TUGAS DISCUSSION TEXT (DEFINISI, TUJUAN, STRUKTUR, CONTOH)

DEFINITION OF DISCUSSION TEXT

Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and social text.

THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION TEXT

To present two points of view of an issue

GENERIC STRUCTURE DISCUSSION TEXT

Sebuah teks discussion, biasanya memiliki satu pola struktur teks yang umum sebagai berikut:

1. Issue

The first paragraph of a discussion text contains an overview of the issues to be discussed or discussed in the text.

2. Argument For or Against

After presenting the issue, the authors explain some positive or negative views on the issue under discussion. The author can first present the opinion of the pro (argument for) and then followed by an argument against (argument against) in the next paragraph.

3. Elaboration

The author should elaborate on some of the opinions expressed. Elaboration is explanatory sentences about an opinion presented. This elaboration may be written in a separate paragraph or directly written after the opinion of the pros or cons presented.

4. Conclusion atau Recomendation

The final part of the discussion text usually contains the author's conclusions or recommendations on the issue under discussion so readers can follow and agree with the author's opinion.

LANGUAGE FEATURES OF DISCUSSION TEXT

1.        Focus on matters relating to human and non-human.

2.        Using contradictory hyphen words for example, but, however, in other side and its consequences (cause of effect) eg: so, then.

3.        Using words that mean to think like: feel, hope, believe.

4.        Using Simple Present.

Example : (1)

Should the death penalty be allowed?

Some people were executed in Indonesia through July 2016. Most death penalty cases involve the execution of drug peddlers although capital punishment can also be applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes. Many for and against reactions came after the execution. Then, should the death penalty be allowed in Indonesia?

Proponents of the death penalty say that it is an important tool for law enforcement, deters crime, and costs less than life imprisonment. They also argue that retribution or "an eye for an eye" honors the victim, helps console grieving families, and ensures that the perpetrators of heinous crimes never have an opportunity to cause future tragedy.

Opponents of capital punishment say that it has no deterrent effect on crime, gives governments’ overlapped power to take human life, and potentially makes social injustices by disproportionately targeting people of color (racist) and people who cannot afford good attorneys (classist). They say lifetime jail sentences are a more appropriate than death.

In conclusion, death penalty will always exist in our society as well as its pros and cons. For the proponents of this action, they think that it will be very effective to deter crime. While for those who are against this policy, they argue that this punishment will potentially make social injustice.

Example : (2)

Pros and Cons of Abortion

Do you agree with abortion? When someone asks this to the people, there may be many “yes” and equal number of “no”, voicing their opinion over this. Abortion has always been a debatable subject amongst the masses as people have their own arguments regarding it.

For those who are for, they think that sometimes life can be really harsh on us. In some cases, medical emergencies make a woman resort to this action because there is a possibility to be at risk, if she delivers the child. In some other cases, some of the rape victims can be minors. They won’t be mentally or physically prepared to have the newborn baby. Giving life to such an unwanted child may cause troubles for both mother and the child.

After all, abortion implies denying someone a well-deserved life. Just because the odds are not in our favor, can we deprive someone the chance to live? Besides, having an abortion done also carries the risk of not being able to become pregnant ever again in life. Abortion can also lead to serious health complications or even a death.

Whether you agree or not, abortion will always happen in our society. While for one, having a forced child can be a highly miserable experience, to the other, abortion can be a highly miserable experience.

Example : (3)

School Uniforms Policy

School uniforms are uniforms which are obligatory worn by the students in the school or any other educational institution. School uniforms tell many things such as students' grade level and school or institution identity. Nowadays, school uniforms become a debatable issue among parents. Some of them think that school uniforms are necessary, while others think that they are not.

Some parents believe that school uniforms will make such good advantages to their children while learning at school. First, school uniforms can keep students focused on their education, not their clothes. Second, school uniforms may improve attendance and discipline. The last, school uniforms are a symbol that every student is equal in getting same education. School uniforms will not differentiate whether the students are rich or not and students’ economic or social class.

In other hand, school uniforms can affect negatively on students psychology and performance in learning at school. First, school uniforms restrict students' freedom of expression.  Second, uniforms also may have a detrimental effect on students' self-image because when students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body skin, they can suffer embarrassment at school. Third, some students also find uniforms less comfortable than their regular clothes, which may not be conducive to learning.

In conclusion, school uniforms remain important of the students’ forsakes. Students will be discipline and will focus more on learning. School uniforms also will show them that they are equal in learning. However, to cover all disadvantages of school uniforms, it is better if school gives a free school uniform day to the students on certain days and with certain themes.

Example : (4)

Pros and Cons of Smoking Bans

Smoking ban policies are implemented in some American states and cities but the contentions on whether they are necessary and relevant are still heard from supporters and critics. Restrictions on cigarette smoking can be traced back as early the 16th century and up to now, this issue remains to be controversial. To get an idea on how people are taking smoking bans, here are some of the views expressed by proponents and opponents.

Advocates for smoking bans claim that passing a policy to prohibit smoking in public places can lessen the possibility of second-hand smoke being inhaled by non-smokers. The supporters also say that states and cities which have non-smoking policies and prohibited smoking in restaurants and public indoor spaces have better indoor air quality then the cities which still allow smoking public. With restricting smoking, supporters posit that it will decrease the waste since there will be lesser cigarette butts and lesser toxic garbage that can be stuck in water systems. It is also believed by the supporters that it can lessen the chance of influencing others to take on the habit.

For many smokers, smoking bans is one of the government’s ways of interfering in their lifestyle. They find this offensive because they believe that, since smoking is not a crime, the government nor anyone else should not have a say about what they do and limit their freedom. In principle, smoking bans aren’t effective since they will make people just avoid places with smoking bans and smoke elsewhere rather than to quit or at least to reduce their tobacco consumption. Implementing smoking bans also can be very difficult. There are many people and even establishments that don’t respect the ban mainly because the penalties aren’t so stiff and won’t get offenders into too much trouble.

These are just some of the pros and cons of smoking bans. Government officials, business owners, and ordinary citizens should weigh them carefully to decide if smoking bans are worth implementing or not.

Example : (5)

Do Teenagers Really Need a Mobile Phone?

Nowadays, mobile phones are becoming an extremely popular electronic for people. They are also becoming more technologically sophisticated; most can take and share pictures and videos and connect to the Internet for web surfing. Many teenagers are becoming cell phone owners, however. It’s debatable whether a teenager actually needs a mobile phone, but mostly they will say that a phone was essential to their happiness and social standing. Without a mobile phone, the average teenager is unable to function–they can’t talk to their friends and life just isn’t worth living. But before you give in and rush off to buy your petulant teenager a brand new iPhone, read the following list.

One of the reasons of letting a teenager have a mobile phone is because one way of making a teenager do exactly what you want is by using a combination between bribery and blackmail. They will do what you want easily if you offer to put more data on their mobile phone. Second reason is that mobile phone can also be an excellent way of staying in touch with a teenager when they are away from home. Third, many cell phones enable the teenager to access internet. By using this feature, teenagers can obtain answers to questions very quickly and easily.  The last, if a teenager has a mobile phone, they can use it to call for help in a sticky situation for some reason. In such condition, having a cell phone handy could be a lifesaver.

In spite of having some advantages, letting teenagers have a mobile phone has also some disadvantages. First, cheating can be done more easily by using mobile phone since students can search or text the answers under their desks during tests. Second, mobile phones can be very distracting from some important activities in a child’s life such as studying, doing homework, or even crossing the street. Third, sexual content which can be accessed easily is also an issue for parents to consider before giving a mobile phone for their child.

Everything must have its good and bad effect, and mobile phone must too. We need to be wise to use such a sophisticated technology in our lives. As parents, we can set guidelines for our children on when they are able to use their cell phones or give a suitable phone for their age so that we can get more advantages from purchasing a mobile phone for our children.