what is a for and against essay

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A for and against essay.

Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.

Preparation

Reality tv shows are good entertainment.

Reality shows are a very popular form of entertainment on TV nowadays. There are dozens of different types of programmes such as singing contests, cooking competitions or going to live in the jungle.

Firstly, I think that there is a lot of variety in reality TV. People at home can choose which types of programme they want to watch depending on what they are interested in. Some people like watching singing or cooking competitions while others prefer watching programmes about building houses or travelling around the world. In addition, reality TV programmes are a great opportunity to discover talented singers, dancers or chefs. Several people who take part in these programmes get jobs as a result of being on TV. Another advantage is that the people on the shows have interesting experiences and meet new people.

On the other hand, some people think that reality TV is an easy way for them to become famous. However, most successful singers, actors or chefs have worked hard all their lives and are good at their job because of their hard work. Also, sometimes the people on the shows have to do really difficult or dangerous things. The competitions are very hard and there is only one winner. Another disadvantage is that some programmes always follow the same format and this can be boring to watch.

To sum up, I think that reality TV is good entertainment. There is lots of variety which means there is something for everyone and they are interesting to watch.

Top Tips for writing

1. Start each paragraph with a word or phrase so the reader knows what to expect, for example Firstly , On the other hand or To sum up .

2. Link your sentences with these words: In addition ; Another advantage is that ; However ; Also ; Another disadvantage is that .

3. Organise your essay in paragraphs.

• paragraph 1 – introduction
• paragraph 2 – arguments for the subject
• paragraph 3 – arguments against the subject
• paragraph 4 – conclusion

Check your understanding: multiple selection

Check your writing: reordering - essay structure, check your writing: typing - linking words, worksheets and downloads.

What are your views on reality TV? Are these types of shows popular in your country?

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For and against essays

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. A good essay of this type should consist of:

a) an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed, without giving your opinion; b) a main body in which the points for and against along with your justifications, examples or reasons are presented in separate paragraphs; and c) a closing paragraph in which you state your opinion or give a balanced consid¬eration of the topic.

Note : Opinion words (I think, I believe, In my opinion, etc.) can only be used in the closing paragraph where you give your opinion on the topic.

Points to consider

• Before you start writing your essay you should make a list of the points for and against. • Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence which summarises the topic of the paragraph. e.g. In addition, many people feel reading is a relaxing and worthwhile activity. • Do not use informal style (e.g. short forms, colloquial language , etc.) or strong language to express your opinion (e.g. I know…, etc.). Express your opinion in a non-emotional way (e.g. It seems that, I therefore feel, etc.). • Well-known quotations relevant to the topic you are writing about will make your composition more interesting. For example, if you are writing an essay on education, a quotation you may include is: "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." (Will Durant) Note: Although these are "balanced" arguments, if you feel that either the for or against side is stronger and should be supported, this side should be presented in paragraphs 4 & 5, thus leading the reader to your conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph 1 state topic (summary of the topic without giving your opinion) Main Body Paragraphs 2 & 3 arguments for & justifi¬cations, examples, and/ or reasons Paragraphs 4 & 5 arguments against & justification, examples, and/or reasons Conclusion Final Paragraph balanced consideration/ your opinion directly or indirectly

Go to Practical Exercises

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases • To list points: Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally • To list advantages: One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is … The main/greatest/first advantage of… is … • 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… • 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….. often claimed/suggested It is widely argued maintained that….. generally felt/believed/held

Some/many/most people/experts/scientist/skeptics/critics claim/suggest/argue/feel that… maintain/believe/point out/agree/hold that… advocate (+ing/noun)/support the view that… oppose the view that… are in favour of/against… are of the opinion that/convinced that… are opposed to…

• 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… • 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 although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that Opponents of … argue/believe/claim that… The fact that… contradicts the belief/idea that… While it is true to say that…, in fact… While/Although …, it cannot be denied that…

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… • To emphasise a point: clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed • To express reality: In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect • To make general statements: as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most cases • 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 • To explain/clarify a point: in other words, that is to say, this/which means that • To express cause: owing to, due to (the fact that), on account of, on the grounds that, given that, because, as, since • To express effect: therefore, thus, as a result/consequence, consequently, so, for this reason, if… were to happen, … the effect/result would be… • To express intention: to, so as to, in order to, so that, with the intention of (+ing)

Go to Practical Exercises on the Use of linking words and phrases

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases: Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/opinion indirectly In conclusion, On balance, All things considered, Taking everything into account/consideration, To conclude, To sum up, All in all, Finally/Lastly,

……………………. it 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 … …………………….. 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 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 …

• A for and against essay can end in a balanced consideration in which you restate that there are points for and against the topic using appropriate expressions given above.
• Alternatevely, it can end by expressing an opinion , in which case you state, directly or indirectly, that you are either in favour of or against the topic, using appropriate expressions given above.

Go to conclusion expressing opinion directly/indirectly

9 Read the conclusions below and say whether they express a balanced consideration, or the writer's opinion directly/indirectly. 1 To conclude, although it must be said that a sense of responsibility is one of the most important qualities which can be instilled in young people, it should not be forgotten that there are other, equally important qualities. 2 For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, I firmly believe that if people are taught a keen sense of responsibility towards themselves and others, then they will have the best possible start in life. The way I see it, taking full responsibility for one's own actions is central to leading an honest life. 3 To sum up, it would seem that, once young people know how to take responsibility for their actions, they are better equipped to learn about life. While there are other important qualities, a highly-developed sense of responsibility provides the ideal foun¬dation for personal development. 4 On balance, it seems that a sense of responsibility has a role to play in a young person's development. Never¬theless, when placed alongside other human qualities, such as honesty and integrity, it is by no means the most useful.

10 Read the main body of the for and against essay below on the topic: "Discuss the view that advertising promotes excessive consumerism." Then read the beginnings and endings and say which of the techniques on p. 56 has been used in each one. Finally, replace the bold type words or phrases in the main body with ones similar in meaning.

Beginning… 1. Whether it is on TV, radio or hoardings at the side of the road, advertisements have become a part of our lives, advertising simply a means of informing the public or does it encourage consumers to purchase products they do not really need? 2. Advertising is a powerful and persuasive medium. You may feel this is an intrusion in your daily life, and resent the pressure on you to spend money. Others, however, enjoy the variety which this highly creative industry brings to everyday life. 3. Advertising is an effective way of selling new products, and many people argue that its effectiveness brainwashes us into unnecessary spending. Others, however, disagree. As Jeremy Tunstall says, "Advertising can't sell any product can only help to sell a product the people want to buy."

One of the main arguments for advertising is that it generates wealth for a country. That is to say, taxes paid on goods sold, help governments to pay for essential services such as education and health care. Moreover, the number of jobs created for pro¬ducing, marketing and servicing these goods helps to reduce the unemployment problem, which is also a great advantage for a country's economy. What is more, advertising raises money for a huge number of sporting events and artistic perfor¬mances which would otherwise not be held. Without sponsorship from companies who advertise their products, these events would disappear due to lack of funding. In other words, although consumerism is promoted through advertising, it is beneficial to both the consumer and society. On the other hand, advertisements can cause people to be dissatisfied with what they already have, and make them want more. Being exposed again and again to products which one cannot afford produces frustration and dissatisfaction. Further more, not all parents are in a position to afford the goods which their children see advertised and want to possess. This often leads to feelings of inadequacy, especially among the less well-off. In addition to this, advertising creates materialism and causes people to place too much importance or material goods. The fact that people are prepared to work long hours, or even turn to crime in order to gain the goods on offer, shows that advertising persuade; people to go to great lengths to keep the same standard of living as those they see around them. It is a fact, though, that neither crime nor the stress caused by overwork can benefit society.

Endings…. A To sum up, it is true to say that advertising does provide some benefits. However, do you not agree that the drawbacks of a greedy, materialistic society far outweigh the advantages, and we need to be careful that we do not lose sight of what is most important - a spirit of co-operation rather than competition?

B To conclude, it must be said that, while advertising may create jealousy and inequality in society, without it v would lose a valuable source of revenue which is used for the benefit of the majority. What would our lives be like without advertisements? C In conclusion, I believe that advertising exists to generate wealth by encouraging people to spend unnecessarily. It fosters greed and breeds dissatisfaction while distracting us from focusing on more vital things. As Marion Harper Jr said, "Advertising is found in societies which have passed the point of satisfying the basic animal needs."

11 Read the four topic sentences below and match each with the corre-sponding paragraph. Does each topic sentence adequately summarise the argument it presents? What would a suitable introduction and con¬clusion be for this essay?

"Living in a foreign country cannot be better man living in your own.” Discuss.

a Furthermore, people who move to a foreign country may be regarded with suspicion and treated unfairly. b On the other hand, living abroad can be a way to escape a variety of problems presented in one's country of birth. c. One argument in favour of saying in one`s native country is that the problems of adapting to a new way of life cannot always be overcome. d. Finally, it may be said that by living in a foreign country, people are able to establish a greater understanding between nations.

1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The fact of the matter is that, even in cases where the language is the same, there are other changes, such as cultural differences, which an out¬sider might find difficult to adjust to. Even the weather can force some people to return to their country of origin. For example, take an Inuit and an Amazonian Indian. They would almost certainly find it impossi¬ble to adapt to the extreme climates of each other's native homes.

2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

In countries with a large number of immigrants there are often social problems, and immigrants stand out as being "different" and even in¬ferior. As a consequence, the host country may react in a variety of ways, from open hostility and racism to depriving the immigrants of the right to equal pay.

3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For example, war, political or religious intolerance, and natural ca¬tastrophes are among the reasons for people seeking a new home in a foreign land. In such cases, people are often able to start a new life abroad with greater freedom and a higher standard of living.

4. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

That is to say, by working and living among foreigners, some of the bar¬riers between countries can be broken down, helping to create a more peaceful world. Needless to say, better diplomatic relations would be of benefit to all.

12 Which of the following are arguments in favour and which are arguments against the topic: "School plays a more important role than die family in shaping one's personality." Discuss. Suggest examples/justification for each argument. Finally, write the composition in about 350 words.

1. Moreover, so much of the school day is devoted to competition and prepa¬ration for examinations that there is little time left for personality develop¬ment. 2. On the other hand, most children have a closer relationship with their parents than with their teachers. 3. An additional argument in support of school is that young people are exposed to a wide variety of subjects. 4. One point in favour of the role of schools is that it is at school where chil¬dren first learn to socialise. 5. Furthermore, children usually spend five years of their lives at home before they even go to school. 6. What is more, the average child spends as many as eight hours a day in school.

PLANNING & ORGANISATION • There is an alternative paragraph plan you may use when writing for and against essays. When following this plan you present both an argument in favour and the opposing viewpoint in the same paragraph. In such essays the arguments for and against must be equal in number.

Introduction Paragraph 1 State topic (summary of topic without stating your opinion) Main Body Paragraph 2 first argument for & against Paragraph 3* second argument for & against Conclusion Final Paragraph give balanced consideration/ your opinion expressed directly/indirectly

• You may include more paragraph in the main body if you wish to include more points

13 "Greater freedom does not necessarily lead to greater happiness” Discuss. Read the model and say which argu¬ments have been presented in each paragraph. Do the topic sentences clearly summarise the content of each paragraph? Finally, underline all the useful expressions and linking words or phrases and replace them with ones similar in meaning.

Over the years, mankind has recognised the need for personal and social freedom, and this is perhaps one of the m important social advancements ever made. However, whether it has led to increased personal happiness is highly debatable; many people would argue that greater freedom has led to increased social disorder and personal dissatisfaction. Firstly, it is true that people are now more at liberty to choose how to live their lives. For example, in the Western world at least, the choice of where to live, what career to pursue and which religion to follow has never been greater. In addition to this people have more leisure time in which to enjoy a wider range of recreational activities. On the other hand, it r be argued that this increased freedom can lead people to take things for granted and expect too much from life. As an example of this, the greater choice of material goods available has resulted in people quickly growing bored with t possessions. Consequently, no sooner have they acquired something new than they tire of it. They find short-term happiness in material goods and entertainment, but boredom and frustration soon send them looking for fresh distractions. Secondly, social and moral attitudes have become less rigid. This has allowed for a greater variety of lifestyles and n freedom in human relations. This is illustrated by the fact that pupils and teachers now treat each other as equals, and parent-child relationships are now much more relaxed. Nevertheless, some people believe that this increase in free has resulted in the escalation of social problems. They argue that the current lack of discipline has given rise to a breakdown in the traditional family and the decay in educational standards as well as the rise in juvenile delinquency. Thus, it may be said that society is becoming more and more dangerous because of the very fact that people are more open-minded than they were in the past. To conclude, there is evidence both to support and refute the view that greater freedom does not necessarily le: greater happiness. On the one hand, people have more opportunities to raise their standard of living. On the other hand, the many examples of protests, strikes and criminal activities which are a feature of modern society are a sign that, although people may be free, they are not necessarily happier.

14 Read the following arguments and match each argument in favour of using animals for entertainment with the corresponding argument against. Then, following the paragraph plan (the second one), say which arguments you would include in each paragraph. Finally, write a clear topic sentence for each paragraph.

Arguments for using animals for entertainment.

1. Zoos can be educational and also help to increase the numbers of endan-gered species through controlled breeding programmes. 2. Animals used in television programmes, advertisements and films are very appealing and attract large audiences. 3. Circus animals are loved, well-treated and only perform for short periods. 4. Racing animals have a very short working life and are well-treated throughout.

Arguments against using animals for entertainment.

a Animals are forced to perform unnatural acts for the pleasure of the pub¬lic. b Keeping animals in cages so the public can see them is unnecessary because documentaries produced today take away the need for such places. c With new technology and special effects, there is no need to use live ani¬mals as realistic models can be used instead. d Racing animals have gruelling training schedules and are often placed in unnecessary danger.

DISCUSS and WRITE

The discussion clock • When considering a topic you may refer to the discussion clock, which will help you think of ideas when planning your essay. • Referring to the discussion clock is a useful “brainstorming” technique, as it helps you examine a topic from various viewpoints and decide on ideas/points to include in your essay. • Keep in mind that a topic may not relate to all the aspects presented in the discussion clock. • Remember that for each viewpoint you have thought of, there is usually an opposing argument. Think of the opposing arguments when planning your essay.

12-psycholoical 1-religious 2-scientific 3-artistic 4-economic 5-educational 6-social 7-political 8-moral 9-historical 10-health 11-personal 15 Read the following composition topic and answer the questions below. "Should countries encourage tourism?" Discuss. • What are the two sides of the question? • Which of the following arguments are for and which against?

1. The desire to attract tourists to a certain area often encourages govern-ments to improve local facilities. 2. Over-development leads to ugly, crowded tourist spots and environ¬mental damage. 3. The impact of tourism may destroy the local way of life. 4. Many people claim that tourism is an important source of income. 5. A country's economy may become so dependent on tourism that it is weak¬ened. 6. Tourism allows people to experience other cultures.

• What aspects of the discussion clock do these arguments deal with? • Can you think of any additional argu¬ments? • Which paragraph plan would you fol¬low to write this essay? • Which arguments would you include and in what order? • Which techniques would you use to begin and end your essay? • Which useful phrases and linking words could you use?

16 Now, using the information from your answers to the above questions, write the essay in about 350 words.

Works consulted Taken from "Successful Writing Proficiency" by Virginia Evans

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For and against Essays

Structure of ‘for and against’ Essay

The ‘for and against’ essay can be organized as follows:

Strategies to write a ‘for and against’ essay

• Language skills: Avoid using stereotyped phrases or expressions in your essay, especially in introductory and concluding paragraphs. E.g.: in modern society, in the current climate, throughout history, etc. Some of the words and phrases that can be used: To introduce points in favour/against: One point of view in favour of/against is that .. Some experts/scientists advocate/support/oppose the view that.. To point out opposing arguments: Opponents of this idea claim that .. Others oppose this viewpoint .. Some people may disagree with this idea. To state your conclusion: In my opinion .. Achieving a balance between X and Y would .. In conclusion, I firmly believe that .. On balance, I think it is unfair that .. To make contrasting points: On the other hand .. However.. It can be argued that .. Although..
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• Evaluate your essay in terms of following parameters: Content: Make sure that appropriate transitional expressions are used to present reasons in favour of as well as against the topic. You should start the essay by stating the current situation. Argumentation: The arguments and justifications presented must be relevant to the given topic. Also, the concluding paragraph should include a balanced viewpoint of the topic. Essay Organization: The essay needs to be structured in a logical manner. Your personal opinion should be stated only in the concluding paragraph. Choice of words: Use opinion words (e.g. I think.., in my view, etc.) only in the concluding paragraph and not in the introductory or main body of the essay. Lastly, check your essay for any punctuation, grammatical or spelling mistakes.

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How to write a for-and-against essay?

Download document here.

For-and-Against essay is one of the most popular essay for ESL student around the world of English. You can find many topics and sample essays on the Internet, just Google it. But how can you write such good essay in any written tests?

In this post, the instruction for writing a For-and-Against essay would be introduced. Hope you can find it useful. The attachment above is for those who seek for teaching materials.

Table of Contents

So what is a for-and-against essay?

In short, a for-and-against essay is a formal essay in which ‘pros and cons’ (advantages and disadvantages) points are considered from writer points of view. Students are required to discussing both sides (supporting (for) and opposing (against)) objectively and equally, both directly and indirectly.

How to organise a for-and-against essay?

The ‘for-and-against’ essay should be structured as following:

• INTRODUCTION: re-state the topic (in the writing task) with its general information/situation without giving writer’s opinion.
• BODY: Student need to provide explanations for the opposing viewpoints/ arguments with relevant reasons, figures, facts and examples. Writer should avoid any strong or emotional language to express writer opinion. – Paragraph 1: Arguments in favour- along with reasons, examples, facts, etc. – Paragraph 2: Arguments against- along with reasons, examples, facts, etc.
• CONCLUSION: express the writer’s opinion directly/indirectly and show a balanced view of the topic.

What are the useful language for this type of essay?

Students should avoid using phrases or expressions which have been abused in the past few years on English test in their essay, especially in introductory and concluding paragraphs. E.g.: in modern society, in the current climate, throughout history, etc.

Some of the words and phrases that can be used: To introduce points in favour/against: One point of view in favour of/against is that .. Some experts/scientists advocate/support/oppose the view that..

To point out opposing arguments: Opponents of this idea claim that .. Others  oppose this view point .. Some people may disagree with this idea.

To state the conclusion: In my opinion .. Achieving a balance between X and Y would .. In conclusion, I firmly believe that .. On balance, I think it is unfair that ..

To make contrasting points: On the other hand .. However.. It can be argued that .. Although..?

How to self-evaluate the essay?

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FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY

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For and Against Essay

For and against essay / Pros and cons essay / Argumentative essay / Advantages and disadvantages essay, they all mean the same. This type of essay is not the same as an Opinion essay. As you can see, in this PAU exam from 2021, you have both options.

From this list you can later choose 2-3 arguments for each side that are more relevant to you, to include them in your essay.

The first thing to do when you know the topic you will talk about is to make a list of the pros and cons of this topic..

This is an example of a for and against essay. Although it is not recommended to include your opinion in the Introduction or the Body of the essay, this example does that by saying "Firstly, I think that there is a lot of variety in reality TV". You should try to avoid saying I think/I believe/I feel, In my opinion, As far as I'm concerned, As I see it, Personally speaking, ...., except for the Conclusion, where it is possible to specify your own opinion after the summary of the for and against arguments.

don't use contractions!

In addition, Furthermore, Moreover, Besides, Apart from (V-ing), What is more, On top of that, as well as, Not to mention (the fact) that, also, Not only ... but also, also, both … and, There is another side to the issue/question/argument that..., etc.

The main/greatest/most important/most serious/first disadvantage/drawback/downside of ...;One/Another/A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/ drawback/downside of ...;One point/argument against...;One (very convincing) point/argument against ...;Another negative aspect of ...;Some/Many people/experts/scientists/critics/sceptics are against... / disagree/ are opposed to.../of the opinion that/convinced that...;Opponents of ... argue/believe/claim that ...A further common criticism of ...;It could be argued that ...;(*) You can use some of the previous ones for disadvantages too.

List disadvantages

Connectors, Phrases and Linking words

The first/main/most important advantage of…;One/Another/An additional advantage of /regarding/concerning …;One point of view in favour of…; One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of...;Another positive aspect is ...;Another major advantage (regarding/concerning...) is…;One further benefit is…;It is widely/generally/often claimed/suggested/argued/believed/said that…;It could be argued that...;Some/Many people/experts/scientists suggest/claim/think/believe/agree/support/feel/argue/say that…;Some/Many people are of the opinion that/in favour of/are convinced that....;Another reason why ... is beneficial/good for...;A further common advantage of ...;

List advantages

First/Firstly/In the first place/To start/begin with …; Second/Secondly; Thirdly; Finally/Last/Lastly; Last but not least; etc.

List points

In other words, that is to say, which means that...

Explain/clarify a point

to a certain extent / to some extent / to a limited extent, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but), there is some truth in (this), in some cases

Make partially correct statements

In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that

Express reality

It is clear/obvious that, Clearly, Obviously, Naturally, Needless to say, Of course, Indeed, etc.

In general, Generally, As a (general) rule, On the whole, Overall, In most cases, For the most part, etc.

Make general statements

For example, For instance, like, such as, in particular / particularly, specially, specifically, in this case, This is clearly illustrated / shown by (the fact that)...,

Introduce examples

On the one hand ... On the other hand, However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Although, Though, Even though, Even so, Despite/In spite of (the fact that), Regardless of (the fact that), still, yet, but, while/whilst/whereas, In contrast / Contrary to..., etc.

Contrast points

In my opinion..., As far as I'm concerned..., As I see it..., From my point of view..., If you ask me..., Personally speaking / Personally, I think/believe that..., I strongly believe that..., It is clear to me that..., I feel that..., I agree with.../I completely disagree with..., It seems to me that ..., I am sure that..., etc.

Express your opinion

To, So as to, In order to, So that, With the intention of (V-ing)

Express intention or purpose

In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, Overall, All in all, All things considered, On the whole, Taking everything into account/into consideration, as was previously stated, On balance, etc.

Therefore, Thus, So, As a result/consequence, For this reason, If ... were to happen ... the effect/result would be ...

Express result/consequence

Because (of), Due to (the fact that), Owing to, Given that, As, Since

Express cause

In the following slides you will see several examples on how to write for and against essays on different topics.

• List of Essay titles in

Also, take a look at these two links:

P.74 student's book, p.153 student's book.

The advantages and disadvanteges of computer gamesIntroduction (states the issue/topic)If you ask teenagers about the negative effects of computer games, most will deny there's a problem. However, many psicologists say that teenager's behaviour is influenced by the long hours they spend playing computer games.Body (presents arguments for and against, giving reasons, examples, facts, etc.; in this example it starts with the disadvantages and then continues with the advantages)Although not all computer games are violent, about 85% of all of them are. Many educators believe that teenagers who spend their time playing computer games find it difficult to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In addition, they don't know how to react in social situations because they spend little time with friends or they don't have real friends as a result of this addictive hobby.On the other hand, teenagers claim that computer games help them relax after a long day at school. They say that these games are exciting and are cheap and entertaining. In fact, some games are educational and teach players to focus, concentrate and even solve problems.Conclusion (summarises the topic or/and states the writer's opinion, in this case only the opinion is described)From my point of view, computer games are a problem for the mental health of young people. Therefore, if I were a parent, I would limit the amount of time my children played these games and I would always supervise what kind of games they play.

Animal testing discussion