E. TUJUAN PEMBELAJARAN
Pada akhir pembelajaran, siswa diharapkan mampu: 1.
Mengidentifikasi langkah retorika schematic structures dan fitur kebahasaan language features dalam discussion text.
2. Memahami langkah retorika dan fitur kebahasaan dalam discussion text dengan
baik. 3.
Membuat kerangka berpikir dalam menulis esei. 4.
Menulis discussion text dengan baik. 5.
Menggunakan tata bahasa yang baik dan benar dalam menulis discussion text.
F. MATERI PEMBELAJARAN
1. Discussion Text
a. Definition of Discussion Text
Discussion text is one of informative texts presenting two contrast arguments or viewpoints on an issue raised.
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However, it is not a persuasive text allowing writers to be at one side. Writers should be fair to both the arguments or, in other
words, the writers should take their position in the middle of both arguments. Thus, the more writers can be balance, the better writers can make a good discussion text.
Besides of that, the arguments should also be supported by data, fact, and evidence. Moreover, to avoid writers subjectivity, the number of data should also be the
same.
The arguments usually show each strength and weakness of a subject to give readers broader insights before they make any decisions. However, not only
strengths and weaknesses, Anderson also stated that “a discussion text gives the for and against, the positive and negative, or the good points and bad points.”
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From both definition, it can be concluded that in a discussion text, there will be two different views presented to inform the readers about the issue discussed.
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Discussion Texts, 2014, http:assets.readingeggsassets.com
.
2
Mark Anderson and Kathy Anderson, Text Types in English, Australia: MacMillan Education Australia PTY LTD., 1998, Third Edition, p. 19.
b. Purpose of Discussion Text
The main purpose of discussion text is, indeed, to discuss about the two differ
ent arguments on an issue. As stated by Anderson and Anderson, “the purpose of a discussion text is to present to the audience different opinions on a
topic and, at the end, your opinion.”
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Moreover, it enables the readers to have broader views before having decision about the issue since it is also supported by
the facts and evidence. Although both of them do not give deeper information, they
can give a short explanation about the arguments. c.
Structure and Language Features of Discussion Text
This table represents structure and language features of discussion text:
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Table 1 Structure and Language Features of Discussion Text
Structure Language Features
1. Statement of an issue
In this part, an issue is raised. 2.
Arguments for Arguments that support the issue.
3. Arguments against
Arguments that against the issue. 4.
Closing statement This part consists of writers balanced
view about all the arguments. 1.
The use of general nouns e.g., machines, cars, etc.
2. The use of thinking verbs
e.g., think, feel, hope, believe, etc. 3.
The use of connectives e.g., in addition, besides, although, even
if, nevertheless, etc. 4.
The use of varying degrees of certainty e.g., perhaps, probably, should, could,
etc. 5.
The use of modalities e.g., must, perhaps, should, etc.
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Ibid.
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Discussion Texts, 2014, http:assets.readingeggsassets.com
d. Example of Discussion Text
Home Schooling
Opening Many people may have many different views about home schooling.
Arguments Pro
1. Provides better opportunities for kids to learn.
a. Be more focus
b. Have more chances to express their emotion in the
learning process c.
Not wondering peers comments. 2.
Enables students to have broader knowledge a.
Learn outside the building, rather than in the square classroom.
Arguments Contra
1. Have no good abilities in socializing with their peers
a. Learn alone.
b. Have little chance to socialize, to work with others,
and to understand differentiation in each other. 2.
Costs higher than public school. a.
The success of the children is the only thing that they guarantee.
Closing Although we have to consider about many advantageous and
disadvantageous of homeschooling, we still have to consider about our children. We should be able to accommodate what they need
rather than to argue with our opinions and assumptions. Have you ever heard about home schooling? Is it a good idea to take it as an alternative
of formal education? Since the practice of this kind of institutions have been mushrooming in Indonesia, many people may have many different views about home schooling.
Some people believe that home schooling provides better opportunities for kids to learn more than public schooling does. The fact shows that students can be more focus and have
more chances to express their emotion in the learning process without wondering peers comments. Moreover, home schooling also enables students to have broader knowledge
since they can learn outside the building, rather than in the square classroom. Are they true?
On the other side, although some people think that home schooling will bring positive significances for the students, some other argue that students will not have good abilities
in socializing with their peers because they usually learn alone. When they learn alone, they will actually have little chance to socialize, to work with others, and to understand
differentiation in each other. Moreover, this program may cost higher than public school. is it true? It may be true since the success of the children is the only thing that they
guarantee. They have no idea to let their students become an ordinary one. Although we have to consider about many advantageous and disadvantageous of
homeschooling, we still have to consider about our children. We should be able to accommodate what they need rather than to argue with our opinions and assumptions.
Should Abortion be Legal?
The debate over whether or not abortion should be a legal option continues to divide Americans long after the US Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision on Roe v. Wade declared the
procedure a “fundamental right” on Jan. 22, 1973.
Proponents, identifying themselves as pro-choice, contend that abortion is a right that should not be limited by governmental or religious authority, and which outweighs any
right claimed for an embryo or fetus. They argue that pregnant women will resort to unsafe illegal abortions if there is no legal option. A fetus is not a human being. Abortion is
terminating a pregnancy, not a baby. Personhood at conception is not a proven biological fact. Personhood begins at birth. Fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when an abortion is
performed according to Stuart W. G. Derbyshire, PhD, Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham England. Access to legal, professionally-performed abortions reduces injury
and death caused by unsafe illegal abortions. The World Health Organization estimated in 2006 that “back-alley” abortions cause 68,000 maternal deaths each year in countries where
abortion is not legal. Modern abortion procedures are safe. The risk of a woman’s death
from abortion is less than one in 100,000. Whereas the risk of a woman dying from giving birth is 13.3 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies.
Opponents, identifying themselves as pro-life, assert that personhood begins at conception, and therefore abortion is the immoral killing of an innocent human being. They
say abortion inflicts suffering on the unborn child, and that it is unfair to allow abortion when couples who cannot biologically conceive are waiting to adopt. Unborn babies are
innocent human beings from the moment of conception. They have a fundamental right to
life, which must be protected. Fetuses feel pain during an abortion according to Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand, MBBS, DPhil, Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and Neurobiology at
the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Moreover the Declaration of Independence states that “All men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Allowing abortion directly contradicts the Founding Fathers’ intentions for an
inalienable right to life in this country. Women should use contraceptives, not abortion, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. A
Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC study showed that 19-25 of women who received abortions in 2006 had previously had one or more abortions. If abortion were
not available, women would not be so careless.
Taken from: http:thousandsideas.comdiscussion-text-should-abortion-be-legal
The Good and Bad Effects of TV for Children
By Maria Sembiring Is TV good for children? Actually, TV is one of the most influential for society in two
different sides especially for children; it can be useful, educated, and also addictive, even harmful. For children, it is hard to avoid television if people in the house are usually
watching TV. It is common for parents to use TV as a substitute babysitter. Also, many parents buy videos that they think can make their kids are smart. But how does watching
TV really affect children? In one side, TV is not all that bad; TV impact could give us some eases. First, all
programs on TV are basically designed to entertain and give information to people. They help them relax and get to know about different news or information. They also make them
laugh because they are amusing. Next, some TV shows can educate, inform and inspire. Many different programs have been to serve children good lessons through cartoon films,
games, music, sport, and local film series for children. It can be more effective than books or audiotapes in teaching children about processes like how a plant grows or how to bake
a cake. In contrast, TV exposes children to negative influences, and promotes negative
behavior. Some programs, however, are sometimes about the exhibition of violence, sarcasm, crimes, murder, etc. For instance, twenty years of research has shown that children
who are more exposed to media violence behave more aggressively as kids and when they
are older. They are taught by TV that violence is the way to resolve conflict – as when a
TV hero beats up a bad guy to subdue him. Moreover, it has bad effect for their health. Children who watch too much TV are usually overweight, according to the American
Medical Association. Children often snack on junk food while watching TV. They are also influenced by commercials to consume unhealthy food. Also, they are not running,
jumping, or doing activities that burn calories and increase metabolism. Well, as the consequences of these bad effects, many parents should realize about this
problem. It is better if they can start to follow the good effects by selecting the good programs for their children today. Not only it, but also they need to control their children
by accompanying them when watching TV while educate them. Last but not least, many parents should remember to limit time of watching TV for their children because it is bad
for their health and education if it takes a long time.
Taken from: http:thousandsideas.comdiscussion-text-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-
tv-for-children
Are Social Networking Sites Good for Our Society?
The popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Classmates.com more than quadrupled from 2005 to 2009. Many users say
the sites are good for our society, but others contend that the dangers of social media outweigh the benefits.
Proponents of social networking sites argue that these online communities promote increased communication with friends and family, familiarize people with valuable
computer skills, and allow contact with people from around the world. Social networking sites allow people to create new relationships and reconnect with friends and family.
Increased communication, even online, strengthens relationships. Social networking sites allow for creative expression in a new medium. They provide free messaging, blogging,
photo storage, games, event invitations, and many other services to anyone with access to a computer and the Internet. Social networking sites bring people with common interest
together, offer exposure to new ideas from around the world, and lower inhibitions to overcome social anxiety. People who have a difficulty communicating in person are more
comfortable interacting via the Internet. Meanwhile the opponents argue that social networking sites expose children to
predators, increase vulnerability to computer viruses, lower worker productivity, and
promote narcissism and short attention spans. Social networking sites entice people to spend more time online and less time interacting face-to-face. The sites offer many time
wasting activities that supplant more productive activities. Teens spend an average of nine hours per week on social networking sites. Teens growing up with these sites may not be
aware that the information they post is public and that photos and text can be retrieved even after deletion. Consequences from over-sharing personal information include vulnerability
to sexual or financial predators and lost job opportunities from employers finding embarrassing photos or comments. Social networking sites have no way to verify that
people are who they claim to be, leaving people vulnerable to solicitations from online predators who are able to mask their true identities. In Feb. 2009, MySpace identified
90,000 registered sex offenders with profiles on the site, while Facebook declined to reveal how many were present on its site. Even if the sites agree to remove sex offenders, they
cannot identify all of them or stop them from creating new accounts. As social networking sites become more integrated in our modern culture, some people
think that the benefits outweigh any downsides, while others believe the dangers are more pressing than any upsides.
Taken from: http:thousandsideas.comdiscussion-text-are-social-networking-sites-
good-for-our-society
G. METODE PEMBELAJARAN:
Kategori