Discussion Text

1. Definition

Discussion is a text which presents a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from different points of view. It presents pro and contra opinion on certain issue.

The purpose of a discussion text is to present arguments and information from differing viewpoints. Discussion texts are usually written in the present tense.


2. Points to check

• Have you been fair to both sides?
• Have you supported your views with reasons and vidence?
• In your conclusion, have you given a reason for what you have decided?

3. Generic Structure

• Issue : contains of statement and preview about something.
• Arguments for/Supporting arguments : after stating the issue, it is necessary to present the argument to support that one point is agreeing.
• Arguments against : beside the supporting argument, discussion text need the arguments which disagree to the stated issue.
• Recommendation/conclusion : It is used to tell how to solve issue by concerning the arguements for and against.

4. Language Features

•  Introducing category or generic participant.
• Relating verb/to be: is, am, are, etc.
• Using thinking verb: feel, hope, believe, etc.
•  Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection: similarly, on the hand, however, etc.
•  Using modalities: must, should, could, may, etc.
• Using adverbial of manner: deliberately, hopefully, etc.
• Conjunction/transition: although, even, if, etc.

5. Example

National Exam: Pro and Contra?

National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions. Though the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the go-vernment on the organization of the national exams, the controversy over whether it is necessary to maintain the national exams (UN) has continued. Some debates include the primary questions such as; does the quality of Indonesia education depend on the national exam?, will the quality of the Indonesian education system worsen without national exam?

People, who support the national exam explain that the quality of the Indonesia education system will drop without the national exam, so they try to defend the current system.

Hoever there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this national exam kept in our high school education say that it doesn't need the national exams because the quality of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further, the national exam only measures a small portion of students' competence in specific subjects, and does not measure students' competences throughout the semester.

In fact, the national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or detect the level of students' cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national scale.