Discursive Essays (1)

8/10/2019 Discursive Essays (1)

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Discursive Essays

Based on:How to Write a Discursive Article |

eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_853

3904_write-discursive-article.html#ixzz2NApveTdV

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/english/writing/discursive_writing

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Explore your article topic. Determine what youwould like your argument to be; generally one

argument has two opposing sides, one for the

topic and one against the topic. Both areneeded to write a well-rounded discursive

article.


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Gather evidence for both sides of your

argument. Search for credible information

within books, academic journals and scholarly

online sources. Gather the same amount of

evidence for each side of the argument so that

your article will not appear biased.

Be careful with plagiarism, though!


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Introduction

Write your introduction. The introduction is

generally a paragraph long and should discuss

the article topic and the two opposing

arguments in general. Include facts about the

opposing sides.


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Introduction

The opening of an essay is important. It should

capture the reader's attention in some way or

another. It should avoid being bland or dull. It

should invite the reader to read on and create

a sense of interest. If the beginning is flat, it

will not inspire your audience.


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Methods of opening a discursive

paragraph Provocative

e.g."It is difficult to see how anyone can approve of fox hunting."

Balanced

e.g."Fox hunting is a subject about which people hold strongly contrastingviews."

Quotation e.g."Oscar Wilde once described fox hunting as 'The unspeakable in

pursuit of the uneatable.'."

Illustration

e.g."On a glorious autumn morning a terrified, exhausted animal issavaged to death by a pack of baying dogs while a group of expensively

dressed humans encourage the dogs in their bloody work." Anecdote

e.g."I have always detested fox hunting since I was almost physically sickwhile watching a television film of the kill at the end of a hunt."


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Body Paragraphs

Write your body paragraphs. There are severaldifferent approaches to this process, one ofwhich is to dedicate a body paragraph to each ofthe evidences found for the opposing sides of the

argument. Use either the A, A, B, B format, whichmeans that all of the evidentiary paragraphs forthe first side of the argument are groupedtogether, or use the A, B, A, B format, which

means that the evidentiary paragraphs alternatefrom one opposing side to the other.


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Body paragraphs

Write supporting paragraphs in descendingorder of importance. Each paragraph shouldillustrate a single argument.

Explain the counterarguments to your essay'sthesis. Explain their beliefs and reasoning ascompletely as possible. Don't artificiallyweaken your opponent's arguments; your

essay will be stronger if you represent thecounterarguments fairly.


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Body paragraphs

Explain why you reject the opponent'sarguments. Your reasons might bemoral, practical or logical. You may start

with a concession statement, admittingthat some of the opposing argumentsare valid, but state that you still thinkyour side is right.


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Linking ideas in a discursive essay

Any well-written piece of discursive writing

will flow as one continuous piece despite

being made up of three or four different

arguments. One of the techniques which can

help you to achieve this effectively is the use

of linking words. These words are usually used

at the beginning of a new paragraph but canalso be used to link ideas within a paragraph.


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Linking ideas in a discursive essay Same line of thought

e.g. - and, firstly, secondly etc., next, furthermore, likewise, inaddition, similarly, also, moreover.

Conclusion/summary

e.g. - thus, therefore, consequently, accordingly, in retrospect,

hence, in conclusion, in brief, as a result. Definite statement

e.g. - without question, without doubt, unquestionably,absolutely.

Contrasting idea

e.g. - yet, on the other hand, nevertheless, however,although, conversely, otherwise, on the contrary.

Further examples

because, for instance, since, for example, so that, despite thefact that, accordingly, although, if, though, unless.


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Conclusion

Write a conclusion for your discursive essaythat acknowledges your opponents' principalargument, and explain why you don't

subscribe to it. For example, if you werewriting a paper against the death penalty, youmight say, "I acknowledge that murderersdeserve the most severe punishment society

has, but I believe the death penalty should notbe used because it can lead to the executionof innocent people.


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Conclusion

The conclusion should be one paragraph in

which you briefly summarize the main points

of your discursive article. Write which side of

the argument you find to be more factual ormore accurate and why, based on the

evidence you present in the body paragraphs,

you find that to be the case.


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Formal tone in a discursive essay

Write in proper, complete sentences

Do not use abbreviations

(i.e./e.g./etc./UK/&)

Use complete words and expressions

Do not use contractions (isn't/don't/won't)

Use proper, standard English Do not use slang (e.g. bloke/geezer etc)or

colloquial language (mate/bolshy etc.)


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Formal tone in a discursive essay

You should try to make sure that you use a

decent standard of vocabulary in any formal

essay you write.

In particular, try to avoid weak vocabulary

such as 'get', 'got' and 'getting'. Relying on this

level of vocabulary too often suggests that

your power of expression is weak. Build upyour word power!

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Discursive Essays (1)