Discursive Writing Walkthrough Worksheet

Discursive texts can seem complicated because they are neither completely creative, nor are
they solely analytical. They can be persuasive, but that is not their primary purpose.
Then why do they exist?
Discursive texts exist to encourage audiences to:
•
• Introduce interesting ideas on both sides of an argument.
• Engage and entertain the audience.
• Help the audience know the writer/speaker more closely.

With such a range of aims, how do you know how to structure a discursive text?

discussions we have with friends and family, the thread of a topic can weave itself through a

require you to reach a judgement or convince a reader of anything.

Does this mean that you can just write anything you want in any order within a
discursive piece?

Not quite! The challenge with discursive writing is that it still needs to feel cohesive and
intentional. We all know the feeling of hearing someone speak for ten minutes when they
could have thought more carefully about what they wanted to say and only needed two!
Below are some suggestions for how to make your discursive writing engaging and focused.

1. Include Examples
Often with ‘examples’ in English, we mean quotes. Within discursive texts you have far more

• Examples from history

• Personal stories from your life/someone you know
• Hypothetical examples (imagine if…)
•

2. Explain Your Examples

fact that they have included some examples, but have not explained them.
When you include an example, aim to have more than three sentences to expand upon it.
You might ask yourself:
• What is the example?
• What does the example show?
• How is the example representative or unique?

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3. Use an Authentic Voice

Your discursive pieces should sound less formal than your essays. Aim to use words that are
closely linked to your casual, everyday voice without the abbreviations or too much slang.
To practise this, rewrite these sentences in less formal and more authentic language.

Overly Formal Sentence Your Revised Version

consideration when trying

to weigh up outcomes.

Individuals all hope

to form meaningful
relationships.

Money is only one factor

to explore when analysing
future career options.

4. Have a Point (or Several)

something interesting and/or important to say.

When planning what to write on your topic, consider:
• What you want to say.
• Why that opinion is important.
•

5. Connect the Dots

You have freedom in your paragraph structure for discursive writing. This is both freeing
and overwhelming, so the main principle to remember is to connect your thoughts so that
the piece has a sense of cohesion.
Consider using phrases like:
• On the topic of…
• We witness a similar problem/concept through/when…
• It is commonly said/acknowledged that…
• On the other hand, it is also true that…

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6. Finish Intentionally

discussion. It does not need to ‘solve’ a problem or make a recommendation, but should
sound decisive and engaged.

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Over to You
Write a discursive piece on one of the following topics, using the advice above to guide you.
• Everyone loves an underdog story.
• Education is not just for school.
• There is no ‘right way’ to say something - language is never stable.
• Technology’s impact on us is beyond our control.

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Read over your discursive piece and tick the column that is most relevant to you for each
statement below.

Not Sure
Maybe Yes
(This is not
Statement (My piece does (My piece does
evident yet in
this at times) this clearly)
my work)

A clear topic (which is narrower

than the given stimulus or

paragraphs.

Multiple examples are

discussed and explained.

Paragraphs are used

intentionally and to distinguish
ideas.

The tone is conversational and

genuine.

The piece makes engaging

points about a topic without
pushing a perspective.

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