Example for an argumentative essay..

Topic : "Schools play a more important role than parents in educating children".
Audience : Primary and secondary school teachers.
Purpose : To persuade audiences that schools play a more important role than parents in educating children.

               Children education is one of the main concerns of today's society. Proper education of children will lead to a good quality of future generation. Although parents are the first persons that children know, I personally think that schools play a more important role in educating children because many children spend more time in schools and they can get knowledge and skills that are not provided at home. (Thesis statement/ the writer's position about the topic). 

                In this modern era, in most families, both parents have their own career. Many children spend more time in schools as compared to the time that they spend with their parents at home. (Topic sentence 1). After school hours, the children might attend tuition classes or extracurricular activities and will only go back home late in the evening. Meanwhile at night time, parents may be busy doing their own work like finishing their incomplete office tasks or preparing for tomorrow's meeting to the extent that they let their children without proper education.

                  In addition, schools can provide the knowledge and skills that they might not get at home. (Topic sentence 2). As we all know, in schools, students can learn about different subjects like languages, religious knowledge, moral education, science, history, and mathematics. They will not only learn all these subjects in theory but also in practical. Besides, they are also exposed to team work, good discipline, leadership skills and communication skills with the involvement in extracurricular activities like scouts, girl guides and sport in schools. 

               Opponents of this position argue that parents are more important in educating the children since parents are first persons that children know in their life even before they start schooling. (Topic sentence 3). Therefore, they are regarded as role models in their children's life. The children will follow the manner and personality of the parents as they thinks their parents are the best persons in their life. For example, if the parents are helpful and generous, they will also lead their children to be like them. However, there are parents who do not possess good qualities to be role models while others just do not care about inculcating good values to children as they are busy with their work. (Refutation of counter-argument). 

               In conclusion, to discuss the issue whether schools or parents play a more important role in educating the children is indeed difficult. However, since children nowadays spend more time in schools in which they are exposed to a variety of knowledge and skills, I firmly believe that schools play more important role in children education than parents. Therefore, parents and schools' team should establish a good rapport in order to ensure a well balance education among children.