essay about tv programs

Essay on Television for Students and Children

500+ words essay on television.

Television is one of the most popular devices that are used for entertainment all over the world. It has become quite common nowadays and almost every household has one television set at their place. In the beginning, we see how it was referred to as the ‘idiot box.’ This was mostly so because back in those days, it was all about entertainment. It did not have that many informative channels as it does now.

Moreover, with this invention, the craze attracted many people to spend all their time watching TV. People started considering it harmful as it attracted the kids the most. In other words, kids spent most of their time watching television and not studying. However, as times passed, the channels of television changed. More and more channels were broadcasted with different specialties. Thus, it gave us knowledge too along with entertainment.

Benefits of Watching Television

The invention of television gave us various benefits. It was helpful in providing the common man with a cheap mode of entertainment. As they are very affordable, everyone can now own television and get access to entertainment.

In addition, it keeps us updated on the latest happenings of the world. It is now possible to get news from the other corner of the world. Similarly, television also offers educational programs that enhance our knowledge about science and wildlife and more.

Moreover, television also motivates individuals to develop skills. They also have various programs showing speeches of motivational speakers. This pushes people to do better. You can also say that television widens the exposure we get. It increases our knowledge about several sports, national events and more.

While television comes with a lot of benefits, it also has a negative side. Television is corrupting the mind of the youth and we will further discuss how.

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How Television is    Harming the Youth

Additionally, it also makes people addict. People get addicted to their TV’s and avoid social interaction. This impacts their social life as they spend their time in their rooms all alone. This addiction also makes them vulnerable and they take their programs too seriously.

The most dangerous of all is the fake information that circulates on news channels and more. Many media channels are now only promoting the propaganda of the governments and misinforming citizens. This makes causes a lot of division within the otherwise peaceful community of our country.

Thus, it is extremely important to keep the TV watching in check. Parents must limit the time of their children watching TV and encouraging them to indulge in outdoor games. As for the parents, we should not believe everything on the TV to be true. We must be the better judge of the situation and act wisely without any influence.

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Essay On Television: In 100 Words, 150 Words, 200 Words

• Updated on  
• Sep 22, 2023

Television, often referred to as the “idiot box” in its early days, has undergone a remarkable transformation since its invention . It has evolved into a powerful medium of entertainment, information dissemination , and education . This essay delves into the multifaceted role of television in our lives, exploring its history, impact, and the advantages and disadvantages it brings.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Television in 100 words
• 2 Essay on Television in 150 words
• 3 Essay on Television in 200 words

Essay on Television in 100 words

Television, a ubiquitous electronic device, has become an integral part of modern life. Its journey from being merely a source of entertainment to a medium of knowledge and connectivity has been extraordinary. With the advent of technology, television has evolved into high-definition screens and smart TVs, offering a plethora of channels and content. It serves as a window to the world, providing news, educational programmes, and entertainment for people of all ages. While television enriches our lives, it also presents challenges, such as the risk of addiction and exposure to inappropriate content. Nevertheless, when used judiciously, television remains a powerful tool for learning and relaxation.

Must Read: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing an Essay

Essay on Television in 150 words

Television, originally known as the “idiot box,” has come a long way since its inception. Invented by John Logie Baird, it was initially designed solely for entertainment. Over the decades, technology has transformed it into a multifaceted medium. The word “television” itself reflects its essence, with “tele” meaning far-off and “vision” pertaining to seeing. It has become a device with a screen that receives signals, offering a wide array of channels and programmes.

Television is no longer confined to being a source of amusement; it’s a vital tool for education and information dissemination. News channels keep us informed about global events, and educational programmes expand our knowledge horizons. It’s also a source of inspiration, with motivational speakers and skill-building programmes motivating viewers.

However, television isn’t without its drawbacks. Inappropriate content, addiction, and the spread of misinformation are concerns. Yet, its advantages, including affordability and accessibility, outweigh the disadvantages when used responsibly.

Essay on Television in 200 words

Television, an electronic marvel, has evolved dramatically from its early days. Initially dubbed the “idiot box,” it was primarily a source of entertainment. However, with technological advancements, it has transformed into a versatile medium. The word “television” combines “tele,” meaning far-off, and “vision,” the act of seeing, reflecting its purpose as a device for receiving distant signals.

Television is now an indispensable part of modern life. It offers a multitude of channels and programs catering to diverse interests. News channels keep us updated on current events, while educational programs expand our knowledge in various fields. It’s also a source of motivation, with programs featuring inspirational speakers and skill development.

The affordability of televisions makes them accessible to a wide range of people. They provide a cost-effective means of entertainment and education, making them a valuable asset in many households.

Despite these advantages, television is not without its drawbacks. Inappropriate content can be easily accessed, posing risks to younger viewers. Excessive television watching can lead to addiction, resulting in reduced physical activity and social interactions. Furthermore, some programs spread misinformation, which can have lasting negative effects.

In conclusion, television, with its evolution and widespread use, offers a blend of entertainment, education, and information. Its benefits are immense, but users must exercise responsibility to maximize its potential while minimizing its drawbacks.

To improve your essay writing skills, practice regularly, read extensively, and pay attention to grammar and vocabulary. Additionally, seek feedback from peers or educators to identify areas for improvement.

A well-structured essay should have a clear introduction, a body with well-organized paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, and there should be smooth transitions between them.

To make your essay more engaging, start with a captivating hook in the introduction, use descriptive language and examples, and maintain a clear and logical flow of ideas throughout the essay. Additionally, consider the reader’s perspective and aim to address their interests and questions.

We hope that this essay blog on Television helps. For more amazing daily reads related to essay writing , stay tuned with Leverage Edu .

Manasvi Kotwal

Manasvi's flair in writing abilities is derived from her past experience of working with bootstrap start-ups, Advertisement and PR agencies as well as freelancing. She's currently working as a Content Marketing Associate at Leverage Edu to be a part of its thriving ecosystem.

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The Seven Ways To Write About Television

Linda Holmes

Perhaps it's the combination of Sunday night's Mad Men finale and the flurry of Sopranos discussion that followed the death of James Gandolfini, but it's hard not to be struck by the explosion of writing about television that's occurred in the last 15 years or so, facilitated (of course) by the ability to go from rolling credits to publication in an hour (if necessary). After any major episode, there will be a flurry of commentary, and even after minor episodes of minor shows, there are write-ups here and there.

But while these pieces — whether you call them recaps, reviews, essays, commentaries, whatever — may look the same, there are a bunch of different ways to do them, and understanding the kinds that are out there might help you find the kind you like. So here they are: the seven ways people commonly write about television.*

The Craft model . In a lot of ways, this is the kind of criticism with which people are most familiar. It's focused on the quality of work that goes into a show — how strong is the directing, writing, acting, lighting, scoring, and so forth. The higher-brow the show is, the more Craft writing there is; nobody spends a lot of time writing about the direction on NCIS or The Big Bang Theory , even if they like those shows.

That doesn't mean there is no craft — it just means either writers are usually not interested in writing about it or they don't have the familiarity with the form to analyze it effectively. Craft writing probably requires the most background knowledge and the most experience, and it's where you're most likely to fall into a hole if you don't actually know which pieces of a show's quality are the result of direction, for instance, versus writing. To give you an example of Craft done well, Matt Zoller Seitz is a Craft writer, mostly. (Although, I should note, everyone I know who's a good writer incorporates elements of all these models. But Matt is a Craft guy.)

The Ethical model. It's almost a subspecies within the Craft model, but it deserves its own section, I think. The Ethical model is where writers address the sociological implications of how the show is made. In the reality setting, this is pretty obvious — were people subjected to terrible conditions, and so forth. But Ethical writing also tends to incorporate issues of gender, race, sexuality, politics, and so forth. Perpetuating stereotypes, representation behind and in front of the camera — this is where Ethical writing gets its strength. Alyssa Rosenberg does a lot of Ethical writing at Think Progress; she's probably the only writer I can think of where that's what she sees as her primary beat (perhaps unsurprisingly).

The Puzzle model. This is the writing that tries to uncover hidden meanings and explain symbolism. The idea is to take your sharp eye, as the writer, and note things that other people perhaps wouldn't notice. The absolute best Puzzle writing I'm aware of at the moment is Mad Style , the weekly column breaking down the costuming of Mad Men , found at the fashion site Tom and Lorenzo . Most costume commentary, other than this, is part of the Craft model — admiring the sheer beauty of wardrobe choices or the skill in matching them to the period. But Mad Style treats fashion like other writing treats any other kind of messaging and applies specialized knowledge to surface pieces of the storytelling that aren't obvious.

But whenever writers are pointing out callbacks, metaphors, symbolism, lines that have double meanings — that's all Puzzle stuff. In many, many episode recaps, you'll find bullet points at the end, some of which will be Puzzle content that doesn't fit anywhere else.

The Maker model. These are the pieces of writing that focus on the relationship between a show and its creator, in spite of the fact that lots of people's work go into the final product. It's kind of like auteur theory in film, although it tends to be a little more from-the-hip with television, and it doesn't necessarily indicate that anyone is sophisticated enough to be considered an auteur. These are things like Emily Nussbaum's marvelous New Yorker piece on Ryan Murphy, "Queer Eyes, Full Heart." There are makers who attract much more Maker writing than others — Shonda Rhimes, oddly enough, attracts less of it than you might expect, given her massive impact on the ABC lineup, while Lena Dunham attracts outrageous tons of it, despite her relatively small audience. (Aaron Sorkin gets more of it the more he complains about it, which is sweet justice for someone, but I'm not sure who.)

The Riff model. This is writing that sees television primarily as a jumping-off point for jokes. It's what Television Without Pity was when I worked there, it's what Previously.tv is, and it's what a lot of Vulture recaps are, including (for instance) Dave Holmes writing about American Idol .

The Vignette model. On a personal note, this is probably the model I use the most. Monday's piece about the Mad Men finale falls into this category; on a less serious note, so does the Scandal piece I wrote about how everyone in the world should dump Fitz. In the Vignette model, you look at a piece of television as a little story, and then you address a bunch of discussion questions. Can Don be saved? Is Megan misunderstood? Can Walter White turn his life around? Should Alicia Florrick get back together with her husband? These aren't really about the quality of the product, exactly, they're questions the product provokes . The episode, in this case, just exists — it's like an essay question on a test. "Discuss."

A lot of people are completely baffled by Vignette writing. This is where you get the "What are you talking about THESE ARE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS!" stuff, as if you'd never talk about what the people in a story did unless it was true. The irony is that Vignette writing freaks people out, but it was the first literary analysis most of us ever learned: Why does this character lie? What should this person have done? What motivated Iago?

Vignette writing is also what animates just about everyone who likes writing about reality TV, because while there's a lot of craft involved in differentiating good reality from bad, that's not what most of the writing is about. Most of the writing, whether serious or funny, is about the people in the story and what their behavior says about the way people act. I don't remember ever having an incredibly fascinating conversation about the crafting of reality shows except with people who make them or appear on them, but I've had many, many great discussions about (for instance) the distinction between the kinds of men who win Survivor and the kinds of women who win, or why The Bachelor contestants act like being divorced is scandalous, or why you can't have alliances on The Amazing Race . Again, you just take the story as a story. Discuss .

The Service model. There are people who really do spend a lot of time just telling you what happened without comment, where the primary purpose of the piece is to fill you in if you missed it. This is basically a human taking the place of your DVR if you forgot to set it.

So there you have it: the seven ways to write about television. Of course, this is less a set of distinct areas with sharp boundaries and more a color wheel where one thing blends into another, because you'll usually see elements of all of them in a good and comprehensive piece of writing, but most of us are more interested in some of these kinds of writing than others, and it's good to have a sense of the landscape when you're looking for a home.

*These are ways, I should note, to write commentary. There is also a world of more traditional reporting, including profiles and breaking news, that's a separate issue entirely. That, in turn, is subdivided into business reporting (who's got a deal with which studio), show reporting (stories about production and creation), and the weird world of plot reporting (news stories about fictional characters — so-and-so will die, so-and-so will have an affair with so-and-so).

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You Are What You Watch? The Social Effects of TV

There’s new evidence that viewing habits can affect your thinking, political preferences, even cognitive ability.

By Jonathan Rothwell

Other than sleeping and working, Americans are more likely to watch television than engage in any other activity .

A wave of new social science research shows that the quality of shows can influence us in important ways, shaping our thinking and political preferences, even affecting our cognitive ability.

In this so-called golden age of television , some critics have pointed out that the best of the form is equivalent to the most enriching novels. And high-quality programming for children can be educational. But the latest evidence also suggests there can be negative consequences to our abundant watching, particularly when the shows are mostly entertainment.

The harm seems to come not so much from the content itself but from the fact that it replaces more enlightening ways of spending time.

‘Sesame Street’ as a social experiment

Cognitive ability is a complex characteristic that emerges from interactions between biological dispositions, nutrition and health, parenting behaviors, formal and informal educational opportunities, and culture.

Studying the connection between intelligence and television consumption is far from straightforward, but researchers have developed compelling ways to isolate the effects of television.

Some of the best research has been done on the television program “Sesame Street.” The show, which began in 1969, was meant to develop early literacy, numeracy and emotional skills for children of preschool age. A detailed analysis of the show’s content in its first and second years reveals that 80 percent of the program was dedicated to those goals, with the rest meant to entertain.

Researchers randomly assigned groups of low-income children age 3 to 5 into an experimental group and a control group. In the experimental group, parents were given access to the show if they lacked it and encouraged in person once a month to have their children watch the show.

[The topics new parents are talking about. Evidence-based guidance. Personal stories that matter. Sign up for the NYT Parenting newsletter for the info you need.]

Almost all (93 percent) parents of children in the experimental group reported that their children subsequently watched the show, compared with roughly one-third of children in the control group (35 percent). Among watchers, those in the experimental group also watched more frequently.

Over six months, from November 1970 to May 1971, the experimental group gained 5.4 I.Q. points — a large effect — relative to the control group and showed stronger evidence of learning along several other dimensions. Gains in cognitive performance were especially large for those who viewed the show frequently relative to those who did so rarely or never. A more recent meta-analysis of published research in 15 countries shows that “Sesame Street” has similar effects around the world.

In newly published research , the economists Melissa Kearney and Phillip Levine examined longer-term effects of “Sesame Street” by comparing the educational outcomes of children and young adults in counties more or less likely to have access to the program during its early years. They found that children living in counties with better “Sesame Street” coverage were less likely to be held behind a grade level.

Other experimental research is consistent with the original “Sesame Street” findings. Low-income prekindergarten children scored higher on a social competence index six months after being randomly assigned to an experimental group, in which their parents were encouraged to replace age-inappropriate television with educational television.

Less reading and more watching

In Norway, and a handful of other developed countries, average I.Q. scores have declined slightly in recent years, after rising for many decades. This is known as the negative Flynn effect, a variation of the more famous Flynn effect , which is named after the psychologist who first published comprehensive evidence of I.Q. gains over time. Among native Norwegian men taking an exam at age 18 for military conscription, those born in 1974 scored two I.Q. points higher than those born in 1987.

In an academic article published this year, the Norwegian economist Oystein Hernaes and his co-authors attributed some of this decline in I.Q. scores to access to cable television, which also coincided with a sharp decline in reading. After the introduction of cable in 1981, Norwegian teenagers and young adults drastically cut back on daily time spent reading from 1980 to 2000, and increased their time watching TV. Moreover, relative to public television, cable television had far less educational content and was focused on entertainment and advertisements.

To estimate the effect of cable television on I.Q. scores, the Norwegian scholars analyzed data on the introduction of cable network infrastructure by municipality. They calculated years of exposure to cable by considering the age of eventual test takers when cable became available in their municipality. They controlled for any potential geographic bias by comparing siblings with greater or less exposure to cable television based on their age when cable infrastructure was put in.

They estimate that 10 years of exposure to cable television lowered I.Q. scores by 1.8 points. In related research , Mr. Hernaes finds that exposure to cable television reduced voter turnout in local elections.

Berlusconi television

A similar study was conducted by the Italian economist Ruben Durante and his co-authors and released in this month’s issue of the American Economic Review. They examined the introduction of Silvio Berlusconi’s television network, Mediaset, which specialized in light entertainment such as game shows featuring scantily clad women.

The economists document that Mediaset devoted almost no programming to educational content and did not offer news in early years, whereas its main competitor — the state-owned channel — devoted the majority of its airtime to news or educational material.

To study the effects of Mediaset, Mr. Durante and his co-authors obtained data on the location of Mediaset transmitters in 1985 and calculated the strength of the broadcasting signal in every Italian municipality based on the position of the transmitters and other technical features of the municipality.

They found that children raised in areas with greater access to Mediaset (a standard deviation in signal strength) had lower cognitive scores as adults by the equivalent of 3 to 4 I.Q. points.

People more exposed to Mediaset as children were also less likely to be civically engaged adults and more likely to vote for parties with populist tendencies like Forza Italia and the Five Star Movement.

A handful of American studies along these lines have focused on the political consequences that news media coverage can have, showing that exposure to Fox News could increase Republican Party vote shares significantly, and that exposure to MSNBC increased Democratic Party voting share (but with a much weaker effect).

Art and public health

We know that education increases cognitive ability, so it stands to reason that educational television would also have a positive effect.

Concerns about culture are hardly novel: Plato made a case for regulating the quality of artistic productions to avoid the corruption of youth and weakening of their character. Twenty-three centuries later, it is easier than ever to placate children as well as lose yourself in entertainment options — in the ocean of online videos, podcasts, cable, and streaming shows and movies.

These options are most likely harmless. Some provide relaxation, and others may modestly reshape cultural attitudes for the better; one study found that the introduction of cable TV empowered women in India. High-quality shows and films can be inspiring, even edifying.

Still, media providers and advertisers compete aggressively for our attention. Most lack the altruistic motivations that guided the producers of the original “Sesame Street.” The evidence from social science suggests that biased or sensationalist news programs may misinform citizens or discourage civic engagement, and that we should also be cautious about what we give up for the sake of entertainment.

Jonathan Rothwell is the Principal Economist at Gallup, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a visiting scholar at the George Washington University Institute of Public Policy. He is the author of a book, “ A Republic of Equals : A Manifesto for a Just Society,” to be published by Princeton University Press in the fall, on the causes of income inequality. You can follow him on Twitter at @jtrothwell , and listen to his podcast, “ Out of the Echo Chamber .”

Television Effects on Society Essay

Introduction, whom does television affect, how does television affect the public, suggestions for reducing the time spent in front of screens.

Can you imagine our life without television? Modern technologies allow people’s watching programs and shows with the help of a lot of devices, and it is rather difficult to imagine the day without watching TV or using it as the background noise while being involved in the other activities. Today, a lot of people spend their spare time sitting in front of screens and watching many programs which are really not necessary to be watched because they do not include any useful information.

Furthermore, they can have even harmful effects on the public’s consciousness. Television is one of the most influential aspects of the modern life because it is actively used to influence the people’s attitude to this or that situation or phenomenon, and many persons become the victims of the television impact.

Thus, television has negative effects on society because it influences the individuals’ psychological state and mental abilities, their emotions and feelings, attitudes and vision of the moral values, the capacities to make the independent decisions and effective choices.

There are few people who do not feel the impact of television on their life because even when the public is not interested in programs and shows, commercials seem to follow us in all the aspects of the life with affecting the tendencies and fashion and influencing our choice every day. Television affects all the age categories of people. Nevertheless, the impact of television on children is the most dangerous because children have no abilities to assess the information presented in TV programs and shows critically.

Many parents are inclined to use television for attracting the children’s attention and entertaining them without concentrating on the fact that the impact of television on the children’s brain and emotional state can be negative. Moreover, today it is possible to notice a lot of toddlers who spend their time in front of the screen without their parents’ control. Thus, the impact of television on children is the quite controversial question.

However, adults also feel the great impact of television on their lives because there are tendencies to watch TV while having a rest, eating, communicating with friends, and completing different everyday activities ( Television , n.d.). That is why, it is necessary to mention that television affects the majority of people without references to their age and even without focusing on their social status because now television is the most available way of entertaining and getting the information.

What is the difference between the negative impact of television on children and adults? Today, many researchers and doctors pay attention to the fact that children are more influenced by the information presented in TV programs because of their limited possibility to distinguish between fantasy and reality.

The most problematic issue is the impact of violence depicted in TV shows on the children’s minds and psychological state. The violent actions presented in TV programs are perceived by children as real, and they can consider them as possible to follow ( Television , n.d.). Thus, television can change the peculiarities of the children’s perception of moral values and definite virtues.

Violence in TV shows and cartoons can provoke the children’s brutal actions and conflicts in their relations with friends and classmates in reality because children are inclined to reflect those behavioral patterns which they observe. Moreover, not only the character of information can be influential for children.

The practice of spending many hours in front of the TV screens can affect the children’s performance at school and their classroom engagement because the habit of watching TV provokes children’s being passive, their lack of interest in school activities, and reduces the concentration of attention ( How to promote good television habits, 2008).

The impact of television on adults and their emotional state can also be negative. Focusing on the character of the information presented in TV news and shows, it is possible to note that people receive a lot of information every day which stimulates their negative reactions, different types of emotional downs, apathy and pessimism. Commercials which are used on television can have a lot of negative effects on adults.

Those persons who are influenced by commercials are inclined to buy a lot of unnecessary products. They also can feel dissatisfaction because of the impossibility to follow all the tendencies and buy all the products promoted with the help of commercials ( Television , n.d.). However, many persons use television in order to entertain themselves. In this case, TV shows and entertaining programs make people be passive and contribute to developing the habits of the sedentary lifestyle.

The family tradition to watch TV in the evening can be discussed as good only when the process is not passive, the choice of a program is relevant, and the members of the family have the opportunity to discuss it. That is why it is also important to concentrate on the negative impact of television on the people’s health, especially on their eyes, which is affected by the usage of different technological devices.

To reduce the negative effects of television on society, it is necessary to cut the time which people spend in front of their TV screens. The practice of limited watching TV is important for children who should watch TV programs less than two hours a day, and it is more useful not to watch TV during the week days and reduce all the screen-based activities which are harmful for the children’s health. Children reflect the behaviors of their parents.

That is why adults should also have the special schedule of watching TV with choosing mainly the programs about nature, history or science. The negative impact of television can be effectively reduced when people do not watch TV while eating and communicating. Moreover, to have TV sets in bedrooms is also the harmful practice. The habit to watch TV in order to spend spare time can be successfully changed with the habit to walk with friends and children ( How to promote good television habits, 2008).

Thus, television can influence our attitude to life, our choice, and our decisions without our awareness of the fact. People can react to the information presented in TV news and TV shows consciously as well as unconsciously. That is why it is almost impossible to predict the effects of television on the next actions and behaviors or our emotional state.

The impact of television on the people’s minds and health is often negative because of the lack of controlling the time in front of the screens and the choice of programs and shows. Nevertheless, it can be reduced with decreasing the role of television in the people’s everyday life.

How to promote good television habits . (2008).

Television . (n.d.) Web.

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IvyPanda. (2020, April 21). Television Effects on Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/television-effects-on-society/

"Television Effects on Society." IvyPanda , 21 Apr. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/television-effects-on-society/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Television Effects on Society'. 21 April.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Television Effects on Society." April 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/television-effects-on-society/.

1. IvyPanda . "Television Effects on Society." April 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/television-effects-on-society/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Television Effects on Society." April 21, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/television-effects-on-society/.

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TV Programme Review

Writing a review of a TV programme

Here you will find a sample of a TV programme review .

Exam in Mind Level B1/B2

Using the plan below, write a review (at least 150 words) for a TV programme you have recently seen. Write about: the title of the programme the type of the programme and the place it was set who the presenter was who the mai characters were the main points of the plot your recommendations about presenting the programme

I’m Diana and this is my TV programme review.

Some days ago I watched a very interesting TV program “World Inside Out”, a fascinating Ukrainian travel program. This TV program quickly became one of my favorite. The presenter of the “World Inside Out” is Dmitry Komarov. The idea to shoot the program “Inside Out”  appeared during Komarov’s independent travels in exotic countries. The first episode was launched in 2010. This program is a gripping and amusing travelling adventure. Each episode is set in a new country and the main characters are ordinary people from these countries. “The World Inside Out” shows non-touristy and little-studied regions of the planet. The presenter and the shooting group always risk their lives to show people the unusual, interesting and breathtaking parts of each country. Sometimes it is even hard to believe that such places and traditions really exist. The program is very interesting because it shows how countries’ traditions and customs can differ from ours.

The programme I watched was about Japan. It was of special interest for me because I’m crazy about Japanese culture. The main points of the plot were about rare moments of rest which hard-working Japanese enjoy so much.

I like this program because it’s educational. You can see different countries and find out something new for yourself. It’s a useful program because it broadens your outlook. I can’t but mention how professional the presenter of “World inside out” is. Dmitry is a very brave person who seems to have tried everything and he presents the information in a thrilling way.

The “World Inside Out” has 12 seasons and I hope this amazing program will have many sequels. I strongly recommend it because it’s really worth watching.

Will you please write your TV programme review.

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IELTS essay sample: Television is good for us

by Manjusha Nambiar · Published February 13, 2016 · Updated April 23, 2024

IELTS essay topic

Some people believe that watching TV is good and makes life more enjoyable; others, however, think it is a waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.

Sample essay

There is no denying the fact that television makes our lives more enjoyable. Everyone likes to sit in front of their television sets. This, however, does not mean that all that time spent watching TV is good for us. In my opinion, watching TV is good provided that we choose the programs wisely.

Television provides both education and entertainment. There are several informative programs and channels. There are also a large number of channels that only provide mindless entertainment. If we want to benefit from television, we need to choose the programs wisely. There are plenty of informative programs that also provide a reasonable amount of entertainment. For example, the channels Discovery and Animal Planet provide entertainment as well as information. We can learn a lot of things by just watching these channels. Likewise, news channels keep us informed of national and international events. But if we spend the whole day watching the reruns of mega serials, we aren’t going to be any wiser.

For most people, television is merely a tool for obtaining entertainment. They aren’t looking for information. They just want to kill time and that isn’t such a bad thing. There is no harm in using the television as an entertainment tool. We only need to limit the time spent in front of the idiot box. If we set aside enough time for other more important activities like work or studies, television will have no negative impact on us.

To conclude, I neither agree nor disagree with the argument that watching television is good for us. It depends on what we watch and how much we watch. If we limit our screen time and choose the programs and channels wisely, television will be good for us.

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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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Talk About Your Favorite TV Program: IELTS Speaking (3 Cue Cards With Example Answers)

If you have to talk about your favorite TV program in part one or two of your IELTS Speaking test, this article will give you plenty of ideas. In part two, your cue card might as you to describe or talk about your favorite TV program.  

Let’s look at things you can say about TV programs for a band-seven answer, including three cue cards with example answers ( go straight to the answers here ).  

Types of TV Programs

Here are some examples of different TV programs. This is very useful vocabulary to know for this kind of question.

• Talk show: A TV show where a host or hosts interview guests about a particular topic, or just have conversations about current events or pop culture.
• Documentary: A TV show that provides information and educates viewers about a particular subject or event, usually based on facts and real-life footage.
• Drama: A TV show that tells a fictional story through a serious and emotional tone, focusing on character development and complex relationships.
• Soap opera: A TV show that follows the lives and relationships of a group of characters, with dramatic and romantic storylines that continue over multiple episodes.
• Comedy: A TV show that aims to make viewers laugh, usually through jokes, satire, or humorous situations.
• Reality TV: A TV show that follows the lives of real people in unscripted situations, often featuring competitions or challenges.
• Crime/Mystery: A TV show that centers around solving a crime or a mystery, with an emphasis on the investigation and the solving of the case.
• Action/Adventure: A TV show that features thrilling action sequences, often with a hero or group of heroes fighting against villains or overcoming obstacles.
• Sitcom: A TV show that aims to make viewers laugh through humorous situations and character interactions, usually set in a particular location like a workplace or a family home.
• Science Fiction/Fantasy: A TV show that takes place in a fictional world, often featuring supernatural or futuristic elements, such as time travel, magic, or aliens.
• Gameshow: A TV show that features contestants competing against each other in games or quizzes, often with prizes or money at stake.

What You Can Talk About

Think of any TV program (also called a TV show or TV series) that you know and like. Choose one you can talk about easily.

It might be a TV program you like at the moment or one you used to watch in the past. To describe the TV program, you could say:

• What kind of show it is
• What it’s about
• Why you like it so much  
• Something interesting/surprising/cool that happened in the show
• Something you learned from it  
• Something you remember from it
• The main characters
• The plot (if it has a story)
• The writing
• The costumes
• The fan culture (if it’s very popular)
• How the TV series influenced your life
• Anything else that comes to mind

What If You Don’t Watch TV Programs?

If you don’t like watching TV, that’s fine. You could say you don’t watch much TV, then talk about:

• A TV show you liked when you were younger
• A TV show that someone you know likes (your friend, sister, husband, child)
• The kind of TV show you might like to watch one day
• Anything else you like to watch
• A movie you like (just explain clearly why you’re not describing a TV show)
• A series of comics or books you like (just explain clearly why you’re not describing a TV show)
• Anything else similar to a TV show

Use the Past Tense To Tell a Story

In part two, it’s a great idea to tell a story. This allows you to keep speaking easily for a while.

Telling a story also lets you show off your use of past tenses.  

This TV show question makes it easy to tell a story or two. You can talk about:

• Something interesting that happened in the TV program
• Something a character did in it
• Something you learned from it
• A recent episode you saw
• When you started watching this program  
• Why you liked it so much when you were younger
• Anything else you remember from this TV program

Focus on Vocabulary

If you focus on using interesting vocabulary, you’re much more likely to get a band-seven score in part two of the test.  

One great way to use interesting vocabulary is with word groups.  

A word group is a collection of words used to describe one aspect of someone or something.  

For example, if you like an exciting drama TV program, you could use an ‘exciting activity’ or ‘gripping thing’ word group to describe it.  

This word group could have words and phrases like ‘gripping, riveting, unpredictable, suspenseful, I was on the edge of my seat, my eyes were glued to the screen, cliff-hanger, nail-biting…’ and more.

You could use many of these words to describe a TV program, movie, and many other experiences.  

Learn more about word groups here . And you can see some word groups being used in the example answers below.  

Useful Vocabulary for TV Programs

• Episode  – An episode is just one part of a TV show, like one chapter in a book.
• Series  – A series is a TV show with lots of episodes, like a really long story.
• Season  – A season is a group of episodes, usually 10 to 20 episodes. For most TV shows, there is one new season each year.
• Plot – The main storyline of the show
• Characters – The individuals or groups that the show revolves around
• Setting – The time and place in which the show takes place
• Genre – The type or category of the show, such as drama, comedy, or sci-fi
• Theme – The central idea or message that the show explores
• Tone – The overall mood or feeling of the show
• Style – The visual and auditory elements used in the show, such as camera angles and music
• Narrative – The way the story is told, including the use of flashbacks, voiceovers, or multiple timelines
• Dialogue – The words spoken by the characters in the show
• Acting – The performances of the actors in the show
• Direction – The choices made by the director in terms of camera work, pacing, and overall vision of the show
• Production value – The quality of the show’s production, including special effects, sets, and costumes
• Ratings – The audience viewing numbers, which can indicate the popularity of the show
• Awards – Any accolades the show has received, such as Emmy or Golden Globe nominations or wins
• Cliffhanger – A dramatic ending to an episode that leaves the audience in suspense and eager to see what happens next
• Spin-off – A new show created from characters or storylines from the original show
• Cancellation – The decision to end the show’s production, often due to low ratings or high production costs
• Reboot – A new version of an old show, often with a different cast or updated storylines
• Pilot – The first episode of a new show, which serves as a test run for the series
• Binge-worthy – A term used to describe a show that is so good that viewers can’t stop watching and want to see multiple episodes in one sitting.

Example Answers

Now, let’s look at three example cue cards and answers. See how word groups are used. And think about ideas you could borrow for your own answers.

Favorite TV Program Cue Card 1

Describe your favorite TV program.

You should say:

• What TV program it is
• How often you watch it

And say why it’s your favorite TV program.

I’m going to talk about a suspenseful TV show called Breaking Bad. It tells the story of a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White, who finds out he has cancer and starts manufacturing and selling drugs to make enough money for his family.

In my opinion, the show is gripping, riveting , and thrilling, with an unpredictable storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat . From the first episode , the nail-biting suspense was killing me as I watched Walter White slowly become worse and worse as he became a criminal.  

All the characters are complex , and their motivations are not always clear, which adds to the tense and electrifying atmosphere of the show.

One of the most memorable moments in the show for me was in the episode when Walter’s brother-in-law, Hank, is killed by a drug lord. The tension in the scene is palpable. There’s so much tension that you could cut it with a knife . I found myself holding my breath as I watched the events unfold. It was really shocking.

I think Breaking Bad is my favorite TV show because it kept me guessing all the time. The show’s writing and acting were top-notch , and it’s rare to find a series that can maintain such high levels of suspense and tension for such a long time.  

I was glued to the screen during every episode, and the show’s conclusion was both satisfying and unexpected . Breaking Bad is an unforgettable TV series that I would recommend to anyone who loves good drama.

Word Group Used: Gripping Object

Here, we focused on describing the TV show as gripping and suspenseful. So we used lots of words from the ‘gripping object’ word group. Here it is:

• Suspenseful  
• Unpredictable  
• I was on the edge of my seat
• My eyes were glued to the screen  
• Nail-biting suspense  
• The suspense was killing me  
• Kept me in a state of suspense  
• Cliff-hangers
• Breathtaking  
• Electrifying  
• My heart was in my throat  
• You could cut the tension with a knife  
• Kept my guessing  

Learn more about how to use word groups here .

Favorite TV Show Cue Card 2

Describe your favorite TV show.

• The name of the show
• How long you’ve been watching it for

And say why you like this TV show so much.

I’m going to talk about these amazing nature documentaries made by David Attenborough. To my mind , his nature documentaries are a true gem for nature enthusiasts . The way he captures nature’s beauty and presents it in such a peaceful and tranquil way is what makes these documentaries so special.  

Personally , I love watching his documentaries after a long day at work . I find them incredibly restful, soothing, and peaceful, and they really help me loosen up and unwind .  

I think my favorite David Attenborough documentary series is Blue Planet. It’s all about fish and the strange creatures that live in the sea. The underwater footage is stunning , and the way Attenborough tells the story of the ocean and its creatures is fascinating . I never get tired of watching his series.

David Attenborough documentaries help me relax after a long day at the office . I can kick up my feet and relax, putting work from my mind for a while. I can really take a moment to relax while I watch all the peaceful scenes from nature.  

I think Attenborough’s documentaries remind me to take things less seriously and appreciate the world around me . It’s refreshing to watch something that’s not about work, politics, or the daily grind of life . Instead, I can focus on the beauty of nature. I always feel better for having watched them . I find them really soothing and I often feel refreshed and cheerful afterward.

Word Group Used: Relaxing Object

We focused on describing how relaxing these documentaries are. This made it easy to use lots of words from the ‘relaxing object’ word group:

• Let my hair down
• Take it easy
• Take a moment to relax
• Take a break  
• Helps me unwind after a long day at the office
• A moment of quiet after a hectic day
• Kick up my feet and relax
• There’s nothing I’d rather do than lounge around watching the box
• Put work from my mind
• Relieve my stress
• Lounge around
• Ease away my stresses and worries
• Stop thinking about work for a minute
• Reminds me to take things less seriously
• Refreshing  
• Renews my energy  
• Helps me get a little rest and relaxation

Favorite TV Series Cue Card 3

Describe your favorite TV series.

• What the series is about
• Who the main characters are
• What they do in the series

And say why this is your favorite TV series.  

I’m going to talk about a really funny comedy TV series called Friends. It’s a little bit old but I love it and think it’s hilarious. I also really improved my English by watching lots of episodes of Friends.

It’s a classic American sitcom about six main characters who live in New York City. Their names are Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and… and I forget the other girl’s name. They have many adventures and lots of fun together.  

The show is hilarious and never fails to leave me amused and entertained . The humor is comical, witty, clever, offbeat, and sometimes whimsical and quite quirky . It often has me splitting my sides with laughter . Each character has their own quirky personality and it’s really fun to watch their interactions with one another, and all the amusing, unpredictable situations they get into.

I think my favorite character is Joey, who’s this simple but likable guy who wants to be an actor. He’s quite popular with the ladies . But all the characters are really likable and personable and very funny. Chandler is also one of my favorites. He’s a pretty zany, witty character, with a really deadpan kind of humor.  

I remember one scene that really cracked me up where the group played a trivia game to see who knew the most about the others. Chandler and Joey ended up betting their apartment against Monica and Rachel’s apartment, and the competition became really intense . The questions became harder and harder. It was fantastic and a barrel of laughs to watch.  

Word Group Used: Funny Object

We described a comedy sitcom so we used lots of words from the ‘funny object’ word group. Here it is:

• Entertaining
• Side-splitting
• Laugh-out-loud
• Rib-tickling
• Split your sides
• It really cracked me up
• Have a good laugh
• It had me in stitches
• A real knee-slapper
• A barrel of laughs

Now It’s Your Turn

Try to answer this question yourself.  

It’s best to think of a word group beforehand, so try to memorize one now.  

Then set up the recorder on your phone and ask yourself out loud to talk about your favorite TV program.  

Spend 60 seconds preparing your answer, then start speaking.

Try to describe your favorite TV program for two whole minutes without stopping.  

Afterward, listen to your recording and think about how you could improve your answer.  

Keep repeating this recording process. It’s a great way to get ready for part two of your IELTS Speaking test.  

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