How to Write a Pro & Con Essay
A pros and cons essay, also known as an argumentative essay, is a detailed presentation of arguments for and against a given subject, with the writer presenting a conclusion about which side presents the more compelling argument. The pros and cons essay has a simple, structured format that makes it easy to organize the various points for each argument, and easy for the reader to follow along and draw their own conclusions.
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Instructions
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1
Create a bulleted list of the benefits and drawbacks of the topic you are writing your essay about. Do not worry about the details or elaboration at this point. Just write down as many opposing points as you can come up with so you will be able to select the strongest from the group once you begin your essay.
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2
Decide which side of the argument you want to advocate in your essay and create a thesis statement summarizing your position and your reasons for taking it. Do not automatically choose the side you agree with. Rather, consider which side has the most compelling argument for the sake of writing an essay.
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3
Determine how you want to structure your essay. After your introduction and thesis, do you want to start going into the full array of arguments and facts on the pro side and then transition to the full list of cons, or do you want to alternate presenting pros and cons based on an argument-counterargument format? This will depend on the nature of your topic, and you can decide which structure is most logical for your essay.
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Draft an introductory paragraph that presents a general primer on the subject of your essay and explains to your reader that you will be presenting an objective account of its benefits and drawbacks.
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Brainstorm about the details and elaboration of each of the pros and cons you came up with. Think about why each pro and con might be significant to the reader or anyone considering the topic and use that question as a template for expanding upon your list to create the body of your essay. Search for enlightening quotes or important opinions from knowledgeable figures in the field, which might help your readers better understand the scope of the topic and gain a more advanced perspective.
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Create the rough draft of your essay by combining your introductory paragraph, thesis and the body into a cohesive essay with transitions and a logical structure. Add a conclusory paragraph that briefly summarizes the arguments for each side of the subject and restates your thesis.
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Go back over your rough draft with a mind toward presenting a cogent presentation of the subject and its pros and cons. Take a look at your transitions and the order in which you present your pros and cons to make sure the paper flows as naturally and logically as possible. Note any grammatical, punctuation or spelling errors and mark them.
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Use the corrections you made to create the final draft of your essay. Make sure you have formatted it with the proper margins, font size, page numbers, citations, etc., according to those who will be grading or reading it.
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