Outline: Introduction

Question

A. Hook (one-two sentences where you excite the reader to make them want to keep reading): Education in the arts opens up a world of creativity and self-expression for students, which is essential for their overall development.
B. Background (one-two sentences that summarizes the debate): Despite the recognized importance of the arts, many schools struggle to maintain robust arts programs due to budget cuts and a focus on standardized testing. This has led to debate over whether all schools should prioritize arts education.

C. Claim (one sentence where you tell the reader which side of the argument you are on): All schools should provide education in the arts, including music, art, and drama, because it fosters creativity, enhances academic performances, and nurtures emotional development.
D. Transition into first body paragraph (one sentence, briefly introduce the first reason that supports your claim in the first body paragraph): The first reason for including arts education in all schools is that it fosters creativity in students.

Body Paragraph #1 (Reason #1)

A. Topic Sentence (one sentence where you write the first reason that supports your claim/thesis): Arts education is linked to improve academic performances in various subjects.

B. Evidence (one-two sentences- quote or paraphrase from one of your sources. Remember to include a parenthetical/in-text citation using the parenthetical/in-text citations linked here): While some studies suggest no direct correlation between arts education and other academic subjects, this does not diminish its value; rather, the arts foster a holistic learning environment that can benefit all areas of study (Does arts education matter?).

C. Analysis of evidence (one-three sentences- how does your evidence prove the claim?): A well-rounded education that includes the arts allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable in subjects like mathematics and science, even if direct correlations aren’t always explicitly identified.

D. Transition to next paragraph (one sentence, briefly introduce the second reason that supports your claim in the second body paragraph): However, some critics argue that not all schools should prioritize arts education due to budget constraints.

Body Paragraph #2 (Reason #2)

A. Topic Sentence (one sentence where you write the second reason that supports your claim/thesis): Arts education is linked to improve academic performance in various subjects.

B. Evidence (one-two sentences- quote or paraphrase from one of your sources. Remember to include a parenthetical/in-text citation using the parenthetical/in-text citations linked here): While some studies suggest no direct correlation between arts education and other academic subjects, this does not diminish its value; rather, the arts foster a holistic learning environment that can benefit all areas of study (Does arts education matters?).

C. Analysis of evidence (one-three sentences- how does your evidence prove the claim?): A well-rounded education that includes the arts allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable in subjects like mathematics and science, even if direct correlations aren’t always explicitly identified.

D. Transition to next paragraph (one sentence, briefly introduce the counterclaim/rebuttal that you will write in the third body paragraph): However, some critics argue that not all schools should prioritize arts education due to budget constraints.

Body Paragraph #3 (Counterclaim/Rebuttal):

A. Address counterclaim (one-two sentences about the opposing viewpoint, “Some people think that…”): Some people think that with limited funding and resources, schools should focus on core subjects like math and reading rather than arts education

B. Evidence/support for counterclaim (one-three sentences with evidence about the counterclaim. Remember to include a parenthetical/in-text citation using the parenthetical/in-text citations linked here): Critics point to standardized testing requirements that demand more time be spent on subjects that directly contribute to test scores, resulting in the reduction of time dedicated to the arts (Arts Education).

C. Disprove counterclaim (one-three sentences of why the counterclaim is wrong- “However, they are wrong because…”): However, they are wrong because a well-rounded education that includes the arts is necessary for developing diverse talents in students. Arts programs help students engage more deeply with their education, potentially leading to improved test scores as students’ overall engagement and effectiveness in learning increase.

D. Transition to next paragraph (one sentence, briefly transition to the conclusion): Ultimately, the importance of arts education in schools cannot be overstated.

Conclusion

A. Summarize your claim (one-two sentences- reword your claim from your introduction): In conclusion, all schools should provide education in the arts, including music, art, and drama, as it is vital for fostering creativity and improving academic performance.

B. Summary of reason #1 and reason #2 (two or more sentences that restate what you discussed in your first two body paragraphs): The inclusion of arts education not only encourages students to think creatively, but it also supports their overall academic achievements by offering a more holistic approach to learning.

C. Closing statement/final thought (one sentence that wraps up your paper; what do people need to remember to do?): Schools must recognize the importance of arts education and commit to adequately supporting it for the benefit of all students.

The Example: Free Healthcare For Everyone
In many places around the world, human beings are denied healthcare due to the contents of their wallets. This leaves people choosing between their lives and their bank accounts, a situation no one should be put in. Offering free, universal healthcare is a solution that would provide everyone, regardless of their economic status, free access to healthcare whenever they need it. However, universal healthcare can increase taxes and potentially make waiting times for medical procedures longer. Free, universal healthcare should be provided for everyone around the world. Free access to healthcare is a human right that could reduce the pain and suffering of billions of people.
Free healthcare would allow people to go to the doctor whenever they need to, instead of enduring the agony of illnesses due to the high cost of care. The Alma-Ata Declaration, an important event in global health history, helped raise awareness of universal healthcare as a means of reducing suffering and misery. Other organizations, such as the United Nations and World Health Organization have been proponents of universal health care for these reasons as well (Bloom et al.). This demonstrates that large world organizations see the importance of providing universal health care as a human right to reduce the distress and hardship that people have from not having access to affordable healthcare. Although other organizations, governments, and corporations do not always agree with this idea, it is logical that human beings deserve the right to live their best, healthy lives. Without access to free healthcare for everyone, this is not possible. On top of helping sick people in need, universal healthcare could also save the world money in the long run.
A key advantage of universal healthcare is it could help reduce and treat the number of people with chronic diseases, which are often expensive to treat once the diseases have reached later stages. In the United States, there are a large number of people with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and type II diabetes. These diseases end up costing not only those affected, but strain the U.S. economy as well. If these people had access to free healthcare, these diseases could be better managed (Zieff et al.). This evidence shows that universal healthcare could save money for governments and economies in the long term. By treating chronic diseases, countries like the United States could eventually see their healthcare costs decrease, while also providing their citizens with the care they need to be healthy. Although universal healthcare has the potential to help sick people in need and save money, there are some possible downsides as well.
Some people think that free universal healthcare would be too expensive to start and that it leads to longer waiting times for procedures. Many researchers agree that the implementation of universal healthcare would include heavy start-up costs, primarily in the areas of infrastructural changes to the healthcare system, insuring and treating uninsured and unhealthy parts of the population, and expanding services that were not previously available (Zieff et al.). The financial cost of starting universal healthcare is also described by researchers as a barrier that would end up costing citizens even more than current private healthcare systems (Bloom et al.). In addition, another common argument against universal healthcare is that it leads to longer wait times for patients to see doctors and for important procedures. Canada is a prime example, where the average wait time for arthroplastic surgery was 20-52 weeks in 2017 (Zieff et al.). Despite the upfront costs of universal healthcare, it could ultimately be a system that reduces long term costs through the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Also, cost should not be a factor when discussing the health of human beings, the most important part of a happy existence. Although longer wait times are expected for care, individuals should be willing to wait if that means that everyone can be given the same access to these vital procedures and appointments. With healthcare treated as a human right and not just the right of those with money and insurance, our world would be a better, more equitable place.
Universal healthcare that is free to all people should be a human right for all. This type of healthcare would eliminate the predicament of having to shell out large amounts of money to get treatment and reduce the medical hardship placed on people in many current healthcare systems. On top of this, despite the start-up costs, universal healthcare could lead to money being saved over time by treating chronic health conditions. With universal healthcare, the days of deciding between someone’s life or their money would be over, and this would be a better world for everyone.

Directions: Once you have received feedback on your completed outline, make any suggested corrections, and format your outline into your final paper in MLA format. You will submit it to Unit 4 Lesson 12 (Writing an Argument Portfolio 3 Lesson) on 2/5/25 in your Student Planner in Connexus. It should look like the example here when you are finished.

Answer 1

Education in the Arts: A Necessity for All Schools

Introduction
A. Education in the arts opens up a world of creativity and self-expression for students, which is essential for their overall development.
B. Despite the recognized importance of the arts, many schools struggle to maintain robust arts programs due to budget cuts and a focus on standardized testing. This has led to debate over whether all schools should prioritize arts education.
C. All schools should provide education in the arts, including music, art, and drama, because it fosters creativity, enhances academic performances, and nurtures emotional development.
D. The first reason for including arts education in all schools is that it fosters creativity in students.

Body Paragraph #1 (Reason #1)
A. Arts education is linked to improved academic performances in various subjects.
B. While some studies suggest no direct correlation between arts education and other academic subjects, this does not diminish its value; rather, the arts foster a holistic learning environment that can benefit all areas of study (Does arts education matter?).
C. A well-rounded education that includes the arts allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable in subjects like mathematics and science, even if direct correlations aren’t always explicitly identified.
D. However, some critics argue that not all schools should prioritize arts education due to budget constraints.

Body Paragraph #2 (Reason #2)
A. Arts education encourages creativity and self-expression, contributing to overall student well-being.
B. Numerous reports indicate that students involved in arts programs exhibit higher levels of self-confidence, better teamwork abilities, and improved skills in communication and emotional intelligence (Arts Education Benefits).
C. These benefits extend beyond the classroom; enhanced emotional and social skills foster a more positive school environment and lead to greater student engagement and retention.
D. Nevertheless, some may still question the prioritization of arts education amid financial limitations.

Body Paragraph #3 (Counterclaim/Rebuttal)
A. Some people think that with limited funding and resources, schools should focus on core subjects like math and reading rather than arts education.
B. Critics point to standardized testing requirements that demand more time be spent on subjects that directly contribute to test scores, resulting in the reduction of time dedicated to the arts (Arts Education).
C. However, they are wrong because a well-rounded education that includes the arts is necessary for developing diverse talents in students. Arts programs help students engage more deeply with their education, potentially leading to improved test scores as students’ overall engagement and effectiveness in learning increase.
D. Ultimately, the importance of arts education in schools cannot be overstated.

Conclusion
A. In conclusion, all schools should provide education in the arts, including music, art, and drama, as it is vital for fostering creativity and improving academic performance.
B. The inclusion of arts education not only encourages students to think creatively but also supports their overall academic achievements by offering a more holistic approach to learning.
C. Schools must recognize the importance of arts education and commit to adequately supporting it for the benefit of all students.

Works Cited

“Does Arts Education Matter?” [Link].
“Arts Education Benefits.” [Link].
“Arts Education.” [Link].