HOW TO WRITE A FOR & AGAINST ESSAY

1) Make a list of ideas as they occur to you Make a mind map 2) Make a detailed plan: Introduction: * General statement * Questions to be answered: Why is it that? Can we justify the fact that? Body: * Arguments (for / pro) * Counter arguments (against / con) * Elaborate your thoughts / give examples

Organise your ideas into paragraphs! Paragraphs are built around one particular idea. The first sentence of the paragraph often states the idea, which is then developed in the rest of the paragraph. Use linking words to make the logical connections between the sentences clearer. Dont only list arguments, exemplify them. A few carefully chosen arguments are better than too many. 3) Conclusion: * State the overall result of the discussion * Sum up the main points of the discussion * State your own, personal opinion

Some useful phrases for weighing arguments:

Advantages / positive aspects disadvantages / drawbacks / negative aspects / negative influences: So much for the advantages of There is (certainly) something to be said for / in favour of There is (also) a number of drawbacks that must not be overlooked These drawbacks are (by far) outweighed by the advantages. There is certainly something to be said for both sides/both views. This system/plan/project has (also) a number of disadvantages. If we carefully weigh the pros and cons (we will come to the conclusion) Let us (carefully) weigh the pros and cons (of the matter) What can be said in favour of is If we draw up the balance we can say/we see that But there is also another side to the story. In this respect (in dieser Hinsicht) In some/ many respects (in gewisser Hinsicht) In (all) other respects (in jeder anderen Hinsicht) To some extent (bis zu einem gewissen Grad, einigermaen, etwas, ein wenig) To a certain/large extent Actually /it is a fact that/in fact (tatschlich, eigentlich) Admittedly (zugegebenr Weise) Basically (grundstzlich) Apparently (anscheinend) Undoubtedly (zweifellos)