Discursive Essay Sample for Secondary School Students
Updated: Sep 15
What is the difference between discursive and discussion-based essay?
A discursive essay presents different perspectives on an issue in a balanced way, while a discussion-based essay explores multiple viewpoints and may allow the writer to include a considered personal opinion.
How to Write a Discursive Essay
A strong discursive essay explores an issue from different perspectives before reaching a balanced conclusion. Students should first identify the key issue in the question and plan the main viewpoints they want to discuss. Each body paragraph should focus on one clear idea, supported with relevant explanations and examples. Rather than simply listing advantages and disadvantages, students should explain why each point matters and consider alternative perspectives. The conclusion should bring the discussion together without merely repeating the points already made.
Discursive Essay Format
Discursive essays offer a balanced discussion of a topic. The author educates the reader by presenting all sides to an argument. The author avoids arguing for one viewpoint and keeps their personal opinion out of the discussion. The aim is to provide a balanced discussion by examining the issue from various perspectives.
Discussion essays explore multiple perspectives of a topic in a balanced way with optional mention of your opinion. The question sets usually has the word 'Discuss' in them.
Model composition secondary school - Discussion essay secondary example
Model composition secondary school - Discussion essay for secondary - "Discuss the relevance of newspapers in today's world." Below you will find an example essay (DRAFT 2) written by one of our students. Our students go through multiple drafts. What you will find in this blogpost is the improved final draft of the composition. Model composition: Discussion Essay (example)
Enrol in our Online / On-site English Composition Creative Writing classes. Click on the button below to get 1 TRIAL LESSON at a discounted price!
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Discursive Essay
Students sometimes treat a discursive essay like an argumentative essay and focus too heavily on convincing the reader to accept one viewpoint. Instead, the discussion should remain balanced and consider different perspectives.
Another common mistake is listing advantages and disadvantages without developing them. Each point should be supported with a clear explanation and a relevant example that shows why the argument matters.
Students should also avoid introducing completely new ideas in the conclusion. The conclusion should bring the main perspectives together and provide a thoughtful, balanced response to the question.
Finally, keep the essay organised. Clear paragraphs and logical links between ideas make the discussion easier for the reader to follow.
Discursive Essay Example: How to Plan Your Points
Before writing a discursive essay, students should spend a few minutes planning the different perspectives they want to explore. A clear plan helps prevent the essay from becoming one-sided or repetitive.
For example, if the question asks whether technology has improved our lives, students could first identify two points forthe issue, such as easier communication and access to information. They could then consider two points against the issue, such as overdependence on technology and reduced face-to-face interaction.
Each point should be supported with an explanation and a relevant example. Students should also consider how the different viewpoints connect to the question rather than simply listing advantages and disadvantages.
A strong discursive essay example should therefore show balanced development on both sides before arriving at a thoughtful conclusion.
Model composition secondary school - discussion essay
Discuss the relevance of newspapers in today’s world?
Student: Hadriel Koh, Secondary 4 (Improved version)
Newspapers have been a vital part of the media industry for centuries. They have played a significant role in informing people about news and important events. However, with the technological advancements of the past few decades, many people are wondering whether newspapers are still relevant in today’s world. In this essay, we’ll delve into the different perspectives on this issue.
The rise of the internet and social media has significantly impacted traditional newspapers. The digital age has provided consumers with easy access to news through a variety of platforms, including websites, blogs, podcasts, and social media. With quick access to a vast variety of news within a few taps, social media allows the user to quickly and efficiently access news without having to arduously flip through countless pages. Applications like Google, Bing and Yahoo serve as multipurpose platforms to easily search news that could have happened many years ago or even news that has occurred recently. Many people now turn to online sources for their news, and advertisers are shifting their budgets accordingly. As a result, many newspapers have been forced to downsize or shut down entirely, which has led to job losses in the journalism industry.
Another reason that has contributed to the decline of newspapers is the reliability factor. The rise of social media and the increasing number of online news sources has made it much easier to access a wide range of views and opinions from different perspectives. This has led people to question the authenticity of news stories published in newspapers and the motives behind the news that are being reported. Moreover, the 24-hour news cycle means that these sources can quickly provide updates and breaking news as soon as they happen, making newspapers look outdated and slow.
However, despite the growing popularity of digital media, newspapers still hold a crucial position. For one, they play an important role in providing in-depth analysis and background on a range of topics. Unlikethe quick soundbites that dominate the digital world, newspapers provide detailed accounts of events and information that might not be available elsewhere, giving readers a broader and more nuanced understanding of the issues at hand. They have professional editors and reporters who vet the information and news that they publish, ensuring that their content is true and accurate. They have an ethical code of conduct that guides the way they gather, report, and present news to their readers. Therefore, people trust newspapers to provide them with unbiased and accurate news.
Newspapers are also an excellent tool for education. They provide readers with useful information about various subjects, from technology, health, and science to politics and economics. Education empowers people to make informed decisions about their lives, such as decisions related to health, finance and politics. Newspapers play a crucial role in fulfilling this in-depth analysis. Through investigative reporting, papers can expose corruption or hold those in positions of power accountable, which in turn plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy democracy.
In conclusion, while newspapers may appear to have lost their relevance in today’s world, they still hold an important place in the media landscape. While digital media has brought numerous benefits, newspapers still provide value in providing detailed analysis and investigative journalism. As such, newspapers will likely continue to be relevant for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Discursive Essays
How Can You Tell if an Essay Question Is Discursive or Argumentative?
An argumentative essay question usually asks students to take a clear position and defend it. Questions may use phrases such as “Do you agree?”, “Do you disagree?” or ask students to make a stand on an issue.
A discursive essay question usually invites students to explore an issue from different perspectives. Questions may use phrases such as “Discuss your views” or ask students to consider different sides of a topic before reaching a balanced conclusion.
The tone is also different. Argumentative writing is persuasive and assertive because the writer is defending a position. Discursive writing is generally more balanced and measured, as the writer considers competing viewpoints rather than simply trying to convince the reader.
For example:
Argumentative: “Students should be allowed to customise their school uniforms. Do you agree?”
Discursive: “What are your views on allowing students to customise their school uniforms?”
About The Write Tribe
The Write Tribe provides English composition writing classes for Primary and Secondary school students in Singapore. Our Secondary English programme helps students develop stronger essay-writing skills through structured planning, teacher feedback and rewriting.
Our lessons cover key O-Level writing skills, including discursive and argumentative essays, situational writing and other Secondary English writing formats.
Secondary English programmes - click
A good explanation on Discussion Essays students may find useful
Credit - Tuittor
Comments