Type 2 – Do the advantages outweigh the

disadvantages?

Essay Planning Template

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone apps is becoming
increasingly common.

Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?

Use this template to help plan your essay.

This video guide will help you make the most of this planning template. Control + click here.

INTRODUCTION
Paraphrase: Numerous/ a lot of nations/ cellphone/ applications/ more
and more are using/ purchasing/ make a payment/ make
purchases/ popular/ the use of/ usage
Outline your opinion, Although… the drawback of lack of security, this essay
1 advantage, and 1 argues that the benefit of convenience outweighs this
disadvantage: drawback.
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Topic sentence for Risk of theft
disadvantage:
Explanation of Information used to make payments can be misused/ money
disadvantage: or data stolen
Example of Hacking OR phishing
disadvantage:
Opinion sentence: However, (weaker argument) I think this disadvantage can
be overcome with better security measures (password)
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Topic sentence for Convenience
advantage:
Explanation of No need top travel to buy products and services
advantage:
Example of Amazon OR mobile wallet
advantage:
Opinion sentence: Identify this as the stronger argument
CONCLUSION

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Reiterate opinion and Even though there is a danger of theft, I think the advantage
summarise the 2 of convenience is greater than the disadvantage.
ideas:

• Please note that the first main body paragraph could also be used for the
disadvantage, depending on which is your weaker idea.

Advantage
Convenient/ easy/ use at any time/ anywhere in the world/ save time/ fast/ no need to travel
saves money/ travel/ paperwork
Decrease the chance of being robbed
Useful for the elderly/ handicapped
Discounts
Referral benefits

Disadvantage
Lack of security/ data theft/ money theft
More exposed to phishing scams
Lots of ads
Technology is difficult for older people to use
Children may use it unwisely
Encourages unnecessary purchases
Not everyone has access to mobile phones/ unfair to poor people
Spend more time than you need online shopping

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Example:
Many museums charge for admission, while others are free.
Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh
the disadvantages?

INTRODUCTION
Paraphrase: • Some museums charge / others do not.

Outline your opinion, • Benefits > drawbacks.

1 advantage, and 1 • Some people excluded.
disadvantage: • + funding = stay open.
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Topic sentence for • High fees exclude some citizens.
advantage:
Explanation of • Poorer people cannot afford it.
advantage:
Example of • Egyptian museums are $7 = too much for poorest.
advantage:
Opinion sentence: • But – no fees, no museums.
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Topic sentence for • Entry fees = museums stay open.
disadvantage:
Explanation of • Some lack funding, or barely enough funding.
disadvantage:
Example of • UK cuts reduced museum funding = fees needed.
disadvantage:
Opinion sentence: • Better to continue museums, despite cost.
CONCLUSION
Reiterate opinion and • Benefits > drawbacks.
summarise the 2 - Some people excluded.
ideas: • + funding = stay open.

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Sample answer

A number of museums charge an entry fee, while others do not. This essay thinks that
the drawbacks of charging fees do not outweigh the benefits because although some
people are excluded when museums charge admission, this funding enables many
museums to remain open.

The main disadvantage of charging entry to museums is that high fees exclude some
of the population, especially in less developed countries. Many people in poorer
countries have just enough money for food and shelter, so paying for non-essential
items like exhibits and museums is impossible. For example, one of most famous
museums in Egypt charges about $7 USD for admission, which is far too expensive
for the large number of Egyptians who earn less than $2 USD per day. However, this
essay would argue that without this income museums would struggle to survive.

One benefit of entry fees is that they allow many museums to keep their doors open.
Not all museums receive government funding, and even those who do often find it
insufficient to cover operating costs. Ticket sales make it possible for them to keep
running, which enables at least some people to see the exhibits, rather than none at
all. For instance, in the UK, there have been huge government spending cuts over the
last few years, and a number of museums have had to rely on entrance fees to stay
open. This essay believes that the most important consideration is the continuation of
museums, despite the costs.

In conclusion, although it is unfortunate that not everyone can enjoy the exhibits in a
museum if an entry fee is charged, the money earned from admission is often the only
thing that is keeping the doors open, making such a fee necessary.

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