Communication Technology | Writing for Academic IELTS PDF Download

This Communication Technology Essay is about how relationships have been impacted. Here is the question:

Q. Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? Is this a positive or negative development?

Hint:

• You should be able to see that there are two parts that need to be answered:
  • In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? 
  • Is this a positive or negative development?
• The first part is about general effects and the second part is asking for your opinion about this. 
• So it doesn't easily fit into an essay 'type'.
• Don't worry about this. If you have learned to recognize different types of essay but you find one that does not seem to fit any, just focus on working out exactly what you are being asked. 
• So in this one you have to brainstorm some ideas about the way relationships have changed. 
• For the second part you need to decide if it is positive or negative, or both. 
• Choosing one side and writing about it is probably the simplest way to approach it. In other words:
  • Body 1: The way relationships have changed
  • Body 2: The negative impacts (or positive)
• Although it says 'positive or negative', it's YOUR opinion, so if you decide it is both it is fine to say this as long as you make it clear. 
• In this model Communication Technology Essay, the writer has stated that it is both positive and negative.
  • Body 1: The way relationships have changed (positive)
  • Body 2: The negative impacts
• When you take a look at the model answer, you'll see the writer has discussed the new types of relationships and labelled them as positive, but then gone on to look at the negative sides.
• There are usually several ways you can approach and organize an essay, not just one. As long as it is coherent and answers the question, that is fine.

Sample Answer

• It is evident that technology has transformed the ways of communication and influenced relationships in a variety of ways. In my opinion, there are both positive and negative effects of this.
• The principal way in which relationships have been affected is that they tend to be at a distance rather than face-to-face. The advent of the internet has made it easy for business owners to communicate across the world, with remote job opportunities one call away. Online educational programs are available for people residing in different countries, and it is no longer a dream to attend live classes from the comfortable environment of a home. Not only this, the social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have revolutionized relationships, be it making online friendships with people from other countries or staying in touch with loved ones. Based on this perspective, technology has influenced relationships in a positive way. 
• However, despite these advances, the quality of interaction has significantly declined in several respects. If people are developing most of their relationships online, this means that they may also have less fact-to-face contact. This kind of contact on a personal level is important for human beings to feel wanted and a part of society. This may be a particular problem for children's social development as they used to be seen playing out on the streets but are now too often indoors. Technology can also mean people are detached from what is going on around them even when they are out, as can be seen by the many people staring into their mobile phones as they travel or walk around. 
• In conclusion, technology has brought some positive development in the ways people interact with each other. However, there are also some negative impacts of technology on the types of relationships people make.