Do you ever feel confuse when you have to make a decision?

What do you do if you must choose something between two choices?

Suicide

Angry

Crying

Sleep Discuss with your friend

PURPOSE

GENERIC STRUCTURE

LANGUAGE FEATURES TEXT EXAMPLE

Discussion Text

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PURPOSE
The purpose of discussion text is to present (at least) two points of view about an issue.

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GENERIC STRUCTURE

Issue: Consists of statement and preview. Argument: Consists of arguments for (pro) and against (contra) or statements of different point of view. Moreover it consists of point and elaboration. Conclusion/recommendation : Summarize the statements
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The use of general nouns: Abortion, formalin, alcohol, smoking, etc. The use of thinking verbs: think, feel, hope, believe, etc. The use of additive connectives: In addition, furthermore, besides, etc. The use of contrastive connectives: although, even if, nevertheless, etc.

LANGUAGE FEATURES
The use of causal connectives: because, because of, etc. The use of modalities: must, perhaps, should, etc. The use of adverb of manner: hopefully, deliberately, etc. Simple present tense: S + verb 1, ex: Public smoking ban needs to be measured and understood better.

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EXAMPLE
The Ban on Smoking in Public Places
Smoking ban in public places has been a hot issue these last months not only in Malta but also in various countries who are discussing the effects a ban would have. There have been several debates on smoking ban. Even though the harmful effects of smoking, both active and passive, are well known and undeniable smoking is far from being in decline; it is spreading among young people in particular quickly.
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ISSUE

ARGUMENT (PRO)

Most controversial debate is going on public smoking ban. The reason is simple, smoking ban affects directly all people rapidly and we can see its effects in a short-term period. There have been a lot of arguments brought up both in favor and against a public smoking ban. Some of the arguments in favor are the following. Smoking ban is one of the controversial ways for reducing smoking and recognizing non-smokers right to health protection. The health risks of smoking are clear. Passive smoking does carry risks. Many leading medical and scientific organizations recognize second hand smoke as a cause of a range of life-threatening conditions. The health situation could be drastically improved if one of the risk factors - tobacco - was eliminated. People have a right to protect themselves from smoke inhalation. People shouldnt have to inhale the illeffects of other peoples smoking. The creation of smoke-free public places also improves air quality.

ARGUMENT (CONTRA)

Those opposing a smoking ban say that freedom of choice would be affected by such legislation. Some people against a ban say that smoking bans damage business. A smoking ban could lead to a significant fall in earnings from bars, restaurants and casinos. Another argument is that the smoker has a basic human right to smoke in public places, and the ban is a limitation for smokers rights. Businesses, smokers, publicans, tobacco industries, stars, and some of the non-smokers oppose public smoking ban. Smokers light a cigarette because they need to smoke, not because they want it, because nicotine is physically addictive. Therefore, some smokers think that the public smoking ban is oppressiveness. They see the ban as a treatment to smokers as second-class citizens. Smokers agree that the smoking ban benefits the world, but cannot support the ban, because effects of nicotine obstruct them.

CONCLUSION Or RECOMMENDATION

Public smoking ban needs to be measured and understood better. Smokers should not be made to look like outcasts, but smokers should respect non-smokers when sharing places. I agree that completely smoke-free places are the ideal, and some businesses have taken the decision to go completely smoke-free. However, everyone agrees that, it is a matter of rights - the right of smokers to smoke versus non-smokers to protect from passive smoking and to breathe clean air.

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Write several arguments (pro and contra) for the following topics:
The ban on School uniform The ban on Internet for students The ban on Mobile phone for children