Discuss the advantages and Do the advantages of this outweigh the Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

disadvantages for … disadvantages? and give your own opinion.

Introduction Introduction Introduction

Sentence 1 – Paraphrase the question Sentence 1 – Paraphrase the question Sentence 1 – Paraphrase question
Sentence 2 – Outline sentence (state Sentence 2 – Thesis sentence (state Sentence 2 – Thesis sentence (your opinion)
what you’re going to write about) which one outweighs the other) Sentence 3 – Outline sentence
Sentence 3 – Outline sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages) Main Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages)
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger
Sentence 3 – Topic sentence (introduce Side) Sentence 4 – Topic Sentence
the advantage) Sentence 5 – Explain
Sentence 4 – Explain how this is an Sentence 4 – Topic Sentence Sentence 6 – Example
advantage Sentence 5 – Explain why it is strong
Sentence 5 – Example Sentence 6 – Example Main Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)
Sentence 7 – Topic Sentence
Sentence 8 – Explain why it is strong Sentence 7 – Topic Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 2 Sentence 9 – Example Sentence 8 – Explain
(Disadvantages) Sentence 9 – Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)
Sentence 6 – Topic sentence (introduce Main Body Paragraph 3 (Opinion)
the disadvantage) Sentence 10 – Topic Sentence
Sentence 7 – Explain how this is a Sentence 11 – Explain why it is not Sentence 10 – State your opinion
disadvantage strong Sentence 11 – Explain and/or give example
Sentence 8 – Example Sentence 12 – Example
Conclusion
Conclusion Conclusion
Sentence 12 – Summary of main points
Sentence 9 – Summary of main points Sentence 13 – Summary of main points
and restate position
 Many people in society believe that having fixed punishments for all
crimes is a more efficient way of dealing with criminals in the justice system.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a fixed
punishment?
There is an ongoing debate on the merits of having a rigid discipline system
in place for all crimes committed. This essay will firstly discuss, how having fixed
punishments could lead to a more competent judiciary system as the biggest
advantage. Secondly, this essay will discuss how this may lead to people being
punished in the same way for both minor and major crimes as the primary
disadvantage.
On the one hand, the main advantage of having a standardised punishment
system could lead to a downward trend in crime, as the system would serve as a
deterrent. This would allow the courts to easily hand out justice to all criminals, in
order to make the judiciary system more powerful. For example, in some states in
the USA, there are tough sanctions in place for criminals, including death by lethal
injection. In 2014, the New York Times reported that up to 65% of criminals who
were incarcerated for high-level crimes (murder, manslaughter) received the lethal
injection.
On the other hand, the primary disadvantage of having fixed punishments is
that people who have committed low-level crimes may also be given harsh
sentences, in the same way as those who have been sentenced for high-level
crimes. This may make the system unjust, as the punishment should befit the
crime. For instance, a person who may have acted in self defence, should have
their case heard in full, before being given a punishment befitting of someone who
has been part of a violent act.
In conclusion, fixed punishment offers an interesting choice for effective
crime deterrence and a faster judicial process. However, its inherent flaw in
generalising all crime without carefully considering mitigating circumstances
would compromise the very essence of justice and should warrant a closer study
before fully implementing it to any modern judicial system.
302 words – Band Score 9
 People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to
the development of communication technology and transportation.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

These days many people choose to live or work in other countries, which has
been made possible because of the convenience of air travel and modern
communications. I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.
The disadvantage of this development is the distance that is put between
family members. If a person moves away it is true that air travel and devices such
as skype mean that communication and contact can be maintained. However, it is
likely that a person will only be able to return one or two times a year during
holidays, and speaking on skype or via email is not the same as face-to-face
contact.
Despite this, there are significant advantages it can bring to people’s lives.
Firstly, it means that people have the opportunity to see other parts of the world
and the way people live. For example, people from the West often go to work in
Asia or the Middle East and visa-versa. This enriches many people’s lives as they
get to learn about other languages, traditions, cultures and different ways of
working from their own country.
In addition to this, on a wider level it may also benefit other countries. If
someone moves abroad for work, it is usually because their skill is required there.
To illustrate, nurses and doctors often move to work in hospitals in other countries
when there is a shortage, so this is very valuable to the place they move to.
I would therefore argue that although there are disadvantages of the current
trend to live and work abroad, they are outweighed by the advantages. It can enrich
people’s lives and lives of the people in the countries that they move to.
283 words
 Computers are becoming an essential part of education.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Information technology is becoming a ubiquitous part of learning. This essay

will show that this is a welcome development and can enhance educational
practice. It will first suggest that the instant availability of huge amounts of
information is the primary advantage, followed by a discussion of how it can
sometimes lead to plagiarism.
The main benefit computers bring to learners is easy access to vast amounts
resources. Learners were once limited to the books they had and the knowledge of
their teacher, now they can learn about anything they choose at the touch of a
button. Google is a prime example, because it allows people to easily search for
whatever they are looking for quickly and accurately.
One possible drawback is that using the internet to complete academic work
can sometimes lead to pupils copying articles from the internet. As a result,
students do not have to think about their tasks and learn very little. The Sunday
Times recently reported that 72% of college graduates in the UK admitted to
copying and pasting Wikipedia articles at least once.
Overall, it is a very positive development because most students will take
advantage of the power of the information superhighway to enhance their studies,
rather than using it to cheat. For example, in 2005 Cambridge University found
that students who regularly used a computer were 26% more likely to get a first-
class degree than those who did not.
In conclusion, the web has provided a gateway to knowledge unlike
anything seen before and although it can sometimes lead to a few taking the easy
route and plagiarising, it is a very positive step in the evolution of education.
276 words