Different Types of Discursive Essays That You Don’t Know

Types of Discursive Essays

A discursive essay as we all know is a formal piece of writing that is written to discuss a point. There are generally two main types of discursive essays that you should know to be able to differentiate between them.

By reading any discursive essay, you must believe that this is a persuasive essay which it is not. A persuasive essay is not a discursive essay but it is one of the two types of discursive essay. This article explores the main difference and all details about a discursive essay that is briefly explained here by our essay writing services experts. Let’s see the differences between persuasive and argumentative essays to understand what their purposes are.

Persuasive Essay: The main role of Persuasive essay writing:

Establishing facts and ideas in a correct order to support the argument.

Hence, the purpose of persuasive essay writing is to persuade the reader.

Argumentative Essay: The main role of constructing an argumentative essay:

While you understand the use and the difference between two different types of discursive essays, you should also know that the types fulfil their specific purposes and they can’t be mixed or confused with each other. There are general discursive essay writing rules that apply to both types, they are:

Discursive essay writing takes a lot of work because it is on the formal side and it uses formal language. Before you construct a discursive essay, make an outline so that you know if you have enough to convince the reader. Present a strong argument based on pieces of evidence and avoid using vague statements and figures that aren’t a result of an actual research.

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The Academic Papers UK

Types Of Discursive Writing

Types Of Discursive Writing

Post By Nick Cooper On 29, May

It is an essential type of academic paper that is assigned to the students. In the discursive writing, there involves discussion on a specific topic.  In this informative post, the writers from The Academic Papers UK offer a brief definition and types of discursive writing.

For example, if you are asked to write assignments , according to discursive writing you are free to provide arguments against or in the support of the main issue. You can also provide arguments to both sides of the issue. There is also a possibility that you can provide prejudiced arguments. The nature of discursive writing is just like an argumentative essay .

The essential types of discursive writing are explained below;

For and against discursive writing.

In this type of writing, a specific topic is assigned to the students and the students are asked to give supporting and opposing ideas regarding this topic. In other words, the students have to write positive and negative aspects of this topic. No doubt, to write this kind of academic paper requires hard work and practice from the students. For example, if you are asked to write for and against discursive essay, you will have to divide the essay into three parts. The first part is known as an introduction and you have to provide significance of the topic in this part. The second part is known as the body and you have to write your own opposing and supporting point of views about the topic. The last part is known as the conclusion and you have to summarize your topic in this section.

Opinionated discursive writing

In this type of essay, the students are asked to present their own theory. While presenting their own theory, they provide the opinions of famous writers. The main aim of this kind of writing is to support your own point of views with the help of the point of views of the expert persons. To write an academic paper by adopting this kind of writing, it is necessary for the students to conduct effective research and work.

Argumentative discursive writing

As we know that there are two main sides of an issue. While writing an argumentative essay, it is necessary for the students to provide arguments on these two sides of the issue. In some cases, it is necessary for the students to keep a balance in both of these two sides. On the other hand, there are also some cases in which the students are asked to present more force to a specific side of the issue than another side. Two main models of the argumentative writing are Toulmin and Regrian models.

Descriptive discursive writing

The main aim of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or a thing. A person, place or a thing is described in such a way that the picture of this place, person or a thing is formed into the minds of the readers. If you are going to capture an event with the help of descriptive writing, you will have to provide close attention to the details of this event by using your five senses. This kind of writing is helpful for the students to create interest in their academic papers.

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A type of essay in which a specific topic, situation, or issue is discussed in a formal way of writing. Essays that either argued for or against a particular issue essays that persuade the reader to think according to the writer’s opinion. There are many factors that must be considered before a Discursive Essay is written which include:

All of these factors are given due consideration by our expert Essay Writers who are highly experienced and have an advanced level of writing skills, especially in writing Discursive Essays.

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The Different Types of Discursive Essays That Are Covered by Our Essay Writing Service:

Basically there are three different types of Discursive Essays. They are:

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How to Write a Discursive Essay | Definition, Topics, Examples

different types of discursive essays

What is a discursive essay?

A discursive essay is a type of academic essay which, as its name suggests, is written to discuss a specific topic. In a discursive essay , you’ll explore the topic in depth and provide different perspectives on it. This means that you must have a balanced perspective which takes into consideration the opposing views . As such, a discursive essay is often highly researched and requires more literary or scholarly resources than other types of essays .

Many students struggle to write a discursive essay. That is to say, they’re confused about what distinguishes it from other essay types. A discursive essay can be defined as a piece of writing that investigates its subject using an argumentative approach. In other words, the main objective of this type of essay is not simply to explain or define but rather to explore different sides of an issue and reach a conclusion that attempts to persuade readers through reason.

Discursive essay structure

In order for a discursive essay to work it has to be structured in a very particular way with a clear introduction, body and conclusion. The body needs to contain evidence which demonstrates how all parts of the argument connect with each other and support the thesis statement .

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The structure of a discursive essay is very similar to that of other kinds of essays in the sense that there are three sections – an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The main difference between discursive essay format and others is the way it presents its point-of-view on an issue in order to persuade or convince readers towards taking its side when it comes to reaching a conclusion. This implies that one has to be familiar with rhetorical strategies in order to know how to effectively construct this kind of essay. However, there are basic rules that can be applied in order to produce a well-organized discourse which contains all the necessary parts of an argumentative essay .

Introduction

The discursive essay introduction must provide readers with information on what they will read in the body paragraphs and how this is going to happen. It should also include a thesis statement which summarizes what you intend to prove in your writing piece. The next step is discussing your central theme or topic by giving a general description about it from multiple perspectives rather than just from one point of view. In other words, it means taking into account several angles when deciding how to judge something without being biased towards any one idea or concept at any given time. In addition, this part should state the position of your argument in order to establish how you’re going to support your thesis.

Body Paragraphs

Next, one has to tackle the body paragraphs which must contain enough evidence or reasoning that backs up your claims and also avoids getting bogged down by using too many examples at once. It’s important to use rhetorical techniques like anecdotes, comparisons, definitions and metaphors which makes it easier for readers to understand what point you are trying to convey clearly. This part may also involve reflecting upon certain points stated earlier on so as to build an appealing argumentative essay based on logical discourse rather than merely presenting ideas without explanation. The last part is where one must present conclusive remarks about previous statements made in the introductory paragraph alongside their own opinion on the given subject matter together with their own justification for it.

The main difference between the discursive essay conclusion and other parts of a discursive paper is that there should be an overview of previous statements made which gives readers a clear idea of what has been said throughout the writing piece. This also provides them with something to think about in case they don’t agree with your point-of-view. The last thing one needs to include is a sentence which restates your thesis statement and tells readers why they should care about the issue you wrote about since this kind of information engages audiences in various ways by making them feel like they’ve learned something new or there’s at least an opportunity for further thought after they finish reading through your essay.

How to plan a discursive essay

This isn’t difficult – all you need is to know how to plan an essay !

A good way to plan a discursive essay is to begin by writing down some keywords that relate to the subject. For example, if you were planning an argumentative essay about why students should attend university then some of your key words might be “education”, “job prospects” and “social life”. Underneath these, write down some notes on why each point is important.

This helps divide ideas into general categories so that when you go back to it later you can decide what order they should appear in. It’s also useful to see how many points you want to cover as this enables you to determine how long your essay will need to be. Another helpful approach is asking yourself open-ended questions like: “What would happen if I didn’t go to university?” or “Why is education important in the modern world?”. These questions are designed to get you thinking about what’s at stake, how it can be improved and why readers should care.

It’s also worth remembering that the introduction of your discursive essay should include a sentence which provides readers with an overview of what will follow so they know exactly what kind of argument you’re going to be making. The conclusion needs to do something similar but it shouldn’t just repeat material from the intro – try giving readers some final food for thought! This means summarizing your main points while drawing attention to anything that appears frequently throughout the body of your essay. You might also want to discuss potential solutions or suggestions on how things could improve even further.

How to write a discursive essay

A discursive essay is an essay that explores a controversial topic. It can be divided into two types: for and against, or pros and cons. In a discursive essay, you should present both sides of the argument before giving your own opinion. However, it’s important to remember that a discursive essay is not a debate – you’re not trying to win over the reader to your point of view. Instead, your goal is to explore the issue and provide a well-rounded perspective. Here are some tips on how to write a discursive essay step by step:

1. Choose a topic that you’re passionate about. 

The first step in writing a discursive essay is to choose a topic and take a position. You will need to select an issue that you feel strongly about and have a clear opinion on. Once you have done this, you can start planning your essay.

2. Do your research.

In order to write a convincing discursive essay, you need to be well-informed about both sides of the argument. This means doing some research and familiarizing yourself with the key points of both arguments. Try to find reputable sources that present both sides of the issue fairly.

3. Write the introduction.

When writing a discursive essay, it is important to start with a brief introduction that outlines the main points of discussion. This will help to engage the reader and set the stage for the rest of the essay.

4. Present both sides of the argument fairly and objectively. 

The fourth step is to present both sides of the argument.

5. Write the conclusion.

In the conclusion part of your essay , restate your thesis and summarize the main points of discussion. Take care not to introduce any new information at this stage.

6. Proofreading and editing.

Proofread your work carefully before submit it. Ensure that there are no grammatical errors or typos.

Final Thoughts and tips

A discursive writing is more than just a list of arguments. It’s important to connect all the pieces of your argument together with claims, evidence and analysis so that readers understand what you’re saying clearly.

There are several things that need to be taken into account when writing a discursive essay.

AP United States History discursive essay example

Thesis Statement : President Truman’s decision to send American troops into Korea was not only controversial but extremely important for various reasons because it signaled America’s entry into the world arena during the Cold War and also introduced us to our first war on foreign soil since World War II ended over 40 years ago which finally led to the containment of communism worldwide by dividing up Korea along the 38th parallel line.

The main reasons why President Truman’s decision to send U.S troops into Korea was extremely important is because it marked America’s entry into the world arena during the Cold War and also introduced us to our first war on foreign soil since World War II ended over 40 years ago which finally led to the containment of communism worldwide by dividing up Korea along the 38th parallel line.

First, this controversial decision helped signal America’s entry into the world arena after WWII by allowing us to become a superpower like we were before 1939 when we generally stayed out of European affairs and strictly practiced isolationism for several decades.

Secondly, Truman decided to send American troops into Korea as part of his containment policy towards Soviet expansion in Europe because he wanted them to back off from meddling around in parts of the world that weren’t even their business.

Finally, this important decision led to the beginning of the Cold War which lasted nearly half a century because it helped get us into Korea where we ended up fighting on foreign soil for over three years until an armistice was finally reached at Panmunjom in 1953 along roughly the same boundary line established during Tokyo’s rule of Korea before Japan surrendered in WWII.

In conclusion, President Truman’s decision to send American troops into Korea was extremely important for several reasons because it helped signaled America’s entry into the world arena during the Cold War and also introduced us our first war on foreign soil since World War II over 40 years ago which finally led to the containment of communism worldwide by dividing up Korea along the 38th parallel line at Panmunjom where a temporary armistice was signed in 1953 that created a demilitarized zone between both countries until today.

Analysis of the above sample discursive essay

The first paragraph is all about giving readers a clear idea about what kind of argument I’m supporting throughout my entire essay by explaining how President Truman’s decision not only changed America but influenced almost every other country in some way or another when he decided send troops into Korea between 1950-1953.

The second paragraph is mainly about how President Truman’s decision to send troops into Korea was important in the beginning of the Cold War because it led to a major shift in American foreign policy from isolationism to a more interventionist approach during the early 20th century.

The third and final paragraph focuses on why sending American troops into Korea ultimately helped lead to the containment of communism worldwide when Kim Il-sung took over North Korea after his father Kim Il-Sung died and continued his reign until 1994 when he died at the age of 82, taking one country with him after another began falling under communist rule due to Soviet influence in every other region except for South Korea, who has been democratic ever since they officially gained their independence from the Japanese empire after their 36 th year of occupation in 1945.

References:

Sample Discursive essay topics

Wondering what to write about for your discursive essay? There are plenty of creative discursive essay topics . As usual, the best way to find one is to brainstorm ideas by asking yourself questions like:

Some of the best discursive essay topics include:

As you can see, there is no shortage of interesting essay topics!

The above discursive essay topics give students an opportunity to explore various issues, processes and trends within societies which have both positive and negative aspects. This allows students to make balanced arguments with supporting evidence from statistics or expert opinion where relevant.

If you need more help narrowing down your topic, especially if you are looking for something specific like ‘discursive essay examples’, our writer team would be happy to assist you further so feel free to ask a question online to get assistance help with discursive essay writing .

Discursive essay writing is designed to test how well students can read, analyse, structure information and communicate their ideas. Good luck and ask for essay help if you get stuck.

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The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 6, 2021.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

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A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Jack Caulfield

Jack Caulfield

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20 Discursive Essay Topics That Make the Grade

When you’re assigned to write an essay, you usually have two options when it comes to topics. Your prof either says, “Write about one of these assigned topics,” or, “Pick something, and write about it.”

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

On the plus side, if you’re assigned a topic, you don’t have to spend time trying to figure out what to write about. But on minus side, you’re often forced to write about something that you may have little or no interest in.

If you can choose your own topic, you may spend a long time selecting and narrowing a topic –definitely on the minus side. But on the plus side, you usually end up with something you have at least some interest in writing about.

The fact that you can ponder whether it’s better to have an essay topic assigned or to choose your own topic leads me to the subject of this post: discursive essays and discursive essay topics.

If you’re trying to choose a topic for your discursive essay (and you don’t want to write about whether essay topics should even be assigned), here are 20 discursive essay topics for your next paper.

discursive essay topics

Need a quick reminder of how a discursive essay works?

Remember, this type of essay presents both sides of an argument and then states your stance. When choosing a topic for your discursive essay, it’s therefore important to pick something a little controversial –or at least debatable.

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I’ve divided this list of topics into four categories for easy reference and included a few points about each side of the argument to help you get started on developing your paper.

I’ve linked topics 1-16 to a related argumentative essay or discursive essay to give you a few ideas of what a complete essay might look like.

Topics 17-20 are topics that generally won’t require research , but I’ve still provided a link to a related article that might help spark your creative genius.

Health/Wellness

Discursive essay topic #1: do energy drinks pose health risks to people under 18.

Many swear by energy drinks and the boost of energy from caffeine they provide, but others claim that such high levels of caffeine are too dangerous for young people.

Discursive essay topic #2: Should GMOs be permitted in food?

While some feel that GMOs are harmless and are essential to providing the world with an ample supply of food, others argue that GMOs are not safe because they pose serious health risks.

Discursive essay topic #3: Do all adults need eight hours of sleep each night?

Many experts state that adults require eight hours of sleep to stay healthy. But others argue that sleep needs vary, and some people may require fewer (or even more) hours of restful sleep each night.

discursive essay topics

Discursive essay topic #4: Is technology addiction a real addiction?

Some believe that technology is a tool and that limiting technology use is simply a matter of putting down the gaming system, tablet, or phone. Yet others argue that tech addiction is real. They claim people need professional medical treatment to manage their addictions.

Discursive essay topic #7: Is the military’s use of drones an invasion of privacy?

The military can use drones to safely surveil dangerous areas and unmanned drones in areas where it’s unsafe for personnel.

However, some believe that this technology comes at a price as the drones can invade privacy and may be more likely to harm innocent civilians.

discursive essay topics

Discursive essay topic #8: Should public places, such as restaurants and libraries, use internet filters?

Internet filters are used in public places to keep users from objectionable sites. Some believe this filtering helps keep people (mainly children) safe, while others feel that internet filters are censorship.

Environment

Discursive essay topic #9: should offshore drilling be expanded.

Proponents of offshore drilling argue that expanding operations will further reduce dependence on foreign oil, create more jobs, and lower fuel costs.

Opponents, however, argue that it is too risky. They think that oil rig jobs are dangerous and that oil spills are extremely likely.

Discursive essay topic #10: Are you helping the environment by recycling your household waste?

If you recycle your frozen pizza boxes, water bottles, and junk mail, you likely feel that every little bit helps. You see it as doing your part to save the planet.

Those who don’t recycle, though, often believe that our household recycling still ends up in landfills. Even if these items did get recycled, they argue, it would do very little to actually solve the problem.

Discursive essay topic #11: Should the EPA roll back emissions standards for vehicles?

Many believe that rolling back current emissions standards would be a setback for the environment as it would create additional air pollution.

Others, however, feel that the standards are already too strict and that rolling back emissions standards would jump-start the auto industry.

Discursive essay topic #12: Are plastic water bottles destroying the environment?

Some statistics estimate that 80% of water bottles end up in landfills. Thus, people argue that water bottles are causing landfills to overflow. The bottles are not only wasting natural resources but also polluting the planet . (It can take 1,000 years for a bottle to decompose.)

While many concede that filing landfills isn’t the best option, they don’t believe that plastic water bottles are any more damaging than other products that end up in the landfill.

Social media

Discursive essay topic #13: social media damages self-esteem because too many people compare themselves to others, creating unreasonable expectations and lowering self-esteem. discursive essay topic #14: are dating websites a good place to meet potential romantic partners.

Many people (especially those who use dating websites) swear by the effectiveness of the sites as they allow people to connect based on shared interests. Others argue that dating websites are too dangerous as there’s no way of knowing who is actually behind the screen.

Discursive essay topic #15: Is a social media presence necessary in order for a small business to succeed?

Some feel that, without a social media presence, small businesses cannot effectively promote their products and cannot connect with their customers (especially younger customers).

There are many, however, who feel that social media isn’t a necessity. They feel that traditional marketing, including word-of-mouth, is the best way to market a business and increase its customer base.

Discursive essay topic #16: Does use of social media impact academic performance?

Social media users often feel that they use social media responsibly and that it doesn’t hinder any aspect of their lives, including academic performance.

However, many (including professors) often see social media use in the classroom as problematic. They feel that this distraction causes students to miss out on important course information and thus harms academic performance .

On the lighter side

Discursive essay topic #17: are goldfish better pets than cats or dogs.

Fish fans unite! Some believe that fish are better pets than any cat or dog. Fish don’t have to be walked, don’t destroy your furniture, and don’t require a trip to the vet.

Cat and dog lovers might argue that dogs or cats are far superior pets to goldfish. Goldfish can’t go for a walk with you or happily greet you when you come home from work. Goldfish are awfully hard to snuggle up on the couch with too!

Discursive essay topic #18: Should clothes labeled as activewear be worn as casual wear?

Those who live in yoga pants would certainly claim that they should be worn as casual clothing. After all, it’s a common fashion trend. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be comfortable all day?

Those who disagree with the fashion trend claim that yoga pants and activewear should strictly be used for yoga and other physical activities. They argue that activeware is not appropriate for casual wear.

Discursive essay topic #19: Is soup a meal?

Fans of the classic sitcom Seinfeld will remember an episode in which Jerry and a friend, Bania, argue whether soup actually constitutes a meal. Some will side with Bania, claiming that soup is a first course or a side dish. It cannot be considered a full meal.

Those who side with Jerry claim that soup can be a filling, hearty meal, especially if it contains rice, chicken, beef, and/or pasta.

Discursive essay topic #20: Is it better to watch a movie on the big screen or in your home?

Movie theater fans love nothing more than to enjoy a movie surrounded by a crowd. They enjoy the experience of seeing a movie on the big screen and munching on theater popcorn. They claim it’s the only way to see a movie.

Those who prefer to watch a movie at home claim that it’s much cheaper to stream a movie and microwave a bag of popcorn.

For this group of people, watching a movie in a crowd is a hassle because they feel someone always ruins the experience (by talking or using a cellphone). They would much rather watch from the comfort of their couches.

discursive essay topics

Making the Grade

If you’ve settled on a topic for your discursive essay but can’t figure out how to move forward, make sure to follow the writing process . Start by using an outline or graphic organizer to help organize and develop ideas.

Once you’ve drafted your paper, your work still isn’t complete. Try a reverse outline . This can help you see whether your…

After you have the content in place, don’t forget to do any final revisions to put the finishing touches on your paper.

Not sure whether your paper will make the grade even after all your hard work? Send it our way ! Kibin editors will provide expert feedback.

Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays .

different types of discursive essays

About the Author

Susan M. Inez is a professor of English and writing goddess based out of the Northeast. In addition to a BA in English Education, an MA in Composition, and an MS in Education, Susan has 20 years of experience teaching courses on composition, writing in the professions, literature, and more. She also served as co-director of a campus writing center for 2 years.

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What Are the Different Types of Persuasive Essay?

Published by Grace Graffin at August 17th, 2021 , Revised On January 9, 2023

If you have been asked by your academic tutor to  write an essay  but are unsure what type of essay you should write, then this article will serve as a guide to help you distinguish between different types of essays.

Academic essays require authors to present their viewpoints and arguments on a range of topics with reasoning and evidence. So, what is a persuasive essay, and what are the different styles of  persuasive essay writing ?

This article aims to discuss the similarities and differences between the most common types of persuasive essays, including  argumentative ,   expository , discursive, and exegetical.

All these four types of essays can be combined under one essay group: persuasive essays. As the name suggests, persuasive essays are developed to persuade readers to believe the author’s opinions and arguments.

Here is all you need to know if you are unsure about the different types of persuasive essays.

Types of Persuasive Essays, with Definitions

Before you look into the similarities and differences between the different types of persuasive essays, it will be sensible to define these four kinds of essays briefly.

While it is important to recognise the characteristics and features that differentiate the various types of persuasive essays, it is equally important to consider the writer’s role.

Here is a similar article;  How to Write an Essay?

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays  give authors and scholars the chance to convince their readers that there is something new in their research area that needs to be considered. This is likely to be a result of collection of data by the author. Argumentative essays are the most popular type of essay at the college and university level.

A well written argumentative essay improves the scholar’s credibility and authority in the respective field of research.

The Purpose of an Argumentative Essay

What is the Role of the Author in an Argumentative Essay?

The role of the author in an argumentative essay is significant. Based on a given thesis statement , you will be required to demonstrate that your own personal opinions and viewpoints should be considered a new approach, and focus on how this new approach will add value to the existing literature.

This type of essay should be based on rational thinking, with an objective approach from the author. Logic and evidence should take precedence.

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Expository Essays

This particular type of persuasive essay helps to persuade the readers to believe the conclusions of the author through a  critical evaluation  of the literature material. It should present a balanced and objective argument using readily available material on the topic. The word ‘expository’ is from the word ‘expose’, meaning to lay bare and reveal something. A likely part of your coursework , an expository essay reveals and discusses the evidence around the topic in question.

The Purpose of an Expository Essay

What is the Role of the Author in an Expository Essay?

Your role in an expository essay assignment is substantial because you will be expected to convince the readers that they should consider your findings on the topic as the most formidable. This can be achieved through thoroughly critical and independent analysis.

The evidence you present for the argument should not be your own opinions and the essay should not show bias. As the essay progresses, it should become clear that one viewpoint or set of evidence is the more convincing; it should not be achieved through the subjective view of the author. Therefore, you should not use the pronouns ‘I’ or ‘you’.

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Discursive Essays

Discursive essays are the less common type of academic persuasive essays . They aim to convince the readers that there is another approach to a topic and that it is important to consider all sides of the debate before coming to any conclusion. It does not necessarily look at polarising for-and-against arguments, there may be several competing, nuanced viewpoints.

If your tutor does not specifically state “Write a discursive essay”, you can deduce the type of essay you are being asked to write from the thesis statement : It should not take any stance on the argument or ask you to do so. An example of such a thesis statement is this:

“Where some studies show that the use of IT in primary classrooms is beneficial to learning, other studies suggest there is no benefit or that it can be detrimental.”

The Purpose of a Discursive Essay

What is the Role of the Author in a Discursive Essay?

Discursive essays do not require the authors to play a significant role in terms of presenting their own views, except that they should clearly differentiate between arguments of other scholars and act as a guide to opposing interpretations. This said, the tone should be formal and balanced without use of the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘you’.

The author should be impartial to the various viewpoints. The essay body should develop all sides of the argument equally, providing the same quantity of evidence in support of each. The conclusion should not deliver a definitive answer, it should leave the reader in the position of being able to weigh up the evidence.

The main role of the author in a discursive essay is to present and explore ideas, not to persuade the readers that one idea is best.

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Exegetical Essay

Exegetical essays help writers persuade their readers to understand a certain concept in a new light – giving the writers the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to understand and interpret challenging topics. This type of essay is frequently used in the examination of religious writings, as many ancient religious texts are interpreted in different ways.

The structure of an exegetical essay is similar to that of other persuasive essays. It has an introduction, main body, and a conclusion.

The Purpose of an Exegetical Essay

What is the Role of the Author in an Exegetical Essay?

The writer plays little to no role in exegetical essays because the aim is to present other authors’ views. The meaning of exegesis is to explain to the readers what the original writer said – to make it clearer and more accessible. It is not to argue, change, or add anything to that original view.

Difference Between Persuasive Essays and Scientific Articles

The most notable difference  between scientific articles and persuasive essays  is that scientific articles and journal papers present the facts as they can be seen by anyone else. In contrast, in persuasive essays, the author’s own opinions are the driving force.

How to Write Persuasive Essays

While there are similarities and differences between different types of persuasive essays, it is important to recognise the fact that the author of a persuasive essay may have to mix these approaches in one essay.

For example, you might have to present a brief exegesis of another author’s viewpoints to support your arguments as part of your own argumentative essay . It is possible to have many such combinations but in general, when working with an argumentative essay you will also need to use one or more of the other three styles: exegetical, discursive, and expository.

While there are four types of persuasive essays, all of them are argumentative in nature. You should not be surprised when you see people refer to all these styles of persuasive essay writing as argumentative essays.

The term “argumentative essay”, loosely speaking, is applicable to all four types of persuasive essays because they all involve an expert presentation of arguments to persuade the audience to believe something.

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Writing a Persuasive Essay Checklist

Frequently asked questions, how do i know what type of essay to write.

Sometimes you will have clear instructions to write a particular type of essay . But on occasion you will have to deduce for yourself what is required by examining the key words in the prompt. The key words used in prompts are suggestive of what is required, but it is not a fixed code. There can be overlap where one key word could mean writing one type of essay or another. If you are unsure, you should seek help to make sure you have the appropriate approach when you start your essay .

Generally, when you see the words ‘assess’ or ‘argue’, you might be required to write an argumentative essay . The words ‘explain’ and ‘explore’, or being asked to ‘compare & contrast’ something suggests that an expository essay is needed. If you are asked to ‘demonstrate’ something, this is likely to require a discursive essay. An exegetical essay could be the requirement when you are asked to ‘clarify’, but the same essay could also be needed if asked to ‘explain’.

What is the most common type of essay required at university?

The most common form of essay at university is an argumentative essay . Argumentative is by no means a fixed and singular type – there are different types of essays under this heading. The large majority of academic writing comprises making arguments around a vast number of topics. There are several other types of essays; working out what you have been asked to write can often be found by examining the essay prompt or asking an expert .

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How to Write an Outstanding Discursive Essay: Structure and Format

How to Write an Outstanding Discursive Essay: Structure and Format

A discursive essay or discussing essay is similar to other essays in that it shares information and gives an opinion, but differs because it doesn’t provide any new knowledge or insight.

Instead, the goal of this type of essay is to convince the reader by arguing for your position and providing evidence. This blog post will teach you how to write a discursive essay so you are ready for your next assignment!

Discursive Essay Meaning

What is discursive essay? A discursive essay is a type of argumentative essay that should take the reader through your thought process and reasoning. This type of writing takes on a certain position or argument. It is usually written in order to convince the reader of a particular point of view.

For example, if you are writing about how college should be free for all students, then your stance would be pro-free college education and your goal would be convincing the readers that this idea should become reality.

Discursive writing is one of the most basic forms of writing. It can be used to write about anything from a personal experience, to an opinion on a current event.

Four (4) Steps to follow in Discursive Writing

There are many different types of topics that you can pick from, but before picking one it’s important to make sure the reader will be interested enough in what you have to say about it.

Secondly, after choosing your subject matter for discussion and research, come up with an introduction based on some introductory questions into why this issue deserves attention or needs solving.

This way readers understand where your argument stems from and how they should take it further by reading more than just what was written here.

A strong conclusion is key when coming to any type of discourse because it ties everything together nicely so there isn’t anything left hanging that could confuse anyone who happened upon your writing.

Finally, you can always think of an example or case study to illustrate the issue at hand and provide a real-life scenario for your readers so they understand it better.

Discursive essay Structure, Format and Outline

Introduction

The introduction for a discussing essay is often short, with the writer providing one or two paragraphs to introduce the topic.

This section should also include an explanation of what it means to be “discursively” writing so that readers understand how this text will organize and present information differently than other types of essays.

The majority of your discursive essay paper should consist of reading/writing about your topic in depth with evidence from research included throughout each paragraph.

In addition, you can provide additional content by including quotes from sources who have studied more deeply into the subject at hand; questions that need answering when considering certain aspects of your issue; descriptions about different perspectives on your topic; etcetera. You do not need to follow a strict outline or linear structure in your writing.

The conclusion

Your discursive essay should end with a summary of the key points you have made throughout your paper, and how these pieces of information connect to one another. This is also where you can make an argument for why this issue matters.

This is how discursive essays are typically structured in order to best engage with their audiences and get them thinking about what they’ve just read which leads into understanding on their own about this topic as well as opening up new avenues that could lead towards solving whatever problem may be at hand.

In a nutshell, discourse writing is engaging because its written in such away where arguments come together around one focused subject matter which brings forth introspection from anyone who reads it.

Discourse essay structures help keep everything organized while still being engaging by discussing events related to the argument’s topic.

Discursive Essay Writing

Tips for Discursive Essay Writing

30+ Original Discursive Essay Topics

Discursive Essay Example

“ The Misunderstanding between Feminists and Transgender Activists over Gender Identity Politics

In our current society, it seems as though feminists are not unified on their stance towards transgender activism based solely off of gender identity politics…Or so says what many people believe without taking into account that there are two different schools of feminism which reflect differing opinions about trans* rights and inclusion within the feminist movement. Some feminists are in favor of including transgender people, while other feminists believe that trans* activism is actually a threat to the feminist movement.

The debate between these two schools of feminism has become so intense and complicated that it can be difficult for someone who is not well-versed in feminist theory to understand what they are fighting about. However, with both sides having strong arguments rooted in past experiences as women, there’s no easy way out .”

Sample 2: Discursive essay on recreational drugs

“So  why should we use recreational drugs?

Most people argue against drugs for many different reasons: moral arguments, health concerns, legal consequences, and so on. This Discursive Essay will examine all of these arguments as well as the idea that drugs are good for society in general

An argument against using recreational drugs is moral concerns because people argue they’re morally wrong; this could be challenged by saying what about alcohol? If we say some things like driving while intoxicated or drinking from a baby bottle when you’re over 18 then there’s no difference with doing illegal substances.

A health concern to consider would be physical ailments such as lung cancer which can happen after smoking weed but it also comes down to how long you smoked for and if you have any family history related problems. The second point about health is mental illnesses such as addiction which depends on individual circumstance.

Legal concerns can range from being caught with drugs in your car to possession charges, and result in fines or jail time. The third point about legal concerns is how the drug affects you which can happen even if it’s not doing anything wrong because people react differently.

Societal implications exist due to culture: some societies may be more accepting of certain substances while others have a stricter view. This may depend on who they are talking to as well and what their position was so this could create an atmosphere where someone might feel pressured into using any substance at all times just for acceptance purposes.

Moral objectives would only really matter for those within that moral objective but if there were two parties then one will think its morally right while another doesn’t see it as being wrong. Morals can be seen as subjective and so this leads to the two parties having different views on a certain action.

Facts, such as when someone is hurting themselves or others due to substance use, are objective facts that don’t rely on feelings but rather sense. When something has an effect then it will have consequences because of how its affecting them physically or mentally which means that if they continue with their actions until these consequences happen then it becomes objectively morally wrong for one’s own sake.

Situations that may affect an individual’s understanding are: personal perspectives, societal views and cultural values. These all play a role in how people understand as well because it can impact their mental state which could have different effects on what they believe to be right from wrong for them personally.

If there is no medication then this will result in negative consequences but not always – if someone takes enough of the drug then they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms like weight loss, nausea and insomnia depending on the type of substance consumed so this would need to be taken into account when writing about drugs. ”

Topic: “ Is technology good or bad ” discursive essay

Technological advances have become so widespread in society that most people will not be able to live without them. Many of these same technological advancements are also linked with the progression of information technology, which has been a major factor in shaping and defining our culture today. With this being said, it is important to ask ourselves whether or not these technologies are good for us? Or should we reconsider how we use certain aspects of technology?

This discursive Essay will discuss five possible pros and cons related specifically to the advancement of technology including social media usage, cyber bullying, reliance on cell phones as well as computer-related activities at work/at home. It will then further explore if there are any other alternatives aside from just relying on devices like laptops or mobile phones.

The pros of technology have been argued to be the convenience it brings. For example, social media has made connecting with people easier than ever before and allows us to get information without having to go out in person or look for a local newspaper article. It also provides entertainment as well as other features that make life simpler. This includes apps like weather forecasting, calculators and even online shopping.

On the flip side, there are negative aspects related to how we use some technologies today such as cyber bullying which is defined as “the new form of face-to-face abuse”. In regards to the reliance on devices like laptops or mobile phones at work/at home; this can cause laziness due to the lack of physical movement.

There are many positives that can come from the internet such as access to information, communication with people who live in different geographical locations and a vast amount of content (both useful and useless). However, we must take caution when it comes to how much time is spent online and what types of things they look at on social media sites like Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Pinterest , LinkedIn , Reddit and Youtube .

Technology has both positive aspects but also negative ones depending on which side you’re looking at it from. The awesome thing about this topic though is there’s not one answer because everyone carries their own opinion on whether it be good or bad so anyone reading these words should form an opinion themselves by critiquing my thoughts instead of just taking them as the truth .”

Discursive Essay Writing Help At Cheap Prices

This article provides practical tips on how to write a discursive essay, the structure, format, outline for this kind of academic paper as well as some topics you may want to consider when working on your own composition.

We also provide an example at the end in case you need more help with understanding what it takes to craft these types of homework essays properly.

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What Are the 5 Different Types of Essays? A Complete Guide

For high school or college students, essays are unavoidable – worst of all, the essay types and essay writing topics assigned change throughout your academic career. As soon as you’ve mastered one of the many types of academic papers , you’re on to the next one.

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This article by Custom Writing experts provides the tools you need to attack any essay. It describes the five current major types of essays and five additional types! The article includes some thesis statement examples and numerous useful links to resources with sample essay papers. Keep reading and good luck with your assignment!

🎈 Other Essay Types

🔗 References

📑 what are the 5 different types of essays.

The five main essay types are:

The Five Main Essay Types Are: Expository, Argumentative, Persuasive, Descriptive, & Narrative.

Expository Essay

An expository essay aims to present opinion-free information on a topic that may be broad or narrow. This essay type is often assigned as an in-class or an exam task. Please find below useful expository writing tips!

“The oil industry is a very large portion of the energy sector, and it has significant impacts on the climate and economy.”

Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay requires a profound investigation of a topic leading to the collection and evaluation of evidence. Such an in-depth study shall result in an established position on the topic, written down concisely.

As a rule, this type of writing presupposes extensive literature research . Sometimes, argumentative assignments may require empirical investigation through surveys, interviews, or observations. Detailed research ensures a clear understanding of the issue and the different points of view regarding it. Thanks to the preliminary study, you will be able to make an unbiased decision on which opinion to adhere to, and your argumentation will be more persuasive.

An argumentative essay shall follow the strict structure rules:

Difference between Expository and Argumentative Essay

Expository and argumentative essays abound in similarities and are often mistaken for one another. The principal difference is the amount of preliminary research . Argumentative essays are often assigned as final projects summing up the corpus of information mastered during a course. Expository essays are shorter and less based on research. They are used for in-class unprepared writing.

Persuasive Essay

Persuasive writing is the polar opposite of expository writing. For this style of essay, your opinion should be the focus . A persuasive essay attempts to persuade its reader to have a specific opinion.

“Though the oil industry is an important part of our economy, it has negatively impacted our environment through climate change, smog, and the building of roads.”

Descriptive Essay

There is no more clearly-named essay than the descriptive one. Here, the goal is to describe something : a person, an object, a place, etc. The oil industry theme used to demonstrate an expository thesis statement would not be typical for a descriptive essay. Instead, descriptive writing would far more likely focus on an object associated with the oil industry, such as an oil drum, an oil tanker, or even the liquid oil itself.

Narrative Essay

The meaning of narrative writing is very similar to a story. It may be moving, emotional, anecdotal, or insightful. You are allowed to write using first-person pronouns, and creativity is appreciated. A narrative essay is subject to all the story rules and shall comprise an introduction, characters, plot, setting, climax, and conclusion. The only case when a narrative assignment does not have to comply with a story outline is a book report. This informative narration is impersonal and unemotional.

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Difference between Narrative and Descriptive Essay

A narrative essay is aimed to tell the reader a complete story of personal experiences . A descriptive essay dwells upon a separate object, place, concept, or phenomenon. It does not have a climax or any development of action.

Cause and Effect Essay

In a cause and effect essay, the text should focus on the impact of some phenomenon or physical thing —in other words, a cause and its effect.

The simplicity of this essay allows you to explore any topic . All you need to do is consider its consequences and write. Again, the oil industry can be the focus of a cause and effect essay thesis statement :

“The oil industry has had a tremendous impact on our world, enabling the automotive industry, contributing to climate change, and generating great wealth.”

Reflective Essay

In this essay, the goal is simply to respond to or reflect upon a species person, place, thing, event, or phenomenon. You may be required to reflect upon a poem, a military battle, or perhaps even another essay. By its definition, reflective essays should be very subjective. You should use personal pronouns like “I” and “me” in these essays! This type of essay should be very personal. Check out some examples of reflective writing to see this yourself.

Just $13.00 $10.40/page , and you can get an custom-written academic paper according to your instructions

For example, this would be a great thesis statement for a reflective essay :

“The oil industry has provided many benefits to society, but I worry deeply about its potential costs to our planet and its species.”

Analytical Essay

In many ways, analytical writing is the objective cousin of reflective writing. Prior to attempting this style of essay, you should reflect. But you should also conduct research. The reflection is personal, while the analysis is rooted in facts and logic.

Compare the following example thesis statement with the one from the previous type of essay:

“As the oil industry has grown, the levels of greenhouse gases have increased along with temperatures and concentrations of particulate matter in the atmosphere.”

This statement outlines factors that will be analyzed in the body of the essay. It DOES NOT insert personal feelings, personal pronouns, or subjective language. You can even try and use an informative thesis statement generator and then compare the results to see it more clearly.

By staying objective, an analytical essay is much more like a report. In fact, an outline for an analytical paper should be interchangeable with a section of an outline for a much longer research project. But most importantly, any analytical paper should avoid using personal pronouns .

Comparison and Contrast Essay

In a compare and contrast essay , you make a comparison of two or more issues . You may look at their similarities, differences, or both. The focus of your analysis should be reflected in your thesis statement. Consider this example:

“While both the oil industry and the solar-power industry will be major sources of energy in the future, oil has more environmental costs than green solar power.”

Exemplification Essay

An exemplification or illustration essay is one of the most flexible essays you might be assigned. In simple terms, this essay is all about picking vivid examples. In other words, you want to make points that exemplify or illustrate your thesis statement.

For an exemplification essay, you should focus on the examples that will make your point without serious effort. In other words, if you are trying too hard, you are missing the point of the essay. Consider the following example thesis statement:

“The oil industry has had serious effects on the environment as demonstrated by the impact of massive oil spill on wildlife, the uncontrolled fires and explosions caused by oil and oil derivatives, and the melting of the polar ice caps caused by climate change.”

In the body of this exemplification essay, the writer should devote a paragraph to each of these arguments. Descriptions of seagulls or penguins coated in oil would be perfect examples of the effect of the oil industry on wildlife. Similarly, descriptions of major oil refinery explosions will also grab the reader’s attention.

Once again, the conclusion should restate the introduction, providing less background, and reminding the reader of the examples one last time.

👌 Remember These Important Essay Tips

These tips and tricks are just the basics of essay writing .

When you are writing any assignment, always pay close attention to the instructions . The standard interpretation of any particular essay style is never as important as your teacher’s definition of the assignment. When in doubt, ask questions! No teacher will be upset with you asking for reasonable clarifications. It is better to write the essay your teacher expected, rather than surprise your teacher with a creative effort. And, subsequently, get a poor grade.

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Beauty lasts only a short time. But in the realm of art, in the field of poetry, beauty lasts forever. Sonnet 73 is addressed to a lover who is younger than the speaker. The poem uses three metaphors to depict the speaker’s age and impending death. First, the speaker says that he is autumn, the time of year when the beauty of summer is gone, and the death of winter is about to set in. Then he says that he is the end of the day when only a faint light lingers on the western horizon, and deathly darkness is about to engulf the world. Then he says that he is an almost burned out fire, nearly reduced to ashes. This sonnet doesn’t look to art for consolation, but to love. It concludes by saying, You love me even though you know you’re soon going to lose me, and that makes your love all the greater.

Awesome post as usual! Your posts make me accumulate knowledge about writing various college papers! Thanks a lot for this assistance!

These are amazing tips for compare and contrast essay writing. Will definitely use them when writing my compare and contrast essay. Thanks for sharing them!

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Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing

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Discursive Essay

A discursive essay is an article where you are needed to write on something, which can be either contended for the point or against the subject. Nonetheless, some desultory articles can likewise be written in a manner where you don't need to pick a specific side yet to introduce your perspectives on both sides in a reasonable way. Now and then you may likewise be needed to compose a discursive essay wherein you don't contend possibly in support of the subject or proclamation however rather need to introduce your own impartial perspectives and conclusions on that issue.

The discursive essay help provided by All Assignment Services includes every sort of such essay be it argument-based or opinion-based. We are a one-stop solution for all your academic writing solutions. Read more to understand the concept of discursive essays as explained by our experts also have a glimpse at some discursive essay examples.

How to Prepare a Discursive Essay Structure?

Students feel terrified when they hear about discursive essays. They are unaware of the proper guidelines and often ask questions like “what is a discursive essay?” or “how to start a discursive essay?” There is a proper structure of a discursive essay. Following the discursive essay structure while writing it, makes it a lot easier for students to carry it out flawlessly. The discursive essay structure has been explained briefly below:

Ensure you exchange from one content to the next in a substitute way, i.e., in the event that you have composed the primary passage on the side of the subject, at that point your subsequent section ought to be something against the theme and not on its side. Nonetheless, the third passage could be like section one, supporting the subject as in the past. The following section ought to be again like passage two, contending against the theme. This blend of substitute for and against passages will make your article look particular, better and altogether explored and will bring about an enduring effect on the peruser's psyche.

After you have placed every one of your contemplations and sentiments in the body segment, you presently need to zero in on the consummation area, which is the end. To compose the end you have to summarize the central issues, which you have referenced in the body passages above and dependent on the discursive essay type, you can express your last situation on the subject/articulation, which can be either possibly in support, or even can be neither one nor the other. Nonetheless, whatever you write in the end ought to reverberate with your fundamental body passages. You can likewise compose your genuine belief here if the discursive essay expects you to do as such however you should likewise communicate it in a consistent manner, plainly referring to it with your discoveries in the body sections. Recollect that your decision isn't only a reiteration of the contents you have referenced in the above body passages yet a synopsis of the primary discoveries.

Things You Must Consider While Writing a Discursive Essay

Apart from writing the essay in an organized manner following the structures, their certain things you must keep in mind while writing a discursive essay.

The things are listed down below:

The Different Types of Discursive Essays

Generally, there are three unique sorts of a discursive essay which are:

1: Opinion Based Essay

In an opinion-based discursive essay, the author gives his own perspective about a specific subject and discusses it in the principal early on passage. At the point when the essayist moves towards the end, he presents some contrary contents also yet in the end he should rehash his opinion once again even with more pressure.

2: For and Against Essay

This is somewhat of a discussion wherein perusers appreciate both positive and negative purposes of perspectives about a specific theme. In any case, when he moves towards the end, he ought to likewise offer his own input about it possibly he will be he in favor of something or against it. The author should examine each significant point in subtleties.

3: Solution-Based Essay

This is the most loved sort of discursive essay for the greater part of the perusers as it essentially examines an issue and recommends an answer for resolving it. In the early on section, the issue is clarified alongside an expert examination on causes just as outcomes of the issue. The writer’s opinion ought to be the case in the end.

We hope that by reading the article now, you have understood what is a discursive essay. Read more to find out some discursive essay examples noted down by our experts.

Some Discursive Essay Examples

The thoughts for the discursive essay are flexible to the point that it's difficult to aggregate every one of them in one rundown. For such a rundown will reach out to kilometers. Nonetheless, we've gathered some of them for you to encourage your work on this errand. So here are some of the discursive essay examples: 

As you see the discursive essay examples now, discursive essay writing definitely is1 not as terrifying as they appear from the main look. Despite the fact that the specialty of this sort of paper is difficult to ace, after some time, you'll notice critical advancement. All you requirement for this is practice and a smidgen of persistence to comprehend the unobtrusive subtleties of this undertaking and build up the aptitude of composing unquestionably. By reading the entire article you have completely grasped the concepts of a discursive essay. There would not be any more questions of “What is a discursive essay?” or “how to start a discursive essay?” popping out of your mind.

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Discursive Writing

Learn about different styles and approaches associated with an argumentative or persuasive piece of writing.

Discursive writing

In a discursive piece you are expected to discuss a given topic and present an argument related to it.

Organising a discursive essay

There are two basic types of discursive essay. Firstly there are persuasive essays in which you can argue strongly either in favour of or against a given discussion.

Alternatively, there are argumentative essays where you look at a discussion topic in a balanced way.

Finding information for a discursive essay

There are many sources you can use to find information for your discursive essay. These include:

When looking in the library, focus on the non-fiction and reference sections. When searching online, always think carefully about key words.

Make sure you consider the reliability of all your sources. It is important you keep a note of where all your information comes from. This will allow you to check it again later and to complete your bibliography and footnotes.

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Leaving Cert Notes and Sample Answers

Discursive Essay: role of leaders and leadership for Leaving Cert English #625Lab

Write a discursive essay where you consider the role of leaders and leadership. #625Lab. Corrected by an experienced examiner, graded as 89/100 with feedback on how to improve below. You…

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Write a discursive essay in which you explore the positive and negative aspects of different types of advertising. #625Lab Feedback: this is a decent attempt at a discursive essay. This sort…

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Score A1 in O-Level English Expository, Argumentative and Discursive Model Essays

Score A1 in O-Level English Expository, Argumentative and Discursive Model Essays is a must-have resource for students who want to excel in their English writing skills. With the book’s comprehensive compilation of model essays, covering a wide range of topics, students will be able to broaden their perspectives and learn how to effectively communicate their ideas.

The book is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of how essays are structured and how the language can be used to engage and persuade the readers. The essays in the book are categorized into three different types: expository, argumentative, and discursive, which are commonly tested in the O-Level English examinations.

By reading and analyzing these model essays, students will be able to develop their own writing skills and improve their ability to communicate their ideas. The book emphasizes the importance of paying attention to how the arguments are structured, how the points are supported with evidence, and how language is used to persuade and engage readers.

The model essays cover a wide range of topics, including Technology, Education, and the Arts. The book also includes a variety of answers and examples that are tailored to different writing levels, making it an excellent resource for students of all abilities. Whether a student is a beginner or an advanced writer, they will find something useful in this book.

One of the unique features of this book is that it provides students with an opportunity to learn from the writing styles of others. As they study the model essays, they will be able to identify and appreciate the different writing styles and techniques used by the authors. This will enable them to incorporate these techniques into their own writing, resulting in better essays and higher grades.

In addition to providing students with an understanding of essay structure and language use, Score A1 in O-Level English Expository, Argumentative and Discursive Model Essays also offers practical advice on how to improve their writing. The book includes tips on how to plan and organize an essay, how to develop and support arguments, and how to use language effectively.

Overall, Score A1 in O-Level English Expository, Argumentative and Discursive Model Essays is an excellent resource for students who want to excel in their English writing skills. The book’s comprehensive coverage of model essays, combined with practical advice on how to improve writing skills, makes it a valuable tool for students of all levels. With this book, students will be able to develop their own writing styles and effectively communicate their ideas, resulting in better grades and greater success in their academic careers.

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Types of descriptive essay…

I received an email a few weeks back looking for clarification on desciptive essays. Specifically, what different approaches can students take when writing a descriptive essay?

When it came up as an option on Leaving Cert paper 1 recently, the marking scheme stated that students could adopt a “ narrative or discursive approach “. Confusion often arises here because when we think “ narrative ” we think story – plot, characters, setting. And when we think “ discursive ” we think argument, opinion…

I’ve tried to tease out the ways personal essays, descriptive essays and short stories are related yet distinct in the past, with some limited success. Truth is, the ties that bind them are stronger than any scissors which seeks to cut them apart but with so many marks going for “ clarity of purpose ” [this includes responding to the topic as well as writing within the specified genre] it’s not surprising that both teachers and students seek clarity on what exactly defines each genre.

Here’s a graphic I created for this very purpose, which first appeared in the 2015 Irish Independent Written Word Supplement. You’ll notice that description forms the trunk, or backbone, and feeds into all three.

Looking through a different lens this time, becuase of the email I received, I would say that a narrative descriptive essay has a lot in common with the short story and a discursive descriptive essay has more in common with the personal essay.

If a student or a teacher wanted a definition, I’d say : Descriptive essay with narrative approach = descriptive in style, with a story to tell. Descriptive essay with discursive approach = descriptive in style, with an issue to discuss.

What does this look like in practice?

Here are a few descriptive essays taking a narrative approach (I wrote the first one; junior cycle students wrote the other two):

However, a descriptive essay can also take a discursive approach , where the language is descriptive but an issue is also being discussed and the thoughts, opinions, knowledge and understanding of the writer come into play.

Have a look at this example which is extremely descriptive (it uses metaphor throughout) but which is also discussing an issue – bullying: http://leavingcertenglish.net/2014/03/abcs-of-bullying/

Why combine them?

Why not just have descriptive essays be descriptive and discursive essays be discursive?

Well, when an issue is being discussed it’s discursive [all paper two essays are discursive] but a writer can achieve wonderful aesthetic effects, and really engage the reader, if they combine discussion and description.

For me, it helps to remind myself that the boundaries between genres are fluid, and as long as a student embraces some elements of description if asked to write a descriptive essay, they won’t be penalised for the approach they take.

You might also want to take a look at this essay I wrote: http://leavingcertenglish.net/2011/05/ict-in-education-conference/

It’s a perfect example of the fluidity of genres.

It begins with a poem [hence, aesthetic use of language] It goes on to discuss an event and an issue – use of ICT in education [hence, discursive ] It takes a descriptive approach throughout [using lists and metaphors and moment by moment description] It ends by linking to a personal story – the death of my friend [hence, a personal essay with a narrative thread holding it together].

I just thought I’d post my reply to this query, as coming up with an answer really got me thinking in depth about how fluid the boundaries between genres can sometimes be… that’s not a bad thing, but it does make assessing with genre as one of the criteria that bit trickier. To my mind, as long as it’s clear that the student is controlling their use of genre conventions, rather than being oblivious to genre, then they should be ok. On the other hand, if a student comes across as having no awareness of genre, audience and register, that’s where problems arise…

One response to “ Types of descriptive essay… ”

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Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing Essay Example

Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing Essay Example

How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing From time to time people express amazement at how I can get so much done. I, of course, aware of the many hours I have idled away doing nothing, demur. It feels like nothing special; I don't work harder, really, than most people.

Nonetheless, these people do have a point. I am, in fact, a fairly prolific writer. Part of it is tenacity. For example, I am writing this item as I wait for the internet to start working again in the Joburg airport departures area.But part of it is a simple strategy for writing you essays and articles quickly and expertly, a strategy that allows you to plan your entire essay as you write it, and thus to allow you to make your

first draft your final draft.

This article describes that strategy. Begin by writing - in your head, at least - your second paragraph (that would be the one you just read, above). Your second paragraph will tell people what your essay says. Some people write abstracts or executive summaries in order to accomplish this task. But you don't need to do this.

You are stating your entire essay or article in one paragraph.If you were writing a news article, you would call this paragraph the 'lede'. A person could read just the one paragraph and know what you had to say. But how do you write this paragraph? Reporters will tell you that writing the lede is the hardest part of writing an article. Because if you don't know what the story is, you cannot writ

it in a single paragraph.

A reporter will sift through the different ways of writing the story - the different angles - and find a way to tell it. You, because you are writing an article or essay, have more options. You have more options because there are four types of discursive writing.Each of these types has a distinct and easy structure, and once you know what sort of writing you are doing, the rest of the article almost writes itself. The four types of structure are: argument, explanation, definition, and description. So, as you think about writing your first paragraph, ask yourself, what sort of article are you writing.

In this article, for example, I am writing a descriptive article. These are your choices of types of article or essay: Argument: convinces someone of something Explanation: tells why something happened instead of something else Definition: states what a word or concept meansDescription: identifies properties or qualities of things An argument is a collection of sentences (known formally as 'propositions') intended to convince the reader that something is he case. Perhaps you want to convince people to take some action, to buy some product, to vote a certain way, or to believe a certain thing. The thing that you want to convince them to believe is the conclusion. In order to convince people, you need to offer one or more reasons. Those are the premises.

So one type of article consists of premises leading to a conclusion, and that is how you would structure your first paragraph.An explanation tells the reader why something is the case. It looks at some event or phenomenon, and shows

the reader what sort of things led up to that event or phenomenon, what caused it to happen, why it came to be this way instead of some other way. An explanation, therefore, consists of three parts.

First, you need to identify the thing being explained. Then, you need to identify the things that could have happened instead. And finally, you need to describe the conditions and principles that led to the one thing, and not the other, being the case.And so, if you are explaining something, this is how you would write your first paragraph.

A definition identifies the meaning of some word, phrase or concept. There are different ways to define something. You can define something using words and concepts you already know. Or you can define something by giving a name to something you can point to or describe. Or you can define something indirectly, by giving examples of telling stories.

A definition always involves two parts: the word or concept being defined, and the set of sentences (or 'propositions') that do the defining.Whatever way you decide, this will be the structure of your article if you intend to define something. Finally, a description provides information about some object, person, or state of affairs. It will consist of a series of related sentences. The sentences will each identify the object being defined, and then ascribe some property to that object.

"The ball is red," for example, were the ball is the object and 'red' is the property. Descriptions may be of 'unary properties' - like colour, shape, taste, and the like, or it may describe a relation between the object and one

or more other objects.

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COMMENTS

  1. Different Types of Discursive Essays That You Don't Know

    There are generally two main types of discursive essays that you should know to be able to differentiate between them. Persuasive essays Argumentative essays By reading any discursive essay, you must believe that this is a persuasive essay which it is not.

  2. Types Of Discursive Writing

    Two main models of the argumentative writing are Toulmin and Regrian models. Descriptive discursive writing The main aim of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or a thing. A person, place or a thing is described in such a way that the picture of this place, person or a thing is formed into the minds of the readers.

  3. Discursive Essay

    The Different Types of Discursive Essays That Are Covered by Our Essay Writing Service: Basically there are three different types of Discursive Essays. They are: The for and against essay is thought provoking and compels the reader to take a stance. In fact, these essays are written in such a way that the reader is convinced that the writer is ...

  4. Types of discursive essay by abdullah arslan

    Types of discursive essays Tips on discursive essays (For & Against) 1- For and against discursive essay 2- Argumentative discursive essay 3- Descriptive essay 4- Opinion discursive essay Never express your personal opinion strongly and also do not cite any personal example LINKING SENTENCES Avoid contractions (don't, haven't etc.)

  5. How to Write a Discursive Essay: Tips to Succeed & Examples

    Discursive Essay: Main Types You have to think more critically and more in-depth when reviewing all viewpoints and aspects of discursive writing. Check these three main types of essay writing: Opinion Essay requires the author's opinion on an issue which is stated in the introductory paragraph.

  6. How to Write a Discursive Essay

    A discursive essay is an essay that explores a controversial topic. It can be divided into two types: for and against, or pros and cons. In a discursive essay, you should present both sides of the argument before giving your own opinion.

  7. The Four Main Types of Essay

    An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

  8. What Is a Discursive Essay, and How Do You Write a Good One?

    A discursive essay is organized like most essays, with a clear introduction and concise thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion. As in any essay, there are specific strategies you should use to develop these components. Here are a few tips for writing your discursive essay.

  9. 20 Discursive Essay Topics That Make the Grade

    Discursive essay topic #1: Do energy drinks pose health risks to people under 18? Many swear by energy drinks and the boost of energy from caffeine they provide, but others claim that such high levels of caffeine are too dangerous for young people. Discursive essay topic #2: Should GMOs be permitted in food?

  10. Discursive essay on positive and negative aspects of different types of

    Write a discursive essay in which you explore the positive and negative aspects of different types of advertising. #625Lab Feedback: this is a decent attempt at a discursive essay. This sort of essay requires clearly stated assumptions, sharp structure and clear logic within each point. The structure here seems to be intro - economic growth - […]

  11. What Are the Different Types of Persuasive Essay?

    It is possible to have many such combinations but in general, when working with an argumentative essay you will also need to use one or more of the other three styles: exegetical, discursive, and expository. While there are four types of persuasive essays, all of them are argumentative in nature.

  12. Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing

    The four types of structure are: argument, explanation, definition, and description. So, as you think about writing your first paragraph, ask yourself, what sort of article are you writing. In this article, for example, I am writing a descriptive article. These are your choices of types of article or essay: Argument: convinces someone of ...

  13. How To Write A Discursive Essay: Structure And Format

    A discursive essay is a type of argumentative essay that should take the reader through your thought process and reasoning. This type of writing takes on a certain position or argument. It is usually written in order to convince the reader of a particular point of view.

  14. What Are the 5 Different Types of Essays? A Complete Guide

    A narrative essay is subject to all the story rules and shall comprise an introduction, characters, plot, setting, climax, and conclusion. The only case when a narrative assignment does not have to comply with a story outline is a book report. This informative narration is impersonal and unemotional.

  15. Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing

    A reporter will sift through the different ways of writing the story - the different angles - and find a way to tell it. You, because you are writing an article or essay, have more options. You have more options because there are four types of discursive writing. Each of these types has a distinct and easy structure, and once you know what sort ...

  16. Discursive essay examples

    The Different Types of Discursive Essays. Generally, there are three unique sorts of a discursive essay which are: 1: Opinion Based Essay . In an opinion-based discursive essay, the author gives his own perspective about a specific subject and discusses it in the principal early on passage. At the point when the essayist moves towards the end ...

  17. Discursive Writing

    There are two basic types of discursive essay. Firstly there are persuasive essays in which you can argue strongly either in favour of or against a given discussion. Alternatively, there...

  18. Discursive essay Archives

    Discursive essay on positive and negative aspects of different types of advertising for Leaving Cert English #625Lab. Write a discursive essay in which you explore the positive and negative aspects of different types of advertising. #625Lab Feedback: this is a decent attempt at a discursive essay. This sort….

  19. O Level English Model Essays

    The book is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of how essays are structured and how the language can be used to engage and persuade the readers. The essays in the book are categorized into three different types: expository, argumentative, and discursive, which are commonly tested in the O-Level English examinations.

  20. Types of descriptive essay…

    Descriptive essay with narrative approach = descriptive in style, with a story to tell. Descriptive essay with discursive approach = descriptive in style, with an issue to discuss. What does this look like in practice? Here are a few descriptive essays taking a narrative approach (I wrote the first one; junior cycle students wrote the other two):

  21. Introduction: Four Types of Discursive Writing Essay Example

    The four types of structure are: argument, explanation, definition, and description. So, as you think about writing your first paragraph, ask yourself, what sort of article are you writing. In this article, for example, I am writing a descriptive article.