LEARNING UNIT 5:

DISCUSSION ESSAY
Learning Objectives

• By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Identify the structure of a discussion essay
• Practice the language features of a discussion essay
• Produce a discussion essay based on a given topic
IMPORTANT: This unit is assessed in the final
examination (individual writing).
PART 1: Purpose
of Discussion
Essay
•Discussion essays are written to present
information and to argue for two sides of an
issue. It ends with a stand taken and
recommendation based on the evidence
presented.
• Some assignments require a discussion of issues. For example, the ethics in the construction industry,
whether adherence to ethical principles or compliance with construction industry legislation, are
weighed against financial considerations. The writing skills taught in/acquired from this learning unit can
be applied to the final year project report. After the results are reported, a discussion follows. This is
where different viewpoints or different patterns of results are discussed.
PART 2: Structure/Organisation of Discussion Essay
 Topic Advantages and disadvantages of
advertisements
Introduction Background info Products and services need to be made
para known to potential customers. This is usually
done through advertising using several
mediums such as television, radio, and
internet.
Statement of issue Advertisements can bring both positive and
negative effects to the society.
Preview While advertisements can boost the wealth
of a country and raise money for events, it
could lead to dissatisfaction and create
materialistic society.
 Topic First and foremost, advertising generates income
Sentence for a country. In promoting products to potential
Elaboration customers, the advertising industry may create a
huge number of jobs. This could increase job
opportunities and significantly reduce
unemployment problem. Moreover, the
Body para
Argument For lucrative income generated from the taxes paid
1 on goods sold could be used to fund crucial
services such as education, health care and
public infrastructure.
 Topic Next, advertising funds sporting events
Sentence and artistic performances. The sports
Elaboratio players and artists may benefit from this
Body para
Argument
n because they are given opportunity to
For 2
perform at the same time turn their
passion into a lucrative income
generating career. At the same time, it
cannot be denied that we can enjoy the
events and performances sponsored
through advertising.
 Topic On the other hand, advertisements may
Sentence cause people to be dissatisfied with what
Elaboratio they already have. Being exposed again
n and again to products which we cannot
Body para afford could lead to frustration and
Argument Against
1 dissatisfaction. For example, not all
parents can afford the things which their
children see being advertised and greatly
desiring to own them. This, therefore,
often leads to feelings of inadequacy,
especially among the less well-off.
 Topic In addition, advertising creates materialism.
Sentence It may cause people to place too much
Elaborati importance on material goods. The
common message that is delivered to us
on
through advertising is the more we possess,
Body para
Argument
the better we are. As a result, this could
Against 2 create unhealthy competitive behaviours
among people and eventually they would
purchase unnecessary products just to show
off their wealth and boost their inflated
ego.
 Summary Stand
Recommendation
To conclude, advertising can increase
(must be specific) countries’ wealth and raise money for
events but it can also cause people to
Conclusion be dissatisfied and materialistic.
para
Although advertising brings much
benefit, to reduce its ill effects,
advertisements that contain elements
of exaggeration should not be given
the license to be published.
As can be seen in the sample given, a discussion
generally begins with some background information
about the issue. This is followed by the statement of
issue. There is also be a preview of what is to follow.

It then presents the arguments FOR the statement and

the arguments AGAINST the statement. This
distinguishes the Discussion from the Argument which
is one sided.

The discussion usually ends with a summary and

considered opinion and a recommendation.
PART 3: Language Features of Discussion
Essays
[No differences in language used in Discussion and Argumentative essays – the
difference between the two genres are in the generic structure. Where discussion has to
present both sides]

Generalised participants – sometimes human (e.g. children, Europeans) but often

abstract (e.g., issues, ideas, or opinions) (e.g. advertisements, education)

Variety of verb types – action (e.g. eats, provides, imitates), linking (e.g. is, are, has,
have), saying (e.g. reports, argues) and mental (e.g. thinks, believes). Mainly timeless
present tense when presenting position and arguments for and against, but might
change according to the stage of the text. For example, if historical background to the
issue is being given, the tense will obviously change to the past (eats > ate); if
predictions are being made, the tense might change to the future (eats, will eat).
Some use of passive voice to help structure the text, but mostly active voice is used. Passive voice is used to
remove the actors where necessary (The cat ate the rat > The rat was eaten).

Abstraction (verbs expressed as nouns - nominalisation) Actions are often changed into “things”
(nominalised) to make the argument sound more objective and to help structure the text. Once the actions
disappear from the text, then so do those who perform them. No longer is there an identifiable real person.
For example,

Action Thing
I am worried → a concern
The bomb might explode → a possible detonation
Everyone will die → people dying
Possibility of technical terms relating to the issue. For example,
“worried” has become “concern”, “explode” has become
“detonation” and “die” has become “dying”. These technical
terms neutralise (less personal) the text.

Connectives associated with reasoning - comparative,

contrastive and consequential conjunctions. For example, on the
one hand, because, because of, therefore, so, due to, however,
and while.
Can employ emotive and persuasive language to convince readers. Usually
adjectives (giving more vivid details about things) and personal pronouns are used.
For example,

It is an undeniable fact that Malaysia is a vibrant country.

It cannot be denied that Sarawak is a very peaceful place to live.
The severe impacts of crime on Malaysians should not be underestimated.
If Malaysians can accept its diversity in race, religion and culture, then real peace is
possible.
Our education system needs an overhaul to help achieve Vision 2020.
Modals (e.g. might, would not, may, could) – modals are
commonly used when “cautious language” is necessary. When
a claim is made without being supported by a solid evidence
or fact, modals should be used. For example,

Global warming might be the reason behind the death of the

whales.
Lack of reading may contribute poorer cognitive ability.
Final exam practice
Please write at least one essay
using Microsoft word and post it
in the discussion forum. You
may write more than one essay
for the practice.
Some sample topics for
discussion essay:
• The advantages and disadvantages of
staying on-campus.
• The pros and cons of online learning.
• Group assignment should be abolished in
universities.
• Early marriage should be encouraged
among tertiary students
• Should universities provide free meals to
students?
• Unemployed graduates should be given
living allowances until they find a job.
Socially
distant,
intellectually
near