DISCUSSION TEXT

What is A DISCUSSION?

A discussion text type gives the for and against, the positive and negative, or the good and bad points. A discussion can be in oral or written form. The purpose of a discussion is to present to the audiences different opinions on a topic and, at the end, your opinion.

Examples of discussion texts include:

• • talkback radio

  • debates

  • current affairs interviews

  • letters to the editor

  • essays

  • newspaper articles

Features of a DISCUSSION

Constructing a discussion

A typical discussion text has an introductory paragraph that has a statement about the topic followed by a series of paragraphs that give evidence, opinions or arguments for and against the topic. The end of the discussion text is signalled by a conclusion that gives a final point of view, either for or against the topic.

Grammatical features of a dramatic text

Discussions usually include the following grammatical features:

• the use of generic terms related to the topic

• words that show a comparison or a contrast

• words that link arguments.

The DISCUSSION scaffold