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my shopping list essay

Writing Lessons from a Shopping List

NCTE 10.19.19 Writing

The following, excerpted from Jonathan Bush’s “Lessons on Writing from a Clueless Shopper” at Writers Who Care,  appeared first 1/7/17.

my shopping list essay

I’m a pretty good teacher of writing, but I am one of the worst grocery shoppers. I often have an interest in unique and useless items, and I’m apt to buy things close to what we need, rather than the exact item.

Luckily, I am married to one of America’s greatest shopping list writers. And, like a good writer does, she uses her writing to solve problems and create solutions. She has produced some of the most rhetorically savvy and smart pieces of writing the world has ever seen (and targeted at one of the worst audiences, too!).

Effective writing is, first and foremost, about audiences: how to interact, teach, and reach those audiences, no matter the situation or context.

How then does my wife effectively use rhetoric to write a shopping list that will help me come home with a can of chicken broth, rather than a whole chicken (they’re pretty much the same thing, right?)?

  • Through effective organization. All items on the list are written exactly in the order that I will encounter them while I shop. This is genius. Not only does it keep me on track and focused on what we need, but it also provides navigational triangulation. Each item geographically follows the previous item. If I encounter an item two-down on my list and I see that there’s a missing item in between that and the last item I picked up, I know that it is somewhere between those two items. Thus, the hunt begins, with the quarry cornered into a small area of aisle ten – between bagels and hamburger buns.
  • Through short and focused messaging. The use of words on her lists is minimal. Only one verb is needed – and it’s only implicit – “shop!” Every phrase or word is precious and meaningful and detailed.
  • Through research and knowledge. There is little guesswork in these lists. She knows the layout of our local store in intimate detail. She knows what items are on sale and which ones have coupons attached (which she helpfully marks with an asterisk).

These shopping lists, then, exemplify some of the core concepts of rhetoric, along with the communication tasks they entail. In many of our classes, we talk about these rhetorical ideas as Genre, Audience, and Purpose, commonly shortened to “GAP.”

This concept of “GAP” can be used to analyze my wife’s shopping list, and why it has been effective with its intended audience. For example:

Genre (the type of writing). My wife understands the context in which the shopping list will be used (mainly balanced on a shopping cart after being rumpled in my jeans). The list must therefore be easy to interpret and read, and things like efficiency and concise language are important, as is organization. Likewise, it needs to be a list, not an essay.

Audience (who will be reading it). Using her knowledge of her audience, she crafts the list in a way that works for me.

Purpose (what the writer wants to accomplish). She has a goal: this list is meant to accomplish an identifiable task. The effectiveness of her list is easy to assess. If there is fresh food in the house, it worked. This is the measure by which all rhetorical writing can be judged – did it cause the action or response the writer was attempting to create? If so, it’s effective writing.

No matter how humble or common the task, good writers know their audiences and know that effective writing depends on the author’s understanding of the entire writing situation – the audience and purpose, and the most appropriate genre to be used. These are also the things teachers value in authentic writing classes, and they present the ideas that can be emphasized by parents or community members who mentor children when they look at any and all types of writing, asking questions such as:

  • Why do you think they wrote that?
  • Who do you think they are writing to?
  • Why did they write that way?

These all provide means for starting this conversation about the complicated and exciting nature of writing and communicating.

Online Shopping Essay

500+ words online shopping essay.

The trend of online shopping has increased in recent times with the increase of e-commerce and digital technology. With just a single click, you can shop for everything by sitting at your home as per your choice, convenience and budget. This essay on online shopping will help students learn about the pros and cons of online shopping. We have also compiled a list of CBSE Essays on different topics to help them improve their essay-writing skills. These essays will also help them improve their scores on the English exam.

What Does Online Shopping Mean?

Online shopping is the activity of buying products and services over the internet using a web browser or mobile app. It means buyers have to go online to reach a seller’s website and then select the product they want to purchase. The buyer can pay for the goods and services either online with a credit or debit card or upon delivery. Online shopping sites are also known by many other names such as e-shop, e-web-store, e-store, internet shop, web-store, web-shop, virtual store and online store. An online shop creates a physical analogy for buying products or services. Some of the famous online retailing corporations which facilitate the experience of online shopping are Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, Myntra, etc.

Online shopping is a growing area of the digital world and technology. Establishing a store on the Internet gives various options to consumers. With the growth of online shopping, most businesses have started selling their products online. Now, just having physical stores is not enough in this fast-paced world. Having online store interfaces for consumers has also become essential for running a business in the current scenario.

Benefits of Online Shopping

There are numerous advantages of online shopping. People feel more convenient while shopping online. They can shop from anywhere at their own convenient time through easy and safe payment methods. Online shopping has empowered consumers with various advantages such as convenience and time-saving, lower search costs, better product selection, lower prices, etc. One of the biggest benefits of online shopping is that you can buy the items you want with just a single click. Online stores are open 24 hours a day and are accessible from any location with an internet connection.

Online stores carry more variations and provide more varieties of a product as compared to traditional stores. This is because online stores don’t need to attractively display their items on shelves, and they can keep a larger amount of inventory on hand. They might also have small amounts of each item since they don’t need to display them and can order more from their supplier as needed.

Online shops tend to provide more information about items for sale than you would get in a physical store. Product descriptions most often include a description from the manufacturer, another description from the vendor, specific technical and size details, reviews from professional magazines and journals, and reviews from people who have bought the product. Having all this information available when you are considering a purchase makes you a more informed consumer without having to perform extra research by yourself.

Online stores are not burdened by the costs of running a physical store, such as the rent of the physical premises and wages of sales staff. The cost savings by online stores lead to lower pricing on the internet, passing on cost savings to shoppers. The internet encourages online vendors to compete with one another by lowering prices.

Disadvantages of Online Shopping

The benefits of shopping online also come with potential risks and dangers. When you shop online, you can’t touch or try out the product. You have to depend upon product pictures only. You can’t buy the product instantly. If you don’t get the product in hand immediately after payment, you have to wait for delivery, which can take days to weeks. There is no guarantee that you will get the product in its original shape; it might get damaged on the way. Sometimes, the product is very different from the pictures and description due to various reasons and also has poor quality. If, after receiving the package, expectations weren’t met, you need to go through a returns process which can be time-consuming. Apart from these, there is also a chance of security threats from online shopping. If the site is not secured, you have a risk of losing your card information.

Online shopping is one of the convenient ways of purchasing different products. However, there are some products which are better if they are purchased from physical stores. So, in the future, we can expect online stores to improve their technology, making way for a much easier and faster shopping experience.

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103 Online Shopping Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

🏆 best online shopping topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 good online shopping topic ideas to research, 📌 most interesting online shopping topics to write about, ❓ research question about online shopping.

When it comes to choosing an essay topic, online shopping has plenty ideas to offer. That’s why we present to you our online shopping topic list! Here, you will find best hand-picked essay titles and research ideas.

But that’s not all of it! In addition to our shopping essay topics, we also offer free sample papers. Check them out!

  • Online Shopping: Benefits and Drawbacks Essay The last major advantage of online shopping is that it assists the customer to find the best deal on a product.
  • Traditional vs. Online Shopping Traditional shopping involves shoppers physically entering a brick-and-mortar store or shopping mall to select items of their choice, pay for them in cash or by credit card, and either take delivery personally or have them […]
  • Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping The advent of internet shopping in the late nineties created a revolution in the retail industry. It is possible to know about the sizes, features, and costs of products in online and traditional shopping.
  • Influence of Online Shopping Apps on Impulsive Buying Olsen et al.go further and confirms that online shopping apps have increased impulse buying due to the wealth of information they provide the consumer.
  • Online Shopping as a Method of Supply Online shopping is the method of selling goods and services that allows individuals to sell goods directly over the internet. This mode of operation is better than the use of door-to-door sales people who can […]
  • International Students Attitudes Towards Online Shopping The researcher strived to answer three key questions, which sought to find out students’ attitudes towards online shopping, the nationality of students who make the largest number of online purchases, and the barriers that prevent […]
  • Online Shopping Characteristics and Effectiveness Background information on online shopping will be presented, and the way on how to succeed in online shopping will be discussed. What are the details of online shopping DMC students should be aware of?
  • Advantages of Online Shopping In addition to this, the number of people adapting to online shopping is expected to grow, due to the numerous benefits associated with it.
  • Product Reviews in Online Shopping The paper will discuss strategies used by online retailers in their product reviews as well as describe a research study that can be used to explore the relationship between customer comments and their buying habits.
  • Amazon’s Online Shopping and Innovative Delivery The company started as an online seller of books, but later, Amazon became the platform for a variety of goods and services to sell.
  • Secure Online Shopping System Model on Customer Behavior The aim is to find respondents who are the potential, if not actual customers of our online products who fall within the category of youths and young adults described in the introduction.
  • Online Shopping and Its Advantages The decision of a customer to buy a product from a specific website depends on the reputation of the company and brand, which owns it.
  • Online Shop Business Plan One of the major aims of a supply chain management is to ensure that the goods used in manufacture are of the right quality and quantity; this goes ahead as it is reflected in the […]
  • Consumer Attitudes Towards Online Shopping Since the online environment gives consumer a wider choice of products and product platforms from where to make their purchases, this study seeks to establish the exact consumer behaviour portrayed in an e-commerce environment and […]
  • Amazon’s Success: Online Shopping Psychology One of the many factors contributing to Amazon’s success is its thorough understanding of its consumers, which is shown in the layout of its website and the numerous innovations it has brought to online retail.
  • Saudi Women’s Perspective on Online Shopping Owing to the existence of different sites, the researcher examined the growth and expansion of the e-commerce segment in the nation.
  • Consumer Behavior in Online Shopping: A Study of Aizawl The article shows the effective use of credibility of the authors, appropriate structure and organization, regional relevance of the cited literature, and functional illustrative material.
  • Consumer Behavior in Online Shopping On the one hand, earlier studies argue that purchase intention is the key motivator for the consumers. Qualitative method is based upon judgment and intuition of the experts in the matter and consumers.
  • The Effects of Online Shopping on Customer Loyalty For example, the study by Afrashteh, Azad, and Tabatabaei Hanzayy is dedicated to the concept of online shopping and the use of this electronic marketing technique to influence customer loyalty in conditions of the state […]
  • Jordan’s Furniture Company and Online Shopping First of all, I would like to point out that Jordan’s Furniture is a furniture retailer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S.A.
  • How Motivation Influences Online Shopping The Balanced Buyer: In this cluster, about a third of the sample was moderately driven by the desire to seek variety.
  • UK Consumer Attitudes Towards Online Shopping It means that delivery represents a vital component of the overall purchasing or service reception experience and contributes to the development of customer loyalty.
  • Online Shopping Impact on the Global Retail Industry While the significance and the convenience of e-commerce are indisputable, it is important to study its impact on the traditional retail industry around the world to identify the challenges, which it has to withstand.
  • Secure Online Shopping System Integration Therefore, the new service called SOSS, which is proposed in the management of the online ticketing business, will form part of the actual customer safety guarantee service.
  • Peacock Fashion Company’s Online Shops The purpose of the paper will be to determine the characteristics and feelings of online shoppers as related to online fashion shopping in United Kingdom market.
  • Online Shopping Impact on the Fashion & Design Industry In this report, the aim will be to determine the impact of online shopping on the fashion and design industry. The increased profitability of this industry means that the individual firms have the capacity to […]
  • Consumer Science: Online Shopping in the United Arab Emirates In an attempt to identify these factors, the present study uses a mixed-methods methodology to show the importance of online shopping and how this concept has changed consumer habits on shopping in the UAE. The […]
  • Drawbacks and Benefits of Online Shopping One of the benefits of online shopping is that it makes the customer have quick access to items that are identical regardless of where he or she does the shopping for them.
  • Service Marketing: Online Shopping Competition Their website allows customers to register with them and be able to do their shopping from the comfort of their homes.
  • Online Shopping and Purchase Decision The above is a detailed explanation of the buying process for an online product specifically E-reader from Kindle. The customer will then evaluate the alternatives and make a purchase decision.
  • The Era of Online Shopping Today, online shopping has become a great phenomenon thanks to the rapid development of internet security technologies and a similar pace in the penetration of the World Wide Web.
  • Online Shopping vs. Brick-And-Mortar Shopping
  • The Need for Accelerated Knowledge Management Within Internet Banking and Online Shopping
  • Using Online Shopping Codes to Save Money
  • Online Shopping Increases Consumption Rate
  • The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping
  • The Consumer Society: Advertising and Online Shopping
  • Understanding Egyptian Consumers’ Intentions in Online Shopping
  • Online Shopping Services for Consumers and Businesses
  • Online Shopping Will Replace Traditional Shopping
  • Visiting Malls While Online Shopping Is Fun
  • The Relationship Between Marketing Mix and Buying Decision Process on the Online Shopping in Thailand
  • The Advantages and Risks of Online Shopping
  • Walmart Online Shopping Information System
  • The Most Famous Online Shopping Website In China
  • Perceived Risk and Online Shopping Intention: A Study Across Gender and Product Type
  • The Benefits and Disadvantages of Online Shopping
  • Online Shopping Reviewers Are Not All That They Seem
  • Analyzing Customer Satisfaction: Users Perspective Towards Online Shopping
  • Australian Customers and Online Shopping
  • Antique Motorcycle Online Shopping Options
  • Relationship Between Convenience, Perceived Value, and Repurchase Intention in Online Shopping in Vietnam
  • The Development and Validation of the Online Shopping Addiction Scale
  • Television Advertising and Online Shopping
  • Assessing Benefits and Risks of Online Shopping in Spain and Scotland
  • Online Shopping: Effectiveness and Convenience
  • The Legal Issues Surrounding Online Shopping
  • Taobao Established Shopping From Home With Online Shopping
  • The Pros and Cons of Online Shopping vs. Brick and Mortar Stores
  • Why People Like Online Shopping
  • Online Shopping Lifts Aramex Profits by 4% and Rent Cap Removal Hits Abu Dhabi
  • What Influences Online Shopping Of Individuals From European Countries
  • Perceived Value, Transaction Cost, and Repurchase-Intention in Online Shopping: A Relational Exchange Perspective
  • Online Shopping Unexpected Impacts Are We Gaining More or Less
  • Differentiation Between Traditional and Online Shopping
  • Popular Websites For Online Shopping
  • The Online Shopping Industry Has Changed The World
  • Online Shopping: Product Availability and Logistics
  • The Interactions Between Online Shopping and Personal Activity Travel Behavior: An Analysis With a Gps-Based Activity Travel Diary
  • Statistics and Facts About Online Shopping
  • Analysing Online Shopping Behaviour of Google Merchandising Store Customers
  • How Effect of Freight Insurance on Consumers’ Attitudes Toward Online Shopping?
  • Does Online Shopping Cause Us to Spend More Money?
  • Does Freight Insurance Work in Online Shopping?
  • What Are the Pros and Cons of Online Shopping?
  • How Do E-Servicescapes Affect Customers’ Online Shopping Intention?
  • What Are the Moderating Effects of Gender and Online Shopping Experience?
  • How Online Shopping Behaviour Is a Priority Issue for Many?
  • How Does Online Shopping Cause You to Spend More Money?
  • How Has Online Shopping Become a Convenient and Efficient Time?
  • What Effects Repurchase Intention of Online Shopping?
  • What Influences Online Shopping of Individuals From European Countries?
  • Why Are More Customers Switching to Online Shopping From Traditional Coursework?
  • Why Do People Like Online Shopping?
  • What Is the Cheapest Online Shopping Site?
  • What Is Called Online Shopping?
  • How Many Types of Online Shopping Are There?
  • Is Online Shopping Cheaper Than In-Store?
  • What Are the Disadvantages of Online Shopping?
  • What Is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Online Shopping?
  • Why Is Online Shopping Better?
  • What Is the Importance of Online Shopping?
  • How Is Online Shopping Helpful?
  • What Are the Factors Influencing Online Shopping?
  • Do Consumers Prefer Online Shopping?
  • How Does COVID Affect Online Shopping?
  • What Are the Benefits of Online Shopping?
  • How Does Online Shopping Affect the Consumer?
  • What Is the Theory of Online Shopping?
  • How Has Online Shopping Changed the Way We Shop?
  • How Does Online Shopping Affect the Economy?
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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Lifestyle & Interests — Shopping

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Shopping Essays

Writing an essay on shopping is important as it allows us to explore the impact of consumerism on society and the economy. It also helps us to understand the psychology behind consumer behavior and the role of marketing in shaping our shopping habits.

When writing an essay on shopping, it's important to begin with a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or point of view. This will help to provide direction and focus for the essay. It's also essential to conduct thorough research to gather evidence and support for your arguments. This may involve looking at consumer trends, economic data, and psychological studies related to shopping behavior.

Another important aspect of writing an essay on shopping is to consider the ethical and environmental implications of consumerism. This could involve discussing issues such as sweatshop labor, fast fashion, or the impact of excessive consumption on the environment. Including these perspectives can add depth and complexity to the essay.

When structuring the essay, it's important to use clear and logical organization. This may involve dividing the essay into different sections, such as an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point or argument, with clear topic sentences and supporting evidence.

Finally, it's crucial to revise and edit the essay carefully to ensure clarity and coherence. This may involve checking for grammar and spelling errors, as well as refining the language and style to make the essay more engaging and persuasive.

What Makes a Good Shopping Essay Topics

When it comes to writing an essay about shopping, choosing the right topic is crucial. A good shopping essay topic should be interesting, relevant, and thought-provoking. To brainstorm and choose the perfect essay topic, consider your personal interests, current trends in the shopping industry, and potential impact on society. Additionally, think about the unique angle or perspective you can bring to the topic to make it stand out. A good essay topic should spark curiosity and inspire discussion.

Best Shopping Essay Topics

  • The psychology of impulse buying
  • The impact of influencer marketing on consumer behavior
  • The rise of sustainable and ethical fashion
  • The future of brick-and-mortar retail in the age of e-commerce
  • The cultural significance of shopping malls
  • The evolution of consumerism in the digital age
  • The role of social media in shaping shopping trends
  • The influence of celebrity endorsements on consumer choices
  • The rise of subscription-based shopping services
  • The effects of fast fashion on the environment
  • The psychology of online shopping addiction
  • The role of nostalgia in vintage shopping
  • The impact of social media influencers on beauty standards
  • The relationship between shopping habits and mental health
  • The cultural differences in shopping traditions around the world
  • The future of virtual reality in the shopping experience
  • The impact of technology on the future of retail
  • The role of consumer reviews in shaping buying decisions
  • The ethical implications of luxury shopping
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry

Shopping Essay Topics Prompts

  • Imagine a world where all shopping is done through virtual reality. How would this change the shopping experience?
  • Write a persuasive essay on the importance of supporting sustainable and ethical fashion brands.
  • If you could create a new shopping trend, what would it be and why?
  • Explore the cultural significance of shopping in different countries and how it reflects their values and traditions.
  • Write a reflective essay on your own shopping habits and how they have evolved over time.

Choosing a unique and compelling shopping essay topic is essential for creating an engaging and insightful piece of writing. By considering current trends, personal interests, and potential impact, you can craft an essay that stands out and sparks meaningful discussion.

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my shopping list essay

The Boston School

Essay Writing and Grocery Shopping – What have they got in common?

For any essay with a given time and word limit, the preparation stage I believe is truly like writing a shopping list before you get to the supermarket, which saves you time, money and a lot of nerves. 

If you have always had essays assigned for homework without any word limits and with plenty of time to complete them, this doesn’t necessarily apply to you. 

You have days to work on it, rewrite it, ask for feedback and proofread it.  But in an exam situation, when you are under the pressure of time and word limits,

I’m afraid you don’t have this luxury. So how can you adapt to such conditions?

Photo by Mohammad Sanaei on Unsplash

Let us go back to the comparison to grocery shopping.

Certainly, if you had just 15 minutes to shop and only CHF 150.00 to buy all that you need to feed a family of four in a week, you just might think of sitting down to write a grocery list first before heading out the door. 

You would ask yourself, so what meals can I cook that are healthy but inexpensive enough to cover all our needs?

If you wrote a few meals down first and chose those which require items that fit within your budget, you would have much better chances of making your money stretch and avoid purchasing items that really may not serve your purpose.

You keep to the list and pass the ice cream and chocolate rows without any problems. 

You’re on a mission!

Think of preparing your essay in the same way.

  • Concentrate on the essay question. 
  • Write the ideas that come to mind.
  • Choose what is most effective and eliminate the extras before you even begin.

Putting this in specific terms, if you have only 250 words to explain two sides of an argument, be sure you think of 2 solid arguments for both with convincing examples.

The hardest part of the essay writing planning job is done. 

What’s left? 

A carefully written introduction and conclusion that includes references to your ideas is all that’s left. 

Stay tuned for a future blog entry for this!  My mission for this blog entry is now complete.

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How to do IELTS

IELTS Essay: Shopping Habits & Age

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 5 Comments

IELTS Essay: Shopping Habits & Age

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of shopping habits and age from the real IELTS exam.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

IELTS Essay: Shopping Habits & Age

Shopping habits depend more on your age group than anything else.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many would argue that an individual’s shopping habits depend more on age demographics than other factors. In my opinion, age is relevant in terms of a person’s tastes, however social class is a greater determiner.

Those who would argue in favor of age point out how a person’s preferences are largely fixed. The past several decades have witnessed seismic changes in culture, particularly related to technology. A person who grew up before the digital age is more inclined to spend money on books, holidays, furniture, and other non-digital items. The style of these items is also likely to be more traditional and less modern. However, someone under the age of 40, is more likely to spend on a new phone, electronic vehicle such as a Tesla, or clothing and furniture that is more modern and minimalist. These disparities widen when considering the youngest generations who are even more inclined to value the virtual world through purchases such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies.

However, for the majority of major purchases, wealth determines what a person can afford and therefore buy. This is evident for a variety of products ranging from food and wellness items to technology and fashion. For instance, most individuals would love to buy the newest smartphone when it is released, drive in a luxury car and shop for expensive and healthy organic products at the supermarket. However, one’s financial status will either allow a person to express these desires or force them to live frugally. The best evidence for this is the lack of discretion children show when it comes to shopping. They are uninhibited by financial concerns and therefore attempt to buy whatever they like.

In conclusion, despite the clear differences in taste present in individuals or different generations, financial flexibility is the clearest factor influencing a person’s shopping habits. This has been true for most of history and still remains the case today.

1. Many would argue that an individual’s shopping habits depend more on age demographics than other factors. 2. In my opinion, age is relevant in terms of a person’s tastes, however social class is a greater determiner.

  • Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
  • Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. Those who would argue in favor of age point out how a person’s preferences are largely fixed. 2. The past several decades have witnessed seismic changes in culture, particularly related to technology. 3. A person who grew up before the digital age is more inclined to spend money on books, holidays, furniture, and other non-digital items. 4. The style of these items is also likely to be more traditional and less modern. 5. However, someone under the age of 40, is more likely to spend on a new phone, electronic vehicle such as a Tesla, or clothing and furniture that is more modern and minimalist. 6. These disparities widen when considering the youngest generations who are even more inclined to value the virtual world through purchases such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies.

  • Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  • Explain your main idea.
  • Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
  • Keep developing it fully.

1. However, for the majority of major purchases, wealth determines what a person can afford and therefore buy. 2. This is evident for a variety of products ranging from food and wellness items to technology and fashion. 3. For instance, most individuals would love to buy the newest smartphone when it is released, drive in a luxury car and shop for expensive and healthy organic products at the supermarket. 4. However, one’s financial status will either allow a person to express these desires or force them to live frugally. 5. The best evidence for this is the lack of discretion children show when it comes to shopping. 6. They are uninhibited by financial concerns and therefore attempt to buy whatever they like.

  • Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  • Explain your new main idea.
  • Include specific details and examples.
  • Continue developing it…
  • as fully as possible!

1. In conclusion, despite the clear differences in taste present in individuals or different generations, financial flexibility is the clearest factor influencing a person’s shopping habits. 2. This has been true for most of history and still remains the case today.

  • Summarise your main ideas.
  • Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many would argue that an individual’s shopping habits depend more on age demographics than other factors . In my opinion, age is relevant in terms of a person’s tastes , however social class is a greater determiner .

Those who would argue in favor of age point out how a person’s preferences are largely fixed . The past several decades have witnessed seismic changes in culture, particularly related to technology . A person who grew up before the digital age is more inclined to spend money on books, holidays, furniture, and other non-digital items. The style of these items is also likely to be more traditional and less modern . However, someone under the age of 40, is more likely to spend on a new phone, electronic vehicle such as a Tesla, or clothing and furniture that is more modern and minimalist . These disparities widen when considering the youngest generations who are even more inclined to value the virtual world through purchases such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies .

However, for the majority of major purchases , wealth determines what a person can afford and therefore buy. This is evident for a variety of products ranging from food and wellness items to technology and fashion. For instance, most individuals would love to buy the newest smartphone when it is released , drive in a luxury car and shop for expensive and healthy organic products at the supermarket. However, one’s financial status will either allow a person to express these desires or force them to live frugally . The best evidence for this is the lack of discretion children show when it comes to shopping. They are uninhibited by financial concerns and therefore attempt to buy whatever they like.

In conclusion, despite the clear differences in taste present in individuals or different generations, financial flexibility is the clearest factor influencing a person’s shopping habits. This has been true for most of history and still remains the case today .

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

shopping habits what people usually buy

depend more on has more to do with

age demographics age groups, generations

factors elements

relevant important here

in terms of concerning

tastes what people like and dislike

social class how wealthy you are

greater determiner has more importance for

argue in favor of make the point to support

point out argue

preferences likes

largely fixed mostly don’t change

witnessed seismic changes undergone big alterations

particularly related to technology especially concerning science and tech

digital age computer age

inclined like to

non-digital not related to electronics

style your taste and preferences

traditional older style

modern more recent style

electronic vehicle cars like a Tesla that don’t run on gasoline

minimalist simple and refined

disparities widen differences get bigger

considering taking into account

youngest generations younger people

even more inclined moreso want to

value importance

virtual world online life

NFTs a form of online product (non-fungible tokens)

cryptocurrencies Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.

majority most of

major purchases main things being bought

afford be able to buy

evident clear

variety lots of different kinds

ranging from … to including

wellness items products for your health

released published

luxury car nice automobiles

healthy organic products natural items

financial status how much money you have

express show yourself

desires what you want

frugally inexpensively

lack of discretion not inhibitions, concerns, holding back

uninhibited feeling free, not self-conscious

financial concerns money worries

attempt try to

despite nonetheless

clear differences basic divergences

present in living in

financial flexibility ability to buy things

clearest factor influencing main elements impacting

true for most of history the case in the past

remains the case today is still true now

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ˈʃɒpɪŋ ˈhæbɪts   dɪˈpɛnd mɔːr ɒn   eɪʤ ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks   ˈfæktəz ˈrɛlɪvənt   ɪn tɜːmz ɒv   teɪsts ˈsəʊʃəl klɑːs   ˈgreɪtə dɪˈtɜːmɪnə ˈɑːgjuː ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv   pɔɪnt aʊt   ˈprɛfərənsɪz   ˈlɑːʤli fɪkst ˈwɪtnɪst ˈsaɪzmɪk ˈʧeɪnʤɪz   pəˈtɪkjʊləli rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː tɛkˈnɒləʤi ˈdɪʤɪtl eɪʤ   ɪnˈklaɪnd   nɒn-ˈdɪʤɪtl   staɪl   trəˈdɪʃənl   ˈmɒdən ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪk ˈviːɪkl   ˈmɪnɪmlɪst dɪsˈpærɪtiz ˈwaɪdn   kənˈsɪdərɪŋ   ˈjʌŋɪst ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃənz   ˈiːvən mɔːr ɪnˈklaɪnd   ˈvæljuː   ˈvɜːtjʊəl wɜːld   ɛn-ɛf-tiːz   kriptəʊ  ˈkʌrənsiz məˈʤɒrɪti   ˈmeɪʤə ˈpɜːʧəsɪz əˈfɔːd   ˈɛvɪdənt   vəˈraɪəti   ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm  …  tuː   ˈwɛlnəs ˈaɪtəmz   rɪˈliːst ˈlʌkʃəri kɑː   ˈhɛlθi ɔːˈgænɪk ˈprɒdʌkts   faɪˈnænʃəl ˈsteɪtəs   ɪksˈprɛs   dɪˈzaɪəz   ˈfruːgəli læk ɒv dɪsˈkrɛʃən   ˌʌnɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd   faɪˈnænʃəl kənˈsɜːnz   əˈtɛmpt   dɪsˈpaɪt   klɪə ˈdɪfrənsɪz   ˈprɛznt ɪn   faɪˈnænʃəl ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti   ˈklɪərɪst ˈfæktər ˈɪnflʊənsɪŋ   truː fɔː məʊst ɒv ˈhɪstəri   rɪˈmeɪnz ðə keɪs təˈdeɪ

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many would argue that an individual’s s___________________________________________________s than other f_____________s . In my opinion, age is r_______________________f a person’s t_______s , however s__________________s is a g____________________r .

Those who would a_______________f age p_____________t how a person’s p_____________s are l____________d . The past several decades have w_________________________s in culture, p__________________________y . A person who grew up before the d____________e is more i_____________d to spend money on books, holidays, furniture, and other n______________l items. The s________e of these items is also likely to be more t________________l and less m_________n . However, someone under the age of 40, is more likely to spend on a new phone, e_____________e such as a Tesla, or clothing and furniture that is more modern and m_________t . These d_____________________n when c__________________g the y______________________s who are e___________________d to v_______e the v________________d through purchases such as N_____s and c_____________________s .

However, for the m___________y of m_______________s , wealth determines what a person can a________d and therefore buy. This is e__________t for a v_________y of products r_______________m food and w______________s __o technology and fashion. For instance, most individuals would love to buy the newest smartphone when it is r_________d , drive in a l_________r and shop for expensive and h________________________s at the supermarket. However, one’s f_____________s will either allow a person to e_______s these d_________s or force them to live f__________y . The best evidence for this is the l_______________n children show when it comes to shopping. They are u_____________d by f___________________s and therefore a___________t to buy whatever they like.

In conclusion, d_________e the c________________s in taste p______________n individuals or different generations, f________________y is the c_______________________g a person’s shopping habits. This has been t______________________y and still r____________________y .

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities :

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

  • Which item do you buy the most?
  • Do you care about the price when buying an item?
  • What was the last thing you bought?
  • Are good products always expensive?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

Online shopping is becoming more common these days.

What effect could this have on the environment and the types of jobs required?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Online Shopping (Real Past IELTS Test/Exam)

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Anu pichu

Please give feedback

A shopper’s age is the most important factor in defining their habits of shopping rather than any other factor. I do not concur with the above statement. Although a person’s age influences what they should purchase, financial status has a profound impact on the final purchase decision. This essay will elucidate points to support my perspective in the forthcoming paragraphs. ​

Age demographics are crucial in identifying the purchasing behaviours of customers. Marketing companies, therefore, target age specific audiences to sell products as per their characteristics. College students are usually buying things like books, smartphones, and junk food. Also, fashion clothes are popular among teenagers since they want to keep abreast of the latest trends. They always purchase new clothes when there is a discount or promotion going on. Likewise, middle-aged or family people might shop for furniture, baby products, and investment schemes. Because of this information, corporations are not only able to design their products but also market them accordingly to achieve an optimal sales level. 

Having said this, the amount of money people have makes people decide whether or not to buy things. If a person is not able to afford basic needs, then he may not want to buy items that are secondary in need. Having lots of wealth will enable people to buy anything they dream of, be it vacation packages or expensive medical treatments. On the other hand, impoverished people cannot purchase goods that are exorbitant or frequently indulge in paid activities offering pleasure or care, even though they want to. They normally do window shopping to satisfy their shopping urge or save for months prior to buying luxury products. Hence, only those with an ample sum of money can shop as per their desire.

In conclusion, while people’s age groups can help to categorize products that they may purchase, the amount of money available with them will ultimately determine the person’s shopping habits. Age is also an influential factor, but it is not more important than the purchasing power of a person.

Gakki

There is a statement that shopping habits are related to age. In my opinion, age is not the most important reason for shopping habits. People with different economic conditions and sexes would buy different cargos when they are the same age.

The capacity of buying depends on the money that the buyer owns. People would have different preferences when they are in different economic conditions, instead of different ages. With different fortune, people would likely consider different issues. A rich person may only want to spend money and receive happiness, while a poor man needs to consider the expenditure of other parts of his life, such as food and electricity fees. For example, for those who are about 20 years old and need to buy a car, a rich person may want to buy a car with outstanding appearance and extraordinary power, like a super sports car. A poor man may want a comfortable car with low consumption of fuel.

The other issue that has a great influence on shopping habits is sex. It is clear that females and males generally have different preferences at the same age. The main reason may be because society assigns different personalities to boys and girls. Let us take the car as an example again. For kids who are choosing a toy car, a boy may want the bat man battle car, because it is powerful. On the contrary, a girl who is hoping to be a princess would likely prefer a pink and romantic car with a prince in it.

In sum, age does not have the most significant influence on shopping habits. People of the same age with different fortune and sexes would make different decisions when shopping. Moreover, shopping habits also relate to education and health conditions.

Anonymous

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Hobby / Shopping

Shopping Essay Examples

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Analysis of the Science of Shopping by Malcolm Gladwell

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