This website looks at 2 kinds of Discursive ("Discuss...") essays: Firstly, an Extended Writing Assignment (EWA), where you get a number of weeks to think about what you want to write, then research your ideas, write a first draft, and edit it into a final draft. Secondly, a Timed Writing Test (TWT). This is in an exam situation, requiring a lower word count (perhaps 300 words) in a shorter time (probably around 60 minutes). No matter which essay type you have; Extended Writing Assignment (EWA) or Timed Writing Test (TWT), you can't choose the title of the essay that your teacher gives you. What does that mean? That means it's very important that you become comfortable at thinking of ideas for different topics. This is sometimes called 'brainstorming'.

'Brainstorming' for an Extended Writing Assignment (EWA)

If you have an Extended Writing Assignment (EWA), you have more time. This means you can read books and magazines, watch internet clips, DVDs and TV reports.

Try this

Imagine you have an Extended Writing Assignment with the title: "There are both advantages and disadvantages to controlling the population of the world." Try Activity 1and Activity 2. They are both listening activities but they will highlight a number of ideas that could be used in an essay title such as this one.