People Who Have Original Ideas Are of Much Greater Value to Society - IELTS Task 2 Sample Essays

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Model Essay 1

People often argue that individuals who generate original ideas contribute far more to society than those who merely replicate existing ones efficiently. I largely agree with this view, as originality drives progress and long-term transformation. However, I will also argue that skilled imitators still play a meaningful, though secondary, role by refining and spreading innovations. These two perspectives together clarify why originality remains paramount.

To begin with, original thinkers are the primary engines of social, scientific, and economic advancement. Breakthrough ideas fundamentally reshape how societies function, solve problems, and envision the future. For instance, innovators such as Marie Curie or Steve Jobs did not simply improve existing models; they introduced new ways of understanding science and technology that redefined entire industries. Without such pioneers, societies would stagnate, endlessly recycling old solutions to new problems. Moreover, original ideas often carry high risk, requiring intellectual courage and creative insight. This willingness to challenge conventions is precisely what allows societies to adapt to complex challenges such as climate change or public health crises. Therefore, the long-term value of originality lies not only in the ideas themselves, but also in their capacity to open entirely new pathways for collective progress.

That said, it would be overly simplistic to dismiss those who excel at copying and refining ideas. While they may not initiate change, they are crucial in translating innovation into widespread benefit. For example, many countries have adopted educational or healthcare models pioneered elsewhere and successfully adapted them to local contexts. Such individuals ensure efficiency, scalability, and accessibility, qualities that pure innovators may overlook. Nevertheless, their contribution remains dependent on the existence of original ideas in the first place. Without a foundational concept to emulate, technical mastery alone cannot generate meaningful advancement. As a result, although skilled imitators enhance and distribute progress, their societal value is ultimately derivative rather than transformative.

In conclusion, while both originality and imitation contribute to societal development, original thinkers are undeniably more valuable due to their role in initiating progress. Those who refine ideas support this process, but it is creativity and innovation that determine the direction and depth of societal change.

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Model Essay 2

The view that society benefits far more from original thinkers than from those who competently replicate existing ideas is widely held but, in my opinion, fundamentally flawed. I strongly disagree with this claim, as social progress depends less on rare originality and more on effective adaptation and execution. This essay will argue that skilled imitators create practical impact at scale and that originality without replication is often socially insignificant.

To begin with, individuals who can accurately copy, adapt, and implement ideas are frequently more valuable to society than original thinkers because they transform abstract concepts into functional realities. An original idea, no matter how brilliant, remains socially useless unless it is applied efficiently and consistently. For example, many technological and administrative systems used worldwide today were not invented locally but adopted, refined, and optimised by professionals who understood how to operationalise them within specific contexts. These individuals ensure reliability, affordability, and accessibility—qualities that raw innovation often lacks. Furthermore, replication allows societies to avoid unnecessary risk by relying on proven models rather than experimental concepts. In this sense, skilled imitators act as stabilisers, converting innovation into measurable social benefit rather than theoretical potential.

Moreover, originality is frequently overrated because most so-called “new” ideas are incremental modifications of existing knowledge rather than genuine breakthroughs. History demonstrates that progress is cumulative, built through refinement rather than sudden inspiration. For instance, modern medical treatments and engineering solutions are typically the result of continuous improvement by teams following established frameworks, not isolated acts of genius. Those who master and reproduce best practices ensure consistency and standardisation, which are essential for large-scale systems such as education, infrastructure, and governance. By contrast, excessive emphasis on originality can lead to inefficiency, duplication of effort, and even failure. Therefore, society arguably gains more from disciplined refinement and replication than from sporadic creative insight.

In conclusion, while originality may attract admiration, it is the ability to replicate and refine ideas that delivers lasting social value. Effective execution, scalability, and reliability ultimately outweigh creative novelty, making skilled imitators more crucial to sustained societal development.

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