Discursive Essay Planning
This plan is a guide to how you might structure your discursive essay. For each paragraphs try to
remember to PCQRL – Point, Context, Quotation, Response, Link to task.
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Your first paragraph should:
be a general introduction. Don’t include specific points from the main body of the argument
include a response to the title. You may need to identify the issues that lie behind the title, to
give historical or topical background
be interesting and relevant
Paragraph 2 – Background
Provide some of the context and history of the topic you are writing about.
Paragraphs 3-9 – Your argument
(at least 6/7 reasons, thus 6/7 paragraphs)
These paragraphs must:
contain one major point of the argument, stating your reason for agreeing/disagreeing with
question posed.
begin with or have near its start a topic (or “signpost”) sentence (a sentence which
indicates what the paragraph will be about and how it relates to the essay title). This is NOT a
sub-heading! Your writing should be formal continuous prose.
be linked to the paragraph that comes before, often with a suitable conjunction or link
words such as in addition, nevertheless, despite this, however. Don’t put also or for example at
the start of a sentence.
contain generalised evidence of your research (e.g. statistics/expert opinion).
2nd Last Paragraph – Counter argument (1 paragraph)
Open with “Contrary to this…” “In contrast there are those who...” “On the
other hand…”
List the opposing side’s reasons but do not change your opinion. Use phrases
like: some people claim… There are those who say…
Conclusion
A good conclusion WILL:
be crisp and conclusive in feel, the goal of the whole essay
A good conclusion MAY:
return to something mentioned in the first paragraph
evaluate what has gone before
hint at something you might have followed up had the scope of the question allowed it
Give your opinion. A discursive essay should feel as if you have weighed up the arguments and
come to a conclusion at the end.
A poor conclusion will simply restate or summarise points made earlier or be a few sentences
stuck on at the end.
