What’s a discursive essay?

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A discursive essay is a formal or informal essay that discusses a recent issue, controversy, or problem. It should be objective, presenting all sides of the argument thoroughly and accurately. The essay should have a solid introduction, organized paragraphs, and a conclusion summarizing the main arguments. It should not include any new ideas and should invite readers to create further discussions.

A discursive essay is a type of essay that discusses a recent issue, controversy, or problem. This essay can be informal or formal, but most of the time it is written in a formal way. Many universities and classrooms require applicants and students to write this type of essay to examine and evaluate their writing, thought-forming, and analytical skills.

One of the hallmarks of a discursive essay is its objectivity. It is important for the writer to present the issue impartially, arguing all points of the argument thoroughly and accurately. If the instructions allow the writer to side with a point, he should first present all sides before choosing one. To make the essay more objective, it is recommended that you write your essay in a third-person perspective and avoid using first-person phrases like “in my opinion,” “I believe,” and “I fully support.” In this way, a discursive essay is different from an argumentative essay, as the latter presents only one side of the issue and discusses the details for or against that side.

An effective discursive essay often, if not always, begins with a solid introduction that clearly establishes what it is about. It can also discuss the relevance and context of the issue to other current issues. The gist of the matter shouldn’t go beyond one paragraph, which can generally consist of three to six sentences.

The paragraphs following the introduction are always allocated for the different points and topics within the issue. These paragraphs should also be organized in a logical and organized way. For example, a writer may discuss all the good points of the issue first before mentioning the bad points, instead of jumping from a good to a bad topic.

Ideally, each major point should be discussed in just one paragraph. The writer can begin the paragraph with a concise, to-the-point statement before detailing and presenting other lines of reasoning. To make an argument more believable, paragraphs can also include additional examples, situational cases, and even quotes from reliable sources and people notable about the issue. After finishing a paragraph, the writer should start with another paragraph, using appropriate conjunctions and connecting sentences to create a smooth transition.

A conversational essay should also end with a conclusion, or a paragraph summarizing the main elements and arguments within the issue. If allowed, the writer can also express his position on the matter, but he should still be impartial. He can also give a “prediction” of what may or may not happen given the information and details presented. The conclusion should not include any new ideas that have not been presented before. A discursive essay should not only discuss a certain topic but should also invite readers to create further discussions.




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