7 WritingFirst distinguish a question asking for advantages and disadvantages from one asking whether advantages outweigh disadvantages. The second also needs comparison and a judgement. Listing two benefits and one drawback does not establish which matters more.
Choose a comparison standard
Identify who is affected, then consider the size or duration of an effect and whether it can be reduced. Remote work may save commuting time, while communication costs vary with the job. Avoid treating every role as identical.
Explain one effect rather than listing several
Develop a main consequence by describing how the change happens and why it matters. The conclusion should return to the comparison made in the body, rather than introduce an unexplained benefit.
Practice question
More employees now work from home for part of the week. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh its disadvantages?
Illustrative paragraph
Working from home can give employees more control over their daily schedule. Removing a long commute leaves time for rest or family responsibilities before work begins. This benefit is particularly relevant to people who live far from their workplace. However, its value depends on whether they have a suitable place to work and can communicate effectively with colleagues.
Check your paragraph
Cover the illustrative paragraph and explain the purpose of each sentence in your own words. Then change one detail and rewrite it. Check that the claim still follows from the evidence. Do not just replace synonyms; if the meaning changes, revise the reason as well.
Continue practising
Use the Task 2 structure checker to inspect paragraphs and word count.