Writing: Discursive essay
1. Brief summary:
1. A discursive essay explores different opinions on a specific topic or idea. You have to present
advantages and disadvantages about a specific topic and give reasons and facts to support each
argument.
2. We can argue either against or for one of the sides, or we can just give our opinion on both sides in
a balanced way.
3. Structre:
Title: Could be a question about the topic you are going to talk about.
Introduction: Make your hypothesis statement in the first paragraph. Discursive writing isn’t
about writing creatively. It’s about getting the information across briefly. If it takes more than
one paragraph for your reader to understand your discussion, they may lose interest.
Paragraph with arguments for.
Paragraph with arguments against.
Conclusion.
4. The language used should be formal, avoiding the use of slang words, contractions and phrasal
verbs.
5. Remember to use the appropriate linking words to organize and order the different sentences and
parts of the text.
2. Examples of discursive essays
Example 1:
Are electric cars going to replace those powered by fossil fuels in the short term?
In recent years, the progress and integration of electric cars in today's society has marked the
national and international automobile landscape. European consumers are increasingly aware of the
limitations of traditional fuel cars and seek to improve the quality of driving. In this essay, we will
review some advantages and disadvantages of electric cars.
On the one hand, electric cars are well known for no polluting or emitting greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere. These vehicles do not need any type of fuel to operate, since it is sufficient to charge the
batteries. And regarding noise pollution, the electric car is much less noisy than gasoline cars, which
is an added advantage for those more aware of the quality of life in large cities. When it comes to
matching them in terms of consumption costs, electric cars also have more advantages than gasoline
or diesel. Consumption is much lower, around 1 euro per 100 km, a big difference from the rising
price of traditional fuels.
On the other hand, electric cars have little autonomy and this is the biggest disadvantage of this type
of vehicles compared to hybrids and combustion engine. Although they have improved a lot, the
battery of electric vehicles only allows you to travel a certain number of kilometres (from 150 to
about 450 km, depending on the vehicle). In addition, the car needs certain hours of charging, so it
cannot be used immediately as gasoline or diesel vehicles. Moreover, the charging points are very
few, especially in Spain, being one of the countries with the lowest recharging points in the entire EU.
These charging points are usually located in service stations or in certain suitable places, but there
are still sections where it is difficult to find them.
All in all, it is evident that there are pros and cons when it comes to replacing traditional vehicles by
electric ones. Despite the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars, today they are still one of
the best options on the market as an alternative with a greater future perspective, together perhaps
with hybrid cars.
REMEMBER!
• The discursive essay explores different opinions on a specific topic or idea.
• The language used should be formal, avoiding the use of slang words, contractions and phrasal
verbs.
A discursive essay is not the place to voice your own opinion.