ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY SAMPLE

Watching TV has more advantages than disadvantages

TV or television was invented by Philo T, Farnsworth in 1972. The invention of

television was a lengthy, collaborative process-one that changed our lives forever. We truly
have become obsessed with our television sets-large screen, flat screen LCD, plasma- you
name it and we need to have it. However, do we really know whether watching TV is
beneficial? We are still debating the advantages of watching TV (BACKGROUND OF THE
TOPIC). Even though most people think that watching TV is not really advantageous, we
strongly believe that watching TV has more advantageous than disadvantages (YOUR
STAND) because TV is a source of information (P1), and it is also a source of entertainment
(P2). However, it is undeniable that watching TV sometimes can be a waste of time (C1) and
also can be a bad influence to us (C2) (THESIS STATEMENT)

TV is a source of information (P1/TOPIC SENTENCE). This is true because by

watching TV we can ‘see the world’. TV nowadays is an effective source of spreading news
all over the globe. As the world is becoming global each day, we should not be left behind in
terms of what is going in the world. We can be informed about what is happening around the
world by TV through some channels such as CNN, BBC and so on (SD1). Besides, TV is not
all about entertainment, TV is a good source of education as well as by watching educational
programs like the National Geographic and so on (SD2). Thus, watching TV is the way we
could keep ourselves updated with current issues (RESTATE P1)

Another reason why watching TV has more advantages than disadvantages is

because TV is a source of entertainment (P2/TOPIC SENTENCE). In our lives, we need some
entertainment to heal stress, boredom or sadness. Watching TV is one of the ways for us to
relax after work or study as well (SD1). TV is also a good cure during hard times because it
can distract our mind from thinking about things that we are trying to get out of our mind. We
can enjoy and laugh watching some programs like America’s Funniest Home Videos, Just for
Laugh Gags and so on. Thus, watching is not all about negativity. It can benefit us in various
ways (SD2). As mentioned before, TV is a good source of getting entertainment. (RESTATE
P2)
 Some people also think that watching TV is a waste of time (C1/TOPIC SENTENCE).
These people have the opinion that TV can only distract us from doing more important things
in their lives. Procrastinating also can occur when we are watching TV (SD1). They also think
TV has an effect to make us stop developing our skills and talents or improving ourselves. For
example, we tend to just be in our comfort zone and not putting an effort to be better (SD2).
Hence, watching TV is a waste of time. (RESTATE C1)

Besides that, TV also can bring bad influence to us (C2/TOPIC SENTENCE). This is
especially true towards children. Children nowadays can watch anything on TV without
restriction, and if they are unlucky they will see something that is not appropriate such as
violence, sexual scene and so on (SD1). TV also can bring bad influence to us because some
programs now promote immoral messages. This can actually effect our perspectives towards
something if not being corrected (SD2). From this strong statement, I can say that TV can
bring bad influence. (RESTATE C2)

In conclusion, watching TV has more advantages than disadvantages because TV is

a source of information and entertainment (RESTATEMENT OF PRO ARGUMENTS).
However, TV also can be said to have more disadvantages than advantages such as it is a
waste of time and a bad influence to us (RESTATEMENT OF COUNTER ARGUMENTS).
What is more important, people need to know how to use TV for our own benefit (COMMENT).
Having presented our arguments, we once again totally agree on the statement that ‘Watching
TV has more advantages than disadvantages’ (RESTATEMENT OF STAND)