WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In the age of digital communication and social media, face-to-face interactions are becoming less common. Some people think that this is decreasing people's ability to communicate well in person.

Do you agree or disagree with this view?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

👤 Student Information

✏️ Phase 1: Transitional Words & Phrases

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with appropriate transitional words and phrases. Use the word bank below to help you create logical flow and connections throughout the essay. Focus on how these words guide the reader through your argument.

📝 Word Bank - Choose from these options:

In recent years Nowadays Furthermore Moreover Therefore Consequently First and foremost To begin with For instance For example Thus As a result However On the other hand Nevertheless In conclusion To sum up Ultimately Additionally In fact

Introduction

, digital communication and social media have dramatically changed how people interact with each other. , some people believe that this shift is reducing people's ability to communicate effectively face-to-face. , I with this statement over-reliance on digital platforms is weakening essential interpersonal skills.

Body Paragraph 1

, excessive use of messaging apps and social media can lead to weaker face-to-face communication skills. , many young people today feel more comfortable texting than having in-person conversations, which means they miss out on developing important skills like reading body language and tone of voice. , this trend is making it harder for people to build meaningful relationships and navigate social situations effectively.

Body Paragraph 2

, some argue that digital communication has actually expanded people's ability to connect with others across distances. This is because platforms like video calls and social media allow people to maintain relationships that would otherwise be impossible. , while these tools are convenient, they cannot fully replace the depth and quality of face-to-face interactions, which involve non-verbal cues and emotional connections.

Conclusion

, the rise of digital communication has had a negative impact on people's face-to-face communication abilities. , while technology offers convenience, it is essential that people continue to practice and value in-person interactions to maintain strong interpersonal skills.

✍️ Phase 2: Full Content Framework

Instructions: Now it's time to develop your own ideas! Fill in each section with your own topic sentences, supporting details, examples, and arguments. Think about your position on the topic and build a complete essay structure.

Introduction

Example: "In today's digital age, smartphones and social media have become central to how people communicate."

Example: "Many believe that the decline in face-to-face conversations is harming people's interpersonal communication abilities."

Example: "I completely agree with this view because excessive digital communication limits the development of essential social skills and reduces emotional intelligence."

Body Paragraph 1 (Reason 1 – Supporting the statement)

Example: "First and foremost, relying heavily on text-based communication prevents people from developing crucial non-verbal communication skills."

Example: "Face-to-face interaction involves reading body language, facial expressions, and tone, which are absent in text messages and social media posts."

Example: "For instance, studies show that young adults who spend more time on social media often struggle with job interviews because they lack experience interpreting non-verbal cues."

Example: "Thus, the shift toward digital communication is clearly weakening people's ability to interact effectively in person."

Body Paragraph 2 (Reason 2 – Acknowledging or contrasting view)

Example: "However, some people argue that digital communication actually helps people stay connected despite physical distances."

Example: "Video calling platforms and messaging apps enable people to maintain relationships with family and friends who live far away."

Example: "For example, international students can regularly communicate with their families through video calls, which would have been impossible decades ago."

Example: "Nevertheless, while digital tools offer convenience, they still lack the richness and depth of face-to-face communication, and over-reliance on them can harm interpersonal skills."

Conclusion

Example: "In conclusion, the increasing dominance of digital communication is indeed reducing people's face-to-face communication abilities."

Example: "The loss of non-verbal communication practice and the superficial nature of online interactions are clear evidence of this decline."

Example: "To maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, it is crucial that people balance their digital lives with regular in-person interactions."