Discursive

Writing-
Argumentative
Grade 8
Ms. Sinora D’Cunha
 What is discursive writing?
A discursive essay is a genre of writing that asks you to:
➔ a. investigate a topic
➔ to gather, read and evaluate evidence;
➔ and to present a position on your topic based on the evidence
gathered.

The key aim of a discursive essay is to convince your reader that
the argument that you're presenting is a valid one.

Ms. Sinora D’Cunha

 Exemplar
Should Social media be regulated by the government?
Social media has become a ubiquitous1 part of modern life, with billions of people using platforms such as
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with friends, family, and the world around them. While social media has
many benefits, it also has its drawbacks, including the spread of hate speech, cyberbullying, and misinformation. This
has led to a growing debate over whether social media should be regulated by the government.

On one hand, regulation could help to address many of the negative aspects of social media. For example,
government regulation could help to prevent cyberbullying by requiring social media companies to take steps to
identify and remove harmful content. Additionally, regulation could help to reduce the spread of misinformation by
requiring companies to take steps to verify the accuracy of information shared on their platforms.

On the other hand, some argue that regulation could infringe on freedom of speech and privacy. For example,
government regulation could be used to censor content that is deemed politically or socially unacceptable, even if it is
protected by freedom of speech laws. Additionally, regulation could lead to increased government surveillance and
data collection, which could have serious implications for privacy.

Despite these potential drawbacks, I believe that the benefits of regulation outweigh the potential drawbacks. With
careful consideration and appropriate safeguards in place, government regulation of social media has the potential to
make the internet a safer and more responsible place for everyone.

In conclusion, the issue of whether social media should be regulated by the government is a complex and
controversial one, with valid arguments on both sides. However, after considering the arguments and evidence, it is
my belief that regulation has the potential to address many of the negative aspects of social media while still
protecting freedom of speech and privacy
Glossary: Ubiquitous1- omnipresent/ universal Ms. Sinora D’Cunha
 Points to focus on.
“Should social media be regulated by the government?”

Consider the following points:

⮚ What do you constitute as “social media”?
⮚ Consider reasons to regulate social media.
⮚ Explore arguments against regulation
⮚ You may consider your own experiences with social media and give your
opinion on the issue with a clear and concise thesis statement.
⮚ Use strong and relevant evidences to support your opinion.
⮚ Anticipate and address potential counterarguments of your position.
⮚ Conclude with a clear and cohesive summary of your argument.

Ms. Sinora D’Cunha

 Tips to write a balanced argument.
An argumentative piece of writing typically relies on logical reasoning and
uses evidence to back up points explained throughout.
⮚ The opening paragraph should introduce the argument.
⮚ Both, for and against views are addressed in an argumentative essay.
⮚ There should be sufficient evidence to support your argument.
⮚ Technical and formal language is used but avoid jargon.
⮚ It contains causal conjunctions and adverbials.

Ms. Sinora D’Cunha