Advantages

and disadvantages


1. Language to indicate benefits 2. Language to indicate drawbacks
- There are - There are serious
advantages/benefits/profits/ disadvantages/drawbacks/shortcomings
merits of …….. of…..
- …………….is advantageous/ - There are obvious reasons why……..is
beneficial in a few ways disvantageous/unbeneficial
- there are strong arguments for….. - There are strong arguments
against………….

Comparison between benefits and drawbacks
- The advantages outweigh the disvantages
- The benefits are more significant than the drawbacks
- There are significant benefits which far outweigh the drawbacks/far
outweighing
- The shortcomings are more serious than the benefits

1
Template
1. Introduction (General + Thesis statement)
Ø General statement:
- introduce the essay topic
- some common sructures:
A is a major topic of concern in modern society
A is a controversial topic in today’s society
Ø Thesis statement
- While some people think……………is beneficial in a few
aspects/While there are a few benefits to taking a gap
year, the shortcomings of this …………are more significant.
- While ………………is disadvantageous in a few aspects, the
advantages are more significant.

2. Body paragraphs
- Body 1: there are some advantages of……….
- Body 2:However/ inspite of the advantages mentioned
above, the disadvantages are serious, far outweighing the
disadvantages

- Body 1: On the one hand, there are some reasons to
believe…….is unbeneficial
- Body 2: On the other hand, there are more significant
merits of……

3. Conclusion:
- Although ………….

2

In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in
order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict
our individual freedom.
Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?
It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years.
While this measure is disadvantageous in a few aspects, its benefits are more significant.
There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras in
public places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the sense that
we are constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security firms. Many people
find this intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements is a form of state control
that curtails their individual freedom. The second argument against the proliferation of CCTV
cameras is that they are being used as an alternative to police officers patrolling the streets.
If this is indeed happening, then it is unlikely that members of the public will feel safer.
In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, there are more significant merits associated with
the use of cameras to monitor public area. The key objective of video surveillance is to deter
criminals and to prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets
are less likely to operate in parts of cities where they know that they are being watched. At
the same time, when crimes are committed, the police can use video evidence to catch and
prosecute offenders. Therefore, video cameras offer valuable support to police officers, and
they make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.
In conclusion, public members can gain more than from the enhanced security that CCTV
cameras bring to our cities. They should be welcome as an indispensable part of urban
infrastructure rather than a threat to people’s privacy.

Read the essay above and underline linking phrases, reference used in the essay

3
Linking phrases & idea devlopment

7
Practice
1. Some students prefer to take a gap year between high
school and university, to work or to travel.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

2. Children's education is expensive. In some countries, the
government pays some or all of the costs.
Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?