Guidelines for Effective For and Against Essays
Learn the structure of for and against essays, including introductory and closing paragraphs, main body points, tips for each paragraph, and useful expressions to consider.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
For and Against Essays Some guidelines By Mar a Vald s, EOI Mieres Based on Successful Writing, by Virginia Evans
STRUCTURE A.Introductory paragraph B.Main body C.Closing paragraph
Introduction Paragraph 1 state topic (summary of the topic without giving your opinion)
Main Body Paragraphs 2 & 3 arguments for & justifications, examples, and/or reasons Paragraphs 4&5 arguments against & justifications, examples, and/or reasons
Conclusion Final paragraph balanced consideration / your opinion directly or indirectly
Points to consider Before you start writing your essay, make a list of the points for and against.
Points to consider Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence that summarises the topic of the paragraph. e.g. In addition, many people feel reading is a relaxing and worthwhile activity.
Points to consider Do not use informal style (e.g. short forms, colloquial language, etc)
Points to consider Express your opinion in a non-emotional way (e.g. It seems that, I therefore feel, etc)
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To list points Firstly First of all In the first place To begin/start with Secondly, Thirdly Finally
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To list advantages One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of is The main/greatest/first advantage of is...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases 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 expressions and linking words/phrases To introduce points / arguments for or against: One (very convincing) point / argument in favour of / against , A further common criticism of / It could be argued that . claimed/suggested argued/maintained felt/believed /held that... It is often/widely/generally
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To introduce points / arguments for or against: claim / suggest / argue / feel that... maintain / believe / point out / agree / hold that... some/many/ most people/experts/ scientists / sceptics / critics advocate (+ing/noun) / support the view that oppose the view that... are in favour of / against of the opinion that / convinced that opposed to ...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases 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
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases 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
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases 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...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To emphasise a point clearly, obviously, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed It is obvious...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To express reality: In fact / Actually / In practice / In effect The fact (of the matter) is It is a fact that
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To make general statements: as a (general) rule generally in general on the whole by and large in most cases
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases 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
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To explain / clarify a point in other words that is to say this/which means that
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To express cause owing to due to (the fact that) given that because as since
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To express effect: therefore / thus as a result / consequence consequently for this reason if . were to happen, the effect / result would be...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases To express intentions to / so as to / in order to so that with the intention of (+ing)
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases Conclusion expressing balanced considerations / opinions indirectly In conclusion, On balance, All things considered, Taking everything into account / consideration, To conclude, To sum up, All in all, Finally / Lastly, it must/can be said/claimed that... it seems / appears that... it would seem that... it is likely/unlikely/possible/foreseeable that it is clear / obvious that there is no / little doubt that the best course of action would be to ... achieving a balance between would be it is true to say that although it must be said that it may be concluded/said that...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/ opinions indirectly All things considered, the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that There is no absolute answer to the question of In the light of this evidence, it is clear/obvious that...
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/ opinions indirectly In conclusion, All in all, To sum up, it is clear/apparent plain/obvious evident form the above foregoing evidence points arguments
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases Conclusions expressing opinion directly In conclusion, On balance, All things considered, Taking everything into account / consideration, To conclude, To sum up, All in all, it is my belief/opinion that I (firmly) believe/feel/think that I am convinced that I am inclined to believe that I (do not) agree that / with... Taking everything into account, I therefore... For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, I conclude/believe/feel (that)...
Formal style You should use: passive voice, impersonal constructions (e.g. It is argued that ; It is a common belief that ) formal linking words/phrases (e.g. furthermore, etc) complex sentences with a variety of links, dependent clauses, etc
Formal style You should not use: ? short forms (e.g. I m, It s) ? colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms (e.g. lots of, put up with, be over the moon about ) ? simplistic vocabulary (e.g. Experts say they think is bad ) ? a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people think so. They are wrong.) ? simple linking words (e.g. and, but,...) except for variety
