How to articles & tutorials: How to successfully write a for and against essay?

Overview

A for and against essay is a type of discursive essay that contains the supporting as well as opposing viewpoints of a chosen subject (that is for and against a particular issue). It must also clearly state the examples or reasons to justify the supporting and opposing points. This type of essay usually appears in the IELTS or TOEFL iBT writing task 2.

Examples of for and against essay topics:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of running your own business.
"Money is the most important thing in life." Discuss.
Damage of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss.
Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss.
"The generation gap is one which cannot be bridged." Discuss.

Structure of a for and against essay:

The introduction paragraph
Body paragraphs
The concluding paragraph

Introductory paragraph

Clearly states the topic to be discussed without any opinion

Body paragraphs

In body paragraphs, you can use the popular 3773 template used in IELTS or TOEFL iBT writing task 2, which has two paragraphs in the body. Each paragraph has 7 sentences. One paragraph covers points in favour of a particular topic and the other paragraph covers points in against of a particular topic.

In addition, body paragraphs can have 4 paragraphs. This type of layout is somehow similar to the 3773 template as it covers both arguments for and against a particular issue. However, in this type of layout, each supporting and opposing point is presented in a separate paragraph. Therefore, the first two paragraphs cover 2 points for a particular issue and justifications or examples supporting the arguments. The other two paragraphs present 2 points against a particular issue and justifications or examples supporting the arguments. Each point is presented in a separate paragraph. In a 3773 layout supporting points is presented in the first body paragraph and opposing points are presented in the second body paragraph.

Final paragraph

Contains the your's own opinion. You can choose to support, be against a particular topic or have a balanced consideration.

Notes:

Opinion words (To my mind/To my way of thinking, My opinion is that, I think, I (firmly) believe, It is my (firm) belief/opinion/view/conviction that ..., In my opinion, etc.) can only be used in the last paragraph.
The IELTS and TOEFL iBT writing task 2 instructions do not mention the examiner as a academic reader. However, a discursive essay has to be formal. Therefore, you should avoid using informal style and strong language in a for and against essay.
Avoid using over-generalizations and wordiness in a for and against essay.

Some useful expressions for giving arguments for or against a particular issue: