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Discursive Writing Guide

The document provides guidance on how to write a discursive essay. It explains that a discursive essay explores a controversial topic in an unbiased manner by examining arguments both for and against the topic. It emphasizes the importance of planning paragraphs in advance with a key point, supporting details, and a concluding summary. The introduction should introduce both sides of the argument and end with a rhetorical question. Body paragraphs alternate between arguments for and against, and the conclusion restates the controversy before offering the writer's own opinion on the topic.

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Montse Díaz
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164 views

Discursive Writing Guide

The document provides guidance on how to write a discursive essay. It explains that a discursive essay explores a controversial topic in an unbiased manner by examining arguments both for and against the topic. It emphasizes the importance of planning paragraphs in advance with a key point, supporting details, and a concluding summary. The introduction should introduce both sides of the argument and end with a rhetorical question. Body paragraphs alternate between arguments for and against, and the conclusion restates the controversy before offering the writer's own opinion on the topic.

Uploaded by

Montse Díaz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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M.

Stewart
Discursive Writing is:
 When a controversial topic is explored in
an unbiased manner. You must provoke
thought in the reader and get them to
consider their own opinions based on the
points you present.
 You must examine the arguments FOR and
the arguments AGAINST in equal
weighting.
Discursive Vocabulary: Copy!
 Controversial: a topic which sparks debate –
people feel very strongly about it, either way.
 Unbiased: balanced and impartial; your personal
opinion must not come through in your writing.
 Provoke: to rouse thought or opinion in the
reader. Your job is to challenge their pre-existing
beliefs!
Topics that Affect YOU!
 Create a list of controversial topics that have for
and against arguments in your groups.
 The most effective discursive essays are written
convincingly because they affect the writer
personally – consider this when compiling your
list.
Your Topic…
Can Celebrities Be
Considered Good Role
Models to Young People
in Today’s Society?
Initial Responses…
 Yes? Why? Examples?
 No? Why? Examples?
 Plan in your groups on flip chart paper.
YES NO
A Discursive Essay Consists of…
 An introduction
 6 key paragraphs (3 FOR and 3
AGAINST)
 A conclusion
Key Points (KP)
A key point is the main point /
idea of the paragraph. It is
important to make the key point
within the topic sentence of the
paragraph.
Supporting Detail (SD)
 This is the remainder of the paragraph –
the evidence / explanation of the key
point. It should contain statistics /
quotations / researched facts.
 You should also make a quick summary
in relation to the overall question at the
end of each paragraph (could be a
rhetorical question, getting the reader to
reconsider their thoughts).
Sooooo…
 When you are planning your essay, our plan might
look like this:
 KP: good role model is someone who cares for
others / does charity work: Angelina Jolie.
 SD: her humanitarian work; adopting children;
working in Haiti last year to help survivors of
the earthquake; the creation of the “Jolie Pitt
Foundation”; giving $1 million to Haitian
people to rebuild country.
 Sum up: clearly illustrates that Hollywood
actors can be good role models to the youth of
today because they are willing to give their
earnings away to good causes - inspirational.
Now You Know!
 You should undertake this level of planning
for your essay – for each paragraph.
 It will force you to research your key points.
 Remember to create a bibliography (a list
of websites / articles you used) and add it to
the back of your essay. Crucial.
 Watch the BrainPop video on how to create
a reference list.
Writing an Introduction
1. Explain the controversial topic.
2. Acknowledge a view from each side of the
argument (“On one hand…. However, on the
other…”).
3. End with a rhetorical question, prompting the
reader into thought (a key technique in
discursive writing).

Use this as a template…


(1) Fox hunting is a topic of heated debate in
the 21st century. For many years supporters
and opposers of hunting have argued the
cases for and against. (2) On one hand fox
hunting is a long standing tradition within
country society in the UK. On the other
hand many people now see it as an
unnecessary and cruel bloodsport. (3) With
strong feelings on both sides of the
argument, what then are the main issues
surrounding fox-hunting in this country?
Middle Paragraphs:
 Always begin with the FOR arguments.
 Use a range of openers to open your topic
sentences, eg. Firstly, Secondly,
Furthermore, In addition, Similarly, etc.
 When introducing the AGAINST section,
use a contrasting opener, like However,
Conversely, In spite of this, On the other
hand, etc.
Topic Sentences: Reminder!
 First sentence of any paragraph.
 Informs what the remainder will be about.
 Should contain your Key Point.
 Should be very objective (no opinions or bias).
 For example… Link to
Opener Objective Question

“Firstly, many people assert that celebrities can


be very positive role models for young people
today because of their dedicated charity
work, like actress Angelina Jolie.”
Key Point
Main Body Paragraphs…
 Ensure that your vocabulary is interesting –
use a thesaurus.
 Introduce your summaries with As a
result, Consequently, Therefore, etc.
Remember, you must summarise and make
a link back to the essay question at the end
of every paragraph.
Think You’re Finished?
Conclusion…
 Begin “To conclude, “ or “In conclusion,”.
 Sum up the controversy.
 Sum up one argument FOR and one AGAINST.
 Then give your own opinion on the subject – you can
go either way or you can “sit on the fence”- so long as
you justify why you feel this way!

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