Discursive essays are like a debate, where you give different arguments about the same

topic.

Topics can be something like:

• Should cellphones be allowed at school?
• Uniforms at school: the pros and cons.

Example of a discursive essay

Technology – good or bad?

Some people believe that technology is bad, other people believe that technology is fantastic.
However everyone must agree that now it is hard to imagine the world without technology. In
this essay I look at the good and bad side of technology. I believe that we cannot blame
technology for what goes wrong. We should rather blame the people who use it badly.

My parents and grandparents often talk about a time when there were no cellphones. My
grandmother even remembers when there was no TV anywhere. And when my great-
grandparents were around, there were no cars or buses. People took the train, or rode horses or
wagons. Imagine!
Cellphones are great in many ways. We can keep in touch with people easily. I can let my
mother know when I am going to come home, and I can find my friends when we are in town
and in different places. I can get Maths help on Mxit and also can listen to music when I want
to relax.

But cellphones can also be bad. My friend’s father gets cross when we are always texting and
using our phones. “In our days we talked to each other, and got out in the world,” he always
says. “You are all stuck to your phones.” And it is true that it can be addictive to play games
or talk on Mxit or BBM. People sometimes use this to hurt others. Last year someone put very
rude comments on Mxit about all the girls in my class. The comment about me was that I’d
never find a boyfriend because I was so ugly. This was very hurtful.

But the problem really is the people, not technology. People can do bad things with
technology, but people can also do very good things too. Perhaps the problem is more with
people. Reckless drivers can kill, but that doesn’t mean cars aren’t very useful.

Tips for writing good discursive essays

Plan and structure your essay very carefully:

• Introduction: introduces the topic and summarises the essay
• First paragraph: gives one argument supporting the topic
• Second paragraph: gives another argument that supports the topic
• Third paragraph: gives an argument against the topic
• Fourth paragraph: gives an argument against the topic
• Conclusion: summarises your point of view.
• Use examples from your own life and experience to show what you mean (for school essays)
How to structure a Discursive Essay?
When writing a Discursive Essay for your IELTS Writing Exam, you are limited to 200 – 250
words within a timeframe of 40 minutes.

We recommend splitting your Discursive Essay into four paragraphs. This way you’ll get
around ten minutes to prepare and write each paragraph.

Paragraph One: Introduction

You should always begin your Discursive Essay with an introduction.

Structure your introduction like this:

1. A background statement.
2. A more detailed background statement.
3. A summary of the opinions (for and against) this topic.

EXAMPLE

Electric cars will fully replace petrol and diesel-fuelled cars in the future. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?

1. A background statement about the topic:

Electric cars are currently being developed by many well-known automotive companies.

2. A more detailed background statement about the topic:

Many people still question whether electric cars are a feasible replacement for petrol and
diesel-fueled vehicles.

3. A summary of the opinions (for and against) this topic:

In this essay I will explore the opinions for and against the use of electric cars and their
replacement of petrol and diesel-fuelled cars.

Paragraph Two: Argument/Opinion 1

(For the topic)
In paragraph two you can discuss the first argument/opinion (the argument for the topic).

Structure paragraph two like this:

1. Opinion/argument 1 (for the topic)
2. One example to support this opinion/argument
3. A concluding sentence summing up the opinion/argument 1

Try to use connectors like:

  On one hand
 Some people believe
 It is true that

EXAMPLE

1. Opinion/argument 1:
On one hand, electric cars are environmentally friend. They require no non-renewable energy
and are clean to run and maintain on the road.

2. One example to support this opinion/argument:

To support this opinion, recent studies show that the use of electric cars helps to minimize
pollution in urban and rural areas.

3. A concluding sentence summing up the opinion/argument 1:

Clearly, electric cars are one way to tackle ecological concerns and support a ‘greener’
environment.

Paragraph Three: Argument/Opinion

2 (Against the topic)
In paragraph three write about the opinion/argument 2 (usually going against the topic).

Structure your paragraph three like this:

1. Opinion/argument 2 (against the topic)
2. One example to support this opinion/argument
3. A concluding sentence summing up the opinion/argument 2

Use phrases like:

 On the other hand

 However
 Other people believe that

EXAMPLE

1. Opinion/argument 2 (against the topic):

On the other hand, electric cars are inconvenient to maintain and to dispose of.

2. One example to support this opinion/argument:

The driver of an electric vehicle must recharge his car approximately every 100 kilometres.
In addition, the plutonium battery of an electric car is toxic to the environment and must be
safely disposed of through expensive means.

3. A concluding sentence summing up the opinion/argument 2:

In brief, scientists are still exploring ways to produce these types of vehicles so that they are
easier to manufacture, maintain and use safely.
Paragraph Four: Concluding
paragraph
The last paragraph of your Discursive Essay should contain a summary of both previous
opinions, and be ended with the writer’s opinion.

The last paragraph should be structured like this:

1. Summary of both previous opinions.

Use key phrases like:

 To sum up
 To summarize
 To provide a recap of the two perspectives

2. The writer’s opinion.

Use language like:

 In my opinion
 I believe
 I feel strongly that

3. Suggestion and Conclusion

EXAMPLE

1. Summary of both previous opinions:

To sum up, it’s evident that there are both pros and cons in the development of electric
vehicles.

2. The writer’s opinion:

Despite the expense of development and the inconvenience of recharging electric cars, I still
believe strongly that it is well worth the investment to continue research and production of
these vehicles.

3. Suggestion and Conclusion:

To conclude, we should remain open, supportive to the use of electric cars and to their
development in the future.

The full example of a Discursive Essay

written following our structure
Electric cars are currently being developed by many well-known automotive companies.
Many people still question whether electric cars are a feasible replacement for petrol and
diesel-fuelled vehicles. In this essay, I will explore the opinions for and against the use of
electric cars and their replacement of petrol and diesel-fuelled cars.

On one hand, electric cars are environmentally friend. They require no non-renewable energy
and are clean to run and maintain on the road. To support this opinion, recent studies show
that the use of electric cars helps to minimize pollution in urban and rural areas. Clearly,
electric cars are one way to tackle ecological concerns and support a ‘greener’ environment.

On the other hand, electric cars are inconvenient to maintain and to dispose of. The driver of
an electric vehicle must recharge his car approximately every 100 kilometres. In addition, the
plutonium battery of an electric car is toxic to the environment and must be safely disposed of
through expensive means. In brief, scientists are still exploring ways to produce these types of
vehicles so that they are easier to manufacture, maintain and use safely.

To sum up, it’s evident that there are both pros and cons in the development of electric
vehicles. Despite the expense of development and the inconvenience of recharging electric
cars, I still believe strongly that it is well worth the investment to continue research and
production of these vehicles. To conclude, we should remain open, supportive to the use of
electric cars and to their development in the future.