Discoursive Essays: For and Against writing

https://en.ppt-online.org/284818

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…

• 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)

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)

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 …

Examples of content organised: DISCUSSION / DISCOURSIVE ESSAYS:

• PROS AND CONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
• ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ANIMAL TESTING

• MASS TOURISM. There are many types of mass tourism, including skiing in the mountains, sunbathing on a beach, visiting a theme park (e.g. Euro Disney) or taking a cruise. Governments and local people often support mass tourism because it generates a lot of income for local areas.

  ADVANTAGES
  1)  Jobs are generated by tourism in many areas – in the initial construction of the resorts, in travel, in food provision and in other service related industries.
  2) Local people benefit directly from employment
  3)  Roads, rail, facilities, electricity services etc. all need improving to accommodate the tourists – local people also benefit from these INFRASTRUCTURE developments.
  4)  Transport facilities are developed
  5)  The local tax base increases so the local government/council can invest in schools, healthcare and social services.
  6)  Tourists introduce new values and cultures and learn about new cultures- this causes cultural UNDERSTANDING
  DISADVANTAGES
  1)  This can result in a lot of profits leaving the country.
  2  Jobs can be seasonal – especially in beach and skiing based resorts. People can therefore find themselves out of work in the close season.
  3)  Tourists consume huge amounts of resources including food and water – this type of tourism is particularly UNSUSTAINABLE in this manner.
  4)  Tourists introduce new values and cultures – this causes cultural pollution.
  5)  Land is lost from farming to tourist developments.

SPEAKING TASK:

Choose one of these topics and record your answer in a voice message indicating name/group and email. Remember to organise the content, use linking words and give both sides of the argument and your final view. Deadline Friday 30th May.

For and against essay topics

1. Having a role model can affect someone negatively.
2. Should dyed hairstyles be allowed in school?
3. Social media – a blessing or a curse?
4. It’s possible to learn to love somebody.
5. You don’t need a college degree to be successful.
6. Your past does not define you.
7. Do you prefer watching films at home or going to the movies?
8. Should there be a mandatory number of trees per square kilometer?
9. Should people older than 65 be able to drive?
10. Should healthcare be state-owned or privatized?
11. Is immortality a blessing or a curse?
12. Should self-driving cars be illegal?
13. Should sharing fake news and false information on the Internet be severely punished?
14. Should students do a part-time job while they are still studying?
15. Sessions with a therapist should be mandatory for kids and teens
16. Every country in the world should ban cigarettes.
17. Every country in the world should stop producing and selling plastic bags and bottles.
18. Field trips to prisons should be mandatory to help lower the crime rate.
19. Scientists should pair people up for marriage based on DNA.
20. A new universal language should be taught in every school.
21. Should universities be apolitical?
22. Should the state have more control over our privacy?

Introduction

Paragraph 1: state topic (summary of the topic without giving your opinion)

Main Body

Paragraph 2: arguments for & justifi¬cations, examples, and/ or reasons

Paragraph 3: arguments against & justification, examples, and/or reasons

Conclusion

Final Paragraph: balanced consideration/ your opinion directly or indirectly