Discussion

Text
Material for grade 12 SMAI NFBS
Let’s have discussion first!
- Have you ever had a different argument
with others? Or have you ever joined in a
debate?
- What is the advantage of doing a debate?
- What is the similarity of debate and
discussion text?
Table of Contents
0
0 Identify the
examples of 2
Identify the function of
the text

1 discussion text
0 Identify the language
0 Identify the 4
features

3 text.
structures of the

0 Practice
5
 0
1
Le’ts study the
example
 The advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning

A few years ago, distance learning was seen as an inferior way but nowadays even
famous and established traditional colleges and universities are providing distance
learning courses and it is generally considered a way to improve one’s life.

However, people still argue whether distance learning give more advantage or
disadvantage. Some of them who see the benefit of distance learning will say that
distance learning needs no commuting. Of course it saves money and time that students
would take. Furthermore, distance learning can be done at any student’s convenience.
Mostly of the classes of distance learning are asynchronous. It means that students do
not have to attend a lecture at a fixed particular time and place. Students can review the
assignments and do their homework during off-hours or from home. Additionally,
distance learning gives more accessibility. No one can deny it. People with limited
mobility may encounter the problem when they take traditional class. With the online
class system, the problem is absent.
Despite the many advantages, the other people will see that distance learning is costly
and needs complex technology. To attend online learning, student must have a computer
with possibly access to the internet. Admitted or not, such technology devices are not
always available for common students. Another disadvantage of distance learning is that
it does not provide immediate feedback. Unlikely traditional classroom, students have to
wait for the feedback and comment until the instructor has review the works and sent
response to them. Most of the time students will study alone. Distance learners may feel
isolated or miss that social physical interaction that comes with attending a traditional
classroom

Regarding the individual’s learning style, some students are able to learn when there is a
live interaction between them and the available of accompanying teacher while others
don’t really need it. So before deciding a choice of attending distance learning or not,
each student needs to do a fair analysis regarding the kind of person he/she is.
 0
2
Le’ts analyse the
defintion and the
function
After reading the example,
can you guess the definition
and the purpose of discussion
text?
Definition :
Discussion is a text which presents a problematic
discourse. This problem will be discussed from
different points of view. It presents pro and contra
opinion on certain issue.
The purpose/the function :
> to present arguments and information from
different viewpoints.

>> to find the meeting point between two

different ideas. It is important to get the
understanding between the two differences.

>>> an effective way to calm down any friction

and difference in thought, perception and
recommendation
 0
3
Le’ts analyse the
structures of the
text
 Le’ts analyse the structures

A few years ago, distance learning was seen as

an inferior way but nowadays even famous and
established traditional colleges and universities
are providing distance learning courses and it
is generally considered a way to improve one’s
life.

What did you see in paragraph one?

How do you call it?
However, people still argue whether distance learning give more advantage or disadvantage. Some of them who see
the benefit of distance learning will say that distance learning needs no commuting. Of course it saves money and
time that students would take. Furthermore, distance learning can be done at any student’s convenience. Mostly of
the classes of distance learning are asynchronous. It means that students do not have to attend a lecture at a fixed
particular time and place. Students can review the assignments and do their homework during off-hours or from
home. Additionally, distance learning gives more accessibility. No one can deny it. People with limited mobility may
encounter the problem when they take traditional class. With the online class system, the problem is absent.

Despite the many advantages, the other people will see that distance learning is costly and needs complex
technology. To attend online learning, student must have a computer with possibly access to the internet. Admitted or
not, such technology devices are not always available for common students. Another disadvantage of distance
learning is that it does not provide immediate feedback. Unlikely traditional classroom, students have to wait for the
feedback and comment until the instructor has review the works and sent response to them. Most of the time students
will study alone. Distance learners may feel isolated or miss that social physical interaction that comes with
attending a traditional classroom

Regarding the individual’s learning style, some students are able to learn when there is a live interaction between
them and the available of accompanying teacher while others don’t really need it. So before deciding a choice of
attending distance learning or not, each student needs to do a fair analysis regarding the kind of person he/she is.
 The generic structures of discussion text

 Issue: contains of statement and preview about

something.
 Arguments for/Supporting arguments: after stating the
issue, it is necessary to present the argument to
support that one point is agreeing. 
 Arguments against: beside the supporting argument,
discussion text needs the arguments which disagree to
the stated issue.
 Recommendation/conclusion: It is used to tell how to
solve issue by concerning the arguments for and
against
 0
4
Le’ts analyse the
language features
 Language features of
• discussion
Introducing categorytext:
or generic participant.
• Relating verb/to be: is, am, are, etc. 
• Using thinking verb: feel, hope, believe, etc. 
• Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection:
similarly, on the hand, however, etc. 
• Using modalities: must, should, could, may, etc.
• Using adverbial of manner: deliberately, hopefully, etc.

• Conjunction/transition: although, even, if, etc.
 0
5
Le’ts Practice
The concept of coherence and
cohesive in writing
• Coherence means the connection of ideas at the idea
level.
• cohesion means the connection of ideas at the
sentence level.
• In other words, Cohesion refers to connectivity in a
text. Coherence refers to how easy it is to understand
the writing.
Here are some examples that illustrate the importance of connecting your ideas
(cohesion) more effectively in writing:

1. The hotel is famous. It is one of the most well-known hotels in the country.
The latest international dancing competition was held at the hotel. The hotel
spent a lot of money to advertise the event because the hotel wanted to gain
international reputation. But not many people attended the event. (The
connection of ideas is not very good.)

2. The hotel, which is one of the most well-known hotels in this region, wanted to
promote its image around the world by hosting the latest international
dancing competition. Although the event was widely advertised, not many
people participated in the competition. (The connection of ideas is better
than in the first example.)

3. The latest international dancing competition was held at the hotel, which is
one of the most well-known hotels in this region. The hotel spent a lot of
money on advertising the event since it wanted to enhance its international
reputation; however, it failed to attract many people. (The connection of
ideas is better than in the first example.)
This paragraph is both coherent and
cohesive:
"My favorite color is blue. I like it because it is calming
and it relaxes me. I often go outside in the summer and
lie on the grass and look into the clear sky when I am
stressed. For this reason, I'd have to say my favorite
color is blue."
This paragraph is cohesive but not
coherent :
"My favourite colour is blue. Blue sports cars go very
fast. Driving in this way is dangerous and can cause
many car crashes. I had a car accident once and broke
my leg. I was very sad because I had to miss a holiday in
Europe because of the injury."

Can you describe why it’s cohesive not coherent?

This paragraph is coherent but not
cohesive
"My favourite colour is blue. I'm calm and relaxed. In the
summer I lie on the grass and look up.“

Can you tell us why is it coherent not cohesive?

Let’s practice :
Write a discussion text. Choose one of the topic below:
1. Learning online vs learning offline (your view as a student)
2. Female are better students than male
3. Which one is better, teachers from education or non education faculty.
4. Female teachers vs male teachers
5. Two children vs more children
6. Private university vs state university
7. Indonesian universities vs overseas university
8. Boarding school vs full day school
9. Reading physical books vs reading e-books
10. Homeschooling vs formal school
11. Young marriage vs adult marriage (based on Indonesian policy)
12. Getting your degree vs working on your passion
13. Group work or individual work
Thanks!
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