How to write advantage and disadvantage essay

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Lesson

IELTS advantages and disadvantages questions normally give you a statement and ask you to comment on the advantages and disadvantages of that statement.

The problem is that there are 2 different types of advantages and disadvantages essay and they each require a different approach. If you answer them in a different way then you risk losing lots of easy marks.

This lesson will look at each of the three question types and suggest a standard sentence-by-sentence structure for each of them. There will also be samples answers for each of the three questions to help you compare and understand the two approaches.

Question 1

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 decide to do this.

Question 2

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?

Question 1 simply asks us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. It does not ask for our opinion or say which side is better or worse, so we should not include this information in our answer.

This requires a simple structure in which the student will look at the advantages in one paragraph and the disadvantages in the other.

Question 2 is different because we have to say if the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages. Notice I didn’t say ‘if there are more advantages than disadvantages’. The question is not asking you to talk about numbers but comment on the overall weight of the advantages or disadvantages. For example, there are a huge number of advantages to travelling by private jet, but there is one huge disadvantage (the cost) that stops most people from flying that way and therefore the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

In this example, we will have to decide which side (advantages or disadvantages) is stronger and this will affect our structure. If you choose advantages then you will have to say why these are much stronger than the disadvantages and why the disadvantages don’t hold much weight. You would also have to make this clear in your thesis statement.

Structure for Essay 1

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question

Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Supporting Paragraph 1 (Advantages)

Sentence 3- Topic sentence (2 Advantages)

Sentence 4- Explain first advantage

Sentence 5- Explain second advantage

Sentence 6- Example of second advantage

Supporting Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

Sentence 6- Topic sentence (2 Disadvantages)

Sentence 7- Explain first disadvantage

Sentence 8- Explain second disadvantage

Sentence 9- Example of second disadvantage

Sentence 9- Summary of main points

Structure for Essay 2

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question

Sentence 2- Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)

Sentence 3- Outline sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Side)

Sentence 4- Topic Sentence

Sentence 5- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 6- Example

Sentence 7- Topic Sentence

Sentence 8- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 9- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)

Sentence 10- Topic Sentence

Sentence 11- Explain why it is not strong

Sentence 12- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 13- Summary of main points and restate position.

Question 1 Sample Answer

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 decide to do this.

Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling may be a good option. This essay will suggest that experience gained and money saved are the biggest advantages of this, but delaying careers and reducing motivation to study are the primary disadvantages.

Despite these advantages, students lose a year that could have been used to advance their future careers and they often get used to working or travelling and don’t want to return to a life of study. As job markets are very competitive, an extra year of experience can make a massive difference when applying for jobs, and those who took a gap year are at a disadvantage. Moreover, some decide to bypass university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer the same prospects their future career might have done. For instance, a recent survey by the British Government found that 26% of students who take a gap-year never enter tertiary education.

In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to accumulate savings or learn more about the world. However, they should also be careful that it does not delay the start of their careers and lead to disillusionment with education.

Question 2 Sample Answer

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?

Some authorities think that it is more favourable for pupils to begin studying languages at primary school instead of secondary school. This essay will argue that the advantages of this outweigh the drawbacks. The essay will first demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an additional language the more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive benefits, followed by an analysis of how the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with their native tongue, is not valid.

The main reason to start kids off with foreign languages early is that this increases the likelihood they will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say that they will have far more years to perfect their skills and it will seem perfectly normal to speak bilingually. For example, in countries such as Holland and Norway where English is taught from a very young age, more than 95% of adults speak it at an advanced level. Learning a second language also helps to improve overall cognitive abilities. In other words, it benefits the overall development of a child’s brain. A recent survey by Cambridge University found that children who studied a new language before the age of 5 were significantly more likely to score higher in Mathematics and Science.

Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother tongue and the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view and children from bilingual families do just as well in both languages. My own son was brought up speaking both Vietnamese and English and outperforms most of his classmates in both.

On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and improved brain function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs uptake of native languages.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Next Steps

Now that you are more confident about IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays you can practice and reach the level you need.

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service.

I hope this has been of help to you and please let me know if you have any questions or feedback.

Вопросы этого типа IELTS эссе могут выглядеть вот так:

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
What are the advantages and drawbacks?

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? (плюсы перевешивают минусы?)

ТУТ НАМ НУЖНЫ СИНОНИМЫ:

Advantages – Benefits – Positive Sides

Disadvantages – Drawbacks – Negative Sides

1) Если считаете, Что больше ПЛЮСОВ (Advantages):

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: more benefits (2 SENTENCES)

2§ The first advantage + Explanation + Example

3§ The second advantage + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ One drawback: On the other hand, … + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up the benefits + My Opinion: more benefits (2 SENTENCES)

2) Если считаете, Что больше МИНУСОВ (Disadvantages):

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: more drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)

2§ The first disadvantage + Explanation + Example

3§ The second disadvantage + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ One benefit: On the other hand, … + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: more drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)

3) Если считаете, что есть и ПЛЮСЫ и МИНУСЫ (Both):

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: benefits and drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)

2§ The first advantage + Explanation + Example. Moreover, + the second benefit + Explanation + Example. In addition, the third benefit + Explanation + Example.

3§ The first disadvantage + Explanation + Example. Moreover, + the second drawback + Explanation + Example OR result. In addition, the third negative side + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: benefits and drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary

When you turn to IELTS Writing Task 2 (the formal essay) on test day, you may encounter an “advantage and disadvantage” essay. This type of essay asks you to evaluate both sides of an issue. Having the right vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 essays is one key to increasing your band score. This is essay is no different. In this article, we’ll look at IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay vocabulary.

What is an Advantage/Disadvantage Essay on the IELTS?

An advantage/disadvantage essay is any essay that requires you to share both good and bad sides of an issue. They’re pretty easy to spot, because they almost always use the phrase “advantages and disadvantages” in the prompt.

Check out Eliot’s tips as he walks you through a sample advantages/disadvantages essay!

With those ideas in mind, here are a few things you should keep in mind while writing an advantages/disadvantages essay.

Both Sides

When you’re writing an advantage/disadvantage essay, you want to present both sides of the issue. Sometimes, but not always, the prompt will ask you to pick which side is stronger. Don’t make a recommendation about which side is better unless the prompt says to! In other words, don’t overthink this: if the prompt doesn’t ask you to pick a side, don’t. Just focus on describing the pros and cons of the issue.

Structure

The structure of an IELTS advantages/disadvantages essay should be simple, with four paragraphs:

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should separate advantages into their own paragraph and disadvantages into their own paragraph. It doesn’t matter which one comes first, but they should be distinct.

Ideas

It can be easy to get caught up in using the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay vocabulary you’ve learned and forgetting to focus on the ideas. However, you should brainstorm ideas carefully at the beginning of your time to make sure that you have something to write about! Aim to share two advantages and two disadvantages in your essay.

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary

With that in mind, I’ll take a look at some words and phrase you can use for this essay type.

Before we get into specifics, though, let’s look at some basic terms for this section: synonyms for “advantages” and “disadvantages”:

With those in mind, take a look at vocabulary words and phrases you can use to present each side!

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary: Advantages

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary: Disadvantages

Vocabulary and Phrases for Opinions (ONLY if Required by the Prompt)!

Example of an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

So what does this look like in practice? Take a look at a sample IELTS advantages/disadvantages prompt and a high-scoring essay written in response. If you want, you can use an IELTS essay response sheet and try your own response before checking the answer below!

The Prompt

The Response

One major advantage of streaming films in the home is that it removes barriers between customers and the films. Couples with children do not need to find babysitters to enjoy new cinema. Another benefit of streaming services is that, in many cases, the price of new films is already included in the monthly subscription cost. This means that more people are likely to watch the film at home, even if they were not interested enough to pay money directly to see it in the theatre.

Conversely, a negative consequence of streaming services’ popularity is that, if they reach a certain tipping point of popularity, cinemas may go out of business. Consumers have no incentive to go to the theatre to see the same films they can see in the comfort of their homes. This means that those employed by cinemas, from ushers to those working at concessions stands, may lose their jobs, which could have a knock-on effect on the economy. Another disadvantage of streaming services’ ubiquity is that some films may not be as easy to appreciate artistically on a small screen. By watching these films at home, consumers may be missing out on the director’s artistic vision.

On balance, there are both benefits and drawbacks to the recent rise in streaming services. The effects this trend has are primarily economic (on both individual and societal levels) and artistic.

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Author

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference. With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram. Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays 2022 – Samples, Model Essays and Topics

Updated On Jul 14, 2022

In IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays, you will be asked to write the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. You have to be careful that you write the advantages and disadvantages of the topic given and not your opinion about the topic. While explaining these kinds of essays, you can divide the content into 2 paragraphs. Paragraph 1 for Positive points and Paragraph 2 for negative points.

To help you to understand this type of essay better, given below are some tips and a sample essay with a detailed outline. Along with it, there are numerous advantages and disadvantages essays to help you practise during your preparation.

Tips for Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay

Given below are some points which you can refer to:

Structure of Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay

The IELTS Writing task 2 is considered as one of the most dreaded tasks across all other tasks by the IELTS aspirants. This task requires writing an essay encompassing various topics from all walks of life, right from social issues to workplace issues. These essays are of various types, including opinion essays, discussion essays, advantage-disadvantage essays, etc.

Now, we will see the structure of advantage-disadvantage essays and what should be the approach of writing one.

First of all, as soon as you get to know the topic, look for the pros and cons of the issue, consider the advantages and disadvantages of it and in your mind, contemplate the whip hand and downsides of it. Once you have a clear idea of what outweighs between the two of them, pick your side (in case you are asked to) and set out to write your essay.

Introduction

Now, the first thing that you have to do is to write an introduction. Your introduction should paraphrase the topic of the essay and try to use different vocabulary/synonyms for the words in the topic, wherever possible.

Then, give a brief idea about what could be expected in the essay, i.e. the advantages and the disadvantages of the concerned topic and state which side you think weighs the most (when asked for an opinion.)

Body paragraphs

Body paragraph 1 should state the advantages of the topic. This should be backed by practical points, and the examples would be even better. Day-to-day incidents and instances can be brought to notice.

Body paragraph 2 should state the disadvantages of the topic. This as well, should be supported by valid points, and the daily incidents and examples can be highlighted to back your points.

Conclusion: Conclude the topic by providing a summary of the points put forth in the entire essay and how advantages or disadvantages of the topic outweighs the other (if applicable).

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Given below are some sample questions for the advantages and disadvantages type of essay and band 9 methodologies of answering them.

Sample Question 1

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

Outline

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Essay Type

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Introduction

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion

Sample Answer

Foreign education has become one of the most sought after ventures in this day and age. A majority of students plan on pursuing higher education in a foreign nation, especially when it comes to a master’s degree. One of the reasons why studying abroad has become such a popular phenomenon is the relaxation of travel laws and procedures across the world. However, there are pros and cons to studying abroad and the following paragraphs, will explore the topic and elaborate on why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the primary reasons for studying abroad is the presence of a more refined and sophisticated education system in several first world countries. It is common for students from underdeveloped or developing countries like Brazil, China, India, Argentina and other countries to look for better opportunities than the ones available in their native country in terms of academics. Also, residing in a foreign country helps individuals to gain international exposure and also helps them develop social and interpersonal skills, which are extremely important for being eligible for lucrative job opportunities..

Nevertheless, there are numerous drawbacks to travelling abroad for education. First of all, from the beginning of applying to a foreign university to staying in the host country for the entire duration of your degree, it is an exorbitant affair. Such a costly endeavour is often unaffordable for the household of many people. That being said, becoming accustomed to the norms and conventions of an unfamiliar country can be a tough ordeal for many due to differences in culture and social traditions.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that foreign education can be a blessing if it is financially feasible for aspiring students. That being said, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Sample Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Outline

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Essay Type

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Introduction

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion

Sample Answer

Globalisation has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.

First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.

That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.

Bonus Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an advantage/disadvantage essay? How do you identify that the essay falls under this category?

What is the structure of an advantage/disadvantage essay?

Is it mandatory to put advantages and disadvantages separately in two paragraphs or can I club them?

In case of questions where advantages outweigh disadvantages, I might have to write disadvantages first? Will it affect my score?

In the conclusion part of the advantage/disadvantage essay, is it ok to support one side?

Как написать эссе для IELTS Writing Task 2: advantages and disadvantages essay?

Большинство вопросов в секции IELTS Academic Writing можно разделить на несколько категорий, в частности: opinion essays, discussion essays, problem solution essays, double question essays, advantages & disadvantages essays. Что нужно сделать, если вы получили последний тип эссе? Как подойти к выполнению такой задачи на экзамене IELTS? Какой будет структура эссе и каких основных советов по его написанию следует придерживаться?

В чем заключается задание написать advantages and disadvantages essay?

Вы заметите, что задания написать эссе на экзамене IELTS, касающееся преимуществ и недостатков, могут быть сформулированы различными способами. Однако все они проверяют вашу способность анализировать плюсы и минусы определенного явления или проблемы. Например, вы можете встретить такие формулировки:

Как правило, мы можем разделить advantages & disadvantages essays на два типа:

Task 1 не требует нашего мнения, поэтому не нужно включать эту информацию в свой ответ. В Task 2 вы должны сказать, что сильнее: преимущества или недостатки. Например, существует огромное количество преимуществ в получении новостей через Интернет, но есть один огромный недостаток (надежность и точность информации), который мешает большинству людей читать их таким образом, и поэтому недостатки перевешивают преимущества. Каждый из видов эссе требует разного подхода.

Способы написания эссе

Существует по меньшей мере два различных способа написания эссе, в котором нужно описать преимущества и недостатки. Однако мы предлагаем самые лучшие и самые простые для выполнения такой задачи, если вы сдаете экзамен IELTS.

Шаг 1. Проанализируйте задание.

Не начинайте писать сразу. Сначала прочитайте текст вопроса и подчеркните ключевую информацию. Это поможет вам лучше понять, о чем вам надо писать и что нужно делать, то есть сосредоточиться на конкретной проблеме.

Далее перефразируйте вопрос, чтобы лучше понять его — на этом этапе вы можете использовать простые слова.

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Шаг 2. Спланируйте эссе.

В обоих случаях вам придется сначала продумать идеи для эссе. Подумайте о преимуществах и недостатках проблемы, о которой вам придется писать. Запишите их, используя пункты или подпункты. Потратьте на это несколько минут.

Теперь вы можете выбирать: продумать детали / примеры, чтобы проиллюстрировать свои идеи или приступить к написанию эссе. Если вам не нужно писать свое мнение, вы можете перейти к следующему шагу — написанию. Однако, если вы хотите выразить свое мнение, подумайте о деталях / примеры, чтобы проиллюстрировать преимущества и недостатки, и определите свое мнение относительно того, перевешивают ли преимущества недостатки или наоборот, или они одинаково важны. Прежде чем начать писать, важно определиться с собственной позицией.

Шаг 3. Начинайте писать эссе.

При написании эссе первого типа о преимуществах и недостатках, где вам остается только их обсудить, вы можете продолжать возвращаться к тексту задания и своего плана, чтобы предоставить соответствующие идеи. Выбирайте только самые лучшие, то есть те, которые вы можете подробно обосновать и привести хорошие примеры.

Сначала напишите вступление, где нужно перефразировать высказывания, и напишите то, о чем будет идти речь в эссе. Что касается второго типа эссе, также укажите свое мнение во вступлении.

Далее напишите основной текст:

Наконец, напишите заключение, где вы должны обобщить преимущества и недостатки. Что касается второго типа эссе, также повторите свое мнение.

Шаг 4. Проверьте написанное.

Обратите особое внимание на орфографические ошибки и ошибки, которые вы обычно делаете, повторение слов и слова-связки и тому подобное. Недавно мы писали о том, как проверить написанное на экзамене IELTS, и поделились чеклистом для эффективного редактирования вашего письма. Это самый быстрый способ улучшить свой балл в течение нескольких минут.

Essay structure

Как будет выглядеть ваше эссе, если вы будете следовать нашим советам? Вот две возможные структуры эссе для advantages and disadvantages essays: