Evans, V. (1998) Successful Writing Proficiency. Berkshire: Express Publishing.

UNIT 6Discursive ESSDYS Unit 6 Discursive Essoys

1 all \'00 .. ill hr., fou r Jl<'Opl. on 3 ",dio JII1lgramrnf di~fus!ing "lM!lh~r 2 Look at the essay plans below for the three types of discursive essays,
pror,:l'<'SS is good rur us. Look 01 lite foll{Min~ qlttslion" 1M" l i'l~n 10 Ih. <ass.Uc then say what features the plans have in common and how each plan
and .n5 ••tr 1M qurs lion~ differs from the others.
:'t<~<,"'" """'~'.\

A Which 'pt'a~.r disc u,so !"", ihl .... Iution. to a problem? ?l~6"" "~ ~mTID tA~fillU~lJ:'
D Speaker 1
R II'hkh 'pta"'. ~i" '" persooal opinion on Ih. ~"bj"'l? Illroducliol Inlraducllol Inlroducllol
C Which sjl\'l ~r djstu~\e! \ ~riOU5 alprtll
D Speaker 2 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1
(_.g. mHHlfIIir. _'WCiJJi. nl) of Ih' ,"bjt<1~ D Speaker 3 state topic (without stating state the topic am:Lyour state the problem and its
Il \\nich ,pelL.r pl'ffi'nr~ . hal.nr«! "'lurn."t diS<'U!;sing your opinion) QQinioD cause(s)/effect(s)
points in fa,,,,,r <1 progrn. IS ... 11 as QgtJ;nll prug" ,,? D Speaker 4
Moll Body Moll Body Moll Body
Paragraphs 2 - 3 Paragraphs 2 - 4 Paragraphs 2 - 5
arguments for & justifications, viewpoints & reasons/ suggestions & results
" ~ eMay .. a piece 01 formal wrillng """"'" OIocL&eO • paI1>C:ular '$><It, examples or reasons examples
.,!uat>on or p<oI>Iem.
Paragraphs 4 - 5 Paragraph 5
Tl'>e<e or" _ rnooo types 01 cjjSCUl ...... MSII\'S.
I For..,d "!I'Iinot ..... y. PC"""'" I)0Il> sides 01 ." O!;S\Ie. d~ poonIs in
arguments against & opposing viewpoint and
I"""", 01 • P4'nwor topic as well .. those ag<oino1. Of lilt advamages all(! justifications, examples or reason/example
dl53<Mlntoges 01 a par!IC:tIW qoosbO't E""h pod SI>OuId t>o "-"P«1&d Ily reasons
jo..oIli~ examples, """'(If reasons. The wriCer', own 0I)ir'Ii0n ~ be
pre:oen!ed orIoi in lhe ~"'" palagraph . CoIIcluslll
N Opinion eo .., . pr<!SMt tM ""ter',
f>O<:IMaI oponoon conctmng the 10I)ic. door-
Final Paragraph Final Paragraph Final Paragraph
Iy .<aIed am oupported by _ oons ooo/or oxampln. Tho oppoo.it>g ~
aM ""'""" sI>ouIO t>o ir>cUIe<l in a """",at" paragropn beIore I!le cbsrig ...... balanced consideration summarise/restate your summarise your opinion

-
I~ wit ..... "'\)I.IIl1eI'It!hat $00>01 ~ is .... ~ ~e "POiIi . The weiI.r. or opinion opinion
opinoon >I>OJId be indud«l WI the introdt>:bOI1. III"Id wmmar,sed.''''statod in the

IIi E... y•• u911".ti"ll ooIutio,," to "rob ....... WI wtuch the p'oI>Iom($1 osoocaatod
w"" • paIIIOOIar i5SUfl ",.n.-", Ole aM/yse<l and possit>I& solutiOnS "'" pUt 101·
wafa. 1og.eIhe< ";!n 81'1\' e>:pec!«l ,_'oon>eQUenceS. The _ ., opOOO
mal be m"'!lon.d. ~ '" .....e<:ttv. in the nroducliofllJlld/OI conclusoon. 3 Look at the essay topics below, and say whether each topic asks for a 7 "Fear and ignorance are the root caus-
A goood d~",,,,, ..... , ~ oon ...l <>I "for and against" essay, an opinion essay or an essay suggesting es of racial hatred." Discuss this state-
'1 In IntrOductory Plragrapll in w""" 100 CleiV1"l" Stale the topic to be (!iSCuS$od; solutions to problems. Then, choose two of the topics and make a list of ment and offer some possible solutions
bl I miln body. WI....-t>dI poiIlts <V. clea1ty statOO WI separ.te paragraphs aM the points you would include in an essay on each topic. to the problem of racial prejudice.
e,empbtied 01 jusII1it1d: """
0) I doting para~ r lp ~ turnl"f'l&n1l4ng". mam p<xnIS <>I t!lO _Yo WI w/"kh yw S "The motion picture industrris threat-
OIo,,,,·,,,,,,,'e ywr oprllon. anrJIor IJi"'<! • bal<V>ce<! corISKIeI.t>on oIlhe topic 1 "Animals should be treated with the same respect as humans." Do you ening to destroy culture and tradi-
Points 10 consider agree with this view? tion." Do you agree?
• Present eacl1 poiIlt"' , separote parogr.p/I. A ~ paragrop/> COIIIiIins • 2 "The generation gap is one which cannot be bridged." Discuss. 9 "Too much money is spent on sport
\. topic: Hnte"""
clear topit Hnt.",,". orhch .ummaris-es the oont!l<ltS 01 tM parlOQr"Ph. as wei U

-
• de .. lUstlflution •• , plallllion or .tarr>pIe WI wpport <>I the i>O<rrt pre_too. Mont' peop/<t. _ . rxe/er 3 Do you believe that equality for women means that women should also when it could be used to help the
• Wolt·kno"" quotatio n. (1.1l'. As wrlIetS_fl ""ug~ """.HkI. ·ltil bad Iti.rnt1 ... Itilb _ they "* do such things as military service? poor." What are your views on this
eno<JgIr 10 _1M put; ~ _ be 1_ ro _ the 1utIn. oJ. rhetorical issue?
que."ons (•. g. If pICf1It JodIy .... not concemed MOUtJIr - . r r _..... IM I. juot_ 4 "One language spoken worldwide would lead to better international
II4n SIJII be __ Ior"""'"IJ 01 IItought· prwol<,rtg statements ~. g. "" fKt is fI>II relations." Discuss. 10 What are the advantages and disad-
OM" """'" is _ r """ makes ~. 1IteN Is no....,h rlrlng .. Olwtcl .j art u•• ful
ooY!<:eS 1O rnai<e your compost1ioo more ReI"sting
- ~ """" tall!.
5 Genetic engineering poses a number of worrying problems, both moral and
vantages of our ever-increasing use of
pt1CJJ/8 "'" - '" ..., .;, •
frJuStr. as /hey II>d m<n .......
computer technology?
• I'IeIIw you be9r> ""IIng. you _ always ma,," ~ 1st <>I the poiflts you .... p-esont. practical. Discuss some of these problems and suggest what could be done to
able '" IupIIn WId _ """""
• Do oot .... Informal *¥- ('.Il'. coollrllClId _ . colloqrrMI ~ file) or very
..,ong~I'·Il'· I _. I"""".,J
, . . ~ II>oy "'* ,. overcome them.

-
-.g d SoII<UifI' IhaI ~prnm>
• UtI appropnatol",king woraoJphrosos to $IIOW the ' n., " " ' _ paragrop/l . as ~ d ~ _ ofIfJfS 6 "Celebrities should be allowed to keep their private lives private, without
wei as to Iin~ s.enWlCeS w,lhIn parag<aphs the invasion of the media." Discuss.

54
 Unil 6 Discursive Essoys Unit 6 Discursive Essoys

Formal style
Discursive essays are written in formal style. This means you should use:
,/ passive voice, impersonal constructions
(e.g. It Is argued that ...; It Is a common belief that ...)
,/ a range of advanced vocabulary (verbs, adjectives, abstract nouns, etc)
(e.g. heated debate concemlng the controversial Issue ...)
,/ formal linking words/phrases (e.g. furthermore, however, nonetheless)
,/ complex sentences with a variety of links, dependent clauses, etc
(e.g. Although It Is widely accepted that compulsory military service,
which provides an army with abundant manpower, Is beneficial
to a country's ability to defend Itse", closer analysis of military
efficiency suggests that It Is advanced weaponry which plays a
crucial role In ...)
EXCERPT B
People argue a lot nowadays abou
whether or not works of art from OnE
country should be sold to another.
don't think they should be. If they are
then the people in the country of origir
lose out on the chance to see stuff tha
really belongs to them. This just isn'
right. It's a problem, too, when you se~
works of art in the wrong place. I mean
the Parthenon friezes look boring th!
way they show them in the Britist
5 Match the following beginnings and endings. Then, say which technique has been used in each.
a£/t111B1!1iJ
~. 1 You may live in a comfortable house in a clean neighbour- A On the whole, I believe that thos~ cities sufferi~g aSf~~~~~!~
t hood with all the amenities. You would probably not be so
of urbangro~h ~~~~:e~IV~h~~~~~~~~~f't~il~e~a~pening
[' lucky in one of the cities where urban growth has been
? allowed to get completely out of control. This problem is
virtually destroying a number of large cities, particularly in
~~~~~~ht~~~~~CiaIlY in developing countries. Sph~~pl~e~~
be thinking about encouraging
'f!;'
~. developing countries, and a solution must be found before not, therefo r e , . h·ft the balance of pop-
return to rural areas In order to s I
i it is too late.

{2 "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" is the biblical phrase
ulations?
ender should not be an issue in any work-
./ inversion, especially in conditionals Museum. That's just not where the~ I we use to refer to capital punishment, the killing of criminals B To sum. up, ~ powerfully-built female is just as capable. of
1~"
~ in order to punish them for their crimes. But whether the
(e.g. Were this true, we would ...; Never has this been more obvious ...) belong. But if you could see them or LV.· place, Since k'nd and gentle male is of chlld-

~~}~~U~~:~::~~~:t~~~a~i~;~;~I~ ~~s i~n~~ ~~~,

• You should not use: the Parthenon, they'd look great ...
1 short forms (e.g. I'm, It's) except when these are part of a quotation
1 colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms
(e.g. lots of, put up with, be over the moon about ...)
Beginning and ending
1 simplistic vocabulary (e.g. Experts ~ they think this is bad, ...)
1 a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people think so. They are wrong.) discursive essays
1 simple linking words (e.g. and, but, so) except for variety
In the first paragraph, you should state
the topic and/or your opinion, and you
may include one or more of the
following techniques.
4 Read the following excerpts and find examples of each of the features • Make reference to an unusual or
of formal and informal style listed in the table above. striking idea/scene/situation
e.g. Imagine millions of people coming
home from school or work every day
EXCERPT A to sit staring at a wall for four hours.
A matter of considerable controversy • Address the reader directly
at present is the issue of whether works e.g. You may think this is an exaggeration.
of art should remain in their country of and/or ask a rhetorical question.
origin, or rather the owners of such e.g. Have you ever wondered what the
world would be like without cars?
works should be allowed to sell them to
collectors abroad, thus depriving the • Start with a quotation or--thought-
provoking statement.
country's population of a vital part of its
e.g. -Television is an invention that
cultural heritage. Strong arguments permits you to be entertained In your
exist in support of both sides of this living room by people you wouldn't
debate, which implies that it is worth have in your home. " David Frost
once said.
examining both points of view before
reaching any conclusions. In the last paragraph, you should state
Should such sales be permitted, it is your opinion and/or give a balanced
argued that the country of origin would lose pieces of art which rightfully consideration of the topic, and you
may include one or more of the
belong where they were created. In addition, works of art which were following techniques.
created to be viewed in a certain setting, or as part of a particular struc-
• Finish with a quotation
ture, lose a great deal of their artistic impact when removed from this
context. Venus de Milo, an ancient statue of Aphrodite is a clear case in • Ask a rhetorical question
point: this conspicuous example of the Hellenistic sculptural tradition, • Give the reader something to consider
e.g. Perhaps then people will re-
carved in 150 Be and found on the Aegean island of Melos in 1820, is
discover what It is like to actually
now decorating nothing more inspiring than a room at the Louvre communicate with each other.
Museum in Paris ...
56
neat balance suggested by the phrase is reflected by the
actual practice is a moot point, and whether one human has
the right to kill another in any circumstances remains a
"We h~ve to lose our minds to come to our senses.
much-debated question.
All in all, it is easy to understand ~he reasons beuh:~e~h~
3 While most people agree that a woman has the right to C
work as a heavy-machine operator and a man to become a continued existe~ce of c~pital pUnlsh~ecn~~~o~ ~ersonailY
countries .. In ~plte of thiS, h?~eVt~~ act itself is simply
midwife, is this supposed open-mindedness being put into
practice? There is plenty of evidence to suggest that work- condone It, since to my min .
ers are still being judged by their gender and not by their legalised murder, the ultimate cnme.
skills, and this is a situation which needs to be dealt with.
6 Look at the quotations and the essay subjects below. Which quotation
would be most relevant to each of the topics, and which type of essay
does each topic require?
B "A mother never realises
A. "You're either part of the tha~ her children are no longer
solution or you're part of the children." (Holbrook Jackson)
problem." (Eldridge Cleaver)
C "One machine can do the w?rk D. "Education is what survives
. 50 ordmary
. when what has been learnt is
of men. Nomachme.
can do the work of an extraordl· forgotten." (B.F. Skinner)
nary man." (Elbert Hubbard)
Eo "It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life.
What is before our nose is what we see last."
(Professor William Barret)
"Too much emphasis is placed on educational qualifications." What are
your views?
2 "'Teenagers have an important contribution to make to society." Discuss.
3 "It is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment." Discuss.
4 "People today take material comfort for granted." Do you agree?
5 "As technology advances, humans are becoming redundant." Discuss the
problem and suggest what might be done to remedy the situation.
 Unit 6 Discursive Essoys Unit 6 Discursive Essoys

Useful Tips for Discursive Essays

j
i
m In recent year? .Iife .has greatly impro
The standard of liVing IS higher and all pe
Psychological
i can afford to ?uy things they couldn't in The Discussion Clock Rei
When writing a discursive essay, you should:
.tuse formal, impersonal style (see Formal Style, p. 56)
I past. I tr~ly believe that life today is better When considering a topic you may refer to the discussion clock, which
.tuse topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph
I many things make people happy. will help you think of ideas when planning your essay.

.twrite well-developed paragraphs, giving reasons/examples J To b~9i~ Wi~h, unless people are health' • Referring to the discussion clock is a useful "brainstorming" technique, as
.tuse generalisations (e.g.ln most developed countries. education ...) .1 ~~rson s life IS unbearable and not we it helps you examine a topic from various viewpoints and decide on ideas/
.tuse sequencing (e.g. Firstlly, Secondlly, etc) and linking words/phrases
liVing: When my father was seriously ill points to include in your essay.
hospital, I clearly remember how nothing e Artis
(e.g. however, although, etc) • Keep in mind that a topic may not relate to all the aspects presented in
.t make references to other sources (e.g. Experts have proved that ...)
mattered to any of us, and we then learnt tl the discussion clock.
.t use quotations, either word-for-word or in paraphrase, being careful to
the people we love are more important th
money. • Remember that for each viewpoint you have thought of, there is usually
identify the source (e.g. As Winston Churchill said, " ... ) an opposing argument. Think of the opposing arguments when planning
Then.there's the question of your boytriel
• You should not: your essay.
or girlfriend. I don't think it matters if they'
1 use short forms, informal/colloquial language, etc (see Formal Style, p. 56)
rich -:- although it would be nice! What Political Educational
1 use very emotional language (e.g. I absolutely detest people who ...)
1 express personal opinions too strongly (e.g. I know ... ); instead, more Important is Whether you see eye 1
!
eye. o~ce went out with a really rich guy bl
8 Match each of the following viewpoints with the corresponding oppos- Social
use milder expressions (e.g. It seems to me that ...)
1 use over-generalisation(e.g. All politicians are ...) we dldn t get on and I finished with him. Thi ing argument.
1 refer blindly to statistics without accurate reference to their source
shows that money isn't everything.
(e.g. "A recent study showed ... " - which study?) Also, statistics show that different peopll 9 Read the points below, and looking at
1 use cliches (e.g. Rome was not built in a day.) can be unhappy. Rich people can be just a' the discussion clock identify the
1 use personal examples (e.g. In my school ...) unhappy as poor people. So why do som~ aspect each viewpoint relates to.
people always say that money is everything? 1 From a political point of view, space exploration enables super-
I know they're wrong to think that M .
7 Read the two models and give reasons why model A is good and model can't buy happiness. . oney powers to demonstrate their level of technical advancement. 1 As far as ..... .... ... ... .... ... .... .... .... ... .... IS
2 From a scientific standpoint, space exploration has been responsible concerned, allowing cigarettes to be
B is bad. But it's nice to live a life of luxury. Why take
the bus when you can take a taxi? And why for rapid developments in materials and processes which have also advertised is extremely damaging,
not send your children to the best schools been of benefit to people on earth. since cigarette smoking causes cancer
and pay for the best doctors? There's no 3 From an economic standpoint, the investment of time and money in and heart problems, as well as affec-
doubt about it, it's a good feeling being rich space exploration could, in future, repay humanity many times ting unborn babies.
and powerful.
over. The discovery of resources in outer space could be of great 2 From a .................................... stand-
So, m?ney is great - while it lasts! But
YOu, can t beat having a good time. So if benefit to our planet. point, it may be argued that the indi-
yOU, ve got money, make the most of it and if 4 Regarding the social implications of space exploration, there are vidual faces such problems as depres-
you re happy, enjoy yourself. those who argue that the potential that other planets hold for coloni- sion, anxiety and attempted suicide, as
sation could prove to be the salvation of the human race. a result of the pressures of modern
m Money is certainly something which is often discussed in today's mia each winter occur among low-income groups.
world. Hardly a day goes by without the subject of money being On the other hand, many people claim that one of the factors in
life.
3 From a(n) .................................... view-
raised in most people's lives. However, it is highly debatable whether which is undoubtedly of greater importance than money is health.
it is more important than other considerations, such as health and Izaak Walton said, health is "a blessing that money cannot bu point, popular sports create jobs for a
happiness, which some people consider to be of greater significance. What is more, money is of little consolation to those who are suff a However, it can be argued that the money would be better spent on large number of people in addition to
To begin with, it is often argued that having money enables people ing from health problems. Despite the fact that money can pay for 1 alleviating the problems of developing countries. generating income for the state.
to exert influence over others. Wealthy businessmen, for example, best medical care available, this is no guarantee of a longer life. b Nevertheless, many sociologists argue that colonies in space would
are often the most highly respected members of SOCiety, and busi- In addition, most people would agree that personal happine 4 As for the ................................... .
create more social problems than they would solve.
ness tycoons are often consu~ed by world leaders, who then make easily outweighs money in importance. Even if an individual aspect, allowing children at school to
c On the other hand, some political analysts claim that the Space
policies which affect the whole population. As a consequence, extremely rich, this does not necessarily lead to happiness. In SOl express themselves more freely would
money can be seen as the single most important factor in daily life. cases, the contrary is true and vast wealth brings with it a wh, Race has led to unnecessary competition between nations and a
help them to develop their creative
Secondly, from the point of view of the individual, money is vital for range of problems and insecurities. Genuine happiness cannot consequent failure to cooperate and collaborate on international talents.
survival. Western society is structured in such a way that, without bought and is usually independent of financial status. Issues.
money; people are deprived of the means to obtain proper nutrition On the whole, although there are those who would rank money d Opponents argue that space technology is of limited use to society 5 With regard to ................................. ..
and health care. Furthermore, in some cases where state benefits are the single most important thing in life, the vast majority would d and that the, research could be used more profitably to try to solve matters, the use of computers gives
inadequate, the inability to pay heating bills can indeed become a agree. Money, they argue, has an important part to play but perha students a chance to increase their
matter of life and death. This is clearly illustrated by the fact that, the world would be a more harmonious place to live in if this WI some of the more pressing problems which we face.
knowledge and develop their research
according to Social Services, the majority of deaths due to hypother- kept in proportion and society put more emphasis on moral issue
skills.
58
 o. For ond Agoinsl Essoys Unit 60 For ond Agoinst EssoyS

1 What is genetic engineering? In what fields is it used today? What achievements 3 Read the model below and write down the topic of each paragraph in the out-
do you know of that have been made in genetic engineering? line plan on the right. Underline the linking words. What aspects of the
... Inhrx/uditJn -
'Discussion Clock' (page 59) do the points included relate to?
2 rm You will hear part of a TV discussion programme about genetics. Look at Summary of the topic
the points in favour of and against genetic engineering, then listen to the cassette
and tick the points which the speakers mention.
* ............................................................................
FOR AGAINST "Censorship is necessary in modern society." Discuss.
1 choosing sex of our children 0 6 morally wrong to alter humans 0 Censorship is an issue which frequently generates a great deal of heated * ............................................................................
0 debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital in order to protect society,
2 creating ideal people for any job 0 7 dividing world into rich and poor
whilst opponents claim that it is an unjustifiable restriction of public access
3 curing diseases 0 8 loss of national characteristics 0 to information. *

9 Firstly, all countries have secrets which must be safeguarded for reasons
4 providing food for everyone 0 unpredictable consequences
5 new species of plants created 0 10 creating too large a population
Now read the theory and the plan below and listen to the cassette again. Then,
using the linking words and phrases below as well as your notes give a one-minute
talk on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering.
One major advantage of, A further advantage of, In addition, On the other hand,
Moreover, Finally
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 dis-
cussing 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.
0 of national security. For instance, if an enemy country were to acquire such
0 highly sensitive information, the effects could be catastrophic. Consequently,
Introducllon
Paragraph 1
state topic (summary of
the topic without giving
your opinion)
Moln BOdy
Paragraphs 2 & 3
arguments for & justifi-
cations, examples, and/
reasons
Paragraphs 4 & 5
arguments against &
justification, examples,
and/or reasons
Conclusion
Final Paragraph
balanced consideration/
your opinion directly or
indirectly
* ............................................................................
governments have to have the power to restrict access to information con-
cerning areas such as the armed forces or particular aspects of foreign ... Conclusion -
policy.
Secondly, it is often argued that censorship is necessary to prevent the
broadcast and publication of obscene material which is considered offensive
or harmful to public morals. Many people feel that, without censorship the
public would be constantly subjected to material that the majority would
find offensive. For this reason, the government has a duty to impose
certain restrictions on the mass media by censoring films and texts
which contain explicit scenes of sex, violence or foul language.
In contrast, opponents of censorship point out that when it is abused
by governments, censorship becomes an instrument used to misinform
society and maintain power. In order to control the flow of
information which reaches the public, repressive regimes
try to put constraints on the media, thus denying citizens
the right to information owing to the fact that govern-
ments believe it may lead them to seek greater freedom.
Furthermore, it is generally felt that mature adults are
able to make informed choices about what they watch,
read and listen to and should, therefore, be permitted
to make their own decisions. For example, some
comedians make use of offensive language and
taboo subjects in their performances. Critics of cen-
sorship argue that the only people who will watch or lis-
ten to such material are adults who have made a con-
scious decision to do so. Thus, it is claimed, it is unjust
to censor material like this since it is not forced upon
people who may subsequently be offended by it.
All things considered, it can be concluded that a
certain degree of censorship is always necessary. The
best course of action would be to attempt to achieve
a balance between the requirements of the country
and the public on the one hand, and individuals' rights
on the other.

60
 Unil 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys Unit 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys

5 Fill in the gaps using words

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases the table. Useful expressions and linking words/phrases
• To list points: • To add more points to the same topic:
Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, 1 Some people support the ........ in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart from, what is
Secondly, Thirdly, Finally that the wealthier countries 0 more, as well as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only ... but also/as
world should support the less c well, both ... and, There is another side to the issue/question/argument of ...
• To list advantages:
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of ... is ... oped countries. • To make contrasting points:
The main/greatest/first advantage of ... is ... on the other hand, it may be said/argued/claimed that, ...
2 One major .......................... of however, still, yet, others/ I oppose this viewpoint
• To list disadvantages:
One/Another/ A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of ... public transport is that it can gel but, nonetheless, many people (strongly) disagree ... ,
crowded during busy periods. nevertheless, even so, claim/feel/believe this argument is
The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage /drawback of ...
incorrect/misguided
Another negative aspect of ...
3 Environmentalists .................. .. although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the
• To introduce pOints/arguments for or against:
One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of ... / against ... ,
ning the use of cars in the city ct: fact that), regardless of the fact that
A further common criticism of ... / It could be argued that ... , 4 Another negative ................. of I Opponents of ... argue/believe/claim that ...
often claimed/suggested The fact that ... contradicts the belief/idea that ...
ing pets is that veterinary bills Ci While it is true to say that ... , in fact ...
It is widely argued/maintained/ that ...
extremely expensive.
generally felt/believed/held While/Although ... , it cannot be denied that ... 8 Read the items below and say
5 It is widely................. that nu whether the second sentence pre-
claim/suggest/argue/feel that ...
weapons should be banned w sents an additional or contrasting
some/many/ maintain/believe/point out/agree/hold that ...
wide to eliminate the three point. Then, join the sentences
most people/experts/ advocate (+ing/noun)/support the view that ... 6 Join the sentences using the words/phrases given in brackets.
sCientists/sceptics/ oppose the view that ... nuclear war. using words/phrases from the
critics In avour 0 against ... 1 Pets can prove to be good companions. They teach children a sense of table.
are of the opinion that/convinced that ...
6 A ................. advantage of own
mobile phone is that one can co responsibility. (not only)
opposed to ... 1 Alternative medicines treat the
others from almost anywhere. 2 Many people nowadays decide to open their own business. A slump in
symptoms of a disease. Conventional
the economy has resulted in the closure of many small business. (even
medicines treat the underlying cause
though)
4 Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning of of a disorder.
the sentence before. 3 Computers are time-saving devices. They can do things which people
could hardly do before. (apart from) 2 Alternative medicine makes use of
1 It is widely maintained that recycling some products reduces the 4 Living in the countryside can be beneficial for your health. Some natural products rather than drugs.
amount of damage we do to the environment. essentials are not so easily available in the country as in the city. Alternative medicines are not tested
Most people advocate ............................................................................ . (despite) on animals.
2 Some people still oppose the view that mothers can be career women 5 Voting gives you a voice in the decisions of the government. It gives you
3 Conventional doctors have recognis-
too. a feeling of belonging to a larger community. (not to mention that)
able and respected qualifications.
Some people feel .................................................................................... .. Conventional treatments are widely
3 One argument against nuclear testing is that it has long-lasting effects 7 Complete the following sentences, then replace the phrases in bold available to everyone.
on surrounding areas. with other similar ones. 4 People trust conventional treatments
Sceptics point out that .......................................................................... . 1 Regardless of the fact that country life can be much healthier than because they are tested scientifically.
4 It is generally held that harsher punishments for criminals would city life, .................................................................................................... . People are often suspicious of alter-
result in a decrease in the crime rate. 2 Efforts have been made to reduce discrimination between men and native methods which sometimes rely
Many people support ............................................................................. . women; nonetheless, ............................................................................. . on a "trial and error" technique.
5 Critics often argue that the use of computers is reducing levels of lit- 3 In spite of making some attempts to end wars worldwide, ................ .
S Alternative treatments cause few or
eracy. ,. no side-effects. Conventional treat-
A further common .................................................................................. . 4 Many people feel that the testing of products on animals is cruel,
ments can cause severe side-effects.
while ......................................................................................................... .
62
 Unil 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys Unit 60 for ond Agoinsl Essoys

NOTE:
Useful expressions and linking words/phrases Useful Language and Useful expressions and linking words/phrases
• A "for and against" essay can end in
To introduce examples: linking words/phrases Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/opinion indirectly a balanced consideration in which
for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular, particularly, especially, To express cause: owing to, due to ( you restate that there are pOints for
This is (clearly) illustrated/shown by the fact that... it can/must be said/claimed that ...
fact that), on account of, on the grOl and against the topic using appropri-
One/A clear/striking/ typical example of (this) ... that, given that, because, as, since In conclusion, it seems/appears that ...
ate expressions from the table.
On balance, it would seem that ...
The fact that .... shows/illustrates that ... To express effect: therefore, thus, as • Alternatively, it can end by express-
All things considered, it is likely/unlikely/possible/foreseeable that ...
• To emphasise a point: result/consequence, consequently, ing an opinion, in which case you
Taking everything into it is clear/obvious that ...
clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed for this reason, if ... were to happen state, directly or indirectly, that you are
account/consideration, there is no/little doubt that ...
• To express reality: the effect/ result would be ... either in favour of or against the topic,
To conclude, the best course of action would be to ...
In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect To express intention: to, so as to, in using expressions from the table.
To sum up, achieving a balance between ... would be ..
• To make general statements: order to, so that, with the intention (
All in all, it is true to say that ...
as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, (+ -ing)
Finally/Lastly, although it must be said that .. .
in most cases 12 Read the conclusions below and say
it may be concluded/said that .. .
• To make partially correct statements: whether they express a balanced con-
All things considered, the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that .. ./
to a certain extent/degree, to some extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is
10 Join the sentences using the iii sideration, or the writer's opinion
There is no absolute answer to the question of .. ,
partly true (but), to a limited extent, there is some truth in (this), in some directly/indirectly.
cases, up to a point
words in the list below. In the light of this evidence, it is clear/obvious/etc that ...

• To explain/clarify a point: due to, in addition to, on the grounds I

In conclusion, clear/apparent above evidence
1 To conclude, although it must be said
in other words, that is to say, this/which means that therefore, with the intention of that a sense of responsibility is one of
All in all, it is plain/obvious from the f . points
To sum up, evident oregotng arguments the most important qualities which
1 The government has launched a can be instilled in young people, it
9 Fill in the gaps using words/phrases from the list. Some words/phras- paign to promote new busines5 Conclusion expressing opinion directly
should not be forgotten that there are
es can be used more than once. rural areas. They hope to draw p In conclusion,
other, equally important qualities.
away from the large urban centres On balance, it is my belief/opinion that ...
up to a point, especially, indeed, this means, needless to say, in general, in All things considered, I (firmly) believe/feel/think that ... 2 For the above-mentioned reasons,
fact, the fact that, obviously, example 2 Television is a highly entertc: Taking everything into I am convinced that ... therefore, I firmly believe that if
medium. It can also be an exc account/consideration, I am inclined to believe that ...
people are taught a keen sense of
1 .......................................... , people have mixed feelings about the educational tool. To conclude, I (do not) agree that/with ...
To sum up,
responsibility towards themselves and
effects tourism has on a country. 3 Freedom of expression is one of . others, then they will have the best
All in all,
2 Most people believe that computers always make life easier, but basic, inalienable rights. People s possible start in life. The way I see it,
Taking everything into account, I therefore conclude/feel/believe (that) ...
....................................... , the opposite is sometimes true since they be allowed to publish books cont, taking full responsibility for one's
often cause problems when they break down. all their beliefs and ideas. For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, I (firmly) believe that ...
own actions is central to leading an
3 ........................................ testing products on animals is cruel, but it 4 Consumerism is becoI1!ing mort honest life.
is difficult to find a suitable alternative. more a part of modern societies. 1
11 Replace the phrases in bold with other similar ones. 3 To sum up, it would seem that, once
4 A typical ...................................... of the benefits of country life is because of advertising and the
young people know how to take
the fact that there is very little pollution from traffic. media. 1 All things considered, I believe that corporal punishment should not responsibility for their actions, they
S .................... .................. more and more zoos are closing down S Many people object to smoking. 1 be reintroduced into our schools as it is a cruel method of disciplining are better equipped to learn about
shows that fewer people agree with keeping animals in captivity because passive smoking car students. life. While there are other important
and, therefore, do not want to visit them any longer. extremely harmful to one's health. 2 Lastly, it may be concluded that freedom of speech is a basic right of qualities, a highly-developed sense of
6 Using public transport can be a nuisance, ..................................... . every individual, regardless of race or creed. responsibility provides the ideal foun-
when buses and trains are late during rush hour periods. 3 To conclude, I am convinced that all the governments of the world dation for personal development.
7 Advances in medical science mean that cures have been found for should embark immediately on a joint policy of total disarmament.
many diseases .................................... people live longer nowadays. 4 On balance, it seems that a sense of
4 To conclude, it is clear that in the light of the many miscarriages of
8 ...................................... , most people agree that more effort should responsibility has a role to play in a
justice in the past, capital punishment is not ethical or humane, and young person's development. Never-
be made where the recycling of materials is concerned.
should be abandoned entirely. theless, when placed alongside other
9 More and more women are going back to work after the birth of
5 In conclusion, it is my opinion that school uniforms are an unfortu- human qualities, such as honesty and
their children and ...................................... they have to find some-
nate necessity and therefore should not be abolished. integrity, it is by no means the most
one to look after the children during the day.
useful.
64
j
 Unit 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys Unit 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys

13 Read the main body of the for and against essay below on the topic: 14 Read the four topic sentences below and match each with the corre- 15 Which of the following are arguments
"Discuss the view that advertising promotes excessive consumerism." sponding paragraph. Does each topic sentence adequately summarise in favour and which are arguments
Then read the beginnings and endings and say which of the techniques the argument it presents? What would a suitable introduction and con- against the topic: "School plays a
on p. 56 has been used in each one. Finally, replace the bold type words clusion be for this essay'? more important role than the family in
or phrases in the main body with ones similar in meaning. shaping one's personality." Discuss.
"Uving in a foreign country cannot be better than living in your own."
Discuss. Suggest examples/justification for
each argument. Finally, write the
a Furthermore, people who move to a foreign country may be composition in about 350 words.
1 Whether it is on TV, radio or hoardings at the side of the road, advertisements have become a part of our lives. regarded with suspicion and treated unfairly.
advertising simply a means of informing the public or does it encourage consumers to purchase products they do r
1 Moreover. so much of the school dav is
really need?
b On the other hand, living abroad can be a way to escape a variety of devoted to competition and prepa-
problems presented in one"s country of birth. ration for examinations that there is
2 Advertising is a powerful and persuasive medium. You may feel this is an intrusion in your daily life, and resent tl little time left for personality develop-
pressure on you to spend money. Others, however, enjoy the variety which this highly creative industry brings to ever ment.
day life. c One argum~nt in ~avour of staying in one's native country is that the
problems of adaptmg to a new way of life cannot always be overcome. 2 On the other hand. most children have
3 Advertising is an effective way of selling new products, and many people argue that its effectiveness brainwashes I a closer relationship with their parents
into unnecessary spending. Others, however, disagree. As Jeremy Tunstall says, "AdvertiSing can't sell any product than with their teachers.
can only help to sell a product the people want to buy." d Finally, it may be said that by living in a foreign count:y, people are
able to establish a greater understanding between nations. 3 An additional argument in support of
One of the main arguments for advertising is people to be dissatisfied with what they alreadl school is that young people arc exposed
that it generates wealth for a country. That is to say, have, and make them want more. Being exposec
to a wide variety of subjects.
taxes paid on goods sold, help governments to pay again and again to products which one cannot afforc i' 1 ................................................................................................:....:. ::. . ::. :. :. :. . :. :....: 4 One point in favour of the role of
for essential services such as education and health
care. Moreover, the number of jobs created for pro-
produces frustration and dissatisfaction. Further
more, not all parents are in a position to afford th~
, ........................................:.....................·: . ·~;~~~··~h~~~. ~h~·ianguage is the schools is that it is at school where chil-
ducing, marketing and servicing these goods helps goods which their children see advertised and wan ;) The fact of the matter IS tha:, ev~a~cult·u;al differences. which an out- dren first learn to socialise.
to reduce the unemployment problem, which is also to possess. This often leads to feelings of inadequa , same, there are ot~e,: chang~s, ~uc ven the weather can force some
a great advantage for a country's economy. cy, especially among the less well-off. J sider might find difficult to adjust tOf' E.. For example take an Inuit 5 Furthermore. children usually spend
" . t their country 0 ongm. . . five years of their lives at home before
What Is more, advertising raises money for a In addition to this, advertising creates materialisn .. people to retur~ 0 '. Th Id almost certainly find it impossl-
• d' Amazoman IndIan. ey wou " h ' they even go to school.
huge number of sporting events and artistic perfor- and causes people to place too much importance or J
) an an r ,t s of each other s natIVe omes.
mances which would otherwise not be held. Without material goods. The fact that people are prepared tc ble to adapt to the extreme c Ima e.
6 What is more, the average child spends
sponsorship from companies who advertise their work long hours, or even turn to crime in order to gair ; 2 ....................................................................................... :. :: . . :: . :: . . :: . ::::::. . :. . :: . :: ....
products, these events would disappear due to lack the goods on offer, shows that advertising persuade~
as many as eight hours a day in school.
of funding. In other words, although consumerism is people to go to great lengths to keep the same stan :) ........................ ·: ..........................b. ·....f.:~~i~~~~~~·~here are often social
promoted through advertising, it is beneficial to both dard of living as those they see around them. It is c ') In countries With a large num er 0 I" b . g "different" and even in-
1 d . . rants stand out as em . f
the consumer and SOCiety. fact, though, that neither crime nor the stress causee pr(~blems, an Imml g, , the host country may react in a vanety 0
On the other hand, advertisements can cause by overwork can benefit society. , fenor. As a consequ,e,nce, d ' " t depriving the immigrants of the
:) ways,from open hostility an racism 0
, right to equal pay.

A To sum up, it is true to say that advertising does provide some benefits. However, do you not agree that tt
drawbacks of a greedy, materialistic society far outweigh the advantages, and we need to be careful that we do n ~ 3••.•• • . • • • • •. • • •...II.;~II~i~~:I~;.~I;r~~~~.~~~~~;~;~I~~.
') For example, war, po Itlca or r eo Ie seeking a new home m a
lose sight of what is most important - a spirit of co-operation rather than competition?
, tastrophes are among t~e reasons I~o are o~ten able to start a new life
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 Iii
~ ~~r~~~ ~~~~·g~~a~~~~r~:~~% ~~da higher standard of living.
without advertisements? , 4 ............................................................................ "...................... .
C In conclusion, I believe that advertising exists to generate wealth by encouraging people to spend unnecessarily. :........:: . . :. . :: . . :. ::: .................. :.... ·:···d··ii·~·i·~···;~~~~·f(~~~i~~~~~·,·~~~~·~f·~h~·b~;~
fosters greed and breeds dissatisfaction while distracting us from focusing on more vital things. As Marion Harper ~) That IS to say, by wor~mg,an br;ken down, helping to create a more
said, "Advertising is found in societies which have passed the point of satisfying the basic animal needs." riers between countnes, can ~e b tter diplomatic relations would be of
peaceful world. Needless to say. e
benefit to all.
66
 Unil 60 For ond Agoinsl Essoys Unit 60 For ond Agoinst Essoys

17 Read the following arguments and match each argument in favour of using
PLANNING & ORGANISATION
Introduction animals for entertainment with the corresponding argument against.
There is an alternative paragraph plan you may use when writing for and Then, following the paragraph plan on page 68, say which arguments you
against essays. When following this plan you present both an argume t· Paragraph 1
favour and the opposing viewpoint in the same paragraph. n In S~ate topic (summary of topic would include in each paragraph. Finally, write a clear topic sentence for
In such essays the arguments for and against must be equal in number.
Without stating your opinion) each paragraph. 19 Read the following composition topic
For the Introduction and conclusion you should use the techniqu Moin BOdy Arguments fQr using animals for entertainment. and answer the questions below.
suggested on p. 56. es
Paragraph 2
first argument for & against
1 Zoos can be educational and also help to increase the numbers of endan- ~~Should countries encourage
gered species through controlled breeding programmes. tourism 1" Discuss.
Paragraph 3* 2 Animals used in television programmes, advertisements and films are
second argument for & against very appealing and attract large audiences.
16 "Greater freedom does not necessarily • What are the two sides of the question?
3 Circus animals are loved, well-treated and only perform for short
lead to greater happiness." Discuss. Conclusion periods. • Which of the following arguments are
Read the model and say which argu- Final Paragraph 4 Racing animals have a very short working life and are well-treated for and which against?
ments have been presented in each give .balanced consideration/ yo throughout. 1 The desire to attract tourists to a
paragraph. Do the topic sentences opinion expressed directly/indire certain area often encourages govern-
Arguments against using animals for entertainment. ments to improve local facilities.
clearly summarise the content of each * You may include more paragrapf
2 Over-development leads to ugly,
paragraph? Finally, underline all the the main body if you wish to inc a Animals are forced to perform unnatural acts for the pleasure of the pub-
crowded tourist spots and environ-
useful expressions and linking words more points lic. mental damage.
b Keeping animals in cages so the public can see them is unnecessary
or phrases and replace them with ones because documentaries produced today take away the need for such 3 The impact of tourism may destroy the
similar in meaning. local way of life.
places.
c With new technology and special effects, there is no need to use live ani- 4 Many people claim that tourism is an
mals as realistic models can be used instead. important source of income.
d Racing animals have gruelling training schedules and are often placed in S A country's economy may become so
Over the years, mankind has recognised the need for personal and social freedom, and this is perhaps one of the m unnecessary danger. dependent on tourism that it is weak-
important social advancements ever made. However, whether it has led to increased personal happiness is highly det ened.
able; many people would argue that greater freedom has led to increased social disorder and personal dissatisfactiol 6 Tourism allows people to experience
18 gg First, think of as many points for and against early retirement as other cultures.
Firstly, it is true that people are now more at liberty to choose how to live their lives. For example, in the Western WI
at least, the choice of where to live, what career to pursue and which religion to follow has never been greater. In addi possible. Then listen to the cassette and fill in the gaps in the boxes
• What aspects of the discussion clock do
to this, people have more leisure time in which to enjoy a wider range of recreational activities. On the other hand, it r below. Were your arguments the same as those you heard? Finally, these arguments deal with?
be argued that this increased freedom can lead people to take things for granted and expect too much from life. A~ write the paragraph plan you would use if you were to write an essay on • Can you think of any additional argu-
example of this, the greater choice of material goods available has resulted in people quickly growing bored with 1 the topic: ments?
possessions. Consequently, no sooner have they acquired something new than they tire of it. They find short-term t
piness in material goods and entertainment, but boredom and frustration soon send them looking for fresh distractia • Which paragraph plan would you fol-
"Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of early low to write this essay? •
Secondly, social and moral attitudes have become less rigid. This has allowed for a greater variety of lifestyles and n retirement. "
freedom in human relations. This is illustrated by the fact that pupils and teachers now treat each other as equals, • Which arguments would you include
parent-child relationships are now much more relaxed. Nevertheless, some people believe that this increase in free, and in what order?
has resulted in the escalation of social problems. They argue that the current lack of discipline has given rise to a br FOR • Which techniques would you use to
down in the traditional family and the decay in educational standards as well as the rise in juvenile delinquency. Thl • time for ......................................... and ...................................... '" begin and end your essay?
may be said that society is becoming more and more dangerous because of the very fact that people are more 0 • opportunity to ........................................ .
• Which useful phrases and linking
• more free time ......................................... and friends words could you use?
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 Ie.
greater happiness. On the one hand, people have more opportunities to raise their standard of living. On the other ~ AGAINST
the many examples of protests, strikes and criminal activities which are a feature of modern society are a sign • people get ............. ····· ............ ·.... ·.. ·..
20 Now, using the information from your
although people may be free, they are not necessarily happier. • difficult to live ......... ································
answers to the above questions, write
• waste of ........................................ . the essay in about 350 words.

68