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.
☆Let’s Think
1.
Discuss advantages of eating at home
and those of eating out.
2.
Which approach to dining habits do
you choose and why?
☆Hints for points
Advantages
of eating at home and counterargument
treatment
1.
It is healthy / good
for the (your) health / help (to) keep fit.
2.
It is economical /
costs less./ helps save money
3.
It is relaxing / is comfortable
/ is refreshing / releases your stress.
4.
It helps communication
with family.
5.
I can enjoy flavor of
Mom’s cooking / learn how to make feast / pass down culture and tradition.
6.
eating out only once in
a while makes the event more enjoyable. (“less is more”)
Counterarguments: (1) It takes
time to cook. (2) It is boring to eat the same thing every day.
Counter-counterarguments: (1) A
simple but well-balanced meal takes only around 30 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. (2) Cookbooks and recipes will help make home meal enjoyable.
Advantages
of eating out and counterargument treatment
1.
It saves time / allows you to do
other things such as homework.
2.
It tastes better than home-cook meals
/ offers variety.
3.
It promotes social life / 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:
There are plenty of restaurants that serve healthy food. Also, “on a regular
basis” does not mean every single meal. Good breakfast and fruit for snacks can
make up for important nutrients lacking in purchased food.
☆Sample Body Structures
A
【Point 1】It is good for the health to cook yourself.
【Point 2】Having a good time with family over dinner is
important.
【Counterargument-treatment】Eating out might be exciting, 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】It is good for the
health to eat at home.
【Merits of Eating Out】By eating out, you
can use time effectively and reduce stress.
【My Choice】My
family are all busy working and studying, so I prefer to dine 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】It is good for the health to cook yourself.
【Transition】Fresh and safe
ingredients can be used for home meals.
【Supporting Details】For example, you can buy meat and vegetables at a store of your
own choice right before you cook. On the other hand, restaurants often use
frozen food, which is not fresh and has chemicals. This is especially true in
seasoning. At home, you can make broth using natural food, but restaurants
often use ready-made soup stock containing additives and preservatives.
【Follow-up】Tighter regulations on food have made restaurant food healthier than
before, but businesses prioritize cutting costs. 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】&【Transition】 Eating out regularly livens up life
because it helps you socialize with others.
【Supporting Details】Having conversation over lunch or dinner surrounded by other
relaxed diners helps you see people and life positively. Going to a familiar Chinese restaurant with your beloved makes you
feel comfortable. Tying a new Italian dish with your friends is exciting. Each
of such times is a precious moment of life.
【Follow-up】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 few times a week is
neither an extravagance nor indulgence. It is a lifestyle.
【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..
【Main Idea】
【Transition】
【Supporting Details】
【Follow-up】
【Conclusion】
