“For & Against” essays (from Study Writing by Melita Jurković)
A FOR & AGAINST essay is a type of discursive essay in which you discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic i.e. you study the topic from
opposing points of view. You have to present both sides of an argument with the same
objectivity and with appropriate and detailed justifications (examples, reasons).
A “For & Against” essay consists of:
-
an introduction in which you introduce the topic in a general way without stating
your opinion
a body in which you present the points FOR and AGAINST supported with
appropriate justifications and written in different paragraphs
a conclusion in which you state your opinion or give a balanced view of the topic
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Paragraph 1
introducing the topic without stating your opinion
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Paragraph 2*
argument(s) FOR with
justifications/reasons/examples
Paragraph 3*
argument(s) AGAINST with
justifications/reasons/examples
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
Paragraph 4
your opinion or balanced view of the topic
*The number of paragraphs depends on the number of arguments you want to present.
TIPS FOR SUCCESFUL WRITING
1 make a list of points for & against before you start writing an essay
2 use a formal style
3 use appropriate transitional words / phrases
(to list and add points, to introduce advantages, to introduce disadvantages, to
introduce examples / reasons, to show contrast, to introduce a conclusion)
4 use opinion phrases only in the concluding paragraph
TRANSITIONAL WORDS & PHRASES
-
to list points: to begin/start with, in the first place, secondly, thirdly, finally…
-
to add more points to the topic: also, furthermore, what is more, in addition to,
besides…
-
to list advantages: the first/main/most important advantage of/argument for,
another/one/a further/ an additional advantage of, it is often
suggested/believed/thought/argued that….., many/some people
argue/believe/suggest/feel that…
-
to list disadvantages: the main/most important disadvantage/drawback
of/argument against, another/an additional disadvantage of, some/many people
are against…
-
to introduce examples/reasons: for example/for instance, like, such as,
because, since, therefore, for this reason…
-
to show contrast: however, although, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless,
in spite of, despite, but…
-
to conclude: to conclude, in conclusion, to sum up, finally, lastly, all in all…
-
giving opinion: in my opinion/in my view, my opinion is that, it is my
opinion/belief/view, it seems/appears to me, as far as I am concerned…
MOBILE PHONES – A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
arguments & justifications
FOR
AGAINST
-useful, handy (business and personal
-no privacy
contacts, quick, anywhere in the world)
-not a necessity (other ways of
-practical (small, easy to carry, user
communication possible)
friendly)
-annoying (concerts, meetings)
-safety (personal, your family)
-can be dangerous (affecting your brain,
-relatively cheap, you can check your
driving)
expenses)
-preventing real communication (sending
messages)
MOBILE PHONES – A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
INTRODUCTION
Like all new high-technology devices, mobile phones have
generated a large number of, occasionally rather heated,
discussions and arguments. Opponents claim our privacy has
been seriously invaded, whereas supporters say mobile
phones are a necessity in this modern life.
To begin with, we live in a fast and technologically advanced
BODY
For
BODY
Against
CONCLUSION
world. Our response must be quick and immediate. Millions of
businesses depend on these two words. Secondly, we want
contact with our family members to be fast and safe. For
example, if your son or daughter is late home from school,
he/she can easily contact you, thus preventing a major family
crisis.
Furthermore, our personal safety and that of our families is no
longer an academic issue. It is widely believed that many lives
have been saved by the use of a mobile phone. In addition,
mobile phones are small, easy to carry and user friendly.
However, having a mobile phone does have several
disadvantages. The most important being the fact that we have
lost our privacy. You are not only interrupted at your workplace,
but also in your home and during your spare time. So many
extraordinary concerts and lectures have been interrupted by
the annoying sound of somebody’s mobile phone.
Another major argument against the use of a mobile phone is
that it can, according to some studies, seriously endanger your
health. For example, various brain tumors are proven to be
caused by the use of mobile phones. What is more, we have all
witnessed situations when traffic accidents were caused by
people using mobile phones while driving.
Finally, it could be debated whether communication via a
mobile phone is really communication in the true sense. It is
generally known that people send messages more often than
they talk to other people.
To sum up, owning a mobile phone has both advantages and
disadvantages. It is my opinion that mobile phones are here to
stay because our pleasures and conveniences have always
won the day over defeated reasonable pieces of advice given
by experts.