Writing an essay

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ESSAY

Με τον όρο essay αναφερόμαστε στη λεγόμενη "έκθεση ιδεών". Με απλά λόγια παραθέτουμε, συνήθως σε επίσημο ύφος, τις απόψεις μας για ένα θέμα. Οι εκθέσεις ιδεών συνήθως μας ζητούν να παραθέσουμε τις θετικές και αρνητικές επιπτώσεις - πλευρές - όψεις ενός θέματος (advantages and disadvantages). 

Στην περίπτωση αυτή, το γραπτό μας κείμενο μπορεί να ακολουθεί την ακόλουθη δομή:

1. INTRODUCTION (= ΠΡΟΛΟΓΟΣ)

Παραφράζουμε - παραθέτουμε με δικά μας λόγια το θέμα της έκθεσης. Είναι απαραίτητο να αναφέρουμε την κεντρική ιδέα του θέματος (π.χ. technological advance) ώστε να προετοιμάσουμε τον αναγνώστη για το τι θα διαβάσει στη συνέχεια που γραπτού μας.

Μερικές εκφράσεις εισαγωγής και ένταξης του αναγνώστη στο θέμα είναι οι ακόλουθες: 

• It is common knowledge that ….. (= είναι κοινώς γνωστό ότι...)
• Few would disagree that …… (= λίγοι θα διαφωνούσαν με το ότι...)

Ένα πολύ καλό τέχνασμα για να κλείσουμε την παράγραφο της εισαγωγής είναι το λεγόμενο "ρητορικό ερώτημα (= rhetorical question)" , δηλαδή ένα είδους ερώτησης που εμπεριέχει την απάντηση, απλώς θέτει τον αναγνώστη στην διαδικασία να προβληματιστεί για το θέμα και παράλληλα τον προετοιμάζουμε για το τι θα ακολουθήσει στο υπόλοιπο κείμενο. Επιπλέον, με το ερώτημα αυτό το κείμενο μας κερδίζει σε αμεσότητα.

Παραδείγματα:

• So, what are the (main) advantages and disadvantages of ….. ?
• But why are cellular phones so important to us? Is it a good or bad trend?
• Although there are lots of positive aspects, have you ever thought about the consequences of using cellular phones excessively?

2.BODY

1st Paragraph: Παραθέτουμε τη μια όψη του θέματος, τα πλεονεκτήματα (= advantages/pros/positive aspect)

• Perhaps the principal advantage is that ……..
• Moreover, we have the ability to …..
• Also, it has to be said that ..…

2nd Paragraph: Παραθέτουμε την άλλη όψη του θέματος, τα μειονεκτήματα (= disadvantages)

• A great disadvantage/negative aspect is .....
• One the other hand we should consider that …..
• There is another, negative side to this. More specifically, ....
• Moreover, it should be mentioned that ....

TIP: Μην ξεχνάς να υπαστηρίζεις την άποψη και τα επιχειρήματά σου παραθέτοντας κάποιο παράδειγμα απο την καθημερινότητα/ την προσωπική σου εμπειρία/ την ιστορία/ το κοντινό μέλλον.

3. CONCLUSION (=ΕΠΙΛΟΓΟΣ)

Κάνουμε μια πού σύντομη περίληψη των όσων αναφέραμε στις δύο προηγούμενες παραγράφους. Τέλος, παραθέτουμε την προσωπική μας άποψη, η οποία συνήθως βρίσκεται κάπου ανάμεσα στα δυο άκρα. Μπορούμε βεβαίως να ταχθούμε υπέρ της μιας ή της άλλης πλευράς αρκεί να το δικαιολογήσουμε κατάλληλα.

Μερικές ιδέες: 

• In summary/In conclusion, according to what I mentioned above we realize that there are both advantages and disadvantages.
• Personally, I am in favor/against the ….
• In my opinion, I think that it would be better to …

ACTIVITIES

Task 1
Read the following essay about living abroad and fill in the topic sentences given below:

a) One of the main advantages of living in a foreign country is that people can enjoy better financial opportunities.

b) To sum up, even though living in a strange place may be hard at first, in time one can adjust to it.

c) On the other hand, it may be difficult for people to adapt to their new surroundings.


d) As we know, today there are about six billion people in the world.

"Advantages and disadvantages of living abroad"

1 ________________________ All of them live in different countries and have diverse cultures. Some countries have become well developed, while others haven’t as yet. For this reason, some people want to go to well-developed foreign countries to live more comfortably and earn more money. Living in a foreign country has many advantages, but it also has some disadvantages.

2 ________________________For example, they may get a good job and a high salary so they can buy what they want and have a better lifestyle. For example, they may benefit from well-developed education and health systems. Moreover, one is given the chance to learn and become fluent in another language through everyday use. For instance, people can participate in lots of social activities thus improving their communicative skills. Finally, they become more independent by having to deal with difficult situations on their own. 

3. ________________________If they live alone, they miss their families and countries. Sometimes they may feel isolated, frustrated, and lonely. In addition, if someone can’t speak the language yet, he or she may face communication problems. What is more, there is discrimination in some countries. Foreigners aren’t easily accepted in these places.

4. ________________________In my opinion, if a person has an opportunity to go to a well-developed foreign country, he or she should benefit from this opportunity for his or her future.

Task 2
Fill in the blanks with one of the following words and phrases. Do not use the same expression twice. 

• First of all/Firstly/Second/Secondly/Third/Thirdly/Finally
• In addition/Moreover/Furthermore/What is more
• So/As a result/Therefore
• However/On the other hand/In contrast
• In conclusion/To sum up/On the whole

"Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in the Country"

Living in the country is often the secret dream of certain city-dwellers. _____________(1), in reality it has its advantages and disadvantages. 

There are many advantages to living in the country. _____________(2), one is much closer to nature and can enjoy more peace and quiet. _____________(3), life in the country is much slower and people tend to be more open and friendly. A further advantage is that there is much less traffic, and as a result it is a much safer place to bring up children. 

_____________(4), there are certain drawbacks to life outside the city. _____________(5), because there are fewer people, one has a smaller number of friends. _____________(6), entertainment, particularly in the evening, is difficult to find. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer shops and services often means that there are fewer employment opportunities. _____________(7), one may have to travel long distances to work elsewhere, and this can be extremely expensive. 

_____________(8), it can be seen that the country is more suitable for some than others. _____________(9), it is often the best place for those who are retired or who have young children. _____________(10), young, single people who are following a career and who want some excitement are better provided for by life in the city.