Advantages & Disadvantages

Essay (Introduction)
Paragraph Development Review
 Is this a good paragraph?

There are many advantages of working at home. Firstly, it cuts down

commuting time because you don’t have to travel to work. Secondly, it is
more flexible because you can choose the time you work. Thirdly, it is
very convenient because you don’t have to leave home. Lastly, it saves
costs.
 Avoid Mistakes in Developing Paragraphs
Not Developing Ideas:

There are many advantages of working at home. Firstly, it cuts down commuting time because you
don’t have to travel to work. Secondly, it is more flexible because you can choose the time you work.
Thirdly, it is very convenient because you don’t have to leave home. Lastly, it saves costs.

=> develop ideas by explaining what they mean and by giving an example:

There are many advantages of working at home. Firstly, it cuts down commuting time because we do
not have to travel to work. This saves us lots of time because we are not stuck in a car or train every morning
and evening. For example, a recent report in The Times stated that the average person working from home
saved around 20 hours per month. Secondly, it is more flexible because we can choose the time we work.
By removing the need to be in the office from 9-5 people can start earlier or work in the evenings. Many people
prefer to work at night and the internet has given them the freedom to spend time with their family in the
morning and work after their children have gone to bed. Thirdly, it is very convenient because we do not
have to leave home. Lastly, it saves costs.
 Advanced Sentence Composition (poll)
Which sentence is the best? Why?

1. In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress. It is because they have
to work and study all the time.
2. In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress because they have to
work and study all the time.
3. In the modern time, the number of stress people have to suffer from work and
study is enormous, which emphasizes the need for recreation.
 Advanced Sentence Composition
Which sentence is the best? Why?

1. In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress. It is because they have
to work and study all the time. (simple sentences)
2. In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress because they have to
work and study all the time. (regular complex sentence)
3. In the modern time, the number of stress people suffering from work and
study is enormous, which emphasizes the need for recreation. (complex
sentence with a relative clause)
 Language to provide examples

For example/For instance,...

This occurrence is rare. For example, only one in twenty students feel
confident to communicate with foreigners in English at first time.
To be specific/To clarify, …
One/ another example of this exception is …/ In a similar case, ...
● … namely/including/such as A, B, and C.
There are various apps that can help students study effectively, namely
AppBlock, Stay Focused, and Todoist.
Practice: extend sentence(s) by giving specific examples

1. Playing video games is a good way of entertainment. Therefore,

students can spend time on them to relax and enjoy themselves.

->

2. In many big cities, traffic congestion remains one of the biggest

concerns among people.

->
Practice: extend sentence(s) by giving specific examples

1. Playing video games is a good way of entertainment. Therefore,

students can spend time on them to relax and enjoy themselves.

->Playing video games is a good way of entertainment. Therefore, video

games such as Flappy Bird or Mario, act as an effective way of entertainment to
alleviate studying pressure.

2. In many big cities, traffic congestion remains one of the biggest

concerns among people.

->
Advantages & Disadvantages
Essay
 What is an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay?
An advantages and disadvantages essay is one whereby the writer
analyzes advantages and disadvantages of a topic by using facts
(and comes to a conclusion that favours more).

*** Advantages and Disadvantages Essay # Discussion Essay

(Discuss two opposing perspectives of an argument by exploring the
evidence and reasons)
 3 formats of advantages and disadvantages essays

1. If you are asked “What are the advantages and disadvantages of…..” -> you are not
being asked your opinion => Analyze the benefits and drawbacks = write 2 body
paragraphs.

E.g.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to
do this.
 3 formats of advantages and disadvantages essays

2. If you see the word “outweigh” or “Will this trend have more positive or negative
effects?” -> you are being asked for your opinion => decide which side
(advantages or disadvantages) is stronger and explain why.

E.g.
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
 3 formats of advantages and disadvantages essays

3. If you see the word “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your
own opinion” -> you are being asked for your opinion => discuss the benefits and
drawbacks + give your opinion = write 3 body paragraphs.

E.g.
Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.