Top 6 Best Lessons on 'Understanding the Art of Argumentation and Proof' for 7th Graders

KNOWLEDGE TO BE SOLIDLY UNDERSTOOD - In life, people use facts, also known as authentic evidence, to prove that something is true and reliable. Similarly, in argumentative writing, when proving an argument, one uses valid reasons and accepted evidence to support the thesis that needs to be demonstrated as trustworthy. - The reasons and evidence used in argumentative proof must be selected, verified, and analyzed carefully to be convincing. I. PURPOSE AND METHOD OF PROOF Question 1 - Page 41 SGK Provide an example and explain: In life, when does someone need to prove something? When you need to prove to someone that what you're saying is true, how should you do it? From this, draw a conclusion: What does 'proof' mean? Answer: In life, when someone needs to use facts to clarify whether something is true or false, they need to provide proof. When you need to convince someone that what you're saying is true, you must present evidence, witnesses, and logical reasons that clarify the issue. For example, if you say 'Student A is the best in class,' you must provide evidence like top grades across all subjects, surpassing other students; these are actual grades, not cheating; ability to grasp lessons, complete assignments acknowledged by teachers... Proof is using authentic evidence to demonstrate that something is trustworthy. Question 2 - Page 41 SGK In argumentative writing, when only words are allowed (without using witnesses or material evidence), how do you prove that a certain opinion is true and reliable? Answer: In argumentative writing, when only words are allowed (without using witnesses or material evidence), you must rely on reasons and examples to prove that a certain statement or argument is correct and trustworthy. Question 3 - Page 41 SGK Read the following argumentative essay and answer the question: DON'T BE AFRAID TO FALL How many times have you fallen and not even remembered? The first time you learned to walk, you fell. The first time you tried swimming, you swallowed water and almost drowned, didn't you? The first time you played ping pong, did you hit the ball? It doesn't matter because... Oan Disney was fired from newspapers for lacking ideas. He also went bankrupt several times before creating Disneyland. When he was in high school, Louis Pasteur was just an average student. In Chemistry, he ranked 15th out of 22 students in his class. Leo Tolstoy, author of the famous novel War and Peace, was expelled from university for 'lack of ability and lack of study willpower.' Henry Ford failed and went bankrupt five times before succeeding. Opera singer Enrico Caruso was told by his teacher that he lacked vocal talent and would never be able to sing. So, don't be afraid of failure. What's worse is missing opportunities because you didn’t try your best. (According to 'The Miracle of the Heart') Question: (a) What is the main argument of this essay? Find the sentences that express this argument. (b) How does the essay argue 'don’t be afraid to fall'? Are the facts cited reliable? From this, what do you understand by the method of proof? Answer: (a) The main point of the essay is clear from the title: don't be afraid to fall. The sentences expressing this argument are: - How many times have you fallen and not even remembered? - So, don’t be afraid of failure. (b) To encourage people to 'not be afraid of falling,' the essay argues by providing very real examples in the following structure: * Introduction: + The introduction sets the stage for proving the argument. + It gives real-life examples that are undeniable. For instance, 'The first time you played ping pong, did you hit the ball?' - a clear truth: You probably didn’t hit the ball the first time! * Main Body: - Lists five pieces of evidence: + Oan Disney, who went bankrupt multiple times before creating Disneyland. + Louis Pasteur, who ranked 15th out of 22 students in Chemistry, a subject in which he later became a leading expert. + Leo Tolstoy, who was expelled from university for lack of ability and effort. + Henry Ford, who failed five times before achieving success. + Enrico Caruso, a famous opera singer who was once told he lacked talent. * Conclusion: The essay ends with the message 'don’t be afraid of failure.' - The facts presented are highly reliable, as they refer to well-known failures of famous individuals. The method of proof in this case is to use real, accepted evidence and facts to prove that the argument being made is trustworthy. II. EXERCISE Task: Read the text (Page 43 - SGK Literature 7, Volume 2) and answer the questions: (a) What is the main point of the essay? Find the sentences that express this point. (b) To prove the main point, what reasoning does the writer provide? Is the reasoning obvious and convincing? (c) How does the method of proof in this essay differ from the 'Don't be afraid to fall' essay? Answer: (a) - The main point is clearly stated in the title: Don't fear making mistakes. - Sentences that convey this argument include: (1) A person who is always afraid of failure will never be independent in life. (2) Failure is the mother of success. (3) No one likes mistakes. (4) Mistakes have two sides. While they cause loss, they also provide valuable lessons. (5) Those who are wise and courageous enough to face failure are the ones who control their own destiny. (6) If you want to live a life without mistakes, achieving everything without effort, you are either delusional or cowardly. (b) To prove the main argument, the writer provides the following reasoning: (1) - If you're afraid of drowning, you'll never learn to swim. - If you're afraid of making mistakes, you'll never learn a language. - If you're not willing to risk anything, you won’t gain anything. (2) - As you move forward in life, mistakes are inevitable. - If you're afraid of mistakes, you'll never dare to act. - The standards for right and wrong are not always clear. - Don’t let setbacks stop you. (3) - You don’t aim to make mistakes on purpose. - Some people feel defeated after making a mistake. - Others repeat their mistakes. - Some people learn from their mistakes and move forward. All of the reasoning, both logical and factual, is quite convincing and apparent. => The method of reasoning in both essays does not use specific examples. Instead, it encourages readers to relate to the general advice given.

I. Basic Knowledge

Question 1. Provide an example and explain: In life, when do people need to prove something? When you need to prove to someone that your statement is true, what should you do? From that, what can we conclude about the nature of proof?

Answer:

In life, we often clarify something for others or make them believe our assertions. People will only trust someone's statement if it is based on solid grounds, grounded in facts that are widely accepted. For example, to prove you're ill, you would need a doctor's certificate. Thus, to prove something is to use what is accepted as true or real to show that a claim is credible.

Question 2. In argumentative texts, when one can only use words (without witnesses or evidence), how do we prove that a particular point is true and reliable?

Answer:

In argumentative writing, proof is achieved by employing reasoning, using logical arguments to assert that a point is valid (instead of presenting physical evidence). These arguments must be carefully selected and clearly presented to have the greatest persuasive power.

Question 3. Read the following argumentative text and answer the questions.

DON'T FEAR FAILURE

How many times have you fallen without even remembering? The first time you tried walking, you fell. The first time you tried swimming, you swallowed water and nearly drowned, right? The first time you played table tennis, did you hit the ball? It doesn't matter because...

Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper for lacking creativity. He also went bankrupt several times before creating Disneyland.

Louis Pasteur, when he was in high school, was only an average student. In Chemistry, he ranked 15th out of 22 students in his class.

Leo Tolstoy, the author of the famous novel *War and Peace*, was expelled from university because he was deemed both incapable and lacking in effort.

Henry Ford went bankrupt five times before succeeding.

The famous opera singer Enrico Caruso was told by his teacher that he lacked the necessary vocal talent and would never be able to sing.

So, don't worry about failure. What’s truly frightening is missing out on many opportunities simply because you didn't try your best.

(According to *The Heart Has Miraculous Powers*)

Questions:

a. What is the main argument of this text? Identify the sentences that express this argument.

b. How does the text argue “Don’t fear failure”? Are the facts presented trustworthy? What does this teach you about the method of argumentative proof?

Answer:

a. The central argument is: Don’t fear failure.

- “How many times have you fallen without remembering?”

- “So, don’t worry about failure. What’s truly frightening is missing out on many opportunities simply because you didn’t try your best.”

b. The argument method of the text:

- Failure is a normal part of life (uses examples).

- It provides evidence of famous people’s failures.

- What’s worse than failure is not trying at all.

The facts presented are trustworthy. From this, we understand that argumentative proof is about using sound reasoning and real examples to validate a claim.

II. Practicing Skills

Read the following essay and answer the questions.

DON’T FEAR MISTAKES

If you want to live a life without ever making a mistake and doing everything perfectly, you’re either deluding yourself or you're too afraid to face reality.

A person who is always afraid of failure, who fears making mistakes, is someone who is afraid to face life, avoiding reality, and will never become independent. If you’re afraid of choking on water, you’ll never learn to swim. If you’re afraid of speaking wrongly, you’ll never speak a foreign language! A person who refuses to risk anything will never gain anything. Mistakes have two sides. Although they bring losses, they also teach valuable life lessons.

How can you avoid making mistakes in the future? If you’re afraid of making mistakes, you won’t dare to do anything. If others say you’re wrong, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are, because the standards of right and wrong can vary. In that case, don’t stop; keep going, even if you face setbacks. Failure is the mother of success.

Of course, you shouldn’t be reckless or intentionally make mistakes. No one likes mistakes. Some people get discouraged when they fail, while others keep making the same mistakes. But there are those who reflect, learn from their mistakes, and find new paths forward.

The wise are those who dare to act and are not afraid of mistakes; they are the ones who control their own fate.

(According to Hong Diem)

Questions:

a. What is the main argument of the text? Identify the sentences that express this argument.

b. To prove the main argument, what reasoning does the writer use? Are these arguments convincing?

c. How is the method of argumentative proof in this text different from the one in *Don’t Fear Failure*?

Answer:

a. The main argument of the text is: Don’t fear mistakes.

- “If you want to live a life without ever making a mistake and doing everything perfectly, you’re either deluding yourself or you're too afraid to face reality.”

- “Mistakes have two sides. Although they bring losses, they also teach valuable life lessons.”

- “Failure is the mother of success.”

- “The wise are those who dare to act and are not afraid of mistakes; they are the ones who control their own fate.”

b. The writer uses the following reasoning to support the argument:

- If you fear failure, you won’t achieve anything: A person who is always afraid of making mistakes will never become independent. If you’re afraid of choking on water, you won’t learn to swim; if you’re afraid of speaking wrongly, you’ll never speak a foreign language.

- Mistakes are unavoidable on the path to the future: If you’re afraid of mistakes, you won’t try anything. Failure is necessary for success.

- Don’t make mistakes recklessly, but learn from them: You should reflect on your mistakes, learn from them, and find new ways to progress.

These arguments are convincing as they emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes and not letting fear hold you back.

c. In *Don’t Fear Failure*, the writer uses examples of famous people to support the argument, while in *Don’t Fear Mistakes*, the writer uses logical reasoning and analysis to explain the benefits of overcoming mistakes.

A. KEY CONCEPTS In life, people use facts (verified evidence) to prove that something is true. In argumentative writing, proving is a reasoning technique where logical arguments and verified evidence are used to support a claim that needs to be demonstrated as trustworthy. The arguments and evidence used in the proof process must be carefully chosen, examined, and analyzed to be convincing. B. EXERCISES AND GUIDANCE Exercise 1: Page 41, 7th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2 Provide examples and explain when people need to prove something in life. How can you prove to someone that your statement is true? From that, deduce what the concept of proof is. Answer: In life, we often clarify things for others or make others believe our observations by providing evidence. People can only believe what someone says if that claim is backed by accurate and accepted facts. For example, to prove that one is sick, one must present a medical certificate. Therefore, proving involves using what is accepted as true and real to convince others of something trustworthy. Exercise 2: Page 41, 7th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2 In argumentative writing, when only words are used, without witnesses or physical evidence, how can one prove that an opinion is truthful and credible? Answer: To prove that an opinion is true and credible when only words are used, we rely on logical reasoning. Instead of providing physical evidence, we use sound reasoning and relevant examples to affirm that the argument is valid. The more representative and clearly presented the reasoning and examples are, the more convincing they will be. Exercise 3: Pages 41-42, 7th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2 Read the following argumentative essay and answer the questions: "DON'T FEAR FAILURE" How many times have you failed and forgotten about it? The first time you walked, you fell. The first time you tried swimming, you drank water and almost drowned, right? The first time you played ping pong, did you hit the ball? It's okay, because... Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper for lacking ideas. He also went bankrupt several times before creating Disneyland. When Louis Pasteur was in school, he was an average student, ranking 15th out of 22 in chemistry. Leo Tolstoy, the author of the famous novel War and Peace, was expelled from university for "lack of ability and will to study." Henri Ford failed and went bankrupt five times before he succeeded. Famous opera singer Enrico Caruso was told by his teacher that he lacked the voice quality and could never sing. So don't worry about failure. What is more frightening is passing up opportunities because you didn't try hard enough. (According to The Heart Has Miracles) a) Identify the main argument of the essay "Don't Fear Failure". Find the sentences that carry the main argument. b) How did the author argue to support the main point of not fearing failure? Are the facts used credible? How do these facts contribute to the persuasive argument? Answer: a) The main argument of the essay "Don't Fear Failure" is that failure should not be feared. The title itself reflects the central point. The essay uses proof-based reasoning to convince readers of this point. Sentences with the main argument: "How many times have you failed and forgotten about it? The first time you walked, you fell. The first time you tried swimming, you drank water and almost drowned, right? The first time you played ping pong, did you hit the ball? It's okay, because..." "So don't worry about failure. What is more frightening is passing up opportunities because you didn't try hard enough." b) The author uses factual examples to build the argument: The essay mentions everyday experiences of failure, as well as several famous people who encountered failures but went on to achieve great success. By presenting these real-world examples, the author demonstrates that failure is not an obstacle to success. These factual examples are credible and serve as effective supporting evidence in the argumentation. Purpose and Methods of Proof Argumentation involves presenting reasoning and examples to guide the reader (or listener) to a conclusion that the writer (or speaker) wants to reach. Proof in life is used to convince others that something we say is true and real. For example: When riding a train or bus, how can you prove that you have paid for your ticket? Proof: You show your ticket to the inspector. Proof requires providing convincing evidence, which could be in the form of a person (witness), object (material evidence), event, data, sound, or image. Proof in argumentative writing is a method that uses logical reasoning and authentic evidence to demonstrate that a point being made is credible. The reasoning and evidence used must be thoroughly checked, examined, and analyzed for maximum persuasive impact. Methods of Proof The methods used for proof include: - Causal reasoning - Analogical reasoning Example: The Vietnamese saying "Where there’s a will, there’s a way." Prove the truth of this proverb. a) Understand the topic: Literature genre: Argumentative writing. The issue to prove: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. b) Generate ideas: Will: determination, persistence, strength. Way: result, success. c) Methods of proof used: Provide real examples and reasoning. d) Structure outline: I. Introduction Introduce the issue to prove. II. Body Explain the proverb. Why is "Where there’s a will, there’s a way" true? How can one apply the proverb in practice? Provide real-life examples and discuss the significance of this proverb. III. Conclusion Conclude by affirming the thought, attitude, and viewpoint on the issue, relating it to personal experience. e) Write and revise your essay.

I. Purpose and Methods of Proof

Question 1:

In life, we often clarify things for others or convince them to believe our observations. People can only trust a statement if it is backed by solid evidence, based on facts that are widely accepted. For example, to prove you are sick, you would need to present a doctor's note.

Thus, proving means using what is acknowledged as true and factual to demonstrate that something is trustworthy.

Question 2:

In argumentative writing, proof is the use of reasoning and logic to affirm that a claim is true, even without providing physical evidence. Reasoning and examples must be carefully selected, clearly presented, and rich in detail to be persuasive.

Question 3:

a. The main argument of the essay is: Don’t fear failure.

b. The following sentences express this central idea:

+ How many times have you stumbled and forgotten about it?

+ So, don’t fear failure. What’s more frightening is missing opportunities because you didn’t try hard enough.

b. The author provides very credible examples:

- Examples of everyday failures are provided.

- The author mentions five world-famous individuals who faced failures but didn’t let them stop them from achieving great success later on.

Thus, proof is a form of reasoning where facts and logical arguments are used to show that the claim being made is valid and trustworthy.

II. Practice

a. The title 'Don’t Fear Mistakes' is the main argument of the essay.

- Sentences that reflect the main argument of the essay include:

- If you want to live a life without mistakes, achieving anything easily, you’re either dreaming or you’re too afraid of life.

- Mistakes have two sides. While they bring loss, they also bring lessons for life.

- Failure is the mother of success.

- Only those who dare to act and aren’t afraid of mistakes control their own fate.

b. To prove the main argument, the writer uses several supporting points:

- If you don’t take risks, you won’t gain anything: A person who is constantly afraid of failure or mistakes will never be independent. If you’re afraid of choking, you’ll never learn how to swim; if you’re afraid of making mistakes, you’ll never learn a foreign language!

- Mistakes are inevitable when moving toward the future: If you’re afraid of mistakes, you won’t dare to do anything. Someone might say you’re wrong, but that doesn’t mean you are. Different people have different definitions of right and wrong. Don’t stop; keep going, even when you face difficulties. Failure is the mother of success.

- Don’t be reckless, blind, or willfully make mistakes, but instead learn from them: Of course, you shouldn’t be reckless or intentionally make mistakes. Nobody enjoys mistakes. Some people give up after failing, others continue making the same mistakes. But those who reflect, learn from their mistakes, and find another way forward are the ones who succeed.

c. In 'Don’t Fear Stumbling,' the writer uses reasoning and witnesses, while in 'Don’t Fear Mistakes,' the writer uses reasoning and analysis of that reasoning.

Section I: Purpose and Methods of Proof

Answer to Question 1 (page 41, Literature 7, Volume 2):

Provide examples and explain: When do people need to prove something in life? When you need to convince someone that your words are true, how should you proceed? From that, what can we conclude about what 'proof' means?

Detailed Answer:

In life, people need proof when they want to use facts to confirm whether something is true or false. If you need to prove to someone that your statement is true, you must present the facts, include witnesses, and provide evidence or reasoning to clarify the matter. For example, saying “Student A is the best in class” must be supported by evidence like top grades in all subjects, consistently achieving high marks, and being recognized for their work by teachers.

Proof involves using facts (verifiable evidence) to show that something is trustworthy.

Answer to Question 2 (page 41, Literature 7, Volume 2):

In argumentative writing, when one is only allowed to use words (without witnesses or physical evidence), how can one prove that an opinion is true and credible?

Detailed Answer:

In argumentative writing, when only words can be used (without witnesses or physical evidence), reasoning and examples must be presented to prove that a statement is valid and credible.

Answer to Question 3 (page 41, Literature 7, Volume 2):

Read the text (pages 41-42, Literature 7, Volume 2) and answer the questions:

a) What is the central argument of this essay? Identify the sentences that support this argument.

b) How does the essay argue for 'don’t fear failure'? Are the facts presented reliable? Through this, what do you understand by the method of proof in argumentation?

Detailed Answer:

a) The argument presented in the essay is 'Don’t fear failure.'

Sentences supporting this argument include:

- How many times have you stumbled and forgotten about it?

- So, don’t worry about failure.

b) To encourage people 'not to fear failure,' the essay argues as follows:

* Introduction:

+ First introduces the concept of proof.

+ Then presents indisputable, objective evidence: For example, “Did you hit the ball on your first try at table tennis?” is a fact: likely, you missed!

* Main Body:

+ Cites five examples of famous individuals who faced failure but went on to achieve greatness:

- Walt Disney went bankrupt multiple times before creating Disneyland.

- Louis Pasteur was a mediocre student, especially in chemistry, yet his breakthrough in science led to his fame.

- Leo Tolstoy, once rejected for his lack of academic ability and willpower, later became a great writer.

- Henry Ford failed five times before succeeding with the Ford Motor Company.

- Singer Caruso was once told he lacked talent but went on to become famous.

* Conclusion:

Encourages readers not to worry about failure, with a note to “always try your best.”

- The facts presented are highly reliable, as they refer to well-known failures of famous people.

The method of proof in argumentation is using reasoned arguments and verifiable facts to show that a claim is credible and trustworthy.

Section II: PRACTICE

Read the text (page 43, Literature 7, Volume 2) and answer the following questions:

Questions:

a) What is the central argument of the essay? Identify the sentences that support it.

b) To support the central argument, what reasoning does the author use? Are these reasons evident and persuasive?

c) How does the argumentative method in this essay differ from 'Don’t fear failure'?

Detailed Answer:

Read the essay 'Don’t fear mistakes':

a)

- Argument: Don’t fear mistakes.

- Sentences supporting this argument:

+ If you want to live a life without mistakes…

+ Mistakes have two sides: while they cause loss, they also offer life lessons.

+ Failure is the mother of success.

+ Wise people who dare to act and are not afraid of mistakes are the true masters of their fate.

b) Reasoning:

- Nothing ventured, nothing gained: “A person who is always afraid of failure... will never learn a foreign language.”

- Mistakes are inevitable when moving toward the future: “If you fear mistakes, you won’t dare to do anything... Failure is the mother of success.”

- Don’t be reckless, blind, or intentionally make mistakes, but learn from them: “You shouldn’t be reckless... but think critically, learn from experience, and find ways to progress.”

=> These reasons are clear and convincing.

c) The argumentative method in this essay differs from 'Don’t fear failure':

- In 'Don’t fear failure,' the writer used reasoning and numerous specific examples.

- In 'Don’t fear mistakes,' the writer relies on reasoning and the analysis of that reasoning, without specific examples.

I. Purpose and Methods of Proof

Question 1: In everyday life, when we want to assert something, we need to provide proof.

To convince others, we must present reliable evidence.

From this, we can conclude: Proof is presenting valid evidence to affirm something is true.

Question 2: In written texts, people can’t use witnesses or material evidence as in court. Instead, they use words to present reasoning and to cite reliable evidence. Writers also analyze this evidence to establish its authenticity and create persuasion.

Question 3: Read the essay 'Don’t Fear Failure'. Answer the following questions:

a) The central argument of the essay is “Don’t fear failure.”

The sentences that express this argument include the essay's title and its conclusion: “Therefore, don’t fear failure. What’s scarier is missing opportunities simply because you didn’t try your best.”

b) To encourage people to “don’t fear failure,” the essay uses the following approach:

It begins by questioning your past failures and asserts that failure is not something to fear. Then it provides examples of individuals who faced setbacks but eventually succeeded in fields like business, science, literature, and the arts.

Conclusion: Failure itself is not scary—what’s truly frightening is not striving to overcome challenges in life.

- The facts presented are highly credible, as they are drawn from the biographies of well-known, successful individuals.

From this, we understand that the method of proof in argumentation involves using logical reasoning combined with solid evidence to prove the credibility of a claim.

Remember:

In life, we use facts (reliable evidence) to show that something is true.

In argumentative writing, proof is an argumentative method that uses logical reasoning and verifiable evidence to show that a claim is trustworthy.

The reasoning and evidence used in proof must be carefully selected, validated, and analyzed to be persuasive.

II. Practice

Read the essay 'Don’t Fear Mistakes.' Answer the questions:

a) The argument of the essay: Don’t fear mistakes. Even if you make mistakes, learn from them, and find another way to move forward.

The sentences supporting this argument are:

- The essay title.

- A person who is afraid of making mistakes... will never become self-reliant.

- Failure is the mother of success.

- Those who are wise, who dare to act and are not afraid of mistakes, are the true masters of their fate.

b) To support their argument, the author provides the following reasoning:

- If you want to live a life without making mistakes, it’s an illusion or cowardice before life.

- If failure or mistakes prevent progress, no one would ever achieve anything. Mistakes provide valuable life lessons.

- If you fear mistakes, you will never dare to do anything.

- No one enjoys making mistakes, but when you do, you must learn from them to move forward.

These reasons are very much in line with real-life experiences, making them highly persuasive.

c) The argumentative method in this essay differs from that in 'Don’t Fear Failure.'

- The introduction presents a different view: it asserts that making mistakes is inevitable in life.

- In the body of the essay: In 'Don’t Fear Failure,' the author uses numerous real-life examples from successful individuals’ biographies as evidence.

In this essay, the author primarily relies on reasoning and analysis to prove their point. The reasoning covers multiple aspects, such as how fearing mistakes is avoiding reality, how mistakes have two sides: one causing loss and the other providing valuable lessons, and how one should confidently proceed with their tasks despite failure. Failure is portrayed as the precursor to success.