The Power of Your Voice

Introduction

There are a lot of social issues that affect people around the world, especially young people your age. From academic pressure and stress to gender inequality and educational inequality, all these issues influence our daily lives. So, today we will try to make a difference using our voices.

Imagine you are a member and also a young journalist of The Young Voices Matter club and magazine. You need to write an article to convince the readers of your opinions on social issue topic you choose using effective evidence, facts and claims. To get a convincing article, you must use argument writing method.

Are you ready to make your voice heard?

Task

Working in pairs or groups of three, you will investigate one social issue that affects young people or society.

You may choose from topics such as:

  • Social Media and Cyberbullying
  • Academic Pressure and Stress
  • Educational inequality
  • Gender Inequality and Patriarchy
  • Beauty Standards and Body Image Pressure
  • Youth Suicide

Your final task is to write a 500–700-word argumentative essay explaining the issue, its causes and consequences, and possible solutions.

Your essay must include a clear topic sentence, supporting arguments, relevant evidence from at least three online sources, a counterargument, and a conclusion.

Your group will submit one collaboratively written essay.

Process

Step 1: Choose a topic you're interested in

Choose a topic that is familiar and interesting to you.

Step 2: Learn how to write an argumentative essay

First, know the difference between claims and opinions

  • claim: a confident statement that is true but may not be proven or supported
  • opinion: personal thoughts, feelings and beliefs on a topic that cannot be supported with evidence
  • argument: a position on a topic organized by a claim or series of claims that are supported by reasons and evidence

Explore the following websites to learn how to organize your arguments and support your opinions with evidence. Explore useful expressions for stating opinions, introducing supporting points, and connecting ideas.

Explore useful expressions for stating opinions, introducing supporting points, and connecting ideas.

Step 3: Brainstorm claims, evidence and warrants 

Now, develop your argument with claims, evidence, and warrants. A warrant is an explanation that connects the evidence to the claims.

Step 4: Collect Evidence by using Online Resources

Visit the websites below and read information related to your chosen topic. Look for information about the causes, effects, and possible solutions to your chosen issue.

Social Media and Cyberbullying

Academic Pressure and Stress

Educational inequality

Gender Inequality and Patriarchy

Beauty Standards and Body Image Pressure

Youth Suicide

Step 5: Discuss and Plan

Share your findings with your group members. Compare the information you collected and decide on your main argument. Create an essay outline with a topic sentence, supporting arguments, evidence, a counterargument, and a conclusion.

Step 6: Write Your Essay

Once you gather your claims, reasons, and evidence, write a 500–700-word argumentative essay using the information you collected. Include at least three opinions and evidence and facts from resources for each opinion.

Step 7: Review and Submit

Exchange drafts with another group and give feedback on argument clarity, organization, and evidence.

Revise your essay and submit the final version.

Evaluation

Your essay will be evaluated based on your understanding of the chosen social issue, the quality of your research, the strength of your arguments, the organization of your writing, and your use of English.

Conclusion

Congratulations, young journalists! You have successfully completed your mission as a member of The Young Voices Matter club and magazine.

Throughout this WebQuest, you have explored important social issues, researched information from reliable sources, and learned how to support your opinions with effective evidence, facts, and claims. By using argumentative writing techniques, you have turned your thoughts into a convincing article that can encourage others to think about these issues from different perspectives.

Remember, your voice matters, no matter how young you are. Even a small voice can make a big difference when it is supported by strong arguments and reliable evidence.

Your Voice Can Make a Difference!

Credits

Social Media and Cyberbullying

Academic Pressure and Stress

Educational inequality

Gender Inequality and Patriarchy

Beauty Standards and Body Image Pressure

Youth Suicide

Teacher Page

Target Students

Senior high school students (Grades 12), aged 18, with intermediate to upper-intermediate English proficiency (CEFR B1–B2).

Subject

English Language / Argumentative Writing

Teaching Plan

Before starting this WebQuest, students will be taught basic argumentative writing techniques in class, including how to develop claims, support arguments with evidence, and organize an argumentative essay.

Students will be given two weeks to complete the assignment, including four class sessions. During these sessions, teachers will explain the tasks, provide guidelines, answer students' questions, and offer guidance throughout the research and writing process.

Students will also be encouraged to continue their research and writing outside the classroom to complete their essays within the given timeframe.