Just heard about the term “discursive writing” for Module C of HSC English?
As a qualified HSC English teacher with 8+ years of experience, I know how hard it can be to wrap your head around what it is. In this article, I’ll break down exactly what it means, detailed step-by-step instructions, and annotated examples!
Keep scrolling to get started!
1. What is Discursive Writing?
2. When Will You Have to Write a Discursive?
3. Discursive v.s. Persuasive Writing
4. Pros and Cons of Discursive Writing
5. How to Structure Your Discursive Writing
6. How to Write a Discursive Essay in 7 Steps
7. 4 Ways to Get Top Marks
8. Quick FAQs
What is Discursive Writing?
NESA defines discursive writing as texts that explore an idea or variety of topics, discussing ideas or opinions without aiming to persuade the reader to adopt a single point of view.
The goal of discursive writing is to engage readers in a thought-provoking discussion by exploring multiple perspectives on a topic. It is not argumentative nor imaginative.
In this article, we’ll cover the different types of discursive writing, such as creative non-fiction, travel blogs, discussion essays, speeches, personal essays, and more!
When Will You Have to Write a Discursive?
Discursive writing appears in the HSC English Module C: The Craft of Writing, where you will be assessed on your ability to craft effective pieces of writing based on a given audience and purpose. The focus is not just on content, but on how you’ve written it.
This module, taking up approximately 20 hours of course time, will be assessed in one section of the English Paper 2 external examination.
Excerpt of Module C in HSC English Syllabus from NESA
One more thing. Speaking of the external examination, I should let you know that a question that asks you to write a discursive piece may also ask you to write a reflection statement.
Not sure what I mean? Let’s look at a past HSC Mod C question:
As you can see, the exam question for this section has been divided into part (a) and part (b) — but don’t freak out!
Part (a) will require you to:
- Write an imaginative, discursive or persuasive writing piece using the stimulus provided.
- Use one technique or stylistic feature used in your prescribed text.
Meanwhile, part (b) involves:
- A reflective statement where you explain how your prescribed text influenced your writing piece in part (a).
- An explanation of the literary or stylistic devices you employed in your writing.
What’s the Difference Between Persuasive and Discursive Writing?
Persuasive writing is all about convincing your reader to agree with your point of view, using arguments and evidence to back up your stance.
Discursive writing, on the other hand, is more about exploring different sides of an issue without trying to push one specific opinion.
It’s all about having an open conversation, presenting various perspectives so the reader can make up their own mind.
While persuasive writing pushes for action or agreement, discursive writing invites the reader to think and reflect on the topic from multiple angles.
| Discursive | Persuasive | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To engage in a thought-provoking discussion by exploring multiple perspectives on a topic. | To argue a single perspective. |
| Structure | Includes an introduction, body and a conclusion. Varied number of paragraphs and paragraph length – you have a bit of freedom here. | Includes an introduction, body and a conclusion. Usually 3-4 body paragraphs, sometimes more. Body paragraphs typically follow a strict PEEL structure and paragraphs are of similar length. |
| Style | Try to strike a balance between formal and informal. You’re writing for an educated audience, yes, but you want your tone to also reflect who you are as a person – so hopefully something a little more friendly and open. | Formal, academic language. Don't write how you would talk. |
| Use of First Person | Go for it. | Generally avoided unless the question lends itself well to first person (e.g. something asking you to reflect). |
| Use of Evidence | Include it, but you don’t need to conduct the literary analysis you would do in an essay. | Included throughout body paragraphs and analysed following a particular structure (PEEL). |
| Figurative Language | Welcomed. | Only include it if it’s part of a quote you’re analysing. |
Pros and Cons of Discursive Writing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Has the capacity to be incredibly personal; you can write and explore your own genuine thoughts, opinions and life experiences rather than those that simply look good in an essay. 2. The intended writing style is one that reflects your own personal voice - not as an author of a story or as an essayist, but your voice as a person. This means that you have the freedom to write both formally and informally, figuratively and factually. It’s up to you! 3. You can leave it open-ended. | 1. The amount of freedom you have in this text type can be intimidating. It’s hard to know whether or not you’re doing it right! 2. This text type is relatively new in the syllabus so you may not have had as much practice in writing it as you would have had with the other types. 3. I anticipate that, like imaginative writing, this one will also be marked rather subjectively. |
How to Structure Your Discursive Writing
While discursive writing is not wedded to a formal structure, it helps to plan things out before you start writing. This can help to avoid confusion or a lack of clarity in your writing.
You’ll want to follow a logical, sequential structure:
| Section | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Introduction | - Catch the reader’s attention. - Introduce the topic explicitly or implicitly. |
| Body Paragraphs | - Several paragraphs exploring the topic in detail. - Paragraph length and number are flexible. |
| Conclusion | - Summarise the discussion. - End on a reflective, thought-provoking note. |
Also, don’t forget to plan! Planning your response beforehand — even if it’s some dot points crammed into the corner of the page — allows you to think deeply about how to best organise and present your ideas.
For each paragraph, plan what its focus will be and which pieces of evidence you will include.
How to Write a Discursive Essay in 7 Steps
While there’s no magic formula for instantly nailing a Band 6 discursive essay, following a structured approach can seriously boost your chances. Writing well takes time and effort, so don’t stress if you’re not there yet—just keep refining your skills and practicing!
➡️ Step 1: Use the Discursive Writing Syllabus to Your Advantage
Let’s start by revisiting the marking criteria for Module C: The Craft of Writing:
- Craft language to address the demands of the question.
- Use language appropriate to audience, purpose and context to deliberately shape meaning.
So, how might these criteria apply to a discursive piece of writing?
| Criterion | How can I address this? |
|---|---|
| Craft language to address the demands of the question | This requires you to use language in a way that addresses what the question is asking you to do, so a good place to start is by breaking down the question itself. Ensure you have read the question carefully. Read it at least three times, underlining all key words. Only move on from reading over the question once you are 100% sure you understand it inside out. |
| Use language appropriate to audience, purpose and context to deliberately shape meaning | In a discursive piece of writing, you’ll be expected to write using your own personal voice – not your voice as the author of a story, or your voice as an essayist – your voice as a person. This is what your reader will be expecting and thus, this is what you should aim for to achieve. Momentarily forget everything you know about regular essay writing and let your own voice flow through onto the page, in a way that is authentically you. |
➡️ Step 2: Brainstorm and Research
Great discursive writing often starts with a solid brainstorming session. You don’t need a full plan yet—just get your ideas flowing!
- Identify the key idea or concern you need to explore.
- Think about different perspectives on the topic. Is there a debate? A personal connection? A cultural or historical angle?
- Research examples from famous discursive texts and personal essays. For example:
- Look at discursive writing examples in newspapers, magazines, and blogs. For example:
This step is all about gathering material and opening your mind to different ways of tackling the topic. The more ideas you have now, the easier the next steps will be!
➡️ Step 3: Plan Your Response
Now that you’ve got some ideas, it’s time to bring a little structure to the chaos. Planning doesn’t have to be boring; it just means having a rough roadmap for your writing.
- Create a rough structure with dot points outlining your main ideas.
- What will you cover in each paragraph?
- Plan each paragraph’s focus and supporting evidence.
- What techniques will you include throughout?
- Decide whether to take a more personal, analytical, or anecdotal approach.
- Consider your context, audience and purpose.
- Ensure flexibility. Discursive writing allows you to explore multiple viewpoints.
- How will you make sure your piece is balanced?
A good plan makes writing so much easier. It’s like having a GPS instead of wandering aimlessly and hoping you end up in the right place!
➡️ Step 4: Write a Strong Introduction
Your introduction is your chance to hook the reader and set the tone for your response. This isn’t an essay, so feel free to be a little more creative than usual!
- Capture the reader’s attention with an engaging opening (a quote, a question, an interesting fact, or even a personal anecdote).
- Clearly introduce the key idea or topic.
- Provide a hint of the different perspectives you will explore.
Think of your introduction as the start of a conversation—you want to intrigue the reader and make them want to hear more.
➡️ Step 5: Develop the Body Paragraphs
Here’s where you really dig into your ideas. Unlike a traditional essay, you don’t need to argue for one side—discursive writing is all about exploring different angles.
- Structure each paragraph around a single idea or perspective.
- Use a mix of:
- Anecdotes – Personal or real-world experiences.
- Examples – References to prescribed or related texts.
- Statistics and Facts – Research-based insights to add credibility.
- Maintain a balanced, reflective tone without arguing for one side exclusively.
Imagine you’re discussing your topic with a friend—how would you keep them interested? Use that same approach here!
➡️ Step 6: Craft a Thought-Provoking Conclusion
Your conclusion isn’t just about wrapping things up—it’s your last chance to leave an impression on your reader.
- Summarise key points without repeating them word-for-word.
- End on a reflective note, leaving the reader with something to think about.
- Consider an open-ended question or a final thought-provoking statement.
The best conclusions make the reader pause for a moment and reflect on what they’ve just read. Aim for that!
➡️ Step 7: Edit and Refine Your Work
Once you’ve got a full draft, don’t hit submit just yet—editing is where the magic happens!
- Check for clarity, coherence, and logical flow.
- Remove unnecessary repetition or overly formal language.
- Ensure your voice remains authentic and engaging.
- Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
By following these structured steps, you’ll develop a discursive writing style that feels natural, engaging, and well-crafted. Now, grab your pen (or laptop) and get writing!
4 Ways to Get Top Marks
To be honest, it wasn’t until long after I left high school that I fully understood what a discursive text was and how to write one. In fact, it was only in reading influential discursive texts that I fully understood the possibilities of this style.
Discursive writing is deliberately exploratory and personal. Great discursive writer Annie Dillard sums up the form well, noting that discursive writing has “a structure that arises from the materials and best contains them”.
However, don’t freak out! You can use the vagueness of this form to your advantage.
1️⃣ Make Your Personal Voice Engaging
Authors use literary techniques for a reason. They provide an interesting, more meaningful way of getting ideas across than just stating things outright.
Consider this example from our old mate, William Shakespeare:
“I will speak daggers to her but use none” (Hamlet, Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 2)
Cool, right? Personally, I love how Shakespeare uses the metaphor of daggers to convey the sharp hostility Hamlet plans to convey in speaking to his mother. Can’t get enough of it.
Let’s consider the same line without any techniques:
I’ll speak rudely to her but I won’t actually do anything to physically harm her.
Look, it gets the meaning across and it’s nice and direct but let’s be real — it’s boring. The daggers metaphor captures our imagination and gets us thinking whereas the rewritten, metaphor-less line simply tells us what Hamlet is planning to do, no more.
Slightly random Hamlet analysis aside, techniques such as metaphors will help bring your writing voice to life — and will surely engage your reader, if used correctly.
2️⃣ Use Good Techniques in Discursive Writing
When reading your prescribed texts, take note of techniques you personally find meaningful.
For example, I really like imagery and am a huge fan of writers like Hilda Doolittle and Amy Lowell who were famous for their ability to conjure images in their poetry. Because of this, I might choose to start my discursive piece with a vivid scene that captures my reader’s attention.
Don’t just focus on your prescribed texts either. If you’re keen on a Band 6 for HSC English, you should already be engaging in regular wide reading.
As you do this, take note of any cool techniques you happen upon, and have a go at creating your own.
Here’s the absolute minimum set of techniques you should be including your discursive writing:
- Varying sentence structure: write like you’re a human, not a robot!
- Tone: depending on the formality or informality of the piece, the ultimate aim is to get them so immersed that they don’t feel like they’re reading at all!
- Nuance: Add in some information that goes against your argument, then disprove it — this actually makes the reader trust your opinion!
And here are some fancier techniques you can include to secure that Band 6:
- A running symbol: especially in more creative pieces, this reminds the reader of your point of view. The symbol should evolve as your point of view evolves
- Hero’s Journey: to get your reader rooting for your side, implement the hero’s journey. Write your piece as if you’re telling a story: add a call to adventure, challenges and a transformation in your discursive writing!
- Imagery: Want your reader to feel like they’re not reading? Get them imagining the physical surroundings of your discursive text!
3️⃣ Writing in First Person is Recommended
You can write in first or third person for discursive writing however first person is recommended as it allows you to craft a much more authentic and engaging personal voice.
Think of discursive writing almost as an extended, slightly-more-structured stream of consciousness. You’re exploring and bouncing between your thoughts on a particular topic, and doing so through a voice that is inherently and unashamedly yours.
While third person is not necessarily wrong, it runs the risk of your discursive writing reading more like a persuasive essay.
4️⃣ Get Personalised Feedback on Your Work
Even if you’re following the best advice on how to write a piece of discursive writing, it’s likely that you’ll struggle to accurately reflect on the quality of your work.
You’ve probably heard this before: “HSC English is super subjective.” To a certain extent, this is true!
That’s why we recommend getting personalised guidance from an HSC English tutor who knows the syllabus inside and out.
They can point you in the right direction and decipher your teacher’s feedback with you! That way, you’ll be able to move forward knowing that you’re doing the right things.
Quick FAQs
What can I include as evidence in Discursive Writing?
Evidence is key in discursive writing because it supports your discussion and makes your points more credible. You can include:
- Textual examples from prescribed texts
- Textual examples from related texts
- Personal anecdotes
- Historical events (but avoid turning it into a history essay!)
- References to popular culture
Do I have to analyse the textual evidence?
You don’t have to, but it can be helpful depending on the question.
If you’re focusing on texts, some analysis will make your points stronger. If you’re looking at broader ideas or trends, you can ease up on the technical analysis.
It’s all about what the question asks and how you want to approach it!
Should I memorise my discursive writing piece for Module C?
While some students memorise creative pieces for the exam, discursive writing doesn’t work that way. The nature of discursive writing means your content and structure depend on the question, and you can’t predict what will be asked.
Instead of memorising, practise different discursive responses based on potential Mod C questions. Use feedback from teachers or tutors to improve your writing and adapt it to different prompts.
Plus, memorising can be a waste of time if the exam doesn’t ask for a discursive response at all!
Looking for some extra help with discursive writing in Module C for HSC English?
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Genevieve D’Netto is a qualified English and History teacher who has successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (secondary), majoring in English and History at the University of Sydney, graduating with first class honours in 2021. Gen has just completed a Master of Education majoring in Literacy Education at the University of Melbourne. She graduated with ATAR of 97.30, placing her in the top 2.7% of the state! She received the Premier’s Award for All-round Excellence in the Higher School Certificate.
Holden Walker is a Senior English Coach at Art of Smart Education, with 7+ years of tutoring experience. He is currently a PhD candidate in English Literature at the University of Wollongong and was named Art of Smart’s 1-on-1 Coach of the Year in 2024. Having taught over 150 students tutored since 2021, Holden brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his work.
