Structuring Discursive Writing - Worksheet

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Topic: The care of old people is a growing problem. Some say government should care for old people. Others say that it’s the family’s responsibility. Discuss these views and give your own opinion. Discursive writing can involve discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions. In this case, it usually follows this structure: 1. Introduction General statement about the topic 2. Body A Arguments for solution 1 (+ supporting evidence) B Arguments against solution 1 (+ supporting evidence) C Arguments for solution 2 (+ supporting evidence) D Arguments against solution 2 (+ supporting evidence) E Etc. with any other solution 3. Conclusion giving writer’s final opinion based on above arguments NB This topic shows just one kind of discursive writing. Others include proposing solutions and justifying opinions. These require different structures.

Read the writing below and mark on it the following different parts in its structure. Write the appropriate letter beside each part e.g. 1, 2B.

Topic: The care of old people is a growing problem. Some say government should care for old people. Others say that it’s the family’s responsibility. Discuss these views and give your own opinion.

The care of old people is an issue all over the world as it is no longer clear who has the responsibility for looking after old people. There are two main choices: the government or the family.

If the government pays for the care of old people this usually means that the old people go into old people’s homes. In these all people are given equal and high quality care. Countries such as Sweden operate this system very efficiently.

The problem is that this solution is very expensive. The money comes from tax and many countries simply can’t afford it. It also often means that old people go into homes where they know no one and have nothing to do.

The alternative is for families to support their elderly relatives. In theory this provides loving care and means the old person can be an active member of the family. In practice, it often does not work out, as families don’t have enough money, and so, much bitterness is created, and the old people are neglected. I can see this happening all around me in my country where there is no government support for old people.

It is clear that neither of these solutions is good. Therefore, it seems to me that a mixture of the two is the best solution. The government should provide money to families to look after their elderly relatives. But I also think that old people should save up money during their working lives to look after themselves in old age.