THE DISCURSIVE

ESSAY
WHAT IS A DISCURSIVE ESSAY

Discursive essays are like a debate, where you give different

arguments about the same topic.
Topics can be something like:
• Should cellphones be allowed at school?
• Uniforms at school: the pros and cons.
Technology – good or bad?
ORGANIZING THE ESSAY

First Introduction- Paragraph 1- Introduce the topic. The opening should engage the
reader’s interest and give a hint of what is to follow.
Main Body- Normally you have two paragraphs. In Paragraph 2, you state your
arguments for and in Paragraph 3, your arguments against.
Conclusion– In paragraph 4 you refer back to the topic and summarize. Here you can
say why you find one side more convincing than the other.
In a For and Against composition model ,there are normally
four paragraphs:
* Introduction
* Arguments for/against
* Arguments against/for
* Conclusion
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Points of interest- why the subject is interesting

Where do you stand? – What’s your opinion?
Topic: Should smoking be prohibited in Public Places?
Introductory paragraph
Whatever smokers may tell you, smoking is an anti- social habit. While the
smokers themselves may enjoy their cigarettes, their enjoyment often causes
much discomfort around them. The time has come to forbid smoking in all
public places.
PARAGRAPH 2: ARGUMENTS
FOR
On the one hand , those who believe that smoking should be prohibited in
public places say that it is not always possible to move away from smokers.
What happens if a smoker lights up at the table next to you in your favorite
restaurant? The most important factor for non- smokers is probably not the
inconvenience- it is the health hazard from passive smoking. A non- smoker
who spends a lot of time in a smoke- filled atmosphere is seriously endangering
his or her health.
PARAGRAPH 3 : ARGUMENTS
AGAINST

On the other hand those who are against the prohibition of smoking- usually the
smokers themselves-tend to claim this is a move against their personal liberty.
They say that smokers form a large part of the population and that no one has the
right to tell them where or when they can smoke. Moreover, they state that if their
smoke annoys non-smokers , the non-smokers can always move to another
(smoker-free) place.
PARAGRAPH 4: CONCLUSION.

Refer back to the topic and restate views.

In conclusion, it is obvious that Health must come before personal

pleasure. I strongly believe that governments should act to make
smoking illegal in public places
WRITING: FOR AND AGAINST/
P. 108
Ex.1/ Read the text. Replace the underlined words and phrases with those in the box.
Advantages and disadvantages = pros and cons
On the plus side= One advantage is that
For example= for instances
On top of that= Another point is that/Moreover
All in all= All things considered
For on thing= One disadvantage is that
What is more= Another point is that/Moreover
Last of all= Finally
The reality is that= In fact
To sum up= In conclusion
I think that= in my opinion
WRITING: FOR AND AGAINST/
P. 108
Ex. 2/ There are four paragraphs. What is the purpose of each one?
Answers

Paragraph 1: to introduce the argument.

Paragraph 2: to present the advantages
Paragraph 3: to present the disadvantages
Paragraph 4: to conclude and give the writer's opinion
WRITING: FOR AND AGAINST/
P. 108
Ex. 3/ Match the pros with the cons
Answers
Pros Cons
1 don't have to go to work. have to go to school Monday to Friday (
2 can go out to parties with friends. need to ask your parents' permission
3 don't have to cook and clean. have to do homework and take exams
4 costs less to do things. are never given enough pocket money
WRITING: FOR AND AGAINST/
P. 108
Ex.4/ You are going to write a 'for and against essay. Write a list of pros and
cons for one of these topics. Write four paragraphs. Write about 250 words.

1. Getting older
2. Having a university degree
3. Having children while young