The discursive composition

A discursive composition title is one which asks you to give your opinion on or outline the
arguments for and against a particular issue or point of view. The following are examples of
discursive composition titles:

 Outline the advantages and disadvantages of having children.

 It is the duty of parents to look after their children in whatever circumstances.
 Children should be guided and corrected, but never punished. Discuss.

How to approach a discursive composition

1. Always read the composition title very carefully. This may seem obvious, but it is very
important that your composition should be 100% relevant to the title. Notice
particularly whether the title asks you to give your opinion or merely to outline general
arguments.

What do the composition titles above ask for – your opinion, or arguments?

2. Plan your composition. That is, before you start to write your composition –
a. Write notes of the main points you wish to make;
b. Work out what order you wish to put these points in;
c. Divide your points into paragraphs.

A typical plan for the first composition above (‘Outline the advantages and disadvantages of
having children.’) might be as follows:

Paragraph 1: General introduction to theme

Paragraph 2: Advantages: - security in old age
- companionship
- pleasure in creating and raising life
- help to strengthen a marriage
- prevent couples from becoming too selfish
Paragraph 3: Disadvantages: - expensive
- risky: children may turn out ‘badly’
- time-consuming, stop you doing other things
- difficult to combine with career(s)
Paragraph 4: Conclusion: weigh advantages against disadvantages, with own
opinion
REMEMBER

a. A plan is just a note or reminder to yourself, so it only needs to include the main points
which will then expand upon in the composition itself.
b. The contents of the plan must only reflect your opinion if the title asks for it.
c. When you are required to give your point of view, remember to justify and explain it.
d. The plan above follows a basic discursive composition pattern:
INTRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT CONCLUSION

Although this may not fit every composition or may not always suit your own personal
style of writing, it provides a very useful outline for a discursive composition.

3. Write the composition. When you have planned your composition carefully, write it,
remembering to connect the points in your plan well.

Here is some useful language for doing this.

For listing arguments or points For exemplifying

First / Firstly / First of all For example, / For instance

Second / Secondly/ Next To take (just) one example, …
Third / Thirdly / Next A clear example of … is/might be …
Etc.
Finally, / Lastly / Last of all

For rephrasing For concluding

In other words, / To be precise / In brief / In short / In conclusion

That is to say To conclude / To summerise

Other generally useful phrases

In my opinion, … / To my mind…

Generally speaking, …

It is often claimed/argued/said/thought etc. that …

It is undeniable that … / There can be no doubt that …