Top 6 Best Essays on 'Understanding Narrative and Descriptive Elements in Argumentative Writing' for 8th Grade

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER
1. In argumentative writing, it is not only the emotional elements that are necessary, but also narrative and descriptive elements.
The narrative element refers to the use of events presented in a sequence, one event following another to eventually lead to a conclusion, which conveys a message. Meanwhile, the descriptive element helps readers or listeners visualize the prominent features or characteristics of an object, person, event, or scene, making them appear vividly as they truly are.
Along with the emotional element, narrative and descriptive elements help make argumentative texts more concrete, easier to understand, and less dry, thus enhancing their persuasive power.
2. Similar to the emotional element, narrative and descriptive elements in argumentative writing play a secondary role. Therefore, their use must be appropriate, ensuring that they strengthen the argument without disrupting the logical flow of the text.

A- KEY FOCUS

I- NARRATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE ELEMENTS IN ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

Question 1: Read the following excerpt and answer the question:

a) Later, the act of hunting for the "material that speaks," which at that time... the two paths were "voluntary soldiers" or "paying money"

(Nguyễn Ái Quốc, Blood Tax)

b) Yet, in an official proclamation to those drafted... "without hesitation"

(Nguyễn Ái Quốc, Blood Tax)

Question:

Why does excerpt a) contain a narrative element but is not considered a narrative text, while excerpt b) contains a descriptive element but is not a descriptive text?
Assume that if excerpt a) lacked specific details about the forced conscription, could we foresee the extent of the blatant and cunning nature of the "voluntary" recruitment? Similarly, without the vivid descriptions of the Vietnamese soldiers chained and imprisoned in a school, with French soldiers guarding and bayonets loaded, could we understand the falsehood and deceit in the rhetoric of "enthusiastic volunteers"?
From this analysis, what do you conclude about the role of narrative and descriptive elements in argumentative writing?
Answer:

Both excerpts (a) and (b) include narrative and descriptive elements, but both are still argumentative texts. Their purpose is to highlight right and wrong and encourage a proper response. In both cases, narrative and descriptive elements serve to make the argument more persuasive.
If excerpt a) lacked details about conscription, the reader wouldn't fully grasp the aggressive and deceptive nature of the recruitment process.
Likewise, if excerpt b) omitted descriptions of the soldiers' dire condition, readers wouldn't feel the depth of their suffering, and the text would lose its vividness.
=> Narrative and descriptive elements make argumentative writing more lively, specific, and persuasive.

Question 2: Read the text below and answer the questions:

The various ethnic groups in our country have created countless stories... the epic of the ancient Vietnamese people.

(According to Cao Huy Đỉnh, The Heroic Legend of Lang Gióng)

Question:

a) Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the text above and explain their impact.

b) Why did the author not recount in full detail the entire stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han, but instead focus on specific elements?

Answer:

a)

The narrative element tells the story of Chàng Trăng (whose mother dreams of a white rabbit hopping across her chest, giving birth to him, and then he kills a tyrant before disappearing into the moon) of the Mơ-Nông people and the story of Nàng Han (who fought against foreign invaders before ascending to the sky) of the Thái people.
The descriptive elements include: "all day, he neither speaks nor smiles, only enjoys carrying his sword... disappearing into the moon to shine over the Pông-gô-nhi waterfall at night," and "nearby, there are ponds and horse tracks left by Nàng Han's army".
b) The author did not recount the complete details of the two stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han, but instead focused on specific images and details because they directly support the point: that these stories share similarities with the Legend of Thánh Gióng. By emphasizing these details, the author highlights the argument more effectively.

Question 3. Based on the above information, what should we pay attention to when incorporating narrative and descriptive elements into an argumentative text?

Answer:

We should be careful to:

Avoid using narrative and descriptive elements excessively, as they are not the main focus of argumentative writing.
Only use them to clarify the argument and make it stand out more clearly.

B. EXERCISES AND GUIDELINES

Exercise 1: page 116, Literature 8, Vol. 2

Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the following argumentative passage and explain their impact:

The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. The sky in the North is certainly clear... immersed in silence.

(Lê Trí Viễn, Some Lessons on Poetry and Literature by President Ho Chi Minh)

Answer:

The narrative element: approaching Mid-Autumn Festival, the first night of the full moon after being imprisoned, the mood of the prisoner after more than ten days of unjust detention... The emotional state of the prisoner, though frustrated, chooses to ignore it, allowing the peaceful night and the moon to take over.
The descriptive element: suddenly, tonight, the moon is exceptionally bright, transparent, vast, and magical, comforting. Just outside the window, the moon is framed by tree branches.
The narrative element helps the reader understand the background and emotional state of the poet. The descriptive element helps the reader visualize the beautiful moonlit night.

Exercise 2: page 116, Literature 8, Vol. 2

If you were to write an essay on "Your opinion on the beauty of the folk song 'In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus'?" would you need to use narrative and descriptive elements? Why?

Answer:

In writing an argumentative essay on "Your opinion on the beauty of the folk song 'In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus'?" the writer could use descriptive elements to make the essay more interesting and lively. When discussing the beauty of the line "In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus?" using descriptive elements would allow the writer to paint a vivid picture of the lotus flower and the pond. Combining these elements with a narrative element would enable the writer to connect with the reader or share personal memories related to the lotus.

I. Narrative and Descriptive Elements in Argumentative Writing

Question 1. Both texts a and b contain narrative and descriptive elements, yet they are argumentative texts. Both help present the arguments in a clear, specific, and vivid manner, thus making the texts more persuasive.

The narrative element in excerpt a includes specific details recounting the bizarre and cruel practice of forced conscription. The "provincial ruler" orders subordinates to gather a certain number of men within a set period.
It begins with rounding up healthy individuals, followed by the poor, and eventually targeting wealthy families, imprisoning their children to extort money... Without such specific details, one could not fully grasp the extent of the blatant and corrupt nature of the so-called "voluntary" conscription.

In excerpt b, if the descriptive sentences about the "voluntary soldiers" are removed, such as: "some were chained and taken to the provincial capital, others were locked up before boarding the ship (...) with soldiers guarding, bayonets drawn, and guns loaded", it would be impossible to visualize the deceitful and manipulative nature of the propaganda claiming the "eager volunteers" were enlisting willingly.

The role of narrative and descriptive elements in argumentative writing: (Refer to Memory Note 1 on page 116).
a. In the text "The Hero of Lang Gióng" by Cao Huy Đỉnh, we see both narrative and descriptive elements when the author recounts the stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han from the Mơ-Nông and Thái ethnic groups.

Most of the text is narrative, but there are some descriptive phrases, such as:

A1 – The white rabbit

– Chàng riding a giant stone horse

– To shine over the Bông-gơ-nhi waterfall at night with silver beams.

A2 – Following a banner made of five-colored woven cloth.

– Nearby are ponds, with numerous interconnected pools.

b. The author doesn't fully recount the entire stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han. Instead, he emphasizes certain details that parallel the Thánh Gióng myth, such as "riding a giant stone horse" to remind the reader of Thánh Gióng's "iron horse", and the ponds with elephant and horse tracks that resemble the path of Thánh Gióng's steed.

By highlighting similarities to the Thánh Gióng legend, the author underscores the idea that Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han "share many features with the Thánh Gióng story" and thus affirms that the Thánh Gióng legend "is truly an epic and a heroic tale of ancient Vietnam".

Question 2. When incorporating narrative and descriptive elements into argumentative writing, we must pay attention to: (See Memory Note 1 on page 116).

II. Practice

Question 1. The argumentative text here refers to two beautiful lines of poetry by President Hồ Chí Minh about the moon while he was imprisoned. Professor Lê Trí Viễn used narrative sentences like "The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching (...) the unpleasant atmosphere of the prison". However, the text mainly uses descriptive sentences: "Tonight, the moon is extraordinarily bright. It’s clear, vast, magical, and comforting. Right outside the window, it’s framed by tree shadows. Tonight is so beautiful. My heart is filled with so many emotions".

The writer uses both narrative and descriptive elements to immerse the reader in Hồ Chí Minh's state of mind, enabling a deeper understanding of the poet’s lines.

Question 2. In the supplementary reading, we see that Huy Cận used numerous narrative and descriptive elements when sharing his opinion on the folk poem "In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus?"

For example, to explain the effect of changing the rhyme, the author writes: "Changing the rhyme is like a river flowing downstream, and then building a dam (...) forcing the water to reverse its course".

To elaborate, the author states: "It’s thanks to this reversed image that we seem to see someone’s hand turning over each lotus leaf, pointing to each white lotus flower, and counting every golden stamen, explaining it all to us".

Thus, the combination of description and narration creates a vivid comparison that makes the argument more compelling and tangible.

I. Narrative and Descriptive Elements in Argumentative Writing

Question 1: Passages (a) and (b) both include narrative and descriptive elements, yet they are argumentative texts. These elements enhance the clarity, vividness, and persuasiveness of the argument presented in the text.

+ Narrative elements in passage (a) describe the strange and cruel methods used by colonial forces to draft soldiers.

+ Descriptive elements in passage (b) portray the deceitful and exaggerated claims of the colonial government about the "enthusiastic recruitment" of soldiers.

- Observations:

+ Thanks to the descriptive elements, the argument is presented more concretely and persuasively, making it more effective.

Question 2: The descriptive and narrative elements in the passage:

- The narrative element tells the story of Chàng Trăng (a mythical character whose mother dreams of a white rabbit that gives birth to him, later he kills a tyrant and ascends to the moon) from the Mơ-nông ethnic group, and the story of Nàng Han (who fights foreign invaders and later ascends to the sky) from the Thái ethnic group.

- Descriptive elements:

+ A white rabbit jumping over the chest in a dream.

+ Chàng Trăng’s silent and serious demeanor, preferring to play with a shield and sword.

+ The Pông-gơ-ni waterfall with silver rays.

+ The multi-colored flags woven with five colors.

+ The marshy land and tracks left by the elephants and horses of her army.

b. The purpose of the text is to affirm that "the ethnic groups of our country have created countless beautiful heroic tales." Therefore, the use of narrative and descriptive elements should only serve to highlight this central argument.

Question 3: From the above analysis, it is important to note when incorporating narrative and descriptive elements in argumentative writing:

- Avoid overusing narrative and descriptive elements, as they are not the primary goal of argumentative texts.

- Use them strategically to illuminate and emphasize the main argument.

II. Practice

Exercise 1 (Page 116, 8th Grade Literature Textbook):

The narrative and descriptive elements in the passage are:

+ The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

+ The days spent in the grim prison.

+ A beautiful night tonight.

+ A heart filled with many emotions.

Purpose: These elements help the reader better understand the context in which the poem was written and the poet's emotional state on the night of the full moon.

- Descriptive elements:

+ The moon tonight is extraordinarily bright, vast, and mystical, caressing the surroundings.

+ The night is filled with tender emotions, longing for love, connection, and expression.

+ The poet lets the night, serene and inviting, speak for itself as the moon calls the poet to bask in its beauty.

Purpose: These descriptions enhance the reader's understanding of the moonlit night and the poet's soul that is elevated by it.

These narrative and descriptive elements help us grasp the poet's deep affection for nature and the moonlit night.

Exercise 2 (Page 116, 8th Grade Literature Textbook):

Given the task: "Share your thoughts on the beauty of the folk poem 'Nothing is more beautiful than the lotus in the pond.'" You should use narrative and descriptive elements in your response.

- Descriptive elements can be used to describe the beauty of the poem 'Nothing is more beautiful than the lotus in the pond,' incorporating both narrative and descriptive elements in specific sections.

- Narrative elements are appropriate when recounting a memory of a lotus pond in summer or a recollection of the verses about the lotus flower's beauty.

Part I: NARRATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE ELEMENTS IN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

Question 1: Read the excerpts from 'Blood Tax' by Nguyễn Ái Quốc (pages 113–114 of the 8th grade Literature textbook, volume 2) and answer the following questions.

- Why does the first excerpt contain narrative elements but is not a narrative text, while the second excerpt, despite having many descriptive elements, is not a descriptive text?

- Suppose the first excerpt omitted the specific details of an unusual and cruel conscription; would we be able to fully grasp the extent of the blatant exploitation in the “volunteer” recruitment process? Similarly, in the second excerpt, if it lacked vivid descriptions of the Vietnamese soldiers shackled and imprisoned in a school, with French soldiers guarding them, bayonets drawn, and guns loaded, could we clearly understand the deception and manipulation behind the propaganda of “eager recruits arriving in droves without hesitation”?

- Based on the above, what is your observation about the role of narrative and descriptive elements in argumentative writing?

Answer:

- The two excerpts clearly show that the author writes to expose the brutality and deception of colonialists. This falls under the genre of argumentative writing. While there are many narrative and descriptive elements, they are not the main purpose of the text, which is why it cannot be classified as a narrative or descriptive text.

- However, if the first excerpt omitted the specific details of an unusual, cruel conscription, we would certainly not be able to fully comprehend the extent of the exploitation in the “voluntary” recruitment process by the colonizers. Similarly, in the second excerpt, if the vivid descriptions of Vietnamese soldiers shackled and imprisoned in a school, with French soldiers standing guard, bayonets drawn, and guns loaded, were omitted, we would not be able to clearly visualize the falsehoods and manipulations behind the claims of “eager recruits arriving in droves without hesitation”.

- The role of narrative and descriptive elements in an argumentative essay can be summarized as follows: In an argumentative essay, reasoning and evidence are essential elements. While narrative and descriptive elements may not always be necessary, when appropriately used, they make the arguments and supporting examples more engaging and vivid.

+ Narrative elements are used to present a series of events or occurrences that follow one another, with each event leading to the next and ultimately leading to a conclusion that carries a certain meaning. Descriptive elements, on the other hand, help readers or listeners visualize the key features or qualities of things, events, people, or scenes, bringing them to life as they truly are.

+ In argumentative writing, narrative and descriptive elements play a secondary role (similar to expressive elements). Therefore, their use must be appropriate and timely to strengthen the essay's persuasiveness without disrupting the logical flow of the argument.

Question 2. Read the excerpt (page 115 of the 8th grade Literature textbook, volume 2) and answer the following questions.

a) Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the excerpt and explain their effect.

b) Why does the author not provide a full and detailed account of the stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han, but only describe specific images and elaborate on certain details in those stories?

Answer:

a) Narrative and descriptive elements in the passage:

- The narrative elements tell the story of Chàng Trăng (whose mother dreams of a white rabbit hopping over her chest and giving birth to him, then he kills a tyrant and ascends to the moon) from the Mơ-nông people, and the story of Nàng Han (who fought against foreign invaders and then ascended to the sky) from the Thái people.

- The descriptive elements include:

+ The dream of a white rabbit hopping over the chest.

+ Chàng Trăng is silent and serious, preferring to play with a shield and sword.

+ The Pông-gơ-ni waterfall with its silver light.

+ The multi-colored woven flag of command.

+ The various ponds and puddles, following the tracks of the army's elephant and horse footprints.

b) The author does not recount the full and detailed stories of Chàng Trăng and Nàng Han because this would not contribute to clarifying the main argument. The argument is best served by specific details from these stories that resonate with the legend of Thánh Gióng from the Kinh people. Providing exhaustive and detailed descriptions of the entire stories would be redundant and clutter the passage.

Question 3: From your analysis above, what should one keep in mind when incorporating narrative and descriptive elements into an argumentative text?

Answer:

When incorporating narrative and descriptive elements into an argumentative text, one should remember:

- Avoid overusing narrative and descriptive elements, as these are not the primary purpose of argumentative writing.

- Narrative and descriptive elements should only be used to highlight and clarify the main argument of the essay.

Part II: EXERCISES

Question 1 (page 116 of the 8th grade Literature textbook, volume 2): Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the argumentative passage and explain their effect.

Answer:

The narrative and descriptive elements in the argumentative text by Lê Trí Viễn:

- Narrative elements:

+ Describing time: near Mid-Autumn Festival, the past few days, the night before the first full moon…

+ Describing events and objects: except for the initial irritation of being wrongfully detained, the assertion of still being a free visitor, it is just a series of odd, laughable, and detestable things in the face of the prison…

These narrative elements, while not numerous, help the reader understand the context of the poem's creation.

- Descriptive elements:

+ Describing the moon: Suddenly, tonight, the moon is extraordinarily bright, transparent, vast, magical, soothing. Right by the window, the shadows of the tree branches appear… It is filled with affection, it is vibrant, it wants to love, to enjoy, to share, to express…

+ Describing emotions: feeling frustrated, with a restless heart, filled with affection, eager…

These descriptive elements, combined with expressive ones, help the reader understand the beauty of the moonlit night and the poet’s joyful, lighthearted mood. This also reflects the poet’s affection for nature and the moon.

Question 2 (page 116, 8th Grade Literature, Volume 2)

If you were to write an essay on the topic 'Express your opinion on the beauty of the folk poem 'In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus?', would you need to use narrative and descriptive elements in your writing? Why?

Answer:

If you were writing an essay on the topic 'Express your opinion on the beauty of the folk poem In the pond, what is more beautiful than the lotus?', you could incorporate some narrative and descriptive elements as follows:

- Descriptive: describe the beauty of the lotus flower, its stem, leaves, colors, and fragrance. Describe the scene of the lotus in the pond…

- Narrative: tell a memory of a lotus pond in summer or a personal story related to the poems that speak of the beauty of the lotus flower.

A. GUIDELINES FOR UNDERSTANDING THE LESSON

I. Narrative and Descriptive Elements in Argumentative Text

Argumentative essays often include narrative and descriptive elements. These elements help make the presentation of arguments clearer, more specific, and more vivid, which enhances their persuasive power.

Along with expressive elements, narrative and descriptive details make the argumentative text more concrete, easier to understand, and more persuasive.

However, in argumentative writing, these narrative and descriptive elements are secondary. Thus, their usage must be timely and appropriate to ensure they enhance the argument without disrupting its flow.

II. Reading Comprehension

Question 1. Read the excerpts on pages 113 and 114 of the textbook and answer the question.

Excerpt (a) contains a narrative element but is not a narrative text, while excerpt (b) includes descriptive elements but is not a descriptive text because:
+ The goal of the text is not to recount, reconstruct, or describe the scene of forced recruitment by the colonialists.

+ Reading the excerpt exposes the brutality and cunning of the colonial forces in their recruitment tactics.

The narrative elements in excerpt (a) include:
+ The local ruler commanding subordinates to meet a certain quota of recruits within a set time.

+ Initially, they take strong, poor individuals...

+ Later, they target the children of wealthy families...

The descriptive elements in excerpt (b) include:
+ The recruits eagerly heading off to enlist, some sacrificing their lives like the Red Army soldiers, others giving up their labor like factory workers.

+ […] Why is there a scene where some are shackled and taken to the provincial capital, while others are locked in a school in Saigon before boarding the ship, guarded by French soldiers with bayonets drawn, ammunition loaded?

Analysis:

These narrative and descriptive elements are supplementary in the text, helping clarify and strengthen the argument. Without them, the argument would lack impact and vitality. For example, if excerpt (a) lacked the vivid details of the cruel and absurd recruitment process, we would struggle to grasp the full extent of the colonial exploitation. Similarly, if excerpt (b) omitted the detailed descriptions of the shackled soldiers or those imprisoned in the school, the deceit and manipulation behind the call to enlist would be less apparent.

Question 2. Read the excerpt on page 115 and answer the question.

a) The narrative elements in the text include:

+ The story of the Moon Prince dreaming, being born, killing the tyrant, and disappearing into the moon.

+ The tale of the warrior Han fighting foreign invaders and later transforming into a celestial being.

The descriptive elements in the text are:
+ Dreaming of a white rabbit hopping across the chest.

+ The prince is silent, never laughing, preferring to practice with his sword.

+ He rides a giant stone horse.

+ Each night, he gazes down at the Pong-ge-ni River, its surface glowing with silver light.

+ The command is issued via a multi-colored woven blanket.

+ The footprints of Han’s army, marked by the hooves and feet of their horses, trail across the landscape.

b) The author does not fully narrate the entire story of the "Moon Prince" or the "Warrior Han" but instead focuses on specific images and key moments from the stories, because:

Narration and description are supporting elements, not the main purpose of the text. Their role is to reinforce the central argument of the essay.
The main point of the text is: The various ethnic groups of our country have created countless beautiful heroic tales.

However, when incorporating narrative and descriptive elements into argumentative writing, one must follow the guidance provided in the Lesson’s Introduction.

B. EXERCISES

Question 1. This exercise presents two tasks:
Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the excerpt from page 116 of the textbook.
Explain their purpose.

The narrative elements in the excerpt are:

+ The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

+ The first night of the full moon since being imprisoned.

+ The past few days spent in the prison...

+ The moonlight tonight is especially bright.

The purpose of these narrative elements is to provide the reader with context about the poet’s state of mind and the setting during the moonlit night.

The descriptive elements are:
+ Tonight, the moon is exceptionally bright. Clear, vast, magical, and comforting, it shines right through the window, framed by the tree branches outside.

+ The moon seems full of tenderness, stirring with emotions, yearning to embrace, to share, to express itself.

The descriptive elements help the reader visualize the serene beauty of the moonlit night and understand the poet’s joyful connection with nature.

Question 2. When writing an essay on the beauty of the folk song "What is more beautiful than the lotus in the pond?" it is important to incorporate both narrative and descriptive elements. This approach will enrich the essay with vivid imagery and emotional resonance.