1. Writing an Essay discussing Advantages and Disadvantages of something
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

2. What is an Essay? Let’s see an example
An essay is a formal document in which an issue is discussed from a personal point of view.
Let’s see an example
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

3. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
It is hard to imagine life without the internet. What’s more, this fantastic world of information, fun and games has become an important part of our life since the end of the last millennium.
First of all, there are so many things you can do on the internet. You can find all sorts of information with the help of search engines. You can also meet new people, join chat rooms and send s to your friends all over the world. In addition, you can play games, download different things, or shop at online stores.
However, cyberspace is not safe. Everytime you send an or surf the net you could be watched. If you do a lot of downloading, there is always the risk of catching some kind of virus which can damage your software. On the other hand, shopping on the internet can also prove to be risky, as you are asked to give your personal information.
In conclusion, the internet is an exciting world of information and a great form of entertainment, but it comes with risks.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

4. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
Let’s analyse the essay…
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
It is hard to imagine life without the internet. What’s more, this fantastic world of information, fun and games has become an important part of our life since the end of the last millennium.
In the introduction, you need to mention the subject of the essay
Explicar que es topic sentences
First of all, there are so many things you can do on the internet. You can find all sorts of information with the help of search engines. You can also meet new people, join chat rooms and send s to your friends all over the world. In addition, you can play games, download different things, or shop at online stores.
Present the advantages in one paragraph.
Use a topic sentence to introduce the main idea of the paragraph.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7 Developing your writing skills

5. After the advantages, present the disadvantages.
However, cyberspace is not safe. Everytime you send an or surf the net you could be watched. If you do a lot of downloading, there is always the risk of catching some kind of virus which can damage your software. On the other hand, shopping on the internet can also prove to be risky, as you are asked to give your personal information.
After the advantages, present the disadvantages.
Use a topic sentence to introduce the main idea of the paragraph.
In conclusion, the internet is an exciting world of information and a great form of entertainment, but it comes with risks.
In the conclusion make a general comment and state your opinion. Only here you can use the first person singular ( I ).
Don’t include any new information.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

6. It is very important to link your ideas with linking phrases
To add, emphasize and list points:
Also
Besides
Finally
In addition
First of all
What’s more
Last but not least
To express contrast:
But
However
Although
On the other hand
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

7. Look at the example again. Check the use of linking phrases.
To express cause and result
Because As
Because of
That’s why So
For this reason
As a result
Look at the example again. Check the use of linking phrases.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

8. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
It is hard to imagine life without the internet. What’s more, this fantastic world of information, fun and games has become an important part of our life since the end of the last millennium.
First of all, there are so many things you can do on the internet. You can find all sorts of information with the help of search engines. You can also meet new people, join chat rooms and send s to your friends all over the world. In addition, you can play games, download different things, or shop at online stores.
However, cyberspace is not safe. Everytime you send an or surf the net you could be watched. If you do a lot of downloading, there is always the risk of catching some kind of virus which can damage your software. On the other hand, shopping on the internet can also prove to be risky, as you are asked to give your personal information.
In conclusion, the internet is an exciting world of information and a great form of entertainment, but it comes with risks.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

9. Summarizing In a formal essay you can discuss a topic with its..
Advantages and disadvantages
You need to introduce the topic in the…. :
introduction
To mention the advantages and disadvantages of the topic, start with the…
Advantages
Each paragraph needs to have a topic sentence to present the main idea of the..
Paragraph
In the conclusion you can express your own….
Opinion
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills

10. You are ready to start your own essay.
Invite a friend to work with you.
Select one of the following topics that you and your friend want to write about.
Watching sports live / on tv.
Practicing extreme sports / traditional sports.
Working out at home / going to the gym.
Experimenting an unusual sport.
Make a list of advantages and disadvantages in two separate columns.
Work together in the writing of your essay. You can do it on paper or electronically (if you want, include photos, different colors, use power point….. be creative). Write between words.
Finally be ready to hand in your essay to your teacher in paper or electronically.
Intermediate 2 Unit 7: Developing your writing skills