2025-08-20

IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion — Media: Band 9 Sample & Analysis

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essays on media topics with Band 9 sample answers, advanced vocabulary, expert analysis, and practice ideas to boost your writing score

Quick Summary

This comprehensive guide provides Band 9 sample answers and expert analysis for IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essays on media topics. Learn essential vocabulary, structural patterns, and analytical techniques to tackle questions about social media impact, traditional vs digital journalism, advertising influence, and media regulation. Master the art of balanced argumentation with sophisticated language and evidence-based reasoning.

Understanding Media Discussion Essays in IELTS

Media-related topics represent some of the most challenging yet rewarding areas in IELTS Writing Task 2. These questions require candidates to demonstrate understanding of complex societal dynamics while maintaining academic objectivity and sophisticated language use.

Common Question Types:

  • Traditional media vs digital platforms
  • Social media's influence on relationships and society
  • Media regulation and censorship debates
  • Advertising impact on consumer behavior
  • News credibility and information quality
  • Media representation and cultural influence

BabyCode's Media Essay Success Framework

At BabyCode, our specialized approach has helped over 500,000 students master media discussion essays through systematic analysis and practice. Our framework emphasizes balanced argumentation, sophisticated vocabulary integration, and evidence-based reasoning that examiners value at Band 9 level.

Band 9 Sample Essay: Social Media vs Traditional Media

Question: Some people believe that social media platforms provide better access to news and information than traditional media outlets. Others argue that traditional media sources offer more reliable and accurate reporting. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Answer (Band 9)

The proliferation of digital platforms has fundamentally transformed how societies consume and interact with news content, sparking considerable debate about information quality and accessibility. While social media advocates emphasize democratized access and real-time updates, traditional media proponents champion editorial standards and journalistic integrity.

Supporters of social media platforms present compelling arguments regarding accessibility and immediacy. These platforms eliminate geographical and economic barriers that historically limited news consumption, enabling users across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to access global perspectives instantaneously. The participatory nature of social media also facilitates citizen journalism, allowing eyewitness accounts and grassroots reporting to emerge during critical events when professional journalists cannot be present. Furthermore, algorithmic curation can personalize content delivery, theoretically ensuring users receive information aligned with their interests and needs.

Conversely, traditional media advocates emphasize the irreplaceable value of professional journalism and editorial oversight. Established news organizations employ fact-checking protocols, source verification procedures, and ethical guidelines that social media platforms typically lack. These institutional safeguards help prevent the dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories that proliferate unchecked on digital platforms. Traditional media also maintains clear accountability structures, with journalists and editors facing professional consequences for inaccurate reporting, whereas social media content often lacks identifiable sources or verification standards.

BabyCode Advanced Analysis Techniques

The media landscape's complexity requires nuanced understanding of technological disruption, information literacy, and societal implications. BabyCode's methodology teaches students to recognize these interconnections and articulate sophisticated arguments that demonstrate critical thinking abilities.

Critical examination reveals merit in both perspectives, though optimal information consumption likely requires hybrid approaches. While social media excels at providing diverse viewpoints and immediate updates, its susceptibility to manipulation and echo chambers necessitates supplementation with rigorously edited traditional sources. Modern information consumers benefit from developing media literacy skills that enable them to navigate both platforms effectively, utilizing social media for real-time awareness while relying on established outlets for comprehensive analysis and fact-based reporting.

The evolution toward integrated media consumption patterns suggests that successful journalism will increasingly combine traditional editorial standards with digital platform accessibility, creating information ecosystems that prioritize both reach and reliability.

Word count: 347

Detailed Band 9 Analysis

Task Achievement (Band 9)

  • Complete response to all parts: Both viewpoints thoroughly explored with balanced development
  • Clear position: Concludes with nuanced perspective acknowledging both sides' merits
  • Relevant examples: References specific platform features and journalistic practices
  • Sophisticated reasoning: Demonstrates deep understanding of media landscape complexity

Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9)

  • Logical progression: Ideas flow naturally from accessibility to reliability concerns
  • Effective paragraphing: Each paragraph maintains clear focus with supporting details
  • Cohesive devices: Advanced linking phrases ("Conversely," "Furthermore," "Critical examination reveals")
  • Reference and substitution: Skillful pronoun use and synonym variation

Lexical Resource (Band 9)

  • Wide vocabulary range: Terms like "proliferation," "democratized access," "algorithmic curation"
  • Precise word choice: "Editorial oversight," "institutional safeguards," "hybrid approaches"
  • Natural collocations: "Compelling arguments," "rigorous editing," "information ecosystems"
  • Error-free usage: Sophisticated expressions used accurately throughout

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9)

  • Sentence variety: Complex structures with embedded clauses and participial phrases
  • Advanced constructions: Nominalization, passive voice, conditional structures
  • Error-free writing: No grammatical mistakes or awkward expressions
  • Flexible expression: Ideas conveyed through varied syntactic patterns

Essential Media Vocabulary for Band 9

Information and Communication

  • Proliferation (noun): rapid increase or spread
    • The proliferation of fake news challenges media literacy
  • Dissemination (noun): widespread distribution of information
    • Social platforms enable rapid information dissemination
  • Algorithmic curation (noun phrase): automated content selection
    • Algorithmic curation creates personalized news feeds

Media Quality and Standards

  • Editorial oversight (noun phrase): professional content supervision
    • Traditional media maintains strict editorial oversight
  • Journalistic integrity (noun phrase): ethical reporting standards
    • Public trust depends on journalistic integrity
  • Fact-checking protocols (noun phrase): verification procedures
    • Rigorous fact-checking protocols prevent misinformation

Social Impact and Influence

  • Echo chambers (noun phrase): environments reinforcing existing beliefs
    • Social media algorithms can create echo chambers
  • Media literacy (noun phrase): skills for analyzing media content
    • Enhanced media literacy helps consumers evaluate sources
  • Participatory journalism (noun phrase): citizen-contributed reporting
    • Participatory journalism democratizes information sharing

Advanced Discussion Essay Structures

The Balanced Analysis Framework

Introduction:

  • Context establishment with issue significance
  • Clear thesis outlining both perspectives
  • Preview of main arguments

Body Paragraph 1: First Perspective

  • Topic sentence introducing viewpoint
  • Two supporting arguments with explanations
  • Specific examples or evidence
  • Transitional conclusion

Body Paragraph 2: Second Perspective

  • Contrasting topic sentence
  • Two supporting arguments with analysis
  • Concrete illustrations
  • Balanced assessment

Conclusion:

  • Synthesis of key points
  • Nuanced position acknowledging complexity
  • Forward-looking statement

BabyCode Transition Techniques

Effective transitions demonstrate sophisticated thinking and writing skills:

Introducing perspectives:

  • "Proponents of X contend that..."
  • "Those who advocate Y emphasize..."
  • "Supporters present compelling evidence for..."

Contrasting viewpoints:

  • "Conversely, critics argue that..."
  • "However, opposing voices maintain that..."
  • "Nevertheless, alternative perspectives suggest..."

Providing evidence:

  • "This position gains credibility from..."
  • "Supporting evidence emerges through..."
  • "Research consistently demonstrates that..."

Common Media Topic Variations

1. Traditional vs Digital Advertising

Key focus areas:

  • Targeting precision vs privacy concerns
  • Cost-effectiveness and reach comparison
  • Creative formats and engagement levels
  • Regulatory oversight and consumer protection

2. News Credibility and Fact-Checking

Discussion points:

  • Professional journalism vs citizen reporting
  • Verification processes and accountability
  • Speed vs accuracy in news delivery
  • Financial sustainability of quality journalism

3. Media Influence on Youth

Argument areas:

  • Educational content vs entertainment value
  • Social comparison and mental health impacts
  • Digital literacy and critical thinking development
  • Parental control vs media freedom

4. Cultural Representation in Media

Debate aspects:

  • Diversity in content creation and storytelling
  • Global vs local media consumption patterns
  • Cultural preservation vs modernization
  • Economic factors in content production

Expert Tips for Band 9 Achievement

1. Demonstrate Media Awareness

Reference current platforms, trends, and debates to show contemporary understanding. Mention specific examples like Netflix's global reach, Instagram's visual storytelling, or podcast journalism's rise.

2. Use Academic Language Patterns

  • Employ nominalization: "The democratization of information" instead of "Information became more democratic"
  • Utilize complex sentences with embedded clauses
  • Incorporate hedging language: "tends to suggest," "appears to indicate"

3. Show Critical Thinking

  • Acknowledge nuances and exceptions
  • Consider multiple stakeholder perspectives
  • Examine long-term vs short-term implications
  • Discuss potential solutions or compromises

4. Maintain Objectivity

  • Use third-person perspective consistently
  • Present evidence-based arguments
  • Avoid emotional language or personal bias
  • Balance argument development equally

BabyCode's Comprehensive Practice System

Our proven methodology has helped thousands of students achieve Band 9 in media-related essays through:

Systematic Practice Progression:

  1. Vocabulary building with context-specific terms
  2. Structure mastery through guided analysis
  3. Argument development with evidence integration
  4. Language sophistication through model essays
  5. Timed practice with expert feedback

Quality Assurance Features:

  • Native speaker review and corrections
  • Band score predictions with detailed explanations
  • Personalized improvement recommendations
  • Progress tracking across multiple essay types

Advanced Practice Questions

Question 1: Media Regulation

Some governments believe that social media platforms should be strictly regulated to prevent the spread of harmful content, while others argue that such regulation threatens freedom of expression. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Question 2: Advertising Ethics

Many people think that advertising manipulates consumers into making unnecessary purchases, while others believe it provides valuable information about products and services. Discuss both perspectives.

Question 3: Media and Democracy

Some argue that social media strengthens democratic participation by giving everyone a voice, while critics claim it undermines democracy through misinformation and polarization. Discuss both sides of this debate.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Mastering media discussion essays requires deep understanding of contemporary communication dynamics, sophisticated vocabulary application, and balanced analytical skills. Success comes from consistent practice with authentic materials, systematic vocabulary development, and expert guidance.

Through BabyCode's comprehensive system, students develop the critical thinking abilities and language proficiency necessary for Band 9 achievement. Our approach emphasizes practical application of academic writing principles while building confidence in handling complex media topics.

Recommended Study Approach:

  1. Build vocabulary through authentic media articles
  2. Practice argument development with various perspectives
  3. Analyze model essays for structure and language patterns
  4. Write regularly with specific feedback integration
  5. Time management practice under exam conditions

The path to IELTS success in media topics demands dedication, strategic practice, and expert support. With proper preparation and BabyCode's proven methodology, achieving your target band score becomes an attainable goal rather than a distant aspiration.