WRITING TASK 2 Advantages/Disadvantages STRUCTURE
The structure that I advise my students to use, will be sure to get you a band score of 7+. You need to
practice using this structure, with as many questions as you can, before sitting your IELTS test. This
writing task 2 structure has been proven to be successful for my students and when perfected, can easily
help you to achieve a high band score.
TIP >> Before you start writing, plan your ideas so that you can organise the information clearly. You
must decide what the main advantages and disadvantages are. Take 5 minutes and plan out your ideas,
opinions and examples.
TIP >> It is very important that spend a full 40 minutes on this task as the score you get for writing task 2
is two-thirds of your total writing score. You also need to write a minimum of 250 words and use your
own ideas.
TIP >> Remember to write in a formal tone, this is an academic essay, therefore your writing should be
formal.
This is one possible way to structure your essay;
4-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE >>
Paragraph 1 – The Introduction
This is the introduction to the essay and where you should start off by paraphrasing the question.
Do you understand what I mean, when I say ‘paraphrase’ the question?
This means that you rewrite the question in your own words using synonyms. You can’t just copy the
question again or use the same words in the question. Paraphrase and show off your vocabulary
knowledge by using synonyms. When practising your essay writing, use an online thesaurus to help
you. This is a great tool and can help you to learn many new words.
Then your next sentence should introduce the essay, this will tell the examiner exactly what you will
discuss in the main body paragraphs. For example, Firstly this essay will discuss……… Secondly, this
essay will discuss…….
There are two sentences you need in the introduction >>


Paraphrase the question
Introduce the specific advantages/disadvantages that will be discussed in the main body
paragraphs.
Paragraph 2 – Main Body Paragraph 1
In this paragraph, you should describe the main advantage.
Start the paragraph by introducing the main advantage. This is where you need to have a topic
sentence. The next sentence(s) should explain, going into detail. The third sentence should give an
example that supports the advantage.
The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up
something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use
English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University
study.
This is how the paragraph should look >>



Introduce the advantage (topic sentence)
Explain/give detail
Example
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Paragraph 3 – Main Body Paragraph 2
In this paragraph, you should write about the main disadvantage.
Start the paragraph by introducing the disadvantage. This is where you need to have a topic sentence.
The next sentence(s) should explain, going into detail. The third sentence should give an example.
The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up
something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use
English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University
study.
This is how the paragraph should look >>



Introduce the disadvantage (topic sentence)
Explain/give detail
Example
Paragraph 4 – The Conclusion
In the fourth paragraph, you write the conclusion giving a summary of your main points and say what
you think were the most important pros and cons. You should not enter any new information or ideas in
this paragraph.
You can end your conclusion with a balancing statement that tells the reader why one side is better than
the other. For example, using words like outweigh, balance out, compensate for, exceed and make up
for.
 Summary of the main points
 What you think were the most important pros and cons?
Another possible way to structure your advantage/disadvantage essay is this;
You may want to add paragraphs to explain further advantages or disadvantages, but there should be
only one main idea in each main body paragraph. Don’t list all of your advantages/disadvantages in one
paragraph.





Introduction
Paragraph 1 – Describe an advantage
Paragraph 2 – Describe an advantage
Paragraph 3 – Describe a disadvantage
Conclusion
TIP >> If the question asks you if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of something then your
essay structure will change slightly. You should make sure you write about how one side is better than
the other. You will also have to include this in your introduction. The side that you think outweighs the
other should be written about first in main body paragraph 1. Followed by main body paragraph 2 – the
more fragile argument.
TIP >> If the question asks you to write about advantages/disadvantages and give your opinion, then y
You need to add an extra paragraph that clearly states your opinion. You would also need to write about
your opinion in the introduction.
Supporting Sentence
I. What is a supporting sentence?
A supporting sentence is a sentence with information that supports a main idea or claim. Supporting
sentences give a reader details to understand a main idea, or evidence to show why a claim is true or correct.
You will find supporting sentences in the middle of a paragraph – after the topic sentence, and before a
concluding sentence or transition.
II. Examples of a supporting sentence
Example 1
Let’s consider the following main idea:
Modern automobiles are powered by combustion engines.
A writer who wants to explain this idea to readers must support it with information. The following
supporting sentences can be used:
1. a) A combustion engine is an engine that burns fuel to create power.
2. b) The combustion engine replaced horses because they are more powerful and easier to
maintain.
3. c) Combustion engines allow us to travel quickly and safely in the comfort of our own cars and
trucks.
Each of these sentences supports the main idea by giving the reader information or context to help
understand the writer’s focus. Note that a writer would not use all three of these supporting sentences
together. Choosing the best supporting sentence depends on what the writer is trying to achieve in the
paragraph.
Example 2
Here is a claim made by a writer:
Schools should start later in the day.
This is a claim that needs to be supported by facts (or perhaps opinions) in order to convince the reader to
accept the claim. Here are some possible supporting sentences:
1. a) Studies have shown that teenagers need more sleep than both younger children and adults
because their rapidly changing bodies need more time resting in order to develop properly.
2. b) By starting later, school busses can avoid the traffic of rush hour, which saves time and
reduces the likelihood of accidents.
3. c) Starting later will give students time to eat a healthy breakfast, which has been proven to
improve school performance.
These supporting sentences each give evidence that help the reader agree with the writer’s claim. Again, a
writer would not use all three of these supporting sentences together. Choosing the best supporting
sentence depends on what the writer is trying to achieve in the paragraph.
III. Parts of a supporting sentence
The information in a supporting sentence depends on the type of support needed. Supporting sentences will
include one of the following as their main parts:



Descriptions or details
Facts
Examples
No matter what kind of supporting sentence you find, you will see that the main part of the sentence will be
descriptions/details, facts, or examples. In section IV, (below) we will look at each of these types in more
detail.
IV. Types of supporting sentences
a. Providing useful details
This type of supporting sentence is used when the writer wants to describe a main idea in more detail. It
may be that the idea is complicated or new to the reader. It may also be used when the writer wants to add
sensory descriptions to a piece.
Example 1
Antarctica is a dangerous and lonely place. It is the coldest and driest continent on the planet. It is far away
from hospitals and food supplies. Unpredictable weather can cause sudden blizzards which can trap people
beneath several feet of snow in a matter of hours.
The first sentence is a topic sentence. Note how the next three supporting sentences each give details to help
the reader understand why Antarctica is a dangerous and lonely place.
b. Presenting facts or evidence
Example 2
High fructose corn syrup is bad for your health. It has been linked to the obesity epidemic, mostly because of
its use in soft drinks. It is also digested by your body more quickly than natural sugars, and puts a
tremendous strain on your liver. Consuming high amounts of high fructose corn syrup can also cause
inflammation of the intestines, diabetes, and heart disease.
In this paragraph, the first sentence claims that high fructose corn syrup is bad for you. The next three
sentences are supporting sentences – they each provide facts to support the writer’s claim.
c. Providing examples
Example 3
American culture truly is a melting pot of cultures from around the world. As groups of people immigrate
here they bring with them bits of their home culture, which are adopted by Americans and made part of
American life. An obvious example is the amazing variety of ethnic foods that Americans enjoy. Pasta dishes
from Italy, salsa from Mexico, and sushi from Japan have all become part of America’s dining culture.
Another example is the sports and games we play. Martial arts from Asia are now a big part of American
culture; soccer (football) has come from England and western Europe to be another part of American
culture. Even the board games we enjoy, like chess and Parcheesi, arrived in America from India. Look
around at all the wonderful things that Americans enjoy, and you will find that many of them were brought
here by immigrants from around the world.
In this example, the writer states that American culture is made up of cultural elements from around the
world. The supporting sentences that follow each give examples of these cultural elements so that the reader
can see what the writer is trying to express.
V. How to write a supporting sentence
Remember, the topic sentence is what you are trying to express, and the supporting sentences are there to
be sure that the reader understands your message. So, supporting sentences depend on your topic.
The type of supporting sentence you use will also depend on the type of essay you are writing. A narrative or
descriptive essay, for instance, would use supporting sentences that describe and give details. An
argumentative or persuasive essay would rely on using use supporting sentences to give facts or evidence.
An expository essay would need to use plenty of supporting sentences that provide examples. No matter
what kind of essay you are writing, keep in mind the following tips:
a. Make sure connections are clear
Make sure the connection between the supporting sentence and the topic sentence is clear. Using transition
phrases to begin your supporting sentences can make this connection clear.
Example
Many countries are trying to find ways to use fewer fossil fuels. The biggest reason for this is because of their
rising prices. Another important reason is because of the environmental damage that is caused from burning
fossil fuels.
b. Only give the audience information they need
You need to consider how much your reader knows (or doesn’t know) about your topic so that you can
provide useful supporting sentences. For instance, imagine you are writing an essay about the
cardiovascular system. If your audience is made up of young students in grades 1-5, you will want to include
supporting sentences that explain that the heart and lungs are the main organs. However, if your audience is
made up of students in high school, they would already know this basic information; your supporting
sentences may want to describe the different kinds of veins and arteries, or present facts about how the
lungs capture oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide. On the other hand, you would not want to
include extra information about the digestive system or the brain. Adding extra information might only
confuse the reader or distract them from the point you are trying to make.
c. Include ideas that build on each other
Use your supporting sentences together to build towards bigger ideas. Your sentences can support not only
the main idea, but also each other. In the following example, see how each supporting sentence explains the
one before it. Using supporting sentences in this way helps bring your reader to understand more complex
ideas and unifies your essay into one cohesive work.
Example
Burning fossil fuels causes global warming. This is because when coal and oil are burned, they release gasses
such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone. These gasses are large (at least for molecules!), and fill our
atmosphere. As a result, heat from the Earth cannot find its way as easily into space. Instead, it ‘collides’ with
these molecules and is the heat energy is absorbed. As a result, our skies are filled with heated gasses, which
raise the average temperature of our world.
A paragraph is a group of sentences that focuses on a single idea. In order for a paragrap
be effective, it must begin with a topic sentence, have sentences that support the main id
of that paragraph, and maintain a consistent flow.
When writing a paragraph think of a hamburger. Hamburgers have many different components
to make a "complete" hamburger. In looking at the diagram you can see the specific steps
to writing a well written paragraph. If you can keep the hamburger method in mind you can
be a successful paragraph writer!
Select the compontent of paragraph writing you want to focus on in the table of content
to move to the next step!
What are Topic Sentences?
The topic sentence is the sentence in a paragraph the gives the reader
insight into what the paragraph is about. It will give the main idea that the
paragraph is going to focus on.
How Do You Write A Topic Sentence?
There are five different ways you can start a paragraph:
1. List Statements
A list statement tells the reader exactly what the paragraph will be about by
listing the three main ideas.
Example: My favorite sports include soccer, football, and baseball.
2. Power Number Statements
Power number statements do not tell the reader all of the main ideas, but use
number words (few, many, a number of, three) to present the general topic.
Example: There are several things you can do to become a better writer.
3. Two Nouns and Two Commas
This topic sentence starts with a noun (person, place, or thing), describes
the noun, and then makes a statement about the noun.
Example: The St. Louis Cardinals, a major league baseball team, is the best
team in the MLB.
4. Occassion Position
This topic sentence starts with an occassion and use words like whenever,
when, although, or even though, and then end with the writers position on the
topic.
Example: Even though writing an essay is a lot of work, you do learn a lot
from the process.
5. Hook the Reader
This topic sentence grabs the readers attention by making a statement that is
provoking, controversial, or interesting.
Example: Technology should be banned at school!
What is a Concluding Sentence?
The conclusion is the last sentence in your paragraph. Here are a few DO's
and DON'T's of conclusion sentences.
DO
- Restate the topic sentence using synonyms.
- Restate the topic sentence using a different kind of sentence.
- Wrap up your paragraph.
- Consider using transition words to signify the end of your paragraph.
DON'T
- Copy the exact wording of the topic sentence.
- Include a new topic.
- Focus on a small idea.
- Start the sentence with, And now you know.. That is the reason... That's
what I learned about... or And that's why...
Can You Pick Out The Best Conclusion?
Topic: Disney World, an amusement park in Florida, is a wonderful place for
families.
Conclusion
A: Mickey is a smart mouse.
B: Disney World is clearly a great place to visit.
C: If your ever in Florida, Disney World is one place you'll want to visit.
D: Disney World, an amusement park in Florida, is a wonderful place for people.
If you chose option C, you would be correct! This would wrap up a paragraph without introducing a new idea or
simply restating the topic sentence.
Learn about other cultures
There are many advantages of travelling abroad, such as
discovering people’s life styles. Tasting their cuisine helps us
understand their culture.