Discussion Essay Outline: Discussion Essay Structure

Discussion Essay Outline: Discussion Essay Structure

A discussion essay presents and discusses issues about a specific topic. The topic should be debatable and open to argument. A good discussion essay requires thorough scrutiny on both sides of the topic.

When writing a discussion essay, you are required to provide a comprehensive explanation of the issues you are discussing before presenting your personal opinions and conclusions.

The quality of a discussion essay is based on the writer’s ability to provide research as well as enough evidence to support their views on the topic.

Discussion Essay Outline

The following is a discussion essay outline

1. Introduction

Your discussion essay’s introduction should set up and state your claim. Your introduction should include the following:

• An interesting hook in order to grab the reader’s attention.
• A brief explanation of your theory if you are discussing a theory.
• The author’s name and title when discussing a literary work.
• The director, year and title when discussing a film.
• Some background information that will help the reader understand your claim.
• State your claim at the end of your paragraph.

2. Background Paragraph

Write a background paragraph after the introduction. It could be one to two paragraphs long. The purpose of the background paragraph is to lay a foundation for proving your argument. It should include:

• Summary of the work being discussed.
• Definition of key terms
• Explanation of key theories.

3. Supporting Evidence Paragraphs

These can be three or four paragraphs that are used for proving your argument. They include:

• Topic sentence. This could be facts or details that you can tell your readers to help them understand your essay’s topic better.
• An explanation of the topic sentence.
• Evidence. Introduce your evidence in a few words or in a full sentence.
• An explanation of the evidence. Show how the evidence you have provided proves your arguments.
• Concluding sentence. Finish off your last paragraph with a concluding sentence that explains how the topic sentence helps the readers understand your essay’s overall claim.

4. Counterargument Paragraph

This paragraph should help you sound more objective and reasonable. It helps to prepare you for your reader’s objections. Include discussions that your readers might bring up against your discussion and argue against them. End the paragraph with a concluding sentence that restates your essay’s claim as a whole.

5. Conclusion

Your conclusion should restate your essay’s overall claim and supporting evidence.

Your conclusion should:

• Restate your thesis statement. 
• Restate your introduction paragraph. However, it should not talk about the same exact thing as your introduction.
• Serve as your essay’s climax.
• Explain to your readers why they should care about your essay.
• Create a sense of movement to a more complex understanding of your essay’s topic.
• Have concrete language to avoid leaving the readers with the impression that your argument was vague and unsure.

6. References

Provide a list of sources that you have borrowed ideas from to support your topic sentences.