Discussion Text

1.      Definition of Discussion Text

A discussion is argumentative genre that requires the writer to adopt a position and for it by debating two or more sides of an issue before reaching a conclusion (Christie and Derewieanka, 2008:133 cited in Emilia 2009:22). On the other hand, Djuharie (2007:35) claims that Discussion text is shown two arguments based on the topic. Actually, discussion text serves two or more different perspectives in arguments or problem.

Lastly, a discussion is a more sophisticated argument as it involves the consideration of an issue from a number of perspectives. Discussions of early writers, however, are generally confined to statements for and against (Knapp and Watkins 2005:195).

2.      Schematic Structure of Discussion Text

Schematic is showing the main form and features of something, usually in the form of a drawing, which helps people to understand it (Longman; 2007, Cambridge; 2008). Whereas structure is the way in which the parts of a system or object are arranged or organized, or a system arranged in this way (Longman; 2007, Cambridge; 2008). So Schematic Structure is to show the way to organize and arrange a main form and feature of something in order easily to understand it.

Moreover, Scott (1989:9) explained that a discussion text has the schematic structure of discussin text namely  issue, arguments for and arguments against (pros and cons), statements and differing point of view, and recommendation.

On the other word, Emilia (2009:22-23) said that it consists of:

1.      An Issue stage, which introduces the issue and summarises the debate; presents what the discussion is about (Feez and Joyce, 1998b; Macken-Horarik, 2002; Gibbons, 2002; Unsworth, 2000). This stage gives information about the issue and how it is to be framed (Macken-Horarik, 2002, p. 23). Moreover, this stage, which is also called the opening statement, needs to give a statement about the issue and signal to the audience that two sides of the case will be presented (Anderson & Anderson, 1997, p. 124). This stage, Anderson & Anderson (1997, p. 120) state, can include a question and the view of the author can be expressed, which is called discussions thesis)

2.      Arguments for one side; Arguments for the other side:  This stage canvasses points of view on  the issue (similarities and differences, advantages or  disadvantages (Macken-Horarik, 2002, p. 23). This stage, according to Anderson & Anderson (1997, p. 120) may have paragraphs on the  for side, followed by paragraphs on the against side, and within the  paragraphs there should be evidence to support the point of view. We can have more or less paragraphs in this stage, and the number will depend on how many arguments we want to include. The number of arguments for and against should be the same.

3.      Recommendation or Judgment which is presented as the most logical conclusion.  It also recommends a final position on the issue (Macken-Horarik, 2002).

3.      Linguistic Features of Discussion Text

There are some linguistic features of discussion text(Scott; 1989, Djuharie; 2007, Emilia; 2009) consisting of:

1.      Focus on generic human and non-human participant. e.g. Newspaper, advertisement etc

2.      Use of simple present tense. e.g promote, compete, save etc

3.      Use of logical conjunctive relations. e.g. on the other hand, also, while, why etc

4.      Use of material, relational and mental processes (types of verbal).

According to Scot (1989; 23-26) and Emilia (2009; 24-26) explain that there are some language features consisting of:

a)      Ways to open the introductory/paragraph

·         The current debate regarding.....

·         There are both advantages and disadvantages in...

·         Before deciding whether....

·         Every society has different views on whether or not...

·         There are many reasons for both sides of the issue about why...

·         In discussing whether or not....

·         It is often argued that....

b)      Ways to introduce another viewpoint

·         Although

·         On the other hand

·         Even though

·         On the opposite side

·         Nevertheless

·         Sometimes we may

·         However

·         On the other side

·         In spite of

·         One side of the issue

·         In contrast to

·         This differs from

·         At the same time

·         Notwithstanding

·         Despite this

·         On the surface it right seem that... however...

·         The fundamental question is not.... however...

·         To argue.... is insufficient, (Not enough)... it is necessary to consider

·         At deeper level...

·         What need to be noted is that....

·         However, the basic issue is....

·         On closer inspection it is worth considering that...

·         Ultimately we must realise, however...

·         More importantly (significantly) however...

c)      Ways to sum up

·         There are many reasons...

·         It can seem that...

·         I recommend....

·         I propose...

·         Consequently it seems better to...

·         It would seem that...

·         The weight of evidence would suggest...

·         On balance it would seem that...

·         Thus, in summary...

d)     Ways to introduce recommendations

·         My point of view is...

·         After looking at both sides...

·         Therefore, after examining all the arguments..

·         It would appear reasonable to conclude then...

·         My opinion is...

·         My decision is...

·         In spite of...

·         My recommendation after looking at both sides...

·         Although there are –many benefits

-problems

-a number of reasons, I think...

·         It is possible to criticise the reasons..

·         The reasons on the other side

-are clearer

-More signifacantly

-more convincing

-suggest that

e)      Ways to write about cause and effect

As a consequence of An affect of Produced by Produced Caused by Influenced by an upshot of an outcome of a repercussion of stemmed from arose out of sprang from grew out of a source of derived form unfolded from shaped by ramification of encouraged gave scope to culminated in

As a result of Led to Influenced Points toward Resulted in Created Inspired Generated Brought about Contributed to Gave rise to Initiated Fostered Spawned Engendered Shaped Allowed Created Conditions for inaugurated

f)       Ways to write about the significance of something

Discloses Indicates Shows up Represents Expresses Exemplifies Shows evidence of In a extension of

Reveals Shows Means Symbolises Minors Reflects Manifests Is rooted in

g)      Ways to express judgments in writing

AN or A

Element Feature Aspect Ingredient Factor Trend Tendency Structure Role Demand Event Development Situation Principle Direction Force Tenet theme sector impuls drive imperative motive problem fact discrepancy dilemma state of affairs claim

CAN BE

Central Crucial Key Necessary Essential Unique Indispensible Representative Paradigmatic Primary Major Decisive Fundamental Basic Critical Important Vital Prominant Significant Salient Outstanding Characteristic Predominant Deep-rooted Chief Serious Underlying Determining

OR

Unimportant Less important Superficial Secondary Subsidiary Trivid Cosmetic Minor Marginal Peripheral accidental

h)      Ways to write about the significance of a situation, element, event or state of affairs

A situation Element Event State of affairs

is

A consequence of A response to Necessitated by An effect of Influenced by Caused by Resulted from An outcome of Produced by Affected by A sequal to An upshot of Implied by Deducible from A symptom of A manifestation of

A prior An earlier More fundamental

Situation State of affair

4.      Example Of Discussion Text

This section, the writer will serve to students about example of discussion text in order that students know modelling of discussion text. Moreover, it used to give modelling of text to students depended on Genre Based Approach. Below is example of text consisting of:

Advertisement

There are many reasons for both sides of the question, “should we have printed advertisements?” Many  people have strong views and feel that advertisements are nothing more than useless junk mail, while other people feel they are important source of information.

Here are some reasons  why we should have advertisement in newspapers and magazines. One reason is advertisements give us information about what is available. Looking at advertisement can find out what is on sale and what is new in the market. This is an easy way of shopping. Another reason is that advertisements promote business. When shop owners compete against each other the buyer saves money, more people come to their shops and they sell more goods.

On the other hand, some poeple argue advertisement should not be put in newspaper and magazines for these various reasons. Firstly, advertisement cost the shopkeepers a lot of money to print onto paper. Also some people don’t like finding junk mail in their letter boxes. People may also find the advertisement is not very interesting. Advertisement also influence people to buy items they don’t need and can’t really afford. Advertisement use up a lot of space and a lot of effort has to be made to make the advertisement eye-catching. Advertisement also takes up a lot of room in the papers and don’t think to find some of them interesting.

In summary, although advertisement provide people with information, they cost a lot of money to print. Therefore, I think we should not have printed advertisements.