Discursive Composition

Hints:

• State the problem/topic once again in the beginning of your essay. Just assume that your reader doesn't know the question. Do not start with: It is right (what is right?); I agree/do not agree with this statement (what statement?)
• Separate positive and negative aspects of the problem you discuss.
• Remember that here you take the floor. Your potential opponents do not have the opportunity to present their ideas. It is your task to present both yours and theirs and keep proper balance.
• Use linking words. They help to follow your way of reasoning. The most common linking words are and, or and but. You may want to interchange these words with their more sophisticated counterparts in your essay.
  
  Compare:
  
  
  
  • AND is used when you want to conjoin two similar ideas:
    
    

    He passed his examinations

    therefore as a result accordingly consequently thus hence

    he was admitted to the university.

  • OR is used when you want to put two different ideas together or reformulate what you have stated earlier:
    
    

    In other words To put it more simply It would be better to say To put it straightforwardly

    reformulation of what has come before

  • BUT appears when you need to contrast one statement with another:
    
    

    The time available for writing an essay was very limited.

    However, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Yet, In spite of that, All the same,

    it was still possible to present the main ideas concerning the topic

    
    

• refer back to the topic statement in your conclusion. It will show that you treat your essay as a whole. Yet, it may be a good idea to paraphrase this statement, not just to rewrite it.
• Do not use contractions!!!

Sample answer:


Q: Students should do a part-time job. Discuss.