Discursive Essay

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Discursive Essay

• Hurrah! I hear you cry!

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Learning Objectives

• To understand what a discursive essay involves.
• To identify the format of the essay.
• To consider possible topics for your essay.

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Success Criteria

• The main requirements of the argumentative essay
  are that it will
• communicate a clear line of argument
• present two sides of an argument (or more, if
  applicable)
• convey an argumentative tone which is measured,
  reasonable and yet carries personal conviction
• communicate to the reader a sense that the writer
  has a clear line of thought which leads to a
  reasonable conclusion
• make use of a number of argumentative techniques
  such as comparison, contrast, proof, disproof.

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Planning and Research

• ARE ESSENTIAL!
• There is not particularly organic way to do this
  essay you have the have a succinct structure.
  This takes PLANNING.
• You will need RESEARCH facts and figures from
  newspapers and articles.
• To prove that these bases are covered you will
  include a BIBLIOGRAPHY.

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The Structure Introduction

• State your subject and stance.
• e.g. Topic Abortion
• Stance Pro-Life (Against Abortion)

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Paragraphs 2 - 4

• Argument 1 Introduce the first point in support
  of your view. (Start with something fundamental)
  Develop the point using research.
• Argument 2 Repeat with a second point.
• Argument 3 This should be your most powerful
  point in support of your view.

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Paragraph 5

• CRUSH THE OPPOSITION!
• Think of what the counter-argument would be for
  this topic.
• You then need to REFUTE or DISPROVE their view
  with evidence are a more important point.

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• e.g. Abortion with a Pro Life argument.
• vs.
• Pro Choice A womans body is her own she
  has a right to choose.
• REFUTE Yes, a woman has the right to her own
  body BUT she is also responsible for her body. If
  she allows herself to become pregnant, should she
  be able to commit murder in order to save herself
  the inconvenience of motherhood? Does being pro
  choice give licence to be careless with
  contraception? Or further, does it promote
  promiscuity?

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You Will Ultimately Need
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Paragraph 6

• Reiterate your stance (showing that your have
  successfully completed your line of argument and
  stayed on track). Summarise the arguments that
  you used for a strong finish.

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Selecting a Topic

• Choose a topic that you are genuinely interested
  in. If you hate the subject, it will come across
  in your writing.
• ( It will also make researching the essay the
  bane of your life for the next few weeks. No
  Thanks.)

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IS ADVERTISING HARMFUL?

• Every day we are exposed to countless
  commercials scattered throughout countless
  mediums. Is this exposure healthy for our
  society? Is it responsible for the brat culture
  and constant need to spend that we experience?
• OR
• Where would small businesses be without
  advertising? How would be select the product that
  best suits our needs without having the companies
  keep us informed?
• Modern advertising tends to promote healthy
  lifestyles and attitudes people have only
  become annoyed at adverts because they make them
  feel guilty about their less-than-perfect
  lifestyle.

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IS ADVERTISING HARMFUL?

• Agree
• There are too many advertisements in everyday
  life.
• People are given too much choice, which makes
  them less happy.
• Advertisements are an attempt to brainwash
  customers.
• Advertisements try to make people feel bad about
  not having the product.
• Advertisements tell children that they should
  have everything they want.

• Disagree
• Small businesses need advertisements to make
  their products known.
• Advertising helps us choose between different
  goods.
• Advertisements promote healthy products and
  lifestyles.
• Advertising is only as annoying as you want it to
  be.

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SHOULD WE FORCE FEED SUFFERERS OF ANOREXIA
NERVOSA?

• Anorexia has become an epidemic in our culture.
  Many blame society and the media as they
  constantly push ideals of the ultra-skinny model
  to younger and younger women (and now men). In
  the grip of this mental illness, it becomes
  necessary to make the decisions that the patient
  cannot make for themselves to prioritise the
  life of the individual over their dignity.
  Sometimes this means that force feeding is a
  necessary treatment.
• Force feeding patients who are vulnerable and
  under a great deal of stress can be both
  physically and mentally harmful. It leaves the
  patient in a position that they feel they cannot
  trust their doctors.

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SHOULD WE FORCE FEED SUFFERERS OF ANOREXIA
NERVOSA?

• Agree
• Life more important than dignity
• Doctors must act to keep patients alive
• Force Feeding can Help Psychologically
• Anorexic patients cannot make decisions for
  themselves

• Disagree
• Compulsory treatment is not a long term solution
• Patients should be able to trust their doctors
• Force feeding can be physically harmful
• The focus should be on the relief of pain rather
  than causing more distress.

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SHOULD WE BAN COSMETIC SURGERY?

• Is it needless, life-threatening surgery sought
  after by those who have been brain-washed by the
  beauty media?
• OR
• Is it confidence-raising craftsmanship that
  empowers those who choose to change the bodies
  they live in for the better?

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SHOULD WE BAN COSMETIC SURGERY?

• Agree

• Disagree

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SHOULD SMOKERS BE DENIED ACCESS TO STATE
HEALTHCARE?

• They choose to abuse their bodies despite
  constant warning. Why spend the money of the tax
  payer on easily prevented ailments?
• Is it right to discriminate against someone for
  a lifestyle choice? Can we ethically tell them to
  pay for their own healthcare, or worse leave
  them to die?

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MODERN MEDIA IS CAUSING THE YOUTH OF TODAY TO
CHOOSE BAD ROLMODELS. DISCUSS.

• Today the media has such a huge influence that
  children and teenagers are no longer presented
  with feasible role models only reality stars
  with fake tan, fake accents and no brain power.
• Todays role models are a product of necessity
  they appeal to youths who are perhaps not
  academic and teach them to market themselves and
  become shrewd business people. They also promote
  style and confidence no matter their personality.

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ARE THE DEPICTIONS OF WOMEN IN VIDEOGAMES
HARMFUL?

• Unrealistic representations of women are rampant
  in the media. With videogames appealing to a
  wider range of people, are videogames
  perpetuating a existence of the unachievable
  fantasy woman figure?
• Videogames are a harmless means of escapism
  where the representations of men and animals are
  just as unrealistic as those of women. It is
  fantasy and nothing more those who play the
  games are aware of this.

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Other Ideas

• SHOULD THERE BE AGE RATINGS PLACED ON BOOKS IN
  THE SAME WAY THAT THERE ARE VIDEO GAMES AND
  FILMS?
• SHOULD CHILD PERFORMERS BE BANNED?
• SHOULD WE BAN MUSIC CONTAINING LYRICS THAT
  GLORIFY VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL LIFESTYLES?
• SHOULD WE GRANT THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL
  ILLNESSES THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TREATMENTS THAT
  HAVE NOT COMPLETED CLINICAL TESTING?
• ARE SPORT STARS PAID TOO MUCH?

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PLAGERISM

• Use sources and research (NOT WIKI), but DO NOT
  quote or lift without giving due credit.
• The majority of the essay should be in your on
  words!