Topic 1:
Discursive essay
You attended a debate competition which was held recently in your school. One issue raised by the
debaters was:
Failure can encourage self-development
Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Paragraph Paragraph What should you do Sample response
Structure
Paragraph 1 Introduce the Write an interesting In this modern world, most of the people are afraid of
topic fact / an observation failure.
Introduction
Give further It is undeniable that they do not want to be a loser
information because they are afraid that they will be laughed by
others.
State a clear and However, they are only look at the negative side and
convincing opinion they do not realise that failure can brings some benefits
to them.
Thesis statement Write a strong thesis Hence, failure can encourage self-development because
statement that ties 3 people can learn from their mistake, have the courage
opinions together to try new things and strengthen their willpower.
Paragraph 2 M (MP 1 / Topic Start with a cohesive First and foremost, failure can encourage self-
Sentence 1） device and introduce development because people can learn from their
Body your first opinion mistake.
paragraph
(E）Elaboration
Elaborate on your This is because people who have the experience of
opinion failure will always remember the mistake that they have
did.
(E) Example
Give an example to For instance, they will avoid making the same mistake in
substantiate your the future instead they will try another strategy to solve
opinion their problem.
CS (Concluding
sentence) Use a cohesive device
to link your example Therefore, self-development happens when people
and elaboration to learn from their mistakes through failure.
your opinion
Paragraph 3 M (MP / Topic Start with a cohesive Furthermore, failure can encourage self-development
Sentence 2） device and introduce because people will have the courage to try the new
Body your second opinion things.
paragraph
(E）Elaboration
Elaborate on your When people have experienced of failure many times,
opinion they will not be afraid of failure. On the contrary, they
will be more dared to try the new things.
(E) Example
Give an example to For example, they will attempt to a lot of new things
substantiate your until they succeed without cares about other people’s
opinion perspectives.
CS (Concluding
sentence) Use a cohesive device Thus, failure makes people have courage to try the new
to link your example things, which leads to self-development.
and elaboration to
your opinion
Paragraph 4 M (MP 3 / Topic Start with a cohesive Moreover, failure can encourage self-development
Sentence 3） device and introduce because people can strengthen their willpower.
Body your third opinion
paragraph
(E) Elaboration Elaborate on your This is because people who experienced many failures
opinion will reinvigorate to reach their goal.
(E) Example
Give an example to For instance, they would not give up easily when doing
substantiate your the task. They will constantly to try with different ways
opinion until they succeed.
CS (Concluding
sentence) Use a cohesive device Hence, self-development happens when people can
to link your example strengthen their willpower through failure.
and elaboration to
your opinion
Paragraph 5 Summarise the Rephrase the thesis In conclusion, failure can encourage self-development
essay statement because people can learn from their mistake, have the
Conclusion courage to try new things and strengthen their
willpower.
Reiterate the Reiterate your opinion Failure is not the bad things because it can also bring
main idea some benefits to the people.
Call to action Everyone should not to be afraid of failure because it
Clincher can encourage self-development.
