TOEFL, iBT, Independent Writing, Many people like to eat in restaurants on a regular basis. Others would rather eat at home, except on rare occasions. Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why?. - rewrite -

Writing Topic

Many people like to eat in restaurants on a regular basis. Others would rather eat at home, except on rare occasions. Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why? Support your essay with details and examples.

☆Hints for points

Eating at home is preferable to me because …

1.    it is healthy / good for the (your) health / help (to) keep fit.

2.    it is economical / saves your money / costs less.

3.    it is relaxing / comfortable / refreshing / releases your stress.

4.    I can enjoy flavor of Mom’s cooking / learn how to make feast / pass down culture and tradition.

5.    eating out only once in a while makes the event more enjoyable. (“less is more”)

Counterargument: It takes time to cook and it is boring to eat same kind of dishes every day at home.

Counter-counterargument: A simple but well-balanced meal takes only 15-40 minutes to prepare. Also, cooking helps you get refreshed because you use the different part of your brain and, if you cook with someone else, you can enjoy interacting with others.

Eating out on a regular basis is preferable to me because …

1.    it saves time / allows you to do other things such as homework.

2.    it tastes better / offers variety.

3.    it provides social life / increases chances to meet new people / is a good opportunity to learn manners.

4.    it makes life more enjoyable. (“spices up your life”)

Counterargument: Foods served in restaurants are unhealthy.

Counter-counterargument: Nowadays, there are plenty of health-conscious restaurants and dishes to choose. Also, having good breakfast at home is enough to stay healthy.

☆Sample Body Structures

A

【Point 1】Home cooked meals are healthier.

【Point 2】Having a good time with family over dinner is important.

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】Eating out might be more exciting than eating at home, but the truth is that life is a series of unremarkable moments with occasional pleasant times. To eat the same kind of homemade meals with your folks every day makes it more delightful to eat at a restaurant for a special event.

B

【Merits of Eating at Home】Home-cooked meals are good for the health.

【Merits of Eating Out】By eating out, you can use time effectively and reduce of stress.

【My Choice】My family are all busy working and studying, so I prefer the approach of dining in restaurants on a regular basis. We can enjoy cooking together at home on holidays,

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

e.g.

【Point 2】

e.g.

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

☆Paragraph development

Sample 1

【Main Idea】 Eating at home is better for your health than eating out.

【Explanation】 You can use fresh and safe ingredients.

【Detail / Example】 For example, when you prepare food, you buy ingredients at a store of your own choice right before you cook while restaurants often use frozen food.

【Specific Detail / Example】 This is especially true in seasoning. At home, you can make broth from real bones or fish and use fresh spices, but restaurants often use ready-made soup stock containing additives and preservatives.

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】Of course, regulations on food have become tighter these days and eating out is not so unhealthy as before. However, businesses always prioritize cutting costs to make profits and at least you know what you are eating when you prepare dishes for yourself.

【Conclusion】 By cooking for yourself, you can make sure that you stay healthy.

Sample 2

【Main Idea】&【Explanation】 Eating out regularly livens up life because going out to eat in town is a fun activity.

【Detail / Example】Having conversation over lunch or dinner surrounded by other relaxed diners helps you see people and life positively.

【Specific Detail / Example】Going to a familiar Chinese restaurant with your beloved makes you feel comfortable while trying a new Italian dish with your friends is exciting, and each of such times is a precious moment of life.

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】This habit might seem morally wrong to some people, but eating in restaurants on a regular basis does not mean going out to eat three times a day. Allowing oneself an hour of good mealtime a couple of times a week is neither an extravagance nor indulgence. It is a good practice.

【Conclusion】Man does not live to eat but eat to live.

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points of your essay structure, and develop it. You can either use or not use the form below. Starting with【Main Idea】 and 【Specific Detail / Example】, and then filling in other parts is one way to develop a point.

【Main Idea】

【Explanation】

【Detail / Example in general】

【Specific Detail / Example】

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】 

【Conclusion】