Discursive essay N5 Up to 1000 words Each paragraph uses some evidence Complex language is used Structured well, with linking phrases between every paragraph For and against arguments are detailed and well-developed Spelling and punctuation are accurate throughout

The subject of genetic engineering has been much in the news recently. There has been debate in Parliament and the press as to the wisdom of allowing genetically modified foodstuffs to be sold in the country. Many supermarkets are refusing to allow GM food on their shelves. GM crop trials in Britain have been destroyed by protesters. If so many people are concerned, we must try to discover whether GM foods are a good thing or not. Explain what your topic is. Tell us that it’s an important or controversial topic. Tell us that there are people for and against it. Sum up what your essay will be looking at and the question you’ll be answering. You could make that last part a rhetorical question. (If so many people are concerned, we need to find out for certain. Are GM foods a good thing or not?)

Read through the three example introductions and highlight the different sections. Try to write your introduction, making sure you include these four sections. Make sure you do not show your own opinion; keep it balanced.

People in favour of + topic Supporters of + topic Advocates of + topic Those who support + topic Pressure groups in favour of + Believers in + topic Followers of + topic Users of + topic argue that… believe that… maintain that… claim that… feel that… suggest that… agree that… How to begin your ‘for’ arguments.

People against + topicargue that Critics of + topic believe that Opponents of + topic maintain that Challengers of + topicclaim that Campaigners against + topic feel that Those opposed to + topic suggest that Pressure groups against + topic How to start your ‘against’ points.

P - Point E - Evidence E - Explain Every paragraph should be structured like this!! Point = sum up the argument people make Evidence = facts/statistics to back up the point Explain = explain what the evidence is showing and what people on that side of the argument would say about it.

Your essay needs to be well structured and follow a logical argument. You need to use linking words to link each argument on to the next. The following is a list of words that show different methods of linking. Comparisons - similarly, likewise, in the same way. Contrast - although, however, otherwise, yet, but, nevertheless. Examples - for example, for instance, in other words. Conclusions - as has been noted, finally, on the whole, overall.