Some food for thought
Through this demonstration of different answers to a writing question, I want to emphasize that you should be confident with your ideas and try to make the most sense of them regardless of which direction you are taking to address the question. There is usually more than 1 single approach to solve a problem in life, and figuring out one orientation for your essay is no exception. Therefore, let’s believe in our reasoning and maneuver through the writing test with calmness.
The test question:
Some people feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid more, especially when other people like film actors or company bosses are paid huge sums of money that are out of proportion to the importance of the work that they do.
How far do you agree with this opinion?
What criteria should be used to decide how much people are paid?
Version 1
Outline:
Disagree:
It is understandable for people in different occupations to have different incomes.
- For positions in academia or health care: jobs are not selective, not talent-based
- For those working in entertainment industry: competitive, short-lived career, high risks of bankruptcy and low job security -> should be compensated financially
Factors: the value people create,+ the uniqueness of talent
- Compare the limited number of patients a doctor can treat with millions of fans at music festivals and movie goers at cinemas -> entertainment workers bring value to more people
- Director, actors, CEO are rare commodities in market place -> highly priced.
The essay:
On the surface, it seems unfair for the salary of some people such as teachers or doctors not to be on par with their counterparts in corporate managerial positions or in the entertainment industry. However, I believe the high payment of those bosses and artists is justifiable (có lý, chứng minh được), and the factors people should base on to calculate salary will clarify this claim.
It is completely understandable for people in different occupations to have different earnings. Although jobs in the academia and the healthcare sector are considered respectful ones in serving the humankind, they are not very selective or talent-based, so many people can do these jobs after serious education. In contrast, the competition in the entertainment world is undoubtedly very harsh (khắc nghiệt). Film directors and actors can achieve enormous (lớn) success, but that tip of the ice berg does not conceal the ugly truth of thousands of their colleagues struggle with unemployment. The short-lived career of these professionals and a plethora of (nhiều) problems of health, family, and love that are seemingly inherent (cố hữu, tự nhiên có) in the career is also a strong reason why they should be financially compensated (bồi thường). In a different angle, as for companies’ directors or business owners, their high income is proportional to (tương ứng với) the risks of low job security and bankruptcy as well as the immeasurable stress they endure.
As regards factors impacting a person’s earning, I believe the created value and the talent necessary for the job should be at the core of the consideration. Just by a quick comparison of the limited number of patients treated by a doctor and millions of fans grooving at a music festival or movie lovers queuing for a blockbuster (phim bom tấn) in cinemas around the world, it is apparent that entertainment works of art bring its value to far more people. Another factor that should be considered for deciding payment is the uniqueness of the talent involved in the work. If sport players, film directors, or chief executive officers are in their heyday (thời hoàng kim), it is just because they are very rare commodity in the job market, and they have competitive advantages (lợi thế cạnh tranh) over millions of others.
In conclusion, the matter of diverse income is naturally formed and accepted in the social convention (luật thường của xã hội); also, I believe it is based on the value people create and their talent.
Version 2
- Agree to increase salaries for doctors and teachers, but also accept the high payment for people working in the entertainment industry and directors of companies
- Factors: number of customers served, talent, and KPI
The essay
Some assert the necessity of increasing salary for doctors and teachers while claiming that CEOs and movie directors are overpaid for their insignificance contribution to society. This essay will provide a fair look into this issue and clarifies factors to base the payment for a job on.
The appreciation of the entertainment in business jobs is understandable but the underestimation of the professions in academia and healthcare sector is intolerable. Due to the instability, low job security, and talent- based nature of their careers, people working for the entertainment industry and business leaders are scarce commodities and thus deserve special treatment accompanied by generous remuneration from society. This is completely understandable because risk is proportional to return, and rare products are high-priced. However, due to the great contribution of doctors and teachers for the two most important attributes of a person: education and health, their salary should be upgraded. This suggestion also is grounded in the heartbreaking fact that these jobs are usually underpaid. A compelling example of this phenomenon is the strike for a higher pay of American teachers happening in various states in America in 2018, and popular bribe taking from doctors across the developing countries due to low income.
When it comes to factors based on which salary of people can be determined, the number of customers they serve, their special talent, and their performance at work should be taken into consideration. Customers are the payers for services; therefore, the more people these workers serve the better financial rewards they can enjoy. This also explains the huge gap between the income of a famous film director or business manager who serve thousands of or even millions of moviegoers and clients and that of teachers and doctors who only serve hundreds of students or patients. Besides, the talents people possess make them outstanding with competitive advantages in the job market for sought-after and well-paid vacancies. Also, the outcomes of people’s work in the key performance indicator of organizations should be the scale that sets one person’s earning apart from others’.
In conclusion the high income of people working in the entertainment industry and business is justified, but a lift in the salary of workers in the medical and the educational sectors should also be seriously considered. Moreover, to ensure a fair distribution of rewards for achievements, the size of the clientele, the talents and the level of performance of each employee should be counted upon.
