Tips for writing a for & against composition

1. Tips for writing a ‘for and
against’ composition

2. “For and against” essays are one type of
discursive writing in which you discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of a specific
topic.

3. A “For and against” essay should
consist of:
a) An introduction in which you present the topic,
making a general remark about it without giving
your opinion

4. A “For and against” essay should
consist of:
b) A main body in which you present:
– the points for and
– the points against,
in separate paragraphs,
supporting your arguments with justifications/
examples

5. A “For and against” essay should
consist of:
c) A conclusion which includes your opinions or a
balanced summary of the topic.
You must NOT include opinion words (I believe, I
think, etc.) in the introduction or the main body.
Opinion words can ONLY be used in the final
paragraph, where you may state your opinion on the
topic.

6. Introduction…………………………………………………………
Paragraph 1 present topic (without stating your
opinion)
Main Body ……………………………………………………………
Paragraph 2 arguments for, with justifications/
examples
Paragraph 3 arguments against, with justifications/
examples
Conclusion …………………………………………………………
Final paragraph your opinion/balanced summary

7. Label the paragraphs with the correct
headings:
• arguments against
• arguments for
• opinion
• present topic
• introduction
• main body
• conclusion

8. List the points for and against before you start writing (two
points for and two points against is probably enough). Read the
article again and fill in the blanks below.
FOR
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1) More comfortable than other forms of
travel
Go for a walk, eat in a restaurant, go
shopping, have more space to move
around
2)
3)
AGAINST
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1)
2)

9. FOR
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1) More comfortable than other forms of
travel
Go for a walk, eat in a restaurant, go
shopping, have more space to move
around
2) Cheaper than other forms of travel A boat ticket usually costs less than a
plane ticket
3) Safe alternative to cars and planes Fewer accidents at sea than in the air or
on the road
AGAINST
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1) Usually takes much longer than other
forms of travel
Can be tiring
2) Can be very unpleasant when the
weather is bad or the sea is rough
Uncomfortable or even frightening

10. A health and fitness magazine has asked its
readers to write and article discussing the
advantages and disadvantages of cycling as a
form of transport. Prepare your essay.
FOR
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1)
2)
AGAINST
Arguments Justifications/Examples
1)
2)

11. Learn and use connectors to link your
ideas
Read the article again and say which of the
linking word/phrases in bold in the article are
used to:
a) list/add points
b) introduce reasons/results
c) show contrast
d) introduce a conclusion

12. Learn and use connectors to link your
ideas
Read the article again and say which of the
linking word/phrases in bold in the article are
used to:
a) list/add points To begin with, Furthermore,
Finally, In addition
b) introduce reasons/results For example, As a
result
c) show contrast However
d) introduce a conclusion All things considered

13. Back up your points with reasons or
examples
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPHS
You should start each main body paragraph with
a topic sentence which introduces or
summarises the main topic of the paragraph.
The topic sentence should be followed by
supporting sentences whish justify the
argument presented in the topic sentence, by
giving examples or reasons.

14. Travelling by train has a lot of advantages. First
of all, it is comfortable as trains are spacious so
there is plenty of room to walk about. What is
more, trains are convenient. For example, you
do not have to take any food or beverages with
you, because most trains have a restaurant.
Finally, when you travel by train you reach your
destination fairly quickly.

15. Read the extract and choose the
correct topic sentence to fill in the
blank:
1 There are many advantages to using the
Internet.
2 However, there are many arguments against
using the Internet.
3 Computers have become the most important
means of communication.

16. Read the extract and choose the
correct topic sentence to fill in the
blank:
1 There are many advantages to using the
Internet.
2 However, there are many arguments against
using the Internet.
3 Computers have become the most important
means of communication.

17. Match each argument to its
justification.
Arguments
1. be an exciting career
2. opportunity to earn a lot of
money
3. models must constantly
watch what they eat
4. no privacy
Justifications
a) expected to stay thin so that
they look good all the time
b) designers and fashion
magazines are willing to pay
high fees for popular models
c) reporters are always chasing
them
d) models usually travel to
interesting places and often
meet famous people.
Which points are FOR and which are
AGAINST?

18. Which points are FOR and which are
AGAINST?
Arguments
1. be an exciting career
2. opportunity to earn a lot of
money
3. models must constantly
watch what they eat
4. no privacy
Justifications
a) expected to stay thin so that
they look good all the time
b) designers and fashion
magazines are willing to pay
high fees for popular models
c) reporters are always chasing
them
d) models usually travel to
interesting places and often
meet famous people.

19. Techniques to begin or end your essay
a) address the reader directly e.g. If you take time to
train your dog, it will learn to obey you
b) include a quotation e.g. As George Orwell wrote, “All
animals are equal, but some are more equal than
others”.
c) include a rhetorical question e.g. Is it true that a dog
is man’s best friend?
Which are BEGINNINGS and which are ENDINGS?
Which WRITING TECHNIQUES have been used in each?

20. Teachniques to begin or end your
essay
A. beginning → addresses the reader directly/
asks a rhetorical question
B. ending → uses a quotation
C. beginning → asks a rhetorical question
D. ending → addresses the reader directly/ uses
a quotation

21. Finally, remember to…
• Use a formal style i.e. don’t use:
– contractions
– very colloquial expressions
– strong language (I know, I am sure, etc.)
– short sentences
– idioms