Discussion Text

Filed in BAHASA INGGRIS 1 comments In this section, you will Read discussion texts and identify meaning Identify the structure of discussion texts; learn in a how discussion to: texts;

Definition of Discussion Discussion is a text which presents a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic, and social text. 1. Generic Structure of Discussion a. Statement of issue; stating the issue which is to discussed b. List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue c. List of contrastive point; Presenting other points which disagree to the supporting point d. Recommendation; Stating the writer recommendation of the discourse Language Feature of Discussion a. Introducing category or generic participant b. Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc c. Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand, however, etc d. Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc e. Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc 2. Reading Discussion Text A problematic discourse is the simple key to see whether the text is an example of discussion or the other genres. Discussion text will see and elaborate the issue from the different point of view. It presents pro and contra opinion on a certain issue. One side is agreeing the issue, the other is disagreeing the issue. The different point of views, according to the generic structure, is the heart of the discussion text. That will differentiate from the other text types. When we read an example of discussion text, we will see the structure as follow; a. Stated issue: What issue is going to be discussed. This must drive problematic discussion from different points of view. b. Supporting arguments: After stating the issue, it is necessary to present the argument to support that one point is agreeing. c. Against arguments: Beside the supporting argument, discussion text need the arguments which disagree to the stated issue. d. Recommendation; Finally in the end of the discussion, it is important to re-think to formulate certain recommendation for the discussed issue. 3. Now we will see the following example of discussion text

a. Text 1 Birth Control Most people agree that some form of family limitation or spacing is desirable for the good of the family and society. But individuals and groupsespecially religious groups differ sharply on the methods of birth control that they consider moral and acceptable. Couples that practice birth control do so for various reasons. They may want to limit or space their children, or to have no children at all. Young couples often postpone having children so that both partners can work full-time. Other couples space their children so they can give each child as much attention as possible. Some women are advised by their doctors to avoid pregnancy for health reasons. In many countries with rapidly growing populations, the government encourages couples to limit the size of their families. Even though birth control has gained in acceptance, opposition to the practice is continuous. Some people fear that birth control encourages sexual relations outside marriage or that government might impose birth control. Some religious groups oppose birth control on moral grounds. Some religious groups teach that artificial methods of birth control are immoral because they separate the two purposes of intercourse in marriageconjugal love and the procreation of children. Although they oppose all artificial birth control, they consider natural family planning acceptable. b. Text 2 Abortion: A Controversial Issue For years, abortion has been an extremely controversial subject. One important aspect of the controversy is whether a woman should be permitted by law to have an abortion and, if so, under what circumstances. Another is whether, and to what extent laws should protect the unborn. People who wish to legally limit or forbid abortions describe themselves as prolife. Those who believe that a woman should have the right to have an abortion may refer to themselves as prochoice. Arguments against abortion are based on the belief that an abortion is the unjustified killing of an unborn child. Most people who oppose abortion believe that human life begins when a sperm fertilises an egg. Another argument against abortion is that laws allowing it on demand will increase irresponsible pregnancies and lead to disrespect for human life. The Roman Catholic Church is a chief opponent of abortion. Conservative branches of other religions also oppose abortion. Many people approve of abortion under certain circumstance. Some approve of abortion if a womans life or health is endangered by her pregnancy. Others recommend abortion when there is danger that the child will be born with a serious mental or physical defect. They also approve of abortion when pregnancy has resulted from rape or incest. Many people who think that a woman should have the right to choose to have an abortion distinguish between human life and personhood. They argue that personhood implies both the capacity for self-conscious thought and acceptance as a member of a social community. These people believe a fetus is not a person and is thus not entitled to rights normally given to a person. Such prochoice supporters agree with the view that birth represents the beginning of personhood. Another prochoice argument is that legalising abortions has eliminated many illegal abortions performed by unskilled practitioners under unsanitary conditions. These

abortions often cause deaths and permanent reproductive injuries. Abortion on demand also prevents many unwanted births and may thus be a factor in lowering infant and child abuse, neglect, and death rates. Also some argue that women should not have to bear unwanted children in a world with a growing population and diminishing natural resources. As a result of this controversy, abortion laws vary from country to country. In Russia, where abortion has been legal since 1920, it is allowed up to about the fourth month of pregnancy, purely by request, and is commonly used as a method of birth control. In some countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, abortion is only allowed when pregnancy threatens the mothers life. South Africa, New Zealand, and Hong Kong allow abortion when the fetus is severely damaged. In the Republic of Ireland, the operation may only be performed when either the mothers or babys life is in danger. c. Text 3 Hacking: Pro and 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. To get back to what I was saying previously, let us see the positive points of a hacker, shall we? 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.

d. Text 4 Is an X-Ray Examination Necessary? Students, can you show me your hands? Right! Now can you show me your head? Excellent! But, can you show me what is inside your stomach? Hmm Can you show me your lungs? No? Why? Yeah, youre right. Because they are inside our body. So what do you think, how can we see the internal parts of our body? Yes. We use an XRay. So, what is an X-Ray? Does anybody know? No? Well, an X-Ray is a spectrum of light. It is radiated through our body. It is used for detecting our internal body organs. Am I making myself clear? Well, let me continue. Where can you find an X-Ray? Yes, thats right. In a hospital. And do you know who invented the X-Ray? Does anybody know? No? Oh, come on. Nobody remembers the name? Well, the X-Ray was invented by a German scientist, William Conrad Rontgen. Where was I? Oh, O.K. Hmm When do people get an X-ray? Correct. When they are ill. I mean when there is something wrong with the internal parts of their body. Can you give any examples of illnesses? When people have these diseases they need an X-Ray to check. Yes, cancer, kidney trouble, heart trouble, tumors, etc. Students, do you know that there are many conflicting opinions about the use of X-Rays in a hospital? Well, look at the chart! 60% of people agree that an X-Ray examination is beneficial. They say that doctors should use an X-Ray in examining a severe illness. If doctors dont use an X-Ray, they could miss some important information which is very useful in making a diagnosis on a patients disease. And this will sometimes cause a doctor to be inaccurate in prescribing medicine to cure an illness. However, not all patients agree with the use of X-Ray examination. Look at the chart again, 40% of patients disagree with the use of an X-Ray examination. Do you know why? Gues what? They think that using an X-Ray examination will cost them a lot of money. Thats really true. Another reason is that the radiation of an X-Ray has some risks to body tissues. Well, as a result of this controversy, many people use traditional health cure to avoid the high cost of hospital care. However, hospitals still insist on having X-Ray examinations on patients to get an accurate diagnosis although the cost is very high. e. Text 5 National Exam in Pros and Contras National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions. Though the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the go-vernment on the organization of the national exams, the controversy over whether it is necessary to maintain the national exams (UN) has continued. Some debates include the primary questions such as; does the quality of Indonesia education depend on the national exam?, will the quality of the Indonesian education system worsen without natipnal exam? People, who support the national exam explain that the quality of the Indonesia education system will drop without the national exam, so they try to defend the current system. However there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this national exam kept in our high school education say that it doesnt need the national exams because the quality of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further, the national exam only measures a small portion of students competence in specific subjects, and does not measure students competences throughout the semester. In fact, the

national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or detect the level of students cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national scale.