Discussion Essay

Discursive Writing Skill

 Providing Facts and Opinions
Facts are true statements based on evidence.

Opinions are statements that show what a person thinks, feels, or believes.

Facts Opinions

1. Dogs have fur. 1. Dog fur is pretty.

2. The Beatles were a band. 2. The Beatles sang great songs.
3. The first day of year is January 1st. 3. January 1st is the best day of the year.

Should Facts or Opinions be used in discussion essays?

 Distinguishing Facts and Opinions
*** Base on SIGNAL WORDS

Facts (Objective) Opinions (Subjective)

According to… I believe…

In the article, ... In my opinion,…
The study/ research states/ shows ... People should…
Which sentences state facts/ opinions/ both facts and opinions?
1. Every cook needs to become familiar with basil, which is a member of the mint family.
2. In laboratory experiments, peppermint extracts have counteracted some viruses in test tubes.
3. Wearing neckties is a ridiculous habit since it serves no worthwhile purpose.
4. My father bought a remnant of silk for a dollar and made it into a tie.
5. The first television commercial was broadcast in 1941.
6. Children should not be allowed to watch more than an hour of television a day.
7. Johnny Carson, the greatest talk show host of them all, became host of The Tonight Show in 1962.
8. Summer evenings are nicer than winter evenings.
9. It is time for educators to assume more responsibility for schools’ unhealthy lunch menus.
10. New York City is not the capital of New York State although it is thought a capital city by many visitors.
 Language to provide evidence as a fact

As [....] indicated/ stated/ discovered

As a recent study indicated in a 2019 scientific journal, the number of

students used the internet for study purposes increased twice as many as those
recorded in 2017.

According to [.....],

Based on self-reported survey results,

As evidenced/ suggested/ indicated by ….

 The language of discussion
DON’T use personal phrases such as In my opinion or Personally, I think . . .

Use impersonal phrases:

It is generally accepted that online learning saves commuting time.

It is widely agreed that the internet reduce reliance on library.

Most students appear to need face-to-face contact with friends.

One view is that home-schoolers become isolated.

It can be argued that …..

 Writing Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summarize the main points from the body paragraphs.

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important.

Discussion Essay Examples:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BgU4vkLsQX4gOfjNJzlXdr1NzAez3RWk-6mrhp9Sins/edit
Two-part Questions
● Advantage and Disadvantage Essay
 What is an Advantage and Disadvantage Essay?

An advantage and disadvantage essay is one whereby the writer

analyzes advantages and disadvantages of a topic by using facts
(and comes to a conclusion that favours more).

*** Advantages and Disadvantages Essay # Discussion Essay

(Discuss two opposing perspectives of an argument by exploring the
evidence and reasons)
 3 formats of advantage and disadvantage essays

1. If you are asked “What are the advantages and disadvantages of…..” -> you
are not being asked your opinion => discuss the benefits and drawbacks =
write 2 body paragraphs.

E.g.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to
do this.
 3 formats of advantage and disadvantage essays

2. If you see the word “outweigh” or “Will this trend have more positive or negative
effects?” -> you are being asked for your opinion => decide which side
(advantages or disadvantages) is stronger and explain why.

E.g.
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
 3 formats of advantage and disadvantage essays

3. If you see the word “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your
own opinion” -> you are being asked for your opinion => discuss the benefits
and drawbacks + give your opinion = write 3 body paragraphs.

E.g.
Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
 Ways to say "advantages and disadvantages”
● Pros and cons

● Benefits and drawbacks

● Good/positive and bad/negative aspects

● Pluses and minuses

● Strengths and weaknesses

● Merits and demerits

 Step 1: Writing the introduction
● Paraphrase the topic question
● Introduce the main advantages and disadvantages will be discussed in
the body paragraphs.
This trend would create certain benefits, but there will also be some
drawbacks.
This trend would introduce both pros and cons, but the benefits do outweigh
the drawbacks.
This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of …… and
provide a logical conclusion.
 Introduction Example 1
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.
Before embarking on college, many young people are advised that a year
working or travelling may be a good option. This essay will suggest that saving
money is the biggest advantage of this and a reduced motivation to study is the
primary disadvantage.
………………... This trend would create certain benefits, but there will also be
some drawbacks.
…………… This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this trend.
 Introduction Example 2
The internet has made knowledge immediately available to people through
computers and smartphones around the world. Much of this knowledge is also free.
Do the advantages of this type of information outweigh the disadvantages?
The internet is a massive repository of human knowledge and it continues to
accumulate. At the click of a button, one can access information on just about any
topic, from the abstract to the mundane. Not only is the information immediate it is
also free. This essay will discuss how the benefits of this trend outweigh the
drawbacks.
…….….This trend would introduce both pros and cons, but the benefits do
outweigh the drawbacks.
……. This essay will argue that the advantages of this outweigh the drawbacks.
 Introduction Example 3
Nowadays, more people would rather purchase food than cook at
home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? Give
ideas about which is a better way according to you and why?
Due to the busy lifestyle, people are consuming more of the processed food in
spite of cooking food for themselves. There could be several merits and demerits
of this uprising trend. In my opinion, homemade food is far more beneficial as
compared to readymade food.
……….. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of this
uprising trend and provide a logical conclusion.
…….... Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will
argue that the advantages of homemade food outweigh the disadvantages.
Practice: Write the Introduction for ONE of the following topics
1. Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
2. Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary schools.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
3. In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to
do this.