The question of how governments should allocate public funds has long been a subject of debate. Some argue that money should be prioritized for essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while others believe that investing ...
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-08-01
This guide explores the complex question of whether a government should spend money on the arts or prioritize public services, providing you with a structured model essay and the analytical tools needed to develop a nuanced argument for your exam.
Why this matters on the exam
The essay prompt "Discuss both views and give your opinion" is a classic task in Norwegian upper secondary English exams, particularly for VG1 and VG2. It directly tests your ability to construct a balanced and well-reasoned argument, a key competence in the English subject curriculum (LK20). This specific topic—public funding allocation—requires you to engage with societal issues, demonstrating not only your language proficiency but also your critical thinking and worldly knowledge. Examiners use this type of task to assess your ability to structure a text logically, support claims with relevant evidence, and use persuasive language. Success in this format shows that you can move beyond simple description and engage in genuine academic discussion, a skill essential for higher education. Similar prompts might ask you to discuss topics like whether social media brings people together or drives them apart, but the required argumentative structure remains the same.
Core concepts for argumentative essays
To master an argumentative essay, you must understand its key building blocks. These components provide the logical framework that an examiner looks for. The following table breaks down the essential terms using examples from the model essay below. …