Discursive Essay Plan
A discursive essay is an expositive/argumentative piece of writing which discusses a particular
issue, situation or problem.
Every discursive essay should consist of:
•an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the theme (topic) to be
discussed;
•a main body, in which you subdivide your argument into its relevant points (these
points should be clearly stated in separate paragraphs and exemplified or justified);
and
•a closing paragraph (conclusion) summarizing the most important points of the
essay. You may, to use a common plan, visualize the overall essay structure as
something like this:
Introduction: Paragraph 1
Main Body: Paragraphs 2-3
Conclusion: Final Paragraph
Your goal is to write a simple essay following the structures below. Notice that each of the main
body paragraphs should expand on the points you identify by using ideas and examples.
Discursive (For and Against) Essay
Introduction: Paragraph 1 - state topic, without your opinion
Main Body: Paragraph 2 - arguments for and justifications, examples or reasons
Paragraph 3 - arguments against and justifications, examples or reasons
Conclusion: Final Paragraph - balanced consideration or opinion
Example essay:
When should people be made to retire? 55? 65? Should there be a compulsory retirement
age?
Retirement Age
Many people work well into their 70s and 80s, running families, countries or corporations. Other
people, however, despite being fit and highly talented, are forced to retire at 65 or even earlier
because of company or national regulations. This essay will examine whether people should be
allowed to continue working for as long as they want or whether they should be encouraged to
retire at a particular stage.
There are several arguments for allowing older people to continue working as long as they are
able. First of all, older employees have an immense amount of knowledge and experience
which can be lost to a business or organization if they are made to retire. A second point is
that older employees are often extremely loyal employees and are more willing to implement
company policies than younger less committed staff. However, a more important point is
regarding the attitudes in society to old people. To force someone to resign or retire at 60 or 65
indicates that the society does not value the input of these people and that effectively their
useful life is over.
Allowing older people to work indefinitely however is not always a good policy. Age alone is no
guarantee of ability. Many younger employees have more experience or skills than older staff,
who may have been stuck in one area or unit for most of their working lives. Having compulsory
retirement allows new ideas in an organization. In addition, without age limits, however arbitrary,
many people would continue to work purely because they did not have any other plans or roles.
A third point of view is that older people should be rewarded by society for their life’s labour by
being given generous pensions and the freedom to enjoy their leisure.
With many young people unemployed or frustrated in low-level positions, there are often calls to
compulsorily retire older workers. However, this can affect the older individual’s freedom - and
right - to work and can deprive society of valuable experience and insights. I feel that giving
