WRITING LESSON 5
Topic Focused skills
Education Structuring an Agree / Disagree essay (Part 1)
Avoiding irrelevant examples
I. Vocabulary & Ideas: Education
Exercise 1: Discuss the following questions with your friends.
1. Did you learn Arts (including Music) when you were a student?
2. Did you enjoy Arts lessons back then? Why?
3. Should Arts be compulsory in the formal Vietnamese high school curriculum?
Exercise 2: You are going to read the arguments of three high school students regarding the
status of Arts subjects in Vietnam's high school curriculum. What is the stance of each writer?
SHOULD ARTS BE COMPULSORY IN HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM?
Hoa, 18 years old
Arts should be taught at schools as they enhance students’ identity expression. Making arts
subjects compulsory provides a platform for students to express their individuality. In painting
classes, students will experiment with techniques such as watercolour, acrylic, oil painting and
basic concepts such as colour theories, manipulating them to create products that convey their
intended emotions and ideas. Meanwhile, photography allows students to express their unique
viewpoints and narratives through composition, framing, lighting and perspectives. By engaging
in these artistic activities, students can explore different mediums and techniques for
self-expression, nurturing their self-growth and artistic talents.
Arts subjects also contribute to cognitive development. The process of studying art requires
students to analyse, interpret, and make decisions, leading to improved cognitive abilities.
Analysing and critiquing artworks in art history or critique classes, for example, promotes
critical thinking skills. Students might study the symbolism in a famous painting or discuss the
themes of a sculpture. This analytical process encourages students to think critically about
1
artistic concepts and develop their own opinions, contributing to their intellectual growth. By
making arts subjects compulsory, schools can ensure that all students benefit from this
cognitive development, regardless of their career aspirations.
Nam, 18 years old
I firmly believe that arts are an indispensable part of the formal curriculum, as they promote
cultural enrichment. Through painting, drawing, and other art forms, students are exposed to
different artistic styles, techniques, and cultural traditions. For example, they might study the
symbolism of animals in Aboriginal art from Australia and create their own drawings
incorporating these motifs. This process allows students to engage with cultural symbolism in a
meaningful way, deepening their understanding of different cultural perspectives. Making arts
subjects compulsory guarantees that every student will benefit from a culturally enriched
learning environment, fostering a more comprehensive education.
Minh, 17 years old
I subscribe to the idea that forcing all high school students to study these subjects serves no
useful purpose. Activities like painting or singing usually require innate talents and
inspirations. Students without those attributes may find it extremely difficult and stressful to
join art activities, which is against the original purpose of teaching art in schools.
Furthermore, high school students often have clearer career orientations. One that aspires to
become an IT worker is likely to prioritise mathematical and informatic knowledge and skills
over artistic ones. They may need to focus more on their major-related subjects, and
incorporating art lessons into their curriculum may hinder their plans.
Exercise 3: What does each of the highlighted words / phrases below mean? Choose the
correct answer, A or B.
1. Arts should be taught at schools as they enhance students’ imagination, creativity and
cognitive abilities.
A. related to brain
B. related to physical health
2. Making arts subjects compulsory provides a platform for students to express their individuality.
A. unique personal characteristics
B. jealousy
2
3. By engaging in painting, sculpting, and other artistic activities, students can explore different
mediums and techniques for self-expression, nurturing their self-growth and artistic talents.
A. ways to hide one’s emotions and thoughts / preventing
B. ways to show one’s emotions and thoughts / fostering
4. I firmly believe that arts are an indispensable part of the formal curriculum, as they promote
cultural enrichment.
A. the improvement of one’s cultural knowledge
B. the decline of one’s cultural knowledge
5. Making arts subjects compulsory means that every student will benefit from a culturally
enriched learning environment, fostering a more comprehensive education.
A. well-rounded, covering all aspects
B. incomplete, lacking
6. I subscribe to the idea that forcing all high school students to study these subjects serves no
useful purpose.
A. disagree with / has a purpose
B. agree with / is useless
7. Activities like painting or singing usually require innate talents and inspirations.
A. having something as a process of training
B. being something you are born with
8. In other words, students without those attributes may find it extremely difficult and stressful to
join art activities.
A. qualities
B. blame
9. High school students often have clearer career orientations than primary or secondary
students, meaning that they may need to focus more on their major-related subjects.
A. dream jobs
B. plans for future jobs
Exercise 4: Read the three arguments again. What are the points, supporting ideas and
examples that each person uses to support their stance? Work in groups of 2-3 and complete
the table below.
Hoa’s stance Nam’s stance Minh’s stance
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
P1: _______________________ P1: _______________________ P1: _______________________
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
3
S1: various arts S1: _______________________ S1: _______________________
activities → different ___________________________ ___________________________
mediums, techniques for ___________________________ ___________________________
self-expression, ___________________________ ___________________________
nurturing talent and E1: _______________________ E1: _______________________
artistic talent ___________________________ ___________________________
E1: _______________________
___________________________ P2: _______________________
___________________________
P2: Arts enhance cognitive S2: _______________________
development. ___________________________
S2: _______________________ ___________________________
__________________________ ___________________________
__________________________ E2: _______________________
__________________________ ___________________________
E2: _______________________
__________________________
II. Essay question: Agree / Disagree essays
Agree / Disagree is among the most common types of essay questions in the IELTS Writing Task
2. This lesson will focus on the first type of Agree / Disagree essays: “Do you agree or
disagree?”. Following is an example of this type of question.
Some people say that arts subjects such as painting or drawing should not be made
compulsory/mandatory/ obligatory for high school students. Do you agree or disagree?
Exam Tip: Do you agree or disagree?
For this type of question, your response is either completely agree or completely disagree,
because the question only gives you TWO choices.
Eg. If arts subjects are not compulsory, they must be optional.
There is no middle ground as partly agree / disagree.
Exercise 5: Divide the class into two groups. One group is on the agreement side, while the
other is in disagreement. Follow the idea guide and complete the outline of ideas for the
question above. You can make use of the ideas in Exercise 4.
4
Idea guide
For the agreement side
1. Compulsory subject is an abstract term. What makes a subject compulsory? List out some
specific aspects of a compulsory subject (e.g. knowledge, skill, attitude, etc.).
2. What aspects of arts subjects fit your perception of a compulsory subject?
For the disagreement side
1. When should a subject be optional? List out specific aspects of an optional subject. (e.g.
knowledge, skill, attitude, etc.)
2. What aspects of arts subjects fit your perception of an optional subject?
3. What aspects of high school students might make it difficult to enforce arts courses as
compulsory in the curriculum?
Agreement: Arts should not be compulsory. Disagreement: Arts should be compulsory.
P1: ______________________________________ P1: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
S1: ______________________________________ S1: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
E1: ______________________________________ E1: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
P2: ______________________________________ P2: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
S2: ______________________________________ S2: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
E2: ______________________________________ E2: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
P3: ______________________________________ P3: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
S3: ______________________________________ S3: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
E3: ______________________________________ E3: ______________________________________
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
5
Template for the Do you agree or disagree? essays
1. Introduction
● Paraphrase the topic statement: The question of whether … has become a matter of
debate / concern.
● Use the following thesis statement: From my perspective, I completely agree / disagree /
believe that … (your stance) because + main idea 1 and main idea 2 (idea summary).
Eg. From my perspective, I believe that arts should be made compulsory (your stance)
because this subject encourages students’ self-expression (main idea 1) and cognitive
abilities (main idea 2).
2. Body paragraphs (2-paragraph body)
a. Paragraph 1: Idea 1
● Topic sentence: The first reason why … is that
● Supporting ideas
● Examples
b. Paragraph 2: Idea 2
● Topic sentence: Another argument behind my stance is that …
● Supporting ideas
● Examples
3. Conclusion
● Restate your stance.
● Summarise the main ideas.
Eg. In conclusion, I firmly believe that arts should be a mandatory part of the curriculum
(restate your stance). The inclusion of arts courses will allow students to better express their
identities and bolster their cognitive development (summarise main ideas).
III. Improving your TR score: Giving relevant examples
Examples are a crucial component in making an argument more comprehensible and persuasive
to the readers. In an argument, examples help specify abstract / general terms, which are
everything apart from specific names, and support the presented stance.
In IELTS Writing Task 2, though examples are optional, being able to give a relevant one that
lends strength to your argument will further boost your TR score. On the contrary, your TR score
will be hurt if you give irrelevant examples, which is in fact a common error among IELTS learners.
6
Exercise 6: Read the points and their examples below. What general / abstract term does each
example specify? By which example is the general / abstract term specified? Complete the
table below.
Example: Arts subjects also contribute to cognitive development. The process of creating art
requires students to analyse, interpret, and make decisions, leading to improved cognitive
abilities.
General / Abstract term Example
cognitive development analyse, interpret, and make decisions
1. By engaging in artistic activities, students can explore different mediums and techniques for
self-expression. In painting classes, students will experiment with techniques such as
watercolour, acrylic, oil painting and basic concepts such as colour theories, manipulating them to
create products that convey their intended emotions and ideas.
General / Abstract term Example
artistic activities
experiment with techniques such as watercolour,
acrylic, oil painting and basic concepts such as
colour theories
self-expression
2. Through painting, drawing, and other art forms, students are exposed to different artistic
styles, techniques, and cultural traditions, enriching their cultural knowledge. For example, they
might study the symbolism of animals in Aboriginal art from Australia and create their own
drawings incorporating these motifs. This process allows students to engage with cultural
symbolism in a meaningful way, deepening their understanding of different cultural perspectives.
General / Abstract term Example
art forms
exposed to different artistic styles, techniques and
cultural traditions
engage with cultural symbolism in a meaningful
way, deepening understanding of different cultural
perspectives
7
Exam Tip: How to Give relevant examples
STEP 1: Identify all the general / abstract terms in your points / explanations.
STEP 2: Find specific examples to specify all of these terms.
NOTES: An irrelevant example presents information not related to these terms. An example
that does not elaborate on all the terms also needs improvement through deeper analysis.
Exercise 6: In each argument, underline the general / abstract terms that you think need
examples.
1. High school students often have clearer career orientations.
2. Arts lessons offer students a space to unwind themselves after hardcore subjects.
3. Forcing students with low interest and ability in arts to study them contradicts the core purpose
of education, which is allowing students to develop in their own ways.
Exercise 7: What’s wrong with the examples below? Write in the right column IRRELEVANT if
the example presents information unrelated to the general / abstract terms of each argument,
or INSUFFICIENT if it does not cover every term. Suggest ways to improve each example.
Argument & Example What’s wrong?
High school students often have clearer career orientations. For example,
many of them suffer from mental issues such as stress, anxiety, or in the
worst case, depression.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Arts lessons offer students a space to unwind themselves after hardcore
subjects. During painting classes, for example, they have the opportunity to
experiment with various techniques such as watercolour and acrylic, which
can be a relaxing and rewarding experience for those involved.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
8
Forcing students with low interest and ability in arts to study them
contradicts the core purpose of education, which is allowing students to
develop in their own ways. For instance, some may take a keener interest in
science subjects such as Maths and Physics, and they deem learning arts at
school a waste of time.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
IV. Practice
Exercise 8: Work in the same group as in Exercise 5. Write the introduction and one body
paragraph for the essay question of this question, using the outline your group prepared.
Make sure your examples are relevant to your points. You can make use of the template in
Section II.
Some people say that arts subjects such as painting or drawing should not be made compulsory
for high school students. Do you agree or disagree?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Checklist
● The body paragraph has a central topic sentence.
● All ideas in the paragraph are supported by true premises and validity.
● The given examples specify all the general / abstract terms in the point / explanation.
● The paragraph uses cohesive devices appropriately and flexibly.
● The paragraph uses at least 3 vocabulary items learned in the lesson.
● The paragraph uses at least 3 complex structures.
10
V. Homework
Exercise 1: Revise the following vocabulary items.
1. cognitive abilities / development (n) 6. comprehensive education (n)
2. individuality (n) 7. subscribe to an idea (v)
3. self-expression (n) 8. serve no useful purpose (v)
4. nurture one’s talent / self-growth (v) 9. innate talent (n)
5. cultural enrichment (n) 10. attribute (n)
11. career orientation (n)
Exercise 2: What’s wrong with the examples below? Write irrelevant or insufficient (when it
does not cover all the abstract / general terms in the point / explanation) in the right column.
Suggest ways to improve each example.
Argument & Example What’s wrong?
Making arts compulsory provides a platform for students to express their
individuality. In painting and music lessons, they have the opportunity to explore
cultural aspects and values that underlie each piece of artwork such as the sense of
community in Asian countries and individualism in Europe.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
Through painting, drawing, and other art forms, students are exposed to different
artistic styles, techniques, and cultural traditions, enriching their cultural knowledge.
They may be introduced to Đông Hồ paintings, for example.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
Not all students have an inclination or interest in arts, and forcing them to engage in
compulsory art classes may lead to disengagement and frustration. For example,
there are those who excel in science or mathematics, but not music and arts.
Refinement: _________________________________________________________
Exercise 3: Write an essay of at least 250 words for the following essays. Remember to give
relevant examples.
NOTE: Use at least 3 vocabulary items from the lesson / sample. Highlight them.
Topic 1: Some people say that arts subjects such as painting or drawing should not be made
compulsory for high school students. Do you agree or disagree?
Topic 2: Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free
time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager
and society as a whole. Do you agree or disagree? (Either required or optional unpaid work)
11
CHECKLIST FOR PEER FEEDBACK
No. Criteria Sub-criteria Yes / No & Evidence
1 Task Response He/She mentions a clear stance &
main ideas in the introduction.
His/Her arguments are developed
on true premises and validity.
His/Her examples specify general
/ abstract terms in the point.
His/Her conclusion summarises
the main ideas in the body.
2 Coherence & Each paragraph has only one
Cohesion topic sentence.
He/She uses cohesive devices
appropriately.
He/She uses cohesive devices
flexibly and not mechanically.
Example of mechanical cohesion:
(Connector), S + V.
He/She uses referencing correctly.
(e.g. he, she, this, which, etc.)
3 Lexical He/She uses at least 3 vocabulary
Resource items learned in the
lesson/sample.
He/She does not repeat any word
more than 2 times.
He/She does not misuse any
words/phrases.
4 Grammatical He/She uses at least 4 different
Range & types of complex sentences.
Accuracy
He/She does not make any
grammar mistakes.
12
Topic 2: Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free
time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager
and society as a whole. Do you agree or disagree?
Many young people work on a voluntary basis, and this can only be
beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I believe
teenagers
that we should not force all juveniles to do unpaid work given the amount
of stress they have already experienced at school and the forcible nature of done against
compulsory volunteering. one’s wishes
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies.
School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their really hard
students to do homework and exam revision in addition to attending
lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, they should
be encouraged to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and
other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them after
their graduation.
On the other hand, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from
obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that force
coercing a group of people to do something against their will contradicts the
values of a free and fair society. Doing this can only result in
discontentment among the youth, who would feel that they were being dissatisfaction
exploited, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their
children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the
optimal system. best
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in
my opinion, we should not make this compulsory.
13
