HOW TO WRITE A DISCURSIVE ESSAY

PLANNING

• Planning is key to a successful essay• Always make a list of for and

against arguments first.• Make sure that you have sufficient

arguments for both sides of the point

• Use evidence to support your point.

PLANNING

• Do not use contractions, ie: don’t, can’t etc.

• Use formal language- latinate verbs instead of phrasal verbs eg: revealed vs told us

• Use the passive form eg: the man was hit by the car

STRUCTUREYou can structure your essay in two ways:

2. One or two paragraphs arguing all your FOR points

3. One or two paragraphs arguing all your AGAINST points

1. Introduction

4. Conclusion

1. Introduction

2. One or two paragraphs arguing your main FOR or AGAINST points and putting forward the counter arguments

3. One or two paragraphs arguing your secondary FOR or AGAINST points and putting forward your counter arguments

4. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

• Make a general statement about the topic and refer to the question.

• Your introduction should link to your arguments and indicate what you are going to investigate.

• HOWEVER

• Do not use “in this essay I am going to…”

Copy this question in your jotter:

“The internet is killing the high street. Discuss.”

It is undeniable that the Internet has changed our shopping habits and that this has had an impact on how and where we shop . However, is the internet solely responsible for the problems our high streets are facing or are there other factors which need to be considered?

It is true that the Internet has changed our shopping habits and that this has had an impact on how and where we shop. However, the internet is not solely responsible for the problems our high streets are facing as there are other factors which need to be considered.

GENERAL COMMENTIt is undeniable that the Internet has changed our shopping habits and that this has had an impact on how and where we shop.

INTENT AND LINKING TO NEXT PARAGRAPHHowever, the internet is not solely responsible for the problems our high streets are facing as there are other factors which need to be considered.

Over to you:

Write an introduction ( under 50 words) for the following question:

“The internet is killing the high street. Discuss.”

REMEMBER: Do not start with “in this essay I am going to……………….”

FOR AND AGAINST

AGREE

• The internet is cheaper• Everything can be

delivered to your house or place of work

• It is more convenient• There is more choice• The internet is particularly

useful in rural areas where there are fewer shops

DISAGREE

• Shops are beginning to match internet prices

• People still enjoy the sensory experience of shopping

• Not everything can be bought online and some things still need to be seen and tried.

FOR AND AGAINSTAGREE• You can download

music/books/films and games instantly.

DISAGREE• The high street is suffering

because of large out of town shopping centres and shops like Tesco and Asda

• City centre parking is difficult and expensive and discourages people to use the high street.

• High shop rates are forcing shops to close

FOR AND AGAINST

DISAGREE AGREE

• Shops which provide good service and value for money are successful

• Many high street shops also have a website to support business

• Local councils need to do more to support high street businesses

TIPS FOR WRITING WELL DEVELOPED PARAGRAPHS

• Use connectives (e.g. therefore, although, however etc.)

• Use sequencing (e.g. firstly, secondly, lastly)

• Make reference to other sources (e.g. The government claims that…)

THE BODY OF YOUR ESSAY

• One of the main reason why people prefer shopping online rather than the high street is…………………….( use your strongest for argument) In addition…………(add another point why the internet is better than the high street.

• You can continue to add to your arguments as to why the internet has the advantage over the high street.

• One of the main reasons why people prefer shopping online rather than the high street is that the internet is cheaper and you can find a number of goods at more competitive prices. In addition, the internet offers a much wider choice, prices can be compared quickly and all this can be achieved at a convenient time, and, with modern technology, on a number of devices. Moreover, the internet offers choice and variety particularly for residents in rural areas and is very appealing as it offers the opportunity to download various media instantly.

Furthermore, companies now offer a wide range of delivery options whereby items can be delivered the following day at one’s place of work and in some instances free of charge, making online shopping even more convenient.

USEFUL LANGUAGE• To list points• first of all • The main argument is• one major advantage of • a further advantage • Research shows that…..• The main reason/factor why• It is believed that……..• Firstly• Secondly• Lastly/Finally

• Last but not least

• Subject + believe that• Subject + maintain that• Subject+ claim that• Subject + advocate that• Subject+ support that• Subject + are adamant that• Subject + confirm that• Subject + explain that

HOW TO ADD FURTHER INFORMATION TO SUPPORT

YOUR ARGUMENT• AND is used when you want to join two

similar ideas, some alternatives are:

therefore moreover also

apart from that as a result accordingly

consequently in addition

thus furthermore

hence what is more

PUTTING FORWARD YOUR COUNTER ARGUMENT

• However, the internet is not the only contributing factor to the demise of the high street.

• Although the growth of internet shopping must be held partly responsible for the problems of the high street, there are other equally important factors which are contributing to its demise.

PUTTING FORWARD A CONTRASTING ARGUMENT

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

However, in contrastnevertheless, on the other hand,nonetheless, despite the fact thatyet, all the same,in spite of that,

Your turn

• Write a linking paragraph like the previous example to introduce your counter argument.

HOW TO INTRODUCE EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES

• This clearly demonstrates that...

• This illustrates how…………….

• There is some/clear evidence that…

• There is mounting evidence that…

• A recent study found that…

• Research tells us that…….

HOW TO EXPLAIN CONSEQUENCES

………………..happened ……..

• because of due to

• as a result of as a consequence of

• on account of in response to

• owing to following on from

Examples

• Many high street shops are closing as a result of competition from out of town shopping centres.

• Local councils and landlords must accept responsibility as many shops cannot afford to pay high rents and rates and are forced to close as a consequence of this.

EXAMPLES

• Lack of parking and exorbitant parking charges deter shoppers from visiting the high street resulting in shops closing.

• Your turn: Write a paragraph putting forward your counter argument.

example

• However, although the convenience and savings of online shopping have had a negative impact on the high street, there are other, equally important factors which need to be considered.

• There is clear evidence that out of town shopping centres, which offer a wide choice in one convenient place, with free and easy parking, have lured shoppers away from the high street. In addition,

• Large supermarkets, such as Asda and Tesco, have contributed in driving small businesses to close, as these cannot compete with the discounted prices offered by the large supermarkets. Butchers, bakers and greengrocers have been particularly affected by competition from the supermarket giants, and these are not products which people buy online but would have bought from the high street. Equally, town centre parking is becoming more and more expensive and problematic, discouraging shoppers from

going into town. Another contributing factor which needs to be considered is the responsibility of landlords and local councils which, by charging exorbitant rents, are forcing shops out of business. More should be done to support existing shops and encourage new ones not only by improving parking facilities, but also by helping businesses with rents and rates.

Other important factors which must be considered before blaming the internet for the demise of the high street, are that

• Nothing can replace the sensory pleasure of shopping, and that many items need to be tried and tested before being purchased. Also, despite the growing number of online shoppers, there will always be a cohort of people who, afraid of fraud and wary of the internet, will not shop online. High streets need to capitalise on this, and indeed, where shop keepers have found a niche market and have priced items competitively, shops have flourished, despite the recession.

YOUR CONCLUSION

• Sum up your main points

• State your point of view

• Give your reason for this.

• Offer a solution if you have one

EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION IN THE CONCLUSION

• I agree/ disagree with the statement (that...)

• In my opinion...• I believe that...• I am in favour of...• I am against the idea of...• It seems to me that...• I sympathise with...

CONCLUSION WORD BANK • To sum up/ altogether• On this basis, I can conclude that...• Given this, it can be concluded that...• Having proved this, I would like to...• In conclusion, I would like to stress that…• All in all, I believe that... • Ultimately,...• Finally I would conclude that…• As outlined previously/earlier• As previously stated• We could conclude that..

Conclusion

• To conclude, the internet has undoubtedly changed our shopping habits and in certain sectors is a threat to the high street but there are other, equally challenging threats to its survival. The threat posed by out of town shopping centres, large supermarkets, parking and high rents must also be held responsible for the demise of the high street and need to be addressed to stop the decline of our town centres.