Different perspectives in arguments or discursive writing

Rachel Talisa 11.1

What is a discursive writing/essay?

- Discursive writing or essay displays a discussion of a certain
problem/topic, controversy, scandal or a recent/popular issue. In this
essay, the writer gathers different perspectives towards that certain
argument or different opinions.
For example:
Look at these different points of view about whether fashion brands are a benefit
to our lives.

Fashion brands tell you that the clothing you buy is good quality. (positive)

Although it provides employment, branded clothing is often produced in

sweatshops where workers are exploited. neutral/against (?)

Fashion brands are diversifying into lots of other areas of our lives, e.g.
developing media channels. (positive)

I feel cool when I am wearing a fashion brand my friends recognise. (positive)

Fashion brands provide lots of employment worldwide. (positive)

Lots of fashion brands are socially responsible nowadays. (positive)

Fashion brands are over-priced – just because they have a well-known label
doesn’t mean they are well made. (against)

Even if brands support charitable work, they are still driven by profit. (neutral)

There’s no point wearing fashion brands because they are trendy – what is on
trend one year is off trend the next. (against)
How is it different from ‘argumentative essay’?
- In an argumentative essay, the writer mostly presents opinions
according to their opinion as well. So they will either present opinions
that’s against or agree with the topic.
- However in a discursive writing/essay, the writer displays ‘balanced’
perspectives from BOTH sides of the argument. Or in other words, it’s
unbiased as the writer presents opinions that are against, neutral or
agree with.

Here’s a venn diagram so we could understand the differences between

discursive and argumentative essay:

Let’s analyse this example:

Another key issue to consider is what fashion brands tell the purchaser
about the quality of the product. One view is that seeing a well-known
brand or logo enables the purchaser to trust the quality. On the other
hand, others argue that a logo is no guarantee of quality – you need to
check by reading the label, and feeling the material to be sure of whether
it is well made and will last.

Topic sentence introducing the certain area to focus

An opinion that agrees with or in favour of buying brands

Discursive mark to introduce an alternative opinion

An opinion that goes against buying brands just because

Does the essay focus on one main point?

- This snippet focuses on one point only, that is ‘to consider what
fashion brands tell the purchaser about the quality of the product’.

Do they come down on one side or the other? How personal does it
seem to be? Is it more of a discursive or argumentative text?

- As you can see, this snippet from a student’s discursive essay

doesn’t seem personal since it did not use words that indicate a
personal view or that the opinion came from oneself. In addition, it’s a
discursive essay since the writer displays a balanced perspective
from both sides in the argument or as we can say, it’s unbiased.
Now let’s analyse this text and see if we can see any difference:
 References

● English Language for Cambridge International AS & A Level

COURSEBOOK Mike Gould & Marilyn Rankin
● http://reveiwservis.web.fc2.com/writing/page-3573799.html
● https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-a-discursive-essay.
htm
● https://blog.prepscholar.com/argumentative-essay-examples