Model Argument Essay:

Education: Still Invaluable!

Partner A

Instructions: Work with Partner B to fill in the blanks below: tell him/her about the odd numbered words (1, 3, etc.) in bold print, but do NOT say the words themselves (your partner does not have these words) listen to him/her tell you about the missing words (gaps) on your paper Not so long ago, higher education was unusual. Nowadays,

_____________(1), it is comparatively easy to acquire (2) a certificate, Ph.D., or anything in between. Some people _____________(3) that this increased access to education is devaluing degrees. In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments (4) for and against the increased emphasis on degrees in our society. People have several arguments _____________(5) the need for degrees. They say that having so many graduates devalues a degree. People lose respect for the degree holder. It is also (6) claimed that education has become a rat race. Graduates have to compete for jobs even after years of studying. A last _____________(7) is that studying for such a long time leads to learners becoming inflexible. They know a lot about one narrow subject, but are unable to apply their skills. However, I feel strongly (8) that this move towards having more qualifications is a positive development. Accessibility is one _____________(9) point. In the past education was only for the rich and powerful, but now it is available to everyone, and this will have many advantages for the country and the individual. Second (10) of all, people with degrees have many more opportunities. They can take a wider variety of jobs and do what they enjoy doing instead of being forced to take a job they dislike. Finally, a highly _____________ (11) workforce is good for the economy of the country. It attracts foreign investment. In conclusion, although there are undoubtedly some problems with increased levels of education, I would assert (12) that the country can only progress if all its people are well educated.
266 words

Adapted from www.writefix.com

Model Argument Essay:

Education: Still Invaluable!

Partner B

Instructions: Work with Partner A to fill in the blanks below: tell him/her about the even-numbered words (2, 4, etc.) in bold print, but do NOT say the words themselves (your partner does not have these words) listen to him/her tell you about the missing words (gaps) on your paper Not so long ago, higher education was unusual. Nowadays, however (1), it is comparatively easy to _____________(2) a certificate, Ph.D., or anything in between. Some people think (3) that this increased access to education is devaluing degrees. In this essay, I will look at some of the _____________(4) for and against the increased emphasis on degrees in our society. People have several arguments against (5) the need for degrees. They say that having so many graduates devalues a degree. People lose respect for the degree holder. It is _____________(6) claimed that education has become a rat race. Graduates have to compete for jobs even after years of studying. A last point (7) is that studying for such a long time leads to learners becoming inflexible. They know a lot about one narrow subject, but are unable to apply their skills. However, I feel _____________(8) that this move towards having more qualifications is a positive development. Accessibility is one major (9) point. In the past education was only for the rich and powerful, but now it is available to everyone, and this will have many advantages for the country and the individual. _____________ (10) of all, people with degrees have many more opportunities. They can take a wider variety of jobs and do what they enjoy doing instead of being forced to take a job they dislike. Finally, a highly qualified (11) workforce is good for the economy of the country. It attracts foreign investment. In conclusion, although there are undoubtedly some problems with increased levels of education, I would ___________ (12) that the country can only progress if all its people are well educated.
266 words Adapted from www.writefix.com

Model Argument Essay:

Education: Still Invaluable!

KEY

Not so long ago, higher education was unusual. Nowadays, however, it is comparatively easy to acquire a certificate, Ph.D., or anything in between. Some people think that this increased access to education is devaluing degrees. In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments for and against the increased emphasis on degrees in our society. People have several arguments against the need for degrees. They say that having so many graduates devalues a degree. People lose respect for the degree holder. It is also claimed that education has become a rat race. Graduates have to compete for jobs even after years of studying. A last point is that studying for such a long time leads to learners becoming inflexible. They know a lot about one narrow subject, but are unable to apply their skills. However, I feel strongly that this move towards having more qualifications is a positive development. Accessibility is one major point. In the past education was only for the rich and powerful, but now it is available to everyone, and this will have many advantages for the country and the individual. Second of all, people with degrees have many more opportunities. They can take a wider variety of jobs and do what they enjoy doing instead of being forced to take a job they dislike. Finally, a highly qualified workforce is good for the economy of the country. It attracts foreign investment. In conclusion, although there are undoubtedly some problems with increased levels of education, I would assert that the country can only progress if all its people are well educated.
266 words

Adapted from www.writefix.com