats they pose are definite, I believe video games offer a number of benefits if they are consumed responsibly.

On the one hand, the drawbacks of video games are manifold. Studies have proven that prolonged exposure to a digital screen, which is an indispensible component of any gaming consoles, could lead to reduced eyesight. It is quite common to attend a video game convention and spot flocks of prescription-glasses-wearing game enthusiasts. In addition to the negative impacts on health, video games can often lead to addiction. This takes away a large portion of time in one's daily routine, which could have otherwise been spent on studying or working. To add to this, many video games nowadays promote aggression and behavioral disorders, particularly in teenagers and young adults. This is largely because their content is usually overloaded with displays of violence and nudity, neither of which is likely to communicate an image of an exemplary citizen.

Be that as it may, the above disadvantages do not necessarily call for complete elimination of video games. A lot of games these days are actually designed with a keen focus on education. When playing these games, children can develop their problem solving and critical thinking skills by solving quizzes and puzzles. Equipped with fun animations and captivating storytelling, video games also foster people's creativity and appreciation of arts. Teachers around the world have already taken advantage of this characteristic to inject a bit of fun into the classroom and help students to be more excited about learning.

In conclusion, while I don't refute the harms of excessive video game playing, I believe they can be turned into a powerful educational tool if used in moderation.

Word count: 303

Written by IELTS Fighters

Good vocabulary

- manifold: there are many

- indispensible: cannot be without

- to be overloaded with: to have too much of something

- keen focus on: concentrate on

- captivating: attractive

- foster ...: to encourage and help somebody improve a skill/ quality