Discursive Texts

Learning intention: To discover the textual form of a Discursive text

Discursive texts explore an idea or topic from multiple perspectives without the primary goal of persuading the reader. These texts are flexible in tone, ranging from humorous to serious and informal to formal.

They present a balanced discussion, often by examining both sides of an argument, and can incorporate personal voice through anecdotes and experiences.

Think about a discursive text as providing multiple perspectives/ ideas about a topic and allowing the reader to decide what to believe.

Elements of Discursive Texts

Exploration of ideas: The main purpose is to discuss a topic from various angles, allowing the reader to form their own conclusions.
Balanced perspective: Often involves exploring arguments both for and against an issue.
Flexibility in tone and register: Can be formal or informal, serious or humorous.
Personal voice: Writers can use their own voice, personal experiences, and anecdotes to make the text relatable and engaging.
Structure: The structure is flexible, allowing for creativity in how the ideas are presented.

Google AI tricked by Cwmbran roundabouts Aprils fools’ prankJournalist Ben Black was "shocked" to discover his fake news from five years ago used by AI.

Why is this article NOT a discursive text?

Examples of Discursive texts on Truth, the media and Fake News

Fake news: one of the biggest threats to press freedomIn the past journalists were the gatekeepers of the information that reached us through the media. However, in a world where disinformation is rapidly spreading and anyone with a smartphone can spread information freely, it is harder than ever to distinguish facts from falsehoods. As a result, fake news - or even disinformation - has become one of the biggest threats to our society. Disinformation is the deliberate spreading of false or incomplete information, which threatens democracies worldwide. Only with access to reliable information can people establish informed opinions and make informed decisions. Therefore we ask everyone to reflect on the need for a free press on the 3rd of May, World Press Freedom Day, and during the time leading up to it.

Why the News Is Not the TruthBoth the media and the government thrive on crises. When none exist, they create them.

Combating Misinformation by Sharing the Truth: a Study on the Spread of Fact-Checks on Social MediaMisinformation on social media has become a horrendous problem in our society. Fact-checks on information often fall behind the diffusion of misinformation, which can lead to negative impacts on society. This research studies how different factors ...

The Long and Brutal History of Fake NewsBogus news has been around a lot longer than real news. And it’s left a lot of destruction behind.

'Seeking Truth in an Age of Lies' by Amanda Crawford | Department of JournalismRemarks delivered by Amanda J. Crawford, Assistant Professor, during the Journalism Department's annual scholarship awards ceremony on April 27, 2023. ...

Fake news - Does perception matter more than the truth?The present paper experimentally investigates the effect of anchoring on fake news. In particular, we test how different levels of authority and aware…

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