Name Group:

1. Adhaini Widiyawati
2. Agung Putu Surya Purna Kristyawan

Discussion Text
1. Definition of Discussion Text
is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from
different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and social text.
2. The Social Function of Discussion Text
To present (at least) to point of view about an issue.
3. Generic Structure Discussion Text
a. Statement of issue; starting the issue which is to discussed
b.List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue
follow by elaboration
c. List of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the supporting point
follow by elaboration
e.Recommendation/Conclusion; stating the writers recommendation or conclusion of the
discourse
4. Language Feature of Discussion
Introducing category or generic participant
Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand, however, etc
Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc

6. Example
Hacker ; Pro or Contra?
Do you know what a hacker is? Well, a hacker is a person who enjoys exploring the details of
programmable systems on computers and they like to stretch the capability of the systems. And
you know what, the activities they do in the computers are called hacking. So, whats the
problem with hacking and its hackers? Well, the problem is whether hacking and its hackers is
legal or illegal? What I mean is that people in the world have many different views about
hacking and the hackers. Some of them take sides, but many object.
Although in most places breaking into computer systems is considered illegal, I believe that
hackers dont do anything illegal because they only want to know and try the systems. I dare to
say that a hacker likes finding the strengths and the weaknesses of a computer system. They feel
proud if they can find the weaknesses. So I dont really see the crimes in this case. In addition,
these hackers sometimes help the police catch the white collar criminals, such as bank robbers,
money launderers, credit card forgers. For example, in 2000, the U.S. hackers caught some
Singaporean hackers who made Virus Love to break up the programs of the U.S. National
Security system.
Nevertheless, those who object to the good points of a hacker say that hacking is a crime. The
reason is that some hackers use their brilliant skills to break into banks and other vital institutions
where they can get money, destroy information, and the worst thing is they can get secret
information and sell it to another country. This is a treachery. Take for example, in 1994, The
U.S. government broke a conspiracy of computer hackers out of Majorca, Spain. These hackers
were responsible for accessing and eliminating 190,000 telephone credit card numbers over
computer bulletin boards in America and Europe. Seeing this fact, I dont blame those who think
negatively about hackers.
To put the whole thing in a nut shell, I personally think that hackers are not bad people with their
brilliant skills. However, they could be bad because of money orientation to get the wealth.
Thats just the point.

Example Question
Death penalty for serious criminals has been discussed by our experts. Those who agree say that
death penalty will scare the criminals off. However, those who disagree say that it is inhuman,
not effective and we cannot correct the wrong sentence after the criminals die.
In Switzerland, this penalty does not exist. Most people argue that the possibilty of making the
wrong decision is always there although it is true that spending life behind the bars is not easy
either. Also, every person should have a chance for rehabilitation. In this way he or she can start
all over again in another life style.
Those who agree argue that there is no use to feed the terrorists in prison with their money. When
they get out, they will create a lot of trouble by blackmailing and killing people. So, who says
that jails will stop them from being bad guys?
My own opinion is divided. On the one hand, I want to be humane, and on the other hand, I
wonder if those people are worthy of my feeling.
1.

This text mainly discusses

a.

the death penalty controversy

d. those who support death penalty

b.

the punishment in our country

e. those who are against death penalty

c.

the death penalty in Switzerland

2.

Which of the following is NOT the reason for those who are against death penalty?
a.

Death penalty is in human

b.

Theres possibility of misjudgment e. It is harder to live behind bars than to die

c.

Every person should have a chance for rehabilitation

3.

d.Death penalty is not effective

What is the writers opinion about death penalty?

a.

He is not able to decide

d. He is against death penalty

b.

He agrees with against death penalty

e. Death penalty is worthwhile punishment

c.

The criminals deserve to receive the benefit of human feeling

Question
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 televisions value. But everyone agrees that it is
one of the most significant inventions of the twentieth century.
1. The writer wants to tell ..
a. the development of television
b. the advantages of television program
c. how television destroys peoples life
d. how television improves peoples knowledge
e. the influence of television on peoples daily life
2. Many people claim that television is a powerful educational tool. From this statement we
know that they ..
a. love with the existence of television
b. agree with the existence of television
c. prefer with the existence of television
d. satisfy with the existence of television
e. choose with the existence of television
3. Which of the following is good for children in watching TV?
a. The children should watch the violence on TV
b. Children may watch TV whenever they like

c. There shouldnt be government censorship of TV program

d. Children should spend all their time to watch TV program
e. Children should be accompanied by their parents in watching TV
4. .. what is going on in the world, from famine n Africa (Paragraph 4)
The underlined word means lack of .
a. food
b. water
c. nutrient
d. education
e. entertainment

Polygamy has still become an actual topic to discuss. People react this issue in different
opinions.
Today in the 21st Century polygamy persists and is legally permitted in Muslim majority
Indonesia. The 1974 Marriage Act in Article 3 states that a husband may have up to four wives
on condition that the wife consents.
Further Article 5 cites three instances where a husband may practise polygamy: the wife is
unable to execute the obligation of a wife; the wife has acquired a bodily handicap or incurable
disease; the wife is unable to bear children.
Womans rights advocates reject this provision of the law as it works against women. They
perceive the conditions that allow a husband to practise polygamy are from perspective of the
husbands interests.
Islam allows a man to have up to four wives in the context of caring for orphans, and it
emphasizes that the women must be treated equally. If the man is unable to do this, the man may
only have one wife. The Koran does not issue a recommendation or a command to commit
polygamy.
Thus the principle marriage in Islam is monogamy, not polygamy. Because of this
polygamy should be banned.
1. What issue to discus from the text?
2. What the husband reason to practise the polygamy?
3. Whats the conclusion from the text?