Discursive or persuasive writing

POINTS to note on discursive writing: We are told that the principle purpose of a discursive or persuasive essay is to convince or persuade a supposed opponent or sceptic to accept your views.

When you write a discursive essay, you engage in a debate. In this debate, you have to argue your case out clearly, carefully and convincingly. This is why some people call this type of essay argumentative writing.

“Get your facts right. Plan your argument examining both sides of the argument powerful and compelling cohesive devices, Examine tone and style. Before you start writing the discursive essay, you must make certain that your facts are absolutely correct and valid. The facts you use in your argument should be well planned. A haphazard presentation of the facts will distract your reader’s attention from the main thrust of the essay and this will weaken your argument.

Arrange your facts in a logical sequence and then give each fact a whole paragraph. There are always two sides to an argument. If you choose one side, do not gather facts to support that side only and ignore the other side.

At the planning stage, you should also gather a few facts on the other side. During the writing of the essay, examine both sides of the argument. Use the points on your side to strengthen your case: use those on the other side to attack your opponents.

Examining both sides of the argument enables you to produce a balanced argument and it gives the impression that you know the weaknesses of the opposition very well. That helps to elicit support for your case. The cohesive devices you employ in a discursive essay should not only make the essay hang together but should help to make your argument powerful and compelling. Then we are given a few such cohesive devices.

“It is my conviction that —. It is my strong contention that —. Some people contend that — (Usually used when you introduce a point from the other side of the argument in order to grant watered down concessions or attack it.) But others consider that —. On the contrary —. Certainly —. Definitely —. It goes without saying that —. I would hope to convince my readers that.

When you write a discursive essay, adopt an aggressive stance but remember to remain calm and courteous. Do not become emotional. Use a strong and challenging opening to ensure that your argument is strong right from the beginning. Your conclusion should be memorable, or reassuring or even a battle cry if it is appropriate. Remember, however, to be simple but firm.

Let us go back and examine grammar in your writing. Focus on six tenses of verbs. The verb tenses express time and clarify the sequence of events. The basic forms of the six tenses show the time of an action or condition in the present, past, or future. Each verb form shows when an action happens and whether it is still happening. Use the following as a guide to the correct use of the six tenses of verbs:

Present indicates an action that happens regularly or states a general truth. I cycle to school every morning. Past indicates an action that has already happened: She came earlier than expected this morning. Future indicates an action that will happen. We will visit the park next week. Present perfect indicates an action that happened at some indefinite time in the past or an action that happened in the past and is still happening now:

We have walked here almost every day for two years. Past perfect indicates an action that was completed before another action in the past.

We had already crossed the road when the accident happened. Future perfect indicates an action that will have been completed before another. They would have run 20 kilometres before he takes a drinks break.

Another reminder on verbs: The verb is perhaps the most important part of speech in English. Without it there would be no sentences. Here is a different definition of the verb from the one which has become too familiar. A verb is a word that expresses time while showing an action, a condition, or the fact that something exists.

For example, if you say, “Artists paint pictures,” the verb paint shows an action. “Trophies are on display,” the verb are shows a condition. If you say, “The doctor was there,” the verb was expresses existence.

Before you tackle a discursive essay you need to have understood all the relevant points pertaining to it or else you might make a messy out of it. However, the advice proffered here if well followed leads to improved performances.

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