This document provides guidance on writing a for and against essay. It explains that this type of essay presents the advantages and disadvantages of a subject across four paragraphs: introduction, arguments for, arguments against, and conclusion. It then gives an example topic analyzing whether smoking should be prohibited in public places. The introductory paragraph states the writer's view that smoking is anti-social. The following two body paragraphs each give an argument for and against the prohibition. The conclusion restates that health concerns outweigh personal pleasure, and the writer believes smoking should be banned in public. Finally, it provides examples of useful connectors to link ideas in the essay.

1. Focus on Writing
For and
Against Essay

2. A for and against
essay presents the
advantages and
disadvantages of a
certain subject

3. In a For and Against
composition model
There are normally four
paragraphs
Introduction
Arguments for/against
Arguments against/for
Conclusion

4. Introductory Paragraph
 Points of interest- why the subject is
interesting
 Where do you stand? – What’s your
opinion?

5. Topic: Should smoking be
prohibited in Public Places?
 Introductory paragraph
Whatever smokers may tell you, smoking is an anti-
social habit. While the smokers themselves may
enjoy their cigarettes, their enjoyment often causes
much discomfort around them. The time has come to
forbid smoking in all public places.

6. Paragraph 1 : arguments
against
 On the one hand, those who are against the
prohibition of smoking- usually the smokers
themselves-tend to claim this is a move against
their personal liberty. They say that smokers
form a large part of the population and that no
one has the right to tell them where or when they
can smoke. Moreover, they state that if their
smoke annoys non-smokers , the non-smokers
can always move to another (smoker-free) place

7. Paragraph 2: arguments for
 On the other hand, those who believe that
smoking should be prohibited in public places
say that it is not always possible to move away
from smokers. What happens if a smoker lights
up at the table next to you in your favourite
restaurant? The most important factor for non-
smokers is probably not the inconvenience- it is
the health hazard from passive smoking. A non-
smoker who spends a lot of time in a smoke-
filled atmosphere is seriously endangering his
or her health

8. Paragraph 4: Conclusion.
Refer back to the topic and restate
views
 In conclusion, it is obvious that health
must come before personal pleasure. I
strongly believe that governments should
act to make smoking illegal in public
places

9. Useful Connectors
 CONNECTORS OF ADDITION
Moreover
For example
Besides
In addition
What is more

10. Connectors of Contrast
 Whereas
 Nevertheless
 On the other hand
 Although
 However
 Despite
 In spite of
 Unlike
 Even If

11. Connectors of Cause
 Because
 Since

12. Connectors of Result
 For this reason
 Therefore
 So
 Consequently
 Thus
 As a result

13. Other useful expressions or
connectors are
 On the one hand
 Finally
 In the first place
 Firstly
 Secondly
 In conclusion
 To sum up
 In short

14.  It is said that
 One of the advantages of …. is that
 One of the disadvantages of … is that
 It is also interesting that…
 To begin with
 In fact,

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