DISCUSSION TEXT

What is Discussion text ?

Discussion text is a type of text which present argument and information from different points of view. Generally discussion text is accomplished with a recommendation

Example Of Discussion Text :

Controlling Children Using Computer

Computer and internet are useful as well as powerful. Information about health and safe usage of computer and Internet, especially for children, should be owned by each family. Computer connected to internet is powerful way to socialize with others. It can be good but also bad effect. Recently we hear a lot of children get the advantage of social networking sites but we often see the news about the disadvantage of it for children. Healthy and safety of computer and Internet usage should continue to be campaigned.
The role of parent in assisting and directing children in using computer is very necessary. Installation of software monitor such as key logger which has function to watch and note all activities relating to keyboard usage is helpful but not enough to protect children from potential harms. Children tend to hide what they have done in front of the computer to their parent. They see that all of they have done are their privacy and no one may know.

We can not prevent children from using computer because it is multifunctional. However, many parents worry about what their kids do in front of the computer; whether they are doing homework or even just playing games. Or spending all time to surf internet which is the materials do not fit with his age. There is a tendency, especially teenagers, want to become acquainted with many strangers out side. The lack parental supervision of children's activities is likely to pose a potential danger to them. So parental monitor against the use of computers needs to be done from time to time.

Another Examples Of Discussion Text :

• Discussion (Ringkasan Materi)
• TV-Pro And Contra
• The Bus Way
• Balancing High School And Part Time
• Living In The Big City
• Muslims Headscarf

TV: Pro And Contra

The government has just published a report which suggest that television is partly responsible for the serious increase in crime over the last ten years. The exposure of violence or pornography harmfully effects on children.


Many people who are alive today know what it is like to live in a world without television. Television as we know is only about forty years old. Yet it is so much a part of our lives that it seems as if it had always existed.
Some people think that the years before the invention of television were a better time. They claim that families talked more and did more things together. More books were read. People used their imaginations more fully. People got more outdoor exercises.


But others disagree. They claim that television is a powerful educational tool. It informs us of what is going on in the world, from a famine in Africa to a local politics and fashion. It helps us understand how people live, work, and struggle.


In 1961, Newton Minow, a government official, called prime-time schedules “ a vast wasteland.” Television is credited with being a great teacher, but it is also blamed for the poor reading and writing skills of our population. Television gets praised for helping us understand the people of the world. But it has been accused of helping to destroy family life. Television keeps us informed about the political issues of the day.


Experts will probably continue to argue about television’s value. But everyone agrees that it is one of the most significant inventions of the twentieth century.

Bus Way

Governor Sutiyoso has launched his mass rapid transportation plan. This includes monorail, subway, water transportation, and Bus way. Among the public transportation plan, Bus way has been put into effect. The air conditioned bus fleet with their special roads have been operated since last year. Now, more routes are being constructed to cover the five mayoralty. In fact, the existence of Bus way makes pros and cons.


Some people consider Bus way can solve a traffic problem faced by the metropolitan city. Everyday millions of people commute from their houses to their respective work places. This badly needs adequate public transportation. If fifty persons go to their offices by cars, they need fifty cars roaming on the street. This number of cars can be replaced by only one Bus way. Consequently, with reduced vehicles the streets are less congested. Therefore, it can decline traffic jams. Apart from reducing traffic jams, Bus way easiest Jakarta inhabitants to go to their workplace or other destination. For this reason more access on Bus way is being accomplished. Other Bus way roads have been constructed, such as, Kota-Kalideres and Kota-Pulogadung. This definitely make easier for people who go for recreation to the zoo.


Besides reducing traffic jam and comforting passengers, Bus way can minimize air pollution. As stated, Bus way can replace other vehicles in a great number. It apparently declines the danger of pollution. Less vehicles means less carbon monoxide coming out from the exhausted fumes. As a result, the residents of Jakarta are less threatened with sickness caused by air pollution. And if Bus way administration can manage the public transport well, Bus way can create a new icon of Jakarta.


Those who resist the existence of Bus way argue that instead of solving problem, Bus way create a new problem. Bus way even makes traffic worse. The Bus way line makes the roads narrower. Narrow roads cause passing vehicles to get stuck especially during rush hours. Furthermore, Bus way adds up corruption that has become a vicious circle in this country. As reported in a newspaper the purchase of Bus way fleet is under corruption suspect. Billions of rupiah are believed to have been put into the city administrator’s pocket. In terms of the expense, Bus way fare is also much expensive than an ordinary bus. It costs Rp 3.500,. for one ride, while the common bus only costs Rp 2.000,. With the difference in bus fare, it is likely that passengers prefer to ride ordinary buses.


Apparently, Bus way still creates different outlooks among the residents of Jakarta. In spite of all the critics, the governor of Jakarta firmly continues to extend its routes.

Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

You have to consider a number of factors when deciding whether or not to get a job. The important thing is to arm yourself with as much information as possible, so you can figure out what choice makes the most sense for you.
If you are considering working part-time, schedule a meeting with your school counselor to discuss this move. Talk to your counselor about why you want to work and what type of position you’re seeking. Simply explaining your goals to someone else can help you make decisions and figure out your priorities.

Schoolwork, including homework and studying for tests, should always be your top priority. “The activities and courses students choose vary considerably, so it’s important for young people to keep their individual situations clearly in mind,” says Brad McGowan, director of the Career Center at Newton North High School in Massachusetts. Further, McGowan cautions students who do decide to work: “If you are rushing through your assignment or not studying enough for tests because of work, it’s time to cut back or quit and find a less time-consuming job.” He adds, “Students should always let their employers know what their time limits are.” If you are being pressured to work more hours than you can handle, you need to find a new place to work. You also need to make sure that a job won’t prevent you from getting enough rest.

Living In A Big City

Living in a big city has both advantages and disadvantages
On the plus side, it is often easier to find work, and there is usually a choice of public transport, so you don’t need to own a car. Also, there are a lot of interesting to do and places to see.

For example, you can eat in good restaurants, visit the museums, and go to the theater and to concerts. What is more, when you want to relax, you can usually find a park where you can feed the ducks or just sit on a park bench and read a book. All in all, city life is full of bustle and variety and you need never feel bored.
However, for every plus there is a minus. For one thing, you might have a job, but unless it is very well paid, you will not be able to afford many of the things that there are to do, because living in a big city is often very expensive.

It is particularly difficult to find good, cheap accommodation. What is more, public transport is sometimes crowded and dirty, particularly in the rush hour, and even the parks can become very crowded, especially on Sundays when it seems that every city dweller is looking for some open space and green grass. Last of all, despite all the crowds, it is still possible to feel very lonely in a city.

In conclusion, I think that city life can be particularly appealing to young people, who like the excitement of the city and don’t mind the noise and pollution. However, many people, when they get older, and particularly when they have young children, often prefer the peace and fresh air of the countryside.

Muslim’s Headscarf

The right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the UN charter and considered by many to be a basic human right. Some religions require special diet, others prayer at specific times. Why should a religious mode of dress receive as much protection as these other aspects of religious freedom?

Many Muslim women view the veil as a means to protect their modesty and privacy. Just as we would not force any women to be seen in public in her underwear if she did not feel comfortable doing so, why should a woman be forced to show her hair if she does not want to? Modesty is a personal judgment call; some are comfortable in the smallest bikini while others prefer a lot more clothing. No one but the woman herself should make that decision.

Muslim women are not the only ones to feel coerced over their mode of dress. Most people are affected by the societal norms surrounding them. Fashion trends could be seen in exactly the same light as religious traditions.

Banning head coverings is only likely to provoke a more extreme reaction among highly religious communities. Framing laws to ban only Islamic forms of dress could be considered an attack on one religion. Feeling under attack could cause the Islamic community to close off into itself. They could set up religious schools where their children can dress as they want them to and not mix with children from other faiths. These effects could never be good for the integration of society and would further the influence of extremists. Internationally, the perceived attack on Islamic values would inflame wider Muslim opinion, feed conspiracy theories and add to the dangerous feeling that there is a clash of civilizations.

Intolerant schools make up problems as an excuse for not allowing Muslims freedom of religious expression. In a multicultural society, students should be aware of the different religious practise and cultural traditions of their classmates, and be taught to understand and respect these. Without such respect, Muslims and other groups with distinctive dress, such as Orthodox Jews and Sikhs, will be driven out of mainstream education and forced to educate their children separately, which will really create divisions and alienation.

Based on the above discussion, the government should not banned Muslim’s headscarf as a part of school or office uniforms.



Adapted from www.wikipedia.com

Discussion

DISCUSSION

Purpose:
to present information and opinions about issues in more one side of an issue (‘For/Pros’ and ‘Against/Cons’)

Generic Structure:
1. Issue
2. Arguments for and against
3. Conclusion

Language Features:
1. Using Simple Present Tense
2. Use of relating verb/to be
3. Using thinking verb
4. Using general and abstract noun
5. Using conjunction/transition
6. Using modality
7. Using adverb of manner