Opinion Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Crime Rate

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Studies show that crime rates are lower among those with educational degrees. Therefore, the best way to reduce the crime rate is to educate criminals while they are still in prison. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Answer

Undoubtedly, lack of education and employment opportunities are two of the primary causes behind the alarmingly (in a way that causes fear or worry) increasing crime rates. Therefore, some people believe that merely educating criminals can discourage them from committing further crimes once they are out of prison. In my opinion, I believe it is true, and I agree with this view. In the forthcoming paragraphs, I will be explaining my views.

As they say, nobody is a born criminal (someone who was born in to, or raised in circumstances which would facilitate their entry to criminal life). Most of the time, people become victims of their situations, turning toward this wrong path. In fact, many people have poor strata (a group or class in society) as their backgrounds; hence, they don’t get to have proper education. This results in (=lead to) lesser employment opportunities as well. Eventually, many of them turn into gangsters or thieves. In contrast, such criminal tendencies can be seen lower in those who are educated.

Educating convicted criminals in prison will certainly not erase their shoddy (showing little respect, care, and thought) past. However, it improves their chances of finding employment once they get released. One of the biggest problems that ex-prisoners face is the lack of rehabilitation (the process of returning to a good/healthy way of life) opportunities. Society prefers to keep them at arm’s length (keep distance from something or somebody), and as such, they have fewer opportunities for making a living once they complete their sentence (the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court). Unfortunately, this increases their chances of getting into crime again. Education may change the situation for good. If prisoners receive an opportunity to learn and acquire vocational (providing skills and education which prepare you for a job) or academic degrees from prison, they are more likely to find employment upon their release. When they have a secure job and a means of living, most people will not want to get into crime again.

However, in a way, it might also be true that mentality plays an essential role in the behaviour of a person; education is one such thing that leaves a significant impression behind.

To conclude, education improves a person’s employability. Just because someone is a prisoner, it does not mean that they cannot learn or acquire degrees. In fact, educating prisoners is one of the best things we can do for their rehabilitation and successful induction (the process of accepting someone into a group or job) into society.

Structure of the opinion essay

• Decide which side (Agree/Disagree) you will support throughout your essay:

Do you agree that to reduce the crime rate, it is better to educate criminals while they are still in prison?

(or)

Do you disagree with the fact that to reduce the crime rate, it is better to educate criminals while they are still in prison?

• Once you pick a side (agree/disagree), you can start planning your essay and then express your opinion clearly in the introduction.

INTRODUCTION

Question Paraphrased – Lack of education and employment opportunities are two of the primary causes behind the alarmingly increasing crime rates.

Opinion – In my opinion, I believe it is true and I agree with this view.

A thesis statement – In the forthcoming paragraphs, I will be explaining my views.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

Topic: Nobody is a born criminal

Supporting points:

• People become victims of their situations
• People have poor strata as their backgrounds
• They don’t get to have proper education
• Results in lesser employment opportunities

BODY PARAGRAPH 2

Topic: Educating convicted criminals will improve their chances of finding employment

Supporting points:

• Lack of rehabilitation opportunities
• Fewer opportunities for making a living once they complete their sentence
• Education can change the situation
• Receiving vocational and academic degrees from prison increases the chances of employment

CONCLUSION

Reiterated that education improves a person’s employability and supported the side taken in introduction.