Level 9: Paragraphs that present the benefits or drawbacks of some position

The sixth type of paragraphs characterise the benefits of some premise—such as a method, theory, or object—over alternatives.

Here is an example

Compared to other teaching methods, active learning generates several benefits.  First, individuals naturally relate the learning material to their own life.  This strategy has been shown to enhance memory.  Second, individuals experience strong positive emotions.  These positive emotions have been shown to enhance the extent to which individuals associate the material with other entrenched memories

To write these paragraphs, follow these suggestions

Variants of this paragraph

Sometimes, you might want to introduce more evidence to justify each benefit.  In this circumstance, each benefit could be discussed in a separate paragraph. To write these paragraphs, you could follow the suggestions on how to summarise several studies in one paragraph, presented earlier.  

Sometimes, you want to highlight the drawbacks, instead of the benefits, of a specific premise, method, theory, or object.  The basic features of paragraphs that present drawbacks and paragraphs that present benefits are identical.

Exercise

9.1 Identify 3 or more examples in which you might want to outline the benefits or drawbacks of some premise—such as a particular method or theory

Exercise

9.2  Utilise the previous suggestions to write a preliminary version of these paragraphs.  That is

• the first sentence usually maintains this theory, method, or object is better than alternatives on several attributes
• the other sentences typically outline each benefit in sequence and in a logical order
• if you want to outline the evidence of each benefit, this paragraph might need to be divided into several paragraphs
• if you like, include or adapt relevant sentences you have already written

Improving these paragraphs: Helping readers appreciate the logic

Exercise

9.3  To help readers appreciate the logic and rationale that underpins your arguments, writers often use the words therefore,thus, hence, or related words.  These words, although useful, are sometimes used unnecessarily.  In particular, do not use these words if they precede a phrase that does not necessarily follow from the previous phrase.  For example

• the sentence cats are shy and therefore dogs are confident  is unsuitable
• the second phrase about dogs does not necessarily follow from the first phrase. 

Therefore

• search the words therefore,thus, and hence in your sentences and paragraphs
• remove these words, unless they signify instances in which one phrase or sentence follows logically from the previous phrase or sentence

Exercise

9.4. Some of your sentences and paragraphs may comprise several items or parts, such as the man drove to the park, ran to the shops, and then walked home.  In these sentences,

• each item or part should conform to the same basic grammar, called parallel grammar 
• in this example, each part began with a verb, written in past tense, such as drove, ran, and walked

• alternatively, each item or part could begin with a noun, begin with the word to, and so forth.   
• the sentence the man drove to the park, ran to the shops, and then walked home demonstrates parallel grammar
• in contrast, the sentence the man drove to the park, he started running to the shops and then home he went does not demonstrate parallel grammar

Therefore

• identify which of your sentences comprise many items or parts
• check each item or part conforms to the same basic grammar

Exercise