How to write an argumentative essay: The “for and against” composition.

How to write an argumentative essay:  The “for and against” composition.

Always collect your ideas on a mind-map before starting to write. You must really be aware of what you are going to write before you write the first sentence. It is wrong to change your attitude in the middle of the text, as if you were writing an inner monologue.

Introduction:

Main body

A recent event/ a personal experience (it is perfectly okay to invent one), a quotation of a scientist, a topical newspaper article, a TV programme, statistics. A question to be answered.  You may want to give a brief explanation of the historical background or define central terms. You may want to state your opinion firmly and clearly at the beginning or your may prefer to invite the reader to look at the pros and cons together with you. What comes to my mind when discussing....is... Almost every day you hear.... Today we are repeatedly confronted with the problem of.... Some (experts/people/of my friends) say... A friend of mine said... Recently I have read that.... When discussing.....I remember.... Therefore one should discuss..../ask the question if..../it is interesting to weigh up the pros and cons of.../the benefits and drawbacks of..../the arguments in favour of and against... Spontaneously it seems to me that..... Quite frankly, I tend to think that...

Arguments for the side you don’t agree with.
Firstly/In the first place.... Let us start by considering... Let us first consider the question of... I should like to begin with... The first obvious advantage/disadvantage of...  Secondly.... Moreover.... Furthermore.... Another thing is.... Another point in favour of/against... is...	Always add examples / explanations / illustrations / reasons / consequences... It is essential to form paragraphs. Each paragraph must have a key sentence (- usually at the beginning). Don’t write any one-sentence-paragraphs. Examples: Take for example.....Take for instance... One example out of many is... Just look at.... This idea can best be illustrated by an example...

Arguments for the side you agree with.
So far we have only talked about the advantages. What about the disadvantages? So much about the advantages. There are also a number of disadvantages that must not be overlooked. Let us now turn to the drawbacks of... Now it would also be interesting to ...  Secondly.... Moreover.... Furthermore.... Another thing is.... Another point in favour of/against... is...	Always add examples / explanations / illustrations / reasons / consequences... It is essential to form paragraphs. Each paragraph must have a key sentence (- usually at the beginning). Don’t write any one-sentence paragraphs. Examples: Take for example.....Take for instance... One example out of many is... Just look at.... This idea can best be illustrated by an example...

In the conclusion clearly express your opinion. Sum up your main arguments in your own words but do not repeat any phrases that have already been used. Do not introduce new arguments here. Make your ending personal. Think about possible consequences and effects of your opinion. Express your hopes for the future. If you can establish a natural connection to the introduction of the essay that produces a good effect. In conclusion, let me say that.... All things considered, I must say that... From all this one must conclude that... Perhaps the future will show that.... I hope that in the future.........

Some hints:

• Avoid unjustified generalisations by using “may” and “might”.
• Avoid bringing disadvantages that are merely the opposite of the advantage.

Disadvantage: Air travel is expensive.   Disadvantage: Air travel is cheap.

• Clearly indicate where your paragraphs start and where they end. You may want to leave a line empty between paragraphs.
• The quality of an essay very much depends on whether a writer has something to say and expresses his or her thoughts and opinions clearly and logically.
• It helps to know how to use certain linking devices to connect sentences logically. Don’t use them slavishly, though, or even wrongly, especially words like “furthermore” or “moreover”.