For and against essays

1. For and Against Essays
NEFui Writing 7

2. Raúl Cabezalí - 2012
• Stage 1
PRE-WRITING
• Stage 2
WRITING
• Stage 3
CHECKING

3. Pre-Writing
What? How?
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

4. What?
‘For and against’ essay
• A ‘for and against’ essay is 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
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

5. How?
Structure
A good essay of this type should consist of:
• An introductory paragraph
Here, you clearly state the topic to discuss without giving
your opinion
• A main body
The points for and against along with your justifications,
examples and reasons are presented in separate paragraphs
• A closing paragraph
Here, you state your opinion or give a balanced
consideration of the topic.
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

6. • Introduction
• Paragraph 1 –state the topic (summary of the topic
without giving your opinion)
• Main body
• Paragraphs 2 and 3 –arguments for/against and
justifications, examples and reasons
• Paragraphs 4 and 5 – arguments against/for and
justifications, examples and/or reasons
• ….
• Conclusion
• Final paragraph –balanced consideration/your opinion
directly or indirectly
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

7. Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

8. Points to consider
• Before you start writing, make a list of the points
for and against (pre-writing)
• Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence
which summarizes the topic of the paragraph
• Quotations can make your essay more interesting
• Consider the available time so as to have some time
left at the end of the exercise to check for
mistakes.
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

9. Raúl Cabezalí - 2012
Know what Know how
Plan in advance
SUCCESS

10. Writing
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

11. Writing stage
• Express your opinion in a non-emotional way
• Try to use a variety of expressions and structures
• Be concise; do not repeat the same ideas all over.
• Be relevant; stick to the topic and do not let your ideas
drift away to irrelevant subject matters
• Connect your ideas appropriately using a variety of
linkers
• Do not use informal style (contractions, colloquial
language). Use an appropriate professional style (formal
vocabulary and grammar) avoiding very informal
expressions.
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

12. Variety?
• Use synonyms to avoid repetition.
• Use a variety of adjectives and adverbs to give
colour to the text. Use a monolingual dictionary
or thesaurus – whenever possible -.
• Do not use the same structures all the time. Try to
use complex structures.
• Use a variety of linkers
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

13. Raúl Cabezalí - 2012
relevant varied
concise
connected SUCCESS

14. Checking
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

15. After writing
• Edit the text, deciding if there is any information
that should be left out or added and making sure
the report is the right length.
• Check the essay for mistakes in grammar,
spelling, punctuation, and register
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012

16. Before handing in the essay …
Double-check
the text for basic
grammar/spelling/vocabulary
mistakes
Don’t let a painful 1st-year-English mistake spoil the outcome of
all your hard work.
Raúl Cabezalí - 2012