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English•SHS Essay & Formal Writing

The argumentative essay

Senior High 6 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What the argumentative essay means

An argumentative essay helps you take a clear stand on a topic and support it with reasons and evidence. It matters because you need to show balanced thinking, not just an opinion.

What you will practise

  • State a clear thesis in the introduction
  • Give reasons that support your position
  • Use examples or facts to strengthen each point
  • Address the opposing view fairly
  • Write a firm conclusion that restates your stand

Before you start

You should already know how to write clear paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details. It also helps if you can organise ideas in a logical order and use basic linking words.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

An argumentative essay mainly aims to:

  • tell a story
  • argue a point of view with reasons
  • describe a place
  • give a recipe
Answer: argue a point of view with reasons

Working: An argumentative essay defends a stand using reasons and evidence.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Giving only opinions without reasons or evidence. Support each point with a clear explanation.
  • Ignoring the opposing view completely. Acknowledge it and explain why your position still stands.
  • Placing the thesis too late. Put your main claim in the introduction.
  • Ending with new ideas. Keep the conclusion focused on the argument already developed.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

This skill is usually taught in SHS essay and formal writing work, where learners practise building organised arguments and responding to prompts. It also supports preparation for WASSCE, where clear structure, relevance and balanced discussion matter.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other SHS Essay & Formal Writing skills in English, at the same point in the course.

Other English topics

Letters and SoundsEarly Reading and WritingSHS English and LiteratureAcademic and Professional WritingGrammarVocabulary

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Exams that assess the argumentative essay

Senior High work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the English topics that appear on it.

WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsFree WASSCE practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

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Practise the argumentative essay

6 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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