Do you enjoy team project work?
Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the following topic:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of team project work at school?
Team project work is becoming more and more popular in schools nowadays. Some teachers and students believe that it has many advantages while others disagree.
It is a fact that students benefit in many ways from doing team work project. To begin with, it is an ideal way for students to learn to cooperate and, at the same time, learn about a particular subject. In addition, each member of the team contributes different ideas, knowledge and skills that adds to the success of the project. Team members are also able to learn from each other this way.
However, there are also certain disadvantages involved in team project work. Firstly, members of the team often become very competitive or cannot get along with each other, which can destroy the project. Secondly, team members do not always contribute equally. For instance, some do all the work while others avoid getting involved. Lastly, working in a team can be very time consuming. As a result, students often become frustrated and think they could do it all faster alone.
On the whole, I believe that the advantages are more important than the disadvantages. From my point of view, team work should be encouraged in class, but there should be a balance of individual work and team work so that students can benefit the most.
What is the function of the underlined sentences in the essay? Choose a or b.
a. to summarise what the writer has said in the previous paragraph.
b. to introduce the main ideas if the paragraph.
In the second paragraph, how many advantages does the writer mention? What are they?
How many disadvantages does the writer mention in the third paragraph? What are they?
In which paragraph does the writer express his / her opinion?
Which linking words / phrases has the writer used? Circle them.
When writing an essay discussing advantages and disadvantages,
think about the topic carefully and choose two or three ideas / points (the ones you have the most to say about). Don't try to deal with too many points.
use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.
explain or justify each point and, if possible, provide an example.
use a variety of linking words / phrases to list points, add points, express contrast, give examples, give your opinion, etc.
write in a formal style and do not use short forms.
avoid introducing any new ideas in the conclusion.
What are the pros and cons of team sports?
The writer:
knows the person she is writing to
uses the set phrases to begin and end her email
mentions she saw the advertisement.
uses informal language.
states her age.
6. explains why she is suitable for the job.
7. describes her qualifications and experience.
8. describes some bad qualities she has.
9. gives examples of what she did at her previous job.
What aspects of writing argumentative essays do you think you need further practice with ?