How to Write an HSC English Discursive Writing Piece
Expert reviewed • 21 July 2024 • 15 minute read
Understanding the Discursive Format
A discursive writing piece is a type of text that explores various sides of an argument or issue without the direct intention of persuading the reader to adopt a single point of view. The goal is to present a well-rounded discussion of the topic from multiple perspectives, allowing the reader to consider the complexities of the issue. This often involves presenting arguments both for and against a particular issue (whether explicitly or implicitly) giving the reader a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Discursive texts are not restricted to an overly formal treatment of perspectives! — discursive texts can be humorous or serious in tone, and can have a formal or informal register. This flexibility allows writers to approach their topics in engaging and creative ways while still maintaining a focus on exploring a balanced view of the chosen subject matter.
Moreover, discursive writing can be hybridized with imaginative writing techniques (Check out this article) to enhance the discussion of a topic from multiple angles. By incorporating imaginative elements, the discursive text can be made more engaging and thought-provoking.
How to Write a Discursive Text
The exam will give you a stimulus in some form from which you should base your piece on; From the provided quote, statement, extract or image, there are often many different central ideas you can extract to form the basis of your discursive piece. Start by finding a central idea and then consider the different perspectives you could represent in an engaging way.
If you ever find yourself stuck for ideas, keep trying to explore what the stimulus itself represents or could allude to, and keep branching out ideas from this.
The Structure of a Discursive Piece
- The opening should capture the attention of the reader while introducing the central issue either explicitly or implicitly.
- The body paragraphs should explore the topic in detail through exploring both sides or perspectives of the issue/topic.
- The conclusion should encapsulate the issue and perspectives without giving a judgement on either perspective (Remember, the point of a discursive is not to persuade, but to objectively explore multiple perspectives!), the conclusion should be both reflective and thought-provoking.
NOTE: Always remember to title the text you have created!
How to Structure the Body Paragraphs
The discursive piece does not have to be overly formal in structure, this allows leeway in the potential structure of your piece. A common way of structuring the essay is to have two body paragraphs for each perspective of an issue with one proposing the arguments for a case and one explaining the counter arguments, sequentially.
- Introduction: Present the topic and acknowledge the existence of different perspectives without personal judgement.
- Body 1 & 2: Present arguments in favour of one perspective and then acknowledge counter-arguments.
- Body 3 & 4: Present arguments in favour of the other perspective and then acknowledge counter-arguments.
- Conclusion: Summarise and reflect on the main arguments, bring up any thought-provoking realisations.
NOTE: Examples are below!
Practice Question 1
Try to write an opening to your own discursive-imaginative text for any subject matter of your choosing. A Band 6 sample opening is shown for reference.
I stand here, amidst the cosmic expanse of this checkered-board; a humble ebony piece, bound to the whims of my king. My brothers and sisters, who are forced to fall and rise, accept the peculiarities of our social environment…as if they were - natural. Why must this be the norm? Locked in a cosmic battle; sometimes victorious; other times - not. How might I transcend the shackles of imprisonment and ascend to the freedoms of reality?
This sample opening immediately captures the readers attention through imaginative techniques, a setting and some notion of characters are established, the use of the ellipsis (…) represents a hesitance revealing the character’s disdain for the philosophy subscribed to by the other characters (Metaphorically chess pieces). This opening reveals somewhat implicitly the fundamental issue of the struggle between freedom and captivity through a dichotomy of opposing philosophies.
This is a highly imaginative interpretation of discursive writing; Conveying the central issue to be explored through establishing metaphorical characters is a valid way of tackling a discursive piece. From this opening, the motif of a chessboard can be used throughout the text to argue both for the perspective of blindly being content in captivity and the perspective of seeking freedom by all means necessary.
The above example is a perfect example of the strengths of combining imaginative techniques with the discursive format, it is simply a way to enhance the presentation of ideas within the discursive framework.
Of course, discursive pieces can still be written without extensive imaginative elements, but points for and against particular perspectives should not become boring or monotonous — try to incorporate creative techniques when possible; metaphors can easily be employed to strengthen points.
More Examples
Discursive-imaginative ‘Writer’s Dilemma’
This example includes good personal voice while incorporating imaginative techniques to support arguments and engage the reader, the author has taken the liberty of introducing the arguments sequentially maintaining a logical flow between the arguments.
Topic Starters
Evaluating and Improving your Discursive Piece
It is best not to memorise a discursive piece word for word to take into the exam. Due to the possible stimulus being entirely different every year, rather than creating something beforehand and adapting it during the exam (Markers can tell!), it is better to create a new piece that plays with the ideas presented in the stimulus.
Don’t worry! By practicing writing, this becomes easier over time. Make sure to refer to HSC past papers to get an idea of what types of stimulus could potentially be asked of you. Don’t be afraid to try out various writing styles and techniques, experiment with humour, satire, or unconventional structures to make your piece more engaging.
Evaluation Checklist
- Balanced Perspectives: Assess whether you have presented each argument as equally viable, ensure that your arguments are not biased. Your piece should demonstrate the complexity of the issue you are exploring.
- Evidence and Examples: Assess the strength and relevance of the evidence and examples you have used, evidence can simply be an exploration of why the argument is valid in certain cases, this can be supported through figurative techniques such as metaphors.
- Relevance to the Stimulus: Ensure that your piece directly addresses some of the ideas presented in the stimulus, the wording of the stimulus will instantly tell you whether the ideas are up for interpretation or if there is a stricter topic the paper wants you to write about.
- Personal Voice: Try to maintain a strong personal voice throughout the piece, techniques, if used correctly, will strengthen the plausibility of your arguments and your conveying of the issue.