Top 6 Best Essays on 'Practice of Argumentative Reasoning' for Grade 7

Essay Topic: Prove that the Vietnamese people have always lived by the moral principles of 'Eating fruit, remembering the one who planted the tree' and 'Drinking water, remembering the source.'

I. Preparation at Home

1. Steps to prepare for the essay:

* Understand the topic

- The topic presents a concept expressed in proverbs and asks you to prove it.

- These proverbs remind us, the future generations, to always remember the contributions of the past generations.

- The point of the essay is not to prove the correctness of the two proverbs, but to demonstrate that, throughout history, the Vietnamese people have always lived according to the principles encapsulated in these sayings.

* Outline

a. Introduction:

+ The Vietnamese people have a strong moral tradition rooted in the idea of benevolence.

+ For thousands of years, we have reminded each other to live by the principles: 'Eating fruit, remembering the one who planted the tree' and 'Drinking water, remembering the source.'

b. Body:

- Explanation: What do 'Eating fruit, remembering the one who planted the tree' and 'Drinking water, remembering the source' mean? It suggests that those who enjoy the fruits of labor must remember the one who created them. The younger generation should always acknowledge the debt to the older generation.

- Proof: The Vietnamese people follow these principles in daily actions and words:

+ In the past:

Festivals: National Founding Day, Agricultural God Worshipping, Tich Dien Ceremony, the practice of honoring teachers, and more, demonstrate respect and gratitude towards those who have given to us.

+ Today:

The 10th of March is celebrated as a national day of remembrance.

Various museums and memorials commemorate the heroic history of the Vietnamese people.

War heroes are remembered on the 27th of July.

Various events like Teacher's Day (20th November) and other significant dates remind us of our heritage.

c. Conclusion:

- Gratitude is a precious and sacred emotion, serving as a measure of our morality and character.

- It contributes to the rich spiritual traditions of Vietnam.

2. Suggestions

a) The topic asks you to prove that we must be grateful to the generations before us, as we inherit their achievements.

- Both proverbs use metaphors like “fruit” and “tree,” “water” and “source,” which are causally related.

- The reasoning here involves:

+ First, briefly explaining both proverbs to understand the argument.

+ Then, providing supporting points and substantiating them with evidence and reasoning.

+ Concluding with a lesson, evaluating the importance of gratitude towards our ancestors.

b) The principles expressed in 'Eating fruit, remembering the one who planted the tree' and 'Drinking water, remembering the source' reflect the deep gratitude and loyalty of the Vietnamese people.

We must acknowledge and show respect for the origins of the material and spiritual values we enjoy today.

c) Examples of expressions of gratitude:

- Festivals that honor ancestors:

+ National Founding Day, honoring the late hero, and other historical observances.

- Family ceremonies that honor the deceased and commemorate their contributions.

- National remembrance days for fallen soldiers, teachers, and prominent figures that highlight our gratitude for their sacrifices.

d) These principles prompt deep reflections on gratitude as an essential moral value.

- It reminds us to appreciate our actions and strive to embody these values in daily life.

- We are also called to participate in movements to honor those who have served our country.

II. Classroom Activities

1. Students participate in writing the essay according to the teacher’s guidelines.

2. Revise and improve the draft based on feedback from the teacher and peers.

I. Preparation at Home

1. Understanding the Topic

The topic deals with a traditional moral principle passed down by our ancestors, which highlights the values of loyalty and gratitude.

Main Argument Method: Proving

2. Outline

Introduction:

Since ancient times, the Vietnamese people have taken pride in their tradition of loyalty and gratitude. Our ancestors aimed to pass this way of life to future generations through proverbs such as 'Eat fruit, remember the one who planted the tree' and 'Drink water, remember the source.'

Body:

Prove the validity of these proverbs, providing examples of how this way of life has endured through the ages.

Conclusion:

This tradition reflects deep gratitude and the moral principle of loyalty. Therefore, we, as the future generation, should uphold these values and strive to become virtuous individuals.

3. Suggestions:

a. The topic asks us to prove a moral principle, the way of life based on loyalty and gratitude, expressed through two proverbs: 'Drink water, remember the source,' and 'Eat fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.'

'Eat fruit, remember the one who planted the tree': When enjoying the rewards or good things in life, we should always be grateful to those who made it possible.
'Drink water, remember the source': When benefiting from something, we must remember where it originated from.
Both proverbs emphasize a lifestyle based on gratitude and loyalty.

The argument method here requires us to fully understand these proverbs, explain their meaning, and prove their validity through specific, concrete examples.

b. Clearly explain the meaning of the two proverbs:

• 'Eat fruit, remember the one who planted the tree': If we want to enjoy sweet fruits, we must plant trees, care for them, and nurture them daily so they grow strong and bear fruit. The person who planted the tree has worked hard, sweating and toiling, for the tree to bear fruit that we can enjoy. Through this proverb, our ancestors remind us to live with gratitude and loyalty, to never forget the hardships endured while we enjoy the rewards of life.

• 'Drink water, remember the source': This proverb is widely known in Vietnamese culture. When we drink water from a stream or river to quench our thirst, we should remember that these sources did not appear by chance. They have a root, a beginning. Our ancestors used this saying to teach us to live with gratitude and loyalty.

c. Manifestations of this moral principle, some key examples:

As we live in a modern, advanced, and peaceful society, we must cherish and appreciate the efforts of the past generations who dedicated their talents and energy to build a better future for us.

Let us remember the soldiers who heroically sacrificed themselves on the battlefield to protect our country. Today, memorials and war cemeteries are erected to honor these heroes.

Children who are raised in a loving and caring environment should remember the sacrifices made by their parents to ensure their well-being.

d. My thoughts on this principle:

Through these two proverbs passed down by our ancestors, we understand the profound value and meaning of living with gratitude and a positive attitude. We should live loyally, with love and gratitude, striving to honor the contributions of those who came before us.

II. Classroom Practice on Argumentative Reasoning:

Students to complete the task themselves.

Exercise 1, 2, 3, 4 on page 41 of the Vietnamese Language 7 Workbook, Part 2. During a classroom exercise, when asked to provide examples that demonstrate the Vietnamese people's long-standing belief in the saying, "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree," and "When you drink water, remember the source," one student shared the following:

Task

1. During the classroom session, when tasked with finding examples that prove the Vietnamese people have always lived by the principles of "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree" and "When you drink water, remember the source," one student presented the following:

a) Folk songs such as "The father's work is as grand as Mount Tai…" and songs like The Legend of Mother.

b) The famous quote by M. Gorky: "Without the sun, flowers will not bloom, without love, there can be no happiness, without women, there is no love, and without a mother, neither the poet nor the hero can exist!".

Please identify: Which of the examples presented fulfill the requirements of the exercise?

2. Two students debated how to prove an old saying: "If you don't study when you're young, can you accomplish anything worthwhile when you're older?" The first student proposed the following steps for the body of the argument:

Step 1: Prove that if you don't study while you're young...

Step 2: Prove that you won't be able to achieve anything worthwhile when you're older.

Conclusion: Therefore, one should not neglect their studies when they are young.

Do you think it is possible to follow this method? Why or why not?

3. The second student proposed a different structure for proving the statement:

Step 1: Prove that, since ancient times and even more so today, in order to succeed at anything, one must have knowledge, meaning they must study.

Step 2: Prove that accumulating knowledge is a long-term process, so it must start from a young age, not when one is older.

Step 3: Prove that those who study hard while young grow up to do great things, whereas those who neglect their studies while young will accomplish nothing when they grow older.

Conclusion: Therefore, one should not neglect their studies while still in school.

Do you think this approach is valid? Why or why not?

4. Hung is very diligent in reading and sharing excellent proof-based writing from other students, embodying the spirit of "Learning from your teacher is good, but learning from your peers is even better." During a study group, Hung shared an excerpt he had found, which goes as follows:

"But why is the father's love like Mount Tai and the mother's love like the clear source of water? Because parents are the ones who gave birth to us, raised us, and endured countless hardships. The mother comes to us with love like a spring, gentle and sweet, through lullabies, through the breeze from her hand fanning us on summer nights, and the warmth of maternal affection keeping us cozy during the cold winter nights. The father comes to us with strength and stability like Mount Tai, holding us in his firm embrace. He teaches us right from wrong, guides us, and helps us get back up after every fall."

One of the students praised this passage for its beauty, but argued that it isn't written in the style of proof-based writing. Do you agree with this opinion? Why or why not?

Suggested Answers

Question 1: To meet the requirements of the exercise, examples must fulfill the following conditions:

a) The content must align with the theme of the exercise: the Vietnamese people always remember and honor those who have gone before them (ancestors, parents, teachers, those who have worked and fought for the homeland...), who have laid the foundation, nurtured, and preserved the achievements for the current generation to benefit from.

b) The examples must be self-evident truths, taken from real life or from literature, both past and present.

c) The examples must be of Vietnamese origin, reflecting the Vietnamese way of life, not from any other culture.

By following these conditions, you can easily determine which examples meet the exercise requirements and which do not.

Question 2: One should not overcomplicate the idea that the points in a persuasive essay must correspond to the parts of the question. The points and their division in a proof-based essay are only meaningful if:

- Each point is capable of being proven.

- The proof must make the point convincing.

- The division and arrangement of points must aid in clarifying what needs to be proven (as stipulated by the question).

The first student divided and arranged the points according to the structure of the question. However, they failed to recognize that a phrase like "If you don't study when you're young" is not a point to be proven but a hypothetical situation. As a result, it cannot be proven, and proving it would have no meaningful impact. Therefore, we cannot use this approach.

Question 3: On the other hand, the second student's approach is both valid and preferable, as it meets the aforementioned requirements.

Question 4: The excerpt Hung shared is written to clarify why the father's love is like Mount Tai and the mother's love is like the clear source of water. However, a proof-based passage is intended to demonstrate that a particular statement is trustworthy and true.

Given the topic: Prove that the Vietnamese people have always followed the moral principles "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree," and "When you drink water, remember the source."

1. Understanding the topic

- The topic presents a philosophy expressed through proverbs and asks to prove its validity.

- The proverb serves as a reminder that the younger generation must always acknowledge the contributions of the previous generation.

- The central point of the essay is not about the truth of the two proverbs "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree," and "When you drink water, remember the source," but rather to demonstrate how the Vietnamese people have lived by the values encapsulated in these sayings over the centuries.

2. Structuring the essay

a. Introduction:

+ The Vietnamese people have a noble ethical tradition, built upon the foundation of humane thought.

+ For thousands of years, the Vietnamese have reminded each other to live by the principle: "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree," and "When you drink water, remember the source."

b. Body:

Explanation: What does "When you eat fruit, remember who planted the tree" and "When you drink water, remember the source" mean? It signifies that those who benefit from something must remember those who created or contributed to that benefit. The younger generation must always honor the contributions of their predecessors.

Proof: The Vietnamese people have adhered to these principles through actions, words, and traditions:

* In the past:

+ Festivals: National Ancestor's Day, Agricultural God Worship, and New Year's Tomb Sweeping, among others, where people express gratitude to ancestors, teachers, parents, and elders.

+ Every household has an ancestral altar to honor ancestors, parents, and elders, and to show respect through filial piety.

+ Across the country, temples and shrines are dedicated to past heroes and ancestors who contributed to the creation and defense of the nation.

* Today:

+ On March 10th, the nation still celebrates Ancestor's Day.

+ Museums remind everyone of the nation's heroic history.

+ On July 27th, people visit martyrs' cemeteries to pay respects.

+ Various campaigns encourage showing gratitude for the sacrifices of others.

+ National holidays such as July 27th, November 20th, March 8th, and May 1st, as well as trade festivals, all carry significant meaning.

+ Subsequent generations continue to preserve and promote the contributions of previous generations.

+ It's reprehensible for those who forget their debts or betray the kindness of others.

c. Conclusion:

+ Gratitude is a noble and sacred feeling, a measure of moral character.

+ It helps create the spiritual beauty of Vietnamese tradition.

Question 1

I. GENERAL UNDERSTANDING

The topic is: Prove that the Vietnamese people have always lived by the moral principles 'Gratitude towards those who have provided' and 'Remember those who have given'.

a) Understand the topic and brainstorm ideas.

b) Create an outline.

c) Write some paragraphs: Introduction, paragraph proving by logical reasoning, paragraph proving by real-life examples, Conclusion.

2. Classroom Practice

a) Present the outline prepared earlier in groups according to the teacher's guidance.

b) Pay attention to peer opinions, and engage in discussions on reasoning and examples.

c) Take note of teachers' feedback to refine the outline, listen to excellent paragraphs for comparison and improvement of your writing.

Question 2

II. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

1. What steps should be followed to create an outline for this argumentative essay?

Suggestion:

- What do the two proverbs “Gratitude towards those who have provided” and “Remember those who have given” express?

- Pay attention to key terms in the topic to identify the correct thesis: Prove that the Vietnamese people have always lived by the moral principles expressed in these two proverbs.

The thesis of the essay is not about the correctness of the proverbs, but rather the fact that the Vietnamese people have adhered to these principles for a long time. Understanding the meaning of these proverbs will help identify the moral values that the Vietnamese have always held dear, which will guide the reasoning, examples, and argumentation throughout the essay.

- Reasoning: Explain the meaning of these proverbs and affirm that the Vietnamese people have consistently demonstrated this moral code.

- Look for concrete evidence in real life to prove that the Vietnamese people have always lived by the values stated in these proverbs. This is the main focus of the essay. You can refer to books, ask older people for persuasive examples. Some potential examples include:

+ The purpose of the festivals at temples or pagodas? Mention some festivals you know (e.g., Hung Kings Commemoration Day);

+ Do Vietnamese families regularly honor their ancestors? What is the significance of ancestral worship days in each family?

+ The meaning of national holidays: War Invalids and Martyrs Day, Vietnamese Teachers' Day, Vietnamese Women's Day, Vietnamese Doctors' Day…;

+ The government awarding the title of 'Vietnamese Heroic Mother', special benefits for children of war heroes, etc.

- Have these activities become a cultural norm, a beautiful tradition in the daily life of the Vietnamese people?

- What are your thoughts on the moral principles “Gratitude towards those who have provided” and “Remember those who have given”? What actions have you taken in line with these values, and how will you live in the future to uphold them?

2. Identify ideas for each section (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) and create a coherent structure. Ensure the connection between sections and paragraphs in the body is well-established.

Consider organizing the argument chronologically or from general to specific, moving from broad examples to narrower, more focused ones.

The topic is: Prove that the Vietnamese people have always followed the moral principles 'Gratitude towards those who have provided' and 'Remember those who have given'.

To prepare for the essay on this topic, follow these steps: understand the topic and brainstorm ideas, create an outline, write some paragraphs, particularly the Introduction and Conclusion (write in your workbook).

Solution:

1. Understand the topic and brainstorm ideas

- The topic presents a thought expressed through proverbs and asks for proof of it.

- The proverbs remind us – the later generations – to always remember the contributions of our ancestors.

- The thesis of the essay is not about the correctness of the proverbs themselves, but rather that the Vietnamese people have consistently lived by the righteous moral code encapsulated in these proverbs throughout history.

2. Create an outline

a. Introduction:

+ The Vietnamese people have a long-standing moral tradition based on the principle of humanity and righteousness.

+ For thousands of years, our ancestors have reminded us to live by the moral principles expressed in the proverbs: 'Gratitude towards those who have provided' and 'Remember those who have given'.

b. Body:

Explanation: What do the proverbs 'Gratitude towards those who have provided' and 'Remember those who have given' mean? Those who benefit must acknowledge the efforts of those who made those benefits possible. Future generations must remember the contributions of the past.

Proof: The Vietnamese people have embodied these moral principles through their actions and words in daily life:

* In the past:

+ Festivals: National Ancestor Day, offerings to agricultural gods, plowing festivals, ancestor worship during New Year, teacher and healer worship. After the harvest, the New Year ceremony involves offerings to gods and presenting gifts to those who have helped (such as parents, teachers, and healers).

+ Every family has an altar to honor ancestors and practice filial piety toward elders.

+ Across the country, temples and shrines are dedicated to the ancestors, heroes, and those who helped found and protect the nation.

* Today:

+ On March 10th, various places still celebrate the Ancestor Worship Day.

+ Museums serve as reminders of the nation’s glorious history.

+ On July 27th, we visit the war martyrs' cemeteries.

+ Various movements of gratitude continue.

+ What significance do holidays like July 27th, November 20th, March 8th, May 1st, and trade anniversaries hold?

+ Later generations must preserve, nurture, and promote these traditions.

+ It is shameful for those who forget the past.

c. Conclusion:

+ Gratitude is a noble, sacred emotion and a measure of one's morality and character.

+ It enhances the beautiful spiritual traditions of Vietnam.

3. Write the essay

* Introduction: Vietnam, with over 4000 years of history, has preserved and lived by countless moral principles. Among them, the value of gratitude is a timeless lesson expressed in proverbs like 'Gratitude towards those who have provided' and 'Remember those who have given'.

* Conclusion: The moral principle of gratitude has become a beautiful way of life, deeply rooted in the Vietnamese national identity. Each of us, as Vietnamese citizens, should take pride in and continue to promote this tradition.