A FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY

INDIVIDUAL VS GROUP/TEAM SPORTS. Which one offers more benefits?

It presents both sides of an issue in a balanced way. In the concluding paragraph you can say why
you find one side more convincing than the other.

GUIDELINE

1. The first stage in writing is producing ideas. It’s important to dedicate two or three minutes
to carefully planning what you are going to say. Make a list of the points for and against.
Remember that the key to writing a good balanced essay is to include as many arguments
you disagree with as those you agree with. They should be noted impartially although in
your conclusion you can say why you find one side more convincing than the other.
So, in the essay above...which ideas would you include?
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS TEAM SPORTS
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2. Producing and organising ideas is one thing. Shaping ideas and the organisation of your
writing is another. So try to group your ideas into similar ones, which means they will go
together in the same paragraph. But often the most difficult part is starting a first draft. In
this part, don’t pay attention to the grammar or the vocabulary used. Just write considering
the grouped ideas you have taken into account.
3. Once this is done you can focus on expression. This means looking at sentence structure,
tense usage and vocabulary. It’s important to write clearly and economically. This can mean
either rephrasing ideas in two sentences instead of one, or rewriting two longer sentences
as one shorter sentence. So, go over your first draft, looking for ways of improving sentence
 structure, tense usage and vocabulary. (Note: make sure you use a large and varied amount
of grammar structures)

Paragraph distribution (3 parts with 4 paragraphs)

 Introduction- Paragraph 1- Introduce the topic. The opening should engage the reader’s
interest and give a hint of what is to follow. Make it general but appealing
 Main Body- Normally you have two paragraphs. In Paragraph 2, you state your arguments
for and in Paragraph 3, your arguments against.
 Conclusion – In paragraph 4 you refer back to the topic, summarize and here you can say
why you find one side more convincing than the other (Your opinion)

Reminders:

 It’s important that you begin each paragraph with a main idea and then develop this idea.
For a new idea, begin a new paragraph. Try to include examples where possible

 This is academic writing, so don’t use informal style ( no contractions, colloquial words, or
emotional language)

 Remember not to write paragraphs containing just one sentence.

 Separate the paragraphs pysically on your paper.

USEFUL LINKING WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

To list points: Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally

To introduce the topic (in general terms) :

It could be argued/It is often claimed/It is suggested that …
It is widely argued/ believed that …
Some/many/most people/experts/scientist/critics ….claim/suggest/argue/
feel/maintain/believe/point out/agree/support the view that…
it can be said/claimed that … …
it seems/appears that… ...
it would seem that… …
it is likely/unlikely/possible that …
it is clear/obvious that… …
there is no/little doubt that …
it is true to say that … …
Here you can use open questions as well.
To list advantages:
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is …
The main/greatest/first advantage of… is …
One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of this topic is
To list disadvantages:

One/Another/ A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of.

The main/greatest/most serious disadvantage /drawback of…
Another negative aspect of…
One (very convincing) point/argument against this topic is
To add more points to the same topic: in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart
from, what is more, as well as...

To make contrasting points: on the other hand, however, still, yet, but, nevertheless, even so,
although, though, even though, while, whereas, despite/in spite of

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)…

To explain/clarify a point: in other words, that is to say, this/which means that

To conclude: In conclusion, On balance, All things considered, Taking everything into

account/consideration, To conclude, To sum up, All in all, Finally/Lastly,

To express your opinion:

It is my belief/opinion that …
I (firmly) believe/feel/think that … …
I am convinced that … …
I am inclined to believe that …

Example:

Should smoking be prohibited in Public Places?

 Paragraph 1: Introduction

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. Is it time to
forbid smoking in all public places?

 Paragraph 2 : 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 nonsmokers can
always move to another (smoker-free) place

 Paragraph 3: 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 nonsmokers 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.

 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 so that the freedom of ones
does not interfere with that of other’s.

Now it’s your turn for practising. Choose one of these topics about sports:
- Many people want their country to hold the Olympics. Others believe that international sporting
events bring more problems than benefits. Discuss both views and state your opinion.
- INDIVIDUAL VS GROUP/TEAM SPORTS. Which one offers more benefits?