Big picture
Longer writing tasks, such as an article for a magazine, a report of a school event, a speech or a debate, test whether you can organise ideas, argue a point and engage a reader. Unlike short functional texts, they need planning: a clear stance or purpose, well-developed paragraphs, and a strong opening and conclusion.
"Discursive" writing discusses an issue from more than one angle before reaching a reasoned conclusion. This lesson covers formats, structures and techniques, with model answers.
Learning goals
Plan a piece of writing before starting.
Write an article with a title, by-line and well-structured paragraphs.
Write a report of an event in the past tense with factual details.
Write a speech and a debate with the correct openings and closings.
Use persuasive and discursive techniques.
Use linking devices for cohesion.
Choose an appropriate tone and edit your work.
Core ideas
1. Planning (2–3 minutes)
Read the task: type (article, report, speech), audience, purpose, word limit and any points given.
Brainstorm 4–6 ideas.
Organise them into an introduction, 2–3 body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Decide your stance (for argument pieces) or the sequence of events (for reports).
2. Article
An article expresses the writer's views on a topic for a newspaper or magazine.
Format: Title (catchy and relevant) → By-line (By Ananya Rao, or the name given in the question) → Body.
Structure:
Part | Content |
|---|---|
Introduction | Hook the reader (a question, startling fact or short anecdote) and state the issue |
Body paragraph 1 | Causes or background |
Body paragraph 2 | Effects or importance, with examples |
Body paragraph 3 | Solutions or suggestions |
Conclusion | Sum up and end with a call to action or thought-provoking line |
Model opening and ending (article on reducing food waste):
Every Grain Counts By Kabir Malhotra
Imagine throwing away one plate of food out of every three you cook. Shocking as it sounds, that is roughly how much food is wasted in many homes and functions across the country, while millions go to bed hungry…
…Reducing food waste begins with small choices: cooking only what we need, storing food properly and donating surplus to food banks. If every household made these changes, we could feed many more people without growing a single extra grain. The next time you fill your plate, remember: every grain counts.
3. Report
A report gives a factual account of an event (a school function, a camp, an accident, a seminar) for a school magazine or newspaper.
Format: Heading → By-line (with place and date for a newspaper report) → Body.
Content (the five Ws and one H): what happened, when, where, who was involved (chief guest, organisers, participants), why it was held, and how it went (sequence of events, highlights, results), followed by a concluding sentence (impact, vote of thanks).
Language: past tense, mostly passive voice and third person, factual and objective, with specific details (numbers, names, timings).
Model report (opening):
Tree Plantation Drive at Greenfield School By Ritu Sharma, Secretary, Eco Club
A tree plantation drive was organised by the Eco Club of Greenfield Public School, Lucknow, on 5 July 2025 to mark Van Mahotsav. The chief guest, Mr. S. K. Gupta, District Forest Officer, inaugurated the event by planting a neem sapling. Over 200 students of Classes 6 to 12 planted 350 saplings of native trees around the school campus…
4. Speech
A speech is written to be spoken to an audience.
Opening: a greeting appropriate to the audience ("Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends"), introduction of yourself and the topic ("I, Ananya of Class 12, am here to speak on…").
Body: points with examples, in a direct, lively style: rhetorical questions, short sentences, direct address ("you", "we").
Closing: a summary, a memorable line or call to action, and "Thank you."
5. Debate
A debate argues for or against a motion.
Opening: "Respected judges, teachers and my worthy opponents, I stand here to speak for/against the motion '…'"
Body: clear arguments with evidence, and rebuttal of the opposing side's likely points ("My opponents may argue that…, but…").
Closing: restate your stance firmly: "With these words, I strongly oppose the motion. Thank you."
6. Persuasive and discursive techniques
Technique | Example |
|---|---|
Rhetorical question | Can we really call ourselves educated if we ignore the waste around us? |
Facts and statistics | Studies show that a large share of food produced is never eaten. |
Examples and anecdotes | Last month, our school canteen donated 40 kg of surplus food… |
Appeal to emotion | Imagine a child going to sleep hungry tonight. |
Rule of three | It saves money, protects the environment and feeds the hungry. |
Addressing counter-arguments | Some may say this is the government's job; however, change begins at home. |
Direct address | You and I can make a difference. |
A discursive piece presents both sides fairly ("On the one hand… On the other hand…") before reaching a balanced conclusion.
7. Cohesion: linking devices
Purpose | Linking words |
|---|---|
Adding | moreover, furthermore, in addition, also |
Contrasting | however, on the other hand, nevertheless, although |
Cause and effect | therefore, as a result, consequently, because of this |
Examples | for instance, for example, such as |
Sequence | firstly, then, subsequently, finally |
Concluding | in conclusion, to sum up, thus |
8. Tone, register and editing
Tone: match the purpose: serious and reasoned for an article, objective for a report, lively for a speech.
Register: formal; avoid slang, contractions and SMS language.
Editing checklist: grammar and tense consistency; spelling; one main idea per paragraph; no repetition; within the word limit; title and by-line present.
A reliable routine for long writing tasks
Plan: purpose, audience, format, 4–6 points.
Write a strong opening that hooks the reader.
Develop each point in its own paragraph with examples.
Link paragraphs with transition words.
End with a memorable conclusion or call to action.
Edit for accuracy and length.
Connections that matter
Functional writing covers shorter formal texts like notices and letters.
Unseen informational reading shows how arguments are structured.
Vocabulary and language use helps you choose precise, formal words.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the title or by-line in an article or report.
Writing a report in the present or future tense.
Giving opinions in a report, which should be factual.
Using one long paragraph with no clear structure.
Ending abruptly without a conclusion.
Revision checklist
I can plan a piece of writing quickly.
I can write an article with title, by-line and clear structure.
I can write a factual report in the past tense and passive voice.
I can write a speech and a debate with correct openings and closings.
I can use persuasive techniques and linking devices.