Discursive Writing (AKA Argumentative)
A discursive essay is an essay about a controversial topic. The writer of a discursive essay
attempts to present both sides, concluding with why one side is favoured over the other.
Discursive writing is a good way to learn how to structure an argument logically and anticipate
and counter the arguments of the other side.
You must find appropriate facts, statistics, and quotations to support your chosen arguments
on the topic. You must record the source of your information so that it can be included in a
bibliography.
Be sure to use appropriate sources of information – books, journals, credible internet sites.
You should find evidence to support all of your arguments. The more evidence you gather, the
more options you will have for what to include in your essay.
Example Plan for discursive essay on the Internet:
Introduction
Establish that the internet plays a significant part in the world today.
Introduce your view on whether or not you think the internet is good or bad.
Evidence (Fact or Opinion)
Strongest Argument
Advantage
1. Cheaper.
2. Vital to our economy, helping to pull us out
of recession.
3. More convenient.
Weakest Argument
Strongest Argument
Disadvantage
1. Details could get stolen.
2. Affect on high street – small family
businesses closing and social element of
shopping destroyed
Evidence (Fact or Opinion)
“Despite the recession, the e-retail market is still
growing as cash strapped consumers look to the
internet to find the best deals,” IMRG director of
information, Tina Spooner.
“There can no longer be any doubt that the
internet is a major part of the retail landscape, and
that it will dominate the retail agenda for the next
several years,” IMRG spokes women, Ms Tucker.
Like mail order, people appreciate the
convenience of not having to traipse around the
shops, and can browse among a huge choice of
goods in their own time. (BBC Consumer Affairs
Guide to Safer Online Shopping)
Evidence (Fact or Opinion)
73% of spending will be done remotely by 2013.
Senior analyst at Verdict, Malcolm Pinkerton.
HMV and fellow music retailer MVC both report
that online shopping has had a negative effect on
in store sales.
3. Item does not arrive/ as advertised/is
damaged and problems contacting dealer.
Weakest Argument
‘...in some sectors more spending has made its
way on to the internet – a fact borne out by this
week’s demise of high street bookseller Borders,
and last year’s collapse of Zavvi’ Huma Qureshi
and Hilary Osborne, Guardian.co.uk 30/11/09
‘...remember that if you have problems like faulty
goods or non-delivery, it might be very difficult to
get your complaint dealt with.’ (BBC Consumer
Affairs Guide to Safer Online Shopping)