Cambridge book 16 - Writing Task 2 - Test 2
In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way.
Why is this?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Introduction
Paraphrase
These days, it is common for businesses to
emphasise the originality and newness of their products in order to maximise
sales in a saturated consumer market.
Thesis Statement
I
believe the reasons for this are mainly cultural and that in general, it is a
retrograde step as it exacerbates income inequalities.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence
Whether for soft
drinks, soap powder, or most other consumer products, there is a plethora of
choice for the consumer.
Explanation
One way for manufacturers to distinguish their
products and persuade customers to buy them is by emphasising how their goods are
somehow “new” or “improved”.
Example
For example, Coca Cola has been reinvented so many
times as Zero, Diet, and Pepsi with
new flavours and packaging that it is hard to tell what the original Coke is
any more.
Reinforcement
This strategy must
work, however; otherwise the producers would not waste money “improving” their
goods continually.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic
Sentence
Despite
this, in my view, this constant reworking of brands in new containers or with
new flavours is unnecessary.
Explanation
If a product is good and has a history of quality
and reliability, then there is no need to rework it. In fact, consumers may
rebel against this and not buy those items any more.
Example
For
example, I no longer look at the brand name of any items in the supermarket; I
always go for the cheapest option regardless of how new and improved it might
claim to be.
Reinforcement
Like
many others I am sure, I yearn for the old days of our favourite trusted brands
that did what they should and were not always “new and improved”.
Conclusion
Restate topic & main ideas
In conclusion,
advertisers are making a mistake, in my view, by chopping and changing
everything all the time. They should leave well alone and trust to the quality
of their products and leave innovation to science or the arts, not consumer
goods.