Most young people today are obsessed with fame and imitating celebrities. What are your views?
Now, it’s your turn! Try planning an outline for the following topics:
On the other hand, there are topics which are not suited for such a binary approach. Consider questions such as:
Give yourself 10 minutes to do a proper planning. It’s useful to approach the issue at hand by exploring its significance and relevance in different spheres and domains : Education, Ethics or Morals, Technology, Law etc.
Instead of giving 3 different points from an education perspective, why not broaden your scope and look at the issue from not just an educational perspective, but also a technological perspective and an ethical perspective?
This is what makes for a matured, holistic response.
Let’s use the following topic as an example:
Young people changing the world for the better | Young people changing the world for the better |
Education] youth advocates are helping to make education available to girls in less developed countries | [Politics] many youths are politically apathetic |
[Environment] youths are advocating for leaders to change environmental policies | Environment] youths are the primary consumers of fast fashion, which depletes valuable natural resources. |
[Technology] young people are driving social media advancements | [Technology] the younger generation is abusing technology. |
If you run out of ideas, you can also examine two sides of a coin in a single domain. For example, you’ll see that in the example, that for the technological sphere, there are instances of youths making and not changing the world for the better.
Now that the brainstorming is done, let’s put pen to paper and start writing!
You can ask yourself these questions to help you with your intro:
Simply answer these questions + include your thesis. Voila, you have a solid introduction!
Young people are often described as the changemakers of society, the future leaders, and the hope of our world. From advocating for the environment to spearheading social justice causes, the young people of today undoubtedly have the potential to change our world for the better. Having said that, one must question if this potential is somewhat overshadowed by charges of laziness, selfishness, irresponsibility et. cetera that are often levelled, sometimes legitimately I might add, against the younger generation. In this essay, I assess if the actions of today’s youths truly, on balance, lead us to a brighter future by exploring the impact they are making in the domains of education, environment, and technology. |
Students, you must have heard of the PEEL method by now. We introduce the POINT in the first sentence, ELABORATE on the point, then substantiate with EVIDENCE or EXAMPLES , and finally, we round it all off by LINKING back to the point.
It sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?
Each body paragraph should only discuss one main idea , and only one! Introduce the main idea in your topic sentence (the first sentence of your body paragraph), not after you’ve given your example or when you’re wrapping up the paragraph.
A good topic sentence is straightforward and clear .
Here is an example of a coherent and concise topic sentence:
After you have crafted your topic sentence, it’s time to elaborate on your main point. A well-developed body paragraph elaborates by delving deeper into the main point and substantiating with relevant examples or evidence.
For our point on “education”, consider asking and answering the following questions:
a. Your essay must not be example-driven ! It must always be point-driven.
b. Remember to make the link from your examples/ evidence back to your topic sentence. This illustrates the relevance and strength of your evidence and reinforces your main point.
For our example, a coherent body paragraph could look like this:
[ ] In the sphere of education, youth activists are making positive changes by advocating to make education available to girls in less developed societies. [ ] It is because of their efforts that young women formerly deprived of education, due to reasons like patriarchal mindsets, are now able to access learning. [ ] A notable example is the Pakistani activist, Malala Yousafzai, who began her activism by bravely speaking out against the Taliban’s ban on education for girls. Her story did much to raise awareness about the existing barriers to education. She also co-founded the Malala Fund, which advocates for policy changes to prioritize girls’ education globally. Partnering with UNESCO, Malala’s fund has helped over 5,000 girls in countries like Egypt and Tanzania gain access to education. [ ] By giving these girls an education and helping them out of the poverty cycle, activists like Malala are helping to raise global literacy rates and reduce problems associated with poverty. Society gets a chance to benefit from what these young women can contribute to the workforce. [ ] It is clear the tireless efforts of these activists have made significant impact in the education domain. |
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Many students just reiterate the points in conclusion. But that is… you guessed it, boring. Last impression lasts! You want to provide an insight to this issue to demonstrate your maturity of thought. Apart from summarising your points, link your conclusion back to the introduction so that your essay comes a full circle. You can also use a quote or thought-provoking question for readers to make their own conclusion.
Check out this conclusion:I conclude by pointing out that it is unfair to generalise all young people; in every generation, there will be individuals who give that generation a bad name and those who, as this question suggests, make the world a better place. As shown in this essay, many youths in this generation are attempting to make an impact in different segments of society. But whether the efforts of these young trailblazers are, on balance, bettering the world is still a matter of debate. Furthermore, whether these efforts ultimately result in lasting positive changes depends not just on young people, but also on global leaders and international organisations. So perhaps the real question we should be asking is this: how can we, and not just the young people, work together to change this world for the better? |
Students, this is how you tackle a discursive essay. Try applying these tips to one of the topics above!
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November 17, 2023
A discursive essay is a type of academic writing that presents both sides of an argument or issue. Unlike an argumentative essay where you take a clear stance and defend it, a discursive essay allows you to explore different perspectives and provide an objective analysis. It requires careful research, critical thinking, and the ability to present logical arguments in a structured manner.
In a discursive essay, you are expected to examine the topic thoroughly, present evidence and examples to support your points, and address counterarguments to demonstrate a balanced understanding of the issue. The purpose is not to persuade the reader to take a particular side, but rather to present a comprehensive view of the topic. By mastering the art of writing a discursive essay, you can effectively convey complex ideas and contribute to meaningful discussions on various subjects.
Writing a discursive essay differs from other types of essays in several ways. Here are some key differences to consider when approaching this particular form of academic writing:
By recognizing these key differences and adapting your writing style accordingly, you can effectively write a discursive essay that engages the reader and presents a well-rounded discussion of the topic.
Selecting a topic.
Selecting a topic for a discursive essay is a crucial first step in the writing process. Here are some considerations to help you choose an appropriate and engaging topic:
Remember, the topic sets the foundation for your discursive essay. Take time to consider these factors and select a topic that aligns with your interests, research capabilities, and the potential to present a well-rounded discussion.
Possible Discursive Essay Topics:
The thesis statement in a discursive essay serves as the central argument or main claim that sets the tone for the entire essay. It typically appears in the introductory paragraph and guides the reader’s understanding of the essay’s purpose and direction. Here are some key points to consider when crafting an effective thesis statement for a discursive essay:
By considering these factors, you can develop a thesis statement that effectively sets the tone for your discursive essay and captures the essence of your argument or analysis.
Conducting thorough research is a critical step in writing a discursive essay. Here are some essential tips to help you effectively gather information and sources:
By following these research strategies, you can gather reliable and varied sources to support your discursive essay, ensuring a balanced and well-informed discussion of the topic.
The introduction sets the tone and direction for a discursive essay, providing context and background information on the topic. Here are some key elements to include when writing the introduction to a discursive essay:
By including these elements, you can craft an effective introduction to your discursive essay that engages the reader, establishes the context for the topic, and clearly presents your thesis statement. Remember to present a balanced analysis of multiple viewpoints, maintaining the discursive style of the essay.
Presenting arguments and counterarguments is a crucial aspect of writing a discursive essay. Here are some strategies to effectively structure and present your arguments and counterarguments:
By following these strategies, you can effectively present arguments and counterarguments in your discursive essay, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the topic and engaging the reader in a thoughtful analysis.
When writing the body paragraphs of a discursive essay, it’s important to present a balanced and well-structured analysis of the topic. Here are some key strategies to consider:
Remember, in a discursive essay, the body paragraphs should explore various arguments and perspectives related to the topic, providing a balanced analysis and supporting evidence. By following these strategies, you can construct well-organized and compelling body paragraphs for your discursive essay.
Effectively incorporating evidence and examples is crucial in a discursive essay to support your arguments and strengthen your analysis. Here are some strategies to consider when integrating evidence:
By incorporating evidence and examples effectively, you can provide a solid foundation for your arguments in a discursive essay, enhancing your credibility and persuasiveness.
Addressing counterarguments is an essential component of a discursive essay as it demonstrates critical thinking and strengthens your overall argument. Here are some strategies to effectively address counterarguments:
By effectively addressing counterarguments, you can strengthen your own argument and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Engaging with opposing viewpoints in a fair and persuasive manner enhances the overall credibility and impact of your discursive essay.
Concluding your discursive essay is an opportunity to summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Here are some strategies to effectively conclude your essay:
By following these strategies, you can effectively conclude your discursive essay, leaving a strong and memorable impression on the reader while summarizing the key points and reinforcing the significance of your argument.
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Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.
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Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:
The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/introduction/
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05 June, 2020
7 minutes read
Author: Elizabeth Brown
What does a discursive essay mean? We have an answer to this and many other questions in our article. Welcome to the world of ideal essay writing. Ever wanted to build buzz for your text? We know you do. And we also know how you can do that with minimum effort and little diligence. So forget about your trivial academic essays - they are not as exciting as a discursive one. Ready to dive in?
For all those who wanted to know the discursive essay meaning, here it is: a discursive essay is a writing piece, in which the focal element is devoted to an argument. That is, discursive writing presupposes developing a statement that ignites active discussions. After this essay, readers should be motivated to express their own opinions regarding the topic. Discursive essays have much in common with argumentative and persuasive papers, but these are not to be confused. Despite some similarities, discursive writing is a separate type of work that has its specific features and nuances. What we do want you to remember about discursive essays is that you need to concentrate on the power of thought rather than factology and pieces of evidence. In short, your mind is the only tool required to persuade and interest others on the topic you choose.
Now that we’ve figured out what is discursive writing, it’s time to focus more on the “skeleton” of discursive essay. Like any other piece of writing, discursive essays have clear requirements that help to glue their elements into a coherent paper. By the way, there are many writing services available which can help you present an excellent academic essay. So if you need professional assistance with your task, check them out. But if you want to do it yourself, you can simply take any discursive essay example from the web and use it as a starting point for your paper.
As for the discursive structure itself, you need to start your essay with an introduction in the first place. Create a lead-in that’ll spark the reader’s interest and make them genuinely responsive to the topic. Also, make sure that your introduction is neither small nor extensive. Stick to the optimal amount of words that’ll be sufficient for readers to get the general idea of your essay.
Another essential aspect of an effective intro is your opinion. It’s worthy of note that some discursive essays might require no particular stance on the topic. In situations like this, wait until the end of an essay comes, and only then share your personal view on the matter. This way, readers will understand the neutral tone throughout the piece, shape their own thoughts about it, and later decide whether to agree with yours or not.
In the paragraphs that follow, you’ll need to accentuate on the argumentation. There’s no room for vague and unarticulate expressions at this point. Quite the contrary – you need to unfold your statements consecutively, in a couple of paragraphs, to depict the entire image of your stance for or against the topic. And don’t forget to link your discursive text to supporting evidence.
The last section is the conclusion. Your finishing remarks should clearly articulate your position toward this or that issue, with a close connection to the main ideas in the essay body.
To construct a good thesis for your discursive essay, you’ll need to describe the general stance your work will argue. Here, it’s important to back up the thesis statement with points. These are the opinions that support your thesis and allow to create an affirmative structure for the entire paper.
The points you use while writing a discursive essay need to flow smoothly so that readers could see a logical organization of the work. For this, you can use transition words that’ll make your paper easily readable and crisp. For example, if you want to list some points, opt for such words as firstly, to begin with, secondly, lastly, finally, etc. If you wish to point at advantages or disadvantages, consider using these transitions: the main/greatest/ first advantage of… is …, another positive side is…, an additional drawback is, another negative aspect of…is…
The introductory part is the critical aspect of creating a good discursive essay. In this section, specific attention should centralize on what your topic is all about. Therefore, it needs to be presented with clarity, be informative, and attention-grabbing. How to make your intro sentence for discursive essay memorable? You can start with a spicy anecdote to add humor to discussion. Another powerful way for hooking readers is stating a quote or opinion of experts and famous influencers. This will add to the credibility of your statements, making readers more motivated to read your work.
Your discursive essay ending is the climax of your argument, a final link that organically locks up a chain of previously described points. This part is devoted to the restatement of the main arguments that sum up your attitude to the topic. And just like with introduction, the conclusion should leave a trace in readers’ minds. To achieve this result, your closing paragraph should include a call to action, warning or any other food for thought that will encourage people to ponder on the issue and make relevant conclusions.
The ideas for discursive papers are so versatile that it’s hard to compile all of them in one list. For such list will extend to kilometers. However, we’ve collected some of them for you to facilitate your work on this task. So here are some discursive essay examples you can use any time:
As you understand now, discursive writing definition and discursive essay definition are not as scary as they seem from the first glance. Even though the art of this type of paper is hard to master, over time, you’ll notice significant progress. All you need for this is practice and a little bit of patience to understand the subtle nuances of this task and develop the skill of writing confidently. And if you ever wondered what is an essay, a team of professional academic essay writers can give a helping hand and provide you with a top-notch paper.
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Published by Grace Graffin at March 28th, 2022 , Revised On July 26, 2023
You can see the word ‘discursive’ is close to the word ‘discourse’; in short, it means involving discussion. “In a discursive essay, you explore the discussion and perspectives surrounding a topic. Then proceeding with reason and argument, you reach a conclusion in which you may or may not agree with one of the perspectives you have presented.”
Example: The discursive essay discusses ideas and opinions on a topic without the aim of persuading the reader to take a given view. It is your unbiased presenting of differing viewpoints that allows the reader to decide which is best. This allows you to present the topic from several viewpoints, showing the pros and cons of them all.
During the Renaissance, discursive essays were quite popular, though they have become much less so over time. Many consider the discursive essay to be one of the more difficult to approach. As such, many students struggle with them, and it is quite common to seek essay writing assistance .
The purpose of a discursive essay is to show that there are different and often competing viewpoints around a subject. The subject often raises a controversy or describes a problem requiring a solution. As such, discursive essay assignments are often used when comparing subjective opinions on literary works. Discursive essays highlight different opinions and arguments but do not argue either way.
It is not the author’s job to solve a problem. The problem could be a long-running one with no solution in sight. For example, in a discursive text, you do not examine a problem or literary text; instead, you discuss the opposing ideas and opinions surrounding them. These essays benefit readers by presenting a collection of various views on a subject all in one place, saving them from doing the research themselves.
Apart from creating the essay, the author’s role is minimal. That is, the essay should not be a personal opinion piece. The author stands in the centre of the ongoing debate, selects some of the best arguments and presents them to the reader. In this way, the author is more like a facilitator providing a clear view of the arguments surrounding the topic .
The role requires the author to stay mostly neutral, but it is acceptable for authors to take a stance. Whether you include your own stance in the essay is either up to you or your tutor. There is no rule that says you have to. You can clarify where you stand early in the essay, or you can wait until the conclusion.
You should present the views of others in the best possible light; showing balance between the arguments is essential. When presenting others’ viewpoints, you should not try to prejudice readers or persuade them your view is best. This is not an argumentative essay .
Discursive Essays | Argumentative Essays | |
---|---|---|
Purpose | To give a credible and fair assessment of discussion on a given issue. The essay avoids and emotional language. However, it is not always totally neutral; the writer may take a position in the argument. It is written using well-researched relevant facts and presents both sides of the issue equally. | To convince readers that your position is best by providing supporting evidence. This is done with thorough research that produces valid material to persuade and inform the reader. Although a counterargument is included, it does not need to be in equal balance. |
Style and Structure | As the author is presenting the views of others, the style is impersonal and formal, although it can be acceptable to write in a light-hearted style. It mostly conveys the thoughts of others, not necessarily those of the author. 1. The introduction states the issue the essay looks at. It may or may not assert the author’s position. It describes exactly what will be covered. 2. Within the body, 3-5 points are discussed from different viewpoints. Arguments and counterarguments are carefully balanced. There are different organisational styles. 3. Paragraphs begin with strong sentences on the issue, and evidence is provided. 4. The conclusion summarises the main points. The position the author takes may be inserted here. | Argumentative essays are in the general style for academic writing. They are slightly less formal in tone than discursive essays. 1. The introduction includes a very concise and accurate thesis statement, which makes clear the author’s position. 2. The body paragraphs go on to explain with good evidence why this position is correct. The evidence provided will be persuasive. 3. The conclusion restates the writer’s stance, summarises the main points, and invites the reader to agree with the author’s position. |
Your coursework may require a discursive essay in order to test your ability to find and presenting balanced evidence without bias. In this assignment, you need to make a balanced examination of arguments surrounding a topic, with the option of stating your own position. You are not attempting to settle the debate, only to show the thinking that surrounds it.
Your tutor might not directly say ‘write a discursive essay’ but the essay question will give you a clue. It might be a relatively simple question, or it could just state that there is disagreement on a topic . It will not ask you to give your opinion or direct you to persuade your readers. Your essay is part of a study course, so there will be enough guidance from your tutors.
Here are some title examples that would be best discussed in discursive essays.
There are three main types of discursive essays:
Before you do anything, read the essay question/prompt several times; let it sink in. All the work you undertake will be based on this. If you study remotely and receive the essay prompt digitally, copy it onto paper to make it real. Highlight key words and make sure you thoroughly understand what you are expected to write. Are you being asked to analyse , discuss , or explain something? These keywords are important to understand.
Before you even write the first line of the introduction, you have to carry out research. Trying to write an essay before doing research is like polishing a car before washing it. Researching is a way of learning about the subject while gathering and filtering information, forming the backbone of your coursework. The research you carry out should look into the subject and more importantly, also investigate the broad range of opinions and evidence surrounding it. Your research should not focus solely on the argument you favour but should cover other views equally.
Some issues have a huge number of opinions surrounding them; you cannot include them all. Using too many will confuse the reader and make a conclusion difficult. Also, you won’t have the word limit to include everything you discover. Ask yourself if you have considered the most relevant viewpoints. Working through your discovered material, you can determine what to include based on appropriateness. It can become overwhelming, but there is plenty of help out there.
Much of your research will be done online. But you should not disregard relevant books and other print sources, some of which are also online. There is also television and video to consider, and depending on the subject, you can ask family members and friends. Variety in your research shows you have really made an effort to cover all bases.
Always consider the credibility of any source you use, and always note where you found it. You will need this information to complete your bibliography. When you feel you have enough material and researching has given you a richer understanding of the subject, you can start writing.
The first thing to write is an outline ; think of it as a framework. You are going to fill this framework with good material. Remember that every word you put into it will have to justify its inclusion. For a discursive essay, the structure will likely follow the usual format of title, introduction , main body , and conclusion , followed by a reference section.
Example: The introduction should touch on all the points you’re going to cover, even if only broadly. It should provide a concise description of the topic and what your focus will be. Everything you discuss in the body should come under the umbrella created by the introduction.
From the introduction, the reader should understand where the essay is going; it should not be a mystery tour. This is especially important if the subject is very broad. You can state your position on the subject in the introduction, but it is not necessary.
The discursive essay does not have a formal thesis statement , as with other essay types . This gives you the option of opening with something to really hook the reader. For example, any of these can be used:
After this is a rhetorical question at the centre of the discussion and a description of what the essay will cover.
Frequently asked questions, should i analyse evidence in a discursive essay.
Although you will provide evidence in a discursive essay, it is not the same as in persuasive or argumentative essays. For example, if the essay is questioning the correct interpretation of a literary work, you do not analyse or review the literary work. Rather, you look at what others say about it and present that for the reader. What you present are ideas. And you support these ideas with quotations from other people, although it’s possible to do this by referring to your own experiences.
You do not have to take a position on the subject you write about in a discursive essay. Your tutor might even instruct you not to. If you decide to tell the reader your position, you briefly say what you think and why. It shouldn’t become a major part of your assignment because this is not a persuasive or argumentative essay. The essay is not based on what you think.
Yes, it makes your work more personal if you do this. You could do this right at the start of the introduction, asking something like, “Have you ever wondered how much information big tech companies hold about you?” A direct question like this can be a useful hook to keep the reader reading. You could say that it reduces formality and brings in familiarity, but used minimally, maybe just once, it can be effective. Generally, the discursive essay should be quite formal and impersonal.
This article is based on key guidelines for generating great essay topic ideas. We will provide you bunch of ideas which can develop your essay topic.
An expository essay requires the writer to take a balanced approach to the subject matter rather than justifying a particular point of view.
No sure what are the types of persuasive essay? This article presents the similarities and differences between the most common types of persuasive essays.
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Effective communication is a cornerstone of academic success, and mastering discursive essays is a crucial step in this journey. Essays for your English class, like discursive essays, are not just academic exercises but opportunities to enhance your analytical and persuasive skills.
In this guide, we’ll explore the intricacies of crafting compelling discursive essays, providing insights and practical tips to help you navigate how to write a discursive essay successfully. Let’s embark on the journey of honing your ability to present balanced viewpoints and articulate your thoughts with clarity and precision.
Discursive essays are versatile, allowing you to argue for or against a topic or present a balanced view. These essays, integral to English classes, foster critical thinking by exploring various perspectives. They come in different forms, such as opinion essays, for and against essays, or essays proposing solutions to problems. Understanding the nature and purpose of discursive essays is crucial for excelling in your English class.
The structure of a discursive essay is straightforward but essential. It has a snappy introduction, persuasive body paragraph and a cohesive conclusion.
In the introduction, set the stage by clearly stating your stance or indicating a balanced view. The body paragraphs are the core, where arguments are built, each paragraph dedicated to a specific aspect of the topic. Finally, the conclusion summarises key points and may include your final position. This structure ensures coherence and clarity.
How to Write an Introduction for a Discursive Essay
The introduction is your chance to captivate readers. Avoid cliches and generalisations; instead, consider opening with a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or a surprising statistic.
For example, if your essay is on the impact of technology on education, you might start with, “In an era dominated by screens, is traditional education becoming obsolete?”
Clearly state your stance or intention to present a balanced view.
For instance, “In this essay, we will explore both sides of the debate regarding the influence of technology on education, ultimately arriving at a nuanced perspective.”
How to Write the Body for a Discursive Essay
The body is where your arguments unfold. Divide it into paragraphs, each focused on a specific point. Provide evidence from reputable sources to support your claims. To maintain a smooth transition between paragraphs, use connectives like ‘equally,’ ‘similarly,’ or ‘on the contrary.’ If you’re discussing the positive impact of technology on education, a transition could be, “Similarly, the accessibility of online resources has revolutionised the learning experience.”
How to Write a Conclusion for a Discursive Essay
The conclusion is not a mere repetition but a synthesis of your main findings. Recap key points and, depending on the essay type, state your final position. Express your personal opinion logically, aligning it with the evidence presented in the body. For example, “While technology offers unprecedented opportunities, a balanced approach that preserves the essence of traditional education is vital.”
For personalised guidance and support in mastering discursive essays, consider reaching out to A Team Tuition. Our English academic personal trainers offer valuable insights and assistance tailored to your specific needs.
Whether forming study groups, seeking your teacher’s guidance, or opting for private tutoring and mentoring through A Team Tuition, these avenues can elevate your essay writing skills.
Remember, mastering discursive essays is not just about academic achievement; it’s a lifelong skill that enhances your ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Take the first step toward academic excellence – contact A Team Tuition to schedule your first session and unlock your full potential. Happy writing!
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Table of contents.
Introduction
Discursive essay writing tips, discursive essay structure, examples of discursive essays, picking the right discursive essay topics, discursive essay format, crafting a strong discursive essay outline, writing an effective discursive essay introduction, nailing the discursive essay conclusion.
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to write a discursive essay effectively. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of essay or want to improve your skills, you’ve come to the right place! This guide will cover How to Write a Discursive Essay , examples, and strategies to help you craft a compelling discursive essay.
Are you ready to master this art of writing ? This article will explain a discursive essay and explore various aspects such as writing tips, structure, examples, and format. So, let’s dive right in and unveil the key elements of an impressive discursive essay.
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of writing a discursive essay , let’s take a moment to understand its nature and purpose. A discursive essay presents a balanced argument on a particular topic by exploring different perspectives. It requires the writer to consider different viewpoints, present evidence, and critically analyze the subject matter.
Writing a discursive essay can be challenging, but you can excel in this art form with the right approach. Here are some valuable tips that will help you write a discursive essay effectively:
Following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to write an impressive discursive essay that effectively presents your arguments and engages your readers.
A well-structured discursive essay enhances readability and ensures that your arguments are coherent. Here’s a suggested structure that you can follow:
By adhering to this structure, your discursive essay will be well-organized and easy for readers to follow.
To gain a better understanding of how discursive essays are written, let’s explore a couple of examples:
Introduction: The growing influence of social media in society.
Main Body: Discussing the positive and negative aspects of social media on communication, mental health, privacy, and relationships.
Conclusion: Weighing the overall impact of social media and proposing ways to harness its strengths and mitigate its drawbacks.
Introduction: Introducing the debate on school uniforms.
Main Body: Exploring the arguments supporting school uniforms (such as fostering discipline and equality) and arguments against them (such as limiting self-expression).
Conclusion: Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms and suggesting potential compromises.
These examples illustrate how discursive essays analyze various perspectives on a topic while maintaining a balanced approach.
Choosing an engaging and relevant topic is crucial to capturing your readers’ attention. Here are some popular discursive essay topics to consider:
When selecting a topic, ensure it is captivating, allows for multiple viewpoints, and is backed by sufficient research material.
While there is flexibility in formatting a discursive essay, adhering to a standard format enhances clarity and readability. Consider following this general format:
A consistent format will make your essay more professional and easier to navigate.
Before writing your discursive essay, creating an outline that organizes your thoughts and arguments effectively is essential. Here’s a sample outline to help you get started:
I. Introduction
B. Background information
C. Thesis statement
II. Main Body
A. Argument 1
1. Supporting evidence
2. Examples
B. Argument 2
C. Argument 3
1 . Supporting evidence
2 . Examples
III. Counterarguments and Rebuttals
A. Counterargument 1
1 . Rebuttal evidence
B. Counterargument 2
C . Counterargument 3
IV. Conclusion
A. Summary of main points
B . Restating the thesis statement
C. Call to action or thought-provoking statement
By structuring your ideas in an outline, you’ll have a clear roadmap for your essay, ensuring that your arguments flow logically.
The introduction of your discursive essay plays a vital role in capturing your reader’s attention and setting the tone for the essay. Here’s how you can make your introduction compelling:
Start With an Engaging Hook: Begin with a captivating opening sentence, such as a surprising statistic, an intriguing question, or a compelling anecdote related to your topic.
Provide Necessary Background Information: Briefly explain the topic and its relevance to the reader.
Present Your Thesis Statement: Clearly state your main argument or thesis, which will guide your essay’s direction and focus.
You’ll establish a strong foundation for your discursive essay by crafting an engaging and informative introduction.
The conclusion of your discursive essay should effectively summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Summarize the Main Points: Briefly recap the key arguments and perspectives discussed in the essay.
Restate Your Thesis Statement: Reiterate your main argument while considering the various perspectives.
Call to Action or Thought-Provoking Statement: End your essay with a compelling statement or encourage readers to explore the topic further, sparking discussion and reflection.
By crafting a powerful conclusion, you’ll leave a lasting impact on your readers, ensuring they walk away with a clear understanding of your essay’s message.
Congratulations! You’ve now comprehensively understood how to write a discursive essay effectively. Remember to choose an engaging topic, conduct thorough research, create a clear structure, and present balanced arguments while considering different perspectives. Following these guidelines and incorporating our tips, you’ll be well-equipped to craft a compelling discursive essay.
So, start writing your discursive essay following our comprehensive guide. Unlock your writing potential and captivate your readers with an impressive discursive essay that showcases your analytical skills and ability to present compelling arguments. Happy writing!
What is a discursive essay, and how does it differ from other types of essays.
A discursive essay explores a particular topic by presenting different perspectives and arguments. It differs from other essays, emphasizing balanced, unbiased discussion rather than a single, strong stance.
Select a topic that allows for multiple viewpoints and has room for discussion. Controversial issues or topics with various opinions work well, providing ample material for exploration.
A discursive essay typically has an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction sets the stage, the body paragraphs present different viewpoints, and the conclusion summarizes the key points and your stance.
While you don’t have to take a definite side, you should present a balanced view. However, some essay prompts may ask you to argue for or against a particular position.
Begin with a hook to capture the reader’s attention, provide background information, and clearly state the issue you will discuss. End the introduction with a thesis statement that outlines your approach.
Yes, maintain a formal and objective tone. Avoid using first-person pronouns and aim for clarity and precision in your language.
Include at least two or three well-developed viewpoints. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect or argument related to the topic.
Use transitional phrases to move smoothly from one idea to the next. This helps maintain a logical flow and coherence in your essay.
While you can present your opinions, remaining objective and supporting your views with evidence is crucial. The emphasis should be on presenting a well-rounded discussion rather than expressing personal bias.
Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs, restate your thesis nuancedly, and offer a closing thought or call to action. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
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So, you need to accomplish your discursive essay writing. The typical questions most students ask are: How do you write it? What is discursive essay?
A discursive essay is an academic paper that involves a discussion on a particular topic. It is usually assigned to college students. You may be required to write a paper wherein you have to do one of the following:
Don’t panic!
Check out the tips from Custom-writing.org experts below. They will assist you in discursive writing and encourage you to examine essay examples. Moreover, in this article, you’ll also learn about different types of discursive essay, and its introduction, main body, and conclusion structure.
First of all, let’s figure out what the discursive essay is.
You may think it’s similar to the argumentative essay. Yes, but there’s a difference between them in the structure and purpose of these two types of assignments:
Purpose | To provide a reliable and unbiased assessment of an issue. Nevertheless, your discursive writing does not have to be completely neutral. You should write it using the facts and research reports to present both sides of the issue. | To persuade the reader in your position, providing supporting evidence. This essay type relies on thorough research so that the author can both convince and educate the reader. However, the result should be less passionate and more concise than that of a . |
Structure | Its style is more impersonal and formal in comparison with other assignment types: | Its style is general for essays as the reader should understand what you stand for |
We will take a detailed look at how to structure a discursive essay later, and now let’s find out what are the types of this assignment.
Keep reading!
You have to think more critically and more in-depth when reviewing all viewpoints and aspects of discursive writing. Check these three main types of essay writing:
Well, it’s time to talk about the structure of a discursive essay. Like most of the assignments, a discursive paper starts with an introduction and ends with a conclusion:
The first question you may ask is how to start a discursive essay introduction. Simple!
You may be wondering…
Is there something I should avoid in my discursive essay introduction?
Yes. No stereotypes and generalizations, please!
The next step under formal essay writing you should take is to compose the body.
There are a few points you should remember:
Well, you’ve almost finished your writing. Now you should focus on the last section. Keep reading, and you will learn how to write a conclusion for a discursive essay.
Keep it short. Your conclusion length should not exceed one paragraph.
Do you want more discursive essay writing tips? Fine! Just check them below:
Well, now you know what discursive essay means, what are its main types, and how to structure it.
Good luck with your discussions and discursive essays! Be sure to check out the articles on our blog for more academic wisdom. By the way, on the Custom-Writing website, you may find the best essay topics for your academic writing.
And don’t forget to share your opinion in the comments below.
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There is no one definitely correct answer to this question. Like any other essay, the text should have a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. The most important thing is that the overall book needs to be cohesive, persuasive, and exciting to read.
An example of a step by step guide is:
1. Take a closer look at the topic, think about the points to cover.
2. Choose the most relevant points and compose the Body of the essay.
3. Add an appropriate Introduction and Conclusion.
To write a good conclusion, you need to have the rest of the essay finished. Does the body of your essay present well-structured points? Great, then see what you can conclude based on that. If possible, make a connection between the introduction and the conclusion.
To ensure that your essay has a perfect structure, start with creating an outline. Based on such a plan, you can present your points step by step. Your text should have a relevant introduction, several points in the main body (with examples), and a logical conclusion.
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Sussex Centre for Language Studies
Analysing Your Essay Title Beginning the Research Process | Reading and Planning Producing a Sentence Outline | Writing a Draft Preparing for the final submission |
The Academic Writing Guide (AWG) is designed to familiarise you with the process of writing a discursive essay. A discursive essay is a genre of writing that requires you to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. Once you have decided on your position your writing will be an attempt to persuade your reader that it is a reasonable one to take. The pages in this guide will present information and activities designed to help you develop the skill of argumentation, which as well as being the main feature of discursive writing, underpins every aspect of university study.
Before you begin working through the AWG and using the examples and activities to help you research and write your own discursive essay watch the interview with James, one of our former Foundation Year students, who worked through the AWG and is reflecting on his progress. Some of what James says may not make sense to you yet, but come back to it occasionally as your own research skills develop and see if your experience resembles his. As you listen, notice what James says about how his perspective on the learning process changed during the course of the Foundation Year.
Academic writing does not aim simply to describe (although describing will be part of the process). An essay that is too descriptive will receive a very low mark at university level. Similarly, an essay that takes a ‘balanced’ view and does little more that weigh up the pros and cons of each side of an argument is rarely appropriate for university-level study.
Your aim in writing a discursive essay is to persuade your reader that your position (your argument) is a valid one. It makes a claim about a topic and defends this claim with evidence. A discursive essay must therefore begin with a thesis or claim that is debatable. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact then there is no reason to try to persuade your reader of its merits.
Argumentation – mass noun
2. A reason or set of reasons that you use for persuading other people to support your views, opinions, etc.
His main argument is stated in the opening paragraph.
Discursive writing
This thesis statement . Nobody would disagree with this statement as John le Carré’s background is public knowledge |
This is an example of a because reasonable people could disagree with it. Some people might think that his fictionalised settings and characters are not based in reality. Others might think that he is drawing heavily on his own experience when writing his novels. |
There is a lot of pre-writing work to do for a discursive essay. Before you can begin writing you need to:
Throughout the research and writing process you will submit a series of assessed tasks relating to this title. Each of the tasks is designed to support your writing development, and help you produce a well-argued discursive essay supported with appropriate academic evidence. Each submission carries a percentage of the overall marks for the portfolio, making it essential that you complete each one. The portfolio accounts for a large percentage of the overall marks for the two Academic Development modules (see module handbook).
At the start of each of the 3 Stages in the AWG you will be told what the aims and objectives are, as well as the different assessments you will have to complete for that Stage. You will also be told where to submit these assessments in Canvas (find details below and in the module handbook on your class Canvas site).
These voluntary, drop-in sessions offer you personalised support for your work with the Academic Writing Guide and all aspects of the Academic Development Module.
You don’t need an appointment for these sessions, just show up with any questions you have about the module or the AWG and the tutor will help you on a one-to-one basis. You are welcome to use the drop-in service as often as you like.
You can find information about the drop-in sessions on your Canvas site.
This resource will help you to develop your Academic Skills whilst at Sussex. It brings together all of the web resources, workshops and support that are available to you as a Sussex student. Academic Skills are essential to successful study; from time management and note making, all the way through to reference management and exam writing techniques. These skills will help you to fully engage with, and excel, in your studies. Use the navigation on the left side of the page to find the section you are after or use the search box in the header.
As you work through the Academic Writing Guide (AWG) you will create a range of documents that need to be saved as you go and then uploaded to an assessment point at the end of each stage.
As a Sussex student you can download Microsoft Office 365.
With Office 365 you can get Microsoft Office for your personally-owned computer and mobile device(s) at no cost, as well as access to online versions of Office products and 1TB of free cloud storage in OneDrive.
Remember you are not expected to have all these skills already - you will develop them throughout your time at Sussex.
Each Stage requires several hours of self-study to complete, and each Stage is assessed. You will have plenty of time to work through the 3 Stages, and at regular intervals will submit formal assessments that will be included in your assessed portfolio for the Academic Development module at the end of the year. After each submission your Academic Development tutor will give you feedback, which you will use to inform the process of developing your discursive essay further. Each assessed task carries a percentage of the overall marks for the portfolio, making it essential that you complete each one. The portfolio itself carries a large percentage of the overall marks for the Academic Development module.
You will find details about each of the assessments at relevant points in this Guide, and will need to pay close attention to them. Your Academic Development tutor will also be introducing and supporting the process in your Academic Development seminars.
The following is an overview:
After completing all of the sections in this stage you will be assessed on your ability to: • Create a mind-map that shows how you intend to decode the essay question to support your continued research. • Produce a table with at least 5 sources with annotations showing the relevance of the sources to help inform the development of your essay. These sources will be written using either the MLA or Chicago referencing systems. • Write a short reflection on what you have learned about academic writing from completing this stage of the guide and how you can continue developing relevant academic skills to suit your context.
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After completing all of the sections in this stage you will be assessed on your ability to: • Produce an annotated bibliography for the 5 sources you will use in your essay (in addition to the core texts) that includes: • Produce a sentence outline/plan for your essay that includes: • Write a short reflection on what you have learned about academic writing from completing this stage of the Guide and how you can continue developing relevant academic skills to suit your context. |
• Provide a Turnitin report of your draft • Write a short reflection on what you have learned about academic writing from completing this stage of the guide and how you can continue developing relevant academic skills to suit your context |
More Assessment Criteria | Summative Assessment |
Now you have read and understood what is required and what resources are available to you move on to |
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Home / Blog / How To Write A Discursive Essay ?
It’s undoubtedly a crucial point when a student has been allotted with an assignment by the professor, and as soon he opens up the file, it’s a discursive essay task. The first thing that strikes the students’ mind is, what is a discursive essay & how can it be completed.
So without further ado, let’s dig deep into the facts and find out what it takes to write a discursive essay.
Discursive essay writing is the most common essay writing task given to the students when they are in their colleges. Like any other college assignment, for discursive essay writing, students also feel repugnance towards it.
However, if we keep all these dislikings at a distance and take a minute to think, discursive essay writing is not as bad as the generic perception goes by. Interestingly, writing a discursive essay involves a deep discussion on the given topic. Students need to figure out their argument based on the given topic, the supporting arguments surrounding it, counter-arguments to establish the supporting points, etc. so you see, it’s not really a cakewalk to search and present for and against reasons. It requires a lot of research on the internet, figuring out the best ones that permit both time and topic, hence an impactful presentation of discussing both sides of the viewpoints.
Before we go further, let’s figure out how to write is a discursive essay.
A discursive essay is divided into two types- Opinion Essay and For and Against Essay. However, the basic structure of putting all your thoughts in the conventional introduction-body-conclusion structure is the same, no matter what type you are writing on.
While writing an opinion essay is all about stating a personalized opinion about the given topic, students can start writing it by narrowing down the topic in order to find succinct augments and reasons to counter those. It’s simple, if you haven’t narrowed down your topic, you will simply puzzle yourself to find out arguments and to decide how many of those should be enough to put in your essay. Whatever they do, opinions and thoughts should be presented and followed by supporting data, examples, and statistics. The conclusion should incorporate the writer’s opinion in a gist.
On the other hand, as it comes to writing for and against essay, the readers should be provided with supporting and opposing arguments with details. The objective to write this type of essay is to present a well-balanced opinion of the writer, what he has in mind about the chosen topic. A balanced reflection on the topic should be stated again only in the conclusion.
Now, whatever the style you have got to write your essay in, the students should keep in mind that the writing style should pursue an impersonal tone. Yes, assignment writing is often synonymous with formal writing, but with the discursive essay, you can go with informal writing techniques. You have to think critically for more in-depth aspects when reviewing all viewpoints and aspects of discursive essay writing.
Like all academic essay assignments, a discursive essay paper starts with an introduction and ends with a conclusion.
So how to start? Like always, give the readers a hook. Some interesting fact about the topic always interests the readers in reading on till the end. Declaring some problem and its causes is also a good way to start writing the introduction of the discursive essay. You can always provide a short explanation of the problem you have selected in the introduction. You may use quotations and rhetorical questions in the introduction. Show your readers both sides of the arguments and sum up.
Pro tip: start the introduction paragraph with an impactful issue sentence.
The next step of discursive essay writing is to compose the body paragraphs. Here are some pointers to remember while working on a discursive essay:
Well, as you have almost done with writing the hardest part of your discursive essay, lets us focus on the concluding paragraphs. The conclusion is nothing fancy, except, it would have all your thoughts jotted down.
Also, do not forget the golden rule of drafting an essay conclusion . Add the summary of the main points, specifying in the body paragraphs. Try putting in findings backed up with data. Remember: it should be in line with your evidence stated in the body paragraphs. Don't repeat findings, just summarize them.
Keep the conclusion short. The length should not exceed more than a paragraph.
Pick and choose any of the essay topics to practice how to write a discursive essay. Follow the structuring rules given above. Also, if you are looking for a discursive essay example, the internet is loaded with tons of samples. Do some research, and you will definitely be good to go. A little research on the internet will help you a long way.
Discursive essay templates, format , and samples are available on the internet. There are also a number of online academic help service providers who write essay papers on behalf of the students.
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What is a discursive essay? Discursive comes from the word ‘discussion’ – where people give different points of view. Here are some points to keep in mind:
Some discursive essay topics are:
What are some of the features of a discursive essay?
A discursive essay needs to present points from more than one point of view. You can say what your own opinion is, if you have a strong point of view. You can see this in the ‘sample discursive essay’ to note how the writer does this in the conclusion. But before you give your opinion, make sure to present both points of view fairly.
Most of the essay will be written without referring to yourself, although you can use examples from your life to illustrate points. Present your ideas in factual and formal sentences with correct grammar.
Check on the length of essays for your grade. Most essay lengths are about 250 words.
How to plan a discursive essay
You could plan a discursive essay like this:
Introductory paragraph: Introduce the topic and state clearly that you will be presenting more than one point of view.
Paragraphs 2 and 3: Give two separate reasons that support the topic. Present each opinion in a different paragraph.
Paragraphs 4 and 5: Use these two paragraphs to present two different reasons that give the opposite point of view.
Concluding paragraph: End by bringing the different parts of your essay together. Do not simply repeat your points. Look at the sample essay to see how the writer waits until the conclusion to give his personal response.
Should you choose a discursive essay in an exam?
Yes, if the topic is something you have thought about. Test whether you can think of two different ideas in favour of the topic, and two different ideas against it. If you can then you have the four paragraphs of the body of your essay, and you only need to think about the introduction and the conclusion.
Do not choose a discursive topic if you have never thought about the topic before. So if the topic is about whether all nature reserves should be scrapped to make land available for housing, do not choose it if you have never thought about this! The examiner will soon see that you do not have reasonable knowledge, and therefore you do not have clear opinions.
Writing discursive essays is a common task that can be encountered in high school and college environments. Mastering the nuances of writing them will be a lot easier with this guide. Our team has prepared recommendations that cover the basics of discursive essays and their format. Additionally, you will find some helpful tips about improving your work. Let’s get started!
💎 developing a discursive writing style, 📎 references, 🧐 discursive writing: definition & purpose.
Discursive essays are different from the argumentative and persuasive papers you might be used to. Discursive writing allows students to investigate various topics in depth and present different opinions on particular issues. Creating one involves gathering, reading, and assessing supportive evidence. As with other academic papers, discursive ones are built around a thesis statement that outlines the arguments.
Unlike other paper genres like persuasive essays , discursive essays are scarce on personal thoughts. They favor an unbiased look at the subject through the lens of facts and statistics. You can use them to discuss issues related to social norms, the economy, political movements, technology, and similar subjects. Whatever you write about, ensure you methodically cover every side of the issue.
Students often confuse these essay types, so we’ve decided to help you understand the difference. These descriptions will show you how to identify the purpose and tone of these papers and choose the appropriate one to match your writing goals.
🤔 Argumentative | 🧐 Discursive |
---|---|
present supporting evidence and disprove opposing claims. | serve as an analysis of the subject from different points of view. |
If your professor tasks you with this kind of assignment, you have a couple of ways to approach it. As we’ve mentioned before, there are several types of discursive essays. This segment of our article goes into some detail about each of them.
If you get to write a discursive essay on any subject you wish, this is the right segment for you. Here, we provide several pressing, engaging, and diverse topics for your work.
You may be tempted to write right away after choosing the appropriate topic for your discursive essay. However, before you do this, get acquainted with this paper’s format. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide for each section of the work.
Crafting a compelling intro is the foundation of a successful discursive essay. This section outlines the essential elements and strategies to grab the audience’s attention. Read it to master the art of engaging intros.
The body paragraphs offer a platform for in-depth analysis and presentation of multiple perspectives. The ones in discursive essays have distinctive characteristics that distinguish them from other papers.
This section will show you how to restate your main points, complete your arguments, and leave a lasting impression .
You’re one step closer to writing your perfect essay. We recommend practicing to ensure that you triumph over these academic tasks. Follow our tips, and you will see the quality of your papers reach new heights.
✅ Be straightforward | Try using simple words and phrases whenever possible. This way, you’ll be less likely to make mistakes. It also helps people unfamiliar with the topic to understand it better. |
✅ Cut down on long sentences | When writing papers, stick to shorter sentence structures. If you see lengthy ones, cut them down into two or more. There’s no need to chop up every single one – do this when necessary. Practice and you’ll see better which sentences to separate or keep as they are. |
✅ Clear the clutter | Everybody sometimes writes words, phrases, or sentences that don’t add more information to the paper. Or they make the same remarks several times in the text. If the meaning doesn’t change with their removal, it’s best to exclude them. |
✅ Experiment with sentence structure | Sticking to the same sentence structure throughout the text makes it dull and uninteresting. If you want to impact readers, change things from time to time. |
✅ Rely on an active voice | Try writing in an , as it’s more direct and requires fewer words than its passive counterpart. This makes papers easier to follow and comprehend. You’ll also avoid wordiness. |
✅ Write in a formal tone | As essays are academic tasks, you should write in a formal tone. Avoid colloquialisms, slang, and other devices not associated with this style. Remember to write in the third person. |
✅ Stick to familiar vocabulary | When , you will come across new words and phrases. Never use them if you don’t fully comprehend their meaning. Instead, stick to the terms and phrases you’re sure of. |
We thank you for your attention. Hopefully, you’ve found the guide helpful. If you need any more ideas for your discursive essay, you can create one using our topic generator !
Many people have at least one impartial friend. A disinterested friend is one who is exceptionally mature, never takes sides, and fair in all situations. That friend is similar to a discursive essay that we will elaborate in this article. Discursive essays are well known for being impartial; they take distance from complex issues. These essays would consider all possible outcomes from any given situation and makes conclusions based on the analysis.
Discursive essays are more or less the same as that impartial friend you have who is willing to listen to your situation but avoids being emotionally attached in the issue under consideration. On the other hand, there is that friend we have who can’t avoid taking sides on issues and will quickly get emotionally attached to a problem. This particular folk react readily and would always find a side to support. They would argue in support of this given side they have chosen until the end. This individual is very different from the discursive essay but conforms to the values of an argumentative essay. At times, they can relate to a persuasive essay.
After reading this article, you will understand the best way of drafting a flawless discursive essay. It will be easier for you handling assignment on the discursive essay and will help you get a passing grade or even more.
A discursive essay is a kind of essay that would seek to explain all possible views and positions in a given topic, subject, or issue at hand. The main issue why students are given discursive essays is to determine whether a student can remain neutral on a given issue and overlook on the most charged opinions (“How to Write an Amazing Discursive Essay (2019 Guide)”, 2019). You need to demonstrate to your teacher that even though you have your stand on some issues, you are capable of putting them aside and look at things logically. The most unusual types of discursive essays take silent steps and examine every shade of an issue.
Example of an impartial friend still applies. You may decide to go to your best friend and inform him/her how your roommate failed you for lunch despite confirming to come. No matter how you present your statement, that impartial friend will still remain impartial and would replay and say: “Well, in one perspective, that sounds rude and was not the best thing to do more so after confirming attendance lunch. In this modern time, there is no point why one would fail to give notification of not attending to your invitation. Communication is straightforward and just sending a text message was enough to settle everything. However, looking at the issue from another angle, you might find out that your friend got a demanding task that left her little time to even communicate to you. I have heard her complain severally that her cellular device is poor while in office. Besides, her parents are such strict, so she seems, to have weird issues when it comes to disappointing people.”
Like an impartial friend, discursive essays do not jump into conclusions even when an issue seems to be in black and white. Even when something appears to be simple, it is never that simple. Just a fraction of items in the whole world is simple. Thus, discursive essay gives students an excellent opportunity to critically look at issues and identify any connection existing in them.
Nothing is unique when it comes to formatting. A discursive essay has similar structure like other essays you know. In your introduction, you need to start with a hook that connects to the rest of the essay and motivates the reader to continue reading. Other sentences would then discuss the background of the issue and how it connects to the current world. A discursive essay is one of the most challenging writing tasks as you need to develop a thesis statement that does not side with any part. I am sure you are used to writing those thesis statements that are definitive and would easily guide readers towards the direction the paper takes.
The thesis statement for your discursive essay should maintain your two sides throughout your piece. For instance, you can decide to give a thesis like this: Although many people believe that death penalty should be eliminated as it is morally wrong, there are those who think that it should be administered as failure to administer it would deny victims justice. The above thesis statement has taken into consideration two possible perceptions that would be discussed.
Every paragraph should not mix the two discussions but rather dwell on one. For example, if you are discussing on the immorality of death penalty, you need to equally have other two paragraphs that discuss on the pros of the death penalty. Also if you decide to write one paragraph for the death penalty, you will also have to write another one article to counter your claim. This should be effectively achieved regardless of your actual beliefs of the claim. Each side should be treated equally and should be similar in size and even word count.
Concluding a discursive essay is different from the past conclusions students are conversant with while writing their assignments. But with this essay, you will start your conclusion by assessing all your evidence. While doing this remember not to define your stand but make more sense in your writing.
Again, we make our references to an impartial friend who never takes sides no matter what. An impartial friend will never take a side but will weigh on issues and provide a response based on reality. In the above case of missed lunch, a disinterested friend will claim that it was not right for someone to lose lunch when plans had been made early. Though the friend might not be in a position to call or text, she could have sent you an email. All in all, we are human beings and one need to consider many options. The dream job your friend tried hard to get turned distracted her from her social life. She can work for almost 12 hours a day. In this statement, the conclusion will give more clarification but does not take sides with the issue. Also, in other essays, you will have to talk about your main points discussed in your body but using a new version of the language to avoid sounding repetitive.
Some instructors will advise their students to give their viewpoint at the end of a discursive essay. This is not a true discursive essay but rather a semi-discursive essay. A purely discursive essay will not take sides even in conclusion. The ability of the composition to remain neutral throughout makes it strong compared with other essays that would change its focus at any point.
A hook sentence (quote or statistics) aimed at capturing the attention of your readers while showing them the purpose of your essay
Connect the two perspectives of your thesis statement to a wide issue in existing either in the world or humanity.
You need to choose a popular topic so you will have more content to write on. On your rough book, note down all basic points that will support one side of your thesis. Repeat the same for the remaining part of your thesis.
Look for available quotes or statistics that are in line with your topic. Identify the one you like most and make it a hook for your readers.
In this step, use two or three sentences to discuss the background of your issue.
Design a thesis statement that summarizes the two sides of your topic.
Use the first paragraph of your body to discuss on one perspective of this topic as well as the main points supporting it. Go deep and make your readers understand that you know the aspect inside out. (If you teacher wants a more extended essay, make sure to add paragraph).
Repeat this in the following paragraph.
Write an exciting opening sentence to conclude your work that revisits all that has been discussed in your essay. Do this is a way that will clarify your essay your points.
Summarize your main points and give if possible your preference but do not be so open to it.
Connect your points to the rest of your paper on the particular issue in the society, larger picture, or human existence.
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” This is a basic statement that was spoken by the richest man on earth, Bill Gates. If you sample some wealthiest people on earth, they seem to have one common understanding about success. They think that success is fickle in giving useful lessons that should be used while giving instructions. Any critical person will agree that failure has its own lessons to teach people. Even if it offers instructions, is it a better teacher than success? Both success and failure have lessons to teach us in life. But the main question remains if one is best compared to the other in a personal level development. In this essay, we will examine each experience in a more detailed way giving values of both failure and success in forcing one to develop.
Failure gives us instant lessons with the majority of them being the regular lessons. Failure will show brilliant individuals that they are can also fail. Not all projects they venture it will eventually be successful, or like by the public. Failure is a mirror in peoples’ lives, and it helps them to re-examine themselves on the mistakes they might have done in the past. One will think of where something was overestimated/underestimated or even miscalculated. Failure will teach you and endure all levels of success like introspection that we tend to avoid. If allowed, the collapse will usher in a series of mistakes. All these mistakes should be fixed first before proceeding with the journey. Thus, failure is experiential learning that gives us an accurate picture of what we expect to get if we behave in a specific manner. The moment a person decides to embrace failure; he/she will endure all moments of break-down encountered on the way. This is experimentation that paves in great innovation and discoveries that has changed the planet.
Additionally, it makes one venture in the possible growth of emotional intelligence. This is because failure is accompanied by a sense of embarrassment. Failure leaves you with nothing but to pick yourself up and try again. This will help but rather force one to forge ahead concerning grit, character, and resilience. On the other side, we have neglected the power success has to teach on the right paths of life. As one renewed entrepreneur said, you can own success but rather rent it, but even after renting it you have to understand that its rent is due every day. That is why we find successful people competing with each other daily. They have noticed that their success is not everlasting and they need to work hard in order to maintain their success. Success has forced them into a competition on a rigorous playing ground bringing them to this challenging battle. If they have to succeed in their ventures, then they need to be phenomenal. All successful individuals learn in a rather quick manner, and they leave their practices that do not make them succeed quickly to focus forward.
In conclusion, both failure and success give specific opportunities and lessons for our growth. Identifying which one is best to use is very hard and might take quite a long some time. On the one hand, failure comforts one to confront failure with more energy and approach every situation experimentally. On the side of success, it offers individuals constant power to work smarter to maintain their excellence. In the process, they connect with other successful people whom they share ideas with. Both experiences drawn from the two offers an individual opportunity to grow. Failure should be treated as a circumstance that is unavoidable if one has to succeed in life.
A discursive essay provides one with an opportunity to step into another person’s “impartial friend.” When in this position, you get a chance to examine all places that may be surrounding a given situation or idea. Many people will not do these easily. Also, discursive essays give one the freedom not to argue or convince readers on a particular idea. Instead, your work is to shed light on some ideas that are not well understood by the public. If you need professional feedback regarding your essay or you need help with writing, we are here for you. Feel free to contact us at any time. Whether you need feedback or assistance with your essay, remember you are the reason why we are here. Our professional writers will help you any time you need to write a flawless article that will impress your instructor.
We are a high-quality yet essay writing website that knows how to make every essay shine. Here is our complete guide on discursive essay writing.
Mastering the art of discursive writing is impossible without first learning the definition of this type of writing. So what is a discursive essay and what makes it so different from other types of essays and so challenging to write?
Discursive writing is the process of describing different sides of an argument in an attempt to find the correct one. When writing a discursive essay, you may be asked to present one or more sides of the argument, and all along the writing process, you need to keep in mind the discursive essay purpose, which is to discover the truth through exploring different arguments.
Discursive essay format.
Like any other form of academic writing , a discursive essay has its own specific format and structure that you need to follow. Luckily, the structure of a discursive essay is not that different from the structure of most other essays and contains an introduction, the body of the essay, and the conclusion. The most common discursive essay format looks like this:
From the description and the structure of a discursive essay, it may seem like it’s exactly the same as an argumentative essay. However, while those two types of essays to share a lot of features, they are also very different in nature.
In an argumentative essay, the author’s job is to pick one sign and argue for it. A discursive essay, on the other hand, requires the author to present different sides of one argument to form a more complete vision of the subject of the essay.
The discursive essay introduction is the part of your essay that sets the tone and prepares the readers for the content of your paper. Your introduction should not be too detailed, but it should provide just enough information to get the audience acquainted with the topic.
So, how to start a discursive essay introduction the right way? A good idea is to use a hook as the first sentence of the introduction. Then you need to provide a brief overview of the problem, as well as the sides of the argument you want to discuss further.
The body of your discursive essay will have the exact number of paragraphs as your arguments, plus one paragraph for the opposing argument. If you decide to disclose two sides of the argument, you will need to use the alternate order for the body paragraphs: one for and one against the main argument.
Each paragraph of the body of your discursive essay must be dedicated to a separate idea. Place the main idea at the beginning of the paragraph, add a summary of the argument, and attach the supporting evidence from credible sources.
In the final paragraph of the body of the discursive essay, you need to present the possible opposing arguments and then offer your own counterarguments. One of the most helpful discursive essay writing tips for this paragraph is to pretend like you are taking part in the debate and need to destroy your opponent’s arguments.
The important thing to remember when writing the body of a discursive essay is that even though you will use separate paragraphs for different arguments, you shouldn’t place a title for every paragraph — the body of the essay should read as a whole. You also shouldn’t express your personal opinion anywhere except for the conclusion.
After you’ve said everything you wanted to say in the introduction and body paragraphs of your discursive essay, all that is left to do is write the conclusion. Begin the conclusion by offering a summary of the body paragraphs of the essay, putting a special emphasis on the arguments and the supportive evidence.
At the end of the conclusion, our essay service recommends you can get a little personal and express your own views on the subject. Keep this section of the conclusion brief, and make sure it does not argue with the tone and content of the body of your discursive essay.
The process of writing a discursive essay starts with a great topic. If you haven’t been assigned a topic by your professor and don’t know how to find a topic that will evolve into a powerful essay, here are 15 topics for your inspiration:
In some cases, even if you really like the topic of your discursive essay, you simply don’t have the time or skills required to write a convincing paper. Our essay writing service is always ready to complete your assignment of any complexity level exactly on time!
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Guest Editors: Justus Grebe, Farouk El Maarouf, Anastasiia Marsheva
Derived from the Latin disrumpere , meaning “to burst apart,” a disruption is “[t]he action of rending or bursting asunder; violent dissolution of continuity; forcible severance” (OED 2023). It is a crack causing instability, often resulting in a shifting, changing, even bursting and crumbling of reality. From a sociological perspective, disruption can be conceptualized as a complex phenomenon comprising a multitude of interrelated events that challenge the established order, potentially giving rise to significant shifts in social structures and collective behavior (Vollmer 2013), and bringing forth new forms of cultural expression. But disruptions also operate on an individual level: in(tro)ducing changes in a person’s life (Martindale and Fisher 2019). Hence, dis ruption relates to dis continuity: even if the disruption does not result in immediate change to a given order, it marks its instability, after which, at the very least, it is difficult to regain the previous stability’s confidence. The before and after, the pre- and the post-, are precisely held together by the disruption, the event that divides a social phenomenon into a kind of arrival and departure. And as Koch and Nanz remind us: “disruptions are by no means solely destructive but rather productive consequences […] which provoke critical reflections” (2014:94).
The synchronicity of destructive and productive processes Koch and Nanz attribute to disruptions, forms—despite the discontinuities—connection points between past, present, and future. Therefore, the prefix ‘post-’ is used in various contexts to denote a period or condition that follows disruptions. ‘Post-’ concepts signal a new phase that is often characterized by different dynamics, norms, and realities from the preceding period. Although ‘post-’ concepts and disruptive events are conceptually distinct—not every disruption brings with it the introduction of ‘post-’ concepts—the two are closely related. Within the discursive articulation of identities, for example, the use of ‘post-’ concepts denotes a new form of being that cannot be defined without referencing the old or the previous. Thus, they point to the ‘pre-’ of the disrupted that forms the ‘post-’. As Ulrich Beck writes: “ Past plus post – that is the basic recipe with which we confront a reality that is out of joint” (1992 [1986]:9). Historian Herman Paul warns us on the other hand that the practice of adding “post-” to proper nouns has been used since the beginning of the last century—a century marked by plethora of disruptions (2021:3). Thus, he declares “‘the age of the post,’ as a history of how people began to conceive of themselves, their societies or their understanding of the world as moving beyond something that no longer met demands of the time” (ibid.:4). Indeed, a century on, the influence of ‘post-’ concepts does not seem to have decreased. Peruvian author Gustavo Gutiérrez describes the 21st century as an era of “post-everything” (Gutiérrez, cited in Paul 2021:2), a notion that Beck had already expressed back in the 20th century: “Everything is post” (1992 [1986]:9). In light of the numerous disruptions that have taken place in the 20th century— two world wars, various ecological and economic crises, the formation and dissolution of states, empires, and societies—it seems only logical to turn to ‘post-’ concepts to make sense of the world, the environment, and those around us. Thus, ‘post-’ concepts are used in the formation of (new) identity constructs after disruption has rendered old forms unstable without entirely removing them. In this sense, disruption and ‘post-’ concepts are related, as they both draw on the old or previous, but at once also distinguishing themselves from it.
For the 19th issue of On_Culture , our focus is on the intersection of disruptions, identity and ‘post-’ concepts. We would like to ask in which way and to what extent do disruptive events both push societies and individuals towards new identities and formations, while also harkening back to what came before? Following Stuart Hall, we understand identity formation as a process “[that] operates across difference, it entails discursive work, the binding and marking of symbolic boundaries, the production of ‘frontier effects’” (1996:3). How might such formation take place in the face of or across disruptions? How does ‘post-’ conceptualization change or affirm Hall’s binding and marking of symbolic boundaries?
We are interested in theoretical and empirical contributions that discuss different dimensions of the intersection between disruptions, identity and ‘post-’ concepts. This connection raises a number of questions, chief among them: Which concrete historical events are regarded as disruptive and what effects do these events have on the articulation of identity and on the establishment of ‘post-’ concepts? What is the interplay between disruptions, identity articulations, and ‘post-’ concepts? Who has the power to declare something a disruption and to articulate identities with a ‘post-’ concept?
Contributions can address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
If you are interested in having a peer reviewed academic article featured in this issue of On_Culture , please submit an abstract of 300 words with the article title, 5–6 keywords, a short biographical note, and your email address to [email protected] (subject line “Abstract Submission”) no later than October 15, 2024 . You will be notified by November 1, 2024 whether your paper proposal has been accepted. The final date for full paper submissions is January 31, 2025 and the issue will be published in October 2025 .
Please note: On_Culture also features _Perspectives , a section devoted to shorter, creative pieces pertaining to each issue topic. These can be interviews, essays, opinion pieces, reviews of exhibitions, analyses of cultural artifacts and events, photo galleries, videos, works of art… and more! These contributions are uploaded on a rolling basis and can be connected to every one of On_Culture’s issues. Interested in contributing? Send your ideas to the Editorial Team at any time: [email protected]
About On_Culture: The Open Journal for the Study of Culture
On_Culture: The Open Journal for the Study of Culture (ISSN: 2366-4142) is a biannual, Open Access peer-reviewed scholar-led journal edited by doctoral researchers, postdocs, and professors working at the International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC) at Justus Liebig University Giessen. It provides a forum for reflecting on the study of culture. It investigates, problematizes, and develops key concepts and methods in the field by means of a collaborative and collective process. On_Culture is dedicated to fostering such engagements as well as the cultural dynamics at work in thinking about and reflecting on culture.
The journal consists of three sections: peer-reviewed academic _Articles , as well as _Essays , and the aforementioned _Perspectives . On_Culture brings new approaches and emerging topics in the (trans)national study of culture ‘on the line’ and, in so doing, fills the gap__ between ‘on’ and ‘culture.’ There are numerous ways of filling the gap, and a plurality of approaches is something for which the journal strives with each new issue.
Please note: As a commitment to the open access to scholarship, On_Culture does not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs) for the publication of your contribution.
Visit our website for more information: www.on-culture.org
Bibliography:
Beck, Ulrich (1992 [1986]): Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity . London, Newbury Park, New Delhi: SAGE.
Hall, Stuart (1996): “Introduction: Who Needs ‘Identity’?,” in: Hall, Stuart/Paul Du Gay (Eds.): Questions of Cultural Identity . Los Angeles: SAGE, pp. 1–17.
Koch, Lars/ Nanz, Tobias (2014): “Ästhetische Experimente. Zur Ereignishaftigkeit und Funktion von Störungen in den Künsten,” Z Literaturwiss Linguistik 44 (1), pp. 94–115.
Martindale, Anne-Marie/Fisher, Pamela (2019): “Disrupted Faces, Disrupted identities? Embodiment, Life Stories and Acquired Facial ‘Disfigurement’,” Sociology of Health & Illness 41 (8), pp. 1503–1519.
Oxford University Press (2023, July): “disruption (n.),” in: Oxford English Dictionary . Retrieved August 1, 2024.
Paul, Herman (2021): “Introduction: Post-concepts in Historical Perspective,” in: Paul, Herman/Adrian van Veldhuizen (Eds.): Post-everything . Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 1–14.
Utesheva, Anastasia/Simpson, Jason R./Cecez-Kecmanovic, Dubravka (2016): “Identity Metamorphoses in Digital Disruption: A Relational Theory of Identity,” European Journal of Information Systems 25 (4), pp. 344–363
Vollmer, Hendrik (2013): The Sociology of Disruption, Disaster and Social Change: Punctuated Cooperation . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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Discursive essays are challenging for many students. Discover the discursive essay structure and effective tips to create outstanding papers.
Explore the nuances of writing a discursive essay in our guide. Learn how to present contrasting viewpoints, making your essay a striking persuasion tool.
The discursive essay introduction should contain a few sentences that compress the general idea. Hence, brevity and conciseness are your best shot at delivering the relevance of your subject matter to the public.
A discursive essay is a form of critical essay that attempts to provide the reader with a balanced argument on a topic, supported by evidence. It requires critical thinking, as well as sound and valid arguments (see Chapter 25) that acknowledge and analyse arguments both for and against any given topic, plus discursive essay writing appeals to ...
Unlock the secrets of impactful discursive essay writing. Find guidance and practical tips to excel in crafting your essay. Improve your writing skills now!
A discursive essay is a type of academic writing that presents both sides of an argument or issue. Unlike an argumentative essay where you take a clear stance and defend it, a discursive essay allows you to explore different perspectives and provide an objective analysis. It requires careful research, critical thinking, and the ability to present logical arguments in a structured manner.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay. It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The points you use while writing a discursive essay need to flow smoothly so that readers could see a logical organization of the work. For this, you can use transition words that'll make your paper easily readable and crisp. For example, if you want to list some points, opt for such words as firstly, to begin with, secondly, lastly, finally ...
The discursive essay discusses ideas and opinions on a topic without the aim of persuading the reader to take a given view.
Do you need help writing a discursive essay? Learn how to write a discursive essay with our structure-specific tips and recommendations.
Introduction Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to write a discursive essay effectively. If you're unfamiliar with this type of essay or want to improve your skills, you've come to the right place! This guide will cover How to Write a Discursive Essay, examples, and strategies to help you craft a compelling discursive essay. Are you ready to master this art of writing? This article ...
What is a discursive essay? ️ How do you successfully write one? Check our tips on discursive writing with examples to find out. Become an expert writer!
Introduction The Academic Writing Guide (AWG) is designed to familiarise you with the process of writing a discursive essay. A discursive essay is a genre of writing that requires you to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. Once you have decided on your position your writing will be an attempt to persuade your ...
A discursive essay is divided into two types- Opinion Essay and For and Against Essay. However, the basic structure of putting all your thoughts in the conventional introduction-body-conclusion structure is the same, no matter what type you are writing on.
A discursive essay is organized like most essays, with a clear introduction and concise thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion. As in any essay, there are specific strategies you should use to develop these components.
Introduction to discursive essays What is a discursive essay? Discursive comes from the word 'discussion' - where people give different points of view. Here are some points to keep in mind: It is an essay that gives two points of view about a topic. It does not try to persuade the reader to agree with one point of view.
Need to write a discursive essay? Visit this page! You will find a guide 📃 to discursive essay format, topics, and tips for developing your writing style.
A discursive essay has similar structure like other essays you know. In your introduction, you need to start with a hook that connects to the rest of the essay and motivates the reader to continue reading.
How to Write an Introduction for a Discursive Essay The discursive essay introduction is the part of your essay that sets the tone and prepares the readers for the content of your paper. Your introduction should not be too detailed, but it should provide just enough information to get the audience acquainted with the topic.
Don't know what a discursive essay is? Do you know what the differences between a discursive and persuasive essay are? Don't worry. In this article, we explain what discursive writing for Year 12 Module C: The Craft of Writing is and give you a step-by-step process for writing a discursive essay.
Use the thesis statement to make the style of the essay clear: discursive, argumentative, or expository intentions should be conveyed before beginning the argument.
Criticisms on The Modern Essay - Introduction. Select an area of the website to search ... was intended to present the author's discursive thought process as he investigated a variety of topics ...
Although 'post-' concepts and disruptive events are conceptually distinct—not every disruption brings with it the introduction of 'post-' concepts—the two are closely related. Within the discursive articulation of identities, for example, the use of 'post-' concepts denotes a new form of being that cannot be defined without ...