What is Discussion Text? What is discussion text?

Discussion text is a text that has social

function to present (at least) two points of view about an issue. Discussion text conveys
different ideas or arguments about something. The ideas or arguments may support or against
the issue. What are the parts of discussions text? Discussion text has 3 parts of text called
generic structure. The generic structure of discussion text is issue, argument for and against,
conclusion or recommendation. The issue contains of statement and preview about
something. The argument contains of statements of differing points of view. Every statements
are elaborated. The conclusion or recommendation is used to tell how to solve issue by
concerning the arguements for and against. Example of discussion text and the analysis The
following is an example of discussion text. The text is about pros and contras bringing mobile
phone to school. Bringing Mobile Phone To School [Issue] Students are not allowed to bring
mobile phone to school. The reasons why they shouldn't bring mobile phone are: avoiding
losing mobile phone and disturbing the lesson time. [Argument against] This policy causes
parents to react. Some of them disagrees. They think students need to bring mobile phone in
order to be easy checked and controlled. Some parents say that they may call their children
every break time to check whether they are in the school or not. Other parents state that they
don't want their children to come home late. By bringing mobile phone they are able to call
their children after school off. [Argument against] Students also have some objections. They
need mobile phone to tell their family to pick them up after school. Beside that, they need
mobile phone to access the internet to search some information they need during the lesson.
[Argument for] But, some other parents think differently. The parents agrees if the school
prohibits students to bring mobile phone. They say that bringing mobile phone to school is
useless. They are afraid their students are busy with their mobile phone. They are only
calling, sending text, chatting and receiving inappropriate file during the school time. They
are also worried if the mobile phone is missing. [Recommendation] By hearing to those
arguments, the school decide some policies. The policies state that students may bring mobile
phone but they should leave their mobile phone in the teachers' room. They may take their
mobile phone after school time.

Read more at: http://www.sekolahoke.com/2011/09/what-is-discussion-text.html

Discussion Text
What is discussion text? Discussion is a text which presents a problematic discourse. This
problem will be discussed from different points of view. This kind of text is commonly found
in philosophical, historic, and social text. Read the following example of discussion text!
1.
The Pros and Cons of School Uniform
School uniforms are dress codes that are determined by the teaching institutions and students
has to follow the designed code obediently everyday. Many people believe that school
uniforms should be applied but the others dont.
Uniforms have various advantages for both the family and the child. A united school apparel
can relief a financial stress of the backs of many families. As kids tend to compete and
imitate each other, the race of following new trends in fashion or, providing different attire
for every school day is considered a financial burden, not every family can afford it.
Additionally, a uniform creates a sense of equality between all pupils. Young kids tend to
judge others according to their look and what they wear. Uniting their school attire will draw
their attention to other criteria and, the only advantage of one student over another would be
personality, academic achievement or being good at sports.
On the other hand, as repetition can lead to boredom, children can get frustrated of wearing
same thing to school every day. Also, prevent their first steps of individuality by taking away
their right to choose what to wear on their own free well.
In conclusion, I believe uniforms arent meant to suppress the creativity or freedom of
children. It helps redirecting kids creativity towards more important things than outer look,
and waive financial burden of their families.
Note: This example of discussion text about the pros and cons of school uniform is adapted
from http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic40618.html
2.
The Advantage and Disadvantage of the Internet
Computer, tablet, mobile phone, and other devices connected to Internet have been the most
outstanding innovation in the history of mankind. As with every single innovation, internet
has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The target of internet has always been the communication. By the advent of computers
Internet, our earth has reduced and has attained the form of a global village. Now we can
communicate in a fraction of second with a person who is sitting in the other parts of the
world. Today for better communication, we can avail the facilities of e-mail; we can chat for
hours with our loved ones. There are plenty messenger services in offering. With help of such
services, it has become very easy to establish a kind of global friendship.
However, Internet also has disadvantageous sides. One of them is the wide spread of
unsuitable content for kids. It is a very serious issue and related to childrens healthy mental
life. There are thousands of such inappropriate contents on the Internet which can be easily
found.
Though, internet can also create havoc, destruction and its misuse can be very fatal, the
advantages of it outweigh its disadvantages.
This example of discussion text about the advantage and disadvantage of internet is arranged
from: www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-disadvantages-internet.html
3.
After High School
Going to college or getting a job right after graduating high school is the common choices of
teens will likely face. Some likely choose to continue studying at college or university but the
others try to find job. Here are the reasons.
Why is it so important for student to continue on to post-secondary education; university or
college? The reason is that post-secondary education will allow them to get the skills and
tools that they will need to help them prepare for a good career. It has been said that the more
education they have the more careers will be open for them to choose from. Employers today
will tend to be more open to a person with the more education.
However some of them choose to get job right after high school. They believe that education
is critical but college is not. In fact, there are numerous careers, such as in healthcare,
technology, operations, transportation, and the building trades, that do not require a four-year
degree from college or university. Furthermore, as they advance in these careers, there is also
nothing stopping them from pursing a college degree at a later age.
So, what are you doing after graduating high school? Think carefully!
This example of discussion text about life after high school is arranged from:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/after_hs.html
http://www.r-go.ca/postsecondary.htm
http://www.quintcareers.com/college_alternatives.html
Social Function
To present (at least) two points of view about an issue.
Generic Structure
1. Issue:
Statement
Preview
2. Arguments for against or statement of differing points of view:
Point
Elaboration
3. Conclusion or recommendation
Significant Lexicogrammatical Features
1. Focus on generic human and generic non-human Participants
2. Use of:
Material Processes, e.g. has produced, have developed, to feed
Relational Processes, e.g., is, could have, cause are
Mental Processes, e.g., feel.
3. Use of Comparative, contrastive and Consequential conjunctions
4. Reasoning expressed as verbs and nouns (abstraction).
Berikut adalah contoh Discussion text / example of discussion text:
Convenience or Care?
When something issued by someone, we say it has been consumed. We as consumers use
many things, both natural and processed. We consume more of the Earths resources than
other animals do and, as a result, we cause problems for the environment.
Like all animals, we need clean air and water, food and shelter for survival. Unlike other
animals, however, we have certain want. These are items that are not necessary for our
survival, but that we want because they make our lives easier or more enjoyable.
Environments claims that a great deal of waste is created by both the production and the
consumption of these items or product. Disposable products, such a pens, take away food
containers, plates, shavers and cutlery, are made using the Earths resources. When these
products are thrown away, the resources are lost.
Another example of waste is the unnecessary packaging on many products. The material is
often not recycled and used again.
Throwing thing away also increases pollution. The amount of disposable plastic litter that
ends up in waterways is a serious problem. When this waste reaches the oceans, it can kill
marine life.
Industrialist counter these arguments with their own point of view. They claim that
consumers expect to be able to purchase food which is attractively presented, prepackaged to
extent its life and easy to store. In a busy society, convenience is a priority. Products which
make life easier, era in demand. Industrialist argue that they cater to this perceived need.
Packaging is also big business and provides jobs for many people who might otherwise be
unemployed and a burden to society.
Environmentalist declare that for thousands of year, people survived perfectly well with re-
usable products. However, people of the twenty-first century have become used to wing in a
thrown-away society. It is up to each one of us to dispose of waste products carefully,
recycle as much as possible and to reduce the stress on our environment. Think when buying
pre-packaged goods and consider whether the same products can be bought without the extra
wrappings. Lets make the best of what we have.
contoh 2
Increase in the Prices of Fuels


Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem
will be discussed from different viewpoints. The purpose of the discussion
test is to consider a problem or issue from many points of view to assist
in gaining a more complete understanding of it, so that decision can be
made or a solution devised. In its written form the discussion text often
forms a part of other more complex genrex, such as an investigation or
scientific report. It often occurs after some initial research, in which case
it would normally include a reference list. It may also include explanations
and descriptions.

The basic generic structure of the discussion text consists of four parts:

1. Title: A title is included only if the discussion does not form part of a
more
complex genre.
2. Introduction: The issue or problem of interest is introduced or
discussed.
3. Arguments for and against of variety of views: List of supporting
points;
presenting the point in supporting the presented issue. It also consists
of
list of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the
supporting point.
4. Conclusion: The discussion usually ends with a summing up which
may
include a decision or recommendation.

Language Features of Discussion text are as follows:
@ Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
@ Using additive, contrastive, and casual connection; similarly, on the
hand,
however, etc
@ Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
@ Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc

Below the example of discussion text

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Office (Title)
Everybody like home sweet home however making office at home is
possible and recommend. Of course home office will has both advantage
and disadvantage. Therefore it is wise to consider the strengths and
weaknesses to have a home office. (Introduction)

Some people will agree that having office at home will make benefit. It
saves time. We need no commuting which occasionally takes a long time.
Besides we are free to set the work schedule. Having home office will
save money as we need not to purchase or lease of office space from rent
companies. What make it more flexible is that we can set part or all parts
of our home just as a real office. What we need is only a wireless router
to cover all parts of our house with Internet. We can run our business
wherever part of house we want, from living room, bed room, veranda,
etc even we can make sell or purchase by online shopping for things we
need. Furthermore Working at home might reduce stress, effort and time
and divert it to other more productive things because while working, we
are close to our families.

However making home as office also has some disadvantages. For some
people, keeping the schedule is hard in flexible time. Such people type
will harder if they are working just from home. There will no clear border
between working and breaking. Working just from home also reduces the
possibility to meet new people. It is true that computer and Internet
connection possibly relate people every time and everywhere but we will
interact with them in a dimension which is not real face. (Arguments)

So considering carefully what we actually need in running our business is
very recommended before choosing to have office at home or not.
(Conclusion)

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of.html#ixzz25OZylAKy

DISCUSSION
Social function discussion: To present information and opinions about more than one side of an
issue (for points against points)
Generic structure discussion:
1. Opening statement presenting the issue
2. Arguments or evidence for different points of view ( pros and cons)
3. Concluding recommendation
Language features discussion:
Use of general nouns: alcohol, abortion, smoking, etc.
Use of relating verbs: is, are, etc.
Use of thinking verbs: think, feel, hope believe, etc.
Use of additive connectives: addition, furthermore, besides, etc.
Use of contrastive connectives: although, even, if, nevertheless, etc.
Use of causal connectives: because, because of, etc.
Use of modal auxiliary: must, should, etc.
Use of adverbial manner: hopefully.

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Handphone is a device that can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst
moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network
provided by a mobile phone operator, allowing access to the public telephone network. By
contrast, a cordless telephone is used only within the short range of a single, private base
station.
In addition to telephony, modern mobile phones also support a wide variety of other services
such as text messaging, MMS, email, Internet access, short-range wireless communications
(infrared, Bluetooth), business applications, gaming and photography. Mobile phones that
offer these and more general computing capabilities are referred to as smartphones.
The first hand-held mobile phone was demonstrated by Dr Martin Cooper of Motorola in
1973, using a handset weighing around 1 kg. In 1983, the DynaTAC 8000x was the first to be
commercially available. In the twenty years from 1990 to 2010, worldwide mobile phone
subscriptions grew from 12.4 million to over 4.6 billion, penetrating the developing
economies and reaching the bottom of the economic pyramid.
The Advantage and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various part of the
world. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria,
England in 1956.
Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power
produces around 11% of the world's energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It
cause no pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of nuclear
plant are as follow:
It costs about the same coal, so it is not expansive to make.
It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the
greenhouse effect.
It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium.
It produces small amount of waste.
It is reliable.
On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for
many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of
money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident ca be a major
accident.
People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990's nuclear power was the
fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.
Note on the Generic Structure of Discussion Text
Discussion is a process to find the meet point between two different ideas. It is important to
to get the understanding between the two differences. In many social activities, discussion is
the effective way to calm down any friction and difference in thought, perception and
recommendation.
This example of discussion text present the two poles, between the advantage and
disadvantage of using nuclear plant to fulfill the energy needed. It is a case which need to be
talked and discussed from two points. They are represented in the generic structure which is
used:
Stating the Issue: In the first paragraph, it is stated that using nuclear power can be the
choice in fulfilling the needed energy.
Supporting Point: In the second paragraph, it is presented the advantages of nuclear power
plant to be used as the source of the world's energy needed
Contrastive Point: The third paragraph shows the balance. It gives the contradictory idea in
using nuclear power plant as the resource of energy.
Recommendation: This text is ended with a similar recommendation on how people should
concern in the matter of nuclear energy.
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