For and Against Essay

For and Against Essay

Explanation, tips, and Examples

Introduction

An essay is a formal piece of writing which describes, analyses, or discusses a particular issue. The most common types are: Opinion essays. They present the writer’s personal opinion of the topic, supported with examples and reasons. For and against essays. They present both sides of an issue in a balanced way. In the concluding paragraph, you can say why you find one side more convincing than the other.

WHAT IS A FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY?

• An essay on the advantages and disadvantages of some current issue. • A formal piece of writing in which a topic is considered from opposing points of view. • You should present both sides in a fair way by discussing them objectively and in equal detail.

Points to concider

• Make a list of the points for and against. • Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that summarizes the topic of the paragraph. • Do not use informal style (e.g. contractions, colloquial language, etc.) or strong language to express your opinion (e.g. I know…, etc.). • Use quotations, rhetorical questions, or direct addresses to the readers in the introduction to grab their attention and make your composition more interesting.

Structure

• an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed, without giving your opinion.

• a main body in which the points for and against along with your justifications, examples, or reasons are presented in separate paragraphs.

• a closing paragraph in which you give a balanced, consideration of the topic and state your opinion.

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

• Introduction

• Paragraph one – topic sentence (advantages)

- Supporting statement 1/arguments/examples - Supporting statement 2/arguments/examples

• Paragraph two – topic sentence (disadvantages)

- Supporting statement 1/arguments/examples - Supporting statement 2/arguments/examples

• Conclusion

USEFUL LINKING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

• To list points:

Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally

• To list advantages:

One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is … The main/greatest/first advantage of… is …

• To list disadvantages:

One/Another/ A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of. The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage /drawback of… Another negative aspect of…

USEFUL LINKING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

• To list points:

Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally

• To list advantages:

One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is … The main/greatest/first advantage of… is …

• To list disadvantages:

One/Another/ A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of. The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage /drawback of… Another negative aspect of…

To introduce points/arguments for or against:

• One (very convincing) point/argument in favor of/ against …
• A further common criticism of…
• It could be argued/often claimed/suggested that …
• It is widely argued/maintained/generally felt/believed/held that …
• Some/many/most people/experts/scientist/skeptics/critics claim/suggest/argue/ feel/maintain/believe/point out/agree/hold/support the view that…
• oppose the view that…
• are in favor of/against…
• are of the opinion that/convinced that…
• are opposed to…

• To add more points to the same topic: in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart from, what is more, as well as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only … but also/as well, both … and, There is another side to the issue/question/argument of… • To make contrasting points: on the other hand, however, still, yet, but, nonetheless, nevertheless, even so, it may be said/argued/claimed that,… others/many people oppose this viewpoint/strongly disagree…, claim/feel/believe this argument is incorrect/misguided although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that Opponents of … argue/believe/claim that… The fact that… contradicts the belief/idea that… While it is true to say that…, in fact

• To introduce examples: for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular, particularly, especially, This is (clearly) illustrated/shown by the fact that… One/A clear/striking/ typical example of (this)… The fact that…. shows/illustrates that… • To emphasize a point: clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed • To express reality: In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect • To make general statements: as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most cases

• To make partially correct statements: to a certain extent/degree, to some extent/degree, in a way/sense,this is partly true (but), to a limited extent, there is some truth in (this), in some cases, up to a point • To explain/clarify a point: in other words, that is to say, this/which means that • To express cause: owing to, due to (the fact that), on account of, on the grounds that, given that, because, as, since • To express effect: therefore, thus, as a result/consequence, consequently, so, for this reason, if… were to happen, … the effect/result would be… • To express intention: to, so as to, in order to, so that, with the intention of (+ing)

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases: Conclusion expressing balanced considerations and your opinion

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases: Conclusion expressing balanced considerations and your opinion

Example of for and against essay

Practice

Student Book Page 56,57

Workbook Page 37

Thank you!

Any questions?