Discussion Text

PURPOSE
to present (at least) two points of view about an issue.

GENERIC STRUCTURE
1. Issue:
✔ Statement
✔ Preview
2. Arguments for and against or statement of differing points of view.
✔ Point
✔ Ellaboration
3. Conclusion or Recommendation.

LANGUAGE FEATURES

• Focus on generic human and generic non-human participants.
• Use of Material Processes, e.g., has produced, have developed, to feed.
• Use of Relational Processes, e.g., is, could have, cause, are.
• Use of Mental Processes, e.g., feel.
• Use of comparative: Contrastive and Consequential conjunctions to relate argument, e.g.: similarly, on the other hand, however, etc
• Adverb of Manner: hopefully, deliberately
• Detailed noun group, like: the dumping of unwanted kittens, etc.

Example of Discussion Text / Contoh Discussion Text:


SAMPLE.1.

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various part of the world. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England in 1956.

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world's energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It cause no pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of nuclear plant are as follow:

• It costs about the same coal, so it is not expansive to make.
• It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium.
• It produces small amount of waste.
• It is reliable.

On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident ca be a major accident.

People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990's nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.

SAMPLE.2.

Is Homework Necessary?

Issue

I have been wondering if homework is necessary.

Argument

Supported Point

I think we should have homework because it helps us to learn and revise or work.

Homework helps people who aren’t very smart to remember what they have learned. Homework is really good because it helps with our education.

Statement of different point of view/Contradicted idea:

But, my times, doing homework is not a great idea. I think we shouldn’t have homework because sometime the student must have their free time and enjoying them.

Sometimes homework is boring and not important. I think homework is bad if the teacher gives too many homeworks, and it made the student stressed.

Conclusion/Recommendation

As you can see, homework has negative effects and positive effect on the student today. Homework helps the student remind the lessons that given by the teacher, but I think homework should be given on weekend and with enough amount (not too many homework), so the students won't feel stressed.

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