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Kegiatan Pembelajaran 1
activities, a discussion is the effective way to calm down any frictions and differences in thought, perception and recommendation.
2. The Generic Structure of A Discussion Text
• Issue: - Statement
- Preview • Arguments for supporting points:
- Point or main idea - Elaboration
• Arguments against contrasting pointsof different points of view: - Point or main idea
- Elaboration • Conclusion: stating the writers conclusion on the issue
3. Language Features of Discussion
• Focus on generic participant • Use of material processes has produced, have developed, to feed
• Use of relational process is, could have, cause, are • Use of mental process feel,hope, believe, etc
• Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the other
hand, however, etc • Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
• Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc • Use of comparative: contrastive and consequential conjunctions
• Reasoning expressed as verbs and nouns abstraction
4. An Example of A Discussion Text
Take a look at the discussion text below. Observe carefully the generic structure and language features of the text.
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Bahasa Inggris SMP KK G
Issue The Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear
Power
Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various parts of the world.
The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England in 1956.
Argument for Supporting Point
Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power
produces around 11 of the worlds energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It causes no
pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of a nuclear plant are as follow:
• It costs about the same as 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 a reliable source of energy.
Argument against Contrasting Point
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 can be a major accident.
Conclusion
People are increasingly concerned about this matter. Nevertheless, in the 1990s nuclear power was the
fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.
additional conjunction
passive voice
present tense
contrasting conjunction
modality
