Introduction Throughout history, societies have struggled to eliminate crime completely. Despite advancements in law enforcement, education, and technology, criminal activity continues to occur in every part of the...
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-09-07
This guide provides an in-depth analysis of a high-scoring essay on the topic "some people believe that crime will always exist", breaking down its structure, arguments, and language to help you master the argumentative essay format for your English exams.
The prompt "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" is a classic argumentative essay format that frequently appears on upper secondary exams. It is designed to test your ability to construct a coherent, nuanced argument, not just list opinions. Examiners use this task to assess your critical thinking, your command of formal English, and your ability to structure a text logically. For instance, a similar task might ask you to discuss whether advanced technology is the primary reason for decreasing crime rates. Mastering the balanced approach demonstrated in the model essay below is crucial for achieving a top grade, as it shows you can engage with complex ideas and avoid simplistic, one-sided answers.
To write with precision and depth on this topic, you need to understand key terminology. Using these terms correctly demonstrates a sophisticated understanding and elevates your analysis.
| Term | Definition | Example in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Socio-economic factors | The social and economic conditions, such as income, education, and employment, that influence individuals and groups. | The essay correctly identifies that socio-economic factors like poverty and lack of opportunity are significant drivers of crime. |
| Deterrence | The action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences. | Many argue that longer prison sentences serve as a powerful deterrence, though their effectiveness is widely debated. |
| Rehabilitation | The process of re-educating and retraining those who have committed a crime to reintegrate them into society. | Instead of focusing solely on punishment, modern justice systems often emphasize rehabilitation programs to reduce re-offending. |
| Recidivism | The tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend. | High rates of recidivism suggest that simply imprisoning offenders is not a long-term solution to crime. |
| White-collar crime | Financially motivated, non-violent crime committed by business and government professionals. | The essay points to white-collar crimes like fraud as examples of offenses driven by greed rather than necessity. |
Below is a well-structured essay that addresses the prompt. We will use it as a model for a detailed analysis of what makes an argumentative essay successful.
Throughout history, societies have struggled to eliminate crime completely. Despite advancements in law enforcement, education, and technology, criminal activity continues to occur in every part of the world. Some people argue that crime is an inevitable part of human nature and can never be fully eradicated, while others believe that strong moral values, strict laws, and effective social programs can one day bring it under control. This essay will argue that although crime can be significantly reduced, it will never disappear entirely because of human behavior, social inequality, and the complexity of modern life.
One of the main reasons crime will always exist is that human beings are inherently imperfect. Greed, jealousy, anger, and desire are part of human nature, and these emotions often drive people to commit crimes. No matter how advanced society becomes, there will always be individuals who act out of selfishness or emotion rather than reason. For example, crimes of passion, such as domestic violence or revenge attacks, occur impulsively and cannot always be prevented by laws or technology. Similarly, some people may commit white-collar crimes like fraud or corruption simply because of greed, even when they already live comfortably. These tendencies are deeply rooted in psychology and are unlikely to vanish completely.
Another major reason why crime persists is the existence of inequality and poverty. When people are denied access to education, employment, or basic resources, they may turn to illegal means to survive or achieve success. In many developing countries, high unemployment and economic instability contribute directly to theft, drug trade, and organized crime. Even in wealthy societies, inequality creates resentment and frustration, pushing some individuals toward antisocial behavior. Until governments manage to eliminate poverty and provide equal opportunities for all — a nearly impossible goal — crime will remain a social reality. This highlights the complex debate over whether poverty is the main cause of crime or one of many contributing factors. Therefore, while better economic conditions can reduce crime rates, they cannot remove it entirely.
Even when traditional forms of crime decline, new ones emerge as societies evolve. For instance, modern technology has created entirely new categories of crime such as hacking, identity theft, and cyber fraud. As governments improve security systems, criminals develop more sophisticated ways to bypass them. This constant adaptation shows that crime evolves alongside progress. The internet, globalization, and digital communication have also made it easier for criminals to operate across borders, making complete eradication even more challenging. Thus, the battle against crime is not static — it shifts with every technological and cultural change.
Although crime may never disappear, it can certainly be reduced through preventive measures. Education is one of the most powerful tools in shaping moral and ethical behavior. Teaching children empathy, respect, and social responsibility from an early age helps them make better choices later in life. Likewise, providing job opportunities and fair wages reduces economic desperation, which often drives people toward crime. Governments can also use modern technology, such as surveillance cameras and data analysis, to predict and prevent criminal activity. Rehabilitation programs in prisons can transform offenders into responsible citizens instead of repeating cycles of violence. While some argue that longer prison sentences are the best way to reduce crime, this paragraph effectively argues for a more holistic approach. These strategies may not eliminate crime entirely, but they can create safer, more stable communities.
It is important to adopt a realistic view: a completely crime-free society is an ideal rather than an achievable goal. Just as sickness will always exist despite medical progress, crime will always occur because it is tied to human behavior and freedom of choice. However, this does not mean that efforts to fight crime are pointless. The goal should be to reduce crime to manageable levels and ensure justice for victims, not to expect perfection. Continuous reform in education, social welfare, and justice systems can help societies strike a balance between prevention and punishment.
In conclusion, while humanity can make great progress in reducing crime through education, equality, and technology, it is unrealistic to expect crime to disappear completely. Human emotions, moral weakness, and social inequality guarantee that some level of criminal behavior will always exist. Nevertheless, by striving for fairness, empathy, and opportunity, societies can minimize crime’s impact and create a safer environment for everyone. The goal is not perfection, but continuous improvement in how we prevent and respond to wrongdoing.
Writing a strong argumentative essay requires avoiding common traps. Here are three pitfalls to watch out for, with advice on how to steer clear of them. …