IELTS Essay: Outrage

There is more and more outrage and anger common in society today.

Why is this?

Is this a positive or a negative development?

Analysis

1. There is a common perception today that people are generally angrier than they were in the past. 2. In my opinion, this is a fundamentally negative psychological phenomenon exacerbated by modern technology.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion.

1. The main reason there are higher levels of anger in society is individuals are vulnerable to the pleasure of feeling outrage. 2. Human beings are naturally attracted to activities that produce the release of certain endorphins. 3. These actions include positive outlets such as exercising and spending time with others and more harmful ones like eating unhealthy foods and abusing narcotic stimulants. 4. Outrage also has the added benefit of a self-esteem boost. 5. The narcotic-like effects of outrage over time become addictive, especially in the current technological age. 6. A person can browse the news and read stories that provoke anger, scroll through social media, and engage in so-called “hate watching” of popular pundits on television espousing extreme views. 7. All these addictive pastimes are available on mobile devices, creating an environment where access to outrage is too readily accessible to be ignored.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. You can sometimes include the counterpoint here too.
6. This essay is a bit long…
7. Finish strong.

1. In my opinion, outrage endangers the ability of individuals in a society to understand each other and work towards shared goals. 2. When individuals pursue outrage as an end in itself, they are no longer communicating honestly. 3. For example, many online trolls post and engage with other users mainly to provoke and feel outrage themselves with little concern for truth and honest debate. 4. This creates an atmosphere wherein people become increasingly distrustful and alienated from one another. 5. In order for a person to change their views and make actual progress in the world, they must be willing to listen to and understand the arguments of the other side. 6. When this occurs, both sides feel some degree of commonality. 7. However, if neither side is engaging in good-faith conversations, then the unproductive outcome is merely to feel more and more outraged and accomplish less and less.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Continue your development.
6. Best to write shorter essays than this.
7. Use a variety of grammar.

1. In conclusion, seeking outrage is fundamentally human, though it leads to a breakdown in social cohesion. 2. People should cultivate healthier habits and abstain from easy, pleasurable feelings of outrage.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought.