TYPE V: DISCURSIVE ESSAY

Topic:
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a
successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after
school.
Question: Discuss both views and give your opinion.
à Sample:
A. Introduction:
After graduating from high school, many students need to make up their mind about
whether they should go to university or not. A few people claim that attending university or
college is considered to be the best way to succeed in the future. However, others still hold the
belief that finding a job straight will be much better. In this essay, these viewpoints related to
this issue shall be discussed in detail before my own opinion is given/ mentioned.
B. Body paragraphs:
• Body 1: Analyse the idea that I don’t choose later (getting a job) à mentioning the
benefits of finding a job.
+ Benefit: get income to pay for their lives/ gain more real experience
+ Weakness: fewer promotion chance because of the lack of qualification
• Body 2: Analyse the the idea that I choose (attending university) à giving the
advantages of attending university
+ Benefit 1: gain more knowledge from the professor in this field à used for applying
to the job later à help to increase the working productivity
+ Benefit 2: with the sufficiency of qualifications/ university degrees, graduates can
earn much higher salary compared to those who do not study at university
+ Benefit 3: have chances to join in many clubs and do other activities at university à
make the spiritual life meaningful.
I. The format of the question:
• 1 certain/ specific topic
• 2 opposing ideas
• Questions: Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
à The way of writing this essay:
• You need to analyse both given ideas before giving your choice of the idea that you
support
II. The structure of the essay: 3 main parts
1. Introductory paragraph: (3 – 5 sentences)
a. Hook sentence: introduce the topic of the essay in general by expressing:
• The trend
• The change
• The importance/role
• The main effects
• Public’s concern
b. General statement: paraphrase the two given ideas related to the topic
o Some people still claim/ believe that + clause.
o It is believed that + clause.
o Some people still hold the belief that + clause.
c. Thesis statement: give the outline of the essay (mentioning the discussion of the two ideas,
not give your choice)
• In this/ the essay, these viewpoints related to + [topic] shall be discussed in detail/
clearly.
• This essay shall examine both viewpoints on/ about + [topic] in detail before my
opinion is given.
2. Body paragraphs: (the number of paragraphs in the body = the number of opinions given)
a. Body 1: Analyse the option that you don’t choose à fewer ideas/ shorter in length
§ Approach: You need to analyse the reasons why some people support for this idea by
giving the advantages or disadvantages that [topic] has à 1 – 2 sentences to show the
weakness of this idea that you don’t choose to support for this.
b. Body 2: Analyse the option that you choose. à more ideas/ longer in length
§ Approach: You need to analyse the reasons why those people advocate that idea by
giving the disadvantages or advantages of the topic given.
o Useful language:
Body 1 Body 2
a. Those who support for N/ V-ing (the a. Those who do not support for this
unsupported idea) believe/ claim/ think mentioned idea still claim that + [the main
that + clause (smt brings about/ leads to content of the other idea] due to the
+ the advantages/ disadvantages as following reasons/ causes. Firstly, D1/ A1. In
follows). First of all, A1/D1. In detail, 1 particular, 2 – 3 D.S(s). Secondly, D2/ A2.
 – 2 developing sentence(s). Next, A2/D2. For instance, 2 – 3 D.S(s). Lastly, D3/A3.
In fact, 1 – 2 D.S(s). Finally, A3/ D3. For The fact has shown that + 2 – 3 D.S(s).
example, 1 – 2 D.S(s). However, 1 – 2
sentence(s) to show the weakness of this
idea.
b. There are some supporters/ proponents of b. Opponents of the mentioned-above idea
the idea that + [the main content of the still report/ believe that + [the main content
unsupported idea]. They think that + of the other idea] for the following
[topic] has the following benefits/ advantages/ disadvantages. Firstly, …. .
drawbacks… Secondly,….. Lastly, ……
c. On the one hand, + [the main content of c. On the other hand, it is better for [smb] to
the unsupported idea] because/ as / since do smt (the main content of the supported
it/ this + brings about/ leads to + the idea) with the greater benefits/ more serious/
benefits/ drawbacks as follows….. severe drawbacks. ….
3. Concluding paragraph (2 – 4 sentences)
§ Use the signal words (To sum up, / In summary,..)
§ Summarize the main point of the idea that you don’t choose + give your choice
§ Give your comment (Give the advice)
à Sample:
To sum up, • Because there are more disadvantages of o I believe/ support/ agree
In summary, smt than its advantages, with the idea of [N: the
All in all, • As smt does more harms than goods, main content of the idea
• Although smt also brings about the supported by you]
benefits/ advantages, o I still hold the belief that
(A summary of the idea that you don’t + [the main content of the
choose) supported idea].
o My belief is that + [the
main content of the
supported idea].
(Give your choice)