A discursive essay explores more than one side of a topic fairly and in a formal register, without the writer declaring a personal opinion at the outset. Unlike a persuasive essay, which argues a case, a discursive essay weighs competing views and guides the reader towards a reasoned conclusion.
What is the difference between a discursive essay and a persuasive essay?
Both types of writing engage with an argument, but they do so in fundamentally different ways:
| Feature | Discursive essay | Persuasive essay |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Explore an issue from multiple angles | Convince the reader of one position |
| Stance | The writer is formally neutral (at least initially) | The writer openly argues one side |
| Language | Measured, balanced, formal | Emotive, confident, partisan |
| Structure | Alternates between arguments for and against | Builds an accumulative case in one direction |
| Conclusion | Weighs the evidence and arrives at a reasoned view | Reinforces the argument and calls for action |
A discursive essay that simply agrees with one side throughout is no longer discursive — it is persuasive. Equally, a persuasive essay that acknowledges counter-arguments is not the same as a discursive one: the acknowledgement serves to dismiss the counter-argument, not to explore it.
The key distinction is in the writer's relationship to the reader. In persuasive writing, the writer is a advocate. In discursive writing, the writer is more like a guide: here are the arguments; I will help you weigh them.
How do I structure a discursive essay?
A clear, reliable structure for a KS3 discursive essay:
1. Introduction (one or two paragraphs) Introduce the topic without declaring a personal opinion. Name the key debate and briefly acknowledge that more than one view exists. Avoid beginning with "I think..." or "In this essay I will...". A strong discursive introduction frames the controversy clearly and signals that the essay will examine it fairly.
2. Body paragraphs — alternating sides Alternate between arguments for and arguments against (sometimes called 'point–counterpoint' structure). Each paragraph should:
- Begin with a clear topic sentence that introduces one line of argument
- Support it with evidence, example or reasoning
- End by acknowledging the limits of this argument or leading into the opposing view
Some discursive essays group all arguments on one side first, then all arguments on the other. This block structure is less sophisticated, as it delays the engagement with competing views. The alternating structure is generally stronger.
3. Conclusion Here — and only here — the writer weighs the evidence and reaches a reasoned judgement. The conclusion should follow logically from what has been argued, not introduce new information. Use language that signals evaluation: "on balance", "the evidence suggests", "while both views have merit, the stronger case appears to be...".
What language features should I use?
The language of a discursive essay is carefully calibrated to signal fairness and analytical authority:
| Purpose | Language features |
|---|---|
| Introducing an argument | "One argument in favour of... / Proponents argue that... / It is often claimed that..." |
| Introducing the opposing view | "However... / By contrast... / Those who oppose this view argue... / On the other hand..." |
| Conceding a point | "Admittedly... / While it is true that... / This argument has merit in that..." |
| Weighing evidence | "The evidence for this is stronger because... / This position is more convincing in that..." |
| Reaching a conclusion | "On balance... / Taking all arguments into account... / The most compelling case appears to be..." |
| Hedging appropriately | "It could be argued... / Some would say... / This may suggest..." |
Notice that discursive writing uses hedging language ('could', 'may', 'suggests') more than persuasive writing, because presenting a view as absolute when you are supposed to be exploring it fairly undercuts the essay's credibility.
How do I introduce and counter an argument fairly?
A common failure in discursive essays is presenting the opposing view weakly — as a straw man that is easy to dismiss. This makes the essay feel biased even when it appears balanced in structure.
Introducing an argument you disagree with: Present it at its strongest. Use evidence that would genuinely support it. Do not undermine it before you have explained it properly.
Example of weak presentation: "Some people naively believe that social media is beneficial, but of course this is wrong because..."
Example of fair presentation: "Supporters of social media point to its role in connecting isolated individuals and facilitating grassroots political organisation. Research by Smith et al. (2022) found that 67% of young people reported feeling more connected to their community through online platforms."
Only after presenting the argument at its strongest should you move to the counter-argument — and that counter-argument must engage directly with the strongest form of the previous point, not attack a weakened version of it.
How do I write a discursive conclusion?
The conclusion is where you are permitted to arrive at a judgement, but the judgement must be the product of the preceding analysis:
- Summarise the main arguments on both sides (briefly — one sentence each is enough).
- Weigh them explicitly: which arguments are more evidenced? Which are more relevant to the specific context of the question?
- State your reasoned view, using language that reflects that this is a conclusion from evidence rather than a predetermined opinion: "On balance, the evidence suggests that..."
Avoid: introducing new arguments in the conclusion; contradicting what you argued in the body; ending abruptly without a clear evaluative statement; being so hedged that the conclusion says nothing.
Example of a strong discursive conclusion: "On balance, whilst the arguments for extending the school day carry some merit — particularly regarding the equity benefits for students without access to private tutoring — the evidence that extended hours increase student wellbeing is weak, and the practical difficulties of implementation are substantial. The stronger case, therefore, lies with those who argue for improving the quality of teaching within existing hours rather than simply increasing their quantity."
Frequently asked questions
Can I include my personal opinion in a discursive essay?
Formally, a discursive essay presents itself as exploring the question rather than arguing a position. However, in practice, most discursive essays do arrive at a conclusion that reflects the writer's reasoned view — the difference from a persuasive essay is that this view is presented as a product of weighing the evidence, not as a starting point. In a KS3 task, presenting a clear, well-reasoned conclusion is expected and rewarded.
How many arguments should I include on each side?
For a standard KS3 discursive essay of around 500–700 words, two or three arguments on each side is appropriate. More than four on each side makes the essay feel like a list rather than an argument. Choose the strongest arguments rather than the most numerous ones.
How is a discursive essay different from a 'for and against' essay?
A 'for and against' essay is essentially the same form, described from a structural perspective: you write arguments for and then arguments against (or alternate between them). The term 'discursive' describes the mode of engagement — exploring rather than advocating. Both terms describe writing that examines an issue from multiple perspectives, so treat them as near-synonyms for classroom purposes.
Can I use the first person in a discursive essay?
Minimally. A formal discursive essay typically uses impersonal constructions: "it could be argued" rather than "I think". However, in the conclusion, a single use of the first person — "I believe the most compelling case is..." — is acceptable and can make the evaluative judgement feel more authoritative. Avoid beginning with 'I' and avoid using first person throughout the body, where impersonal language better serves the essay's analytical register.
Bring your discursive essay plan to Professor Quill at aitutors.me — he will help you test whether your arguments are truly balanced and your evidence genuinely supports your conclusion.