Competitiveness is seen as a positive quality for people to have in many societies today. How does this competitiveness affect individuals? Is it a positive or negative quality?

In societies today, it appears that
competitiveness
is not only a positive
quality
but
also
a way of
life
. In every aspect of our daily lives, regardless of age, sex or status, we are all competing in one way or another.
As a result
, having a competitive attitude is seen as a positive
quality
as it gives the individual an advantage over others in
life
.
However
,
competitiveness
can affect individuals for the worse as well as the better; after all, if there are winners, there have to be losers. It is an undeniable fact that
life
is a competition. It is a race that starts before we are even born 一 millions of sperm compete to be the
first
to reach and fertilize the egg. After birth, we all
then
compete to establish our foothold in society. From an early age, we compete in forms of exam results, sports competitions and even compete with each other in forming social bonds in friendship or love.
This
continues into adult
life
where competition shifts its focus to wealth, prosperity and family. It is obvious to see why, in modern society, being competitive is a positive
quality
. It seems that in order to achieve these fundamental goals of
life
we have to outdo one another. Having a competitive edge will drive the individual
further
in achieving these
life
goals and
therefore
more likely in actually attaining them.
However
,
competitiveness
can affect the individual in a negative way. Continuously being in the mindset of competing, needing to come
first
or having to win at all costs means that when a loss does occur it could be psychologically harmful. To the individual, it will make them feel as if they are not good enough, knowing others are better and could lead to depression, lack of confidence or even self-loathing where the individual believes that they are just not good enough. Ultimately,
competitiveness
is necessary in modern society in order for the individual to succeed. It is neither a positive nor negative
quality
but rather a necessary
quality
that we all need to have.
However
, an overly competitive attitude can be harmful and so it is important that, whilst keeping a competitive attitude, expectations need to be managed. In every competition, the losers outnumber the winners and so we must all expect to lose sometimes.
Submitted by zh.shiyong on

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

What to do next:
Look at other essays: