Discussions are written to present arguments and information from different viewpoints.

Discussions usually consist of the following:

• a statement of the issue and a preview of the main arguments, "There is disagreement about whether all cigarette advertising should be banned. Some people think advertisements encourage smoking and others argue that they only give information";
• arguments for plus supporting evidence, "Many countries have already banned advertising and sales of cigarettes have dropped";
• arguments against plus supporting evidence, "Pro-smoking pressure groups claim we should be able to make our own decisions" (Note: The order of arguments for or against can be reversed.); and
• recommendation given as a summary and conclusion, "One group wants to protect society from smoking, whereas the other group claims freedom of choice. I think...."

They are usually written

• in the simple present tense,
• using logical rather than temporal conjunctions, and
• focusing mainly on generic rather than particular participants.