Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is more important to understand ideas and concepts than it is to memorize facts.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
In recent years, students have the tendency to remember facts mechanically rather than try to understand them. While there are arguments support this study method, I strongly believe that this is not the suitable way to study as it could bring untold consequences in the long term.
It should be clear that knowledge obtained by means of memorizing mechanically is easily forgotten. The reason is that the ability to remember of the human brain is not unlimited. Similarly, should the test or examination end, knowledge and facts that are not used and not clearly understood can be wiped out. Moreover, studying is preparing the compulsory knowledge for future jobs. Therefore, not remembering and understanding facts could have a harmful effect on the students in the future when they apply for jobs. This is because their competitors have overwhelming advantages due to their deep understanding of the concepts and facts.
Not only do the mechanically obtained knowledge is easily forgotten but it is also unadaptable. All the available knowledge today should be the means for recreations and innovations in the future. If we create a generation whose wisdom is obtained by means of remembering, we will run the risk of losing many great creations that could change the world. Moreover, if knowledge cannot be applied to the real world, chances are that students will suffer from the daily life as they might have difficulty understanding the basics in order to lead a normal life. For example, my friend, who is a true know-a-lot at school, can hardly make the best of his life. When socializing, while others talking about fundamental knowledge, he cannot join the conversation because of his lack of understanding the topic.
The opponents of this essay might claim that memorizing is the best way to pass examinations as there are no better alternatives. However, I strongly believe that the consequences resulting from this notion should be seriously considered. While mechanically memorizing could help a student get through an examination, it could leave a student in the dark and create untold consequences as mentioned above. Also, the idea that students have no alternatives rather than memorizing should also be open to dispute. With the development of multimedia means such as the Internet or online tutorial websites, students are easier than ever to access invaluable source of information or lectures that could help with their understanding of the topic or facts.
In general, due to future consequences and the aim of retaining facts permanently, I believe that facts should be clearly understood in order to remember.