- •Discursive compositions expressing opinions
- •Introduction
- •Useful Words and Phrases
- •Are computers a necessity?
- •Writing assignment:
- •English and Maths are more important subjects than Art and Music
- •The secret of happiness
- •Learn to be lucky
- •Are you a successful leader?
- •For and Against Compositions
- •Introduction
- •Points to remember:
- •First and Last Paragraph Techniques
- •In the first paragraph you can state the topic by:
- •In the last paragraph you can give a balanced consideration or your opinion by:
- •The Pros and Cons of Parents Educating Children at Home
- •Writing assignment:
- •The pros and cons of using the Internet
- •No more secrets
- •Love-hate relationships Mobile phones
- •Writing an essay providing solutions to problems.
- •Useful vocabulary:
- •How can we make our city a better place to live?
- •Writing assignment:
- •1.1 Look at the problems (1-5) and match them to the solutions (a-e). Which of these problems do you think is the most / least serious? Can you think of anymore problems and solutions?
- •Self - talk
- •Auntie Claire writes:
- •A sad story of a sad man
- •Perform the following writing task
For and Against Compositions
An argumentative composition is always formal, impersonal piece of writing in which you are expected to consider a topic from opposing points of view and give a balanced consideration or your opinion. Personal expressions such as I believe, I think should only be used in the final paragraph where you can give your opinion.
A good argumentative “for-and-against” composition should consist of:
Introduction
state topic
Main body
Para 1. Arguments for with justification
Para 2, Arguments against with justification
Conclusion
balanced consideration/ opinion
Points to remember:
Decide on the points for and against the topic before starting your composition.
Never write an argument for or against a topic without supporting it with justification, e.g. One disadvantage of driving a car is that it creates pollution. This is evident from the poor air quality found in cities where there is a lot of traffic.
Do not use short forms or strong personal expressions.
Each paragraph should start with a sentence (topic sentence) which summarises what the paragraph is about, e.g. There many advantages to driving a car. To begin with, it allows you… However, driving a car has a number of disadvantages as well. Firstly, you need to … Secondly, … Finally …etc
The use of linking words is absolutely necessary when writing an argumentative composition:
To introduce points: Firstly / To begin with / In the first place /One point in favour of is / One point against is / One advantage / disadvantage of…is
To add more points: Secondly / What is more / Furthermore / A further advantage
To make contrasting points: However / On the other hand / Although / In spite of
To conclude: To sum up / In conclusion / On balance / All things considered
First and Last Paragraph Techniques
In the first paragraph you can state the topic by:
making references to unusual scene or situation, e.g. The sight of a huge lion dozing in the corner of the cage with no interest in its surrounding…
addressing the reader directly, e.g. Have you ever wondered whether animals in captivity are happy?
starting with a rhetorical question which states the topic, e.g. Are there really more advantages than disadvantages to keeping animals in zoos?
If you feel there are more arguments for than arguments against a topic, give them before the final paragraph to lead the reader to a proper conclusion.
In the last paragraph you can give a balanced consideration or your opinion by:
summarizing the topic under question, e.g. To sum up, keeping animals in captivity can be cruel and unnatural, but it is also necessary.
ending with a rhetorical question, e.g. Would it be better to watch various species gradually becoming extinct?
giving the reader something to consider, e.g. If it weren’t for zoos, many people would never have the chance to see a live wild animal.
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