The Beginner’s Guide for Essay Writing – How to Write an Outstanding Discursive Essay

What is an essay?

Essays are formal written works that explore a topic, present information, argue a viewpoint, or provide an explanation. Understanding the different types of essays is crucial to effectively communicating your thoughts and ideas.

In academic writing, the primary essay types are discursive and argumentative essays. Each type serves a different purpose and requires a unique approach in terms of structure, tone, and argumentation.

 

Discursive Essay Writing

A discursive essay explores both sides of an argument, providing an objective and balanced view. It does not necessarily advocate for one side over the other but instead discusses the pros and cons, weighing both perspectives. In this lecture, we are going to focus on discursive or discussion essays.

Structure: Discursive essays must follow a clear structure and formal writing style. The general structure is shown below, each paragraph discusses a different idea or part of the essay.

Consider this question: Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

 

How to Write a Discursive Essay

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
General statement/Background information (optional)	Start with a general statement about the topic and provide some background information
Paraphrase the question	Rewriting the question in a different way using different synonyms or sentence structure while keeping the same meaning.
Provide a thesis statement	Provide a thesis statement that clearly states your position on the topic.

Background Information: With rapid advancements in science and technology, many industries require a workforce with expertise in these fields.

Paraphrase the Question: Some argue that all students in universities have to study the subject they like, while others think that they have to only study something useful for their future, for example, those related to science and technology sectors.

Thesis Statement: Although learning about the latter subjects is crucial to secure a good job and salary, I believe that enrolling in the subject they prefer leads students to succeed in their fields.

BODY PARAGRAPH – 1

BODY PARAGRAPH – 1
Topic sentence	Start with the side you do not support.
Supporting Evidence	Includes facts, statistics, or real-life examples that strengthen the viewpoint
Explanation	Explain how the evidence supports the argument.
Concluding Sentence	Restate the idea of this paragraph

Topic sentence: Studying science and technology in higher education enables students to find high-paying jobs more easily.

Explanation: That is to say, working in the majority of modern workplaces requires up-to-date technological information aiming to improve the quality of work and to compete with others, and, in turn, those employees will earn good remuneration.

Supporting Evidence: For instance, many IT graduates from the University of Toronto were able to have high positions and good wages in many renowned business companies.

Concluding Sentence: However, I think that the passion for what students study is more important than how much their earnings are in the future.

BODY PARAGRAPH – 2

BODY PARAGRAPH – 2
Topic sentence	Start with the side you support.
Supporting Evidence	Includes facts, statistics, or real-life examples that strengthen the viewpoint
Explanation	Explain how the evidence supports the argument.
Concluding Sentence	Restate the idea of this paragraph

Topic sentence: It is very important for university students to study the subjects they like because this is the reason behind a successful career.

Explanation: That is because the love for this particular subject allows them to go beyond their limits, be creative, and be eager to improve, and, thus, they might be promoted.

Supporting Evidence: For instance, many well-known musicians decided to study music because they were passionate about it and this positive spirit helped them climb their professional ladder.

Concluding Sentence: Therefore, I support this school of thought because studying a favorite subject is more important.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION
Rewrite thesis statement + Summarization	Start with a summary of the main points discussed in the essay and restate the thesis statement with different synonymous words

Conclusion: To conclude, despite the fact that a course in science and technology can provide postgraduates with a good future career and enough income, in my view, studying whatever they prefer is better because this leads to success in their field.

 

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a short statement, commonly one sentence that defines the main idea or claim of an essay. It must be supported and explained in the text with evidence and examples taken from your research.

How to Make a Powerful Thesis

1. 1. Turn the Topic into a Question and Answer It
      Example: Should university students study any subject they like?
      Thesis: While personal choice fosters creativity, focusing on practical subjects ensures career stability.
   2. State an Argument-Then Refute It
      Example: Some argue that students should only study job-oriented subjects, but restricting choices may hinder innovation and progress.
   3. Briefly Outline Your Main Points
      Example: Allowing academic freedom enhances motivation, while practical subjects ensure employment security, making a balanced approach ideal.

Thesis Statement

While some believe university students should have the freedom to study any subject they prefer, others argue that only career-oriented fields like science and technology should be prioritized to ensure job security and economic stability.

 

How to connect ideas and body paragraphs

A well-presented and executed body paragraph discusses multiple ideas and statements relating to the same topic and connects them with one another showcasing how they are related along with argument claims that can be made against or for the statements. A few techniques to link body paragraphs and their internal ideas can be represented using the following claims:

• Fact: the validity of the statement, usually proven true or false by backing it with evidence.
  Example: Studies show that STEM graduates have higher employment rates than those in the arts.
• Definition: Clarify key terms to strengthen understanding.
  Example: Academic freedom refers to students’ ability to choose subjects based on their interests rather than market demand.
• Cause and Effect: Show how one factor leads to another
  Example: Limiting students to practical subjects may reduce passion for learning, ultimately affecting innovation.

 

How to Write a Conclusion

Outlining a good conclusion is almost always the best way to appeal to the reader. However, these points should be considered while composing it:

• A conclusion must not add new ideas, it should just sum up the essay.
• An effective conclusion should restate, not rewrite the thesis statement from the introductory part. (Minimal changes required while paraphrasing)
• A proper conclusion does not include personal thoughts if it is not required to write a first-person opinion paper. The use of the most appropriate yet lexical language to prioritize conciseness is required to be shown.

 

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is the method of rewriting part of a text and representing it in a different way using different words and phrasing while retaining the same meaning. Paraphrasing can be an important tool to represent the same idea in an essay in new ways. Here are some common techniques you can use while paraphrasing:

• Use synonyms
  Original: Technology plays a crucial role in education.
  Paraphrased: Technology has a significant impact on learning.
• Rephrase Parts of Speech
  Original: His explanation was clear. (Adjective: clear)
  Paraphrased: He explained the concept clearly. (Adverb: clearly)
• Change voice
  Original: Teachers encourage students to think critically. (Active)
  Paraphrased: Students are encouraged to think critically by teachers. (Passive)
• Change the sentence structure
  Original: Many students struggle with time management in university.
  Paraphrased: Managing time effectively is a challenge for many university students.

 

Common Mistakes

Do’s

• Use a Clear Structure
  Follow the 4-paragraph format: Introduction, Body 1, Body 2, Conclusion.
  Include a clear thesis statement in the introduction.
• Answer All Parts of the Question
  Address every aspect of the prompt.
  If asked to discuss both views and give your opinion, include your opinion clearly.
• Use Formal Language
  Write in a professional tone and avoid colloquial language.
  Use academic vocabulary (e.g., “significant impact” instead of “big effect”).
• Vary Your Sentence Structures
  Include complex and compound, compound-complex, conditional sentences, passive voice etc.
  Use relative clauses (e.g., which, who, that).
• Support Your Ideas with Examples
  Provide relevant examples to back up your points.
  Use general knowledge or research-based examples (e.g., “Studies show that children are influenced more by their peers than by their family”).
• Use Proper Cohesion
  Use linking words to connect ideas: Furthermore, However, Therefore, Consequently.
  Avoid repetition by using pronouns (this, these, it).
• Maintain Objectivity
  Write in a neutral tone and focus on logical reasoning.
  Avoid overly emotional or biased statements.
• Use Formal Synonyms
  Kids  ->  Children
  A lot of ->  Numerous / a significant number of
  Wanna ->  Want to

Dont’s

• Don’t Use Contractions
  Avoid informal contractions like don’t, won’t, can’t.
  Use do not, will not, cannot instead.
• Don’t Use Informal Language or Slang
  Avoid words like kids, a lot of, wanna in favor of more formal language.
  Do not use overly casual expressions like things, stuff.
• Don’t Write in the First Person (Unless Specifically Asked)
  Avoid I think, In my opinion unless the prompt asks for it.
  Focus on objective statements like It can be argued that….
• Don’t Include Personal Stories
  IELTS essays require general examples, not personal anecdotes.
  Avoid writing about your own experiences or personal situations.
• Don’t Repeat Words
  Avoid excessive repetition of the same words.
  Use synonyms and paraphrases to avoid redundancy.
• Don’t Go Off-Topic
  Stay focused on the prompt and don’t bring in irrelevant ideas.
  Stick to strong, relevant arguments related to the question.
• Don’t Include Too Many Ideas
  Limit the number of ideas to 2-3 strong points.
  Avoid listing many weak points.
• Don’t Forget to Proofread
  Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity.
  Ensure your essay is coherent and error-free.