Higher Discursive Folio Essay What We Will Cover

Higher Discursive Folio Essay

What We Will Cover: Topic Choice Good v Bad Initial Research Writing Proposals Writing an Effective Opening Exemplars

The folio piece The SQA define the second folio piece as being “broadly discursive”. This means that it should fall into one of the following categories: Discursive/Argumentative Persuasive Essay

What’s the difference? A discursive essay is a balanced essay that presents an equal number of arguments on both sides of the chosen topic, e. g. Positives and negatives A persuasive essay is a one-sided essay that presents arguments on only one side of the chosen topic, e. g. Only positives or only negatives

Argumentative or Persuasive? You may prefer an argumentative essay if: You are unsure of how you feel on a topic You enjoy researching in depth and gathering information You can see both sides of an argument You enjoy facts, figures and statistics You like to argue

Argumentative or Persuasive? You may prefer a persuasive essay if: You hold a strong opinion on a topic If you feel your opinion is correct You enjoy convincing people You can use persuasive techniques effectively

How to decide? It is best to wait until you have completed all of your research and planning before making a decision You may find that you change your mind once you have looked into the topic in more detail

Getting Started Choose a set of topics you think would be interesting to investigate (don’t just choose one and settle for that) Research all of your choices and see which one you find most interesting Discuss your decision with a partner, friend and parent / carer at home to ensure you know enough about it before getting started.

Topic Choice Clever, effective topics make for clever, effective essays. Bland, boring topics make for… Do not underestimate the importance of this stage. Your topic choice will make or break your essay. We want you to choose a topic which will allow you to demonstrate your skills and showcase your abilities. Not every topic will do this! It requires careful and informed thought.

“Good” and “Bad” Topics Good Topics Bad Topics Relevant! Out of date! Original! Overdone! Interesting! Nothing new to say! Means something to you! Bland!

Footballers’ Wages Size 0 Models Abortion Technology Driving Age Transfer Fees Death Penalty Social Media Drinking Age ‘Bad’ Topics Legalising Cannabis Uniform Compulsory Subjects Independence Cosmetic Surgery Animal Welfare School

“Bad” Topics You will not be penalised for using any of these topics… BUT They have been covered time and time again They do not grab the attention of markers You will not say anything that hasn’t been heard before You are less likely to impress!!

“Good Topics” Relevant What is happening in the world right now? Watch the news. Read the papers. Look online. Original Try to come up with a new slant on a topic. Consider different ways of approaching it. Means Something to You What is important to you? Which issues have an impact on your life? Which issues affect you directly?

What next? Hold a magnifying glass over a topic and find the issue, angle and argument which is most effective, interesting and original.

“I am only interested in football…” Footballers’ Wages Homosexuality X Transfer Fees and football? The lack of free pitches for young people? The morality of television deals? X

“I enjoy Modern Studies and politics…” Independence X Minimum Wage (age restrictions)? Zero-Hour Politics Voting Age X Contracts? in schools?

“I'm not interested in anything! I just go on Facebook and watch Netflix” Cyberbullying X Schools The pros of social media X embracing social media? death of television?

Are something that you are interested in Allow you to be passionate Bring something new to the table Catch the eye Still matter right now “Good” Topics Can be considered interesting Require time and effort! Avoid the obvious

Initial Research Once you have chosen a potential topic, you must get to know it as well as you possibly can! Research! At this stage, your aim is not necessarily to gather evidence for your essay, but to gain knowledge of your chosen topic. (If you do find useful evidence, please keep a note of the source. )

Initial Research When writing either argumentatively or persuasively, knowledge is power! The more you know about your topic, the better your essay will be. Read You news articles. Search online. Speak to people. must take an interest in your essay.

Plan Before you spend time writing a first draft, it makes sense to submit a plan to your teacher. This will allow your teacher to feed back to you on the effectiveness and viability of your topic. Your proposal should include: A description of your topic and your stance (whether it will be persuasive or argumentative) A brief outline of the key arguments you wish to use in favour of your argument Any opposing arguments (and how you will undermine them if writing persuasively)

Length Remember, essays need to be a maximum of 1300 words. As a guide, consider the following: Argumentative Persuasive Intro 2/3 arguments in favour 3/4 2/3 arguments against 1 Conclusion arguments you agree with argument you disagree with (and explain why it is wrong) Conclusion