The workshop “Steps to Writing an Argumentative Essay” for students of class 9A1 took place in a lively and inspiring learning atmosphere, with the guidance of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa – Literature expert, former Head of the Department of Educational Studies and Psychology at the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences. With over 30 years of experience in teaching Literature, she has mentored many generations of students who went on to achieve high awards in National and Provincial Excellent Student Competitions.
With a clear, approachable, and inspiring teaching style, Ms. Thu Hoa emphasized the importance of fully understanding the essay prompt and developing ideas accurately, rather than writing at length without focus or chasing word count. Through concrete explanations, students gradually realized that an effective argumentative essay does not need to be elaborate, but must be clear, logical, and closely aligned with the given issue.
Building on this approach, Ms. Hoa systematized the process of writing an argumentative essay into four clear steps: carefully reading the prompt – outlining ideas – writing the essay – reviewing and correcting errors. Her scientific, easy-to-apply guidance, along with relatable examples, made the session engaging and interactive. Students actively exchanged ideas, asked questions, and participated enthusiastically in the lesson. As a result, the workshop not only provided a practical writing method but also fostered a positive learning environment, helping students feel more confident and motivated when approaching argumentative writing.