Many IELTS candidates make the mistake of offering generic, ambiguous viewpoints instead of precise, solid arguments in their writing. To make your essay more convincing, you must be specific. This entails presenting concise, well-defined arguments and supporting them with specific instances, figures, or information. In this blog, we’ll discuss what specificity is, why it matters, and explore some useful writing techniques.
What is Specificity?
Specificity involves offering a precise viewpoint and supporting it with relevant, concrete examples or data. A vague statement like “Education is important” doesn’t make a strong case. Instead, a specific version would be: “Education develops critical thinking skills and opens doors to better career opportunities.” Not only is the viewpoint clearer, but it also gives readers more to engage with.
The key to effective specificity is ensuring both your viewpoint and your supporting arguments are precise and well-defined, giving your essay more depth and persuasiveness.
Why is Specificity Important?
- Enhances Persuasiveness: A specific, well-supported argument is much more convincing than a broad, general statement. Providing specifics makes your concepts feel more tangible and rooted in reality.
- Draws Attention: Readers are more engaged by thorough examples and explanations than by general or abstract remarks.
- Demonstrates Depth of Understanding: Examiners may be impressed by your ability to show a deeper understanding of the subject by providing particular points of view and evidence to back them up.
How to Use Specificity in Writing
1. Start with a Specific Viewpoint
A vague opinion weakens the overall argument. Instead of writing “Technology has changed the world,” focus on a clear aspect: “Smartphones have revolutionized communication by making it faster and more accessible.” This makes your argument more precise and sets you up for stronger support.
For example, when addressing “The Importance of Education for Personal Development,” try saying: “Education enhances problem-solving abilities and fosters innovation, which are crucial for personal and professional success,” as opposed to “Education helps people.” This viewpoint is specific, clear, and gives room to provide relevant examples.
2. Support with Concrete Examples
After establishing a certain point of view, back it up with examples from actual life. For instance, you may write, “For example, Bill Gates developed a profound understanding of technology during his time at Harvard, which played a key role in founding Microsoft,” if you’re talking about how education fosters innovation. This example provides a concrete, relatable situation to support the position.
3. Incorporate Data and Statistics
When appropriate, support your points with facts or figures from credible experts or institutions . A generalization such as “Healthy eating is good for children” is meaningless. Say something like this instead: “Children who eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily have a 30% lower risk of obesity, according to the World Health Organization.” This gives additional authority to your argument while also supporting your point of view。
4. Describe Specific Situations
Giving readers particular examples or circumstances makes your point easier for them to understand. For instance, instead of vaguely stating, “Social media affects relationships,” be more precise: “Through platforms like Whatsapp or Line, people can easily maintain close connections with friends and family, no matter the distance. For example, Jessica has stayed in touch with his friend Anita, who studies in the U.S., by regularly sharing photos and videos.”
Summary
Specificity is the cornerstone of a strong essay in IELTS writing. Giving specific points of view and supporting them with facts, figures, quotations, and case studies not only helps to clarify but also strengthens your argument. Recall that being particular doesn’t mean packing your essay with more information; rather, it means ensuring that your points are clear and well-supported, which will help your essay stand out.
