IELTS Writing: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Type 2

There are three types of Advantage Disadvantage questions for IELTS Writing task 2 exam. Each type of them needs a different approach to answer. Therefore, you need to know what are those types and how to identify them. Let's take a close look at the questions below and identify their differences

Question Type 1

"Recent advancement in communication technology is connecting people around the world.

Discuss advantages and disadvantages for the connected people."

Question Type 1 simply gives a statement, and this question wants you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages based on that statement. Apart from the introduction and conclusion paragraphs, you can simply write one paragraph for discussing advantages and another paragraph for disadvantages. Remember, your role here is just to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. That means don't try to add your opinion or give emphasis on any logic.

Question Type 2

"Some argue that globalization is harming people more, rather than making them better off.

Do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?"

Question type 2 states an argument. There are both sides of this argument. You are asked to describe why one side is stronger than the other way around. Though it says "do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?", it doesn't mean that you have to prove why advantage side is stronger than disadvantage, you can do the opposite as well. Remember, examiners didn't ask for number of advantages or disadvantages. Rather they asked for the intensity. For example, there might have 5 moderate advantages against a very strong disadvantage. In that case, the disadvantage might outweigh the advantages.

Question Type 3

"Technological improvement has made our life more comfortable than ever before. Some people argue that this is a positive trend, while others say that it is leading to a negative consequence.

Discuss advantages and disadvantages and then give your opinion."

Question type 3 is just like attaching your opinion with the Question Type 1. Look at the Question Type 1 above at the top of this page, you were not asked to add your opinion, you just needed to explain the advantages and disadvantages. But here in case of Type 3, it wants you to write the advantages and disadvantages, and then also add your opinion. However, your opinion doesn't have to support any of the stated sides, it could be something in between, or could be a unique point of view. It's all your opinion.

Advantage/Disadvantage: Type 2

Look at the Type 2 question below:

"Some people argue that globalization is harming people more, rather than doing good. However, some others argue for the opposite.

Do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?"

The examiner is expecting you take a side and argue why your side is stronger than the other way around. Though the action sentence stated "do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?", it doesn't mean that you have to prove why advantage side is stronger than disadvantage, you can do the opposite.

Remember, examiners didn't ask for the number of advantages or disadvantages. Rather they asked for the intensity. For example, there might have 5 general advantages against a very strong disadvantage. In that case the disadvantage might outweigh the advantages.

Let's answer this question step by step applying our Task 2 magic structure:

Pick the Key Points

You might have several points to talk about. But you cannot write all of them. Examiners didn't ask for a list of features, rather they want you to explain only one or two major points. We suggest you always use Body Paragraph 1 for stronger points and Body Paragraph 2 for weaker points.

Advantage: Stronger Point

United global response against any adversity is one of the main benefits of globalization.

Disadvantage: Weaker Point

Contagious diseases might spread fast due to advanced global integration.

We've chosen advantage as the stronger side. That means we will present and discuss our logic supporting globalization. Therefore we are supposed to show how the advantage of globalization is stronger than that of disadvantage.

After choosing the side, it's time to plan for the essay. Previously we discussed in detail how important it is to have a plan before starting the essay. If you haven't gone through that article on planning strategy for a band 9 essay, we recommend you check it now. It will give a big boost to the quality of your essay.

Before starting to write the essay, let's take a quick look at our magic structure:

Magic Structure: Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type 2

If you write just 14 sentences spread over 4 paragraphs, your IELTS Task 2 essay is complete. It is that simple. This is our 4/14 essay technique. It's very easy to remember and execute in exam:

Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Conclusion

We are going to show you step by step how to form this four paragraph essay.

However, we've developed a simple paragraphing style that will make your life easiest ever. We call it 3443 Approach. Remember it, practice it, apply it. It will make your IELTS Task 2 writing so easy that you can't even imagine.

What we mean by 3443:

3 Sentences for Introduction Paragraph
4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 1
4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 2
3 Sentences for Conclusion Paragraph

These are the 3+4+4+3 = 14 sentences. Quite simple. Now let's distribute these sentences among the 4 paragraphs.

However, there will be slight variations among the 3 different types of Advantage/Disadvantage essays. Our following structure applies to the Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage essay.

Introduction

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2: Write a thesis statement.

Sentence 3: Write an outline sentence.

Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Point)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 1

Sentence 2: Explain the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 3: Present logic for the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 4: Give a supportive example for the discussion above.

Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Point)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 2

Sentence 2: Explain the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 3: Defend the Topic Sentence 1 against the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 4: Give a supportive example for the discussion above.

Conclusion

Sentence 1: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3: Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs.

This is pretty simple to remember. Addressing the Type 2 question stated above, we are going to demonstrate you the beauty of this secret formula.

Before jumping to start the essay, we need to clarify one more thing. Looking at our structure above, you might be wondering what is the Topic Sentence. Let's clarify it:

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence is pretty simple. Just state the major points that you want to discuss about. These points are the topic sentences. In this Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage essay, the stronger point is the topic sentence for Body Paragraph 1, and the weaker point is the topic sentence for Body Paragraph 2. Look at the sentences below:

United global response against any adversity is one of the main benefits of globalization.
Contagious diseases are spreading fast due to advanced global integration.

The sentence 1 will be the Topic Sentence of Body Paragraph 1, and the sentence 2 will be the Topic Sentence of Body Paragraph 2. However, in case of a Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage question, we will always use Body Paragraph 1 for the stronger point, and Body Paragraph 2 for the weaker point.

Let's apply our strategy to answer the Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Question stated above:

Introduction

This paragraph bears an overall picture of the essay, and conveys an impression to the examiner. Therefore, we suggest you write this paragraph such a way that examiners can get a clear preview of the essay. Take a look how we construct this paragraph:

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2: Write a thesis statement.

Sentence 3: Write an outline sentence.

(However, we have a complete guide on how to write a great introduction. We also have a full article regarding how to write a thesis statement. We suggest you check them now, if you haven't already.)

The 1st sentence is the paraphrase of the question statement. By reading this sentence, the examiner will get a perception whether you have properly understood the question or not.

Thesis statement is the 2nd sentence. This is the most important sentence in the whole essay. This sentence will demonstrate your reaction regarding the question statement, and it will also provide a concise summary of the essay.

Outlining sentence is the 3rd sentence of your introduction paragraph. This sentence will give a hint how the discussion is going to proceed and how the following paragraphs are organized.

Responding to the Type 2 question stated above on this page, let's apply our strategy for the introduction paragraph:

Paraphrasing the Question Sentence

"There are arguments for both against and in favor of globalization, some say it's good for people while some others argue for the opposite."

Thesis Statement

"Though there are severe criticisms against globalization, this essay thinks that the blessings of global integration has been embedded to the modern world, specially with the advent of advanced transport and communication technology."

Outline Sentence

"Following paragraphs will discuss in detail how advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages."

The Complete Introduction

"There are arguments for both against and in favor of globalization, some say it's good for people while some others argue for the opposite. Though there are severe criticisms against globalization, this essay thinks that the blessings of global integration has been embedded to the modern world, specially with the advent of advanced transport and communication technology. Following paragraphs will discuss in detail how advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages."

Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Point)

Remember, you are asked to write the essay with at least 250 words. Yes you can

write a few more like 270 - 300, but you should never exceed 300.

However, you might have a number of points to focus on. This is why you need to make a choice what to discuss, and what not to. Considering the word limit, we suggest you choose only 2 major points, one for a stronger and another one for a weaker point, and then discuss the points in Body Paragraph 1 and 2 respectively.

(We have a full article on our special strategy for IELTS Writing Task 2 body paragraphs. We suggest you check it now, if you haven't already.)

Addressing the Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Question, let's apply our magic strategy to form the first body paragraph:

Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Point)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 1

Sentence 2: Explain the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 3: Present logic for the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 4: Give a supportive example for the discussion above.

Sentence 1 (Topic Sentence 1)

"Fast international response is one of the major blessings of global connectivity."

Sentence 2 (Explain the Topic Sentence 1)

"Because of integrated global community, people can easily extend their support all around the world wherever it's needed most."

Sentence 3 (Present logic for the Topic Sentence 1)

"Globalization helps the rich to reach out to the poorest, facilitates volunteers to provide their support to the devastated areas and so on."

Sentence 4 (Give a supportive example for the discussion above)

"For example, in January 2020, when Australia was passing through the most devastating bush-fire of its history that burned and killed millions of animals, countries around the world received the live updates and responded immediately with their damage recovering supports which would have been almost impossible without globalisation ."

The Complete Body Paragraph 1

"Fast international response is one of the major blessings of global connectivity. Because of integrated global community, people can easily extend their support all around the world wherever it's needed most. Globalization helps the rich to reach out to the poorest, facilitates volunteers to provide their support to the devastated areas and so on. For example, in January 2020, when Australia was going through burning and killing millions of houses and animals from the worst bush-fire ever, people across the world promptly sent damage recovering support, which would have been almost impossible without global engagement."

Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Point)

Use the body paragraph 2 for the weaker point. Let's form this paragraph applying our magic structure:

Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Point)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 2

Sentence 2: Explain the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 3: Defend Topic Sentence 1 against Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 4: Give a supportive example for the discussion above.

Sentence 1(Topic Sentence 2)

"However globalization is not free from blame, for instance, sometimes it can exacerbate the infection rate of contagious diseases."

Sentence 2(Explain the Topic Sentence 2)

"Due to advanced global connectivity, easy access to fast international communication that include both affected and non affected regions might lead to this unfortunate result."

Sentence 3(Defend Topic Sentence 1 against Topic Sentence 2)

"But it's also true that a well organised inter-governmental cooperation can curb the lethal microorganism like Coronavirus more effectively than that of the countries individually."

Sentence 4(Give a supportive example for the discussion above)

"For instance, some countries are giving PPE and other medical assistance to the regions where it's needed most, and also RDA (Research Data Alliance) has formed a "RDA COVID-19 Working Group" to facilitate coordinated actions by authorities and researchers around the world."

The Complete Body Paragraph 2

However globalization is not free from blame, for instance, sometimes it can exacerbate the infection rate of contagious diseases. It might happen because of people's inter communication between affected and non affected regions. But it's also true that inter-governmental cooperation can curb the diseases faster than that of by the countries individually. For instance, medically equipped countries spontaneously provided their emergency medical support to the relatively poor nations that became affected by the pandemic COVID-19.

Conclusion

You must let the examiner know your final say. Though we don't recommend writing a conclusion paragraph for an IELTS Task 1 essay, we strongly suggest you add a conclusion paragraph for a Task 2 essay. Remember, even if you fear running out of time, still you need to write at least one sentence as a conclusion paragraph. A conclusion paragraph is that much important for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Write the conclusion paragraph in such a way that it answers the question clearly. And remember, the answer has to be completely based on the discussion above. That means never bring any new idea in a conclusion paragraph. Moreover, you should also try to avoid the vocabulary that you have already used in the essay. These are the basic requirements for your conclusion paragraph.

Remember, you will lose marks if you fail to write a conclusion in an IELTS Task 2 essay. To put it simply, it resembles you worked all day together as a team, but at the end of the day, you just left workplace without saying 'bye' to anyone.

(We have a detailed guide on how to write a smart conclusion. We suggest you check this article now, if you haven't already.)

Let's focus on our simple secret of constructing a conclusion paragraph:

Sentence 1: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3: Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs.

Sentence 1 (Summarize the body paragraph 1)

"In conclusion, this essay strongly states that globalization has brought immense benefits for people with an unprecedented ease of their global engagement."

Sentence 2 (Summarize the body paragraph 2)

"Though in some cases this excessive connection might contribute to raise the infection rate of contagious diseases."

Sentence 3 (Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs)

"Regardless few drawbacks, the blessing of globalization is so obvious when we notice how a united stronger global community withstands a strong adversity."

The Complete Conclusion

"In conclusion, globalization has brought an unprecedented ease of people's global engagement. However, this excessive connection is not free from serious drawback as it might accelerate the infection rate of contagious diseases. Regardless the drawbacks, the blessings of globalization is obvious because it made the nations a global community which is stronger together to withstand any adversity."

A Complete Response to the Advantage Disadvantage Type 2 Question

"There are arguments for both against and in favor of globalization, some say it's good for people while some others argue for the opposite. Though there are severe criticisms against globalization, this essay thinks that the blessings of global integration has become embedded to the modern world, specially with the advent of advanced transport and communication technology. The following paragraphs will discuss in detail how the advantages of globalization outweigh the disadvantages.

Fast international response is one of the major blessings of global connectivity. Because of integrated global community, people can easily extend their support all around the world wherever it's needed most. Globalization helps the rich to reach out to the poorest, facilitates volunteers to provide their support to the devastated areas and so on. For example, in January 2020, when Australia was going through burning and killing millions of houses and animals from the worst bush-fire ever, people across the world promptly sent damage recovering support, which would have been almost impossible without global engagement.

In conclusion, globalization has brought an unprecedented ease of people's global engagement. However, this excessive connection is not free from serious drawback as it might accelerate the infection rate of contagious diseases. Regardless the drawbacks, the blessings of globalization is obvious because it made the nations a global community which is stronger together to withstand any adversity."

Check our IELTS Essay Correction Service

Up next,

Type 3 Advantage/Disadvantage Question

Type 1 Advantage/Disadvantage Question

Review the detailed discussion on all the types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

IELTS Task 2 Opinion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Discussion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Advantage Disadvantage Essays

IELTS Task 2 Problem Solution Essays

Don't forget to check the following resources as well:

A complete guide on IELTS Writing

A complete guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic