Copyright 2010 Jonan Donaldson
Sample Argumentative Essay
Skills vs. Knowledge in Education
Jonan Donaldson
Introduction
Main Idea One: The Other Side – Learning Information is needed for tests
a) Tests are the best way to compare students
b) Tests measure if you understand something
c) Not all students can have the same skills, but all can have the same knowledge
Main Idea Two: My Side 1 – Education is about understanding
a) Knowledge is limited, but imagination encircles the world (creativity)
b) Knowledge is what other people think about something, but understanding is what you
think.
c) Everybody sees, hears, feels, and thinks differently, so each person will have a different
understanding of the same thing.
Main Idea Three: My Side 2 – Skills are more important in the real world
a) Finding information
b) Organizing information
c) Analyzing information
d) Synthesizing information
e) Creating new information
Conclusion