This document provides tips for writing good essays, specifically for and against opinion essays. It defines what an essay is and explains that essays usually have an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs that support the main points, and a concluding paragraph. It then discusses for and against essays, which present both sides of an issue, and opinion essays, which present the writer's personal opinion. The document concludes by offering tips for writing a strong introduction, main body paragraphs, and conclusion.

1. TIPS ON WRITING ATIPS ON WRITING A
GOOD ESSAYGOOD ESSAY
For and Against and opinion essaysFor and Against and opinion essays

2. What’s an essay?What’s an essay?
A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject,
usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or
interpretative.
An essay is a piece of writing that analyses and evaluates a
topic or issue.
Fundamentally, an essay is designed to get your opinion on a
particular matter.
An essay is a piece of writing that usually has five or more
paragraphs. An essay is written about one topic that has
several main points. The main points are introduced in an
introductory paragraph and supported in body
paragraphs. The conclusion is the last paragraph.

3. Types of essaysTypes of essays
There are many, but in this PowerPoint
will concentrate on :
For and Against Essays
Opinion Essays

4. For and Against EssaysFor and Against Essays
• They present both sides of an issue,
discussing points in favour and
against of a particular topic, or the
advantages and disadvantages of a
particular question.
• The writer’s personal opinion might
be stated in the conclusion (last
paragraph).

5. Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays
• They present the writer’s personal
opinion concerning a particular topic,
clearly stated and supported by
reasons or/ and examples.
• The writer’s opinion must be included
in the introduction, and summarised
or restated in the conclusion.

6. What does an essay look
like?

8. A good essay must includeA good essay must include
• An introductory paragraph, in which you
clearly state the topic to be discussed.
• A main body, in which different aspects
of the topic are stated in separate
paragraphs, and are exemplified or
justified.
• A concluding paragraph, it summarises the
main points in the essay, and your opinion is
stated, or restated. You may also include
here a balanced consideration of the topic.

10. Tips for a goodTips for a good
introductionintroduction
1) A surprising
fact, perhaps
including
statistics
Figures of gunshot deaths have rocketed in
the USA. In fact, a third of the population
living in the USA will have pulled the trigger
of their guns by 2025.
2) A shocking or
bizarre
statement
(reading out of
curiosity)
The latest Southern American trend of
shooting camps has landed in the UK as pulling
the trigger empowers one’s feeling of control.
3) A question Southern America takes pride in its shooting
culture, but should children be allowed to use
guns at an early age?
4) A quotation “Put your sword back into its place”, Jesus
said, “for all who take the sword will perish by
the sword”. Jesus would definitely say no to
free gun access in the USA.

11. 5) A evocking
story or
description
I could not believe the news that day. The TV was
on to show students my age rushing out the
entrance of an American high school. Covered in
blood and in a state of shock, they were received
by special operation forces. Obviously, a cold-
blooded massacre had taken place.
6) A metaphor Free gun access is a spark that fuels more
violence and reignites social debate over gun
control.
7) A cultural
reference
All of us have ever wished to be like John
McClane in Die Hard taking the law into his own
hands. However, it does not justify the easy
access to guns these days.
8) A definition
(least interesting)
Gun control generally refers to the policies that
regulate the sale and use of firearms to reduce
the harmful effects of violence.

12. • Avoid contractions and don’t get emotional.
• Follow the layout.
• A paragraph for each section. The
paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
• Don’t overuse linking words
• Stick to a maximum of two/ three
arguments.
• Back up your arguments with examples and
details.

13. The main bodyThe main body
This is the most important part of your piece of writing.
You should divide it into different paragraphs, each dealing with one
single idea and introduced by a topic sentence which summarises the
topic of the paragraph.
If you are asked to write an opinion essay, in the body you should
support your opinions giving different arguments. Use each paragraph
to present your arguments for or against.
If it’s a “for and against” essay, in the body you should present both
the arguments for (or advantages) and the arguments against
(disadvantages). Again, use paragraphs to introduce each argument

14. Tips for a good conclusionTips for a good conclusion
• The conclusion is the end of the essay. It is the last part of the
essay and it is the part that the reader may remember most. It
should be clear and avoid confusing the reader.
• The reader expects the conclusion to do some or all of the
following: rephrase the question, summarize the main ideas,
give your opinion, if you haven’t given it already.
• Look to the future (say what will happen if the situation continues
or changes)
• The reader DOES NOT expect new information in the conclusion.
Never add a new idea just because you have thought of it at the
end!
Your conclusion ‘wraps’ up the essay. We don’t put something valuable,Your conclusion ‘wraps’ up the essay. We don’t put something valuable,
like money or gold, hidden in the wrapping paper, so don’t put newlike money or gold, hidden in the wrapping paper, so don’t put new
information or important ideas in the conclusion.information or important ideas in the conclusion.

15. 1) Return to the
beginning
All in all, it is up to us whether thousands of lives in
the land of freedom are saved or not.
2) A summary or
conclusion
Broadly speaking, shooting camps are the result of
rather conservative southern lobbies. But make no
mistake about it, every time a person holds a gun, they
can fire it.
3) A question after
your conclusion
Definitely under eighteens should be protected from
all forms of violence, including gun access. And as for
the critical voices against gun control, what are they
going to say about the occasional massacre in a high
school?
4) A quotation To sum up, Jesus rejected violence. He simply had no
idea how ruthless this world would become.
5) Image or
picture symbolizing
the end or new
beginning
In conclusion, the days of spreading violence like
wildfire are over. Human beings deserve to live
without the fear of being blasted by gunshot.

16. YOUR TURN
CHOOSE ONE TOPIC TO WRITE AN ESSAY.
- Corrupt politicians should never keep their
seats.
- Terrorism: a threat to western civilizations.
- Is social justice fair these days?
- Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction.
- I