For-and-against essays

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all fine there and ready for another lesson on writing.

If you won a trip into space, would you rather go to the moon, to Mars or visit the International Space Station?

Make a list of advantages and disadvantages of space travel. Compare your ideas.

Now listen to the text and choose the best title:

a) Should we send people to Mars?

b) Is space exploration a good thing?

c) Which planet should we visit next?

Many people believe that the next step in space exploration is sending astronauts to Mars. It sounds exciting, but is it worth it?

On the one hand, we might discover things we need on Earth – like oil and gas. For example, we already know that there is a lot the gas methane on Mars and it can be used to make plastic. Another advantage is that we could discover new forms of life. Moreover, there is frozen water on Mars and possibly even running water. This may mean there are other forms of life there.

On the other hand, a manned mission to Mars would be incredibly expensive, at over 50 billion dollars. The spacecraft would need to take food, water, oxygen and medical supplies and these things would have to be launched into space.

I believe we could spend this money on solving the problems we already have on Earth. It seems, it’s very dangerous. We don’t know the effects of being in space and of weightlessness on human body for such a long period of time. In my opinion, the possible human cost is too great a risk.

To sum up, while living on Mars might seem like a good idea, I think we have big problems to solve on Earth first.

The text consists of 4 sections:

·                   conclusion

·                   introduction

·                   advantages

·                   and disadvantages

Order the sections as they appear in the text.

Check.

1. introduction

2. advantages

3. disadvantages

4. summary

What is usually written in the introduction and summary?

Introduction: a short sentence to introduce the topic and the question asked in the task; Summary: author’s opinion in answer to the question.

How to write for-and-against essay: You introduce the essay with the question asked. You give one side of the argument. You give the other side of the argument. You give your opinion.

Complete the list below with the highlighted phrases in the essay.

Introduction:

Many people believe

is it worth it?

Arguments for and against:

On the one hand,

On the other hand,

Another advantage is that

Moreover,

Giving opinion:

I believe

Ending:

To sum up

Choose the correct option:

1. To sum up, I believe space exploration is a good idea.

2. One reason for doing this is to find another planet to live on.

3. Nowadays, more and more people believe we should travel in space.

4. The main advantage is a lack of technology.

5. In my opinion, we have more important problems here on Earth.

6. On the other hand, it could be a stepping stone for further space exploration.

7. Many people believe, that aliens would want to destroy us.

8. Is it worth trying to contact other life forms?

9. In conclusion, I think we should use the money to help the environment.

10. One reason for worrying is that history shows that explorers and invaders rarely bring benefits to the places they discover. For example, many Indians in South and Central America died of diseases they caught from European explorers.

Match the sentences with the headings.

Introduction: 3, 7, 8

Arguments for and against: 2, 4, 6, 10

Giving opinion: 5

Ending your essay: 1, 9

Complete the notes with the words and phrases from the box:

dangerous, expensive, new types, population, problems, to save.

Should we spend money on finding another planet to live on?

For:

·                   might not be able to save this planet

·                   discover new types of life

·                   growing population on Earth and limited space

Against:

·                   too expensive – billions of dollars

·                   problems on Earth more urgent

·                   too dangerous – could die in space

Use the notes and write an essay answering the essay question. Follow the instructions:

1. Use the text as a model.

2. Include the following in your essay:

·                   write a short introduction and conclusion

·                   list your reasons for and against, and your final decision.

·                   give reasons for your opinions.

·                   use linking words

3. Make sure your essay is clearly related to the title. Organise your arguments for and against in two main paragraphs.