Pros and Cons Essays
It's frustrating when you're trying to make someone understand something, and they seem not to get what you're trying to explain. Or is it? We are presented with many world choices that make it hard to analyze a given event with straightforward answers.
A pros and cons essay is an essay type given to students during their coursework to harness their analytical skills. It will enable you to look at both sides of an event to find your solution.
If attempting to write this essay type for the first time, it can be a little intimidating. In this post, we will give you a few tips and examples when writing a pros and cons essay. So read on
What To Consider When Writing The Essay
When writing a pros and cons essay, it's critical to evaluate several things before you pen down your writing. First, you need to research your topic, give equal weight to the advantages and disadvantages, and organize your thoughts in an outline.
1. Pick a Topic
If your instructor did not offer you a topic to work on, you could brainstorm several issues that provide different opinions. For this kind of writing, you need to list the advantages and disadvantages which oversimplify controversies.
A good topic will include issues that bring a dispute or a controversy and allows you to analyze the concerns in an exact way critically. Besides, your case must be able to answer a question so that you can stand on the "yes" or "no" side. Here is a list of engaging issues that you can use to practice your essay;
- Should school uniforms be mandatory?
- Should homework be banned?
- All students should be tested for Covid19
- Public prayers should be allowed in schools
- Children should be allowed to use gadgets
- Free speech is a personal right
- Alcohol should be sold on weekends only
Do in-depth research and have a few topics before you narrow down on your essay's specific subject.
2. Give Equal Weight of Both Side of a Subject Matter
A pros and cons essay is not just about writing a list of advantages and disadvantages; it's about writing a critical analysis of both sides of the argument. The author should present a balanced examination of either side such that the reader cannot tell which side he/she favors.
Your project should not have biases as it can prevent you from being objective. Personal bias taints your academic paper - therefore, avoid it at all costs. Your opinion is expressed in summary as a conclusion after making all the analysis.
3. Research
Research is a crucial element that prepares you to write this type of academic essay. Look for information from primary and secondary sources such as opinion pieces, articles, documentaries, journals, and online sources.
Start with making a pros and cons list to help you differentiate ideas on either side of the divide. You must provide balanced information on the positive and negative sides. Be open-minded while looking for relevant information so that you can craft an objective project.
4. Write an Outline
Now you have your list of pros and cons of a particular subject matter. Next, it's time to write an outline that will guide you not to go off-topic throughout the project. Ensure that your method is well detailed, and it offers a general understanding of what is entailed in the body paragraphs.
The outline should contain;
- An introduction
In the introduction, you present your topic and show the reader what you want to discuss. Make it as enjoyable as possible to keep the audience hooked. It's also in the introduction where you also craft your thesis statement, which guides you when writing your pros and cons essay.
- Three-body paragraphs
Your paper must contain the three body paragraphs to address a subject's pros and cons, like all academic essay types. Ensure that your sections are unique and don't include a repetition on points in previous paragraphs.
For instance, discuss elements found in list A and give the pros and cons; in the second paragraph, discuss aspects in point B and offer a list of pros and cons.
Continue with this technique when writing your third paragraph before making a summary. It's also necessary to consider how the cons can be overcome when writing this essay type.
- Make a Compelling Summary
When writing a conclusion for your essay, you need to restate the thesis statement to the reader, review the supporting ideas, and make a summary of the arguments from both sides of the topic.
In the closing statement, you can give the reader your opinion or make an informed opinion. You can also try to persuade the reader to embrace one side of the argument if you believe your ideas are justified.
5. Fill in More Details In The Outline
Once you have your outline and thesis ready, it's time to flesh the body with more ideas. However, the additional concepts must be related to the main points listed in the outline. The information helps you to have a broader view of the subject matter.
Every point should have sufficient supporting information and evidence to back up the reasons. Keep emotions at bay when discussing the issue you're evaluating when writing a pros and cons essay. For instance, avoid statements like, "it makes me happy," "I like this."
Conclusion
When writing a pros and cons essay, you need to understand the writing process to develop a convincing essay. You may also need an extra eye to go through your project to help you point out the weak areas you need to revise.
Conversely, if you're still not sure how to write a pros and cons essay, this guide will offer you the steps you need to take for a winning essay.
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