PTE Essay Writing – The majority of television news being reported is bad news: wars, famines, accidents, and crime. Some people think that television news should be a mixture of good and bad news.
Steps to Write the PTE Essay
- Analyze the Prompt & Determine Stance:
- Core Topic: The volume of negative news (wars, crime) on TV.
- Question: Should TV news be a mixture of good and bad news?
- Stance: Adopt a balanced view. Argue that while serious news must be reported, the overall narrative should include positive stories to provide a complete and healthy perspective.
- Create a Structural Outline (4 Paragraphs):
- Introduction: Introduce the issue (negative bias) and state the essay’s position (a balanced approach is preferable).
- Body Paragraph 1 (Focus on the ‘Bad’): Explain why serious news dominates (it is critical, affects policy, and drives viewer attention).
- Body Paragraph 2 (Focus on the ‘Good’): Explain why good news is necessary (prevents public pessimism, shows societal progress, and offers a holistic view).
- Conclusion: Summarize the two points and strongly reaffirm the need for a mixture of reports.
- Draft Content using Simple, Direct English:
- Use common verbs, simple syntax (Subject-Verb-Object), and strong topic sentences for clarity.
- Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs (e.g., However, Therefore, On the other hand).
PTE Essay: The Balance of News
Television news often focuses too much on bad events, such as wars, big disasters, crime, and money problems. This has made many people wonder if the media should instead show a better mix of good and bad news. This essay strongly agrees that a healthy and well-informed public needs to see reports on both the problems and the positive steps being taken in the world.
Why Negative News Dominates
One negative trend in the news is the constant focus on serious crime. This is because bad news is often seen as more urgent and more likely to grab the public’s attention.
- Explanation: When news channels constantly show stories about crime, the purpose is usually to warn people about dangers in their local area or to put pressure on the police and government to act.
- Example: For instance, after a series of high-profile robberies are reported on the news almost every night, citizens may become very worried, but this media attention also forces local councils to increase police patrols and invest in better security measures for the community.
The Importance of Positive Stories
However, only showing bad news can make people feel very worried and negative about the future. It is crucial to include stories of community success.
- Explanation: Reporting on positive news helps to balance people’s view of the world. It shows that even with all the problems, there is progress and good things happening, which can make people feel less stressed and more hopeful.
- Example: For example, a news report about a group of local students raising a lot of money to clean up a local park inspires others to volunteer or start similar good projects in their own neighbourhoods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the media must report on serious, negative events that affect our lives, too much bad news is harmful to people’s well-being. News programs should make an effort to include more diverse and positive reports. This balance is key to helping the public keep a realistic and informed, yet hopeful, view of the world.