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WELCOME to our composition presentations. We have exhausted narrative and descriptive essays. Now we turn to discursive essays.
This is the talk about both sides. One examiner calls this argumentative or discussion.
What is a discursive essay? Job: Show you can think. You weigh both sides of an issue, then give your opinion. No story.
No picture painting. Just give clear ideas and reasons. Think. Debate speech and avoid drama. One formula for a local public examination is equal to “F-A-B-O”.
This is what gets you 17-20 marks.
F: Frame- Introduction 2-3 sentences. State the topic and show there are two sides. End with your thesis. “This essay will discuss both views before giving an opinion.
Example Topic: “Should school learners have cell phones?”
Mobile phones are now common among learners.
Some say they help with learning, while others say they distract students. This essay will discuss both sides before stating your view.
A: Argue For- Body Paragraph 1. Give 2-3 strong points for the topic. Start with ‘on one hand.’
On one hand, cell phones can help learners. They allow students to research homework quickly. They also keep children in contact with parents after school for safety.
B: Argue against-Body Paragraph 2. Give 2-3 points against the topic. Start with: On the other hand . . . On the other hand, cell phones can be a problem. Learners use them to chat in class instead of listening. They can also lead them to bullying and exposure to bad content online.
O: Opinion –Conclusion 2-3 sentences. Pick a side. Do not sit on the fence. Give one reason why.
One says, learners should be allowed phones but with rules. If schools control when phones are used, students can enjoy the benefits without the distractions. When it comes to marking, what do examiners want? They need a balanced answer.
They need specific reasons for your answer. They do not want statements like “It’s not good” “t’s bad”. Make sure you use examples in place of meaningless statements. In discussions, use linking words or connectives like: however, on the other hand, in conclusion, for example and many more.
Have a clear final stand. Examiners hate expressions like “maybe”. You need to pick a side rather than be on the fence as stated above. The key rules you use are formal tone. No. Ï think like . . . Use in my opinion, it is evident that .
. . No story: “My cousin had a phone . . .” This is equal to narrative and you lose marks in the discussion.
One of the rules is 1 idea is equal to 1 sentence. Keep that sentence clear. Can you practise this on a public examination topic like this one: Topic –“Should homework be banned in secondary schools?” Write just the Frame – Introduction 2-3 sentences using the formula above.
Starter: Homework is given to learners every day.
Some people say . . . F: Frame –Introduction. Homework is given to learners every day after school. Some people argue that it is important for practice, while others believe it puts too much pressure on students. This essay will discuss both views before giving my view.
A: Argue for: Body Paragraph 1: Keep homework. On one hand, homework should not be banned. It helps learners to revise what was taught in class and remember it better. It also teaches discipline and time management, which are useful for examinations and for life after school. For example, students who do mathematics homework daily usually perform better in tests.
B: Argue against –Body paragraph 2: Ban homework. On the other hand, homework can be harmful. Many learners already spend long hours in school and have little time to rest or help at home. Too much homework can cause stress, lack of sleep and even hatred for school work.
In addition, not all students have electricity or help at home, which makes homework unfair.
O: Opinion-Conclusion. In my opinion, homework should not be banned completely, but it must be reduced.
Teachers should give less, but more meaningful tasks. This way, learners can benefit from practice without being over loaded.
When it comes to marking the discussion should be balanced. Equal sides should have equal weight. Ideas required here are specific reasons, revision, stress, unfairness and example of mathematics. Language usage: On the other hand, On one hand, For example. In my opinion these are equal to perfect linking.
On the opinion, you make your stand clear. As the given example you offer the solution. This is equal to homework should be reduced not banned.
Quick tips to remember F-A-B-O. F: Always say “This essay will discuss both sides . . .” A + B: Start with On one hand . . . On the other hand . . . Every time: O Never say “Both are good” Pick 1 side but you can be soft: “Yes, but with rules.”
This essay shows an example of a discursive type. Read it and learn from it to write a good essay. Do not copy. This is not an answer to a public examination. There are many more types which will be set.
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