How to write an argumentative essay on remote work for early-career employees
There is strong evidence on both sides of this question, which is exactly why so many essays on it sit on the fence. A strong answer picks a side about one specific group, people in their first couple of years at work, and defends it against the best version of the other view in 250–320 words.
The task
The briefSome companies say fully remote work is the future. Others argue that people in their first two years of work learn most from being physically around senior colleagues. Write an argumentative essay taking a clear position on whether fully remote work is good for early-career employees. Acknowledge the strongest objection to your view.
A general reader of a campus magazine.
State a clear position in the opening paragraph
Give at least two supporting arguments with examples
Acknowledge the strongest counter-argument
Close with a conclusion that does more than repeat the opening
Length
250–320 words
Suggested time
35 minutes
Level
Medium
Planning tip: State your position in the first paragraph. One argument per paragraph, each with a real example. Give the opposing side its best case, not its worst — then answer it.
What a strong answer does
The position is about early-career people specifically, not remote work in general. ‘Fully remote work holds most new graduates back’ is arguable; ‘remote work has pros and cons’ is not.
Each body paragraph makes one argument and backs it with a concrete example: learning by overhearing how a senior colleague handles a difficult client, or the new hire who stays stuck for a day on a question someone nearby could have answered in two minutes.
The examples are realistic and could happen in any country. An honest, specific scenario beats a statistic you invented.
The counter-argument is the strongest one, not a straw man: remote work puts well-paid roles within reach of people far from expensive cities, and of carers and disabled workers. Give it its due before you answer it.
The answer to the objection is a real answer, such as a hybrid arrangement, structured mentoring or a defined first year in the office, not ‘but my view is still better’.
The conclusion adds something: a recommendation for employers, or a test graduates can apply when choosing a job, rather than a copy of the introduction.
How to structure it
- 1
Introduction
45–60 wordsFrame the debate in one sentence, then state your position, limited to early-career employees. You may preview your two reasons.
- 2
Argument 1
55–70 wordsA topic sentence with your first reason, a specific example, and one sentence on why it matters.
- 3
Argument 2
55–70 wordsA genuinely different reason, not the first one reworded. Learning, visibility, professional networks and wellbeing are distinct angles; pick two.
- 4
Counter-argument and response
55–70 wordsState the strongest opposing point fairly, concede what is true in it, then answer it.
- 5
Conclusion
35–50 wordsRestate the position in new words and end with a recommendation or a consequence.
Useful phrases
Frames, not finished sentences: put your own details where the [brackets] are, and use only the ones that fit what you are saying.
Stating your position
- In my view, working entirely from home does new graduates more harm than good.
- For people at the very start of a career, I would argue that [position].
Introducing reasons
- The first reason is that [reason].
- A second, less obvious reason is [reason].
Giving examples
- Consider a new analyst who [situation].
- This is easy to see in [setting], where [observation].
Conceding
- It is true that remote work [strongest benefit].
- This is a serious point, and for some workers it outweighs everything else.
Rebutting
- However, this is an argument for flexibility, not for full remoteness.
- Even so, that benefit does not depend on [condition].
Concluding
- Employers who hire graduates should therefore [recommendation].
- The real question is not whether remote work works, but for whom and when.
Common mistakes, and how to fix them
Sitting on the fence: ‘Remote work has both advantages and disadvantages.’
The brief asks for a clear position. An essay that lists pros and cons and concludes ‘it depends’ scores low on task response, however good the English.
Fix: Choose a side for this group, and let the counter-argument paragraph carry the nuance.
Arguing about remote work in general.
The question is about people starting their careers. Paragraphs about senior staff, office rents or company profits drift off the task.
Fix: Test every paragraph: does it say something about the first years of a career?
Invented statistics: ‘Studies show that 80% of freshers…’.
Readers and examiners notice an unsourced number, and it undermines an otherwise sound argument.
Fix: Use a concrete scenario or a real observation instead.
A weak objection set up to be knocked down.
‘Some people like remote work because they can sleep late’ is a straw man. Your answer looks easy only because the objection was silly.
Fix: Use the objection a thoughtful opponent would raise: access to jobs for people outside big cities, for carers, or for disabled workers.
Doubled connectors: ‘Although remote work saves time, but it limits learning.’
Pairing ‘although’ with ‘but’, or ‘because’ with ‘so’, is natural in Chinese, Vietnamese and Hindi. English uses only one of the pair.
Fix: Write ‘Although remote work saves time, it limits learning’ or ‘Remote work saves time, but it limits learning.’
A conclusion that repeats the introduction.
It adds nothing and spends the words where you could have shown what your argument means in practice.
Fix: End with what should happen: what employers, managers or graduates should do.
Before you submit: a self-check
Is your position clear by the end of the first paragraph?
Is it about early-career employees rather than everyone?
Does each body paragraph have one reason and one concrete example?
Is the counter-argument the strongest one you can think of?
Does your conclusion add a recommendation or consequence?
Is it within 250–320 words?
Questions people ask
How do I structure an argumentative essay on remote work?
Five paragraphs work well at this length: an introduction with your position, two body paragraphs with one reason and one example each, a paragraph that states and answers the strongest objection, and a conclusion with a recommendation.
Can I argue for a hybrid model?
Yes, if you argue it as a position, for example that early-career employees should spend at least three days a week with their team, and defend it. What to avoid is drifting into ‘both have merits’ without committing to anything.
What examples can I use if I have not worked yet?
Internships, part-time jobs, group projects, a family member’s experience, or a realistic scenario (‘Consider a new analyst who…’). Readers accept a plausible, specific scenario; they do not accept invented statistics.
Is this like an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?
Very close. Task 2 asks for at least 250 words in about 40 minutes, with a clear position, developed ideas and a conclusion, so this is good practice for ‘to what extent do you agree?’ questions. You can also bring a real Task 2 question through ‘Write your own’ for an estimated band.
Argue: is remote work good for people starting their careers?
250–320 words · 35 minutes · Medium. Free to start; you need a TalkDrill account to submit, not to read this guide.
Scored by AI on TalkDrill on
- Task response25%
- Organisation20%
- Grammar20%
- Vocabulary15%
- Mechanics (spelling and punctuation)10%
- Tone10%
