Advantages and Disadvantages Essay (2024)

for B1 Preliminary Cambridge Test/ IELTS

An essay is a written piece where you can present an idea, propose an argument, express your emotions or initiate a debate.

In an advantages and disadvantages essay your task is to describe the positive and the negative sides of a specific topic. You must include examples and reasons to support your ideas. Sometimes you will also be asked to give your opinion. You can include your personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion of the essay.

The typical structure for an advantages and disadvantages essay is the following:

Paragraph 1: Introduction
  • Start your introduction with a sentence that paraphrases the question you were given
  • Add a sentence where you include the main ideas that you will talk about
  • Give your opinion (if required)
Paragraph 2: Advantages
  • Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the advantages.
  • Next write a sentence where you explain the advantages.
  • Finally you explain the consequence or result of advantages by giving an example.
Paragraph 3: Disadvantages

(This paragraph is similar to paragraph 2, but here you will talk about the disadvantages)

  • Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the disadvantages.
  • Explain the disadvantages.
  • Give examples of the disadvantages.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
  • Summarize your ideas
  • Paraphrase your opinion (if required)
Example:

Advantages and disadvantages of traveling by plane

Nowadays, a lot of people prefer to travel by plane when they go to another country. However, air travel has both pros and drawbacks. Let’s examine some of these here.

One of the main advantages of traveling by plane is that it is much faster than any other form of transport. For example, you can fly from Toronto to New York in 2 hours, whereas by car, it would take more than 7 hours. Another advantage is that flying is more comfortable and less tiring because you can sleep on a long flight. You can also watch movies or read. Finally, it is safer. More people die in car accidents than in the air.

On the other hand, traveling by plane also has some disadvantages. To start with, it can be quite expensive, especially if you want to travel in the comfort of First Class or Business Class. What is more, flights are often delayed, and this means you may have to spend a long time waiting in the airport or miss connecting flights. In addition, you may arrive in New York while your suitcase has gone to Paris.

To sum up, the airplane is a great invention, but it does have some drawbacks. If it was cheaper, it would be better. Still, in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. If we didn’t have planes, it would be very difficult to travel to distant places.

Below there is a template that can help you write your advantages and disadvantages essays.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay (1)

Useful language: Linking phrases

To list advantages/ disadvantages
  • the main advantage is…
  • the main disadvantage is …
  • another advantage is …
To add more point to the same topic
  • In addition, …
  • Furthermore, …
  • What is more …
To introduce an example:
  • For instance …
  • For example …
To make contrasting points
  • However, …
  • In spite (of the fact) …
  • Although …
  • On the other hand …
To give a reason
  • Because + clause …
  • Because of + noun …
To introduce the conclusion
  • In conclusion, …
  • To sum up, …
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay (2) Watch the following video to learn more vocabulary to talk about advantages and disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay (2024)

FAQs

How do you write advantages and disadvantages in an essay? ›

Present the advantages (three points) Present the disadvantages (two points), reinforcing your decision that the advantages carry greater weight. Restate your position in the conclusion to ensure the reader understands that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

How to list advantages in an essay? ›

Body paragraph 1 - advantages
  1. Sentence 1 - state 2 main advantages:
  2. Sentences 2-4 - explain the first advantage + give an example (if possible):
  3. Sentences 5-7 - explain the second advantage + give an example (if possible):

What is the explain of advantages and disadvantages? ›

“Advantages and disadvantages” is a subset of “pros and cons” and describe things that are benefits vs detriments and are usually associated with some sort of result or consequence: “The advantages of dating Jimmy include his ha.

What are the words for advantages and disadvantages essay? ›

The following words are often used in essays which discuss advantages and disadvantages: Positive points – advantages, pros, benefits, arguments in favour, a positive effect. Negative points – disadvantages, cons, drawbacks, arguments against, a negative effect.

What are 3 sentences in disadvantage? ›

Examples from the Collins Corpus
  • The main disadvantage of connecting something to the internet, is that it's connected to the internet. ...
  • He has no problem with today's longer trip but a wide draw is a big disadvantage.
  • The disadvantages that they suffer are serious and cumulative.

How to write a disadvantage essay? ›

Writing Instructions

Select the most impactful experiences. Describe the challenge(s) or hardship(s) you consider most impactful in your life. Write about how experiences impacted your life.

How to write a topic sentence for advantages and disadvantages essay? ›

You should include one topic sentence for each advantage/disadvantage. This means that, if your main body paragraphs focus on two advantages/disadvantages, then you should have two topic sentences per paragraph. Here's an example: One advantage of studying abroad is that students can improve their language skills.

What is an example of advantage? ›

a : something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others. Higher ground gave the enemy the/an advantage. He has/enjoys an unfair advantage over us because of his wealth. His plan has the advantage of being less expensive than other options ...

How to write an advantages and disadvantages report? ›

1.
  1. Write an introduction to the topic.
  2. Think of two advantages to the situation and provide clear examples.
  3. Think of two disadvantages and write about these with good support.
  4. Write a short conclusion giving your overall opinion.

What are 10 advantages and disadvantages of the internet? ›

Explore free virtual reality courses
Advantages of InternetDisadvantages of Internet
Provides knowledge and surplus information about servicesLeads to the insecurity of information and data loss
Allows online payments and digital marketingBigger Workload and Complex Designing
6 more rows
Jan 22, 2024

What are pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages? ›

Pros and cons means “advantages and disadvantages.” This phrase is used when carefully considering the good and bad points of something. For example, regarding solar energy, the pros are that it produces less pollution and doesn't contribute to a rise in CO2 in the atmosphere.

What are the 5 advantages and disadvantages of computer? ›

Advantages of Computer
  • Multitasking. Today as the world is witnessing technological advancement, there is a need that computers must perform several functions at the same time. ...
  • Speed. ...
  • Huge Storage. ...
  • Data Security. ...
  • Task Completer. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Productivity. ...
  • Reduces Workload.

What are 5 advantages of social media? ›

Top 10 Advantages of Social Media
  • Staying Connected. ...
  • Access to News and Current Events. ...
  • Platform for Personal Branding. ...
  • Business and Marketing Opportunity. ...
  • Convenience and Ease of Access. ...
  • Fosters Innovation and Learning. ...
  • Provides Entertainment. ...
  • Platform for Societal Change.
Jan 18, 2024

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? ›

If the advantages of a situation outweigh the disadvantages, then this means that the advantages are of greater significance or importance than the disadvantages. Failing to understand this key difference in meaning often costs students valuable marks in the task achievement criteria.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking risks? ›

While risk-taking can bring great rewards, there is also the possibility of failure, loss, and uncertainty. On the plus side, taking a risk and stepping out of one's comfort zone can create opportunities that had not existed so far. Making the best of such opportunities can be incredibly rewarding.

How do you say advantages and disadvantages in one word? ›

Pros and cons means “advantages and disadvantages.” This phrase is used when carefully considering the good and bad points of something.

How to make a sentence with the phrase advantages and disadvantages? ›

For example: "Living in the city has its advantages and disadvantages; while it can be great for accessing culture and nightlife, high living costs and noise can sometimes be difficult to deal with.". It has its advantages and disadvantages.

How to make a sentence using the word advantages and disadvantages? ›

Make sentence of advantage and disadvantage? She had the disadvantage of growing up in a poor community. They argued that the new regulations would place their company at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace. There are advantages and disadvantages to the new system.

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