"For and Against" essays - guide

One type of argumentative essay is that which gives advantages and disadvantages (for and against). It is a formal piece of writing in which a topic is considered from opposing points of view. A good essay of this type should consist of:

an introductory paragraph in which you state the topic. This means that you tal generally a!out the topic without giving your opinion" a main !ody in which the points for and the points against# along with your $ustification# appear in two separate paragraphs" and a closing paragraph in which you give either your opinion or a !alanced consideration of the topic.

Note: In this type of essay writing# you must not include opinion words (I !elieve# I thin # etc.) in the introduction or the main !ody. Opinion words can only !e used in the final paragraph# where you may state your opinion on the topic.

Points to consider

%a e a list of the points for and against a topic !efore you start writing. &rite well-developed paragraphs in which the points you present are supported with $ustification# (i.e. reasons or e'amples). %a e sure each paragraph has more than one sentence# e.g. One advantage of using a word processor is that it saves time. It is much (uic er to ma e corrections on one than it is to do them !y hand. )o not use informal style (e.g. short forms# collo(uial language# etc.) or strong language (e.g. I firmly !elieve# etc.) Try to include a (uotation relevant to the topic you are writing a!out. *or e'ample# if you are writing an essay on space e'ploration# a (uotation you may include is: "One small step for a man# one giant leap for man ind." (+eil Armstrong) ,egin each paragraph with a topic sentence which summarises what the paragraph is a!out.

Linking words/phrases

To introduce points: one ma$or advantage (or disadvantage) of# a further advantage# one point of view in favour of-against To list points: in the first place# first of all# to start with# secondly# thirdly# finally# last !ut not least To add more points to the same topic: what is more# furthermore# also# in addition to this-that# !esides# apart from this-that# not to mention the fact that To make contrasting points: on the other hand# however# in spite of# while# nevertheless# despite# even though# although# it can !e argued that To introduce examples: for e'ample# for instance# li e# especially# such as# in particular To conclude: to sum up# all in all# all things considered# in conclusion# on the whole# ta ing everything into account# as was previously stated

Techniques for beginnings and endings The first paragraph may:

make reference to a strange scene or situation e.g. .ome scientists !elieve that in the future everyone will !e genetically perfect address the reader directl! e.g. Are you aware of any characteristics which you may have inherited from your parents/ or as a rhetorical (uestion ((uestion to which no answer is e'pected)# e.g. Isn0t it ama1ing how some children loo so much li e their parents/ start with a quotation e.g. "2enetics holds the ey to the future"

The last paragraph may:

state a personal opinion e.g. In my opinion# I !elieve# in my view# It seems to me. The way I see it# I thin # etc. gi"e the reader something to consider e.g. 3erhaps the world would !e a safer and more efficient place if everyone was genetically perfect end with a quotation e.g. "2enetics holds the ey to the future00# or a rhetorical (uestion# e.g. &hatever will they thin of ne't/

4ave loo at the e'ample )escri!ing people - guide

A description of a person should consist of:

an introduction where you give some !rief information a!out the person (his- her name# time or place you met-saw him-her# how you heard a!out him-her)" a main !ody where you descri!e physical appearance# personality characteristics and ho!!ies# interests# everyday activities in separate paragraphs" and a conclusion which includes your comments and-or feelings a!out the person.

.uch descriptions can !e found in articles# letters# witness statements# novels# etc.

Points to consider 5ach paragraph starts with a topic sentence which introduces the su!$ect of the paragraph. A variety of lin ing words should !e used to connect ideas. To descri!e physical appearance# details should !e given as follows: height or !uild# age# facial features# hair# clothes# moving from the most general aspects to the more specific details# e.g. #ohn is a tall slim man in his mid forties$ %e has a thin face blue e!es and a large nose$ %is short hair is gre!ing at the temples$ %e is usuall! casuall! dressed$ To descri!e character and !ehaviour you can support your description with e'amples# e.g. &all! is "er! sociable$ &he lo"es going to parties and dances$ 'f !ou want to mention an! negati"e qualities use mild language (tends to# seems to# is rather# can occasionally !e# etc.). e.g. Instead of saying .ally is arrogant# it is !etter to say .ally tends to !e rather arrogant. 6ariety in the use of ad$ectives will ma e your description more interesting# e.g. good-natured# well!ehaved# gorgeous# etc. 3resent tenses can !e used to descri!e someone connected to the present# e.g. someone you see every

day. 3ast tenses can !e used to descri!e someone related to the past# e.g. someone who is no longer alive# someone whom you won0t meet again... etc.

Narrati"e techniques +arrative techni(ues (use of direct speech# weather description# use of dramatic language to create mystery# suspense# reference to feelings# moods etc) can !e used when descri!ing people. This will ma e your composition more interesting to the reader. .ee how an ordinary !eginning can !e made more e'citing: Instead of saying: ' first met &te"en the secretar! of the manager of &unnington Ltd last (onda!# you could say: A cold wind was !lowing down the street last %onday morning as I pushed open the heavy glass door of .unnington 7td. 8hilled and nervous I wal ed up to %r Ti!!s0 secretary. A pair of friendly dar eyes met mine. .o this was .teven9 (weather description# your feelings# suspense) "%r Ti!!s is at a meeting. &ould you li e to wait/ 4e0ll !e a!out ten minutes." 4e had a sharp clear voice# and a narrow intelligent face. I could see why %r Ti!!s# the manager of .unnington 7td# spo e so highfy of .teven. (direct speech# mystery)

4ave loo at the e'ample

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describing people guide e'ample describing places guide e'ample for and against guide e'ample go back to wr