Unit 1.

Writing
Contrast ideas in writing
This lesson teaches how to contrast ideas in writing. When you contrast ideas, you compare them
and show the differences between them.

On the one hand, … on the other hand, …

Writers use the expressions on the one hand, … on the other hand, … to contrast ideas.
On the one hand, employers need people who will fit into the company.
On the other hand, an online profile is for friends.

while, whereas, but

Writers also use the conjunctions while and whereas to contrast ideas. Here, while does not have
a time meaning.
You can use clauses with while and whereas first or second in a sentence. Use a comma between
the two clauses.
While there are reasons to check an online profile, it is not fair to do this.
A résumé is for employers, whereas an online profile is for friends.
You can also use but to link two clauses. Avoid beginning a sentence with but in writing.
A résumé is for employers, but an online profile is for friends.

You use however to show a contrast with an idea in a previous sentence.

Many employers check the Internet for information about job applicants. However, this is not a
fair way to judge a person.
Do not start a sentence with Whereas to contrast ideas with a previous sentence. Use However.
An online profile is for friends. However, a résumé is for employers. (NOT Whereas … )

Remember you can use Whereas to start a sentence if it contrasts with an idea in the same
sentence.
Whereas some people are happy if an employer looks them up online, others feel that it is
intrusive.
However and whereas are more frequent in writing than in conversation. However is more
common than whereas.
Debate question
Should employers judge applicants by their online profiles?
Plan
1. Introduction: Many employers _________ . Some people think _________ . However,
_________ .
2. Say why it is fair: On the one hand, an online profile _________ , whereas a résumé
_________ .
3. Say why it is not fair: On the other hand, an online profile ________.
4. Conclusion: In conclusion, while _________ . In my opinion, _________ .
You can change the order of #2 and #3 depending on your view. Writers often present the
opposing view first and then their view.
Sample answer
Many employers check the Internet to obtain information about job applicants. However, this is
not a fair way to judge a person. On the one hand, employers need people who will fit into the
company. An online profile gives information that employers will not see on a résumé – for
example, if the person is aggressive or has extreme views. On the other hand, an online profile is
for friends, whereas a résumé is for employers. A résumé provides the most relevant details
about qualifications and work experience. An online profile may contain information that
employers should not use to judge or possibly reject an applicant, such as age or religion. In
conclusion, while there are good reasons to check an applicant's online profile, it is not a
professional document. For this reason, it is not fair, in my opinion, to judge candidates by their
personal online profiles.