Sample response & feedback

Popularity of Crime Fiction and TV Dramas

Question

In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular. Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Annotated response

12 correction notes

Showing 12 correction notes.

To begin with, , making it a genre that consistently provides thrills and excitement. The constant twists and turns in shows like “Sherlock” or “True Detective” contribute to the genre’s popularity. Moreover, the appeal of these shows or books through intricate character development, as seen in “Dexter,” where the protagonist evolves from a blood spatter analyst to a vigilante serial killer. Besides exploring the application of cutting-edge forensic techniques in shows like “CSI” and “Forensic Files”, crime fiction also explores the psyche of characters, as demonstrated by Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs,” showcasing the allure of brilliant yet deranged personalities.

The popularity of crime literature and TV crime dramas, in my opinion, is a double-edged sword that attracts both compliments and criticism. While these genres attract with character development and complex storytelling like in “Mindhunter” and “True Detective”, certain storylines glamorize criminal behaviour. Therefore, I believe producers should tread carefully so as to maintain the genre’s popularity while being both enjoyable and socially conscious.

To sum up, various factors like gripping stories, psychological twists, are some of the reasons for the rising popularity of crime shows and crime novels. Although we enjoy these thrillers, we must also consider the effects they might have on society as a whole.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The response offers several relevant reasons for the appeal of crime fiction and uses named programmes and characters to illustrate them. Its vocabulary and complex sentences provide useful range. However, some examples are named without enough explanation of their appeal, and the concern about glamorising crime is asserted rather than developed. At around 225 words, the response also falls below the minimum length; expanding the evaluative discussion would give the second question stronger support.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

TR Task Response

6.5

Both questions are addressed with a relevant set of reasons and a clear, if brief, personal opinion, but the under-length response leaves the evaluative side underdeveloped and unevenly supported.

CC Coherence and Cohesion

6.5

Ideas progress logically across well-separated paragraphs with effective linking devices, though some sentences pack multiple points together in a way that slightly compresses the development.

LR Lexical Resource

7.0

Vocabulary has a good range, including “cutting-edge forensic techniques”, “double-edged sword” and “socially conscious”. Some choices need greater precision: “spectators” does not cover readers naturally, and “compliments and criticism” describes reactions rather than the benefits and harms being evaluated.

GRA Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0

A wide range of complex structures is used with generally good control, and errors are occasional and non-impeding, such as agreement in 'the appeal... deepen' and an awkward participial phrase.