A discursive essay is one that analyzes a specific argument and analyzes both contrasting points of view. Generally, the writer of a discursive essay will agree with a particular point of view, but present both sides of the argument to provide a balanced and objective text.
Discursive essays are notoriously difficult to write: authors can often become overly opinionated and lose sight of the purpose of the text. Also, they may not cover both sides of the issue in sufficient detail. Also, you can read the guide below which will be of great help while writing discursive essays. Good luck!
Understand the topic and contrasting points of view.
To write an effective discursive essay, you MUST understand both points of view. If you don’t have a clear understanding of the topic, your essay will lack clarity and validity. Before you write anything, research the topic and write an outline for both sides of the story. List the main points of each argument; this will help you when you write your essay.
Create your essay outline
Creating a clear outline and structure for your essay is very important. This goes for any type of essay: it will help you keep your thoughts in order. A discursive essay must also follow a certain structure; You don’t have to religiously adhere to this structure, but it will help clearly delineate both sides of the issue. The following is a typical outline that you should follow:
1. Introduction: The introduction should explain the topic and both sides of the argument succinctly. Within the introduction, you can describe which side of the argument you are supporting and also provide background information.
2. Body: The main body of the text is where you will discuss the pointers relating to each side of the argument. You must include at least 4 talking points for each argument. If you are having a hard time writing essays or are asking questions like what is a college paper, you can always use a case study writing service.
3. Conclusion – The conclusion should simply reinforce your point of view and summarize what has been discussed.
For each argument, include a minimum of 4 pointers
To give enough detail for each argument, it is recommended to add a minimum of 4 individual pointers to each. If you can add at least 4 different points about each argument, you can add weight to what you’re saying. Also, you can provide your readers with details that they can digest and understand.
Always reiterate your argument points with evidence
What is an argument if it is merely an opinion? If your argument has no basis in fact, it will ultimately fall on deaf ears. You MUST back up your views with facts and evidence. Use statistics from official sources and be sure to cite your sources as well.
Be objective and refrain from neglecting one side of the argument.
As mentioned in the introduction, a discursive essay will fail if it only covers one side of the argument. If you do this, your essay will appear biased and readers will be less inclined to agree with what you say. Within your essay, you should state your opinion, but you should also cover the contrasting opinion. You don’t have to agree with what the counterargument says, but you should write it objectively without being negative. You should use your own opinion, but also provide enough facts and figures so that readers can make an intelligent decision for themselves.
We hope this guide has been useful to you. The next time you have to write a discursive essay, remember the tips above. Be sure to cover both sides of the argument and use facts and figures to support your statements. Good luck!
