example essay pros and cons

How to Write a Pros & Cons Essay: Step-By-Step Guide

Trying to convince someone to take your word on a particular subject isn’t straightforward. You must present convincing arguments backed by proof to encourage your opponent to change their mind. Moreover, the pros and cons essay must also cover the opposing standpoints.

You may wonder why this is relevant. Undoubtedly, most issues in our modern society are multidimensional and double or often triple-sided. There’s no concept clearly black and white, for the simple reason that no two people on Earth have an identical point of view.

Therefore, writing pro and con essays is vital for students of all ages. In the process, you will learn to think analytically and reason things from different angles. Whatever your thoughts on the topic, you must prove your point by offering convincing evidence and facts.

For those who never had the chance to write a pros & cons essay, the time has come to take the plunge. The start may be intimidating, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. To help you, we list a few helpful tips and examples to consider for your pro and con paper.

What Is a Pros and Cons Essay?

Before you set your aims high, let’s explain what for and against essays are. You must also understand the importance of this kind of academic assignment to write efficiently. A pros & cons essay is a written task that elaborates on the advantages and disadvantages of a specific problem. The paper covers different sides of a single topic where your argument prevails.

The most challenging aspect for students is that they can’t just list the benefits and drawbacks of a pressing matter. Instead, they must summarize ideas, like when writing a synthesis essay , and pick a side by stating their point. Moreover, the paper must have a logical flow that ends with your attitude.

The introduction should signpost the direction in which you’re steering. State your opinion only after you’ve meticulously analyzed all for and against arguments.

A Compelling Topic

The topic you choose must have inherent positive and negative sides. Avoid themes with evident benefits and no disadvantages. Similarly, skip obviously disadvantageous topics because those are tiresome and time-consuming. For example, write about an issue with pronounced bad and good sides, such as advertising, online education, or modern technologies. However, the ultimate decision will depend on the course specifics and your professor’s guidelines.

Relevant Ideas

Your work must offer a unique perspective on a central idea. And you must support the main claim with at least three arguments. Including every possible pro and con will overwhelm the reader and won’t make your work impactful.

Instead, write about the core aspects of the issue. You can find numerous relevant examples on Paperell if you lack inspiration. Also, ensure you discuss the strongest point at the onset. Similarly, refute the most relevant con in the end to demonstrate your ability to handle opposing views.

Write in the traditional format. It should consist of an introduction, middle paragraphs (one paragraph for each idea), and a conclusion. Use short and concise sentences to avoid losing yourself in your thoughts. Run-on sentences will confuse the reader and impede seamless reading.

Originality

Refrain from copying other works without including quotations. Your paper must be 100% authentic. If you decide to seek assistance from a platform that offers online essays for sale , ensure it is reliable. Most custom paper services abide by strict academic standards and deliver plagiarism-free work.

Make sure your ideas are relevant, supported by facts, and not arbitrary. Also, typos are unacceptable for these kinds of assignments. To avoid losing points on technical aspects, review your grammatical structures and use plenty of synonyms for the keywords in the essay.

How to Write a Pros and Cons Essay?

For a rookie, the essay composition process might prove an uphill task. However, with practice, you’ll become more efficient and productive. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write your essay.

Do Thorough Research

Examine the assigned topic and focus on important information on the subject. Try to find credible sources that are objective and fact-based. Though you probably have an opinion on the problem, don’t let it blur your objectivity.

Brainstorm the Advantages and Disadvantages

Once you find enough positive and negative sides of the matter, write them in a list. Ensure you provide examples for each point, as you’d do in exemplification essay writing for your college assignments. Write two columns and rate items by relevance. The top three benefits should go in the paper.

Draft the Essay Skeleton

Decide what outline you’ll use. One approach is to write each pro and con in different paragraphs. Alternatively, you might want to dedicate every paragraph to one aspect of the dilemma, discussing both pros and cons simultaneously.

Be Creative

Start your journey with an attention-grabbing idea that urges your audience to keep reading. To this end, choose a hook for an essay that is topic-related and amusing. Also, when writing a pros and cons paper, the thesis statement should tell the reader what follows.

In the body section, discuss the points you decided to include but with examples and facts. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, and all explanations should relate to the main claim. The conclusion must summarize the essay, restate your position, and compel the reader to contemplate the problem.

Editing and proofreading your work is critical for an impeccable essay. Ensure your punctuation, spelling, and grammar are error-free.

Plagiarism Free Pros & Cons Essay

Writing a 100% original manuscript isn’t straightforward. As much as you try to paraphrase, sophisticated tools recognize your attempts. The same will happen with the trained eye of your professor. Consider the following tips to avoid plagiarized essays.

Cite Properly

Citations are vital, so you must give credit to all sources you’re using in your paper. This way, you show you can borrow information with integrity. Failure to include quotations and references is plagiarism. The best way to cite a study or research is to follow the APA style.

Use a Plagiarism Checker

Your teachers use specialized tools to check the plagiarism level in your essay. Doing this will spare you a lot of trouble and effort. Try your free plagiarism checker with percentage to get a detailed report on your work. If you spot copied content, rewrite it to express your ideas differently.

Be Original

Pros and cons essays reveal your side on a specific subject. Hence, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to your opinions. With original ideas, you won’t have to worry about plagiarism. Still, always base your thoughts on relevant research and use the conclusion to call for action. Need help with the pros and cons essay? You can pay for papers online to get professional help. Also, ask your instructors or teachers to help you understand the topic.

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How to Write a Pros & Cons Essay

Much like writing a debate essay, writing a pros and cons essay argues an issue. However, unlike a debate essay, which addresses one viewpoint, the pros and cons essay deals with both sides of the issue. With research and preparation, students can write a thought-provoking -- and grade-worthy -- pros and cons essay.

First Things First

Unlike the debate paper, for which you conduct research to support your position on an issue, you must research the issue extensively so that you can dispassionately describe the pros and cons. Find resources that cover opposing sides of the issue. Take thorough notes and resist the temptation to discard positions that repel you. You might use a graphic organizer to bring order to your findings. Draw a large lowercase "t" on a sheet of paper. Title the left side "pros" and list all the pros of the issue on the left side. Include citations from your research. Title the right side "cons" and repeat the process.

The Positive View

Your introductory paragraph must briefly and dispassionately describe the issue. Follow with a sentence that summarizes the pro side of the debate, followed by a sentence that summarizes the con. Then, open with the case for the pro. Devote one paragraph to each of your primary points. You can cover secondary points in groups of two or three in a single paragraph. When you cover multiple points in a paragraph, reread the paragraph several times and ask others to review it. You don't want the multiplicity of your points to muddy the information you're trying to convey. Support each pro point with evidence based on your research.

The Negative Side

Follow your pro points with the arguments for the other side. Open with a brief introduction that clearly summarizes the opposing view. Each con paragraph should support your point with meticulously researched evidence. Emphasize any points that contradict a pro point you may have highlighted in the preceding section.

Your conclusion should state the issue and why it is important. Choose one strong pro and one strong con to include in your conclusion to illustrate the most prominent points. Finally, craft a strong sentence that ties all of your ideas together to end your essay.

One Last Look for Fairness

Read the essay to ensure you've applied the same rigorous standards for evidence to both sides. Check whether you've used transitional language to link the paragraphs into cohesive arguments. Have others read it and ask them to tell you whether they can detect any biases.

• BYU: Reading/Writing Center -- Pro/Con Essays
• Literacy Education Online: Strategies for Writing a Conclusion

Lori Garrett-Hatfield has a B.J. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. She has a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. She has been working in the Education field since 1994, and has taught every grade level in the K-12 system, specializing in English education, and English as a Second Language education.

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Tips on Writing a Pros and Cons Essay

Have you ever argued with someone who thinks that their point of view is the only right point? Such people don’t even try to consider the arguments and evidence from the opposite side, that’s what makes such conversations frustrating. There are many complex issues, where it’s not easy to make a choice. Our world is not black-and-white, and if you want to make a point, you should also consider the opposite point. Fortunately, writing classes teach students analytical thinking, and pros and cons essays are the best exercises. When writing such essays, you should consider both sides of an issue, and tips from specialists at College-Writers.Com will help you with it.

What Is a Pros and Cons Essay?

To write a decent pros and cons essay, you should perfectly understand what it is. This type of writing assignments is exactly what it sounds like: it’s an argumentative essay that requires you to consider both positive and negative aspects of a subject.

Perhaps, the most difficult thing about this type of writing is that you cannot just write a list of pros and cons. Instead, you should synthesize the facts that you have, picking a side and clearly stating your own point. However, your essay shouldn’t be all about supporting your point. It should provide arguments, and your opinion must be just your personal conclusion that you came to after analyzing all the arguments.

What to Consider When Writing a Pros and Cons Essay

First, you should choose a debatable topic. It means that you must be able to provide a balanced number of both negatives and positives. For example, genocide is not debatable because you cannot say anything good about it, and charity is also not debatable because there’s nothing bad you can say about it.

Another important thing to consider is that both pros and cons should be given equal weight in your essay. You should carefully analyze both sides of the argument. When you read a good pros and cons essay, you cannot understand what is the author’s opinion until you see the thesis statement at the end. Now let’s take a closer look at the writing process itself.

Pros and Cons Essays: Step-By-Step Guide

The writing process is somewhat similar to that of any argumentative essay because it includes researching, writing an outline, writing a draft, and proofreading. However, the pros and cons essays also have their own specific features.

1. Research your topic

If you’ve got your topic assigned by your instructor, or if you’ve chosen a good debatable topic, start researching it. Make sure to look for credible sources and avoid being biased. You must be open-minded about your subject, even if you have a certain opinion. Don’t let your opinion affect your research.

2. Brainstorm the pros and cons

While researching, divide the information into two categories: pros, and cons. At this point, you don’t need to write an outline, just make a list of positive and negative aspects that will serve as the basis for your outline.

3. Write an outline

Once you’ve got a list of pros and cons, write your outline. It should consist of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the body of the essay, you should address the pros and cons. You may choose to list all the pros first and then address the cons, or you may devote each paragraph of the body to a certain aspect of the issue, explaining its pros and cons. Here’s an example:

• Thesis statement
• Final thoughts

4. Write the introduction

The introduction should start with a strong hook — the very first sentence that should motivate your readers to keep reading your essay. The thesis statement must provide your opinion on the subject. However, when writing pros and cons essays, you may also present your thesis statement in the conclusion. If you include your thesis statement in the introduction, it may provide a general understanding of what the body paragraphs will be about.

5. Add details to your outline

Once you’ve written the thesis statement and the outline, it won’t be a problem for you to write the body paragraphs. Just elaborate on the points from your outline and add more details. Every body paragraph should only focus on one point but all the paragraphs should be related to the thesis statement.

6. Write the conclusion

The conclusion has two main purposes. First, it should summarize the whole essay. Secondly, it should leave your readers with something to think about. It may also reveal your opinion by presenting the thesis statement if you haven’t stated it in the introduction.

As you can see, writing a pros and cons essay is not a difficult task. If you’re still not sure that you can write a good essay, we suggest that you ask experts from College-Writers.com for help. Our professional writers know everything about writing assignments of any kind, and they will provide you with outstanding papers on any topic.

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An Example of How to Write a Pro & Con Essay

Todd bowerman.

“Pro and Con” essays are impartial reports engineered to provide the reader with both the positive and negative aspects of any given topic. Your job as the writer of one of these essays is to provide accurate information that backs up both sides of the argument, yet does not show any favor toward one side or another. Writing a pro and con essay is similar to writing any other type of essay with a few minor tweaks.

Explore this article

• Choose a good topic
• Brainstorm as many negative and positive qualities as and of your topic
• Isolate three or four or
• Use a traditional essay format

1 Choose a good topic

Choose a good topic. The most important step in writing your essay is finding a subject that has both pros and cons. Writing a pro and con essay on a topic that is clearly beneficial or clearly dangerous will prove to be difficult and time-consuming. If you are allowed to choose your own topic, pick something that has two clear sides, each with their own set of arguments. For instance, you could choose to illustrate the pros and cons of a vehicle with a manual transmission. Since driving a manual isn't overwhelmingly good or bad, it is a perfect example of the type of topic to look for.

2 Brainstorm as many negative and positive qualities as and of your topic

Brainstorm as many negative and positive qualities of your topic as possible. Start two columns on a piece of paper, one labeled “Pros” and one labeled “Cons.” Fill this page with as many details as you can. Sticking with the manual transmission example, pros could include better gas mileage, less transmission maintenance, more fun and better performance. Cons could include damage caused by user error, inconvenience in slow traffic or hazardous situations and difficulty.

3 Isolate three or four or

Isolate three or four of the largest benefits and three or four of the largest problems with your topic from your brainstorming list. You cannot write about every pro or con, so stick with the ones that are at the core of your issue. Using the manual transmission example again, the strongest pros would be better gas mileage and less maintenance, while the strongest cons are the learning curve and possible user error causing expensive damage. You will likely have far more options from which to choose.

Research your topic at a library or using trusted resources on the Internet. A pro and con essay should be backed by as many facts as you can provide to strengthen both sides of the argument. For instance, Consumer Reports has found that a manual transmission improves gas mileage by 2 to 5 miles per gallon. That's a concrete fact that can help make the case for the pros of driving a stick. On the cons side, an expensive problem like clutch wear is verifiable evidence of the possible costs involved in driving a stick.

5 Use a traditional essay format

Use a traditional essay format to argue the case. Your first paragraph should be an introduction that speaks briefly on the topic at hand and what you intend to do with it. Use middle paragraphs to discuss pros and cons, devoting one section of your paper to each. Wrap your essay up with the conclusion you have drawn from doing this research and writing your paper. Be sure to mention your own opinion somewhere in the conclusion paragraph. Your closing line can be simple, along the lines of, "Based on the information I have discovered in my research, driving a vehicle with a manual transmission is clearly the better option for drivers concerned about the long-term cost and health of their vehicles."

• 1 Essay Town: How to Write a Pros and Cons Essay

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Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Essay guide

Essay examples, what are advantages and disadvantages essays.

Advantages and disadvantages essays, also known as pros and cons essays or balanced essays, offer a balanced analysis of a topic by exploring its positive and negative aspects. They encourage critical thinking and provide a structured format, promoting coherence and logical flow. These essays enhance analytical skills by evaluating different viewpoints and providing evidence.

These essays provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. However, they can be subjective and oversimplify complex issues, potentially introducing bias and limiting in-depth analysis. They may also have a limited scope, overlooking important factors and considerations. Overall, while advantages and disadvantages essays have their benefits in presenting a balanced perspective, their limitations should be considered when examining complex and multifaceted topics.

If you're a college student tasked with writing an advantages and disadvantages paper — a type of essay that requires a balanced and in-depth analysis of both sides of an issue—StudyMoose can offer you the specialized assistance you need to excel. Renowned for a wide variety of academic writing services, StudyMoose employs experienced writers who are adept at crafting nuanced essays that impartially explore the pros and cons of a given topic.

How to Write a Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Topic selection.

Choose a specific topic or issue that has clear pros and cons. It should be something you can analyze objectively and provide evidence for both sides.

Introduction

Begin your advantages and disadvantages essay with a concise introduction that provides background information on the topic and presents a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement should state that you will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the subject matter.

Start the body of your essay by presenting the advantages of the topic. Each advantage should be discussed in a separate paragraph. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that states the specific advantage you will be discussing. Support your points with relevant examples, evidence, or statistics. Ensure that each advantage is discussed thoroughly before moving on to the next paragraph.

After discussing the advantages, provide a transitional paragraph that acknowledges the opposing viewpoint and signals the shift to the disadvantages. This helps maintain a balanced approach and prepares the reader for the upcoming discussion.

Disadvantages

Similar to the advantages, dedicate separate paragraphs to discuss the disadvantages. Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence stating the specific disadvantage you will be addressing. Support your points with evidence, examples, or statistics. Make sure to present a comprehensive analysis of each disadvantage.

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points discussed in the advantages and disadvantages essay. Restate your thesis statement and offer a balanced closing statement that reflects the overall analysis. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Proofreading and revision

After completing the essay, review it carefully for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported and that there is a logical progression throughout the essay. Make any necessary revisions to improve the overall quality of the essay.

Remember to maintain an objective and balanced tone throughout the essay. Provide evidence and examples to support your claims, and avoid personal biases or sweeping generalizations. By following these steps, you can effectively write an advantages and disadvantages essay that provides a thorough analysis of the chosen topic.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Writing Prompts

• Analyze the pros and cons of remote work in a post-pandemic world

With the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, explore this work arrangement. Discuss factors such as flexibility, productivity, work-life balance, collaboration, and potential challenges associated with remote work.

• Discuss the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare

Examine the benefits and drawbacks of integrating AI technologies in healthcare systems. Analyze how AI can improve diagnostics, personalized medicine, and patient care, while considering concerns related to data privacy, ethical implications, and potential biases in AI algorithms.

• Explore the pros and cons of using social media as a marketing tool for businesses.

Discuss the potential benefits of reaching a wider audience, building brand awareness, and engaging with customers, while also considering challenges such as managing online reputation, handling negative feedback, and maintaining privacy and data security.

• Analyze of using renewable energy sources to combat climate change.

Examine the benefits and drawbacks of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, and hydropower) in addressing climate change. Consider factors such as environmental impact, energy efficiency, economic feasibility, and the challenges associated with intermittency and energy storage.

These prompts provide focused topics for advantages and disadvantages essays, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the specific subject matter. Remember to present balanced arguments, support your claims with evidence, and consider the broader implications and contexts related to each prompt.

Advantages and disadvantages essay examples

Advantages and disadvantages to have a car.

Advantage and disadvantages of social networking

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food

List of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

• Advantages and disadvantages of social media
• Benefits and drawbacks of online learning
• Pros and cons of renewable energy sources
• Cons and Prons of globalization
• The impact of technology on communication: Pros and cons
• Benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence (AI)
• Pros and cons of e-commerce
• The impact of video games: Benefits and drawbacks
• Advantages and disadvantages of the gig economy
• Benefits and drawbacks of autonomous vehicles
• Pros and cons of nuclear power
• The influence of smartphones
• Benefits and drawbacks of telecommuting/remote work
• Pros and Cons of social networking sites
• Pros and cons of genetic engineering
• The impact of tourism: Benefits and drawbacks
• Benefits and drawbacks of online shopping
• Alternative medicine: Benefits and drawbacks
• Pros and cons of capital punishment (death penalty)
• The influence of advertising: Benefits and disadvantages
• Advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality (VR)
• Benefits and drawbacks of cryptocurrency
• Pros and cons of animal testing
• The impact of automation
• Benefits and drawbacks of plastic surgery
• Advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling
• Pros and cons of the sharing economy
• The influence of social networking on relationships: Pros and cons
• Benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified foods

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278 Pros and Cons Essay Topics & Ideas

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 2289 words
• Icon Clock 11 min read

Pros and cons essay topics offer an opportunity to analyze multiple aspects of a subject, weighing both positive and negative elements. They promote critical thinking, compelling the writer to delve into complex issues, presenting diverse viewpoints, and fostering a balanced argument. These themes can touch diverse fields, such as technology, social issues, politics, or the environment. However, the challenge lies in presenting a balanced perspective, not swaying too much on one side. It may become difficult if one’s personal bias toward a subject is obvious. Additionally, these topics often involve controversial issues, which require in-depth research to provide accurate, comprehensive information. The key to handling pros and cons essay topics successfully is an unbiased perspective, thorough research, and a well-structured argument.

Best Pros and Cons Topics

• Remote Learning in the Modern Age
• Genetic Modification: A Revolution in Agriculture
• Ethical Implications of Animal Testing
• Universal Basic Income: Solution to Poverty?
• Veganism: An Ethical and Healthful Choice?
• Nuclear Power: Energy Savior or Environmental Hazard?
• Cryptocurrency: Future of Finance or Speculative Bubble?
• Gun Control: Safety Measure or Infringement on Rights?
• Mandatory Vaccinations: Public Health Necessity or Personal Freedom Invasion?
• Internet Censorship: Protection or Restriction of Freedom?
• Autonomous Vehicles: Road Safety Improvement or Risk?
• Corporal Punishment: Effective Discipline or Child Abuse?
• Climate Change Mitigation: Economic Burden or Investment?
• Capital Punishment: Deterrent to Crime or Inhumane Practice?
• Cloning: Medical Breakthrough or Ethical Nightmare?
• Reality Television: Harmless Entertainment or Negative Influence?
• Artificial Intelligence: Economic Boon or Job Threat?
• Space Exploration: Worth the Investment or Financial Drain?
• Zoos: Education and Conservation Centers or Animal Prisons?
• Euthanasia: Mercy or Murder?
• Renewable Energy: Sustainable Solution or Unreliable Source?
• Youth Sports: Character Building or Too Competitive?
• Biometric Technology: Security Improvement or Privacy Erosion?
• Alternative Medicine: Healthful Practice or Pseudoscience?

Easy Pros and Cons Topics

• Homeschooling: Alternative Education or Socialization Hinderance?
• Plastic Surgery: Confidence Booster or Health Risk?
• Trade Unions: Workers’ Rights Protector or Economic Hindrance?
• Multilingual Education: Cultural Richness or Confusion?
• Immigration: Economic Growth Engine or Job Competition?
• Video Games: Skill Development or Violence Promoter?
• Social Media: Connectivity or Privacy Invasion?
• Caffeine Consumption: Health Benefit or Risk?
• Genetically Modified Foods: Solution to Hunger or Health Hazard?
• Nuclear Disarmament: Path to Peace or Security Risk?
• Surveillance Cameras: Safety Ensurer or Privacy Invader?
• Drone Technology: Efficiency Improvement or Privacy Threat?
• Mass Tourism: Economic Driver or Environmental Degrader?
• Offshore Drilling: Energy Solution or Environmental Danger?
• Celebrity Culture: Inspiration or Distraction?
• Fast Food Consumption: Convenience or Health Risk?
• Mobile Phones in Schools: Learning Tool or Distraction?
• Online Privacy: Safety or Surveillance?
• Organic Farming: Sustainable Practice or Luxury Expense?
• Hydroelectric Power: Renewable Energy or Ecosystem Disrupter?
• Deforestation: Economic Development or Biodiversity Threat?
• Animal Agriculture: Food Supply or Environmental Stressor?

Interesting Pros and Cons Topics

• Telecommuting: Work-Life Balance or Productivity Killer?
• Body Cameras on Police: Accountability Tool or Privacy Invasion?
• Online Shopping: Convenience or Traditional Retail Killer?
• Single-Gender Schools: Focused Education or Gender Stereotype Reinforcement?
• Electronic Voting: Democratic Enhancement or Security Risk?
• Free Trade Agreements: Economic Boom or Job Loss?
• Junk Food Tax: Health Initiative or Personal Freedom Infringement?
• Streaming Services: Entertainment Evolution or Traditional Media Death?
• Facial Recognition: Security Tool or Privacy Violation?
• Forest Conservation: Biodiversity Savior or Development Constraint?
• Solar Power: Sustainable Energy or Landscape Disruption?
• Drones for Delivery: Efficiency or Public Safety Hazard?
• Reality Augmentation: Technological Breakthrough or Reality Detachment?
• Fracking: Energy Solution or Environmental Hazard?
• Human Microchipping: Security Enhancement or Privacy Infringement?
• Reproductive Cloning: Medical Miracle or Ethical Minefield?
• Animal Fur in Fashion: Luxury or Cruelty?
• Homework: Academic Advantage or Unnecessary Stress?
• Fossil Fuel Dependency: Economic Necessity or Environmental Crisis?
• Carbon Capture Technology: Climate Change Solution or Greenwashing?
• Fast Fashion: Affordability or Environmental Impact?
• Legalizing Marijuana: Medical Breakthrough or Gateway Drug?
• Robot Workers: Efficiency Booster or Job Eliminator?

Pros and Cons Essay Topics for High School

• Implementation of School Uniforms: Benefits and Drawbacks
• The Influence of Social Media on Teenagers: Positive and Negative Aspects
• Incorporation of Technology in Education: Pros and Cons
• Standardized Testing: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Banning Junk Food in Schools: Right or Wrong?
• Single-Sex Education vs. Co-Education: A Comparative Analysis
• Homework Assignments: Necessary Practice or Unnecessary Pressure?
• Impacts of Extracurricular Activities on Students’ Life: Pros and Cons
• Online Classes vs. Traditional Classes: An Examination of Merits and Demerits
• School Hours Extension: Beneficial or Detrimental?
• Year-Round Schooling: A Review of Pros and Cons
• Learning Foreign Languages in School: Advantages and Disadvantages
• The Role of Sports in Schools: Positive and Negative Implications
• Integration of Arts Education: Pros and Cons
• Usage of Mobile Devices in Class: Boon or Bane?
• Compulsory Community Service for Students: Justified or Not?
• Early College Admission Programs: Assessing the Benefits and Risks
• Corporal Punishment in Schools: A Balanced Debate
• Privatization of Education: Pros and Cons
• Distance Learning: A Comprehensive Pros and Cons Analysis
• Sex Education in Schools: Critical Examination of Advantages and Disadvantages
• Parental Involvement in School Activities: Positive and Negative Aspects
• Academic Grading System: A Review of Its Merits and Demerits
• Inclusion of Meditation and Yoga in School Curriculum: Pros and Cons
• Mandatory Attendance Policies: An Examination of Benefits and Drawbacks

Pros and Cons Essay Topics for Middle School

• Incorporation of Life Skills Education in Curriculum: A Debate
• Boarding Schools vs. Day Schools: A Comparative Analysis
• Personalized Learning: Merits and Demerits
• Strict Dress Code Policies: A Balanced Argument
• Providing Student Counselling in Schools: Weighing the Pros and Cons
• Coed Sports in Schools: A Discussion of Benefits and Challenges
• Multicultural Education: Examining the Positives and Negatives
• Introduction of Philosophy Classes in High School: Pros and Cons
• Group Work in School Assignments: A Review of Advantages and Disadvantages
• Advancement of STEM Education: Weighing Its Merits and Demerits
• School Cafeterias: An Analysis of Health and Convenience Aspects
• Teaching Critical Thinking in Schools: A Balanced Examination
• School Field Trips: Weighing Educational Value and Risks
• Bilingual Education: A Comprehensive Pros and Cons Analysis
• Animal Dissection in Biology Class: Ethical Considerations and Practical Benefits
• Dual Enrollment Classes: Weighing Academic Benefits and Challenges
• Censorship of Books in School Libraries: A Balanced Argument
• Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Comprehensive Analysis
• Adoption of Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools: A Debate
• Healthy Eating Programs in Schools: Pros and Cons
• Teacher Tenure: An Examination of Its Benefits and Drawbacks
• Climate Change Education: The Importance and Challenges in Schools
• Cyberbullying: Understanding Its Impacts and Ways to Mitigate
• School Security Measures: Weighing Safety and Freedom
• Influence of Video Games on Students: A Discussion on Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros and Cons Essay Topics for College Students

• Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life
• Online Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Instruction
• Use of Cryptocurrencies as a Primary Form of Exchange
• Introduction of Universal Basic Income in Developed Nations
• Implication of Driverless Cars on Traffic Management and Safety
• Consumption of Genetically Modified Foods and Health Outcomes
• Exploration of Space as a Priority for Modern Society
• Legalization of Medical Marijuana for Pain Management
• Impacts of Social Media on Interpersonal Communication
• Roles of Animal Testing in Biomedical Research
• Significance of Nuclear Energy in the Global Energy Mix
• Influence of Violent Video Games on Youth Behavior
• Efficacy of School Uniforms in Promoting Discipline and Equality
• Relevance of Single-Gender Schools in Contemporary Education
• Adoption of Veganism for the Health and Environment
• Deregulation of the Energy Market: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Value of Mandatory Military Service in Modern Democracies
• Practice of Telecommuting in Post-Pandemic Times
• Use of Drones in Delivery and Surveillance Services
• Importance of Privacy in the Age of Big Data
• Effects of Multilingualism on Cognitive Development
• Application of Genetic Engineering in Human Health
• Debate on Climate Change and Global Warming Policies
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Office Spaces

Pros and Cons Essay Topics for University

• Impacts of Homeschooling on Children’s Social Skills
• Roles of Religion in Public Schools
• Potential of 3D Printing in Manufacturing Industries
• Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth Identity Formation
• Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Professional Sports
• Prospects of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles in Decarbonization
• Responsibility of Developed Countries in Climate Change Mitigation
• Evaluation of Renewable Energy Subsidies for Energy Transition
• Influence of Parenting Styles on Child Development
• Adoption of Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement
• Question of Human Cloning: Ethical Implications
• Roles of Internet Censorship in Protecting National Security
• Effects of Mass Tourism on Local Cultures
• Impacts of Fast Fashion on the Environment
• Application of Nanotechnology in Medicine
• Importance of Liberal Arts Education in a Technological Society
• Effects of Mandatory Voting on Democratic Participation
• Impacts of Music Therapy on Mental Health
• Influence of Body Cameras on Police Accountability
• Pros and Cons of Full-Time Employment vs. Freelancing
• Role of Animal Zoos in Wildlife Conservation
• Application of Blockchain Technology Beyond Cryptocurrencies
• Debate on Genetically Modified Babies for Disease Prevention
• Consideration of Eco-Tourism as a Sustainable Travel Alternative

Pro and Con Debate Topics

• Space Tourism: Exciting Frontier or Elitist Extravagance?
• Universal Healthcare: Basic Human Right or Economic Burden?
• Polar Tourism: Adventure or Environmental Threat?
• eSports: Athletic Recognition or Sedentary Lifestyle Promoter?
• Online Dating: Convenient Connection or Relationship Ruin?
• Zero-Waste Lifestyle: Sustainable Practice or Unrealistic Expectation?
• Artificial Photosynthesis: Energy Breakthrough or Technological Hurdle?
• Underwater Cities: Innovative Living or Ecological Disaster?
• Job Automation: Efficiency Gain or Workforce Threat?
• Wildlife Trafficking: Economic Opportunity or Conservation Crisis?
• Gender-Neutral Parenting: Equality Promoter or Identity Confusion?
• Food Waste: Resource Mismanagement or Consumer Habit?
• Carbon Offsetting: Climate Solution or Responsibility Shift?
• Genetic Privacy: Personal Protection or Research Obstacle?
• Cashless Society: Convenience or Privacy Threat?
• Aging Population: Burden or Wisdom Source?
• Digital Learning Tools: Learning Enhancer or Traditional Teaching Underminer?
• Designer Babies: Medical Miracle or Ethical Disaster?
• Intellectual Property Rights: Innovation Protection or Monopolization?
• Digital Currency: Economic Revolution or Financial Instability?

Controversial Pro and Con Topics

• Mandatory Vaccination: Pros and Cons
• Legalization of Recreational Drugs: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Nuclear Energy: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Animal Testing in Medical Research: Arguments For and Against
• Capital Punishment: Exploring the Upsides and Downsides
• Adoption of Universal Basic Income: Prospects and Challenges
• Internet Censorship: Freedom vs. Safety
• Gene Editing Technology: Ethical Implications
• Driverless Cars: A Technological Breakthrough or Risky Innovation
• Homeschooling: Assessing Its Strengths and Weaknesses
• Protesting Rights: Balancing Freedom and Public Safety
• Concealed Firearms: Public Protection or Public Threat?
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Feeding the World or Damaging the Environment
• Surveillance Technology: Safeguarding or Invading Privacy
• Social Media Influence: Connectivity or Toxicity
• Animal Rights vs. Human Needs: A Delicate Balance
• School Uniforms: Promoting Equality or Suppressing Individuality
• Euthanasia: Compassionate Response or Moral Dilemma
• Outsourcing Jobs: Boost for Global Economy or Local Unemployment Trigger
• Veganism: Healthy Lifestyle or Nutritional Risk
• Fracking: Energy Solution or Environmental Hazard
• Polygamy: Cultural Practice or Human Rights Violation
• Deforestation: Economic Gain vs. Environmental Loss
• Human Cloning: Scientific Progress or Ethical Nightmare
• Space Colonization: Next Frontier or Dangerous Fantasy

Pros and Cons Ideas

• Wind Power: Renewable Solution or Noise Pollution?
• Animal Rights in Entertainment: Fun Show or Unethical Practice?
• Artificial Meat: Sustainability Savior or Health Concern?
• Screen Time for Children: Educational Tool or Developmental Hindrance?
• GMO Labeling: Consumer Right or Unnecessary Panic?
• Public Surveillance: Crime Deterrent or Freedom Infringement?
• Trophy Hunting: Conservation Strategy or Cruelty?
• Quantum Computing: Technological Revolution or Security Threat?
• Prescription Drug Advertising: Informed Choice or Misleading Practice?
• Assisted Suicide: Compassionate Care or Ethical Dilemma?
• Nuclear Family Structure: Social Stability or Outdated Model?
• Paper Books vs. E-Books: Tradition or Technology?
• Colonizing Mars: Human Achievement or Unnecessary Distraction?
• Performance Enhancing Drugs: Fair Advantage or Cheating?
• Modern Art: Creative Expression or Financial Speculation?
• Professional Gaming: Career Opportunity or Unhealthy Lifestyle?
• Beauty Pageants: Self-Expression or Objectification?
• Child Labor: Economic Necessity or Human Rights Violation?
• Overtourism: Economic Prosperity or Cultural Erosion?
• Multiculturalism: Social Enrichment or Integration Challenge?
• Invasive Species: Ecological Threat or Biodiversity Booster?

Pro and Con Paper Topics

• Extreme Sports: Thrill or Danger?
• Lifelong Learning: Personal Growth or Economic Necessity?
• Paying College Athletes: Fair Compensation or Amateur Spirit Ruin?
• Self-Driving Cars: Traffic Solution or Safety Issue?
• Artificial Wombs: Medical Advancement or Ethical Quandary?
• Violent Media: Artistic Freedom or Social Malady?
• Helicopter Parenting: Child Safety or Overprotection?
• Cybersecurity Measures: Essential Safeguard or Privacy Intrusion?
• Holographic Technology: Futuristic Communication or Privacy Concern?
• Virtual Reality: Exciting Innovation or Isolation Enhancer?
• Hyperloop Travel: Transportation Revolution or Pipe Dream?
• Geoengineering: Climate Savior or Ecological Risk?
• Population Control: Sustainable Solution or Human Rights Violation?
• Nanotechnology: Revolutionary Science or Unpredictable Threat?
• Bioplastics: Environmental Solution or Greenwashing?
• Internet of Things: Connected Convenience or Surveillance Nightmare?
• 3D Printing: Manufacturing Revolution or Intellectual Property Nightmare?
• Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Freedom or Isolation?
• Dark Tourism: Educational Experience or Insensitive Practice?
• Autonomous Weapons: Military Efficiency or Ethical Disaster?

Pros and Cons Issues

• Telemedicine: Healthcare Accessibility or Patient Risk
• Labor Unions: Employee Advocacy or Business Hindrance
• Artificial Intelligence: Boosting Efficiency or Threatening Jobs
• Plastic Surgery: Cosmetic Enhancement or Health Risk
• Crypto-Currencies: Future of Finance or Bubble Waiting to Burst
• Assisted Reproduction: Miracle of Science or Ethical Quandary
• Multicultural Education: Promoting Diversity or Dividing Society
• Reality TV: Entertainment or Cultural Decay
• Extreme Sports: Thrilling Adventure or Unnecessary Risk
• Designer Babies: Genetic Customization or Ethical Issue
• Lobbying: Advocacy Tool or Unfair Influence
• Violent Video Games: Entertainment or Negative Influence
• Organic Farming: Sustainable Practice or Inefficient Production
• Renewable Energy: Long-Term Solution or Unrealistic Ideal
• Civil Disobedience: Necessary Protest or Legal Violation
• Zoos: Conservation Efforts or Animal Cruelty
• Performance Enhancing Drugs: Sporting Equality or Unfair Advantage
• Stem Cell Research: Medical Breakthrough or Ethical Dilemma
• Online Dating: Romantic Revolution or Relationship Ruin
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Ethical Practice or Marketing Gimmick
• Junk Food Taxation: Public Health Initiative or Personal Freedom Infringement
• Single-Gender Education: Enhanced Learning or Limited Socialization
• Offshore Drilling: Energy Opportunity or Environmental Threat
• Monarchy: Historical Heritage or Outdated System
• GMO Labeling: Consumer Right or Unnecessary Fearmongering

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

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• Essay Topics
• Pros and Cons

50 Pros and Cons Essay Topics

What is the point of pros and cons essay topics? They help students understand what they would like to write about. Imagine that you got an assignment: your professor asked you to craft an essay where you evaluate an object along with its advantages and disadvantages. This would be a pros & cons type of task, and it’s represented by a set of different features. You might be concerned about how much research you’re going to need and when to find time for writing, but the truth is, selecting which pros and cons subjects to explore is one of the major factors affecting your success. If you make a wrong decision, then your research and efforts won’t pay off as well as they could have otherwise. This kind of essay is essential because it develops your analytical skills and teaches you to look into the depth of an object, underlining its weak and strong sides. We hope to assist you by making it clear why choice of topics plays such a major role in writing and where to find inspiration for it.

How to Choose Pro Con Essay Topics?

All students should follow some writing strategies when they start working on a new task. We’re going to outline four of them. Take a look and try to keep these things in mind. They usually apply in all situations, and with their help, you have more chances at writing a strong and engaging essay.

• Always make things interesting for yourself.  All topics could be made interesting, at least to an extent. If you were forced to take a topic from a professor-generated list, then it could be tough, but otherwise, you can always look for something that will trigger your honest interest. There are plenty of good pros and cons topics — all you need is take a dive into your own mind. Think about stuff that you’re invested in. Perhaps you’re an athlete passionate about swimming. Maybe you love cooking, prefer theater performances over movies, or love sea over the ocean. Why not write about this? It would be exciting for you, and if you feel interested in your topic, your writing is going to reflect it, so your readers will find enjoyment as well.
• Preserve your objectivity.  Some pro con paper topics are less fortunate than others. Try not to pick something that is obviously good or bad. For example, if you decided on exploring the benefits and cons unemployment has, the latter will clearly prevail, so you won’t be able to write a balanced essay. If you have passion for some topic, it might be great, but it could also hinder you from being objective. Assess your reactions and attitudes, and choose a theme you could build a fantastic essay on.
• Check if your ideas are supported.  Pro con topics could be controversial, which is something professors usually like, but you’re going to have to use sources for supporting your points. Don’t make statements that reality refutes. Even if you feel strongly about a topic, you should rely on facts, not emotions. So watch out for it and check whether there are enough articles or books that could be incorporated as you need it.
• Discuss.  Talk about your ideas with others. This could be a teacher — in most cases, they appreciate being consulted. Classmates are also a great bet: discuss your ideas together and brainstorm. Maybe you’ll find common inspiration. Talk with your friends or family members — they could offer you ideas you haven’t considered. Write about things you like, and you’ll learn to feel enjoyment during this process.

50 Useful Pro and Cons Topics

The list below has various suggestions you could use for your essay. We devised it so that you could find inspiration whenever you need it: just look through these 50 options and settle on the ones you like. Take them and write an essay on them or shift some ideas in the way you like before doing this. The choice is yours: we are here only for boosting your productivity.

Education Pros and Cons Essay Topics

In many ways, success depends on the education you receive. These pros and cons topics could let you argue against this point or in favor of it.

• Should Students Be Motivated to Receive Education in the US?
• Doing Homework: Is This a Good Idea?
• Prolonging Education by Getting a Master’s Degree: Waste of Time or Step Toward a Better Future?
• Moving into Campus: Good or Bad Decision?
• Sending Children to Preschool: Do They Really Need to Go There?
• Tuition Costing Money: What Are Advantages and Disadvantages of This Issue?
• Academic Grades As a Method for Evaluating Performance: Motivating or Discouraging?
• What Are the Perks and Drawbacks of Online Education?
• Taking Gap Year Before Entering College: Yes or No?
• Purpose of Application Essays and Degrees of Effectiveness

Health Pros and Cons Essay Ideas

Billions of people all over the world are terrified for their health right now. Choose a pro con topic that speaks to you most.

• Wearing Masks Outside: Pros & Cons
• Hospice: Place of Hope or Despair for Those Who Are Already Dying?
• Should Students Choose Nursing as Their Career?
• Pros & Cons of Studying at Medical University
• Is Personal Hygiene Really That Important?
• The Benefits & Dangers of Alternative Medicine
• Should People Who Want to Lose Weight Rely on Diets?
• Reasons for Getting or Not Getting Health Insurance in the US
• Going Vegan: Should Most People Do It?
• Safety & Dangers Presented By Modern Vaccines

Social Media and Technology Topics

Almost all of us have an account on one of social media platforms. These pro and con topics reflect this trend.

• What Are the Benefits and Dangers Posed By Online Dating?
• Discuss What Makes iPhones a Great & Terrible Choice
• Gaining Popularity on Social Platforms: A Curse or a Blessing?
• Using Facebook For Most Communication Needs
• Reading E-Books Instead of Physical Books: Did This Change Make People’s Lives Easier?
• Relying on Your Cell Phone: Why Is This Useful & What Dangers It Could Lead To
• Evolution of Technology: Did It Improve Our Lives or Made Them Unhealthier?
• Becoming a Technician: Is There a Point?
• Skype as a Way to Stay in Touch Visually No Matter the Distance: Pluses and Minuses
• Twitter as a Platform for Exchanging Crucial Info.

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History and Politics

Here’s an example of advantage and disadvantage topics related to historical & political aspects of our life.

• Was Trump a Good President for Americans?
• Was Obama’s Presidency a Good or Bad Thing for Other Countries?
• Different Wars from the perspective of the US: Who Got Rich & Poor?
• Monarchy as System of Government: Should It Be Applied More Often?
• Age Limit for Participating for President Position: Is It Necessary?
• Being a Queen That Rules an Entire Country: Too Much Trouble or Endless Pleasure?
• Civil Right Movements: Victories and Losses That Resulted From It
• Should Students Be Encouraged to Study Political Science In Colleges?
• Is There a Sense in Political Theories Or Are They All Meaningless?
• Communism as Structure Based on Equality: In What Way Does It Work in Reality?

Morality and Social Issues Pro and Cons Essays Topics

Morality could be seen as a simple area of discussions, but at the same time, it’s incredibly complex. These topics with pros and cons could push you in the right direction.

• Provision of Free Apartments for Homeless People: Is This a Viable Solution?
• Discuss if Death Penalty Should Be Applied in Violent Cases Where Guilt Is Proven Beyond Reasonable Doubt
• Living in a Third World Country: Positive & Negative Aspects
• Adopting Pets From Shelter: Is It Always a Better Choice?
• Having Children Despite Being Poor: Should It Be Done?
• Living with a Person You No Longer Love for the Sake of Children
• Giving Gifts to People You Do Not Care About: Is There a Point?
• Helping People Despite Not Being Well Off Yourself
• Being Brave Regardless of the Circumstances: Is It Noble or Stupid?
• Should Children Be Punished by Their Parents If They Misbehave?

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• Comparing and contrasting in an essay | Tips & examples

Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on August 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing . It involves taking two or more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.

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Table of contents

When should i compare and contrast, making effective comparisons, comparing and contrasting as a brainstorming tool, structuring your comparisons, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about comparing and contrasting.

Many assignments will invite you to make comparisons quite explicitly, as in these prompts.

• Compare the treatment of the theme of beauty in the poetry of William Wordsworth and John Keats.
• Compare and contrast in-class and distance learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

Some other prompts may not directly ask you to compare and contrast, but present you with a topic where comparing and contrasting could be a good approach.

One way to approach this essay might be to contrast the situation before the Great Depression with the situation during it, to highlight how large a difference it made.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies on your topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different arguments.

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As the name suggests, comparing and contrasting is about identifying both similarities and differences. You might focus on contrasting quite different subjects or comparing subjects with a lot in common—but there must be some grounds for comparison in the first place.

For example, you might contrast French society before and after the French Revolution; you’d likely find many differences, but there would be a valid basis for comparison. However, if you contrasted pre-revolutionary France with Han-dynasty China, your reader might wonder why you chose to compare these two societies.

This is why it’s important to clarify the point of your comparisons by writing a focused thesis statement . Every element of an essay should serve your central argument in some way. Consider what you’re trying to accomplish with any comparisons you make, and be sure to make this clear to the reader.

Comparing and contrasting can be a useful tool to help organize your thoughts before you begin writing any type of academic text. You might use it to compare different theories and approaches you’ve encountered in your preliminary research, for example.

Let’s say your research involves the competing psychological approaches of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. You might make a table to summarize the key differences between them.

Or say you’re writing about the major global conflicts of the twentieth century. You might visualize the key similarities and differences in a Venn diagram.

These visualizations wouldn’t make it into your actual writing, so they don’t have to be very formal in terms of phrasing or presentation. The point of comparing and contrasting at this stage is to help you organize and shape your ideas to aid you in structuring your arguments.

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing. You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is structured like this:

Mouse over the example paragraph below to see how this approach works.

One challenge teachers face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations, and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case, therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

The block method

In the block method, you cover each of the overall subjects you’re comparing in a block. You say everything you have to say about your first subject, then discuss your second subject, making comparisons and contrasts back to the things you’ve already said about the first. Your text is structured like this:

• Point of comparison A
• Point of comparison B

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges; not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking in each paragraph.

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Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

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256 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics [2024 Update]

Is globalization a beneficial process? What are the pros and cons of a religious upbringing? Do the drawbacks of immigration outweigh the benefits? These questions can become a foundation for your advantages and disadvantages essay. And we have even more ideas to offer!

There is nothing complicated about writing this kind of essay. Arguably the hardest part is choosing a topic. This article by our custom-writing team will help you with that. Here, you will find:

• great pros and cons essay topics for high school, middle school, and college;
• essay prompts and writing tips.
• 🔝 Top 10 Advantages & Disadvantages Topics
• 👍 Other Advantages & Disadvantages Topics
• ⭐ Top 10 Pros & Cons Topics
• 🆚 Other Pros & Cons Topics
• 💡 Essay Prompts
• ✍️ Writing Tips & Outline

🔍 References

🔝 top 10 advantages and disadvantages topics.

• Benefits of vaccination. 
• Is living abroad worth it? 
• Plastic surgery: for and against. 
• Vegetarianism: benefits and pitfalls. 
• Pros and cons of extreme sports. 
• Disadvantages of having tattoos. 
• Is a Master’s degree a good investment? 
• Negative and positive aspects of animal testing. 
• Are motorcycles convenient or dangerous? 
• Learning a foreign language: pros and cons. 

👍 List of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

Here’s a list of topics that touch on subjects such as education, work, traveling, living conditions, family, politics, technology, and more.

• Advantages and disadvantages of computers . You can probably think of many positive aspects of using computers. They make communication easier, they can be helpful for your studies, and you get access to a wealth of information. Yet, if you think about it, you will find plenty of disadvantages. For example, computers can break down, or they may be hacked or infected.
• Write about the advantages and disadvantages of the New Year’s Day celebration. New Year’s Day is primarily associated with family gatherings and new beginnings. However, preparation for the party often requires too much effort. Moreover, celebrating all night can have problematic consequences for one’s health.
• Write all arguments for and against Christmas celebrations. During the Christmas holidays, we celebrate family traditions and hold fun meetings. All this is accompanied by delicious food and gift sharing. But sometimes, these events bring no joy. The expenses are too high, and dinner preparation is energy-consuming. 
• Advantages and disadvantages of couch surfing. Staying for free at places registered online is becoming increasingly popular among travelers. New friends and authentic communication are additional benefits of couch surfing. However, they don’t guarantee safety and comfort.
• What are the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of gift exchange? Gifts are a crucial part of celebrations such as birthdays or wedding anniversaries. Most people enjoy receiving presents, but not everyone enjoys looking for them. The difficulties of choosing a gift can spoil the holiday mood.
• Pros and cons of buying an artificial Christmas tree. A beautiful Christmas tree decorated with lights instantly creates the holiday atmosphere. If you have an artificial tree, you don’t need to get a new one each year. However, a real Christmas tree is unique and has a pleasant odor.
• What are the pros and cons of school uniforms ? Standard uniforms can save students time while dressing up in the morning. Moreover, it prevents clothes-related bullying and contributes to the discipline necessary for studying. However, such standards impose certain restrictions on children’s individuality.
• Is an official dress code at work a benefit or an obstacle? Almost every company and organization has its requirements for the employees’ appearance. On the one hand, a dress code disciplines workers and demonstrates the company’s seriousness. On the other hand, employees can resist suppressing their self-expression.
• Keeping an online blog : for and against. The Internet provides people with colossal opportunities for finding new hobbies and occupations. For example, everyone can become a blogger: all you need to do is choose a topic and a platform. However, unflattering comments, lack of interest, or extreme popularity can become a serious problem for a blogger.
• A hitchhiking journey: an enjoyable adventure or a dangerous undertaking? Hitchhiking can be a budget option for travelers. This way, people can learn more about the place they’re traveling to and make friends. However, some drivers can turn out to be dangerous.
• What are the strengths and shortcomings of intellectual property rights? Valuable and original ideas are essential to the success of a person or a company. Intellectual property rights protect data from being stolen by competitors. Opponents of such measures believe that nobody should own ideas and that the information sphere is too vulnerable to manipulations. 
• Describe the pros and cons of learning a language with a native speaker. Modern technologies make it possible to communicate with people from all around the world. This ability provides additional opportunities to learn a foreign language with native speakers. A potential downside is the difficulty of finding good teachers or understanding their accents.
• Talk about the benefits and disadvantages of alternative voting methods. Voting by mail or online is convenient for those who find it challenging to come to polling stations. Moreover, this way, people can save time. Nevertheless, the reliability of such methods is still in question.
• Being successful: what are the benefits and pitfalls? Achieving success is the goal of millions of people. It is usually associated with wealth and happiness, but there is also the other side. Successful people often feel more pressure and responsibility and make sacrifices.
• For and against family businesses. Perfect mutual understanding is what people typically expect from a family business. However, this description is more of an idea rather than a reality. 
• Being creative: a gift or a curse? Society admires inspiring and mysterious artists. The creative process seems to be an easy activity, but some artists may disagree with this statement. Creativity crisis, procrastination, and lack of understanding from the public are only a few of the shortcomings they have to face.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of managing your own business. In search of professional freedom, some people start a business. This way, they can have complete control and be their own boss. At the same time, entrepreneurship requires talent and significant effort. Moreover, some businesses may turn out to be unprofitable.
• What are the possible advantages and drawbacks of being a professional athlete? Sport allows people to discover the hidden capabilities of their bodies. Such activities make them stronger and more disciplined, but doing sports full-time requires many sacrifices. Professional athletes endure significant stress and injuries, so this lifestyle is not for everyone.
• Is having young parents a benefit or an obstacle?
• Advantages and disadvantages of being married
• For and against working part-time after school
• What are the pros and cons of writing essays?
• Positive and negative aspects of returning to school as an adult
• Is it better to be living in a small town or a big city ?
• The benefits and shortcomings of living in a large country
• Do the positive aspects of living in the countryside outweigh the negative ones? 
• Is working on a rotational basis beneficial or harmful?
• Is it better to be working remotely or in an office?
• Is working with the help of technology beneficial or risky?
• Advantages and drawbacks of physical labor
• Working with customers: perks and shortcomings
• What are the beneficial aspects of working with animals?
• Pros and cons of working with children
• Is making your hobby into a job profitable or disadvantageous? 
• What are the pros and cons of changing jobs?
• Quitting a job or being fired: which option is better?
• Working in a multilingual setting: benefits and drawbacks
• Is having a job that requires a lot of traveling exciting or challenging?
• Choosing to pursue a creative profession: pros and cons
• Is hiring older or younger employees more beneficial?
• Privately-owned companies : benefits and pitfalls
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for the government?
• Business competition vs. monopoly
• What is better: owning a business with other people or partnership business models?
• Owning a car vs. other modes of transportation
• What are the benefits and shortcomings of using public transportation ?
• Is being self-employed better than working for somebody else?
• Describe the pros and cons of knowing or learning multiple languages
• Choosing to pursue a technical profession: for and against 
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a humanitarian career?
• Is receiving an education online a waste of time or a good investment? 
• Perks and disadvantages of studying on Saturdays
• What are the pros and cons of reducing the length of the summer vacation?
• Completing online courses, classes, or training: arguments for and against
• Learning foreign languages online vs. in class
• What is more effective: private tutoring or group learning?
• Open group discussions during class: for and against
• Is it more beneficial to work in groups or alone?
• Describe the strengths and weaknesses of studying with textbooks
• What are the pros and cons of learning with interactive media?
• Using traditional vs. new methods of teaching
• Is taking tests better than answering questions in a free form?
• Advantages and disadvantages of using exams as a primary source of knowledge assessment
• Giving students different tasks according to their grades: pros and cons
• Is separating students according to their behavior and performance efficient or harmful? 
• Strengths and weaknesses of using  multilingual online dictionaries
• Extracurricular activities: pros and cons
• Studying and having a part-time job: benefits and obstacles 
• Going to a university in your town vs. moving to another town
• Is living in a dormitory preferable to living at home while studying in college?
• Entering a fraternity or a sorority during college years: arguments for and against
• Living with parents vs. living separately from them
• Is living alone burdensome or delightful?
• What are the obstacles and benefits of having a long-distance relationship?
• Having friends that live abroad or in other cities: advantages and disadvantages
• Being in a relationship vs. being single
• Pros and cons of early marriages
• Visiting the most popular places for tourists: for and against
• What hardships and benefits come with living in the most visited places in the world?
• What positive and negative outcomes do countries and cities that encourage tourism face? 
• Pros and cons of visiting unexplored places
• Is it better to travel on your own or with friends?
• Having a tour guide vs. traveling without anyone’s help
• Traveling by car: advantages and disadvantages
• What is better: hiking alone or with other people?
• Short vs. long hiking trips
• Is it better to be tall or short?
• Being a foreigner in a country where you live: benefits and pitfalls
• Listening to music at home vs. live
• Watching movies at home vs. seeing them in theaters 
• Is it better to have children early or later in life?
• Being the only child: advantages and disadvantages
• Perks and drawbacks of having siblings
• Being the oldest vs. the youngest sibling
• Describe the pros and cons of sharing items with other people
• Is it better to be living together or apart while being in a relationship? 
• Living in a small apartment: pros and cons
• What are the arguments for and against living in a big house?
• Renting or purchasing a house vs. an apartment
• What are the pros and cons of having a small pet?
• Living in the city center vs. the suburbs
• What benefits and pitfalls come with having a diverse cultural background ?
• Is being a famous actor or musician a positive or negative experience?
• Being a leader or taking up a position of leadership: positive and negative sides
• Going to a private school vs. a public school
• Is it better to have a big or small family?
• Having many friends vs. having few friends
• What is more efficient: being a night owl or an early riser?
• Is waking up early more burdensome than waking up late?
• What are the dangers and benefits of dieting? 
• Does fast food have any advantages? 
• Arguments for and against cooking at home
• Bringing food to work or school vs. eating at a cafeteria 
• Positive and negative outcomes of regular physical activity
• Rapid technological progress: arguments for and against
• Is it preferable to live in a cold or hot climate?
• Living close to the water (river, lake, sea, or ocean): pros and cons
• What are the positive and negative aspects of countries that have rainy or windy weather?
• Is direct democracy more efficient than representative democracy?
• Pros and cons of various types of government (democracy, autocracy, monarchy)

⭐ Top 10 Pros and Cons Essay Topics

• Advantages of ecotourism
• Pros and cons of facial fillers
• Instant foods: good or bad?
• Is international marriage worth it?
• Classroom debates: pros and cons
• Student loans: benefits and pitfalls
• Working with friends: for and against
• Drawbacks of having a double major
• Arguments for and against quitting social media
• Is working abroad a good or bad experience?

🆚 Pros and Cons Topics for Essays

• Write about the advantages and disadvantages of the United Nations . The UN is a well-known international organization. Its activities aim to support human rights, establish friendly relations between countries, and promote peace. These goals are admirable, but is the organization effective enough in achieving them?
• Is consuming sugar beneficial or harmful? Recently, the media started promoting the idea that sugar is the leading cause of many diseases. On the one hand, we are discouraged from consuming it. On the other hand, carbons are necessary for the human body to receive essential microelements, such as glucose.
• Pros and cons of using Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. It’s a popular source of information on countless subjects, from cosmology to literature. It often reveals various aspects of a topic that are interesting to the reader. However, since anyone can edit it, you can never be sure of the information’s accuracy. 
• Benefits and drawbacks of living in a multicultural society. Society is becoming more diverse, and immigration is commonplace. Moreover, freedom of choice allows people to adhere to any traditions that are attractive to them. Such conditions help us develop multifaceted humanity but can potentially lead to conflicts.
• Write about the pros and cons of urbanization . In cities, the population is continuously growing, while in rural areas, it decreases. In a metropolis, people have a greater choice for their activities, and their social circle is wider. However, urbanization leads to overpopulation and an increase in stress levels.
• What are the pros and cons of online therapy? Therapy can be a powerful source of motivation and emotional balance. Some people may find it challenging to visit mental health specialists, which makes online consultations a practical option. However, insufficient understanding of facial expressions or faulty Internet connection are some of the obstacles to using this format.
• Describe the strengths and weaknesses of business investments . Investing is a popular way to receive additional passive income. Such activities don’t require too much effort and can be very promising. However, they also have disadvantages, including high risks and the need to have significant starting capital.
• Arguments for and against watching TV shows. Watching TV shows is a trendy pastime. A good plot and interesting characters can be great entertainment. However, some TV shows take too much time to watch, and some plot twists can be disappointing.
• Discuss the pros and cons of freelancing. The advantages include an opportunity to decide where and when to work and choose the tasks. At the same time, a freelancer needs to communicate more with customers, and the income can be uneven.
• The ubiquitous use of surveillance cameras: guaranteed security or loss of privacy? We can see security cameras everywhere, including stores, banks, and houses. They are designed to contribute to our security. However, many believe that in this way, people are losing privacy. Moreover, surveillance technology is quite expensive, and its effectiveness is doubtful.
• Advantages and disadvantages of an authoritarian teaching style . Representatives of the teaching profession often choose a specific model of behavior. For example, an authoritarian teacher is good at motivating and disciplining students. At the same time, this behavioral model can discourage children and cause resistance.
• What are the pros and cons of clinical trials? Clinical trials are created to prove the effectiveness of a specific cure. Patients can get unique medical treatment, which may help other patients in the future. Trials are also associated with risks since unexpected side effects are possible.
• Kindergartens: beneficial social interaction or stress for a child? Preschool is the first step in education for children. In kindergartens, kids form social skills and acquire basic knowledge. Nevertheless, some parents doubt whether it is worth it.  
• Write about the advantages and disadvantages of referendums. Referendums can be used to solve political problems. They help governments understand the public’s attitude towards possible changes. However, the conduct of a referendum can be subject to manipulation.
• For and against women’s military service. Gender equality is becoming a part of various spheres of activity. However, in some fields, transformations are occurring slower. Women have already demonstrated their ability to be soldiers and continue to do so. Nevertheless, some army units still question their effectiveness. 
• Gun ownership: advantages and disadvantages. The issue of weapons ownership causes serious disputes between politicians. Those who advocate for this idea are sure that people need protection. The opponents of gun ownership believe that gun-related accidents need to be prevented.  
• Pros and cons of being optimistic . People who are positive worry less and achieve their goals easily. But optimism can also be an obstacle. For instance, an optimist can underestimate a threat and fail to take cautionary measures.
• What are the pros and cons of being selfish? Selfishness is often perceived negatively in society. Individuals who are showing this quality risk becoming outcasts. However, people may misunderstand selfishness because it sometimes manifests as self-care.
• Benefits of different societal classes
• Market economy vs. free market
• Outline the advantages and disadvantages of a planned economy
• Pros and cons of party systems: one, two, or multiple parties?
• Different voting systems (choice voting, Electoral College): which one is more efficient?
• Different economic systems (capitalism, socialism, and mixed economy)
• Is having a parliament a benefit or an obstacle? 
• Pros and cons of advertising and its  different mediums
• Having a laptop vs. having a desktop computer
• Is the development of artificial intelligence (AI) beneficial or harmful?
• Cloning and genetic modifications: dangers and advantages
• What are the pros and cons of using old research for new studies?
• Is scientific advancement in medicine beneficial or dangerous?
• The growing use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in people’s daily lives: pros and cons 
• Storing files in the cloud vs. on physical storage devices
• Is having one full-time job more efficient than multiple part-time jobs?
• Networking to build more connections: pros and cons
• Advantages and disadvantages of volunteering 
• Having a fixed vs. a flexible schedule
• Being a vegetarian  or vegan vs. eating everything 
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of having multiple jobs?
• Are hot or cold climates more beneficial for farmers?
• Choosing to pursue a rare profession: benefits and pitfalls
• What are the possible benefits and obstacles of pursuing a trendy job?
• Technical advancement in society: a threat or a welcome change?
• Arguments for and against pursuing extreme sports as a hobby
• Going to a music festival: an unforgettable experience or a nightmare?
• Pros and cons of having access to the Internet
• Are Internet regulations a safety measure or an infringement of rights?
• The positive and negative  effects of globalization
• What are the advantages and downsides of popular culture? 
• Are stereotypes productive in any way? 
• Positive and negative outcomes of the rising population on the planet
• The increasing lifespan of people: pros and cons
• The ability to obtain a driver’s license at sixteen vs. eighteen years old
• The right to work without parents’ permission at sixteen years old: pros and cons
• Dangers and possible advantages of global warming  
• Space travel and exploration: a good idea or waste of money?
• Arguments for and against television
• Is open access to books and movies beneficial or damaging?
• Is oral communication better than written communication?
• Nonverbal communication: positive and negative sides 
• What are the positive and negative aspects of Facebook (and other social platforms)? 
• Is online dating dangerous or advantageous? 
• Having a pen pal: advantages and disadvantages
• What is more efficient: using digital or film cameras?
• Arguments for and against using email as the primary source of conversation 
• Is calling better than  texting ?
• Describe the pros and cons of online communication
• Is being open and active on social media dangerous or profitable?
• Pros and cons of different sources of power (gas, oil, wind, solar, nuclear, and others)
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy 
• Recycling  and upcycling: benefits and pitfalls
• Pros and cons of organic materials and products
• Plastic and other synthetic materials: life saver or toxic waste? 
• Possible benefits and obstacles of using credit cards 
• Arguments for and against different types of financial aid
• What are the advantages and downsides of having health insurance?
• Life insurance : advantages and disadvantages
• Free health care: a longer life expectancy or more logistical challenges?
• Would a free introductory course in higher education improve academic performance or worsen it?
• Describe the pros and cons of taxes
• Is demonetization a success or failure?
• Arguments for and against vaccines
• Are plastic surgeries ethical or not?
• Shopping online vs. in brick-and-mortar stores
• What is more convenient: reading paper books or electronic books?
• Using DVDs vs. streaming platforms for watching movies
• What are the benefits and obstacles of buying music online?
• Storing medical records and other important information online: pros and cons
• Is online banking safe or not?
• Possible risks and benefits of making investments 
• Video games and online games: good pastime or waste of time?
• Making movies based on source materials in other media: pros and cons
• Getting news from online sources vs. reading  print media
• Hourly wages and salaries: what is more beneficial?
• Can having a competitive working environment improve or decrease productivity?
• Arguments for and against irregular working shifts : working at night, on weekends, or on holidays
• Pros and cons of services with paid memberships and subscriptions
• Sales, special offers, and coupons: a marketing tool or a real opportunity to save money?
• Positive and negative effects of businesses outsourcing to different countries
• Arguments for and against moving businesses from the city center to the outskirts
• Recruiting one’s employees for new positions vs. hiring new people
• Finding work through connections and relatives: benefits and downsides
• Pros and cons of seeking a job online 
• Care facilities and nursing homes for elderly: advantages and disadvantages 
• What are the possible beneficial and harmful effects of having a routine?
• Small business or a big organization: which one has more benefits?
• Buying locally manufactured and grown products vs. buying imported goods
• What are the possible pros and cons of spending more time with teachers than with parents?
• Arguments for and against process automation
• Are robots that replace humans at work dangerous or effective?
• Is reducing the working week beneficial or harmful?
• What are the major benefits and drawbacks of having many national holidays?
• College: to go or not to go?
• Working after high school: advantages and disadvantages
• Taking a gap year before continuing education: is it worth it?
• What benefits and obstacles come with continuing your education (master’s and Ph.D. degrees)? 

Need more essay ideas? Feel free to use our topic generator !

💡 Pros and Cons Essay Prompts

Pros and cons of living in a big city essay.

For your essay, you can consider the following benefits of living in a big city:

• There are many employment opportunities. Since big cities are places with many companies of different industries, it might be easier to find a job.
• Big cities have better infrastructure. It includes international airports, various dining options, and other opportunities.

The main downsides of living in a big city include the following:

• Higher living costs. Although you can find a job that suits you, living in a big city requires more money.
• High crime rates. The statistics say that big cities usually have higher crime rates than smaller ones.

Pros and Cons of Abortion Essay

Here are some examples of the procedure’s benefits:

• Abortions give women control over their bodies. The choice of whether or not to have children is a right of every woman.
• Every child should be a wanted child. Having children is an enormous responsibility that requires time, money, and energy. Unwanted pregnancies might result in child abuse and maternal depression and have other negative consequences.

You can also write about the following disadvantages of abortions:

• Abortion may lead to future medical problems for the mother. Negative consequences for a woman may include health complications such as infection or heavy bleeding.
• Abortion might result in psychological trauma. Women who undergo an abortion have a high chance of having depression.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media Essay

Consider these arguments in favor of social media for your essay:

• Social media is an excellent place for online marketing. Nowadays, every big and small company promotes its services online.
• Information spreads online instantly. Thanks to social media, we can immediately receive and share all the urgent news.

And these are the cons you might want to write about:

• Lack of privacy. Location and personal information can be easily shared online and used against you.
• Lack of intimacy. Whether it is a family or friends’ reunion, everyone tends to be less engaged in conversations, instead preferring to scroll on the phone.

Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Here are some advantages of federalism for you to write about:

• Federalism supports political participation and policy innovation. Thanks to federalism, we have benefits such as child labor laws and women’s right to vote.
• Federalism encourages groups, individuals, and social movements to help shape public policy and participate in it. It is possible because of the two levels of government that federalism creates.

Now, have a look at the cons of federalism:

• Federalism creates economic disparities across states. It leads to competition between states to attract businesses by lowering regulations and taxes.
• Federalism cuts off federal efforts to address national problems. For example, health care insurance could not be made more accessible to Americans due to legal challenges.

Pros and Cons of Immigration Essay

Immigration has benefits as well as pitfalls. Take a look at the positive aspects first:

• Immigration stimulates economic growth. Immigrants contribute to the labor force, which results in economic development.
• Immigration builds a multicultural society. Because of the immigrants, one country can be more diverse.

And here are the cons that you may consider writing about:

• Immigration might result in a higher unemployment rate. Since immigrants are often willing to work for a lower wage, native-born workers might be displaced.
• Immigration might lead to higher housing costs. Immigrants in limited housing stock areas might contribute to reducing living standards and increasing housing prices.

Pros and Cons of Working in a School Cafeteria Essay

Here are some of the arguments in favor of working in a cafeteria:

• Free lunches for workers. Working with the food, you get to have lunches at your workplace for free.
• Flexible shifts. You can work short hours to keep up with your studies.

However, there are also plenty of downsides, including the following:

• Low wages. The school cafeteria pays minimum wage, which is often not enough.
• Reduced working hours. In a cafeteria, there’s no opportunity to work and earn more.

Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet

The Internet has plenty of advantages you can cover, including the following:

• You can learn about virtually anything you want online. There are countless resources on the Internet, and it’s possible to access them from any part of the world.
• Unlimited communication. You can reach out to anyone from any part of the globe.

It also has many drawbacks, such as:

• There is a lot of spam on the Internet. We receive advertisements and other unimportant information through emails. Besides, there are many unconfirmed facts online.
• Leaking of personal information. We regularly upload a lot of personal information online. Unfortunately, it might be easily leaked or stolen.

✍️ How to Write a Pros and Cons Essay

Even if you do not have the necessary writing experience, your chances of getting an A+ for this task are relatively high. All you need to do is:

• Think of a good pros and cons topic. Keep reading to find the best topic for your paper.
• Make a list of all advantages and disadvantages and give details about each item. It can help you make a template for your future essay. Make sure to have enough points to cover.
• Draw conclusions on whether something is overall good or bad. Show the results of your research and answer the question your essay asks.
• Check out our article on essay writing to learn how to complete your assignment successfully.

Pros and Cons Essay Outline

The advantages and disadvantages essay should have the following structure:

• Introduction. Briefly introduce your topic, give some background information, and write your thesis statement that covers both sides of the issue.

Studying abroad might be a great experience filled with unforgettable memories, but it also has some financial and psychological pitfalls.

• Main Body. This part introduces both sides of the argument, starting with the positive aspects.
• Pros: introduce the advantages.

Being an international student, you get to meet people from all over the world and experience a new culture first-hand.

• Cons: introduce the disadvantages.

However, you might feel homesick and experience culture shock while studying in another country.

• Conclusion. Summarize your essay by restating your thesis and illustrating your most important arguments for and against the thing in question. If necessary, state whether the pros outweigh the cons. Finish your paper with a strong statement connecting all of your ideas.

Although being an international student has both positive and negative sides, it can bring you many unforgettable memories.

We hope you found the best topic for your pros and cons essay. Let us know what topic you’ve chosen, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends!

Further reading:

• 255 Unique Essay Topics for College Students [2024 Update]
• 267 Music Essay Topics + Writing Guide [2024 Update]
• 256 Satirical Essay Topics & Satire Essay Examples [2024]
• 205 Essay Topics for Grade 8, 9, 10, 12 + Writing Tips [2024]
• 220 Best Science and Technology Essay Topics to Write About
• Pro/Con Essay: Brigham Young University
• Abortion: World Health Organization
• Key Facts on Abortion: Amnesty International
• 7 Financial Pros and Cons of Living in a Big City: Debt.com
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Urban Living: haart
• Should Abortion Be Legal?: ProCon.org
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media: Medium
• The Pros and Cons of Social Networking: Lifewire
• Pro and Con: Social Media: Encyclopedia Britannica
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism: Lumen Learning
• Federalism: Cornell University
• Federalism: Stanford University
• Pros and Cons of Immigration: Economics Help
• The Pros & Cons of Immigration Reform: Investopedia
• School Cafeteria Pay & Benefits Reviews: Indeed
• Being a School Cafeteria Worker: The Balance Careers
• Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet: Edraw Software
• Outlining: Harvard University
• Outlining Strategies: Walden University
• Essay Planning: Outlining with a Purpose: San José State University
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The Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Buying a House

Not sure if you should buy a home in this market? These 12 pros and cons can help you decide.

The question of “should you buy or rent” is a lot tougher to answer now than it was only four years ago. U.S. home prices have climbed along with interest rates, while rising rents have made it harder for many renters to save for a down payment.

Those dynamics have changed some of the ways you may be thinking about buying versus renting. 

Before the pandemic, the decision usually came down to whether you could afford a down payment since mortgage payments on a typical home — even including taxes and insurance — were hundreds of dollars cheaper than rents. 

Now, rents and mortgage payments are much closer. Even when putting 20% down on a home purchase, rents were cheaper than mortgages in nearly three out of five (29/50) major metros at the start of 2024. And it takes a renter four more years to save for a down payment now than it did pre-pandemic. 

So on a monthly basis, you’re likely to pay less to rent in most metro areas — even for a comparable home. But that’s only part of the picture.

There are benefits to either option, and everyone will come to their decision with different priorities and values. It all depends on what you expect from the market, whether you see your home primarily as an investment, the length of time you expect to live in your home, and the lifestyle you’re seeking.

Here are some pros to each option to help you weigh your choices.

Pros to buying a home now

Even in today’s housing market, buying a home could be a smart move. Here are six reasons why buying a house could benefit you more than renting:

You may be able to build equity

“Building equity ” means that you increase your financial stake in the home over time. You can do that in two ways: 1) By paying down your mortgage over time, and 2) by buying a home that eventually becomes worth more than you bought it for. 

The difference between what you can sell your home for and what you owe on your mortgage is your equity. So if you could sell your home for $350,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, you would have $150,000 in home equity, including the amount you put toward the down payment.

While there are no guarantees that any given home will appreciate in value, homes typically tend to become more valuable over time. What makes ownership especially attractive in those cases is that you earn appreciation on the entire value of the home, not just the amount you put down toward the purchase.

Affordability Calculator

Calculate by payment

What’s changed for buyers over the past few years is the amount of time they would have to live in their homes before equity growth helps buying become ultimately cheaper than renting.

For example, if you bought a $350,000 home with 20% down, and home values really struggled to take off this year, you would have to live in that home for around seven years before the net cost of buying and maintaining the home equaled the net cost of renting during that same period. If mortgage rates fall more and home values start growing again, you could break even in a little over four years.  Both examples assume you’d be paying $2,000 a month in rent and earning a 6% return by investing the money you would otherwise have put toward the down payment. (“Net costs” means the usual costs, but offset by the homeowner’s growing equity or the renter’s investment account balance.)

“The longer mortgage rates are elevated, the more home buying is for a longer run decision,’’ says Zillow® Chief Economist Skylar Olsen. 

Keep in mind that the average homeowner stays in their home 13 years, so if you’re planning to stay in your home past the breakeven point, it could make more sense to buy. The opposite is true if you’re planning to move sooner. This Rent vs. Buy Calculator can help guide your decision-making by showing you how different scenarios might pencil out. And our Affordability Calculator can show you how much you can afford to spend on a home, given your income, assets and debts. 

Keep in mind that most experts say that shelter is considered affordable if the monthly outlay doesn’t consume more than 30% of your monthly income.

Every mortgage payment can help you save

When you pay your mortgage each month, some of it goes toward interest on the loan and some goes toward principal or paying down the amount you owe. Over time, the share that goes toward principal gets larger and larger, increasing your share of ownership in the home as time passes.

Those principal payments are considered “forced savings,’’ since they build equity while you’re putting a roof over your head — something you’d have to pay for anyway. 

“If you don’t think you’ll be reliably investing in the stock market and making a decent return on it, paying a mortgage can simplify your savings plan,’’ says Olsen.

You’re buying a lifestyle that could be hard to replicate if you’re renting

Buying a home can give you access to a larger variety of neighborhoods, home styles and amenities, and allow you to tailor your home to your liking, whether it’s through home improvements or landscaping. If you’ve ever searched for a single family rental, you know they can be hard to come by in your chosen neighborhood.

The higher demand for single family rentals translates to higher rents for those properties. Rent growth for single-family homes has been stronger than for multi-family homes, a trend that’s likely to continue according to Zillow’s 2024 housing predictions . Single-family rentals are 4.8% more expensive than a year earlier, while rents for multi-family are up 2.55% year over year.

“It’s important to remember: we find intrinsic value in ownership itself — in controlling the path of our lives and writing our own stories,’’ says Olsen. “Buying is a part of that.”

Your mortgage payments will remain relatively stable for as long as you own your home

A fixed-rate mortgage has a monthly payment that stays the same for the life of the loan.  Taxes and homeowners insurance, which your lender will typically collect every month, are likely to increase, but the mortgage portion would remain unchanged until you sell or pay off the mortgage.

For that reason, real estate is often considered a hedge against inflation because it offers people a way to lock in the cost of shelter, which is a major part of their monthly budget. 

If mortgage rates drop, homeowners can lower their monthly mortgage costs by refinancing . The vast majority of renters have no such control over their rent. Since the pandemic began in 2020, rents have surged more than 29%, and they continue to trend upward, according to Zillow® research . 

Olsen says that “even with below-average rent growth, rents could easily double over the next 30 years.”

You could get tax benefits

Homeowners who itemize deductions on their tax returns can write off the interest they pay on mortgages of up to $750,000. Owning a home may entitle you to other tax breaks as well.

Even more impactful to the bottom line, homeowners benefit when they sell, too: A married couple can avoid paying taxes on up to $500,000 in capital gains when they sell their home, a tax break that is not possible when you sell stocks or other capital investments. The capital gains deduction for a single homeowner is up to $250,000.

You may not have to make a fast decision

Depending on your market, your price tier and the season, you could have more time to look for what you want.

After one of the most challenging years on record for buyers in 2023, sellers are cutting prices and homes are taking slightly longer to sell.  Zillow® research shows that 22.6% of for-sale listings had price cuts in November, and homes that sold that month went under contract in only 21 days. That’s a day faster than a year earlier, but more than two weeks faster than homes normally sold for in the fall pre-pandemic.

You may be able to use your home to earn rental income.

If you buy a home and later decide to move out or you have a spare room or accessory dwelling unit , you may be able to rent to someone else and use the rental income you receive to help you cover your mortgage payment and other costs.

“My advice to a first-time buyer is always that your first home is not your forever home,” Becky Garcia, team lead of The Garcia Group at eXp Realty in Phoenix, says, adding that potential buyers should look at their first purchase as a three-to-five-year home that will help build a down payment towards a dream home. “I tell them to look at it as a strategy,” she added. “My favorite purchase for a first time buyer is a duplex . They can live in one unit, rent out the other and have their tenant pay a large portion of their mortgage.”

It’s also possible to buy a home or vacation getaway and use it primarily as an investment property before you buy a principal residence for yourself.

Reasons you may consider renting for now 

With all the reasons why you should consider buying a home, there are also some good reasons to keep renting. Here are six pros to renting a home vs buying that may be concerns for you:

The cost of renting is generally less expensive than buying the same quality of home

Rent is less expensive than a mortgage on a monthly basis in most places, even when comparing similar homes, according to Olsen.

The typical U.S. home in November 2023 was worth $347,415, and the typical mortgage payment for a buyer who put 20% down was $1,925. That amount was 9% higher than the previous November.

The typical U.S. rent in November 2023 was $1,982 — an increase of 3.3% from a year earlier, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI), but the trend shows rents flattening as more multi-family homes come on the market.   

Zillow’s rent vs. buy calculator can help you estimate how many years it would take for your hypothetical cost of buying to equal your hypothetical cost of renting in your market. Generally, the longer you stay in your home, the more the balance swings toward owning.

Renters usually have more freedom to move

Renting comes with fewer strings attached. Whether it’s a different neighborhood or unit, you can usually move more easily to adapt your current lifestyle and needs, or to try out a different city altogether. 

There’s usually no or low maintenance costs

“Homeownership can come with unexpected headaches — and sometimes expensive ones,’’ says Olsen. “Renters do not need to worry about the cost of maintenance or upgrades (outside of those built into next year’s lease), and in many cases don’t even need to mow the lawn.”

Data based on millions of home projects completed across the country show that home maintenance and upkeep runs about $6,413 annually, according to Thumbtack , a home management platform that enables people to fix, maintain and improve their homes.

You may need to make fewer financial compromises

Coming up with a down payment to buy a home requires building up significant savings, and higher home prices and interest rates have made home buying an expensive proposition that can require financial sacrifices. 

Buying could require you to make sacrifices that you aren’t ready or able to make, such as settling for one less bedroom when you’re expecting a new member of your family or cutting back on entertainment or vacations.

The upfront costs are likely to be lower

“ There is a low, but not zero, financial barrier to entry for renting,’’ says Olsen, so you can invest what you would have spent on a down payment into the stock market or other type of investment.

You won’t have to worry about home values declining

Homes generally appreciate over time, but they can also lose value. Nationally, home values are expected to flatten this year, but in some markets home values dropped.

While this can be good news for affordability if you’re planning to buy right now, the flip side is that you’ll need to consider likely home value trends over the course of ownership. 

For example, if home prices take a dip, and you made a small or zero down payment and haven't owned your home long enough to build much equity, this could cause you to be underwater or “ upside down ” if you need to sell. While there are options for underwater borrowers, this could be a reason to keep renting for now and save for a higher down payment.

You don't have to pay property tax and other costs

Aside from maintenance, other costs of ownership include property tax, homeowners insurance, and sometimes homeowner association fees. 

Olsen says the financial decision to rent or buy is based on a long timeline, and is anchored on someone’s expectations. Depending on future home value appreciation and how effectively you invest savings if choosing to rent, you could break even from buying in as few as five years or as many as 18 or more. Where a household falls within that range depends on the cost of the home they’re considering purchasing or renting, how quickly rents and home values grow, the potential rate of return on stocks or other investments and whether mortgage rates fall enough to make refinancing a good option. 

 If you’re curious about how much rent you can afford, check out this rent affordability calculator . And this calculator can show you how much you can afford to spend on a home, given your income, assets and debts. 

The bottom line: Deciding when to buy a home is a personal choice. There's no one "right" time for everyone. Only you can decide if now is the right time for you.

Need more help understanding when to buy a house? Try our decision tree .

Susan Kelleher

A local agent can help you stay competitive on a budget.

They’ll help you get an edge without stretching your finances.

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Oxford Comma

Ai generator.

The Oxford comma , also known as the serial comma , is the comma placed immediately before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a series of three or more items. For example, in the list “apples, oranges, and bananas,” the Oxford comma is the one that appears after “oranges.” This punctuation mark helps to clarify the meaning of a sentence by clearly separating each item in the list, thus preventing potential ambiguity. The Oxford comma is particularly favored in American English and is often recommended in formal writing for its role in enhancing clarity.

What is an Oxford Comma?

The Oxford comma , also known as the serial comma, is the comma placed immediately before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a list of three or more items. For example, in the list “apples, oranges, and bananas,” the Oxford comma is the one after “oranges.” Its use clarifies the separation between items, preventing possible misunderstandings.

Examples of the Oxford Comma

• I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
• She needs to buy eggs, milk, and bread.
• He enjoys reading, writing, and painting.
• We visited Paris, Rome, and Berlin.
• They have a dog, a cat, and a hamster.
• She likes hiking, biking, and swimming.
• He has a red car, a blue bike, and a green scooter.
• The cake was chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
• He ordered a burger, fries, and a soda.
• She loves classical music, jazz, and pop.
• The meeting included teachers, students, and parents.
• We need pens, notebooks, and folders.
• She wore a hat, a scarf, and gloves.
• The salad had lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• He enjoys fishing, camping, and kayaking.
• She bought a shirt, a dress, and a pair of pants.
• The room was decorated with balloons, streamers, and lights.
• He has visited France, Spain, and Portugal.
• She likes strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
• The concert featured rock, country, and blues.
• He ordered spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli.
• She bought a new phone, a charger, and a case.
• The menu includes pizza, pasta, and salad.
• He studied biology, chemistry, and physics.
• She has seen the movies Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.
• The package contains a book, a bookmark, and a pen.
• He likes reading novels, watching movies, and playing video games.
• The dog, the cat, and the rabbit are all pets.
• She has traveled to Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
• The recipe calls for flour, sugar, and butter.

Oxford Comma Examples Funny

• With Oxford Comm a: I’d like to thank my parents, Oprah, and God. Without Oxford Comma : I’d like to thank my parents, Oprah and God.
• With Oxford Comma : We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin. Without Oxford Comm a: We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.
• With Oxford Comma : This book is dedicated to my roommates, Mark, and Ann. Without Oxford Comma : This book is dedicated to my roommates, Mark and Ann.
• With Oxford Comma : On my trip, I saw lions, tigers, and bears. Without Oxford Comma : On my trip, I saw lions, tigers and bears.
• With Oxford Comma : We met the inspiring leaders, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa. Without Oxford Comma : We met the inspiring leaders, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.
• With Oxford Comma : My heroes are my parents, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Without Oxford Comma : My heroes are my parents, Superman and Wonder Woman.
• With Oxford Comma : For breakfast, I enjoy coffee, toast, and cereal. Without Oxford Comma : For breakfast, I enjoy coffee, toast and cereal.
• With Oxford Comma : We saw a movie about a mermaid, a dragon, and a wizard. Without Oxford Comma : We saw a movie about a mermaid, a dragon and a wizard.
• With Oxford Comma : I love my cats, Lady, and Tramp. Without Oxford Comma : I love my cats, Lady and Tramp.
• With Oxford Comma : The recipe calls for salt, pepper, and basil. Without Oxford Comma : The recipe calls for salt, pepper and basil.
• With Oxford Comma : For the picnic, we packed sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Without Oxford Comma : For the picnic, we packed sandwiches, chips and drinks.
• With Oxford Comma : She loves dancing, singing, and painting. Without Oxford Comma : She loves dancing, singing and painting.
• With Oxford Comma : My favorite colors are red, blue, and green. Without Oxford Comma : My favorite colors are red, blue and green.
• With Oxford Comma : We had pizza, salad, and dessert for dinner. Without Oxford Comma : We had pizza, salad and dessert for dinner.
• With Oxford Comma : The book features pirates, zombies, and robots. Without Oxford Comma : The book features pirates, zombies and robots.

Oxford Comma vs Harvard Comma

Pros and cons of the Oxford comma

• Clarity: Ensures clear separation between items in a list.
• Reduces Ambiguity: Prevents misinterpretation of grouped items.
• Consistency: Maintains uniformity in writing lists.
• Professionalism: Preferred in academic and professional writing for precision.
• Avoids Miscommunication: Reduces risk of misunderstanding in complex lists.
• Redundancy: Some view it as unnecessary and adding extra punctuation.
• Style Preferences: Not all style guides require or recommend its use.
• Aesthetic Concerns: Can disrupt the flow or simplicity of a sentence.
• Simplicity: Omitting it can make sentences appear cleaner and simpler.
• Regional Differences: Usage varies, with American English more inclined towards its use compared to British English.

Lists with semicolons instead of commas

Using semicolons in lists can be useful when the items in the list are complex or contain commas themselves. Here’s how to structure lists with semicolons instead of commas:

Example 1: Complex Items in a List

When list items are lengthy or contain internal punctuation, use semicolons to separate them:

• For our vacation, we visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.
• For our vacation, we visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain.

Example 2: Descriptive List Items

If each list item includes additional descriptive information that would make using commas confusing:

• On our trip, we saw the Eiffel Tower, a stunning example of French architecture, the Colosseum, an ancient Roman amphitheater, and the Sagrada Família, a magnificent basilica in Barcelona.
• On our trip, we saw the Eiffel Tower, a stunning example of French architecture; the Colosseum, an ancient Roman amphitheater; and the Sagrada Família, a magnificent basilica in Barcelona.

Example 3: List Items with Multiple Commas

When items themselves contain commas, semicolons help clarify the separation between them:

• Our conference speakers include Dr. Jane Smith, Professor of Biology, University of Cambridge, Dr. John Doe, Director of Research, National Health Institute, and Dr. Alice Johnson, Senior Scientist, Global Health Organization.
• Our conference speakers include Dr. Jane Smith, Professor of Biology, University of Cambridge; Dr. John Doe, Director of Research, National Health Institute; and Dr. Alice Johnson, Senior Scientist, Global Health Organization.

Why is it called the Oxford Comma

The Oxford comma , also known as the serial comma, is named after the Oxford University Press , where it was traditionally used in their publications. This punctuation mark is placed before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a list of three or more items. For example: “apples, oranges, and bananas.”

Origin and Usage

• Oxford University Press : The term “Oxford comma” originated from the Oxford University Press, a prestigious academic publisher that consistently used this comma in its style guides and publications.
• Clarity and Precision : The primary reason for using the Oxford comma is to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity in sentences. By placing a comma before the final conjunction, writers can ensure that each item in a list is distinctly separated.

Is the Oxford comma necessary?

It’s often a stylistic choice. Some style guides recommend it for clarity, while others do not require it.

When should I use the Oxford comma?

Use the Oxford comma when you want to prevent ambiguity in a list.

Can the Oxford comma change the meaning of a sentence?

Yes, using or omitting it can change the meaning, especially in complex lists.

What’s an example of the Oxford comma providing clarity?

Without the Oxford comma: “I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty.” With it: “I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty.”

Which style guides require the Oxford comma?

The Chicago Manual of Style and APA Style both require the Oxford comma.

Which style guides do not require the Oxford comma?

The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook does not require the Oxford comma.

Can I use the Oxford comma in informal writing?

Yes, you can use it in both formal and informal writing based on your preference.

Is the Oxford comma used in British English?

British English tends to omit the Oxford comma more often than American English.

Does omitting the Oxford comma always cause confusion?

No, omitting it doesn’t always cause confusion, but it can in certain cases.

Should I use the Oxford comma in academic writing?

Yes, especially if following a style guide that recommends it, like APA or Chicago.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

The pros and cons of online learning

What to look for in an online course.

By: MIT xPRO

If you’re at a point in your life where you’re considering continuing your education, you may wonder if online learning is the right path for you.

Taking an online course requires a notable investment of time, effort, and money, so it’s important to feel confident about your decision before moving forward. While online learning works incredibly well for some people, it’s not for everyone.

We recently sat down with MIT xPRO Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager Luke Hobson to explore the pros and cons of online learning and what to look for in an online course. If you’re waiting for a sign about whether or not to enroll in that course you’ve been eying, you just might find it here.

Pros of Online Learning

First, let’s take a look at the true value of online learning by examining some of the benefits:

1. Flexibility

Online learning’s most significant advantage is its flexibility. It’s the reason millions of adults have chosen to continue their education and pursue certificates and degrees.

Asynchronous courses allow learners to complete work at their own pace, empowering them to find the optimal time to consume the content and submit assignments.

Some people are more attentive, focused, and creative in the mornings compared to the evenings and vice versa. Whatever works best for the learners should be the priority of the learning experience.

2. Community

When Luke asks people about their main reason for enrolling in a course, a common answer is networking and community.

Learners crave finding like-minded individuals who are going through the same experiences and have the same questions. They want to find a place where they belong. Being in the company of others who understand what they’re going through can help online learners who are looking for support and motivation during challenging times and times that are worth celebrating.

Some learners have created study groups and book clubs that have carried on far beyond the end of the course-it’s amazing what can grow from a single post on a discussion board!

3. Latest information

“Speed is a massive benefit of online learning,” and according to Luke, it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

“When we say speed, we don’t mean being quick with learning. We mean actual speed to market. There are so many new ideas evolving within technical spaces that it’s impossible to keep courses the way they were originally designed for a long period of time.”

Luke notes that a program on Additive Manufacturing , Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality , or Nanotechnology must be checked and updated frequently. More formal learning modalities have difficulty changing content at this rapid pace. But within the online space, it’s expected that the course content will change as quickly as the world itself does.

Cons of Online Learning

Now that we’ve looked at some of the biggest pros of online learning, let’s examine a few of the drawbacks:

1. Learning environment

While many learners thrive in an asynchronous learning environment, others struggle. Some learners prefer live lessons and an instructor they can connect with multiple times a week. They need these interactions to feel supported and to persist.

Most learners within the online space identify themselves as self-directed learners, meaning they can learn on their own with the right environment, guidance, materials, and assignments. Learners should know themselves first and understand their preferences when it comes to what kind of environment will help them thrive.

2. Repetition

One drawback of online courses is that the structure can be repetitive: do a reading, respond to two discussion posts, submit an essay, repeat. After a while, some learners may feel disengaged from the learning experience.

There are online courses that break the mold and offer multiple kinds of learning activities, assessments, and content to make the learning experience come alive, but it may take some research to find them-more on what to look for in an online course later in this article! Luke and his colleagues at MIT xPRO are mindful of designing courses that genuinely engage learners from beginning to end.

3. Underestimation

Luke has noticed that some learners underestimate how much work is required in an online course. They may mistakenly believe that online learning is somehow “easier” compared to in-person learning.

For those learners who miscalculate how long they will need to spend online or how challenging the assignments can be, changing that mindset is a difficult process. It’s essential to set aside the right amount of time per week to contribute to the content, activities, and assignments. Creating personal deadlines and building a study routine are two best practices that successful online learners follow to hold themselves accountable.

Experience the Value of Online Learning: What to Look For in an Online Course

You’ve probably gathered by now that not all online courses are created equal. On one end of the spectrum, there are methods of online learning that leave learners stunned by what a great experience they had. On the other end of the spectrum, some online learning courses are so disappointing that learners regret their decision to enroll.

If you want to experience the value of online learning, it’s essential to pick the right course. Here’s a quick list of what to look for:

• Feedback and connection to peers within the course platform. Interacting regularly with other learners makes a big difference. Luke and the MIT xPRO team use peer-reviewed feedback to give learners the opportunity to engage with each other’s work.
• Proof of hard work. In the online learning space, proof of hard work often comes in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or specific certifications. MIT xPRO course participants who successfully complete one or more courses are eligible to receive CEUs , which many employers, licensing agencies, and professional associations accept as evidence of a participant’s serious commitment to their professional development.

Online learning isn’t for everyone, but with the right approach, it can be a valuable experience for many people. Now that you know what to look for in an online course, see what Luke and the MIT xPRO instructional design team have to offer by checking out the latest MIT xPRO courses and programs .

Originally published at http://curve.mit.edu on August 8th, 2022.

The pros and cons of online learning was originally published in MIT Open Learning on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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Pros And Cons Of Getting An MBA

Published 25 Jun 2024

What first pops into your head when hearing “MBA”? A “Master of Business Administration” degree, also known as an MBA, is a worldwide-recognized degree designed to prepare and instill people with critical skillsets for specific careers in Business and Management. MBA entered in the early 1900s and quickly became one of the most prestigious degrees to earn nowadays.

Attempting to get an MBA to engage in a business path does offer advantages such as increasing career opportunities, building professional networks, and earning significant salaries, but it also has certain downsides, such as high cost, huge commitment, and competitive conditions. Now, among many available, high-value degrees that students can choose from, the question of whether acquiring an MBA is truly worth the effort has emerged.

To begin with, it is undeniable that a business degree can offer students lots of career opportunities. A bachelor’s degree in business surely prepares students enough to work in many popular fields such as finance, marketing, accounting, management, or even a startup business, but getting an MBA afterward will increase their chances of taking a better shot at success. Employees can easily feel bored and stagnated if their work is tedious, repetitive, and monotonous. In this situation, an MBA owner is more likely to escape the tedium as they have a variety of suitable fields to enroll in because they are professionals with at least three years of work experience. Therefore, workers who earn this degree certainly have an edge over other competitors.

The degree can also give them higher chances of becoming leaders, which eventually boosts their likeliness of acquiring their dream job. According to the Mba.com website, almost half (43%) of MBA students want to switch careers and pursue opportunities in fields which they have not worked in before, 27% wish to accumulate experience to gain a competitive edge as they continue down their current job, and 29% want to start their path becoming entrepreneurs.

The business world is ever-changing; one’s ability to adapt to the accelerating pace is crucial in order to seize any long-term career success. Hence, in career progression, MBA graduates usually exceed. Secondly, developing a professional network is one of the advantages the MBA program offers that should not be overlooked. The course aids students in understanding the importance of self-awareness and how to build interpersonal relationships in the workplace. In addition, they will learn how to manage emotional behavior and enhance relationship-building skills at a professional level. During the course, MBA students meet peers with multiple backgrounds and many guest speakers. Through interaction, students extend their contacts beyond campus and expand their chances of getting a dream job. Professional contacts help students be aware of many potential working opportunities when they may not notice. According to LinkedIn, approximately 80 percent of professional workers see networking is one of the most critical factors leading to career progression success, and most of them personally address that professional relationship brings them more chances.

The Princeton Review, through the research of the Business Network International (BNI), states that “98 percent of businesses rely on referrals to gain new clients and partnerships”. Finally, and also considered one of the main reasons why this degree is so tempting, MBA graduates can earn an absurdly huge amount of salary within a few years of working. Of course, the expense in order to pursue an MBA program can be huge, but it can also be a worthwhile investment in the future. According to a GMAC Alumni Perspectives Survey (based on the opinion of 4,135 MBA alumni), graduates state that they could redeem about one-third of the overall study expense within the first year of working. Some people even say they can gain twice as much as the financial cost of the degree within ten years. After having worked for several years in the fields, many BBA graduates firmly express how the MBA can be a game changer in career advancement and payment, and that they are willing to head back to school to pursue the degree. According to the Neuvoo.ca website, the median MBA salary per year is $72,654, which is about $37,26 per hour; the starting wage is extremely attractive at around $24,161 per year, and experienced workers can earn up to more than $100,000 each year.

Read also: For top-notch MBA assignment help , trust our experts to deliver high-quality work.

An MBA is a considerable investment exchanged for a very promising career progression. But there are many alternative routes to seize career success. Firstly, an MBA is crazy expensive; its price has gone up dramatically over the last 15 years. The rank of the school they choose to attend greatly affects the degree's value. For example, an MBA graduate from Harvard can easily earn a starting salary twice as much as an MBA graduate from a lower-ranked school. Of course, the expense of attending a top-ranked MBA School can be enormous (more than $100,000). Moreover, if students are taking a full-time course, they are sacrificing all the salary they can make in 2 years, and since the postgraduates can no longer enjoy student loans, the ratcheting debt can be troublesome for a long time. Not to mention the opportunity cost of forgone tax income from the last job, living expenditure, study documents, and travel, the MBA is a big financial investment that no one should take lightly.

Fortunately, nowadays, more and more companies appreciate people with personal experiences such as critical thinking or problem-solving skills rather than owning an advanced degree. Nowadays, people can easily learn some practical, high-valued business skills through free online courses, interacting with colleagues, or participating in conferences and online forums. Next, pursuing an MBA program is time-consuming and requires a huge commitment, and if students cannot get into a top-ten business school, it is most likely that they are going to waste their time and gain nothing from the investment.

The most effective way to pursue an MBA is to take a full-time course. It means that people have to devote to the program fully and it should consume all of their attention. The course can involve long-distance relationships with friends and family, and since students have to dedicate their time to the coursework, it is hard to keep in touch. However, people can take a part-time MBA program at some schools and still continue working full-time, the problem is it would probably take them five years to finish the course. Apart from the working hours, the rest of their free time will most likely be spent to study. It is going to be very stressful, but then again, an MBA is just not for them if sacrifices are not ready to be made. Lastly, an MBA is no longer exclusive in recent times, which means the competitiveness for an MBA working position just got a lot more intense. Earlier in the 1990s, MBA graduates only had to compete with peers from a few other MBA-offered schools.

Today, most universities offer the degree and provide full-time and even part-time programs. Ironically, many companies are now paying less and hiring fewer MBA workers because they can employ many talented and experienced workers without an MBA cheaper and with equivalent performance. There is a harsh reality that big employers only monitor MBA graduates from a few top-ranked or selected schools. Hence, students from lower tire MBA School are finding it harder to find a job at big companies. Worse, the degree can be an obstacle when employers fail MBA candidates, saying they are “overqualified” for the job. In times when the economy is weak, companies want low-risk employers who are satisfied with their entry wages and willing to stay for a long period. It is not farfetched to say that the value of an MBA will soon decrease and become obsolete. Pursuing an MBA degree is a complex decision that requires lots of considerations. If students cannot get into the top-ranked business school, it is better not to bother because otherwise, the return on investment will most likely not be there. But if they have the capability, owning an MBA will provide them very a promising future career since everything about the program is worthwhile. Getting an MBA, on the one hand, brings advantages as it helps graduates extend career opportunities, construct professional networks, and make substantial income; but on the other hand, it also brings them significant financial obligations, many personal sacrifices, and a competitive working environment.

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Is The 50/30/20 Rule Realistic? Pros, Cons, and Everything in Between

So you were looking into budgeting methods and came across the 50/30/20 rule. At first, it seemed like a simple and easy way to manage your money, but you still have doubts about how realistic it is. Did we get that right?

The 50/30/20 budget rule suggests splitting your income into needs, wants, and savings. It's an intuitive and straightforward method that can make budgeting easier for those who aren't used to it. But depending on your income and the cost of living in your area, there are a few things to consider before deciding if this approach is right for you.

We talked to finance experts to better understand the pros and cons of the 50/30/20 rule and how realistic this method might be for you.

Budgets start with income—check out these amazing open jobs on The Muse and get closer to your financial goals »

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

The 50/30/20 budgeting rule states that 50% of your monthly after-tax income should go to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% for savings. Here's what each category includes:

50: Needs 

Your needs are the bills you absolutely have to pay and the essentials for your survival. This includes utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. If you can look at an expense and honestly say you can't live without it, it's a need.

Wants are things you enjoy but don't really need. This includes streaming subscriptions, eating out, shopping for clothes, accessories, or games, a premium gym membership, and tickets for concerts or sports events. Basically, anything you can cut from your monthly budget without risking your life or livelihood is a want.

20: Savings

Savings is exactly what it sounds like: Putting money aside for the future. Use this portion of your salary to build an emergency fund or add to your retirement savings account, like an IRA or 401(k) . You can also create savings accounts for long-term goals like a house downpayment, a new car, or traveling abroad. 

You could use this portion to cover debt repayment as well. If you have student loans or credit card debt, allocate half of this 20% of your income to savings and the other half to fulfill those obligations. 

(Minimum debt payments could be considered part of the “needs” category—there's actually no right or wrong here, just choose what works best for you based on your income, needs, and financial goals.)

Does the 50/30/20 rule work?

Generally speaking, yes, the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting works. However, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.  

“Flexibility and personalization are essential to effective budgeting,” says finance and tax expert Dana Ronald, President of Tax Crisis Institute . “While it is a great starting point, individuals with varying financial obligations and goals may need to adjust the percentages to suit their circumstances better.”

The 50/30/20 is ideal for people who live below their means. “If you earn a middle-class income but live a lower-class lifestyle, or if you earn an upper-class income and live a middle-class lifestyle, it may work,” says finance expert Melanie Musson from InsuranceProviders . 

Otherwise, your basic needs might take more than 50% of your income, or your lifestyle might cause your wants to consume more than 30%. In short, it would be harder to stick to the 50/30/20 percentages. 

Is the 50/30/20 rule realistic?

The 50/30/20 budget rule might not be realistic for those dealing with economic challenges——which, let's face it, is pretty common in today's climate of high inflation and living costs.

“It’s unrealistic for most people,” Musson says. “It might have made sense to save 20% of your income when housing took up half the percentage of a budget that it does today. Now, both rent and mortgage payments demand so much more from each paycheck.”

But if you can manage to cover your essential needs with just half of your income, sticking to the 50/30/20 rule becomes feasible for you. “It is a pragmatic approach to budgeting that offers a structured yet flexible framework, accommodating essential needs, discretionary spending, and prioritizing savings,” Ronald says. “This balance can benefit those who find traditional budgeting methods too restrictive.” 

What are the pros and cons of the 50/30/20 method of budgeting? 

Like any other budgeting method, the 50/30/20 rule has its pros and cons. Consider these before deciding to give it a try:

• It's easy to understand and stick to. The percentages make it clear how much money should go into each category without needing complicated calculations. 
• It's flexible. The ideal split is 50/30/20, but you can adjust the percentages to fit your current financial situation. For example, if you have debt to pay off, you might need to cut down your wants to prioritize debt repayment.
• It promotes mindful saving and spending. You can set aside a portion of your income for savings without having to say goodbye to all the fun. “This is pivotal for long-term financial health,” Ronald says.
• It doesn't account for other financial plans. Since your money has three specific destinations, it can be tough to decide what to do when you have goals that aren't covered by the rule—like investments.
• It doesn't meet everyone's needs. “The 50/30/20 might not cater to individuals with high debt or those living in areas with a high cost of living where essential expenses exceed 50% of their income,” Ronald says.
• It disregards people with irregular income. The 50/30/20 rule also doesn't account for people with variable income, like freelancers or the self-employed, who may struggle to stick to it every month.

50/30/20 rule examples

If you're still on the fence about this method and wondering, “What is a 50/30/20 budget example?” so you can better visualize how it works in practice, here are two different scenarios following this rule:

Imagine Anne, a software engineer at a tech company, who makes $5,000/month after taxes. She aims to cut expenses and improve her financial health without giving up on things she enjoys, like working out at a local gym and hanging out with friends weekly.

Anne downloads a budgeting app to track her expenses as needs, wants, and savings. Last month, she spent $2,350 on rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, health insurance, and student loan payments. She decides to round up for variable expenses like groceries and utilities, and allocates 50% of her income—which is $2,500—to needs.

Then, Anne set aside $1,500 for her wants and $1,000 for an emergency fund and retirement savings (which are 30% and 20% of her income, respectively). To avoid the temptation of spending this money, she automates transfers from her checking account to these savings accounts.

John is a marketing analyst trying to save for a house downpayment, but money management isn't exactly his forte. After searching for budgeting tips online, he settles on the 50/30/20 rule for its simplicity and easy-to-follow approach. When he sits down to work out the numbers, John calculates his after-tax income, which amounts to $3,700/month. 

Next, he categorizes his expenses as needs and wants. John realizes his discretionary spending is eating up to 50% of his salary, while his essential needs total around $1,850. To achieve his goal of buying a house, he decides to make a few lifestyle changes. 

First, he allocates $1,850 for rent, utilities, groceries, health insurance, gas, and car maintenance. John then cancels subscriptions to two rarely used streaming services and reduces his weekly takeouts to dining out twice a month. This cuts his discretionary spending to the recommended 30% of his salary, totaling $1,100. The remaining amount, designated to savings or debt (though he has none), goes directly into his savings account.

Four weeks later, John lands a new job as a content marketing coordinator, boosting his after-tax income by $1,300. He decides to keep living below his means, allocating half of the additional money towards his home down payment and sending the other half to his 401(k). The rest of his $3,700 new salary continues to be split according to the 50/30/20 rule, just as before.

When might the 50/30/20 rule not be the best saving strategy to use?

“The 50/30/20 rule may fall short for those with substantial debt repayments or significant financial strain,” Ronald says. “Prioritizing high-interest debt and creating an emergency fund should take precedence before allocating funds to discretionary spending.”

One way to tackle this is by using the 50/30/20 structure, but with different percentages. For instance, if your basic expenses and debts take up 65% of your income, you could try a 70/20/10 split until you've cleared your debts and built up an emergency fund. As your finances improve, you can slowly adjust the percentages back to the usual 50/30/20 breakdown.

“The 50/30/20 rule is a great goal,” Musson says. “Even if you can’t attain this budgeting system, try to get as close to it as you can.  Your needs are what they are—besides making a drastic lifestyle change, there’s not much you can do about them. With the remainder, balance your wants and savings. If you save everything, you may have a boring life; if you spend everything, you may have a stressful life. Balance is essential.“

Bottom line

At the end of the day, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to managing money, and the 50/30/20 budget rule is no exception. Everyone's financial situation, goals, and basic needs are different. The key is to keep developing financial knowledge and strike a balance that lets you treat yourself occasionally while still being responsible.