Complete Type Two Opinion Essay with Key Topic question: Some people prefer to play team sports, while others prefer to play individual sports. Discuss the advantages of each. Then indicate which you prefer and why. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write and revise your response. Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 300 words.

It has been said that if one can learn to discipline his body, all other aspects of his life will soon fall into place. One way to achieve this is by choosing to play a sport. Some people choose to play team sports, while others prefer to play individual sports. It is true that individual sports can be quite rewarding; nevertheless, I believe that the rewards for participating in team sports can be even more fulfilling. KEY: attention getter, restatement of topic that mentions key words,, stating opinion while admitting the opposition in flip it trick style, some characteristics of the flip it trick style

There are, indeed, several significant benefits to playing individual sports. One benefit is that individual sports permit you to be independent. You do not have to depend on teammates to do their part. For instance, in running or swimming much of the training can be done alone and without a coach. I like to swim laps and I can do so whenever the weather permits. Another benefit is that less equipment and facilities are required in individual sports. Running is a good example of this as it requires very little gear and it can be done almost anywhere. I like to run on the beach, but through the forest is even better. Lastly, the glory of winning in individual sports is all yours. If you win, the trophy is yours to keep. I still have my second place medal that I won in orienteering in Canada when I was only twelve years old. KEY: Topic sentence, signal words, key words, ways to introduce examples, a word that can be omitted, an example of passive voice

Even though it is true that there are several great benefits to playing individual sports, playing team sports can be even more rewarding. First, team sports are more advanced. The complexity and dynamics of strategy and technique in sports like football and baseball are so much more rewarding than that of individual sports. Take baseball, for example. The anticipation of watching the seventh game of the World Series, especially in a game where anything can happen as long as there is still one one strike left, is incredibly intense. Next, these sports tend to be more fun to play for many of the same reasons. There is nothing like being a part of a trick play in football. I recall as a child imitating the pros in neighborhood games in the backyard of the house where I grew up. KEY: A characteristic of the flip it trick, Topic sentence in flip it trick style that has been flipped, signal words, key words, ways to introduce examples

There are even more benefits to playing team sports over individual sports. First, team sports promote working together. Team work is essential in so many aspects of life. I recall a difficult lesson learned in the Boy Scout Klondike Derby. In the Klondike Derby scouts build a wooden sled for a sled race and rally. One year there was little snow and we had to carry our sled during one part of the race. Our buddy Jimmy was the weakest link in the chain. Jimmy dropped the sled and the rest of the patrol had to carry it without him. Nevertheless, most team efforts are well rewarded. A different year at the same event, my patrol won first place in the fire building competition. I was the one with the fire-building secrets, but I could not have done it without my fellow scouts, and we all enjoyed the victory. There is no such camaraderie in individual sports. KEY: Topic sentence, signal words, a conjunction/transition that was necessary to indicate contrast and functions well as a signal word, key words, ways to introduce examples

Thus, as the body and mind of the disciplined athlete know well, the rewards of playing sports are truly innumerable. Whether it is an individual sport or a team sport, the benefits are within reach to anyone who is willing to dedicate substantial effort. Playing individual sports can indeed be truly fulfilling, but in my opinion, playing team sports will reap even more benefits. Uses transitional word, Refers back to attention-getter, mentions key words from question, re-states thesis statement. Some good transitional word options for a simple summary conclusion of this type: Thus, Hence,  In sum, To sum up, In short, All in all, Overall