How to write a discursive essay: structure, topics, and examples

A discursive essay looks at different viewpoints on a controversial topic and presents them fairly and thoughtfully. Rather than focusing on just one side, this kind of essay encourages you to think critically and discuss ideas objectively. In this guide, you will find out what a discursive essay is, how it is different from other essays, and how to organize it well. We will also go over common types of discursive essays, give practical examples, suggest topic ideas, and point out mistakes to watch for.

What is a discursive essay?

What does discursive essay writing start with? Defining the type of paper you are going to work on is a great way to have it. It will contribute to the consistency of your work and will guarantee a smooth start to the writing process.

A discursive essay is a type of academic paper that analyzes a specific topic and presents the subject matter from various perspectives. This approach is often called discursive writing because it examines different viewpoints before concluding. The paper should present arguments on the topic, emphasizing different perspectives and offering a comprehensive view. When writing a discursive essay, you may consider arguing for or against the issue, present diverse aspects of the issue, or provide an unbiased opinion on the matter. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize that in most cases, the subjective personal opinion of the author should be excluded from the paper.

Once you know the definition, it will be much easier for you to succeed with discursive writing. Choose the topic and proceed to a deep analysis of the issue. Make sure you follow the guidelines that may draw you closer to the desired results.

Key types of discursive essays

Are you convinced the preparatory stage is over, and you are ready to proceed to the discursive essay writing? Alas! Opt for the type of paper you are going to work on. Right, all the discursive papers can be divided into seven main types, depending on their purpose and structure. Check out key points of each type before you discover effective tips and guidelines on how to write a discursive essay you have selected.

Opinion papers

This is the only type of discursive paper in which your personal opinion matters. The goal of the essay is to present your own perspective on the subject matter. At the same time, reasonable examples, up-to-date arguments, and supporting evidence are a must. Presenting contradictory ideas can be a powerful way to succeed in an undertaking.

Problem-solving

Identify the problem and find the best solutions. Regardless of the field, complexity, or other aspects, the paper should be well-structured and concise. Consider adding some recommendations to help the audience make the final decision.

Compare and contrast

The essay should outline the basic points of every perspective and highlight their similarities and discrepancies. A comprehensive approach to the assignment is indispensable for flawless results.

Cause and effect

Identify the cause of a specific problem and proceed to the triggered effects. A whole chain of events can be built based on relevant information from credible data sources.

Argumentative

A strong argument in favor of one specific perspective is the basis of the paper type. Stay accurate and concise when working on a thesis statement. Then, provide clear evidence and sound reasoning that will add to the relevance of your ideas.

Pro-con

Relevant facts should be mentioned in this type of discursive essay. Meditate on the topic and present key advantages and downsides of the matter. Try to avoid any conclusions or personal recommendations but rather encourage the readers to analyze the information and make their own choices.

Exploratory

The main idea of this paper type is to investigate and discuss without an extra emphasis on a single perspective. The writer’s goal here is to present diverse aspects of the subject matter and keep the whole text unbiased and unprejudiced.

There are multiple types of discursive essays to deal with, but the main idea of the paper remains unchanged. The student should make maximum effort to present relevant information on a specific topic. Attention to detail, appealing facts, credible data sources, and reasonable arguments are the basis of the paper.

Writing tip from SpeedyPaper

Discursive writing: structure of a discursive Essay

According to the definition of the paper offered by the University of Sussex, a consistent structure and excellence in every single detail are the features that define the discursive essay. Therefore, the creation of a flawless outline may be a key step in speeding up and simplifying your work. Check out the discursive essay format peculiarities, and make sure you include all the basic elements that will keep the essay easy to read and comprehend.

• Introduction. Grasping the reader’s attention and keeping them interested in the paper is the goal of the passage. Give some background information and present a thesis statement. Mention the aspects you are going to discuss in the body part so that the audience can anticipate it.
• Main body. Like in other academic papers, the body part is the biggest and the most informative one. Present all the arguments and evidence you have to keep your discursive essay influential and effective. Multiple examples, charts, or tables can contribute to the relevance of the presented facts.
• Counterarguments. While a lot of students are concerned about the presentation of opposing ideas, the experienced ones know how to use them for personal advantage. Recognize the contradicting concepts, but also provide the reasoned rebuttals to emphasize the complexity of the problem.
• Conclusion. Reiterate the thesis statement and sum up the ideas and key concepts presented in the paper. Do not add new facts or details, no matter how convincing or interesting they are.

How to write a discursive essay: step-by-step guide to success

Once you are aware of the discursive essay definition, you are ready to proceed to the next stage and get ready for the prewriting activities. At this point, it is important to mention that a discursive essay is a specific type of academic writing with its own features and requirements. Successful discursive writing depends on your ability to present balanced arguments and analyze different perspectives objectively. Make sure you understand them and can comply with all the requirements. What do you start your discursive essay writing with?

Choose the topic

What is the subject matter you want to discuss in your discursive essay? This is the question to start your work with. A relevant, appealing, and interesting topic should be your goal.

Collect evidence

The more information you find on the subject matter, the easier it will be for you to create an influential and effective paper. Check out the key types of discursive essays so that you know what kind of information you have to focus on. Browse the most credible data sources and make sure you know the topic from various perspectives.

Create an outline

Start with the discursive essay format, type, and similar specifications that may influence the structure. Besides, analyze the information you have collected and build the writing strategy accordingly. Start with the introductory passage that will lead to the main body. If you are confident in the relevance of your arguments, add contradictory opinions and discuss them. Finalize the project with a concluding passage.

Get ready with the first draft

Follow the guidelines and recommendations to make discursive writing a blast. Stick to the outline to miss none of the critical points. Make sure you include relevant, up-to-date, and appealing information that will encourage the audience to meditate on the topic and draw certain conclusions.

Proofread and edit the paper

Although the final stage of work on the discursive essay is frequently ignored, it is the exact aspect that may help to advance the quality of the writing. Scan the paper for mistakes, typos, and instances of plagiarism before you submit it. Use online instruments to make the process simpler, faster, and more effective.

Even with clear guidelines, writing a discursive essay can be demanding and time-consuming. When juggling several academic tasks at once, students can choose to buy coursework online or review professionally written essay examples to see how arguments and structure should be organized.

Example of discursive essay

Should social media be regulated to protect mental health?

Social media has become the world’s universal communication tool. It doesn’t matter whether you and your online friends live miles away - the digital reality of today has made your interactions manageable. However, social media being so ubiquitous has raised multiple concerns among therapists and mental health professionals alike - should there be regulations protecting social media users against excessive exposure?

Supporters of limited media exposure are certain that the world’s leading media corporations have been successfully exploiting young people’s insecurities to trigger a cycle of comparison and self-hate that leads to incredibly low self-esteem rates among teenagers and pressure to maintain a certain “look” to gain followers. Studies have indeed shown a connection between prolonged social media use and identity crisis, which makes the argument sound valid.

On the other hand, limiting social media exposure might threaten the freedom of self-expression and force online artists to censor their views and personal opinions in favor of the collective “good behavior” principles encouraged by the social media opponents. Some critics fear that this will lead to deterioration of democratic values online, as individuals will be unable to express themselves fully and will feel the need to constantly rely on external regulations instead of taking control of their online behavior.

Amongst these divisive opinions, one thing remains clear: shared responsibility is key. While social media might indeed pose a serious mental threat to teenage health when left unregulated, too many regulations and bans might trigger the opposite effect and silence creative voices. Perhaps the optimal approach lies in the combined effort of modern corporations using transparent moderation tools and users adopting healthy digital habits online.

Reviewing examples is often the easiest way to understand how discursive arguments should be structured and presented. If you need additional guidance or a professionally written sample, you can also turn to a write paper for me service to see how experienced writers approach similar assignments.

25 discursive essay topics for well-researched papers

Following the guidelines and recommendations, students can enhance their chances to create a well-structured and consistent paper. However, the work of the project starts with the idea, which should be relevant, interesting, engaging, and appealing. Browse the web to find top-quality sample discursive essays that will inspire you and give you the motivation you need.

1. Higher taxes on sugary drinks as a governmental move to prevent obesity: how smart would it be?
2. Homeschooling as a form of children’s education: is it really effective?
3. The efficiency of drone use for military purposes
4. Drinking age: should it be raised or lowered?
5. Traditional vs. online education compared
6. Artificial intelligence: is it a threat to human employment?
7. The impact of video games on teenagers
8. Social media and the risk of addiction for young people
9. Why is it important to replace plastic packaging with eco-friendly alternatives?
10. The success of agricultural companies triggered by animal cloning
11. Privacy or national security: what is more important?
12. The access of parents to social media accounts of their children
13. Human health and the risk factors to be aware of
14. How can the understanding of the cultural heritage influence the efficiency of health care?
15. Withdrawing patient’s treatment: various approaches and opinions
16. The Civil War: different opinions about its causes and outcomes
17. Telehealth and nursing home: should it be banned?
18. Motivational interviewing and the way it can inspire workers
19. The most powerful marketing tools world-known companies use
20. The prominence of healthy sleep for physical and mental health
21. Virtue ethics: up-to-date problems analyzed
22. Family issues and their impact on children: discussing the causes and solutions
23. Endangered species: how can people protect them?
24. Working in bureaucratic organizations: various attitudes towards the experience
25. What is beauty? Different ways people define it

Writing tip from SpeedyPaper

Common mistakes working on discursive essays

When writing a discursive essay, a lot of inexperienced students keep making the same mistakes. Check out some of the most critical ones that can affect the quality of the text and show the absence of your experience and qualifications. Take your time to analyze the issues and do your best to avoid them in your texts.

• Personal opinion. There are certain types of discursive essays that presuppose the presentation of a personal attitude toward a discussed subject matter. Nonetheless, in the vast majority of cases, subjective ideas should not be mentioned in the body passage but rather in the concluding paragraph.
• New information. Mind the structure of the paper and make an effort to include the corresponding information in each passage. The introductory paragraph is aimed at the general presentation of the topic, while the body part of the discursive essay should include all the new information and unbiased facts. The conclusion should have zero new ideas, but rather a summary of what was already presented in the paper.
• Emotional language. Similar to other types of academic papers, it should be written in a professional and objective tone with no emotional appeal or subjective language.
• Arguments and evidence. Accuracy and relevance of information are critical. Make sure all the arguments specified in the paper are supported by the evidence.
• Counterarguments. Students who want their papers to sound professional should emphasize the contradicting points of view and use undeniable facts that prove them wrong. It will strengthen your argument and will make the text look much more reasonable.

Conclusion

A well-researched discursive essay allows for a balanced analysis that does not include personal anecdotes that might upset the readers wanting a fair discussion. The entire point of the essay is not proving the other side wrong or sparking a heated argument among your fellow students and peers. Discursive essays must demonstrate your ability to provide valid reasoning, argumentation, and solid backup for your viewpoints. If you want your essay to be taken seriously, make sure you have reviewed every angle respectfully and without judgment.

FAQ

What sources should you use in a critical essay?

Usually, you work with two kinds of sources. First, there is the text you analyze — a book, article, or film. Second, you can use outside materials such as academic articles or expert opinions. These sources help explain your ideas and show that your analysis is based on more than personal impressions.

How do you choose a topic for a critical essay?

Choose a small part of the work that you find interesting. It could be a theme, a character, a symbol, or the author’s message. A good topic lets you explain ideas and explore their meaning, not just repeat the story.

Can you include your opinion in a critical essay?

Yes, but your opinion should be explained and supported. Instead of simply saying you like or dislike something, show why you think that way. Use examples from the text and explain how they support your point.