How to Write a Discursive Essay
During your academic career, you may be assigned to write a discursive essay. Structurally and tonewise, a discursive essay has a lot in common with other types of essays—but there’s one key difference. A discursive essay’s defining characteristic is that it presents both sides of a topic rather than supporting only one position.
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What is a discursive essay?
A discursive essay is an essay that presents and explores two or more positions related to a given topic. For example, a discursive essay may discuss reasons to support adding solar panels to a public building and reasons to oppose doing so.
You might recognize that the word discursive , pronounced dis-kur-siv , is similar to the word discourse . This is because discursive is the adjective form of discourse , which is a noun that means “authoritative speech or writing about a subject.” In a discursive essay, the writer explores discourse surrounding their chosen topic, presenting both (and, in some cases, more than two) positions in good faith .
A discursive essay can be about anything. For example, you could write an essay that explores opposing opinions or a cause-and-effect essay that walks the reader through the repercussions of different actions, explaining how various choices could affect their outcomes.
When should you write a discursive essay?
You may be assigned to write a discursive essay. In this case, follow the assignment’s instructions, which may also specify discursive essay topics to choose from.
There are also scenarios where you may write a discursive essay without being assigned to do so. This could be an open-ended essay assignment—if you’re asked to write an analytical or political essay, structuring it as a discursive essay can be an effective way to thoroughly and accurately discuss your chosen topic.
A discursive essay can also be an engaging blog post or long-form post for a social media or publishing platform like LinkedIn or Substack. This type of essay is popular for writers seeking engagement with their work because its structure naturally invites commentary and further discussion. After all, that’s what discourse is all about.
Types of discursive essays
Just like there are many different discursive essay topics you can choose to write about, there are a variety of categories a discursive essay can fit into.
Unlike other types of opinion essays , like personal and persuasive essays, an opinion discursive essay doesn’t overtly push its author’s opinion. Instead, it presents their opinion, carefully exploring how one might reach this opinion and providing evidence to support this position. Following this discussion, the essay then presents an alternate opinion, exploring and supporting it with the same level of detail given for the initial opinion. This latter part is crucial; the balanced presentation of differing viewpoints is what makes it a discursive essay.
Keep in mind that with a discursive opinion essay, you still state your personal opinion. But it must be a well-reasoned opinion, and the text should illustrate why you hold this position through evidence.
- Compare/contrast
Compare/contrast essays are perhaps the most common type of discursive essay because the format naturally lends itself to this kind of exploration. In a compare/contrast essay, the author presents two or more texts or other pieces of media and discusses their similarities and differences.
- Problem/solution
In a problem/solution essay, the author presents a problem to be solved and then two or more solutions to the problem. When presenting the solutions, the essay describes their benefits and drawbacks. In this type of discursive essay, the author may conclude by stating which solution they think is most ideal, but this conclusion must be supported by credible evidence. The essay must also acknowledge that the author’s chosen solution is not the only viable one and present alternate solutions fairly.
- Cause/effect
In a discursive cause-and-effect essay , a specific issue or phenomenon is discussed. The focus is on what caused the issue and the results that can be directly traced to this cause. In some cases, this type of essay makes predictions for future possibilities based on the chain of events that have occurred so far.
- Exploratory
This type of discursive essay investigates a topic at length. In doing so, the author explores a variety of perspectives on the topic, explaining each one and its strengths and weaknesses. Unlike discursive essays that include the author’s opinion, an exploratory essay asks the reader to form their own conclusions. It may not do this explicitly; many discursive exploratory essays simply present a range of perspectives with an open-ended conclusion.
Tips for writing a discursive essay
When you start writing a discursive essay, keep the following tips in mind:
Be clear and concise
When you’re writing a discursive essay, your primary goal is for readers to understand its key points. Use clear, concise language to reduce the chance of confusion or misinterpretation. This means avoiding jargon whenever possible (and when industry-specific terms can’t be avoided, defining them for the reader), presenting information in a logical, linear structure, and sticking to an appropriate reading level for your audience.
Present multiple perspectives
Multiple perspectives are the hallmark of a discursive essay. By presenting multiple perspectives, you can illustrate all perspectives’ weaknesses, strengths, and unique contributions to the topic you’re discussing in your essay. Remember that although you may have a preferred perspective, and you might state it in your essay, the goal is not to elevate one perspective over another—the goal is to give the reader enough information to reach an informed position for themselves.
Support arguments with evidence
A strong discursive essay is one that supports every statement it makes. This is true of opinion statements as well as those that directly reference facts —when you include opinions, be sure to include evidence that supports the thought processes that led to the opinions.
Maintain a professional and objective tone
In a discursive essay, you’re not supporting one position over another. You’re presenting multiple positions and providing relevant evidence to support each, giving the reader the information they need to determine which position they support.
Do this by maintaining a professional, objective tone. This means avoiding emotionally charged language and subjective descriptors like “better” and “less important.”
Here’s a tip: Grammarly’s tone features can help you ensure your writing delivers your intended tone.
Discursive essay vs. argumentative essay
Discursive essays have a few things in common with argumentative essays . The main similarity is that in both types of essays, the author explores a topic and, through logical discussion of supporting evidence, reaches a conclusion.
Here’s the difference: While a discursive essay presents two or more positions and spends time exploring each, an argumentative essay explores only one position. In an argumentative essay, the author examines evidence that supports their argument, aiming to demonstrate its validity as the correct position through logic and clear facts.
Discursive essay example
Title: Is a Shiba Inu or a Corgi the Right Dog for My Family?
Start the essay by introducing the topic with an effective hook. A hook can be a question, a statistic, a fact, or simply an attention-grabbing statement that engages the reader and makes them want to continue reading.
In the body paragraphs, discuss each position through a series of evidence-backed points. Each paragraph should focus on one point. For example, this essay devotes one paragraph to each breed’s positive traits and one paragraph to each breed’s negative traits.
Argument: Shiba Inu: quiet, clean, catlike
Argument: Corgi: friendly, playful, affectionate
Argument: Shiba Inu: independent, difficult to train
Argument: Corgi: heavy shedder, very vocal
The conclusion should summarize the essay, restating the argument and its main points. Depending on the essay’s content and goals, it may include the author’s personal conclusion, such as the dog breed they chose for their family. In any discursive essay, the conclusion should encourage the reader to think about the topic or take action.
Discursive essay FAQs
A discursive essay is an essay that presents two or more positions, with the aim of educating the reader about these distinct positions.
When would you write a discursive essay?
You may write a discursive essay when assigned to do so or when you’re tasked with writing an essay that explores a topic fairly. By exploring multiple positions, you can ensure your essay is not biased.
What are the different kinds of discursive essays?
Discursive Essay: How to Write (With Examples!)
At some point or another in college, you will be asked to write a discursive essay. It’s the academic version of death or taxes — it’s unavoidable.
Learning to write a discursive essay is very important for your education. The process of writing a discursive essay teaches you about constructing the basic outline of all academic papers . If you understand how to write discursive essays, you will understand how to write and interpret other academic papers.
If you’re here, it’s probably your first time writing a discursive essay. Don’t panic. We’re here to help you understand the process of writing a discursive essay — fancy words and all.
Let’s start at the beginning.
What Is a Discursive Essay?
A discursive essay is one of four types of essays you’ll encounter in your studies. These are
- the Narrative Essay
- the Argumentative Essay
- the Descriptive Essay
- and, of course, the Discursive Essay
We’ll get back to these four in a second (they’re quite useful in understanding our discursive essay). First, let’s focus on the discursive essay.
A discursive essay is written in order to present a topic in a balanced way . It presents all sides of an argument, and provides the reader with objective evidence about a particular topic. It is written in an impersonal style, which helps to keep things unbiased.
This means that, as the writer of a discursive essay, you have to be very careful to avoid arguing for one viewpoint. Instead, you should try to keep your personal opinion out of the discussion. If you start to argue a point, your essay will turn into an argumentative essay (like Cinderella’s carriage-pumpkin at midnight.)
Discursive Essays vs Other Essays
Discursive writing is different from other types of essay writing. Let’s look at how it’s similar to and different from other types of essays.
Descriptive Essays
Our first essay type, the descriptive essay, is written to paint a picture for your brain to imagine. It does this by using descriptive language. If you want to get technical, it uses plenty of adjectives, adverbs, comparisons, and sensory figures of speech.
A discursive essay, on the other hand, gives cold, hard facts . There ain’t no time for flowery words here. Unless the evidence needs to be described in a sensory way, descriptive writing stays away from being overly descriptive.
Narrative Essays
A narrative essay tells a story. It is usually written in informal language, and it usually incorporates aspects of descriptive writing. It uses details to tell a story and draw the reader in. Think of all the classic fairy-tales, like Cinderella , or Goldilocks and the Three Bears . These are all examples of narrative writing.
Now, stories are a great way of drawing readers in, but they don’t necessarily work for discursive essays. With a discursive essay, you must focus on presenting facts and examples. Present evidence. Don’t focus on weaving a story. This makes it easy to lose focus on the facts you’re trying to present.
Argumentative Essays
This is like the bossy older sister of the discursive essay . Essentially, these two come from the same family, ie they discuss topics and present facts and examples about them. Except argumentative writing prefers to see things from one point of view. It might acknowledge the facts, but it will present several arguments about why its opinion is better.
At it’s core, the argumentative writing is used to try and persuade the readers to think in an alternate manner. Arguments are presented to convince the audience to change their mind. The discursive essay merely presents the facts from all sides.
How to Approach Discursive Essay Writing
Now that we know what we’re talking about, let’s jump in. You don’t need to be a professional writer to write a discursive essay well. You just need to remember the basics. If you can express your thoughts in logical way in the English language, you’re 80% of the way there already!
Research Your Particular Topic
Before embarking on the quest to craft the perfect essay, you have to know what you’re writing about. This will be accomplished by following a good research process. .
You don’t have to be passionate about the subject of your composition, but you have to make some good points and present a good argument. It might help to choose a controversial topic . Here are some suggestions for discursive essay topics:
Essay Topic Examples
- Do violent video games influence a person’s behaviour?
- Should the death penalty should be banned in Singapore?
- Should children under the age of 10 have cell phones?
- Is social media ruining our ability to interact with other people?
- Are Gen Z’s entitled?
We’ve found another great list of topic ideas for all kinds of essays. Check it out here .
Pro Tip: Controversial topics make great discursive essays. The reason for this is because your teacher (or lecturer) wants you to demonstrate that you can approach a highly emotional topic in a rational and objective manner.
Once you have chosen your topic, research it extensively . You should investigate the topic from as many different angles as possible. As you do your research try find answers to the ‘old faithful’ questions:
After that, do it again , but this time from the opposing point of view . By the time you put pen to paper, you’ll be able to write a powerful argument from both perspectives.
Plan your paper
Don’t write your introduction yet. Research is great, but unless you plan how to write it all down, your essay could be messy. Here’s an example of an essay plan . This example works well for verbal learners.
If you’re more of a visual or kinaesthetic learner, here’s an example of a how to create a mind map , which may help you to express your ideas better.
If neither of these work for you, you can simply write out all of the main topics that you will address.
Pay attention to structure
Just like when you build a house, it’s important to structure your writing. You do this by organising your paragraphs in the correct order , and by including the appropriate information in the corresponding paragraphs. Obviously, you should start with an introduction and end with a conclusion, but what comes in between ?
Here are some key pointers to help you organise your paper:
- Always be sure to use separate paragraphs . This might seem obvious, but if you don’t know how to use a paragraph, your ideas quickly become jumbled.
- Use your introductory paragraph well. Make your hypothesis statement in the first paragraph . Discursive writing isn’t about writing creatively. It’s about getting the information across succinctly. If it takes more than one paragraph for your reader to understand your discussion, they may lose interest.
- Use the second paragraph to explain HOW you’re going to make your points. This will give the readers a ‘roadmap’ of your ideas, and help them to find the points. Use the main points from your essay planning to help guide you.
- Use your body paragraphs to craft compelling arguments . The main body of your essay is the place for you to discuss the topic at length.
- Write one idea per paragraph. Anything more a single idea in each separate paragraph starts to get confusing.
- Write a conclusion that wraps everything up nicely. Body paragraphs are great, but they need to be tied together at the end.
Understand your main points
Before you try and make up a single body paragraph, you have to ensure that you can answer the main questions about a topic.
That’s the key: Ask the right questions .
This ties back in with our ‘old faithful’ questions. If you have a thorough understanding of the topic, your reader will, too. People can tell when you’re waffling.
Include supporting evidence
Whenever you make a statement in your body paragraphs, make sure that you can substantiate it with evidence. Here are two easy ways to make sure that you’re doing this:
- After each statement, ask ‘why?’ If you can’t give a decent answer, perhaps the statement shouldn’t be there.
- Use the SEA method:
- Statement: Make a statement.
- Example: Give an example (or evidence) to substantiate your claim.
- Application: Show how the theory applies in real life. (Personal examples may be useful here)
Useful Tips
- All paragraphs should have their own topic sentences.
- Don’t waffle in the main body paragraphs.
- Give yourself enough time to complete your essay. All nighters aren’t ideal.
- Don’t forget to write a conclusion.
- A discursive essay is not the place to voice your own opinion.
- Use formal language.
- A good writer communicates their ideas well — focus on that.
- Good academic performance doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Make time for other aspects of life, like friends and family, too .
Discursive essay FAQ
Once you have your argument points in place and have written a good introduction and conclusion, you’re most of the way there! Here are a few other things to consider.
What are examples of discursive writing?
You will find some of the best examples of discursive writing in well-written news articles. Note that this does not include tabloid or personal stories, but rather well-researched, in-depth articles written by respected journalists. Here is a list to get you started.
How many discursive essay attempts should I make?
There is no specific number of attempts you should make to get a discursive essay right. It is a good idea to leave enough time to reread your essay once you’re finished writing it. If necessary, then attempt another draft, or at the very least, make corrections. It’s always a good idea to sleep on it and read it again the next day with fresh eyes.
What is the difference between a discursive essay and an argumentative essay?
There are various subtle differences, but the main difference between the two is that discursive essay writing is objective, while argumentative essay writing is written to convince the reader of a specific viewpoint.
How do you know if an essay is discursive?
You can identify a discursive essay by its content. An essay is discursive if it shows both sides of a story and lays out a compelling argument for both sides without showing any bias.
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How to Write a Discursive Essay: Format, Tips, & Examples
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:
- argue for the issue or against it;
- present your points of view on both sides;
- provide your unprejudiced opinion on that matter.
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.
- ❓ Discursive Essay Definition
- 🏁 Types of a Discursive Essay
📑 Discursive Essay Format
- ✍️ Writing Guide
- 👍 Do’s and Don’ts
- 📃 Essay Examples
🔗 References
❓ what is a discursive essay.
First of all, let’s figure out what the discursive essay is.
You may think it’s similar to the argumentative essay. It is, but there’s a difference between them in terms of purpose:
- Discursive essays aim to provide a reliable and unbiased assessment of an issue. They don’t have to be completely neutral. Instead, you should write them using the facts and research reports to present both sides of the issue.
- Argumentative essays aim to persuade the reader in your position. This essay requires you to convince as well as educate the reader. The result should be less passionate and more concise than that of a persuasive essay.
And here’s how they differ regarding structure.
Discursive essay structure:
- Start with an introduction to the topic.
- Discuss each essay question in a single paragraph.
- Begin each paragraph with a powerful issue sentence.
- Paragraphs with one point usually followed by a counterpoint paragraph.
Argumentative essay structure:
- Craft a precise thesis statement with your position in the introduction.
- Elaborate on it in the body paragraph, explaining why you’re right.
- Restate and develop your thesis in the conclusion.
- Persuade your reader to agree with your position.
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!
🏁 Discursive Essay: Main Types
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:
- Opinion Essay requires the author’s opinion on an issue which is stated in the introductory paragraph. It should be clearly presented and followed by reasons and supporting examples. Also, this essay paper should contain an opposing argument that comes before the conclusion. The writer must explain to readers why the mentioned argument is considered to be unconvincing. The writer’s opinion should be restated/summarized in the conclusion.
- For and Against Essay provides readers with a thorough debate on the topic with the help of opposing points of view. Each point should be discussed objectively and described in details. The introductory paragraph puts the issue under consideration. The main body of this essay paper should present examples, reasons, and arguments supported by justifications. The author’s own opinion with balanced reflections on the topic should be stated only in conclusion.
- Essay Suggesting Solution to a Problem discusses problems and finds the main solutions. The introduction paragraph explicitly declares a problem and analyses its causes and consequences. The main body of the essay should offer some suggestions for a possible solution to the problem and potential state consequences or expected results. In conclusion, author’s opinion should be distinctly summarized.
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:
Introduction
The first question you may ask is how to start a discursive essay introduction. Simple!
- Give your readers a hook – something that would sound interesting to them.
- Provide a short explanation of the problem. You may use quotations, as well as rhetorical questions.
- Show your readers both sides of the arguments and sum up.
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:
- First and foremost: stay unprejudiced . Assess all of the aspects of an issue. Leave your feelings behind or for another essay type.
- Second: build your argumentation . If you have several arguments for your viewpoint—provide them in separate paragraphs. This will help you to keep your essay comprehensible and distinct. Don’t forget to submit supporting evidence.
- Third: write the body of an essay in an alternate manner. What does it mean? If your first paragraph supports the paper’s argument, then in the second paragraph you should write something in the opposite of it. Such a combination of supporting and opposite paragraphs will make your essay look apparent, and well researched. Besides, it will help you to remain neutral.
- Fourth: include topic sentences and evidence . Write a summary of the argument at the beginning of the paragraph. It will allow the reader to easier understand what the paragraph is about. Provide evidence to show that you’re not making the facts up.
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.
- In the last section, you should summarize your article including the main points, specified in the body paragraphs.
- You may also logically express your opinion. Remember: it should resonate with your evidence stated in the body paragraphs.
- Don’t repeat findings, just summarize them.
Keep it short. Your conclusion length should not exceed one paragraph.
✍️ How to Write a Discursive Essay
Now that you’re familiar with the discursive essay format, you’re well-equipped to craft your paper. Simply follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide filled with valuable tips.
1. Choose Your Topic
Selecting an effective topic for your discursive essay is a key step that governs the entire writing process. Here are actionable tips to help you with this:
- The topic should be divisible into at least 3 aspects. This allows for analyzing different perspectives and crafting a well-rounded overview. For example, animal testing has aspects like effectiveness, alternatives, and morality.
- The topic should be sufficiently covered in academic literature. This will provide you with a solid foundation of research and facts to support your arguments. Before finalizing a topic, check that ample information exists on it.
- Claims and counterclaims on the topic should be about the same idea. For example, If the claim is that animal testing effectively enables drug development, the counterclaim could be that differences between species limit the usefulness of animal testing data. Both claims center on the efficacy of animal testing.
2. Research Your Topic
Before writing, research your topic thoroughly to gather pertinent information and evidence. Seek out sources that reinforce and dispute your stance, including academic journals, literature, reputable internet sites, news reports, and expert perspectives.
The most effective approach to discover reliable scholarly sources is exploring your university library or repositories. In this case, you can narrow your search field by applying Boolean operators : AND, OR, and NOT.
- Use AND to find articles that contain both search terms. For instance, looking for “canines AND felines” will display articles referencing both.
- Use OR to find articles that contain either of the search terms. For example, searching for “canines OR felines” will produce articles mentioning one or both.
- Use NOT to exclude specific terms from your search results. Searching for “canines NOT felines” will retrieve articles covering canines only.
3. Compose a Thesis Statement
The next step is to develop your thesis statement: a clear and concise declaration of your main argument.
Here are the key qualities of an effective thesis:
- Two-sided. It presents two sides of the issue rather than being biased and one-sided.
- Written in tentative language. Tentative words and phrases display some uncertainty or caution when presenting the discussion. This helps communicate openness to varied perspectives. Phrases such as “it could be argued” and “there is evidence to suggest” can introduce the thesis in a more nuanced manner.
- Based on research, not just opinion. The thesis gains conviction when it includes research findings, statistics, expert views, and other reliable sources.
4. Formulate Claims and Counterclaims
Before you can start planning your essay structure, it is important to develop clear claims and counterclaims that are connected to each other. Claims constitute the main arguments in support of your thesis statement, while counterclaims present opposing viewpoints that challenge your claims.
For a 1000-word discursive essay, having 3 pros (claims) and 3 cons (counterclaims) is generally sufficient to provide a balanced discussion of the topic, but longer essays may require more arguments.
5. Outline Your Essay
Like any other academic work, a discursive paper consists of an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Let’s focus on structuring body paragraphs since this can be the most challenging part for students.
One strategy to structure the main body of a discursive essay goes like this:
- Present all the claims favoring your chosen issue.
- Follow up with counterclaims that challenge or give alternative viewpoints on those arguments.
Another potent strategy is to present a claim and its connected counterclaim within the same paragraph. This method lets you directly contrast different perspectives on one aspect of the topic.
If you need help outlining your essay, try our free essay outline generator .
6. Write Your Discursive Essay
When writing a discursive essay, remember to appeal to logic rather than emotions. It means presenting well-reasoned arguments supported by facts rather than relying on feelings.
It’s common to include in-text citations to support your claims. By citing reputable sources, you will provide evidence and authority to your points, making your essay more credible and persuasive.
When including in-text citations, follow the appropriate citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) and provide a full reference list at the end of your essay to acknowledge the sources you have used.
👍 Discursive Writing Do’s and Don’ts
Do you want more discursive essay writing tips? Fine! Just check them below:
Basic Do’s of a Discursive Essay
- Write in formal, impersonal style
- Use topic sentences
- Give examples for each point
- Use sequencing and linking words
- Identify used sources
- Follow proper citation style
Basic Don’Ts of a Discursive Essay
- Don’t use contractions
- Don’t use overly emotional language
- Don’t use over-generalizations
- Don’t insist on your opinion
- Don’t use personal examples
Well, now you know what discursive essay means, what are its main types, and how to structure it.
Discursive Essay Topics
- Discussion of risk factors that impact human health.
- Discuss the necessity of understanding cultural heritage to provide efficient health care.
- Analyze different opinions on withdrawing patients’ treatment.
- Examine different views on the Civil War.
- Discuss what hostile emotional states are and how they impact human life.
- Discuss the meaning of metaphors used by Virgil in Aeneid .
- Describe different opinions on telehealth in nursing homes.
- The ethicality of stem cell technology.
- Explore the effectiveness of motivational interviewing.
- Discuss how people present themselves online .
- Discuss the reasons for Coca-Cola’s marketing success.
- Analyze the food safety issues and the ways to improve the situation.
- Examine the essential meaning of sleep for people’s physical and mental health.
- Explore various complications of working with groups.
- Discussion of the modern issues with virtue ethics.
- Describe different views on the definition of love.
- Give the for and against arguments considering food security technologies.
- Discuss how the concept of the American dream is presented in the film The Great Gatsby.
- Analyze the influence of family problems on children and suggest ways to improve the situation.
- Present the various points of view on the ethical concepts of Buddhism.
- Examine the attitudes towards the problem of homelessness and the suggested ways of its solution.
- Explore different opinions on the American revolution and its consequences.
- Discuss various policies and views around the globe on abortion.
- Discussion of the history of food foraging in different communities.
- Multiple thoughts on civility on the Internet .
- Analyze arguments on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers.
- Discuss the importance of visual aids in learning.
- Present and evaluate the theories of international development .
- Discuss how to prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus (WNV).
- Is embracing renewable energy sources beneficial for both environment and the global economy?
- Examine the correctness of the statement that the ideology of pleasure is the foundation of social activism.
- Discussion of the ethical dilemma of population control.
- Discuss the ethics of experimental studies .
- Analyze the topic of gun violence and gun control laws.
- Explore the reasons for opioid crises in the US.
- Give arguments for and against random drug testing.
- Discuss the problem of endangered species .
- Express your opinion on the necessity of parents to be included in children’s education .
- Present your attitude towards working in a bureaucratic organization.
- Discuss the issue of the nursing shortage and suggest a solution.
- Give different viewpoints on the definition of beauty .
- Analyze the problem of police misconduct.
- Discuss the description of violence of African people in literature.
- Examine the views on Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory.
- Describe the various opinions on mysticism and express your attitude towards it.
- Discuss the diverse standpoints on spirituality.
- Is nature protection an urgent problem?
- Analyze different ideas on physical privacy at work.
- Discussion on the Jewish heritage in nursing.
- Examine the views on the meaning of life.
📃 Discursive Essay Examples
If you’re looking to enhance your understanding of discursive writing, check out our collection of discursive essay examples. These samples can provide valuable insights into effective argumentation and organization.
- Pros and cons of DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) .
- Freedom of speech and restrictions: pros and cons .
- The low-cost provider strategy: pros and cons .
- NASA’s efforts of space colonization: pros and cons .
- Artificial intelligence: pros and cons .
- Cloning discussion: pros and cons .
- Pros and cons of free speech regulations on social media .
- Globalization and its pros and cons .
- Pros and cons of diagnosing patients in mental health practices .
- The Family and Medical Leave Act: pros and cons .
Want to see a fully-formatted sample essay? Feel free to download the PDF file below:
The debate among professionals and patients regarding the best diet for weight loss is still on. The low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets are among the most popular and used ones.
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.
You might also be interested in:
- Friendship Essay: Writing Guide & Topic Ideas about Friendship
- Teamwork Essay: Quick Guide on How to Write a Good Paper
- Compare and Contrast Essay Writing Tips and Examples
- Transportation Essay: Writing Tips and Brilliant Topics
- Writing an Opinion Essay: Grace Fleming, ThoughtCo
- How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay: Easy Step-by-Step Guide: Master Class
- Ending the Essay: Conclusions: Harvard College Writing Center
- Academic Writing Style: University of Southern California
- Cite Your Sources: Library Guides at University of California, Santa Cruz
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How to Write a Discursive Essay: Format, Topics & Examples
Table of contents, what is discursive essays, key features of a discursive essay, format of a discursive essay, types of discursive essay, different between a discursive essay and an argumentative essay, list of discursive essay topics, example of how to write a good discursive essay, write an introduction for a discursive essay, write the body for a discursive essay.
Author : Vipul Jain
Key takeaways.
- This blog, covers all the essential points and information that are needed to be covered in the discursive essay. The discursive essay explains us about designing the main outlines for the whole research papers that a student write in their whole academic journey.
- Through this blog, we discussed the structure that you should follow while you are writing a discursive essay. You have to read this blog carefully to understand the whole structure.
- We discussed the various discursive essay topics. You have to consider these topics and find out which topic can match and suit your area of interest. In this way, you can be able to choose the one which reflects your own interest.
- This blog recommends the golden tips that are crucial to writing a perfect discursive essay. Apart from that, we also discussed the major types of discursive essays in which most of the students always being confused. So, this blog can be useful for you to solve all your concerns regarding writing a discursive essay.
If you know how to write a critical essay it won’t be that hard for you to understand the format of a discursive essay. This is the reason every student is said to understand how to write a discursive essay.
As you are here that means you have not experienced how to write a Discursive essay till now. You don’t have to worry, everything that you should know about Discursive essays you will know it here.
Definition of Discursive essay is among the most common forms of writing tasks assigned to students and it consists of the examination of the chosen subject, which is a topic that has more than one side.
It is meant to make students engage their critical thinking ability and make analysis. Students face issues in the analysis part for which they look out for the best essay writing service so that they can help them.
James Joyce a famous Irish author suggests that while writing a discursive composition, a writer doesn’t have to provide a piece of biased information and present the two sides of the case arguing. Discursive essay meaning is a genre of writing in such a sense that requires proper investigation of the topic, evaluate evidence, and read all the information before writing your essay.
Here are some key features that may help you understand discursive essays more properly or you can look for Top-rates websites for academic essay writing that will help you out by providing guidance and tips.
Balanced Argument : Gives the pros and cons of an issue.
Critical Thinking : Through the use of words such as ‘it remains’, the writer tries to appeal to many possible opinions in the reader’s mind.
Objective Tone : Impartiality which means the author or speaker does not take sides in regards to the information that they are giving to an audience.
Clear Structure : Coherent and presents a progressive and comprehensible concept. If you don’t understand structure you can reach a writing service for getting services like “ Write my essays ”.
Evidence : Backs up claims with facts or statistics, or personal or other people’s opinions.
For a properly structured Discursive essay, you must follow the format to get your essay in the right structure. Make sure Arguments can be more than 2 and you have to discuss the arguments in the same manner.
Every student always facing confusion about the type of discursive essays. So to solve this confusion, we will discuss today the three main parts of the discursive essays that you have to compose in the discursive writing style. Here are three main types of discursive essays that are mentioned below-:
1. Opinion discursive essay: It shows the author’s viewpoint. The opinion discursive essay is an official academic paper where you can straightly present your point of view connected to the topic. Most of the students even don’t know the best ways to begin a reflective essay for students . The opposing perspectives and causes should be combined in the individual paragraph.
A discussion that presents the indecisive perspective. The topic that is chosen by yourself shows your perspective and offers you proof that can handle your main discussions. The format of the opinion essay is also similar to others such as the introduction part, the description or main body, and the final part which is known as the conclusion.
2. For and Against Discursive Essay: It shows the issues of both sections. In these kinds of essays, a definitive topic is allocated to the scholars. The essay outline combines a brief that supports you in dealing with the ideas and discussions. Who wants assistance with ideas? It also explains the pros and cons of an individual question.
Just the author’s self point of view should be shown in the section. If you want to write a research paper on your own then it requires a lot of effort and hard work. The discursive essay format is the same for all the discursive essays. The introduction part explains the topic’s importance and the conclusion part is essential for briefing the whole topic ideas.
3. Discursive essay suggestion solutions to problems: The essays that show the solutions for the individual problems or issues, it usually analyze the problems that are directly connected to the issue. The self point of view of the scholar is always specified in the final part or conclusion.
If you want to critically discuss a topic then you have to check the precise information in depth. The author’s point of view can be specified straightly or indirectly in the beginning (intro) and the final part( conclusion).
A discursive essay and an argumentative essay both sections are not easy to learn. You have to do a lot of research and read the journals and articles to know the difference. But in the end, you can’t get the proper information and you are always confused.
So, in today’s blog, we are going to discuss the usual differences between a discursive essay and an argumentative essay. To know the difference between an argumentative and discursive essay you have to read the below differences.
Below are the suggestions of some discursive essay ideas and topics for your help in selecting the right and perfect essay discursive essay for you. Among these, you can also have topics for discursive essays in higher English as well.
Social Issues of Discursive Essay Topics
- Is euthanasia entitled to be legal?
- Is the use of social media bad for one’s mental health?
- Genetically modified organisms should be used in food production.
Technology of Discursive Essay Topics
- Is the use of artificial intelligence and automation helpful for society?
- Should the government control the utilization of technology?
- Is Technology making people less social?
Many students find it very hard to do assignments on technology-related topics or subjects, if you also feel so you can seek help from an Assignment helper in uk , they can help you out with all types of assignments.
Education of Discursive Essay Topics
- Should colleges and universities remove the use of standardized tests from admissions?
- Should students prefer online classes or classroom-style instructions?
- Should schools pay more emphasis on offering job-oriented training?
Politics of Discursive Essay Topics
- Does it mean that democracy is the best form of government?
- There is one question that is always raised regarding guns: Should gun control laws be more rigorous?
- What are the effects of globalization on developing countries?
Environment of Discursive Essay Topics
- Is climate change a result of human-induced?
- Should people use renewable sources of energy?
- Do GMOs pose a threat or hurt the environment?
Similar technology, topics, and subjects related to the environment also require proper research and proper collection of evidence in writing the proper assignment. So, you can get help from the assignment writing Services uk for this.
Below are some points working as examples of discursive essays that can help you understand how can you write a perfect discursive essay.
Research Thoroughly : It is necessary to gather information from reliable sources to argue for the solutions. Understand research methodology and use it very wisely while writing your essay.
Maintain Objectivity : Do not express oneself in a manner that is in any way prejudiced or appeals to the emotional sentiments of the concerned parties.
Use Clear and Concise Language : Writing is to be formal and academic.
Proofread Carefully : Ensure that the paper complies with various rules about writing, particularly grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Get Feedback : It is recommended to show your essay to a friend, teacher, or tutor and hear their opinion on the material.
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Introduction attracts your readers, so you should write your introduction in such a way that it compels your readers to read further. Avoid writing unnecessary words, keep the introduction of your topic informative, which can connect your readers.
For example, if your essay/dissertation is on the impact of any type of topic like technology, you can start it like this, In today's screen-oriented era, traditional education is becoming obsolete.
In this essay, we will discuss about the impact of technology and finally we will arrive at a micro perspective.
The body section is the section where you write about your topics. Divide it into points and explain each point thoroughly. Before writing the body, you need to do proper research about your essay topic, so that you can get a good material for your essay topic.
Write a Conclusion for a Discursive Essay
In conclusion, you should summarize the points you have written, you will only see the content that you have used in your main body, you cannot put any extra information in it.
A discursive essay is an important piece of writing and requires proper research and collection of evidence in the right manner. Discursive essays help you in your future assignments as well by improving your basic writing skills.
This blog discussed the format that you must follow for writing a discursive essay you must properly go through the format to understand the complete format. Other than this you must also know how to write an essay structure , a normal essay, and not any particular type.
The format includes an introduction, then next comes 1 argument, then you have to discuss 2nd argument, as a discursive essay can never be biased, and should talk about 2 or more arguments.
After this several discursive essay topics have been mentioned for your essay, you can select any one of them for your Discursive essay. And in last to get a complete understanding of the examples of how to write a dissertation is mentioned to give important lessons on what things you must use while writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can i get help from somewhere for writing my discursive essay.
Yes, you can surely get help from any writing service and ask them for help with essays, and discuss everything with them regarding your essay.
Where can I find the best examples for a Discursive essay?
You can find the best examples of a discursive essay in validly published news articles, note that it does not include personal stories. Articles that are properly researched and discuss some serious topic.
What is the Difference between argumentative essays and discursive essays?
By understanding how to write an argumentative essay you understand that the main objective of an argumentative essay is to convince the reader of a specific viewpoint. In the case of discursive essays, both sides of the story are explained and the decision is left to the reader.
What is the definition of discursive essay?
A discursive essay is one type of essay in which a writer provides 2 arguments for the same topic after proper research and using proper evidence leaving it to the reader to decide what must be the right decision.
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Hi, I am Vipul Jain ( Founder of Workingment). I have contributed my writing expertise and collaborated with a team of experts to support UK students in achieving higher grades. My mission is to assist students who face various challenges in completing their academic writing projects.
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Essay Writing Guides
How to Write a Discursive Essay (With Examples)
Table of Contents
Writing a discursive essay is an engaging way to explore various perspectives on a topic. Unlike other essay types, discursive essays provide a balanced discussion, presenting different viewpoints and arguments. This type of essay helps develop critical thinking skills and encourages a thorough understanding of the subject.
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of discursive essays, including their definition, main types, and how they compare to other essay forms. Whether you are a student or a professional writer, mastering the art of discursive writing can enhance your analytical and writing skills.
What is a Discursive Essay
A discursive essay is an essay that presents both sides of an argument or topic without showing personal bias. “Discursive” comes from “discourse,” which involves sharing thoughts on a particular idea. In this essay, you must objectively present the topic’s pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages. The writer remains neutral throughout the essay’s body, only revealing their own opinion in the conclusion, supported by the discussion in the preceding paragraphs. This approach encourages a balanced and comprehensive exploration of the subject matter.
Main Types of Discursive Essays
Discursive essays come in three main types: for and against, opinion, and problem-solution.
- For and Against Essays : These essays present a topic’s positive and negative aspects. The writer discusses arguments for and against the issue, providing a balanced view without showing personal bias until the conclusion.
- Opinion Essays : In these essays, the writer presents their viewpoint on a particular topic, supported by arguments and evidence. Although personal opinion is expressed, supporting claims with logical reasoning and facts is essential.
- Problem-Solution Essays : These essays address a specific problem and propose one or more solutions. The writer discusses the issue in detail, explores potential solutions, and evaluates their effectiveness. This type of essay often recommends the best course of action.
Struggling with Your Discursive Essay?
Our expert writers are ready to help you write a balanced and compelling discursive essay. Don’t let the complexities of presenting multiple viewpoints overwhelm you.
Discursive Essays vs Other Essays
Discursive essays differ significantly from other essays in their structure, purpose, and writing style. Here, we will explore how discursive essays compare to argumentative, descriptive, and narrative essays.
Discursive Essay Vs. Argumentative Essay
A discursive Essay focuses on presenting multiple perspectives on a topic without bias, objectively discussing both sides of an argument. In contrast, an argumentative essay aims to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint, presenting solid arguments and evidence to support one side while refuting the opposing side.
Discursive Essay Vs. Descriptive Essay
A discursive essay engages in a balanced discussion on a specific topic, presenting various viewpoints and supporting evidence. In contrast, a descriptive essay focuses on describing a person, place, event, or object in detail, using sensory language to create a vivid picture for the reader without necessarily presenting arguments. You can read more on descriptive essays to get the difference better.
Discursive Essay Vs. Narrative Essay
A discursive essay involves a formal and objective discussion on a topic, weighing different perspectives without personal bias, whereas a narrative essay tells a story or recounts an event from the writer’s perspective, emphasizing personal experience and often using a more informal, creative style.
How to Write a Discursive Essay
Writing a discursive essay involves several steps to ensure a balanced and comprehensive discussion. Here is a guide to help you craft an effective discursive essay:
Step 1: Choose a Topic
- Select a topic that has clear opposing viewpoints. For example, “The impact of social media on society” is a good topic because it allows for discussing both positive and negative aspects.
- Ensure the topic is relevant and engaging to your audience.
Step 2: Research Both Sides
- Conduct thorough research to gather evidence for both sides of the argument. Use reliable sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
- Take notes on the pros and cons of the topic. For example, if your topic is “The benefits and drawbacks of remote work,” you would gather data on increased flexibility and productivity (pros) as well as potential isolation and communication challenges (cons).
Step 3: Plan Your Structure
Create an outline with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Introduction : Introduce the topic and state that you will discuss both sides without bias. Example: “Remote work has become increasingly popular, offering significant benefits and notable challenges.”
- Body Paragraphs : Organize the body paragraphs to discuss one side of the argument first and then the other. For instance, the first few paragraphs could detail the benefits of remote work, while the following paragraphs cover the drawbacks.
- Conclusion : Summarize the main points and present your balanced view supported by the evidence discussed. Example: “While remote work offers flexibility and productivity benefits, addressing the challenges of isolation and communication is crucial for its success.”
Step 4: Write Objectively
- Present both sides of the argument fairly and objectively. Avoid using personal pronouns, and keep your tone neutral.
- Use transitional words to connect ideas and ensure a smooth flow. Words like “however,” “on the other hand,” and “furthermore” help maintain clarity.
- Example: “On the one hand, remote work allows employees to have a flexible schedule, which can lead to increased job satisfaction. However, it can also result in feelings of isolation, which may negatively impact mental health.”
Step 5: Revise and Edit
- Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and balance. Ensure each argument is supported by evidence and that the essay flows logically from one point to the next.
- Check for grammatical errors, proper punctuation, and adherence to the required format.
- Example revision: If you initially wrote, “Remote work is great because it offers flexibility,” you might revise it to, “Remote work provides significant flexibility, allowing employees to manage their schedules more effectively.”
- Cite all the sources you used to gather information for your essay. This includes books, academic journals, websites, and other reliable sources.
- Follow the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) to format your references correctly.
- Example of a reference in APA style: “Smith, J. (2020). The impact of remote work on employee productivity. Journal of Business Research, 45(2), 123-135.
Discursive Essay Examples
Examples of discursive essay topics.
Discursive essays explore various sides of a topic, presenting multiple viewpoints to encourage thoughtful discussion and analysis. Choosing the right topic is crucial for engaging readers and providing a balanced argument. Here are ten examples of discursive essay topics covering various contemporary issues.
- The Debate over Universal Basic Income : Discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing a universal basic income policy.
- The Impact of Social Media on Society : Examining social media’s positive and negative effects on human interaction and mental health.
- The Pros and Cons of Remote Work : Analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of working from home for employees and employers.
- The Legalization of Marijuana : Discussing the arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use.
- The Effects of Climate Change Policies : Evaluating the effectiveness of current climate change policies and their impact on the environment and economy.
- The Role of Technology in Education : Assessing the advantages and disadvantages of integrating technology into educational systems.
- The Ethics of Animal Testing : Debating the moral implications and scientific benefits of using animals in medical and cosmetic research.
- The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior : Investigating how advertising shapes consumer choices and the ethical considerations involved.
- The Future of Renewable Energy : Exploring the potential benefits and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources.
- The Impact of Globalization on Local Cultures : Examining how globalization affects cultural identity and diversity in different regions.
These topics provide a foundation for balanced and comprehensive discursive essays, encouraging critical thinking and informed discussion. If you are interested in more topics, you can explore our extensive list of research topics.
Helpful Tips When Writing Discursive Essays
Writing a discursive essay requires careful planning, research, and a balanced approach to presenting arguments. Here are some helpful tips to enhance your discursive essay writing:
- Stay Neutral : Maintain an objective tone throughout the essay, presenting both sides of the argument without showing personal bias until the conclusion.
- Use Reliable Sources : Support your arguments with credible sources such as academic journals, books, and websites. It adds legitimacy to your essay and strengthens your arguments.
- Organize Logically : Structure your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs presenting both sides of the argument, and a conclusion summarizing the discussion and presenting your own balanced view.
- Use Transitional Words : Employ transitional words and phrases like “however,” “on the other hand,” “furthermore,” and “conversely” to ensure smooth flow and clarity between arguments.
- Write in Present Tense : Typically, discursive essays are written in the present tense to discuss current and ongoing issues.
- Avoid Personal Pronouns : Avoid using personal pronouns like “I” or “me” in the body paragraphs. Keep the focus on the topic and the arguments being presented.
- Provide Evidence : Back up each argument with evidence and examples. It helps to substantiate your points and make your essay more persuasive.
- Be Clear and Concise : Ensure your writing is clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex sentences that might confuse the reader.
- Address Counterarguments : Acknowledge counterarguments and provide rebuttals. It shows that you have considered different viewpoints and strengthens your position.
- Edit and Proofread : Review your essay for grammatical errors, coherence, and logical flow. Proofreading helps to eliminate mistakes and improve the overall quality of your writing.
- Follow the Essay Guidelines : Adhere to any specific guidelines or formatting requirements provided by your instructor or publication.
- Include a Balanced Conclusion : Summarize the main points of both sides in the conclusion and present your view in a balanced manner, supported by the evidence discussed in the essay.
Final Remarks
Discursive essays offer a valuable opportunity to explore multiple perspectives, fostering critical thinking and balanced analysis. By presenting well-researched arguments and maintaining an objective tone, writers can engage readers in meaningful discussions that promote a deeper understanding of complex issues. Whether comparing discursive essays to other essay types or providing practical writing tips, the insights shared in this article aim to equip you with the tools needed to craft compelling and informative discursive essays. Embrace the challenge, and let your writing contribute to thoughtful dialogue and informed debate.
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What are examples of discursive writing?
Examples of discursive writing include essays that explore multiple viewpoints on topics such as the impact of social media on society, the pros and cons of remote work, the legalization of marijuana, and the ethics of animal testing. In each case, the writer presents balanced arguments for and against the topic, supporting each side with evidence and maintaining an objective tone.
How do I start off a discursive essay?
To start a discursive essay, begin with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and states that you will discuss both sides of the argument. Provide some background information to give context and highlight the importance of the topic. End the introduction with a clear thesis statement that outlines the essay’s structure without revealing your stance.
What is the difference between a discursive and argumentative essay?
A discursive essay presents multiple viewpoints on a topic in a balanced and objective manner, discussing both sides without showing bias until the conclusion. An argumentative essay, on the other hand, aims to persuade the reader to accept a specific viewpoint, presenting solid arguments and evidence to support one side while refuting the opposing side.
Is a discursive essay the same as a descriptive essay?
No, a discursive essay is not the same as a descriptive essay. A discursive essay involves a balanced discussion of different perspectives, presenting arguments and evidence for both sides. A descriptive essay, however, focuses on describing a person, place, event, or object in detail, using sensory language to create a vivid picture for the reader without necessarily presenting arguments or viewpoints.
The University of Queensland. Planning a Discursive Essay. https://uq.pressbooks.pub/academicwritingskills/chapter/discursive-essay-plan/
Racquel English Tutor. How to Write a Discursive Essay[Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TnTQt7v6J4
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26 Planning a Discursive Essay
Discursive essay – description.
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 reason, not emotions or opinions. While it may draw some tentative conclusions, based on evidence, the main aim of a discursive essay is to inform the reader of the key arguments and allow them to arrive at their own conclusion.
The writer needs to research the topic thoroughly to present more than one perspective and should check their own biases and assumptions through critical reflection (see Chapter 30).
Unlike persuasive writing, the writer does not need to have knowledge of the audience, though should write using academic tone and language (see Chapter 20).
Choose Your Topic Carefully
A basic guide to choosing an assignment topic is available in Chapter 23, however choosing a topic for a discursive essay means considering more than one perspective. Not only do you need to find information about the topic via academic sources, you need to be able to construct a worthwhile discussion, moving from idea to idea. Therefore, more forward planning is required. The following are decisions that need to be considered when choosing a discursive essay topic:
- These will become the controlling ideas for your three body paragraphs (some essays may require more). Each controlling idea will need arguments both for and against.
- For example, if my topic is “renewable energy” and my three main (controlling) ideas are “cost”, “storage”, “environmental impact”, then I will need to consider arguments both for and against each of these three concepts. I will also need to have good academic sources with examples or evidence to support my claim and counter claim for each controlling idea (More about this in Chapter 27).
- Am I able to write a thesis statement about this topic based on the available research? In other words, do my own ideas align with the available research, or am I going to be struggling to support my own ideas due to a lack of academic sources or research? You need to be smart about your topic choice. Do not make it harder than it has to be. Writing a discursive essay is challenging enough without struggling to find appropriate sources.
- For example, perhaps I find a great academic journal article about the uptake of solar panel installation in suburban Australia and how this household decision is cost-effective long-term, locally stored, and has minimal, even beneficial environmental impact due to the lowering of carbon emissions. Seems too good to be true, yet it is perfect for my assignment. I would have to then find arguments AGAINST everything in the article that supports transitioning suburbs to solar power. I would have to challenge the cost-effectiveness, the storage, and the environmental impact study. Now, all of a sudden my task just became much more challenging.
- There may be vast numbers of journal articles written about your topic, but consider how relevant they may be to your tentative thesis statement. It takes a great deal of time to search for appropriate academic sources. Do you have a good internet connection at home or will you need to spend some quality time at the library? Setting time aside to complete your essay research is crucial for success.
It is only through complete forward planning about the shape and content of your essay that you may be able to choose the topic that best suits your interests, academic ability and time management. Consider how you will approach the overall project, not only the next step.
Research Your Topic
When completing a library search for online peer reviewed journal articles, do not forget to use Boolean Operators to refine or narrow your search field. Standard Boolean Operators are (capitalized) AND, OR and NOT. While using OR will expand your search, AND and NOT will reduce the scope of your search. For example, if I want information on ageism and care giving, but I only want it to relate to the elderly, I might use the following to search a database: ageism AND care NOT children. Remember to keep track of your search strings (like the one just used) and then you’ll know what worked and what didn’t as you come and go from your academic research.
The UQ Library provides an excellent step-by-step guide to searching databases:
Searching in databases – Library – University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)
Did you know that you can also link the UQ Library to Google Scholar? This link tells you how:
Google Scholar – Library – University of Queensland (uq.edu.au)
Write the Thesis Statement
The concept of a thesis statement was introduced in Chapter 21. The information below relates specifically to a discursive essay thesis statement.
As noted in the introduction to this chapter, the discursive essay should not take a stance and therefore the thesis statement must also impartially indicate more than one perspective. The goal is to present both sides of an argument equally and allow the reader to make an informed and well-reasoned choice after providing supporting evidence for each side of the argument.
Sample thesis statements: Solar energy is a cost -effective solution to burning fossil fuels for electricity , however lower income families cannot afford the installation costs .
Some studies indicate that teacher comments written in red may have no effect on students’ emotions , however other studies suggest that seeing red ink on papers could cause some students unnecessary stress. [1]
According to social justice principles, education should be available to all , yet historically, the intellectually and physically impaired may have been exempt from participation due to their supposed inability to learn. [2]
This is where your pros and cons list comes into play. For each pro, or positive statement you make, about your topic, create an equivalent con, or negative statement and this will enable you to arrive at two opposing assertions – the claim and counter claim.
While there may be multiple arguments or perspectives related to your essay topic, it is important that you match each claim with a counter-claim. This applies to the thesis statement and each supporting argument within the body paragraphs of the essay.
It is not just a matter of agreeing or disagreeing. A neutral tone is crucial. Do not include positive or negative leading statements, such as “It is undeniable that…” or “One should not accept the view that…”. You are NOT attempting to persuade the reader to choose one viewpoint over another.
Leading statements / language will be discussed further, in class, within term three of the Academic English course.
Thesis Structure:
- Note the two sides (indicated in green and orange)
- Note the use of tentative language: “Some studies”, “may have”, “could cause”, “some students”
- As the thesis is yet to be discussed in-depth, and you are not an expert in the field, do not use definitive language
- The statement is also one sentence, with a “pivot point” in the middle, with a comma and signposting to indicate a contradictory perspective (in black). Other examples include, nevertheless, though, although, regardless, yet, albeit. DO NOT use the word “but” as it lacks academic tone. Some signposts (e.g., although, though, while) may be placed at the start of the two clauses rather than in the middle – just remember the comma, for example, “While some studies suggest solar energy is cost-effective, other critical research questions its affordability.”
- Also note that it is based on preliminary research and not opinion: “some studies”, “other studies”, “according to social justice principles”, “critical research”.
Claims and Counter Claims
NOTE: Please do not confuse the words ‘claim’ and ‘counter-claim’ with moral or value judgements about right/wrong, good/bad, successful/unsuccessful, or the like. The term ‘claim’ simply refers to the first position or argument you put forward (whether for or against), and ‘counter-claim’ is the alternate position or argument.
In a discursive essay the goal is to present both sides equally and then draw some tentative conclusions based on the evidence presented.
- To formulate your claims and counter claims, write a list of pros and cons.
- For each pro there should be a corresponding con.
- Three sets of pros and cons will be required for your discursive essay. One set for each body paragraph. These become your claims and counter claims.
- For a longer essay, you would need further claims and counter claims.
- Some instructors prefer students to keep the pros and cons in the same order across the body paragraphs. Each paragraph would then have a pro followed by a con or else a con followed by a pro. The order should align with your thesis; if the thesis gives a pro view of the topic followed by a negative view (con) then the paragraphs should also start with the pro and follow with the con, or else vice versa. If not aligned and consistent, the reader may easily become confused as the argument proceeds. Ask your teacher if this is a requirement for your assessment.
Use previous chapters to explore your chosen topic through concept mapping (Chapter 18) and essay outlining (Chapter 19), with one variance; you must include your proposed claims and counter claims in your proposed paragraph structures. What follows is a generic model for a discursive essay. The following Chapter 27 will examine this in further details.
Sample Discursive Essay Outline
The paragraphs are continuous; the dot-points are only meant to indicate content.
Introduction
- Thesis statement
- Essay outline (including 3 controlling ideas)
Body Paragraphs X 3 (Elaboration and evidence will be more than one sentence, though the topic, claim and counter claim should be succinct)
- T opic sentence, including 1/3 controlling ideas (the topic remains the same throughout the entire essay; it is the controlling idea that changes)
- A claim/assertion about the controlling idea
- E laboration – more information about the claim
- E vidence -academic research (Don’t forget to tell the reader how / why the evidence supports the claim. Be explicit in your E valuation rather than assuming the connection is obvious to the reader)
- A counter claim (remember it must be COUNTER to the claim you made, not about something different)
- E laboration – more information about the counter claim
- E vidence – academic research (Don’t forget to tell the reader how / why the evidence supports the claim. Be explicit in your E valuation rather than assuming the connection is obvious to the reader)
- Concluding sentence – L inks back to the topic and/or the next controlling idea in the following paragraph
Mirror the introduction. The essay outline should have stated the plan for the essay – “This essay will discuss…”, therefore the conclusion should identify that this has been fulfilled, “This essay has discussed…”, plus summarise the controlling ideas and key arguments. ONLY draw tentative conclusions BOTH for and against, allowing the reader to make up their own mind about the topic. Also remember to re-state the thesis in the conclusion. If it is part of the marking criteria, you should also include a recommendation or prediction about the future use or cost/benefit of the chosen topic/concept.
A word of warning, many students fall into the generic realm of stating that there should be further research on their topic or in the field of study. This is a gross statement of the obvious as all academia is ongoing. Try to be more practical with your recommendations and also think about who would instigate them and where the funding might come from.
This chapter gives an overview of what a discursive essay is and a few things to consider when choosing your topic. It also provides a generic outline for a discursive essay structure. The following chapter examines the structure in further detail.
- Inez, S. M. (2018, September 10). What is a discursive essay, and how do you write a good one? Kibin. ↵
- Hale, A., & Basides, H. (2013). The keys to academic English. Palgrave ↵
researched, reliable, written by academics and published by reputable publishers; often, but not always peer reviewed
assertion, maintain as fact
The term ‘claim’ simply refers to the first position or argument you put forward (whether for or against), and ‘counter-claim’ is the alternate position or argument.
Academic Writing Skills Copyright © 2021 by Patricia Williamson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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How to Write a Discursive Essay: a Step-by-Step Guide
What is a discursive essay: meaning and definition.
Discursive essay is another kind of academic papers, which is used to check the students’ skills and knowledge. Its main particularity is the aim to provoke discussion on the call-off topic. As a result the author joins the conversation about any situation, even, issue, or problem.
Besides demonstration of your options and unique ideas, such type of paper is made to highlight your ability to collect and use arguments. So such a task is not only theoretical, but also practical for students no matter the year of studying.
You can face discursive essays in 3 types:
- papers with for and against arguments;
- essays to demonstrate your opinion about exact topic;
- texts with real propositions and problem solutions.
They differ a little, but the main goal is the same: the author should share his option and discuss topic using relevant arguments. There are several steps in making a discursive essay, which every writer must hold. You need to follow a proper structure and keep all requirements.
How to Start a Discursive Essay?
Before you start your writing, you should make several important steps. Don’t think that you can write several pages about anything you want and expect a positive mark. The discursive essay is not a simple task. If author aspires to make brilliant paper, he should follow such scheme:
1. Choose a Topic
The main advantage of the discursive essay is that it can be dedicated to any topic. But on the other hand, it is a disadvantage for a student: he must think about numerous issues and express own feelings in the right manner. There are two options for you: you may choose one topic from the list or use your own and unique one. Both options are equal in efforts and require special skills.
2. Write Outline
No matter this essay is very short, but the author should create an outline. Such blueprint contains the basic structure of your future paper and short description for each part. All types of discursive essay include the introduction, main body, and conclusion. So the structure is absolutely the same as in other academic papers. All parts in structure execute exact tasks:
- introduction announces topic and your main questions to be described in paper;
- body includes the arguments and thesis statements to discuss;
- conclusion requires from author to share his options and findings of his topic.
3. Notice 3-5 Main Ideas in Body
These arguments are your power to prove or disprove the statements in your topic. Be sure, that strong arguments allow writer feeling himself free and discuss the topic with enthusiasm. It would be great, if you have 3+ agreements for and 3+ against ideas.
4. Write the Draft of Your Essay
Having arguments for both sides, you can easily write the whole discursive essay. Follow the main structure and add all your ideas to ensure readers in your skills.
Additional tip: you can use there not only own arguments, but support them with reputable thoughts of well-known experts in the field. For instance, use primary and secondary resources to increase the power of own words.
5. Make a Conclusion
Your last statements should be absolutely unique. Use your own ideas to finish paper and express your feelings about your topic. Be sure, that with great arguments you can make great last paragraph. In addition, don’t forget to highlight the value of your paper and topic, you have shared your opinion about.
6. Proofread Your Essay
When you are excited in writing, hardly you can notice own misprints or mistakes. That’s why you need to read your paper several times to make sure it is perfect.
So writing a discursive essay is quite a hard task. The paper is small, but you need to pay attention to each sentence and check its relevance to main arguments and basic topic.
How to Write a Good Discursive Essay Using Ready-Made Examples?
You shouldn’t ignore discursive essay samples, if you aspire to create awesome paper. You really need to grasp for any chance to improve your essay, and good examples give you such opportunity. There are many samples on the Web, so just read them and use information in proper way.
Here are the most important benefits you can get from using discursive essay samples:
- observe the average structure of the discursive essay . The main structure is approximate, but every writer should follow current recommendations. Remember, that each small beer influences on your final mark;
- find out the content of main parts in structure . In general discursive writing is the same as other essays, but there are several particularities. After observing good samples you will understand such things;
- see the most common mistakes. If you understand such problems, you will be able to avoid them in your paper. Let’s be honest: it is much better to learn from the mistakes of others, than make your own failures.
No one wants to make stupid mistakes, so examples of essays will protect you from such failures. Besides, be very attentive and do not copy any borrowed material without permission and link in the reference list, because your text may not pass a plagiarism free check out.
That’s why high-quality samples of discursive essays are considered to be the best option to improve your paper. This is a great way for new, but skilled authors. In case you are not really good at writing, you should better order discursive essay ideas for topic or the whole paper. You only need to provide the author with all information about your task and wait several days. Be sure, that your professor will be excited to estimate you the highest mark!
How to Make Your Essay Perfect?
To make your paper perfect, you can follow secret tips, which professional authors use:
- use formal 3rd person speech;
- create a special map of notices to clarify own points;
- imagine they have to try another person’s shoe to collect only fair arguments;
- use good and well-known examples from real life to support arguments;
- add references to all borrowed ideas;
- finish paper at least day before the deadline to have additional time for editing.
But try to avoid such mistakes: to use over-generalization, cliches, personal examples, informal language, too emotional writing style, to insist on own correctness. It is not easy to understand how to write a discursive essay, but you can make it! Just use maximum skills and create awesome paper.
Do you need a plagiarism-free essay? We'll do it in 3 hours!
Discursive essay topics uk.
There is another issue for students with discursive essay. Usually they have to think of something new and create a topic. Sometimes such a task requires the same amount of time which you need for writing. If you have good option in mind, then it is great. But if you feel lack of ideas, then welcome to our help. In the list below you will find TOP-15 interesting and staying fresh ideas for discursive essay:
- Should we support the death penalty?
- The power of plastic surgery: yes or no?
- Is cutting hands the only one way to dust the corruption?
- Should people develop a religion tolerance in Muslim countries?
- What do you think about the childfree movement?
- Do you agree or not with the statement: the only free cheese is in the mousetrap?
- Is the Black Square by Kazimir Malevich precious or overvalued?
- Which car company is the best in the world?
- What do you think about the marriage of convenience?
- What is the best age to allow people getting a driver’s license?
- Do you believe in same-sex romances?
- What is the best age to get married?
- Had slavery have a positive influence on world economics?
- Is it better to respond to the reason or to listen to your heart?
- What is the best country to travel?
Just pick up one topic and start making your awesome discursive essay! In case you need additional help, just ask our professional writer to make this task for you.
Our team consists of experienced essay writers , who are keen on writing any kinds of academic papers. Feel yourself free to ask them for help or simple consultation right now!
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Thomas Johnson
Professor Thomas Johnson holds a Master's Degree in Education Arts from the UCL Institute of Education. He is a qualified writer with over ten years of experience in creating online academic papers. Over the years, Thomas Johnson attended courses to improve knowledge in medicine, psychology, business, communication, engineering, computer science. The author is happy to share knowledge with students and makes them more educated.
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How to Write a Discursive Essay: Structure & Tips
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.
What is a Discursive Essay?
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.
Discursive Essay Structure
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.”
Discursive Essay Writing Tips
- Utilise connectives: Use words like ‘however,’ ‘in contrast,’ or ‘conversely’ for smooth transitions between opposing viewpoints. For instance, “While some argue for the benefits of online learning, others vehemently oppose it. However, a nuanced perspective considers both sides.”
- Formal language: Maintain a formal tone. Avoid colloquial expressions; instead, opt for academic language. For instance, replace “kids” with “children” and “a lot” with “numerous.”
- Persuasive techniques: Experiment with persuasive writing techniques. For instance, if discussing environmental issues, use vivid imagery like “the lush greenery replaced by concrete jungles” to evoke a strong visual impact.
Need More Help With How to Write a Discursive Essay? A Team Tuition Can Help!
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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COMMENTS
Just like there are many different discursive essay topics you can choose to write about, there are a variety of categories a discursive essay can fit into. Opinion. Unlike other types of opinion essays, like personal and persuasive essays, an opinion discursive essay doesn't overtly push its author's opinion. Instead, it presents their ...
The length of the discursive introduction example and the number of body paragraphs can vary based on the topic's complexity and the text's required length. Additionally, adjust the outline according to specific assignment guidelines or your personal preferences. 10 steps to create an essay Many students wonder how to write a discursive essay.
A discursive essay is one of four types of essays you'll encounter in your studies. These are. the Narrative Essay; the Argumentative Essay; the Descriptive Essay; and, of course, the Discursive Essay; We'll get back to these four in a second (they're quite useful in understanding our discursive essay). First, let's focus on the ...
The first question you may ask is how to start a discursive essay introduction. Simple! Give your readers a hook - something that would sound interesting to them. Provide a short explanation of the problem. You may use quotations, as well as rhetorical questions. Show your readers both sides of the arguments and sum up. You may be wondering…
The format includes an introduction, then next comes 1 argument, then you have to discuss 2nd argument, as a discursive essay can never be biased, and should talk about 2 or more arguments. After this several discursive essay topics have been mentioned for your essay, you can select any one of them for your Discursive essay.
Writing a discursive essay is an engaging way to explore various perspectives on a topic. Unlike other essay types, discursive essays provide a balanced discussion, presenting different viewpoints and arguments. This type of essay helps develop critical thinking skills and encourages a thorough understanding of the subject.
The information below relates specifically to a discursive essay thesis statement. As noted in the introduction to this chapter, the discursive essay should not take a stance and therefore the thesis statement must also impartially indicate more than one perspective. The goal is to present both sides of an argument equally and allow the reader ...
All types of discursive essay include the introduction, main body, and conclusion. So the structure is absolutely the same as in other academic papers. All parts in structure execute exact tasks: introduction announces topic and your main questions to be described in paper; body includes the arguments and thesis statements to discuss;
Discursive Essay Structure. 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.
As mentioned in the introduction, discursive essays demand rigorous research and critical analysis, requiring authors to evaluate sources, synthesize information, and draw insightful connections. The use of formal language and academic tone lends credibility to the discourse while maintaining engagement through varied sentence structures and ...