English for Academic and Professional Purposes Activity 1: Understanding Arguments Text 1

2nd Grading

Read the essay below entitled “Why Students Should Eat Breakfast Everyday”. Then, answer succinctly the following
questions.

Why Students Should Eat Breakfast Every Day

A significant portion of the population, particularly young people, begin their day without breakfast. Many individuals
believe it is unnecessary or claim they lack the time, resulting in them starting their day without a meal. I believe that everyone
should consume breakfast before engaging in their daily activities. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the significance of
breakfast, especially for students.
The first reason to eat breakfast before school is for your health. Skipping breakfast and going to school increases your risk
of developing health problems, as it is not healthy to have an empty stomach for an extended period (Pollard & Rehrer, 2007).
Consuming a meal and preventing your stomach from working empty is crucial. If you skip breakfast, you are more likely to
experience gastritis and various health issues (Blumfield et al., 2018).
Another compelling reason to eat breakfast is to provide your body with the fuel it needs to perform well in your classes.
Without adequate energy and strength, your body and brain cannot function at their optimal levels (Adrogue & Dougherty, 2007).
Trying to learn and retain information on an empty stomach can hinder your academic success (O'Connor et al., 2009). While some
individuals may believe that skipping breakfast will prevent them from feeling tired, this is a misconception. Breakfast is not a large
meal, and on the contrary, skipping it will leave you feeling tired and sluggish due to the lack of energy from the previous night
(Batal et al., 2016).
Regular breakfast consumption can help you avoid various health problems. Skipping breakfast can increase your
susceptibility to illnesses, and these illnesses may have a more severe impact on you due to your weakened immune system
compared to individuals who regularly eat breakfast (Kant & Auld, 2021). Recognizing breakfast as the most important meal of the
day is crucial. Skipping it can have detrimental consequences for your health, academic performance, and overall well-being
(Pollard & Rehrer, 2007).
It is advisable to wake up earlier and prioritize a nutritious breakfast over rushing to school without eating. Taking charge
of your health by incorporating breakfast into your daily routine is an excellent way to start your day.
References
Adrogue, H. J., & Dougherty, D. M. (2007). The role of breakfast in health: An evaluation of the evidence. American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition, 86(3), 845–852.
Batal, J. A., Stubbe, J. H., & Young, T. N. (2016). Breakfast consumption and BMI changes in a healthy, weight-stable population.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 116(11), 1738–1744.
Blumfield, T., Macgregor, J., & Fricker, L. (2018). The effect of a breakfast intervention on the incidence of gastritis. Journal of
Nutrition, 148(5), 830–836.
Kant, A. K., & Auld, G. C. (2021). Breakfast consumption and incidence of infectious diseases. American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, 114(1), 162–170.
O'Connor, H., Chamberlain, C., & Casey, P. (2009). Breakfast consumption and cognitive performance in children and adolescents.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(11), 1879–1889.
Pollard, J. C., & Rehrer, N. J. (2007). Breakfast: An essential meal of the day. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 86(3), 898–
904.

1. Connections.
a) Have you ever skipped breakfast and felt tired or sluggish throughout the day?
b) What do you think is the connection between eating breakfast and your energy levels?

2. Analysis.
a) What is the author's claim?
b) What are the three main reasons the author gives for why students should eat breakfast?
c) How does the author support their claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?
d) What persuasive appeal does the author use to persuade readers to eat breakfast?

3. Evaluation.
a) Do you agree with the author's conclusion that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Explain your
reasoning.
b) What additional evidence or arguments could the author have included to further strengthen their persuasive
appeal?

Cheating, Plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty intended to gain an unfair academic advantage are strictly prohibited.