FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY B2

Writing Unit 1:

how to write a for and against essay

Index

1. Main Characteristics

2. Useful Language

3. Example

4. DON'T FORGET!

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

• An essay must present a defined structure. We will start our essay with an introductory paragraph, presenting the topic we are going to deal with. Next, we will write a paragraph in favour of the topic, giving at least two ideas to support it. We will continue later with a paragraph against the topic. Even though our opinion may be one or another we MUST give the two points of view. We will finish the essay summarizing what you have said in the essay.

• Number of words: like all FCE Writing tasks, informal emails should be written in 140 – 190 words.

• An essay is an opinion writing with which we analyse a topic, a situation or an issue from different points of view, providing different arguments and expressing our opinion about it.
• Given that you’re writing about a serious or controversial issue, an essay is written in a formal style, so we must stick to an objective tone and style. Our language must be formal, thus avoiding words that are simply too common or generic (E.g.: things, stuff, get, etc.) and contractions (E.g.: can’t, don’t, won’t, etc.).

to introduce examples

USEFUL LANGUAGE

to introduce contrasting points

to list advantages and disadvantages

• Nevertheless

conclusion

to add more points

• Nowadays many people think/say/claim that..
• It is commonly said/thought/claimed

• Having everything into account,
• As far as I am concerned,

LINKING WORDS

LINKING WORDS

TASK

Write a for and against essay about the use of video platforms nowadays

TASK: Are school uniforms beneficial?

• money spent on clothes
• wasting time in the morning
• own identity
• discrimination

• USE FORMAL LANGUAGE.
• CHECK THE SPELLING OF WORDS.
• DON 'T FORGET ABOUT CAPITAL LETTERS
• USE LINKING EXPRESSIONS

DON'T FORGET TO...

• WRITE DIFFERENT PARAGRAPHS

• ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU GOT IN THE TASK

THANKS!