Key elements of a successful discussion essay  Emphasis  Repetition  Irony  Exaggeration  Humour  Rhetorical questions  Colourful descriptions Which of the following did Obama use in his ‘victory speech?’ Add examples of each in your copy.

Effective opening Avoid abstract points and expressions of opinion Use a colourful anecdote or collection of related anecdotes that will illustrate and introduce the central point of the essay 1.A news item 2.Historical event 3.Quotation 4.Personal anecdote

What next? Organically developed from the opening anecdote, should be used to express and explain the writer’s point of view on the given topic. That point should then be applied in detail to three or four areas, one of which may be the author’s personal life. Essentially, the author is demonstrating the validity of the central point by showing a number of contexts in which it holds true.

Style Whether approaching the topic in a serious or lighter vein, the style throughout should be rhetorical, employing techniques essential to the public expression of opinionChecklist  Emphasis  Repetition  Irony  Exaggeration  Humour  Rhetorical questions  Colourful descriptions

Effective Ending The ending should return to recycle or complete the opening anecdote and to re-state the writer’s point of view on the given topic. Most effectively, the author is hoping to present an incident or an image that clinches the argument.