discussion text

1. Definition

Discussion is a text which presents a problematic discourse. This problem will be discussed from different points of view. It presents pro and contra opinion on certain issue.

The purpose of a discussion text is to present arguments and information from differing viewpoints. Discussion texts are usually written in the present tense.

2. Points to check

·         Have you been fair to both sides?

·         Have you supported your views with reasons ande vidence?

·         In your conclusion, have you given a reason for what you have decided?

3. Generic Structure

·         Issue : contains of statement and preview about something.

·         Arguments for/Supporting arguments : after stating the issue, it is necessary to present the argument to support that one point is agreeing.

·         Arguments against : beside the supporting argument, discussion text need the arguments which disagree to the stated issue.

·         Recommendation/conclusion : It is used to tell how to solve issue by concerning the arguements for and against.

4. Language Features

·          Introducing category or generic participant.

·         Relating verb/to be: is, am, are, etc.

·         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.

·         Conjunction/transition: although, even, if, etc.

Ciri Kebahasaan Discussion Text

Di dalam membuat Discussion Text, penulis harus memperhatikan penggunaan bahasa yang biasa diterapkan, seperti:

• Menggunakan simpel present tense
• Menggunakan modalites, seperti must, should, would, may, etc.
• Menggunakan additive, contrastive, dan casual connection, seperti similiary, however, furthemore, on the other hand, etc.

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power

Issue

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is a metal mined in various part of the world. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England in 1956.

(Tenaga nuklir dibangkitkan dengan menggunakan uranium yang merupakan sejenis logam yang bisa ditemukan di berbagai tempat di dunia. Pembangkit tenaga nuklir sekala besar  yang pertama dibuka di Caler Hall di Bumbria, Inggris pada tahun 1956.)

Supporting Point

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engine. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world's energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It cause no pollution as we would get when burning fossil fuels. The advantages of nuclear plant are as follow:
(Beberapa kapal dan kapal selam militer mempunyai tenaga nuklir yang ditanamkan pada mesin. Tenaga nuklir memproduksi sekitar 11% tenaga yang dibutuhkan dunia dan menghasilkan total energi yang besar yang tidak menyebabkan polusi seperti yang akan kita dapatkan ketika membakar bahan bakar fosil. Keuntungan dari nuklir adalah sebagai berikut:)

• It costs about the same coal, so it is not expansive to make. (Biayanya hampir seperti batu bara, jadi tidak terlalu mahal untuk digunakan.)
• It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. (Tidak menghasilkan asap atau karbon dioksida, jadi tidak menyumbang efek rumah kaca.)
• It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium. (Menghasilkan energi yang banyak dari sedikit uranium.)
• It produces small amount of waste. (Menghasilkan sedikit pembuangan.)
• It is reliable. (Bisa diwujudkan.)
• Contrasting Point

On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident ca be a major accident.

(Di sisi lain, tenaga nuklir sangat berbahaya. Nuklir harus di kunci dan di kubur untuk beberapa tahun untuk mematikan radioactiv-nya. Selanjutnya, walaupun tenaga nuklir bisa diwujudkan, banyak uang harus digunakan untuk keamanannya karena jika terjadi kesalahan, sebuah kecelakaan nuklir bisa menyebabkan kecelakaan yang besar.)

Conclusion or Recomendation

People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990's nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.
(Manusia sangat memperhatikan masalah ini. Pada tahun 1990-an tenaga nuklir  merupakan sumber tenaga yang cepat berkembang di banyak penjuru dunia.)

Should Performance Enhancing Drugs Be Accepted in Sports?

The issue of using drugs to enhance athlete's performance is controversial. Those who agree to the use of drugs in enhancing performance say that most top players in all sports take drugs to train harder and feel no pain during play. The trainers, sports doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists and managers of the big names make sure banned substances are taken at the safest and most efficient levels. The main effect of banning such substances has turned performers and their coaches into liars and cheaters. On the other hand, some still believe that performance enhancing drugs in sport should be banned. Performance enhancing drugs are not only prohibited because they violate the spirit of sport but because they can damage the health of athletes. I think the idea of allowing them in sports could lead to a situation whereby sportsmen and women are used as human guinea pigs for a constant flow of new, unregulated substances. Pilihlah jawaban yang benar dengan meng-klik pilihan A, B,C, atau E di dalam kotak yang tersedia.

1. What argument is given by those who disagree with the use of performance enhancing drugs?

A. Athletes health is badly effected.

B. Guinea pigs are awfully needed.

C. Athletes consume more drugs.

D. Athletes obey the rules.

E. Athletes perform better.

2. According to the proponents of performance enhancing drugs, the effect of banning them is that performers become

A. losers

B. winners

C. cheaters

D. hooligans

E. supporters

3. What is the writer's intention to write this text?

A. to persuade readers to agree with the issue.

B. to influence readers to oppose the issue.

C. to describe performance enhancing drugs.

D. to entertain readers with the issue.

E. to expose readers with the issue.

4. How does the writer feel about the performance enhancing drugs?

A. neutral

B. positive

C. negative

D. indefinite

E. pessimistic

Jawaban 1A 2B 3E 4C

Sutiyoso Got Award

Sutiyoso Pictures, Images and PhotosSutiyoso will be given an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an International Conference in Yogyakarta, but some people have questions whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital. I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Although we haven't seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument (Monas) Park to a green cool area where families can go to jog or have a picnic.He also initiated the busway project, which I believe is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta. However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of the motorcycles on the roads contribute to air pollution in the city. On the other hand, some people can't understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because he hasn't made any improvement in Jakarta's air management. Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down more and more trees for transportation projects. And they don't bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener and less polluted. Monas park is greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

Questions:

1. Why did people say that Sutiyoso deserved the award?

A. Monas park is green now.

B. Jakarta is becoming more polluted.

C. He has improved Jakarta's air management.

D. He limited the number of motorcycles in the city.

E. He restored the Monas park and initiated the busway project.

2. What has Sutiyoso done to reduce air pollution in Jakarta?

A. Initiating the bus project.

B. Holding an international conference.

C. Limiting the number of motorcycles.

D. Building fences around the Monas park.

E. Cutting down more and more trees.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A. To explain why Sutiyoso got an Asian Air Quality Management Award.

B. To present point of views about the award given to Sutiyoso.

C. To tell readers how to provide solid air quality management.

D. To describe an Asian Air Quality Management Award.

E. To assure readers that Sutiyoso deserved the award.

4. It is not easy to get in the Monas park because ...

A. more and more trees were cut down.

B. It is use for having a picnic.

C. It is use for jogging track.

D. There is a cool area.

E. There are fences.

Soal nomor 1 Maksud pertanyaan: mengapa Sutiyoso berhak mendapatkan penghargaan itu? Jawaban tersurat di paragrap 2 dan 3. Maka jawaban yang benar adalah E.

Soal nomor 2 Maksud pertanyaan: Apa yang Sutiyoso lakukan untuk mengurangi polusi udara di Jakarta? Jawaban tersurat di paragraf 3. Maka jawaban yang benar adalah A.

Soal nomor 3 Maksud pertanyaan: Apa tujuan dari teks di atas? Teks tersebut adalah teks discussion. Teks discussion berfungsi menyampaikan pendapat tentang sesuatu dari sudut pandang yang berbeda-beda. Maka jawaban yang benar adalah B.

Soal nomor 4 Maksud soal ini adalah Tidak mudah untuk masuk ke taman Monas karena ... Jawaban terletak di paragraf terakhir yaitu fences (pagar). Maka jawaban yang benar adalah E. Sumber: Ujian Nasional 2010

Trik Mengerjakan Soal Ujian Nasional Bahasa Inggris

Trik ini khusus untuk soal ujian nasional Bahasa Inggris. Untuk mengerjakan soal pelajaran lain, tentu triknya berbeda.

Pilih soal-soal pendek terlebih dahulu. Soal-soal pendek biasanya berupa iklan atau pengumuman.

Kerjakan soal merangkai kalimat. Perhatikan bahwa soal-soal Unas mempunyai banyak persamaan pertanyaan. Misalnya: "What is the text about?" atau "What does the text tell us about?" Ini adalah pertanyaan kesimpulan. Maka kamu harus menjawab topik bacaan.

Jika ada pertanyaan "what is the closest meaning to the underlined word?" atau "The word ... is similar to ..." Soal seperti ini menanyakan sinonim atau persamaan kata.

 Untuk pertanyaan detil dimulai dengan kata "what, who, where,when, why, how" Kamu harus baca pertanyaan dulu dan liat teks. Tidak perlu membaca teks terlebih dahulu.