Definition of Discussion Text

Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from
different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and social text.

Generic Structure of Discussion Text

Statement of issue; stating the issue which is to discussed
List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue
List of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the supporting point
Recommendation; stating the writer' recommendation of the discourse

Language Feature of Discussion Text

Introducing category or generic participant
Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand, however, etc
Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc
A problematic discourse is the simple key to see whether the text is an example of discussion or
the other genres. Discussion text will see and elaborate the issue from the different point of view.
It presents pro and contra opinion on certain issue. One side is agreeing the issue, the other is
disagreeing that issue. The different point of views, according to the generic structure, is the
heart of the discussion text. That will differentiate from the other text types.
When we read an example of discussion text, we will see the structure as follow;
Stated issue; what issue is going to be discussed. This must drive problematic discussion from
different points of view.
Supporting arguments: after stating the issue, it is necessary to present the argument to
support that one point is agreeing.
Against arguments: beside the supporting argument, discussion text need the arguments which
disagree to the stated issue.
Recommendation; finally in the end of the discussion, it is important to re-think to formulate
certain recommendation for the discussed issue.
Now we will see the following example of discussion text

Giving Children Homework; Pro and Con

There are a lot of discussion as to whether children should be given homework or not. Is it
enough for children having time to study at school or needing additional time in home for study
after school time?
Some people claim that children do enough work in school already. They also argue that children
have their hobbies which they want to do after school, such as sport or music. A further point they
make is that a lot of homeworks are pointless and does not help the children learn at all.
However, there are also strong arguments against this point of view. Parents and teachers argue
that it is important to find out whether children can work on their own without the support from the
teacher. They say that the evening is a good time for children to sit down and think about what
they have learned in school.
Furthermore they claim that the school day is too short to get anything done. It makes sense to
send home tasks like independent reading or further writing task which do not need the teacher
support.
I think, on balance, that some homework is good idea but that should only given at the weekend
when children have more time.

http://www.englishdirection.com/2007/12/what-is-discussion.html
National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions. Though the Supreme Court has
rejected an appeal by the go-vernment on the organization of the national exams, the
controversy over whether it is necessary to maintain the national exams (UN) has continued.
Some debates include the primary questions such as; does the quality of Indonesia education
depend on the national exam?, will the quality of the Indonesian education system worsen
without

natipnal

exam?

People, who support the national exam explain that the quality of the Indonesia education system
will drop without the national exam, so they try to defend the current system.
Hoever there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this national exam
kept in our high school education say that it doesn't need the national exams because the quality
of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further, the national exam only

measures a small portion of students' competence in specific subjects, and does not measure
students'

competences

throughout

the

semester.

In fact, the national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or detect the
level of students' cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national scale.
Arranged from: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/19/quality-education-and-national-exams.html