Writing the broadly discursive portfolio piece: choosing argumentative, persuasive or report writing, structuring a clear line of argument, using evidence, and meeting the criteria for content, structure, style and accuracy.

What this dot point is asking

The second portfolio piece must be broadly discursive: writing that explores or argues a position rather than telling a story. This dot point covers the broadly discursive piece, which can be argumentative (weighing both sides and reaching a reasoned view), persuasive (taking one side and convincing the reader), or a report (informing or investigating a topic). It must be a different genre from your creative piece, and like the creative piece it is developed through drafting and marked on content, structure, style and accuracy.

The discursive piece tests your ability to organise ideas, build a line of argument and support it with evidence. It is where you show clear thinking and control, so structure and evidence carry as much weight as expressive language.

The answer

The broadly discursive piece rewards a clear line of argument, supported by evidence, organised into a deliberate structure, and written in a controlled style with technical accuracy. The method is: choose a mode (argumentative, persuasive or report) and a topic you can research; plan a clear structure (an introduction, ordered body paragraphs, a conclusion); support each point with evidence; and redraft for clarity and accuracy. The line of argument is the backbone the criteria reward.

Choose argumentative, persuasive or report

The discursive piece has three common modes. Argumentative writing weighs both sides of an issue and reaches a reasoned conclusion. Persuasive writing takes one side and aims to convince, using persuasive techniques. A report informs or investigates a topic, often using sources, in an objective register. Choose the mode that suits your topic and your purpose, and keep to its conventions.

Build a clear line of argument with evidence

Whatever the mode, the piece needs a clear line of argument: an organised sequence of points that builds towards a conclusion. Each point should be developed and supported with evidence (facts, examples, statistics or reasoning), not just asserted. An introduction frames the issue, body paragraphs develop the argument one point at a time, and a conclusion reaches or restates the position. Order and evidence are what distinguish a strong discursive piece.

Match register and technique to the mode

Each mode has its own register and toolkit. Persuasive writing uses confident, sometimes emotive language and rhetorical techniques (rhetorical questions, lists of three, direct address). Argumentative writing is more measured and objective, weighing evidence on both sides. A report is formal and informative. Match your style to the mode, and keep the writing accurate throughout, since it is drafted and redrafted.

Examples in context

Suppose you write a persuasive essay against banning mobile phones in schools.

A weak piece asserts opinions with no evidence or order: phones are useful, banning them is unfair, students should be trusted. A strong piece opens with a hook, then develops ordered arguments each supported with evidence (phones aid learning with examples, support safety with reasoning, teach responsibility), briefly acknowledges and rebuts the case for a ban, and closes with a forceful conclusion, all in confident, controlled, accurate prose. The structure, evidence and persuasive technique reach the higher marks.

Try this

Q1. What is the difference between persuasive and argumentative writing? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. Persuasive writing takes one side and aims to convince; argumentative writing weighs both sides and reaches a reasoned conclusion.

Q2. Why must each point be supported by evidence? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. Because the criteria reward a developed, evidenced line of argument; unsupported assertion sits in a low band.

Q3. Why must the discursive piece be a different genre from the creative piece? [1 mark]

• What the marker wants. Because the portfolio deliberately shows writing in two different genres, one broadly creative and one broadly discursive.

A note on sources

This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed. Portfolio modes and criteria follow the published SQA National 5 English portfolio requirements; verify current portfolio rules and criteria against the SQA National 5 English course specification at sqa.org.uk.