How To Write Discursive Essays
- A discursive essay is an essay that in its essence, is a discussion. To score well for this type of essay questions, it is important for you to evaluate different perspectives on the topic at hand so that you are able to give a balanced discussion.
- A common indicator of discursive essay topics from recent years are phrases such as “What is your opinion?” or “What are your views?”. However, it is still possible for discursive essay topics to come without such indicators. Thus it is important to analyze the question and how it is structured to accurately pinpoint its archetype.
Difference between a Discursive essay and others
- For discursive essays, you are not required to take a stand on your topic; you do not need to choose a side between your points.
- Unlike expository essays, which require you to present evaluation of related evidence to support your own idea, and argumentative essays, which require you to take an explicit stand and persuade the reader to support your ideas. Discursive essays only aims to provide a balance discussion based on multiple viewpoints
Structure
- Discursive essays is best written with a twofold approach, one that discusses and explores the polarizing aspects of the issue at hand
- It is generally recommended for you to include an equal number of points per-side for discursive essays to provide as balanced of a discussion as possible.
Example:
2017 O-Level: It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money. What is your opinion?
Paragraph 1: People are indeed too concerned with getting things and spending money because of (point 1)
Paragraph 2: People are not too concerned with getting things and spending money because of (point 1)
Paragraph 3: People are indeed too concerned with gettings things and spending money because of (point 2)
Paragraph 4: People are not too concerned with getting things and spending money because of (point 2)
- By writing your support and oppose paragraphs alternately, you are showing and giving the impression that your essay is well balanced and thoroughly backed up with research.
- Lastly, make sure to have a clear topic sentence that summarises your argument at the start of your paragraph, it will make it easier for the reader to distinguish between the two sides.
Conclusion
- Remember to summarize your essay by including all the main points of the paragraphs, and to remain impartial throughout the essay.