information to support their arguments and emphasis the importance of anticipating arguments and responding to this.
In addition, Discussion texts are concerned with the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of issues. In effective discussion, all points of view
on an issue are considered and attitudes change when different perspectives are seen.
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It can be concluded, discussion text gives students opportunity to explore different perspective toward an issue. Students are accustomed to the ability in
involving and persuading audience while evaluating the strength of different argument.
There is a summary that can be picked up based on the definition explains above. A discussion text is a text that presenting different opinion of an issue
consists of argument for and arguments again. Learning discussion text related to the real life situation that students will be faced. They have to make a decision,
and the skills in making decision can be learned through learning a discussion text.
2. The Purpose of Discussion Text
The purpose of discussion text is to present different opinions, view point or perspective on an issue. As Mark and Kathy Anderson stated in their book; the
purpose of discussion text is to present to the audience different opinions on a topic and, at the end, your opinion.
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It means discussion text enable reader to explore different ideas both negative and positive side of an issue. It will be
meaningful for reader to get important information needed before making a decision. It also can make a reader critically in facing an issue.
18
Bloke Education, Structure and Features of Discussion Text, 2014, p. 1, http:literacy4life.wikispaces.comfileviewDiscussion+texts+Stage+2+Pt+1.pdf.
19
Mark Anderson Kathy Anderson, Text Types in English 1, South Yarra: Macmillan, 2003, p. 117.
3. The Schematic Structure of Discussion Text
In constructing discussion text, there are several steps that should be considered by the author. The elements of them are also provided to guide the
readers in reading the text. a. An Introductory Paragraph
Discussion text begins with a brief introduction describing the situation. It has a statement or question about the topic.
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In this introduction will be recognized that there are two points of view. We can see the example of
introductory paragraph in the part of the text by the title, ―Television: The best
invention of the twentiet h century?‖:
“During the twentieth century the world has witnessed the invention of many amazing things. Television is a great invention but there are arguments for and
against whether it is the best inven tion of the twentieth century.”
b. A Series of Paragraphs This paragraph gives evidence, opinions, or argument for and against the
topic. There are two terms in this paragraph; first is argument for and supporting evidence, second argument against and supporting evidence.
In the next few paragraphs elaborate the arguments for the issue, based on researching, surveying and interviewing experts. It is what we called argument
for. Meanwhile, the next set of paragraphs describes the arguments against the issue based on researching, surveying or interviewing. It is what we called
argument against. Each paragraph should be clearly structured with a topic sentence supported
by details. The supporting material could be reported speech, or supporting evidence from research or surveys.
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Here the example of argument for and argument against:
“Television was invented in the 1920’s and first came to Australia in 1956. It has played an important role in communicating news. We can learn
20
Ibid., p. 118.
21
Bloke Education, Structure and Features of Discussion Text, 2014, p. 2, http:literacy4life.wikispaces.comfileviewDiscussion+texts+Stage+2+Pt+1.pdf.
instantly about what is happening in the world because of television. We often see it happening such as when the Vietnam wars taking place
.” “On the other hand, there are other inventions that could be seen as more
important than television. Some would argue the computer has made life easier for many people, including those in the outback, especially with email and
internet connections. ”
c. A Conclusion The discussion ends by presenting a personal point of view, either for or
against the topic, before concluding. The conclusion sums up both sides of the argument if they are fairly balanced, or can recommend one argument over the
other if the evidence is overwhelming.
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This is the one of example of concluding paragraph in discussion text:
―It can be seen that there are reasons supporting and questioning television being considered the best invention of the twentieth century. After
looking at both sides I still believe it is the best invention .”
Here is the example of discussion text and its schematic structure:
Television: The best invention of the Twentieth Century?
During the twentieth century the world has witnessed the invention of many amazing things. Television is a great invention
but there are arguments for and against whether it is the best invention of the twentieth century.
Television was invented in the 1920‘s and first came to Australia in 1956. It has played an important role in
communicating news. We can learn instantly about what is happening in the world because of television. We often see it
happening such as when the Vietnam war was taking place
Television has also provided people with entertainment in their own homes. People in isolated areas can still feel part of the world
because of television. This is especially true for those Australians who live in the outback areas. This is why many people are
concerned with the possible sale of Telstra as they feel they will lose vital links with the world.
22
Ibid. A general
statement that introduces the
topic for discussion
Reasons for television
being the best invention
