Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for Understanding "General Knowledge of Argumentative Writing" for Grade 7

I. The Necessity of Argumentation and Argumentative Texts

1. The Necessity of Argumentation

a. Questions: Why do you like reading books? Why do you enjoy watching movies? Why are you good at literature?

b. Argumentation is important because narration, though engaging, remains specific and lacks general applicability or the ability to persuade. Descriptive writing presents details vividly but doesn’t aim to solve problems. Expressive writing, while using reasoning, is driven by emotion and can’t resolve issues effectively.

2. What is an Argumentative Text?

a. Purpose: Fighting ignorance, one of the greatest challenges after the August Revolution of 1945, and addressing the illiteracy caused by French colonial rule.

This text argues that all Vietnamese people must learn the national language for societal progress.

b. Reasoning: The French colonial policy of keeping the Vietnamese illiterate led to backwardness. Only by learning to read and write can one contribute to the nation’s development.

c. Other types of writing cannot effectively address the issue of illiteracy, nor offer clear, concise, and comprehensive solutions.

II. Practice

1. Question 1, page 9, 7th-grade textbook

a. This is an argumentative text because it discusses and resolves a social issue: creating good habits in society as part of moral living.

b. The author proposes distinguishing between good and bad habits and developing good habits while eliminating bad ones through small everyday actions.

2. Question 2, page 10, 7th-grade textbook

The essay is divided into three parts: The introduction discusses good habits. The body discusses bad habits. The conclusion urges the cultivation of good habits in every individual and family.

3. Question 3, page 10, 7th-grade textbook

The first section describes the desire for revenge. The second section reflects on forgiveness. Forgiveness requires a compassionate heart, and while it’s difficult, it leads to peace of mind. A forgiving person spreads goodwill and positivity in everyday life.

4. Question 4, page 10, 7th-grade textbook

The essay "Two Lakes" is an argumentative piece that uses the story of two lakes to discuss the philosophical idea of living harmoniously and helping others. The essay emphasizes the destructive effects of selfishness and isolation.

A. CORE KNOWLEDGE

In life, we often encounter argumentative writing in the form of opinions raised in meetings, editorial articles, commentaries, speeches in the media...
Argumentative writing is crafted to establish a clear thought or viewpoint for the reader or listener. To achieve this, the argument must have a well-defined stance, solid reasoning, and convincing evidence.
These viewpoints in an argumentative piece must aim to address real-life issues to have any meaningful impact.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: Page 9, Grade 7 Literature Book 2

Read the following text and answer the questions:

CULTIVATING GOOD HABITS IN SOCIAL LIFE

There are good habits and bad habits. Waking up early, keeping promises, reading books, and so on are good habits. Smoking, getting angry easily, and being disorderly are bad habits. Some people can distinguish between good and bad, but because these have become habits, they are hard to break or change. For example, someone who smokes may also have the bad habit of leaving cigarette butts carelessly around the house, even in the living room of a well-kept home. Those who are polite might try to fix this by asking the host for an ashtray. One common bad habit is littering. After eating a banana, people carelessly toss the peel on the ground or out the window. This habit turns into a serious nuisance, with small villages and alleys becoming clogged with trash. In the long term, this results in severe sanitation issues for many communities. Even worse, people throw broken bottles and cups on the streets, endangering the lives of children and the elderly. Cultivating good habits is very difficult, but acquiring bad habits is easy. Therefore, each person and family must reflect on themselves to cultivate a clean and civilized lifestyle for society.

(According to Băng Sơn, Everyday Communication)

Questions: a. Is this an argumentative essay? Why or why not? b. What opinion does the author express? Which lines or sentences show this opinion? What reasoning and evidence does the author present to persuade the reader? c. Does the essay address a real-life issue? Do you agree with the author’s point of view? Why or why not?

Solution:
a. The text titled “Cultivating Good Habits in Social Life” is indeed an argumentative piece.
We can confirm this based on the title, purpose, and reasoning in the text. The text discusses the issue of cultivating good habits and eliminating bad ones in daily life.
b. The author proposes the opinion that: good habits need to be cultivated in society. The following lines express this opinion:
"Some people can distinguish between good and bad, but because these have become habits, they are hard to break or change."
"It is difficult to cultivate good habits, but bad habits spread easily. Therefore, each person and family must reflect on themselves to create a beautiful, civilized society."
Reasons and evidence: In life, there are good habits (such as waking up early, keeping promises, and reading) and bad habits;
Anything that becomes a habit is hard to change;
Bad habits can harm the community and negatively affect the environment (e.g., smoking, losing temper, littering, etc.).
Each person and family must reflect on themselves to get rid of bad habits and create a beautiful, civilized society.
==> These are strong and persuasive examples.
c. The issue discussed in the essay is very relevant to real-life societal problems. I strongly agree with the author’s perspective because bad habits lead to social problems, negatively affecting both the environment and the community. Therefore, addressing littering and other bad habits is essential in creating a cleaner, more civilized society.

Question 2: Page 10, Grade 7 Literature Book 2

Analyze the structure of the essay.
Solution:
The essay is structured into three parts:
Introduction - paragraph 1 (The first sentence): Introduces the issue of habits and good habits in society.
Body – paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 (from Smoking to dangerous): Discusses the negative effects of bad habits and the necessity of eliminating them.
Conclusion (The remaining part): Calls on everyone to eliminate bad habits and cultivate a civilized lifestyle for society.

Question 3: Page 10, Grade 7 Literature Book 2

Collect two argumentative paragraphs and write them down:
Solution:
Here are two argumentative paragraphs for reference:
1. To pursue your dreams, you must take action. If you don’t, you’ll lose your opportunity. Be proactive instead of letting life push you along. If you can’t get what you want, create it. The Creator will illuminate the path ahead. The opportunity of a lifetime is opening up before you. Even if you have a strong sense of purpose and great hope, confidence, self-respect, a positive attitude, courage, perseverance, adaptability, and strong relationships, you cannot just sit back and wait for success to come to you. On the road to success, you must seize every opportunity. Sometimes obstacles appear on your path not to stop you, but to push you to greater heights. But you need courage and determination to rise above. One of my mottos at Life Without Limbs is "A new day, a new opportunity". We don’t just hang motivational quotes on walls - we try to live by them through our actions.
(Excerpt from Living for Something Greater - Nick Vujicic,

2. Reading books is a constant intellectual activity and need for people who live intellectually. […] Not reading books means no longer having a need for an intellectual life. When that need disappears, the spiritual life of people becomes poor and withers. This is a serious and long-lasting matter that should be discussed and debated seriously. I would like to suggest here: I propose that our youth organizations, in addition to their usual activities, should initiate a nationwide campaign to encourage reading among young people; and promote the establishment of home libraries. Recently, one country launched a nationwide campaign where each person reads 20 lines of a book every day. We can do the same or encourage each person to read one book every year. Start with something small; it’s not too hard. A small step can lead to a large movement.
(According to Nguyên Ngọc, A Suggestion, Tiasang.com.vn, July 19, 2007)

Question 4: Page 10, Grade 7 Literature Book 2

Is the following text an argumentative essay?
THE TWO LAKES

It is said that in Palestine, there are two lakes... The first lake is called the Dead Sea. As the name suggests, there is no life inside or around it. The water in this lake cannot sustain any fish. Everyone avoids living near it. The second lake is Galilee. This lake attracts many tourists. The water is always clear and fresh, drinkable, and fish thrive in it. Many houses have been built here, and the surrounding gardens flourish thanks to the water from this lake. However, the strange thing is that both lakes receive water from the same river, the Jordan River. The Dead Sea takes the water but keeps it all to itself, and thus, the water becomes salty. Lake Galilee also receives water from the Jordan River, but then it spills over into smaller lakes and streams, keeping the water fresh and giving life to plants, animals, and people. A principle of life that everyone agrees with: A light shared will multiply; a business investment is a profitable one. Only when lips are parted can a smile be received. Only when hands are open can joy fill the heart. How unfortunate it is for someone who only knows how to keep things for themselves. "Life" within them will slowly die, just like the water in the Dead Sea...
(According to Life’s Gift)

Solution:
The text above is an argumentative piece because although it begins with a story about “The Two Lakes,” it serves as an introduction to discuss two contrasting ways of living in society: one where people only take for themselves and another where people share with others.
The image of the two lakes symbolizes two opposing lifestyles. Thus, the text aims to address real-life issues.

Main Topic
In life, we often encounter argumentative writing in the form of opinions presented in meetings, editorials, commentaries, speeches, etc.
Argumentative writing is written to establish a clear idea or viewpoint for the reader or listener. To do this, it must present a clear opinion, reasoning, and evidence.
These ideas in an argumentative piece must aim to solve problems that arise in real life in order to be meaningful.
Example 1: A short argumentative paragraph about a beautiful lifestyle in society:
A beautiful life is a cultured one, full of politeness, knowledge, and humanity. A beautiful life starts with compassion and understanding between people. Today, in society, there are countless people living beautifully, through acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures. For example, during the hot weather in Saigon, a person brought out cold herbal water for passersby to drink for free. Or a young person on social media shared a story of someone who found a stranger's wallet and went to great lengths to return it without expecting thanks.

Example 2: A short argumentative paragraph about environmental pollution:
Environmental pollution refers to the condition where harmful substances and waste materials affect the Earth’s ecosystems and human life. Along with scientific advancements, environmental pollution has become a major consequence of human actions. Through various media, we see overwhelming statistics and vivid images about pollution in the land, water, and air. The primary cause of this issue is humanity’s lack of awareness about protecting the environment. Therefore, we must take immediate action to improve public consciousness, restore nature, and reduce waste and emissions. Protecting the environment is protecting our own lives.

I. The Need for Argumentation and Argumentative Texts

1. The Need for Argumentation

a. I frequently encounter similar questions and issues in life as mentioned above.

Examples include:

+ What is drug addiction? Why should we say no to drugs?

+ What is the environment? How can we preserve and protect it?

+ What benefits does the forest provide? How can we protect the forest?

b. These issues and questions cannot be expressed through descriptive, narrative, or emotional writing, but require argumentative writing because it is a method of expression that uses logical, persuasive reasoning to adequately address the issues raised.

c. In the media, on radio, and television, we often see argumentative texts used in speeches, opinions, and social commentary on life issues.

2. What is an argumentative text?

a.

- President Ho Chi Minh wrote this article with the goal of highlighting the general state of the country's education level and stressing the need for education, urging people to learn.

- The article outlines several points:

+ During the French colonial period, widespread illiteracy was enforced to facilitate control.

+ It demonstrates the benefits of education.

+ It calls on everyone to study (paying attention to specific groups).

- The article articulates key points:

+ The problem of widespread illiteracy and backwardness before the August Revolution.

+ The conditions necessary for the people to participate in building the nation.

+ The practical means of combating illiteracy.

- Key sentences that express the central arguments of the article:

+ "One of the urgent tasks at this time is to raise the people's intellectual level."

+ "All Vietnamese people must understand their rights and duties, acquire knowledge to participate in the national development, and first and foremost, must know how to read and write the national script."

b. To persuade readers, the author elaborates on the main points with solid reasoning:

+ Before the August Revolution, under colonial rule, the people suffered from widespread illiteracy;

+ Now, with independence, education is essential for building the country; everyone must know how to read and write;

+ The effort to promote education must be widespread, with practical methods that can be applied everywhere and at all times.

c. The author cannot achieve the goal using narrative, descriptive, or expressive writing. Persuasion can only be achieved through a structured presentation of arguments, logically and coherently argued. The task of solving the issue requires argumentative writing.

II. Exercises

Question 1:

a. The given text is an argumentative text. The author discusses the importance of cultivating good habits and eliminating bad ones in daily life.

b. The author proposes the idea: "We need to create good habits in society."

- Sentences that express this idea:

+ Some people know the difference between good and bad, but because it has become a habit, it is difficult to break.

+ Developing good habits is hard. However, adopting bad habits is easy. Therefore, each person and family should examine themselves to create a beautiful, civilized lifestyle for society.

- The reasoning and examples include:

+ In life, there are good habits (examples: waking up early, always being punctual, keeping promises, reading regularly...) and bad habits;

+ Anything that becomes a habit is hard to change;

+ Bad habits harm the community and negatively impact the environment (examples: smoking, frequent anger, disorderly behavior, littering...)

+ People should self-reflect to eliminate bad habits and create a civilized, beautiful society.

c. The issue discussed in the text is very relevant to real life. It is a matter of great significance to everyone, aiming to build a civilized, polite society with culture.

Question 2: The structure of the essay consists of three parts:

+ Introduction: Paragraph 1 – presents the issue of habits and good habits.

+ Body: Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 – discusses the negative impacts of bad habits and the need to eliminate them.

+ Conclusion: The last paragraph – calls for people to eliminate bad habits and self-regulate to create a beautiful, civilized society.

Question 3: Collect two argumentative paragraphs and copy them into your notebook.

Question 4:

While the text uses narrative elements, it is still fundamentally an argumentative text. The story of "Two Lakes" is used to discuss two ways of living: one that is self-centered and one that is about sharing with others. The image of the two lakes serves as a symbolic representation of these contrasting lifestyles.

Part I: THE NEED FOR DISCUSSIONS AND ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

1. The Need for Discussion

In life, do you often encounter questions like the ones listed below?

- Why do you go to school? (or: What is the purpose of going to school?)

- Why do people need friends?

- What, in your opinion, does it mean to live beautifully?

- Is it good or bad for children to smoke? Does it benefit or harm them?

Please come up with more questions related to similar issues.

b) When encountering questions like these, can you answer them using writing styles you've learned, such as narrative, description, or expression? Explain why or why not.

c) To answer such questions, what types of texts do you commonly encounter in the media, such as on the radio, television, or newspapers? Can you name a few types of texts you know?

Answer:

a) In life, we might encounter questions like these:

- Why must we always follow the law?

- Why do we need to learn foreign languages?

- How can one be a good student and a well-behaved child?

- Why should we fight against drug abuse?

- Why is it said that "labor is glory"?

b) With such questions, we must answer using argumentative texts, not narrative, descriptive, or expressive texts.

Example: In the vast world of cultural exchanges today, learning foreign languages is essential for acquiring knowledge from other countries and strengthening international relations, which ultimately improves both material and spiritual life. For instance, learning English helps with computer skills more easily...

c) Daily media often presents texts like sports commentary, legal advice columns, and guides on how to buy good fruit...

2. What is an Argumentative Text?

Read the text “Fighting Illiteracy” (pages 7-8 of Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2) and answer the questions below.

a) What was Ho Chi Minh's purpose in writing this article? To achieve this goal, what ideas does the article present? What are the arguments made? Identify sentences that express these arguments. (Note: The title is also part of the text.)

b) To make the argument convincing, what reasoning does the author provide? List the reasons given. (Hint: Why must all Vietnamese people know how to read and write? Can the fight against illiteracy be achieved?)

c) Could the author have achieved his purpose using a narrative, descriptive, or expressive style? Why or why not?

Answer:

a) The purpose of the text “Fighting Illiteracy” is for Ho Chi Minh to emphasize that all Vietnamese people must be literate in order to contribute to building the nation.

- The article presents several key points:

+ French colonialists deliberately kept the population uneducated to control them.

+ The majority of Vietnamese people were illiterate.

+ Solutions to combat illiteracy.

- The key arguments made by Ho Chi Minh are:

+ One of the urgent tasks at this moment is to raise public awareness.

+ All Vietnamese people must understand and be able to write in the national language.

b) The author persuades the reader with the following reasoning:

- The illiteracy and backwardness before the August Revolution.

- The conditions needed for citizens to actively contribute to building the nation.

- The favorable conditions for people to learn the national language.

c) The author cannot achieve his goal through narrative, descriptive, or expressive writing styles. Persuasion in this context can only be achieved through logical arguments and reasoning.

Part II: PRACTICE

Answer question 1 (page 9 of Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Read the essay “We Must Develop Good Habits in Society” (pages 9-10, Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2) and answer the following questions:

a) Is this an argumentative essay? Why or why not?

b) What is the author's main argument? Which sentences or phrases express this argument? To convince the reader, what reasons and examples does the author provide?

c) Does this argumentative essay aim to address a real-life issue? Do you agree with the author's view? Why or why not?

Detailed answer:

a) The title “We Must Develop Good Habits in Society” suggests this is an argumentative essay. Although the body of the text mentions some bad habits, the way the ideas are presented, the reasoning, and examples show a clear argumentative structure.

b) The author argues that “we must develop good habits in society.”

- The title highlights the main argument. Additionally, the following sentences also express this idea:

+ The introduction mentions the importance of good habits.

+ The conclusion emphasizes that having good habits is difficult, but bad habits are easy to form.

=> The conclusion is that we need to evaluate ourselves and strive for a civilized lifestyle.

- To convince the reader, the author provides not only explanations and reasoning but also vivid examples, such as:

+ Leaving cigarette butts carelessly.

+ Throwing banana peels on the street.

+ Trash piling up in small drainage ditches.

+ Throwing broken bottles or cans on the road.

c) This essay addresses a real issue in daily social interactions. The ideas presented are concise and well-structured.

Answer question 2 (page 10 of Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Analyze the structure of the text above.

Detailed answer:

Introduction: Introduces the concept of good and bad habits;

Body: Discusses the bad habits that need to be eliminated;

Conclusion: Suggests ways for everyone to strive for a better, more civilized lifestyle.

Answer question 3 (page 10 of Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Find and write two argumentative paragraphs from other sources.

Detailed answer:

Paragraph 1:

[...] When the lead goose becomes tired, it moves to the side, and another goose takes the lead. Sharing leadership brings benefits to everyone, and difficult tasks should be rotated among members. The calls of the geese from behind encourage those at the front to maintain their pace. These words of encouragement create strength for those at the front, helping them keep their speed, rather than allowing them to bear the pressure of work and exhaustion alone.

(Lessons from Geese - Gifts of Life, page 97, NXB Tre, 2003)

Paragraph 2:

People are just a reed, the weakest plant in nature, but a reed with thoughts. Does the entire universe have to unite to crush that reed? A little breath or a single drop of water can destroy a person. But even if the universe crushes a person, they still stand higher than the universe because they know that they die, whereas the universe, despite its strength, is unaware of its own power. Our universe exists in thought... Even though I may have wealth, it does not make me "richer" because in the vastness of space, the universe swallows me like a dot, but through thought, I am able to grasp and encompass the universe.

(According to Pascal)

Answer question 4 (page 10 of Grade 7, Literature Textbook, Volume 2):

Is the text on pages 10-11 of the Grade 7 Literature Textbook a narrative or argumentative text?

Detailed answer:

This is an argumentative text because it discusses two ways of living: a solitary life and a life of sharing and integration.

- The solitary life: a closed, non-interactive way of living.

- The life of sharing and integration: an open, communicative lifestyle that brings joy to the soul.