This document provides guidance on writing a discursive essay. It outlines the key components of a discursive essay including an introduction, body paragraphs on both sides of an issue, and a conclusion. It offers tips for structuring paragraphs, finding and using evidence, maintaining a formal tone, and linking ideas. The purpose of a discursive essay is to thoroughly investigate an argument by offering two opposing perspectives and establish the writer's stance on a topic.

2. Discursive Essay Writing
Putting your point of view across
BS(SE) 2016 3rd Semester
Submitted to: Ms. Salma

3. Presented by
• ERUM SULAYMAN

4. Agenda / Topics
• Outline
• Types
• Tips for writing good discursive essays
• How to Write a Discursive Essay?
• Points to Consider
• Formal tone in a discursive essay
• Linking ideas in a discursive essay
• Your Conclusion

5. Outline
The foundation of any well structured essay is an outline. A
discursive essay should have:
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

6. Introducing a discursive essay
 A discursive essay thoroughly investigates an
argument by offering two opposing perspectives.
 It's a practical method of establishing the
writer's opinion on a topic and persuading one's
stance by exploring the reasons why each view
may or may not be valid.

7. Methods of Opening a Discursive Essay
• Provocative
• Balanced
• Quotation
• Illustration
• Anecdote

8. Provocative
EXAMPLE:

9. Balanced
EXAMPLE:

10. Quotation
• EXAMPLE:
• “This is a new car”

11. Illustration
• EXAMPLE:
• a picture , design , diagram etc i.e used to decorate or explain
something.

12. Anecdote
• EXAMPLE:
• A friend in need is a friend indeed
• Unity is strength

13. Write the Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph will have the same basic structure.
o main ideas
o supporting points
o elaboration
o summary sentence for each paragraph

14. Conclusion
 What is the conclusion?

15. Purpose
What is the main purpose of discursive essay writing?
What is a discursive essay?

16. Types
• They present both sides of an issue, discussing points in favour of a particular
topic as well as those against, or the advantages and disadvantages of a
particular question.
• Each point should be supported by justification, examples, and/or reasons.
• The writer’s own opinion should be presented only in the final paragraph.
• They present the writer’s personal opinion concerning the topic, clearly stated
and supported by reasons and/or examples.
• The opposing viewpoint and reason should be included in a separate paragraph
before the conclusion, together with the argument that shows it is an
unconvincing viewpoint.
• The writer’s opinion should be included in the introduction and
summarised/restated in the conclusion.

17. Types
• They analyse the problem(s) associated with a particular issue or situation
and put forward possible solutions, together with any expected
results/consequences.
• The writer’s opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the
introduction and/or the conclusion.

18. Tips for writing good discursive essays
•Do not use informal language.you should stay away
emotional language.
•Use linking words and phrases to connect the paragraphs.
•Never express your personal opinion strongly and also
do not cite any personal example.
•To improve your essay,provide reason and example.

19. How to Write a Discursive Essay?
 Planning
 Structure

20. Planning
 Key
 List
 sufficient arguments
 evidence to support

21. STRUCTURE
You can structure your essay in two ways:
2. One or two
paragraphs arguing
all your FOR points
3. One or two
paragraphs arguing
all your AGAINST
points
1. Introduction
4. Conclusion

22. STRUCTURE
1. Introduction
• 2. One or two paragraphs arguing your main FOR or AGAINST
points and putting forward the counter arguments
• 3. One or two paragraphs arguing your secondary FOR or
AGAINST points and putting forward your counter arguments
• 4. Conclusion

23. Finding information for a discursive essay

24. Points to Consider
o Contain a topic sentence and justification.
o Useful advices to make your synthesis more interesting.
o Make a list of points.
o Don’t use informal style.
o Appropriate linking words/phrase.

25. Formal tone in a discursive essay

26. Linking ideas in a discursive essay
 Same line of thought
 Conclusion/summary
 Definite statement
 Contrasting idea
 Further examples

27. Your Conclusion
• Sum up your main points
• State your point of view
• Give your reason for this.
• Offer a solution if you have one