In recent years, many countries have become extremely concerned about the increase in crimes committed by young people. Tough measures and strict punishments from government are considered the most effective to stop youths from re-offending. Do you agree?

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Crime
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. It’s an age-old problem, but in recent years, there’s been a worrying trend: more and more young people are committing offenses. Naturally, societies across the globe are asking, “How do we stop
this
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?” One popular answer: Get tough. Tough measures and strict
punishments
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seem like the obvious fix. After all, if the consequences are harsh enough, wouldn’t that scare people into behaving? Well… it’s not that simple. Let’s start with why tough
punishments
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might work. Picture
this
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: A young person commits a
crime
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, gets caught, and is sent to a strict detention center or prison. In theory, they’ll think twice before reoffending because they don’t want to end up back there. Plus, a no-nonsense approach sends a clear message:
crime
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is unacceptable. But here’s the catch: harsh
punishments
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often treat the symptoms, not the cause. Imagine locking up a teenager for shoplifting. What happens when they’re released? If they’re still stuck in the same environment—poverty, peer pressure, or lack of education—they’re likely to commit crimes again. What if we tried something different?
Instead
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of focusing solely on punishment, we could emphasize prevention. Things like education, community programs, and mental health support tackle the root causes of youth
crime
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.
For instance
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, studies show that mentoring programs can significantly reduce reoffending rates. So, does
this
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mean we should throw the rulebook out the window and go soft on
crime
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? Not exactly. A balanced approach is key. Governments should combine fair
punishments
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with rehabilitation programs to give young offenders a second chance at life. In the end, it’s not just about being tough—it’s about being smart. Because when young people are given the tools to succeed, they’re far less likely to break the rules in the first place. What do you think? Should governments go all in on strict
punishments
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, or is there a better way forward?
Submitted by caivankihh779 on

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coherence cohesion
The introduction effectively sets the stage for the discussion, and the conclusion sums up the main points. However, try to link each paragraph more explicitly to ensure even smoother transitions between ideas.
task achievement
You have presented a clear argument and responded to the task effectively, but try incorporating more specific examples to strengthen your points.
coherence cohesion
The essay presents a clear structure with a strong introduction and conclusion, making it easy for the reader to follow your argument.
task achievement
You have tackled the task effectively by addressing the benefits and limitations of strict punishments and proposing alternative solutions.

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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.

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