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ESSAY WRITING 101

For and Against Essays for C1 English Learners
Note for teachers: This guide was written especially for the Michigan ECPE exam but it can be used to improve a
student’s writing skills in any context.

•A for and against essay is an objective and

OUTLINE
Introduction:
• An introductory sentence that
catches the readers attention
• Present the topic without stating
your opinion
Main Body
• State two or three arguments FOR
and justify them with evidence, an
explanation or an example.
• State two or three arguments
AGAINST and justify them with
evidence, an explanation or an
example.
Conclusion
• Summarize the issue
• Give your opinion (directly or
indirectly)
formal piece of writing which discusses the
advantages and disadvantages of an issue. The
writer must fairly present points for both sides of the
issue.
Let’s take a look at this issue that the New York Times
recently had two writers discuss on their Opinion Pages.
You can find the article here. It is provided below in the
form of a potential essay question you might find on an
exam.
Background: The family of a girl who was killed when the
car she was in was rear-ended by a driver using his
iPhone’s Facetime app has sued not only the driver, but
also Apple. The family says iPhones should disable video
and other distracting apps when they are being used by a
driver. Should it be a company’s responsibility to make
social media and other distracting apps unworkable when
they are used in a moving car? What are some arguments
for and against this suggestion? Are there ethical or
technical issues surrounding this topic? Discuss the issue
in detail.

The first thing you, the student, need to do is ask yourself

the following questions:
1. What kind of essay am I being expected to write? You are writing a for and against essay,
because it asks specifically, “What are some arguments for and against this suggestion?”
2. What exactly is the issue? You need to separate the issue from the background information. The
issue is whether a company should be responsible for disabling its apps when a user is driving.
3. What do I already know about this topic? You might already know some information about how
distractions can make driving very dangerous. You may also be familiar with apps in general and
might also be aware of the fact that it can be hard to detect whether someone is driving or just a
passenger in a car.

The next step is to brainstorm and separate the arguments for and against. Depending on the
amount of time you have available, it might be helpful to make a chart:
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•A large amount of people are killed yearly by distractions while driving such as texting
and using their cellphones. If companies were able to successfully prevent this from
FOR

happening, it would be a life-saving solution.

•Technology has advanced so much that these companies may be able to accomplish this
with minimal invasion of privacy.

• Even if companies were to successfully accomplish this, it may be considered an

AGAINST

invasion of privacy.

• Companies may fail to detect accurately whether someone is actually driving or just
sitting on a train or sitting in the passenger seat.

• Placing the responsibility on technological companies essentially blames the inanimate

object for accidents instead of the person’s judgement.

At this point, you can proceed with writing the essay with what you already know about
introductions and conclusions. For the ECPE, your essay should be about 350 words. Take a
look at this example essay and think about the questions below:

Model Essay

In recent years, lawmakers have tried to address the new dilemmas brought on by advancing
technologies. This can be seen in the recent law making texting while driving illegal, as people are
becoming concerned over the increase of traffic accidents due to technologies like cellphones1. After an
accident involving the death of a young girl, there have been debates over whether companies should
be expected to make their applications unusable while someone is driving. On the one hand, this
solution might save the lives of countless people. On the other, it can be controversial as it poses some
issues technologically and also ethically.2
It is apparent that a large amount of people are being killed yearly by technological distractions
such as cellphones while driving, otherwise there would not be so much effort toward reducing these
accidents.3 Supporters of making companies more responsible for the use of their apps say that if there
is technology that could prevent these accidents from happening, it is the company’s moral
responsibility to use it.4 It might be similar to having the cure for cancer but refusing to share it with the

1 Introductory sentences: Uses a reference to real life

2 Presents both sides equally
3 Transition into main body paragraph

4 Argument 1 (FOR)
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world. If there is a way to save lives, it obviously should be used.5 Secondly, a solution like this might
be very easy due to the scientific innovations companies have available to them.6 With the use of
advanced sensors, they may be able to successfully detect when a person is driving without the use of
cameras or invading a person’s privacy.7
However, there are also arguments against this suggestion.8 One argument states that
companies would not be able to detect whether a person is driving or not accurately.9 People use their
phones while commuting on buses and trains, and even while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
They should still be able to use their applications.10 Secondly, placing the blame on companies also
places the responsibility solely on them and an inanimate object.11 People who drive should be aware of
their actions and use better judgement when on the road. People can also be distracted by eating while
driving, but that does not mean that fast food companies should ensure people who buy their products
do not drive while eating.12
In conclusion, it is tragic that so many people die each year from accidents that are caused by
distractions like mobile apps.13 However, I do not believe that people should be so fast to blame the
companies. The phone is an inanimate object and incapable of judgement or rational thinking. Drivers,
on the other hand, are capable of making decisions and choosing between right or wrong. I do not
think companies should be held responsible for making their apps unusable and that people should be
better educated on the consequences of their actions instead. 14

1. How does the writer lead the reader in?

2. Does the writer stay neutral throughout the essay?
3. What are the arguments the writer uses in support? What examples or justifications does he
give?
4. What are the arguments the writer uses against? What examples or justifications does he give?
5. How does the writer end the essay?

5 Justification of Argument 1 with an example

6 Argument 2 (FOR)

7 Justification of Argument 2 with an example

8 Transition sentence
9 Argument 1 (AGAINST)

10 Justification of Argument 1 using example / elaboration

11 Argument 2 (AGAINST)
12 Justification of Argument 2 using elaboration / example
13 Sentence summarizing the issue

14 Direct statement of opinion

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Time to practice writing your own essay! Try the topics below. You can use the internet
to research information on the issues if they are unfamiliar to you.

1. The issue of GMO foods has been a point of controversy lately. What are the points for and
against GMO foods? Discuss the issue in detail.

2. The issue of capital punishment in the United States has been very controversial recently.
What are the points for and against the death penalty? Discuss the issue in detail.