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Education Is Not the Key to Success essay

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Essay on Education Is Not the Key to Success

About 20 years ago, education was something that a person did only if he/she wanted to. Unfortunately, as the years went by, the idea of "Education is the key to success" got more, and more enforced. People eventually started to believe that education was the single way to succeed, and the only thing needed for success. Despite the fact, many Americans believe a college degree will lead them to be successful, in reality, education is not the solitary way to succeed. Not everybody can receive an education, or even an excellent education from a "decent academic" college/university. "There are many students who have no desire to attend college and who would be much better off if they …show more content…

Education or book learning had nothing to do with the success of those people that chose to take another path rather than the typical one (education). People can be successful in any field with the right skills. Book learning has a lot to do with the knowledge a person has, but not with the skills a person has. There are many A+ graduates out there that cannot get a job, or are stuck working at a place that had nothing to do with their degree. A numerous amount of students in college care more about grades than knowledge; some graduate having forgotten everything they ever learned. So there goes a college graduate with little knowledge and no skills. Can a person like that succeed? No. That's why education is not the key to success. People cannot just go to college and expect that passing classes will get them to succeed. The main thing a person needs in order to succeed is drive, motivation and passion. He/she has to know what their end goal is and what they need to do to get it. "Commit to the achievement of the elusive goal in your life" (Arcement, 101). The person has to go about learning what skills will take her or him to be successful. One of the main skills a person should have is persistence. A person must always keep going after his or her goal even if it takes

Is a College Degree Worth the Costs? Essay

  • 6 Works Cited

In today’s society, a college degree has become a requirement in order to obtain a well occupied profession. Prior to the recession, which the study defines as the period between December 2007 and June 2009, bachelor's graduates were already more likely to be employed than were associate degree holders, who were more likely to be employed than those without any postsecondary degree. After the recession, employment of college graduates dropped 7 percent, while associate degree holders experienced an 11 percent drop, and employment of high school graduates fell 16 percent. The percent of people excluded from the workforce, meaning they were seeking work but couldn’t find it, rose 31 percent for college graduates, 37 percent for high school graduates, and 50 percent for associate degree graduates, though associate degree holders were still excluded at a lower rate than high school graduates (Tilsley, 2013).

Is College Necessary For Success?

It is dulled into the mind’s of student’s since the beginning of their academic career that an individual will not amount to anything without a college education. Numerous statistician’s believe that education is key! Many people fail to realize that a college education is not essential to success, or so they say.

Benjamin Barber The Educated Student A Global Consumer

It became clear that in order to form a sound, functional democracy, education was most essential. Every citizen, although at the time only males could be citizens, needed to have some form of education. What was it that the citizen was to learn while in school? It became clear that education itself consisted of literacy, knowledge, research and the understanding of the Bill of Rights; those are what would make democracy succeed (Barber 416). Education as it was understood not only consisted of the basics, but also consisted of the government and rights. The importance of knowledge of government was not underestimated. He described the tuning point in education as the industrial revolution. Barber says “We have watch this commercialization and privatization, a distortion of the education mission and its content, going to the heart of our schools themselves.” (417). He is arguing that devices and television programs have become diluted with advertisements and that, with programs like Channel One, they have begun to affect education in schools. Tannen, on the other hand, argues that education and its present forms gained traction with the Greeks and continued through the middle ages. She tells how young men left home to attend institutions of higher learning. Through their experiences she says, “students at these institutions were trained not to discover the truth but to argue either side of

Is College Worth It?

There are people who became successful in life that did not go to college and earn the fancy degrees that many can point out. Some may use this to their advantage and say that they become just like them, such as Michael Dell. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Dell incorporation. He started that company in his dorm room but dropped out of college at the age of 19.That was his first year attending college. Also another successful person that is well known is Mark Zuckerberg. Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook and is the 400th richest American. He developed Facebook one year on summer vacation after borrowing money from Paypal’s co-founder Peter Theil; in 2008, Microsoft paid

Seetting and Acheiving Goals Essay

Some people believe that dedication, persistence, and time people can accomplish any goal. Everyone should have goals when striving to achieve a specific task. Goal setting is used by top level athletes, successful business man, and achievers in all fields. A wise athlete once said, “Without time and effort put towards ones goal for the sport, you are nearly wasting your time and your teams time and you will never achieve ones goal for that

Why Is Fdr Successful

Knowledge and being educated is something that will help anyone be successful that’s a proven fact when you

Rhetorical Analysis In Pharinet Is College For Everyone

must have a college education to be able to succeed in life. Pharinet wrote in “Is College for

Comparing The Works Of Gerald Graff And Mike Rose

When the definition of education is looked up in the dictionary it comes out as “a degree, level, or kind of schooling”. While attending a university or obtaining a degree is largely viewed as being educated, there are many other ways to become educated rather than a degree with your name on it. Gerald Graff, and Mike Rose show their personal experience of being educated without a degree. Being educated is different for everybody, and regardless it’s the person’s personal experiences and lessons that lead them to thrive for an education in their own unique fashion. Mike Rose, professor at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, comes from a family of blue-collar workers.

The Benefits Of A Four Year College

understanding of economics or how our government operates. So it is not surprising that even if they land a job, they don 't keep it

Mark Edmundson's 'Who Are We And What Are Doing Here'

"Who Are We and What Are We Doing Here" In Mark Edmundson artice "Who Are We and What Are We Doing here" he mainly talks about how college isn't what everyone paints it out to be. Most people don't go to college to follow they dreams and study what they really want to study instead they study fught for education In the begginging of Edmunson article he congrats the freshmans on their achievement on the war they will fight for the next four years of their college education.

Pros and Cons of Attending College Essay examples

Going to college and receiving a degree does not guarantee that a person is going to get a job right after they graduate. It is sometimes hard for some graduates to find a good job because there is so much competition with other graduates as well. Sometimes they may get a job and it could be in a totally different field of what they got their degree for. They must find a job though to pay off all the debt that an education has given them.

College Is Not For Everyone

Many people believe that education is the key to success. Hoping that if people finished college, they will land a good and stable job. Precisely, college degree has a huge positive impact for most people because employers will look at employees’ education and experience in their resumes to exceed their expectations. However, college is ineffective to some people yet many of them become successful in life. Typical example is the governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker who was re-elected twice from 2010 and 2014. He deliberated the top tier potential presidential candidate despite not having college degree (Koplowitz, 2014). Furthermore, he is currently using his life experience and ability to take advantage in the campaign. Talent, skill, and intellect are among the most important characteristics of individuals to become successful. Moreover, many young people join the military after high school to serve the country and save up money for future references such as going back to school or starting it as a career. Therefore, it is very significant for everyone if college is really for them or not because college can cost highly which may not exceed their expectations. Providentially, some alternative ways that people may apply to become successful in life besides going to college.

Purpose Of Education In America

Becoming the most educated nation in the world has always been an intention of the United States. This idea was instilled in the American mind when Thomas Jefferson wrote up the idea that all children get three years of free education (Mondale, 2001). Early in American history, education was not a very important aspect of society. The beginning of becoming the most educated country begain in 1865 when slaves were free and were now able to become educated (Mondale, 2001). With this new structure America would become a much more literate culture. Whites and blacks were both able to attend school and able to help the American society. Later in history it was 0bserved that school again did not seem important to the American public. Many kids could have been found working in factories and no longer attending school. To counter this problem the American government introduced child labor laws, which stated that a factor was no place for children and they are required to be in school up until a certain age (Mondale, 2001).

College Education Doesn´t Guarantee Success Essay

  • 2 Works Cited

Someone might be thinking if they drop out of college they’ll be working labor and dirty jobs, but in reality if that person looks for the right position I bet that they can get the job. It probably won’t be the career they intended to start upon, but over time that person can make the decision to go unto another job. Moreover that person would likely need some sort of degree if one is dealing with medicine, dentistry and law, but with the necessary experience that person may have under their belt it will be easier for them to make themselves more marketable in terms of experience. Additionally, they all share one thing in common: they require results, and in many cases, require years of hard work and study to achieve success.

Is College Degree Necessary For Success?

I have read an article "Is a College Degree Necessary" published by Los Angeles Times, and was written by Mike Rustigan in my English class. The author wrote about the number of dropouts from the university because they feel that school is not the appropriate place for them to learn the knowledge and life. They just want to work with your hands, and learn a skill by itself after high school. By contrast, President Obama wants every student has the opportunity to attend college to obtain higher education. President Obama told Congress, "We expect all our children not only to graduate from high school but to graduate from college and get a good-paying job." (Los Angeles Times). After reading the article, there is the big question in my mind is: Is there a college degree necessary for success? Some people may think that not going to college will not have much influence on their life, because going to college or a vocational school, finally, people still go to work and earn money to support themselves and their families, should a college degree is not important and necessary; as long as we have the ability and effort, we will succeed. Is really very difficult to believe that a person needs a college education to succeed in life because success in life has different meanings for different people, and there are many who have succeeded , become a billionaire, but not through a whole school or class in life. Some others said that the university is not only a success, but the path

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  • How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

  • Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
  • Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
  • Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
  • Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
  • Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
  • Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

  • Make a claim
  • Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
  • Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
  • Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

  • Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
  • Cite data to support your claim
  • Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
  • Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

  • Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
  • Highlight the problems with this position
  • Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
  • Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

  • Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
  • Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
  • Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
  • Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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Argumentative Essay: Getting a Good Education

Getting an education is compulsory in the developed world, but so many of us don’t appreciate it enough. We should value our education a lot more and work harder, because it is compulsory for so many different reasons and adds so much value to our lives. There are so many positive outcomes of education, but most of them come under the two banners of allowing us to develop personally, and improving our life chances.

Learning gives us so much that we otherwise wouldn’t have. Besides the obvious skills and facts that we learn, we learn self-discipline and self-motivation, timekeeping skills, social and communication skills and so much more. We also gain confidence and self-esteem through completing tasks and being praised for good work, as well as learning right and wrong as we are punished for any wrongdoing from a young age. Being educated is shown to increase people’s sense of self-worth, life satisfaction and overall happiness, so ultimately being a well-rounded person with lots of potential of happiness is a major outcome of education.

This development in itself increases our chances in life and our potential to do the things we want to do, as social skills gained allow us to form good relationships, and all of the other skills will help when it comes to getting a job. There is, unsurprisingly, a positive correlation between the level of education that people receive and the amount of money they earn. People that are educated are less likely to be unemployed or be on low wages with which they can barely feed their families. They are more likely to afford a nice house in a good area, a nice car, and regular family vacations. Educated people are also less likely to go to prison, because they will be able to provide for their families without crime and are less likely to be violent as they can communicate better with language.

Getting a good high school education also improves our chances of being able to go to college . This further study adds so many different skills to your arsenal that employment prospects and earning potential become better again. Whatever level someone has studied to though, a good education will get them further than someone with little or no education.

This is because of the marketable skills that they have gained. Literacy and basic math skills are at the foundation of independent living and being able to work. Good communication skills and ability to work both with a team and independently are often a basic requirement for any job, and these are developed in the education system through group and individual projects. All in all, education gives us so many skills that it is necessary for both happiness and success in life.

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How to Write an Argumentative Essay

How to Write an Argumentative Essay

4-minute read

  • 30th April 2022

An argumentative essay is a structured, compelling piece of writing where an author clearly defines their stance on a specific topic. This is a very popular style of writing assigned to students at schools, colleges, and universities. Learn the steps to researching, structuring, and writing an effective argumentative essay below.

Requirements of an Argumentative Essay

To effectively achieve its purpose, an argumentative essay must contain:

●  A concise thesis statement that introduces readers to the central argument of the essay

●  A clear, logical, argument that engages readers

●  Ample research and evidence that supports your argument

Approaches to Use in Your Argumentative Essay

1.   classical.

●  Clearly present the central argument.

●  Outline your opinion.

●  Provide enough evidence to support your theory.

2.   Toulmin

●  State your claim.

●  Supply the evidence for your stance.

●  Explain how these findings support the argument.

●  Include and discuss any limitations of your belief.

3.   Rogerian

●  Explain the opposing stance of your argument.

●  Discuss the problems with adopting this viewpoint.

●  Offer your position on the matter.

●  Provide reasons for why yours is the more beneficial stance.

●  Include a potential compromise for the topic at hand.

Tips for Writing a Well-Written Argumentative Essay

●  Introduce your topic in a bold, direct, and engaging manner to captivate your readers and encourage them to keep reading.

●  Provide sufficient evidence to justify your argument and convince readers to adopt this point of view.

●  Consider, include, and fairly present all sides of the topic.

●  Structure your argument in a clear, logical manner that helps your readers to understand your thought process.

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●  Discuss any counterarguments that might be posed.

●  Use persuasive writing that’s appropriate for your target audience and motivates them to agree with you.

Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay

Follow these basic steps to write a powerful and meaningful argumentative essay :

Step 1: Choose a topic that you’re passionate about

If you’ve already been given a topic to write about, pick a stance that resonates deeply with you. This will shine through in your writing, make the research process easier, and positively influence the outcome of your argument.

Step 2: Conduct ample research to prove the validity of your argument

To write an emotive argumentative essay , finding enough research to support your theory is a must. You’ll need solid evidence to convince readers to agree with your take on the matter. You’ll also need to logically organize the research so that it naturally convinces readers of your viewpoint and leaves no room for questioning.

Step 3: Follow a simple, easy-to-follow structure and compile your essay

A good structure to ensure a well-written and effective argumentative essay includes:

Introduction

●  Introduce your topic.

●  Offer background information on the claim.

●  Discuss the evidence you’ll present to support your argument.

●  State your thesis statement, a one-to-two sentence summary of your claim.

●  This is the section where you’ll develop and expand on your argument.

●  It should be split into three or four coherent paragraphs, with each one presenting its own idea.

●  Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that indicates why readers should adopt your belief or stance.

●  Include your research, statistics, citations, and other supporting evidence.

●  Discuss opposing viewpoints and why they’re invalid.

●  This part typically consists of one paragraph.

●  Summarize your research and the findings that were presented.

●  Emphasize your initial thesis statement.

●  Persuade readers to agree with your stance.

We certainly hope that you feel inspired to use these tips when writing your next argumentative essay . And, if you’re currently elbow-deep in writing one, consider submitting a free sample to us once it’s completed. Our expert team of editors can help ensure that it’s concise, error-free, and effective!

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If there’s one writing skill you need to have in your toolkit for standardized tests, AP exams, and college-level writing, it’s the ability to make a persuasive argument. Effectively arguing for a position on a topic or issue isn’t just for the debate team— it’s for anyone who wants to ace the essay portion of an exam or make As in college courses.

To give you everything you need to know about how to write an argumentative essay , we’re going to answer the following questions for you:

  • What is an argumentative essay?
  • How should an argumentative essay be structured?
  • How do I write a strong argument?
  • What’s an example of a strong argumentative essay?
  • What are the top takeaways for writing argumentative papers?

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepped and ready to write a great argumentative essay yourself!

Now, let’s break this down.

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What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a type of writing that presents the writer’s position or stance on a specific topic and uses evidence to support that position. The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince your reader that your position is logical, ethical, and, ultimately, right . In argumentative essays, writers accomplish this by writing:

  • A clear, persuasive thesis statement in the introduction paragraph
  • Body paragraphs that use evidence and explanations to support the thesis statement
  • A paragraph addressing opposing positions on the topic—when appropriate
  • A conclusion that gives the audience something meaningful to think about.

Introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion: these are the main sections of an argumentative essay. Those probably sound familiar. Where does arguing come into all of this, though? It’s not like you’re having a shouting match with your little brother across the dinner table. You’re just writing words down on a page!

...or are you? Even though writing papers can feel like a lonely process, one of the most important things you can do to be successful in argumentative writing is to think about your argument as participating in a larger conversation . For one thing, you’re going to be responding to the ideas of others as you write your argument. And when you’re done writing, someone—a teacher, a professor, or exam scorer—is going to be reading and evaluating your argument.

If you want to make a strong argument on any topic, you have to get informed about what’s already been said on that topic . That includes researching the different views and positions, figuring out what evidence has been produced, and learning the history of the topic. That means—you guessed it!—argumentative essays almost always require you to incorporate outside sources into your writing.  

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What Makes Argumentative Essays Unique?

Argumentative essays are different from other types of essays for one main reason: in an argumentative essay, you decide what the argument will be . Some types of essays, like summaries or syntheses, don’t want you to show your stance on the topic—they want you to remain unbiased and neutral.

In argumentative essays, you’re presenting your point of view as the writer and, sometimes, choosing the topic you’ll be arguing about. You just want to make sure that that point of view comes across as informed, well-reasoned, and persuasive.

Another thing about argumentative essays: they’re often longer than other types of essays. Why, you ask? Because it takes time to develop an effective argument. If your argument is going to be persuasive to readers, you have to address multiple points that support your argument, acknowledge counterpoints, and provide enough evidence and explanations to convince your reader that your points are valid.

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Our 3 Best Tips for Picking a Great Argumentative Topic

The first step to writing an argumentative essay deciding what to write about! Choosing a topic for your argumentative essay might seem daunting, though. It can feel like you could make an argument about anything under the sun. For example, you could write an argumentative essay about how cats are way cooler than dogs, right?

It’s not quite that simple . Here are some strategies for choosing a topic that serves as a solid foundation for a strong argument.

Choose a Topic That Can Be Supported With Evidence

First, you want to make sure the topic you choose allows you to make a claim that can be supported by evidence that’s considered credible and appropriate for the subject matter ...and, unfortunately, your personal opinions or that Buzzfeed quiz you took last week don’t quite make the cut.

Some topics—like whether cats or dogs are cooler—can generate heated arguments, but at the end of the day, any argument you make on that topic is just going to be a matter of opinion. You have to pick a topic that allows you to take a position that can be supported by actual, researched evidence.

(Quick note: you could write an argumentative paper over the general idea that dogs are better than cats—or visa versa!—if you’re a) more specific and b) choose an idea that has some scientific research behind it. For example, a strong argumentative topic could be proving that dogs make better assistance animals than cats do.)

You also don’t want to make an argument about a topic that’s already a proven fact, like that drinking water is good for you. While some people might dislike the taste of water, there is an overwhelming body of evidence that proves—beyond the shadow of a doubt—that drinking water is a key part of good health.  

To avoid choosing a topic that’s either unprovable or already proven, try brainstorming some issues that have recently been discussed in the news, that you’ve seen people debating on social media, or that affect your local community. If you explore those outlets for potential topics, you’ll likely stumble upon something that piques your audience’s interest as well.  

Choose a Topic That You Find Interesting

Topics that have local, national, or global relevance often also resonate with us on a personal level. Consider choosing a topic that holds a connection between something you know or care about and something that is relevant to the rest of society. These don’t have to be super serious issues, but they should be topics that are timely and significant.

For example, if you are a huge football fan, a great argumentative topic for you might be arguing whether football leagues need to do more to prevent concussions . Is this as “important” an issue as climate change? No, but it’s still a timely topic that affects many people. And not only is this a great argumentative topic: you also get to write about one of your passions! Ultimately, if you’re working with a topic you enjoy, you’ll have more to say—and probably write a better essay .

Choose a Topic That Doesn’t Get You Too Heated

Another word of caution on choosing a topic for an argumentative paper: while it can be effective to choose a topic that matters to you personally, you also want to make sure you’re choosing a topic that you can keep your cool over. You’ve got to be able to stay unemotional, interpret the evidence persuasively, and, when appropriate, discuss opposing points of view without getting too salty.

In some situations, choosing a topic for your argumentative paper won’t be an issue at all: the test or exam will choose it for you . In that case, you’ve got to do the best you can with what you’re given.

In the next sections, we’re going to break down how to write any argumentative essay —regardless of whether you get to choose your own topic or have one assigned to you! Our expert tips and tricks will make sure that you’re knocking your paper out of the park.

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The Thesis: The Argumentative Essay’s Backbone

You’ve chosen a topic or, more likely, read the exam question telling you to defend, challenge, or qualify a claim on an assigned topic. What do you do now?

You establish your position on the topic by writing a killer thesis statement ! The thesis statement, sometimes just called “the thesis,” is the backbone of your argument, the north star that keeps you oriented as you develop your main points, the—well, you get the idea.

In more concrete terms, a thesis statement conveys your point of view on your topic, usually in one sentence toward the end of your introduction paragraph . It’s very important that you state your point of view in your thesis statement in an argumentative way—in other words, it should state a point of view that is debatable.

And since your thesis statement is going to present your argument on the topic, it’s the thing that you’ll spend the rest of your argumentative paper defending. That’s where persuasion comes in. Your thesis statement tells your reader what your argument is, then the rest of your essay shows and explains why your argument is logical.

Why does an argumentative essay need a thesis, though? Well, the thesis statement—the sentence with your main claim—is actually the entire point of an argumentative essay. If you don’t clearly state an arguable claim at the beginning of your paper, then it’s not an argumentative essay. No thesis statement = no argumentative essay. Got it?

Other types of essays that you’re familiar with might simply use a thesis statement to forecast what the rest of the essay is going to discuss or to communicate what the topic is. That’s not the case here. If your thesis statement doesn’t make a claim or establish your position, you’ll need to go back to the drawing board.

Example Thesis Statements

Here are a couple of examples of thesis statements that aren’t argumentative and thesis statements that are argumentative

The sky is blue.

The thesis statement above conveys a fact, not a claim, so it’s not argumentative.

To keep the sky blue, governments must pass clean air legislation and regulate emissions.

The second example states a position on a topic. What’s the topic in that second sentence? The best way to keep the sky blue. And what position is being conveyed? That the best way to keep the sky blue is by passing clean air legislation and regulating emissions.

Some people would probably respond to that thesis statement with gusto: “No! Governments should not pass clean air legislation and regulate emissions! That infringes on my right to pollute the earth!” And there you have it: a thesis statement that presents a clear, debatable position on a topic.

Here’s one more set of thesis statement examples, just to throw in a little variety:

Spirituality and otherworldliness characterize A$AP Rocky’s portrayals of urban life and the American Dream in his rap songs and music videos.

The statement above is another example that isn’t argumentative, but you could write a really interesting analytical essay with that thesis statement. Long live A$AP! Now here’s another one that is argumentative:

To give students an understanding of the role of the American Dream in contemporary life, teachers should incorporate pop culture, like the music of A$AP Rocky, into their lessons and curriculum.

The argument in this one? Teachers should incorporate more relevant pop culture texts into their curriculum.

This thesis statement also gives a specific reason for making the argument above: To give students an understanding of the role of the American Dream in contemporary life. If you can let your reader know why you’re making your argument in your thesis statement, it will help them understand your argument better.

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An actual image of you killing your argumentative essay prompts after reading this article! 

Breaking Down the Sections of An Argumentative Essay

Now that you know how to pick a topic for an argumentative essay and how to make a strong claim on your topic in a thesis statement, you’re ready to think about writing the other sections of an argumentative essay. These are the parts that will flesh out your argument and support the claim you made in your thesis statement.  

Like other types of essays, argumentative essays typically have three main sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Within those sections, there are some key elements that a reader—and especially an exam scorer or professor—is always going to expect you to include.

Let’s look at a quick outline of those three sections with their essential pieces here:

  • Introduction paragraph with a thesis statement (which we just talked about)
  • Support Point #1 with evidence
  • Explain/interpret the evidence with your own, original commentary (AKA, the fun part!)
  • Support Point #2 with evidence
  • Explain/interpret the evidence with your own, original commentary
  • Support Point #3 with evidence
  • New paragraph addressing opposing viewpoints (more on this later!)
  • Concluding paragraph

 Now, there are some key concepts in those sections that you’ve got to understand if you’re going to master how to write an argumentative essay. To make the most of the body section, you have to know how to support your claim (your thesis statement), what evidence and explanations are and when you should use them, and how and when to address opposing viewpoints. To finish strong, you’ve got to have a strategy for writing a stellar conclusion.

This probably feels like a big deal! The body and conclusion make up most of the essay, right? Let’s get down to it, then.

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How to Write a Strong Argument

Once you have your topic and thesis, you’re ready for the hard part: actually writing your argument. If you make strategic choices—like the ones we’re about to talk about—writing a strong argumentative essay won’t feel so difficult.

There are three main areas where you want to focus your energy as you develop a strategy for how to write an argumentative essay: supporting your claim—your thesis statement—in your essay, addressing other viewpoints on your topic, and writing a solid conclusion. If you put thought and effort into these three things, you’re much more likely to write an argumentative essay that’s engaging, persuasive, and memorable...aka A+ material.

Focus Area 1: Supporting Your Claim With Evidence and Explanations

So you’ve chosen your topic, decided what your position will be, and written a thesis statement. But like we see in comment threads across the Internet, if you make a claim and don’t back it up with evidence, what do people say? “Where’s your proof?” “Show me the facts!” “Do you have any evidence to support that claim?”

Of course you’ve done your research like we talked about. Supporting your claim in your thesis statement is where that research comes in handy.

You can’t just use your research to state the facts, though. Remember your reader? They’re going to expect you to do some of the dirty work of interpreting the evidence for them. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between evidence and explanations, and how and when to use both in your argumentative essay.

What Evidence Is and When You Should Use It

Evidence can be material from any authoritative and credible outside source that supports your position on your topic. In some cases, evidence can come in the form of photos, video footage, or audio recordings. In other cases, you might be pulling reasons, facts, or statistics from news media articles, public policy, or scholarly books or journals.

There are some clues you can look for that indicate whether or not a source is credible , such as whether:

  • The website where you found the source ends in .edu, .gov, or .org
  • The source was published by a university press
  • The source was published in a peer-reviewed journal
  • The authors did extensive research to support the claims they make in the source

This is just a short list of some of the clues that a source is likely a credible one, but just because a source was published by a prestigious press or the authors all have PhDs doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best piece of evidence for you to use to support your argument.

In addition to evaluating the source’s credibility, you’ve got to consider what types of evidence might come across as most persuasive in the context of the argument you’re making and who your readers are. In other words, stepping back and getting a bird’s eye view of the entire context of your argumentative paper is key to choosing evidence that will strengthen your argument.

On some exams, like the AP exams , you may be given pretty strict parameters for what evidence to use and how to use it. You might be given six short readings that all address the same topic, have 15 minutes to read them, then be required to pull material from a minimum of three of the short readings to support your claim in an argumentative essay.

When the sources are handed to you like that, be sure to take notes that will help you pick out evidence as you read. Highlight, underline, put checkmarks in the margins of your exam . . . do whatever you need to do to begin identifying the material that you find most helpful or relevant. Those highlights and check marks might just turn into your quotes, paraphrases, or summaries of evidence in your completed exam essay.

What Explanations Are and When You Should Use Them

Now you know that taking a strategic mindset toward evidence and explanations is critical to grasping how to write an argumentative essay. Unfortunately, evidence doesn’t speak for itself. While it may be obvious to you, the researcher and writer, how the pieces of evidence you’ve included are relevant to your audience, it might not be as obvious to your reader.

That’s where explanations—or analysis, or interpretations—come in. You never want to just stick some quotes from an article into your paragraph and call it a day. You do want to interpret the evidence you’ve included to show your reader how that evidence supports your claim.

Now, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be saying, “This piece of evidence supports my argument because...”. Instead, you want to comment on the evidence in a way that helps your reader see how it supports the position you stated in your thesis. We’ll talk more about how to do this when we show you an example of a strong body paragraph from an argumentative essay here in a bit.

Understanding how to incorporate evidence and explanations to your advantage is really important. Here’s why: when you’re writing an argumentative essay, particularly on standardized tests or the AP exam, the exam scorers can’t penalize you for the position you take. Instead, their evaluation is going to focus on the way you incorporated evidence and explained it in your essay.

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Focus Area 2: How—and When—to Address Other Viewpoints

Why would we be making arguments at all if there weren’t multiple views out there on a given topic? As you do research and consider the background surrounding your topic, you’ll probably come across arguments that stand in direct opposition to your position.

Oftentimes, teachers will ask you to “address the opposition” in your argumentative essay. What does that mean, though, to “ address the opposition ?”

Opposing viewpoints function kind of like an elephant in the room. Your audience knows they’re there. In fact, your audience might even buy into an opposing viewpoint and be waiting for you to show them why your viewpoint is better. If you don’t, it means that you’ll have a hard time convincing your audience to buy your argument.

Addressing the opposition is a balancing act: you don’t want to undermine your own argument, but you don’t want to dismiss the validity of opposing viewpoints out-of-hand or ignore them altogether, which can also undermine your argument.

This isn’t the only acceptable approach, but it’s common practice to wait to address the opposition until close to the end of an argumentative essay. But why?

Well, waiting to present an opposing viewpoint until after you’ve thoroughly supported your own argument is strategic. You aren’t going to go into great detail discussing the opposing viewpoint: you’re going to explain what that viewpoint is fairly, but you’re also going to point out what’s wrong with it.

It can also be effective to read the opposition through the lens of your own argument and the evidence you’ve used to support it. If the evidence you’ve already included supports your argument, it probably doesn’t support the opposing viewpoint. Without being too obvious, it might be worth pointing this out when you address the opposition.

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Focus Area #3: Writing the Conclusion

It’s common to conclude an argumentative essay by reiterating the thesis statement in some way, either by reminding the reader what the overarching argument was in the first place or by reviewing the main points and evidence that you covered.

You don’t just want to restate your thesis statement and review your main points and call it a day, though. So much has happened since you stated your thesis in the introduction! And why waste a whole paragraph—the very last thing your audience is going to read—on just repeating yourself?

Here’s an approach to the conclusion that can give your audience a fresh perspective on your argument: reinterpret your thesis statement for them in light of all the evidence and explanations you’ve provided. Think about how your readers might read your thesis statement in a new light now that they’ve heard your whole argument out.

That’s what you want to leave your audience with as you conclude your argumentative paper: a brief explanation of why all that arguing mattered in the first place. If you can give your audience something to continue pondering after they’ve read your argument, that’s even better.

One thing you want to avoid in your conclusion, though: presenting new supporting points or new evidence. That can just be confusing for your reader. Stick to telling your reader why the argument you’ve already made matters, and your argument will stick with your reader.

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A Strong Argumentative Essay: Examples

For some aspiring argumentative essay writers, showing is better than telling. To show rather than tell you what makes a strong argumentative essay, we’ve provided three examples of possible body paragraphs for an argumentative essay below.

Think of these example paragraphs as taking on the form of the “Argumentative Point #1 → Evidence —> Explanation —> Repeat” process we talked through earlier. It’s always nice to be able to compare examples, so we’ve included three paragraphs from an argumentative paper ranging from poor (or needs a lot of improvement, if you’re feeling generous), to better, to best.

All of the example paragraphs are for an essay with this thesis statement: 

Thesis Statement: In order to most effectively protect user data and combat the spread of disinformation, the U.S. government should implement more stringent regulations of Facebook and other social media outlets.

As you read the examples, think about what makes them different, and what makes the “best” paragraph more effective than the “better” and “poor” paragraphs. Here we go:

A Poor Argument

Example Body Paragraph: Data mining has affected a lot of people in recent years. Facebook has 2.23 billion users from around the world, and though it would take a huge amount of time and effort to make sure a company as big as Facebook was complying with privacy regulations in countries across the globe, adopting a common framework for privacy regulation in more countries would be the first step. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg himself supports adopting a global framework for privacy and data protection, which would protect more users than before.

What’s Wrong With This Example?

First, let’s look at the thesis statement. Ask yourself: does this make a claim that some people might agree with, but others might disagree with?

The answer is yes. Some people probably think that Facebook should be regulated, while others might believe that’s too much government intervention. Also, there are definitely good, reliable sources out there that will help this writer prove their argument. So this paper is off to a strong start!  

Unfortunately, this writer doesn’t do a great job proving their thesis in their body paragraph. First, the topic sentence—aka the first sentence of the paragraph—doesn’t make a point that directly supports the position stated in the thesis. We’re trying to argue that government regulation will help protect user data and combat the spread of misinformation, remember? The topic sentence should make a point that gets right at that, instead of throwing out a random fact about data mining.

Second, because the topic sentence isn’t focused on making a clear point, the rest of the paragraph doesn’t have much relevant information, and it fails to provide credible evidence that supports the claim made in the thesis statement. For example, it would be a great idea to include exactly what Mark Zuckerberg said ! So while there’s definitely some relevant information in this paragraph, it needs to be presented with more evidence.

A Better Argument  

This paragraph is a bit better than the first one, but it still needs some work. The topic sentence is a bit too long, and it doesn’t make a point that clearly supports the position laid out in the thesis statement. The reader already knows that mining user data is a big issue, so the topic sentence would be a great place to make a point about why more stringent government regulations would most effectively protect user data.

There’s also a problem with how the evidence is incorporated in this example. While there is some relevant, persuasive evidence included in this paragraph, there’s no explanation of why or how it is relevant . Remember, you can’t assume that your evidence speaks for itself: you have to interpret its relevance for your reader. That means including at least a sentence that tells your reader why the evidence you’ve chosen proves your argument.

A Best—But Not Perfect!—Argument  

Example Body Paragraph: Though Facebook claims to be implementing company policies that will protect user data and stop the spread of misinformation , its attempts have been unsuccessful compared to those made by the federal government. When PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted a Federal Trade Commission-mandated assessment of Facebook’s partnerships with Microsoft and the makers of the Blackberry handset in 2013, the team found limited evidence that Facebook had monitored or even checked that its partners had complied with Facebook’s existing data use policies. In fact, Facebook’s own auditors confirmed the PricewaterhouseCoopers findings, despite the fact that Facebook claimed that the company was making greater attempts to safeguard users’ personal information. In contrast, bills written by Congress have been more successful in changing Facebook’s practices than Facebook’s own company policies have. According to The Washington Post, The Honest Ads Act of 2017 “created public demand for transparency and changed how social media companies disclose online political advertising.” These policy efforts, though thus far unsuccessful in passing legislation, have nevertheless pushed social media companies to change some of their practices by sparking public outrage and negative media attention.

Why This Example Is The Best

This paragraph isn’t perfect, but it is the most effective at doing some of the things that you want to do when you write an argumentative essay.

First, the topic sentences get to the point . . . and it’s a point that supports and explains the claim made in the thesis statement! It gives a clear reason why our claim in favor of more stringent government regulations is a good claim : because Facebook has failed to self-regulate its practices.

This paragraph also provides strong evidence and specific examples that support the point made in the topic sentence. The evidence presented shows specific instances in which Facebook has failed to self-regulate, and other examples where the federal government has successfully influenced regulation of Facebook’s practices for the better.

Perhaps most importantly, though, this writer explains why the evidence is important. The bold sentence in the example is where the writer links the evidence back to their opinion. In this case, they explain that the pressure from Federal Trade Commission and Congress—and the threat of regulation—have helped change Facebook for the better.

Why point out that this isn’t a perfect paragraph, though? Because you won’t be writing perfect paragraphs when you’re taking timed exams either. But get this: you don’t have to write perfect paragraphs to make a good score on AP exams or even on an essay you write for class. Like in this example paragraph, you just have to effectively develop your position by appropriately and convincingly relying on evidence from good sources.

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Top 3 Takeaways For Writing Argumentative Essays

This is all great information, right? If (when) you have to write an argumentative essay, you’ll be ready. But when in doubt, remember these three things about how to write an argumentative essay, and you’ll emerge victorious:

Takeaway #1: Read Closely and Carefully

This tip applies to every aspect of writing an argumentative essay. From making sure you’re addressing your prompt, to really digging into your sources, to proofreading your final paper...you’ll need to actively and pay attention! This is especially true if you’re writing on the clock, like during an AP exam.

Takeaway #2: Make Your Argument the Focus of the Essay

Define your position clearly in your thesis statement and stick to that position! The thesis is the backbone of your paper, and every paragraph should help prove your thesis in one way or another. But sometimes you get to the end of your essay and realize that you’ve gotten off topic, or that your thesis doesn’t quite fit. Don’t worry—if that happens, you can always rewrite your thesis to fit your paper!

Takeaway #3: Use Sources to Develop Your Argument—and Explain Them

Nothing is as powerful as good, strong evidence. First, make sure you’re finding credible sources that support your argument. Then you can paraphrase, briefly summarize, or quote from your sources as you incorporate them into your paragraphs. But remember the most important part: you have to explain why you’ve chosen that evidence and why it proves your thesis.

What's Next?

Once you’re comfortable with how to write an argumentative essay, it’s time to learn some more advanced tips and tricks for putting together a killer argument.

Keep in mind that argumentative essays are just one type of essay you might encounter. That’s why we’ve put together more specific guides on how to tackle IB essays , SAT essays , and ACT essays .

But what about admissions essays? We’ve got you covered. Not only do we have comprehensive guides to the Coalition App and Common App essays, we also have tons of individual college application guides, too . You can search through all of our college-specific posts by clicking here.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Do you agree that education is no longer the key to success? Argumentative Essay

Do you agree that education is no longer the key to success? Argumentative Essay

Education in the past had been deemed as a must for one to have a bright future. However in today’s world, the success brought about by education becomes subjective to people. This brings about many controversies as to whether education is really essential for us to succeed in life. Education exists in many forms, ranging from paper qualifications to character education, all with a common target to empower the knowledge and information of people. It is only through education that a person can be judged based on his capabilities and qualifications for his future endeavours.

Personally, I feel that education caters to the various aspect of success in life. In my opinion, success is the amount of material well-being as well as the lessons learnt to value add oneself in the end. Hence I believe that education still remains as one of the key factors in life. BODY Point 1: Topic Sentence: The focus of education now is a more adaptable-based economy where creativity and the ability to adapt to various changes is the key to success. Elaboration: -The world has become more interconnected than before. With the use of mass media, ideas and information are widely spread throughout the world and are easily obtainable.

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Through education, people learn the skill to exhibit their opinions and make informed decisions in life with the information they acquired. -People will acquire their own sets of solutions to problems using the resources they learnt, and are able to creatively alter working attitudes and styles to suit the needs of the society. This greatly aids them in adapting and integrating into the society quicker. Example: For example, Schools have begun incorporating external curricular learning where students are encouraged to expose themselves to different contents to promote critical thinking and discussion among peers.

Concluding Statement: Hence this encourages people to constantly bring up new ideas and opinions to their peers via read extensively. Thus the importance of education helps to cultivate learning and value-adding themselves in order to survive in the pressure cooker. Point 2: Topic Sentence: Education builds the foundation and basis of a person and also imparts life-long learning attitude and skills which are essential tools for success. Elaboration: -To be successful in life, a person should be able to make morally-sound and informed decisions.

This will not only prevent the person from being morally upright but also learning from pass mistakes. -In addition, with the right attitudes in mind, a person can become more self-motivated and thus achieving success in their economic goals. Education helps students pick up good habits and recognize what is right and wrong. -A more appropriate learning venue will be the school. They have rules in place and students will be given chances to learn from their mistakes even if they have broken the rules. In other words, schools allow students to learn more effectively aside from the regular curriculum. Example:

For example, when a student is caught committing theft in school, he or she would likely to be punished rather than being put behind bars. Thus, schools and classroom are often thought as the ‘safe’ place to make mistakes. It is in these places that students are able to learn from their mistake and not repeat it. Concluding Statement: The crucial thing about Education is the fact that student effectively learn when they are being put into a situation. The learning process becomes optimal when they are able to resolve the problem independently. More importantly, they learn the skill of dealing with situations.

Point 3: Topic Sentence: Education allows people to be exposed to new opportunities which serve as an essential stepping stone to success. Elaboration: -Education can help one to break away from the poverty cycle that some people are undergoing. Education provides them with suitable jobs prospect and the essential skills in surviving the working world. -Education also opens up new areas in life for women as they are encouraged to take on political roles and be career-oriented through education, integrating from housewives in the past to a significant figure in the society. This provides opportunity for larger pool of talents in the economy, inspiring more people to achieve greater heights in life with educational qualifications. Example: Hillary Clinton is a successful female politician who has been many in the United States of America, aiding in the development of the country. Concluding Statement: Education is important in providing more opportunities for people to find their dream jobs and have alternative routes working towards their future endeavours. Point 4: Topic Sentence:

We cannot neglect the fact that education consists of tests and examinations which serves as a certification for us to search for better job prospects and become successful. Elaboration: -It is impossible to neglect paper qualifications as it is the first item where jobs identify a potential person and their working capabilities. -Though there may be other working attitude that companies lookout for, it is inevitable to differentiate the elites from the normal working class and the only solution to this will be through their paper qualifications. Overtime, the key to success may change but education for certification itself, will remain as the top priority in today’s increasingly pragmatic world. Concluding Statement: Hence, this encourages more people to realise how art greatly benefit the country. Aesthetic education not only helps people to appreciate the abstract but also invoke their creativity and passion for the performing arts. This in turn allows them to gain greater knowledge and be all-rounded in various areas. Transition Statement:

However, there are people who agree that education is not as important anymore in contributing to the success in life. Rebuttal Point 1: Topic Statement: Many of the current methods of teaching provided by schools are insufficient. Elaboration: -Textbooks and notes kind of education allows less room for the growth of creativity and innovation. -Thus, it is unlikely for a student to excel in his later stages of life as he or she may only be able to regurgitate what is in the notes but not able to apply the knowledge effectively. As such, the current form of education may not be able to equipped students with the right keys to achieve economic success in life since they are not given the opportunity to freely express themselves from what they have learnt. -That having said, we cannot deny that most of the curriculum time must be placed on academic education. It is impossible to lengthen curriculum time anymore with the current hectic syllabus that students are taking. Hence there is little or even impossible to provide more of the character development in schools. Example:

For example, the education system in China and Singapore still focus very much on the transfer of knowledge through textbooks and notes. Very little emphasis is placed to character education or real-life situation in relation to the contents learnt in schools. Concluding Statement: School education might be lacking a little of the aspect of free expression for students. Thus Schools must strike a balance between academic education and creative teaching learning environment for the students to ensure a holistic development of the children’s potential.

Rebuttal Point 2: Topic Sentence: Good character and attitude in working may also eventually outweighs the use of education as it creates a more work-friendly environment. Elaboration: -One is said to be more worker-friendly when the person is able to corporate well within a team. Pleasant attitude and social skills also play an essential part in contributing to a person’s performance within a company. -A more amicable person will be preferred over a person with poor working attitude thought he might have the qualifications and degree for the job. That having said, we cannot deny the fact that having a degree or a qualification serves as a ‘passport’ for entering any workforce. Example: Most company will look at your qualifications before anything else. Hence it is essential for someone to have the required qualifications before even getting a chance of being employed. The other aspect of being work-friendly will only be identified through time and that is something we cannot use as a ticket for employment. Concluding Statement: Both character and qualification are important, hence it is undeniable that we must have proper education before employing for a job.

Personal skills are also greatly needed to be in the driver seat among the rest. Rebuttal Paragraph: That having said, there are still exceptions to the issue. For example, Schools are encouraging and inculcating life skill workshops into the school’s curriculum where students are excused from lessons to attend lifelong social skills which aids them in character development and self-discipline so that they are better prepared for working life. The increase in focus of moral education is on the rise as well. People have come to realise that results may not represent everything of a person.

Hence, education still serves its purpose in moral education. Conclusion: Essentially, education still remains as one of the important keys to success today. However, in a world where it is ever-changing, requirements and formulas to success are also ever manipulating. Thus, adjustments to the education systems may not catch up fast enough in paces with the demands of the society. Therefore, it should be recognized that to succeed in life today, one not only needs education, but also personal efforts, good learning and working attitudes in order to keep up with the demands of success.

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Why a college degree isn't the only path to success.

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You’ve probably been told the importance of college a million times. Many family members, teachers and even friends likely extol going to college and securing a white-collar, nine-to-five job as the only path to happiness. With so much pressure to go to college and follow the traditional career path, it can feel like there’s no other road to success.

If you’re an aspiring young entrepreneur, know that you don’t have to give into that feeling — I believe that the days when going to college was a no-brainer ended a long time ago. Furthermore, there are increasing numbers of happy, successful professionals who showcase that there’s another career path in today’s society.

After graduating high school, I attended college, as I had been taught this was the only path to acquire the American Dream. I was so eager to finish school and get a well-paying job that I doubled up on classes. However, after attaining my degree, it was very difficult to get a job. I finally decided to work for myself and started my own company. Here’s what I wish I knew:

College doesn’t guarantee a job.

There was a time when graduating from college was an impressive feat that ensured access to abundant entry-level positions. Times have changed. Owing to a surplus of graduates and changing social attitudes, finishing college is no longer a guarantee of impressing employers . Worse yet, the price of attending college has been skyrocketing over the last few decades. As a result, many students take on crippling debt in the hopes they’ll be able to wipe it away with a high-salary position that may never come.

You may have heard stories about billionaire entrepreneurs, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, who decided not to graduate from college. Despite not following the traditional career path, their names have become synonymous with success. Furthermore, they aren’t alone. Many prosperous people have carefully considered college and determined that the benefits no longer outweigh the cost. Of course, that begs the question, which path are they choosing to take instead?  

There are alternative career paths.

I believe that experience and skills hold more weight than a piece of paper saying that you studied theories about how things work. How many times have we heard of people attending their first day at a new job only to be told immediately, “Forget everything you learned; we will show you how to do the job.” It may be more difficult to work in a professional field without a degree, but it isn't impossible.

I believe every entrepreneur needs to be a visionary, have great leadership skills and perfect their sales skills — and not one of these traits requires a college degree. Without sales skills, you simply will not be able to sell your ideas or beliefs to others. You need leadership skills to be able to motivate and drive your team to succeed. Finally, you must be a visionary because without it, you simply don't have a dream or a goal to reach.

If you want to gather these skills before trying your hand at entrepreneurship, it is possible to forego college and start a fulfilling career. My advice: Look for companies that will invest in your future and provide mentorship throughout your professional development, companies that are impressed by passion and dedication. You can find jobs that don't require a college degree by simply conducting a Google search. Consider applying to an entry-level position to get your foot in the door. You will be able to gain more experience and show the company the value you are able to provide.

Attend seminars or meet-ups. Surround yourself with the people you want to be like as much as possible. That way, you can increase your chances of finding a mentor who will guide you to success. Finding meet-ups or seminars is as easy as going on social media or conducting a simple Google search. If you want someone to become your mentor, approach them by speaking to their interests and showing you did your research to increase the likelihood that they'll take you on as a mentee.

Educate yourself. Read books written by successful people to learn how to do whatever it is that you want to do. Personally speaking, the books I would recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs are How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss.

There is always an alternative path to getting a degree, but it is up to you to decide if you will take that path or not.

Attending college used to be an affordable guarantee of a satisfying career. Now, college is extremely expensive and is no guarantee of impressing employers. Many of the world’s trailblazers have taken notice and are increasingly doing what they love without college degrees. Maybe it’s time for more people to follow their example.

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"Education is the Key to Success"

I see education as the key to having a successful future. Many may say that what our teachers teach us in class may not be worth any of our time when really all they're trying to do is set us on the right path for the future.

                                                                 “My American Creed”

            What is my American Creed...my American Creed is that I believe that education is the key to success. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world..”(Nelson Mandela)           

          Why is education the key to success? “Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students”(Solomon Ortiz). I say education is the key to success because even though many may say that it does not prepare us for what we need in real life or everyday life. It gives us good social skills, work ethic and time management. Many come to the conclusion that what teachers teach us won’t be useful for us in the future or won’t benefit us for the specific career path that we would like to go down but it shows us what we are strong and excel significantly at which can help us to see what we are truly fit best for. “Education is the key to unlock the Golden door of Freedom”(George Washington Carver). Having an education puts us in the best place to have a secured future for ourselves. We can think outside the box to come up with productive ideas which can do us good. Even better it’ll place us with a good paying job.

          From experience my mom didn’t finish high school neither did she attend college she is 34 years old and has been with her job for 10 years. Recently she has gotten an opportunity to work at a higher stance with her company with a better pay. It took her 10 years to be able to show her company that even though she didn’t attend college and didn’t complete high school that she can make a difference for them. Even though it turned out okay for her she still struggles for many things because she could be way higher but because of the past it may be awhile before she gets another opportunity to step up to another level. Then looking at my stepdad who finished high school and graduated college with a degree is the manager of his company just after a couple years of working with them.

       Looking at with what our teachers teach at school even though right now we can’t really say what will help us we could be surprised when we meet face to face again with it in the future. While comparing both my mom and step dad with the set of education that they have it really shows me how having an education really is the key to having a successful future. With it you can accomplish more than you think and it can have a great impact on your life. So when in class don’t see what your teacher is teaching you as a waste of time look at it as setting you on the right path to making your future a walk in the park because what their doing is making things easier for you. 

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Education Is The Key To Success by Jasmeane

Jasmeaneof Eugene's entry into Varsity Tutor's April 2015 scholarship contest

Education Is The Key To Success by Jasmeane - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

I believe education is the most important tool you can receive, that can bring you most success in society today. Education lessens the challenges you will face in life. The more knowledge you gain the more opportunities will open up to allow individuals to achieve better possibilities in career and personal growth. Education has played an important role in the career world of the twenty-first century. A person with a higher education will be easily qualified compared to a person without an extended education; as one will be prepared to do various tasks that careers demand as well as meet job standards.

I also believe education is important because it helps us develop a unique perspective of looking at life. Education has played a major role for all individuals in the society. It has allowed the community to succeed both socially and economically by enabling it to develop common culture and values. Education is the reason our world is the way it is today, doctors have been close to finding cures for cancer because of a higher education; our technology has been enriched compared to the 19th century all because of education.

If the importance of education is not recognized, then someday education will become less relevant. Education serves to unite and strengthen our country. Without education people would not be able to distinguish right from wrong. If this should happen, then our society will find itself at a large disadvantage compared to other countries. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” once said by a wise man name Nelson Mandela, and that is why I strongly agree why education is important.

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Why I Believe That Education is the Key to Success?

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education is not the key to success argumentative essay

Education Isn’t The Key To Success

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veselina-dzhingarova

education is not the key to success argumentative essay

Or at least, that’s what I used to think.

With the prohibitive costs of education and the high rate of unemployment and underemployment, it’s easy to see why education may not be the best investment for ourselves, even when the contrary has been what our parents have so zealously tried to inculcate into our minds. This argument becomes even more potent because of figures like Steve Jobs, Oprah, and Steven Spielberg, who have found success in their chosen endeavors despite not having university degrees.

Many people who have found success without a university degree say that all you really need in order to make it is resilience and a good work ethic. And while they aren’t wrong in that sentiment, there’s just one problem. Resilience and a good work ethic are not things that are inherent in people in the same way that bravery and courage are not inherent in soldiers.

Education Is More Than Just Knowledge

With the rise of the internet, we have gained unprecedented access to all types of information. And while it can be argued that we have also been exposed to misinformation, a user that is able to discern correct information from bad is bound to learn just as much, if not more, than if he were taught these lessons at school.

But therein lies the first misconception about education. We put so much emphasis on the knowledge that we can acquire in school and we end up overlooking the habits that we can build in school. As so eloquently put by Roman writer Publius Renatus: “ Few men are born brave. Many become so through training and force of discipline. ”

It’s true that resilience and a good work ethic are core ingredients for success, but the question now is where can you build these traits completely? The answer? School.

The Culture Of No Excuses

It’s also in school where students are often faced with requirements. And let’s get things straight. Most employers require applicants to have a degree in order for them to even be considered for a job. This is one requirement.

Life as a professional is peppered with due dates, tasks, duties, and of course, standards that need to be met and if possible, surpassed. Again, another requirement.

The real world is full of requisites that need to be met, whether it’s in a job application, taking out a loan, or even invoking a right. The education system familiarizes us with the culture of rising to the occasion and meeting requirements. You can even say that school is like a simulation of professional life except in the real world, failing to meet standards often means that you face serious consequences.

So, yes, education may be a pricey investment to make, but there are many measures like student loans and Registered Education Savings Plans ( RESP ) that help parents raise funds for the education of their children.

So, while education may not be the single guaranteed solution that allows us to find success, the habits and the knowledge that are acquired during the pursuit of a degree are what truly build a future. You aren’t defined by your grades, but rather, by your character and your merits.

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Education Is Not the Key to Success

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In the United States two-thirds of high school graduates go to college but only twenty-seven percent of Americans have a bachelor's degree. Why is this? Many high schools in America stress the need for kids to go to college after graduation. America has it wrong though with trying to send everyone to college, when we should be trying to get people to go find their passion, and then strive to achieve that. College is not for everyone and convincing kids to go and rack up debt when they don’t even know what they want to be when they grow up will not help them.…

Writing Assessment 5 06

these better jobs required more than a G.E.D. or High School Diploma, they required a college…

Cause And Effect Of Going To College

Some crucial jobs like doctors, and lawyers require a college degree, on the other hand there are jobs where college degree isn’t needed, but that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t have one. It is expensive; however, if one goes to college, for a job that pays a lot like a doctor, that person will be able to make that money within a matter of years. If one would rather not go to college, they should at least get some kind of education. One should know simple math and english at the least! There are very little jobs one can get without any college degree, what do people accomplish from not getting any education. Within one’s family one might be known as a failure, or a disappointment. Nobody will take somebody with no education seriously. Not to mention people meet some of their long time best friends in school. Overall it is very important to get a good education; however, some people might think…

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Essay on Education Is the Key to Success

Students are often asked to write an essay on Education Is the Key to Success in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

100 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Success

Introduction.

Education is a significant tool that guides us to a bright future. It helps us to develop our skills, learn new things, and achieve our dreams.

Importance of Education

Education is essential as it opens doors to opportunities. It gives us the knowledge to make informed decisions, solve problems, and contribute to society.

Education and Success

In conclusion, education is the key to success. It empowers us to reach our full potential and lead a successful life.

250 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Success

The power of education.

Education is a transformative tool that paves the way to success. It is a fundamental pillar of society, shaping the minds of the young and old alike. It imparts knowledge, develops critical thinking, and fosters creativity, thereby enabling individuals to navigate the world confidently and effectively.

Education and Personal Development

Education is instrumental in personal development. It equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and adapt to changing circumstances. Furthermore, it inculcates values of empathy, respect, and social responsibility, which are essential for harmonious coexistence in a diverse society.

The Socio-Economic Impact of Education

Education and the future.

The importance of education will only increase in the future. With advancements in technology and the rise of the knowledge economy, education will be the key that unlocks the potentials of individuals and societies. It will prepare us for the challenges and opportunities of the future, ensuring our success in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.

In conclusion, education is the key to success. It is not merely a process of learning, but a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth. It is the foundation on which we build our future, and hence, it deserves our utmost attention and investment.

500 Words Essay on Education Is the Key to Success

The role of education in personal development.

Education plays a pivotal role in the personal development of individuals, equipping them with the necessary skills to participate effectively in society. It fosters critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential in today’s world, where the ability to analyze information, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems is highly valued. Education also nurtures creativity and innovation, which are key drivers of success in the modern world.

Education and Economic Progress

Education is a powerful tool for economic development, both at an individual and societal level. It is a well-established fact that educated individuals generally have better job opportunities, earn higher wages, and are more likely to contribute to economic growth. On a broader scale, education is crucial for the economic advancement of a nation. It equips the workforce with the skills needed to compete in the global market, drive innovation, and sustain economic growth.

The Social Dimension of Education

Education as a catalyst for change.

Education is a powerful catalyst for change, driving progress in areas such as health, governance, and environmental sustainability. It empowers individuals to make informed choices about their health, participate actively in their communities, and contribute to sustainable development.

In conclusion, education is indeed the key to success. It is a powerful tool that empowers individuals, drives economic growth, promotes social equity, and catalyzes positive change. However, it is essential to remember that education is not just about formal schooling but also about lifelong learning. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn, adapt, and apply knowledge creatively is more important than ever before. Therefore, while education opens the door to success, it is the individual’s commitment to continuous learning and adaptation that ultimately unlocks it.

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education is not the key to success argumentative essay

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Higher Education News , Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Top 8 Reasons Why Education is the Key to Success

education is not the key to success argumentative essay

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: April 19, 2019

Top 8 Reasons Why Education is the Key to Success copy (1)

You may have heard the saying that education is the key to success, but it’s really true. In fact, there are eight solid reasons to believe that pursuing education beyond your high school degree in the 21st century will make you more attractive to potential employers and ultimately become more successful.

education is not the key to success argumentative essay

1. Education gives you the skills that companies are looking for

As you progress through a college degree, you’ll learn how to manage your time; how to juggle several tasks at the same time, how to interact with all kinds of people, and new skills that companies are looking for now. At the University of the People (UoPeople), for example, faculty come from all over the globe and are prepared to teach those cutting-edge skills that companies are seeking as they look for new hires who will carry their businesses forward through the 21st century. In short, a real education today means that the institution offering a program of study provides skills that can be applied immediately once the student graduates and becomes part of the workforce

2. You’ll form networks and meet new people

Attending college isn’t just about completing courses and meeting other students. A successful, viable institution of higher learning has partners, affiliates, alumni, and other entities that can become a part of your professional network once you join a university community. Nowadays, when you pursue your education, most universities will show you how to become part of an  online community where you have plenty of opportunities to engage with other students, thinkers, degree-seekers, and problem-solvers like yourself.

As you proceed, you’ll gain a clearer sense of your own ideas and values. And when you’re finished with school, you’ll find that businesses in today’s global society are looking for people who know how to be a part of an online community and can communicate the company brand to their clients.

education is not the key to success argumentative essay

3. You’ll keep up with changing technologies

When you enroll in an academic program offered by University of the People or another accredited university, you engage in learning while using technologies that hiring companies are looking for. You gain valuable digital experience, allowing your education to provide you with the key to success.

4. You’ll define your career interests.

When you pursue an education in a particular degree, you’ll find that you’ll learn more about your professional interests, what you plan to do with your degree, and what the career options are. For instance, your choice of higher education provides you with resources, contacts, networks, and many other influences that allow you to explore the details of your career choice. You’ll have a much clearer notion of what you want to do, what you are capable of doing, and how to get a actually get a job in your field after completing your education.

5. You’ll develop time management skills.

Even if you are pursuing an education full-time, you may still need to work and manage the household budget, along with many other challenges. In short, because life requires that we wear many hats even under the best of circumstances, the process of getting an education automatically makes you focus on honing those coveted time management skills one of the sure-fire keys to success desired by top hiring companies all over the world.

6. You won’t be left out

Up until the first half of the 20th century, societies across the globe were vastly more rural and much less interconnected. Many people only received a minimal education without pursuing a high school degree. Today, times have changed. Digital technologies dominate virtually every aspect of our lives, making it essential to have the basic high school requirements for working with various technologies, communicating with written and verbal skills, and reaching out to others around the globe. However, a high school degree these days is just the minimum you need to consider entering the workforce in most instances. In fact, between 2019 and 2029, most of the jobs available will require a bachelor’s degree .

education is not the key to success argumentative essay

For all these reasons, acquiring education beyond the high school level is the key to success. We live in an ever-connected society where opportunities and expectations for knowledge and performance increase every day. And that’s why you don’t want to be left behind when there are real resources available to help you succeed. University of the People understands these growing needs and opportunities, and that’s why it makes learning tuition-free and accessible.

To go back to school through a completely online program offered by a US-accredited institution, check out the University of the People’s academic programs ! University of the People offers associate, bachelor, and master’s programs, all of which are online and tuition-free. When it comes to receiving a quality education without the huge price tag, University of the People is for people like you!

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone.

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    In conclusion, education is undeniably the key to success, both at the individual and societal levels. It empowers individuals to achieve their goals, fosters innovation and progress, and contributes to the betterment of society. As societies continue to evolve and face new challenges, the value of education as a transformative force becomes ...

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    Education fosters personal growth by encouraging individuals to explore their interests and passions. It allows individuals to develop their sense of self and leads to self-discovery. Additionally, education develops life skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork, which are essential in personal and professional settings.

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    Make a claim. Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim. Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim) Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays.

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    An argumentative essay is a structured, compelling piece of writing where an author clearly defines their stance on a specific topic. This is a very popular style of writing assigned to students at schools, colleges, and universities. Learn the steps to researching, structuring, and writing an effective argumentative essay below. Requirements ...

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    An argumentative essay is a type of writing that presents the writer's position or stance on a specific topic and uses evidence to support that position. The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince your reader that your position is logical, ethical, and, ultimately, right. In argumentative essays, writers accomplish this by writing:

  11. Do you agree that education is no longer the key to success

    As such, the current form of education may not be able to equipped students with the right keys to achieve economic success in life since they are not given the opportunity to freely express themselves from what they have learnt. -That having said, we cannot deny that most of the curriculum time must be placed on academic education.

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    Why is education the key to success? "Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students" (Solomon Ortiz). I say education is the key to success because even though many may say that it does not prepare us for what we need in real life or everyday life. It gives us good social skills ...

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    Education has played a major role for all individuals in the society. It has allowed the community to succeed both socially and economically by enabling it to develop common culture and values. Education is the reason our world is the way it is today, doctors have been close to finding cures for cancer because of a higher education; our ...

  16. Education is The Key to Success: Exploring Personal Belief

    Published: Aug 14, 2023. Growing up in a family of educational professionals as both my parents and grandparents are teachers, I was raised in an environment where I was always encouraged to impart knowledge to the world around me. I always believe that Education is the key to success in life, and with this thought I write current essay.

  17. Education Isn't The Key To Success

    So, while education may not be the single guaranteed solution that allows us to find success, the habits and the knowledge that are acquired during the pursuit of a degree are what truly build a future. You aren't defined by your grades, but rather, by your character and your merits. Published October 1, 2019.

  18. Education Is Not the Key to Success

    Unfortunately, as the years went by, the idea of "Education is the key to success" got more, and more enforced. People eventually started to believe that education was the single way to succeed, and the only thing needed for success. Despite the fact, many Americans believe a college degree will lead them to be successful, in reality, education ...

  19. Education Is The Key To Success In Life Essay

    Essay on Education Is Not the Key to Success. About 20 years ago, education was something that a person did only if he/she wanted to. Unfortunately, as the years went by, the idea of "Education is the key to success" got more, and more enforced.

  20. Essay on Education Is the Key to Success by Nelson Mandela

    Cite this essay. Download. Education is the key to changing the world. It reduces poverty, decreases racism, eliminates gender inequality, prevents needless deaths, and most importantly fosters peace. Yet, many do not have basic Education. Only Education can change the world. Nelson Mandela, one of my heroes, advocates Education as the most ...

  21. Knowledge And Education Is A Key To Success

    Cite this essay. Download. Education powers a better world by serving society and allowing people to become better citizens. As we all know, "education is a key to success". Education allows society to gain knowledge and gives way to more professional career options like teaching, engineering, and accounting. Education teaches us how to ...

  22. Essay on Education Is the Key to Success

    Conclusion. In conclusion, education is indeed the key to success. It is a powerful tool that empowers individuals, drives economic growth, promotes social equity, and catalyzes positive change. However, it is essential to remember that education is not just about formal schooling but also about lifelong learning.

  23. Top 8 Reasons Why Education is the Key to Success

    In short, because life requires that we wear many hats even under the best of circumstances, the process of getting an education automatically makes you focus on honing those coveted time management skills one of the sure-fire keys to success desired by top hiring companies all over the world. 6. You won't be left out.