discursive essay on bullying

154 Bullying Topics & Bullying Essay Examples

Looking for an exciting research topic about bullying? This problem is very controversial, sensitive, and definitely worth studying

🏆 Top 10 Bullying Topics for Research Papers

📃 bullying essay: writing tips, 🏆 best bullying topics to write about, ⚡ most shocking bullying topics to write about, ✅ simple & easy shocking bullying essay titles, ✍️ bullying essay topics for college, ❓ research questions about bullying.

Examples of bullying can be found everywhere: in schools, workplaces, and even on the Internet (in the form of cyberbullying).

In this article, we’ve collected top bullying research paper topics and questions, as well as bullying essay samples and writing tips. Get inspired with us!

• Direct and indirect bullying: compare & contrast
• The causes of bullying
• Classroom bullying and its effects
• Social isolation as a form of bullying
• Bullying and academic performance
• Passive and active victims of bullying: compare and contrast
• The role of social agencies in bullying prevention
• Public policy for bullying and aggression
• Bullying behavior and psychological health
• Aggressive children and their family background

A bullying essay is a popular assignment in various subjects, including psychology, sociology, and education. Writing an excellent paper on the matter requires more than just in-depth research and planning. Don’t worry; there are some tips that will make writing an essay on bullying much easier:

• Choose a topic that allows analyzing and interpreting the problem. Instead of merely describing what bullying is, try to dig deeper into its causes, consequences, and solutions. If your professor didn’t suggest any topics, you may research bullying essay topics online and select one that would be exciting for you to explore.
• Read sample articles and papers online to see how other students approached the subject. Notice the bits that work and don’t work, and write them out to make the process of creating your essay easier. If you’re struggling with finding enough examples online, you may want to expand your search to discrimination essay topics and materials.
• Research what scholars say about bullying. Articles in scholarly journals are an excellent source of information because they are usually trustworthy. If you’re still in school, your ability to navigate the library or online databases will also impress your tutor. As you start researching, you will find that there is a great variety of studies, and it’s challenging to find the relevant ones. Narrowing down your search would help you to do that. For instance, if you are writing a cyber bullying essay, try searching for social media bullying or online anti-bullying services.
• Include real-life experiences where relevant. Unfortunately, bullying is a common problem in many institutions, and if you haven’t experienced it, your friends or family members probably have. If your tutor allows personal input, explore real-life experiences with bullying. Note the effects, preventive measures that worked or didn’t work, and what a person used to cope with bullying. If personal input is not allowed, you could ask your friends or relatives for ideas and then find high-quality sources that discuss similar problems.
• If you can, be creative about it! A powerful bullying essay example draws from a variety of sources to present material in a creative way and engage readers. Hence, this might be an excellent opportunity for you to include images or graphs in your paper. For example, anti-bullying posters could complement the sections of your work that talks about solutions to the problem. Quotes about bullying coming from famous persons would also be influential, especially if you include them at the beginning of your piece. If you like drawing or painting, you could try to put some of your ideas in graphic form – this will definitely earn you some extra marks! Just make sure to check with your tutor to see whether or not creative input is allowed.
• Structure your paper well to avoid gaps or inconsistencies. It would be beneficial to create a detailed bullying essay outline before you start working. A typical essay should include an introduction, two to three main paragraphs, and a conclusion. The first paragraph of your work should consist of some background information, whereas the last one should restate the points and close up the paper. A good bullying essay introduction should also feature a thesis statement that shows what the piece is about.

These tips will help you to write top-notch essays on bullying, as well as on related subjects. Don’t forget to browse our blog some more to find other helpful materials, including essay titles!

• The Problem of Bullying and Possible Solutions In general, bullying is a critical and complex issue prevailing among children; thus, it is essential to adopt different solutions to tackle it.
• Bullying and Its Effects in Society Secondary research is critical in the development of a background to the research, which helps in determining the validity of the problem and suggested research methodologies.
• Cyber Bullying Issue Therefore, the goal of this paper is to analyse who the victims of cyber bullying are and the influence it has on them.
• School Bullying and Moral Development The middle childhood is marked by the development of basic literacy skills and understanding of other people’s behavior that would be crucial in creating effective later social cognitions. Therefore, addressing bullying in schools requires strategies […]
• Is Cyber Bullying Against Teenagers More Detrimental Than Face-To-Face Bullying? Social networking has also contributed greatly to the issue of cyber bullying especially in making it more harmful as compared to face-to-face bullying.
• The Effects of Cyber-Bullying and Cyber-Stalking on the Society In particular, one should focus on such issues as the disrespect for a person’s autonomy, the growing intensity of domestic violence and deteriorating mental health in the country.
• Bullying and Child Development Bullying is one of the common vices in schools that influences a lot of growth and development of children. Bullying also affects the ability of children to concentrate in school because they are always on […]
• Verbal Bullying at School: How It Should Be Stopped This paper highlights some of the best practices that can be used by teachers in order to address this problem. So, this information can be of great benefit to them.
• Nature of Bullying In this paper, central focus is going to be on the nature of bullying of children in my hometown, Orlando Florida, how it can be solved, and most importantly; establishing the importance of having knowledge […]
• Bullying and Suicide Among Teenagers Specific objectives Analyze the causes of bullying among teenagers in the country Analyze the effects of bullying among victims, perpetrators and by-standers Analyze the relationship between bullying in school and suicide among teenagers in the […]
• Bullying Through Social Media: Research Proposal The hypothesis of the study is as follows: the role of adolescents in a cyberbullying situation is interconnected with their psychological characteristics.
• Bullying and Cyberbullying in Modern Society Cyberbullying among adolescents and teenagers is defined as the purposeful and repetitive harm done by one or more peers in cyberspace as a result of using digital devices and social media platforms.
• The Impact of Workplace Bullying The negative impacts of bullying in the workplace develop as a result of ignorance among employees regarding the vice, unreported cases, as well as the negligence of organizational leaders.
• Workplace Bullying and Its Impact on Performance Workplace bullying refers to a deliberate, repeated, and continuous mistreatment of a worker or a group of workers by one or more colleagues in the workplace.
• Bullying on Social Media Platforms It is consistent and repeating, taking advantage of the Internet’s anonymity with the main goal to anger, scare, or shame a victim.
• Bullying in the Nursing Workplace Bullying in the nursing workplace, in this case, causes the one bullied to have a feeling of defenselessness and takes away the nurses’ right to dignity at his or her workplace.
• Social Psychological Concepts of Bullying and Its Types Some of the factors that contribute to bullying include poor parenting, economic challenges, lack of mentorship, and jealousy among others. One of the main concepts used to explain bullying is that of parenting roles and […]
• Bullying in the Workplace Organizational leaders have an ethical obligation to ensure that they deal with cases of bullying within the workplace in a professional manner that demonstrates equality, honesty, and high sensitivity to the needs of others.
• Social Influence on Bullying in Schools The theory helps us to understand why the stronger members of the school population are likely to “rule” over the weaker members of the school as described in the social hierarchy concept in the theory.
• Character Traits of Bullying Despite the fact that such characteristics may differ from child to child, it is the common feature of difference that makes the target children get noticed by the bullies.
• The ABC Model of Crisis: Bullying at School The next step is the identification of the nature of the crisis, and thus questions are as follows: Who is bullying you?
• Bullying: Violence in Children and Adolescents Bullying is one of the most common manifestations of peer violence in children and adolescents. Prevention of bullying, cyberbullying included, has to occur in accordance with the IBSE Standards of social and emotional learning.
• Bullying, Its Forms, and Counteractions In addition, it is necessary to support those at the center of this bullying, as this can protect them from harmful effects and consequences.
• Incivility, Violence, and Bullying in the Healthcare Workplace The following step is to gather the team and communicate the necessity of change, assigning some individuals for the positions related to the change, in other terms, a support team.
• Effective Ways to Deal With Bullying in US Schools Teachers should ensure the bully is aware of the improper behavior, why it is improper, and the repercussions of the behavior.
• Network Bullying: School Policy Framework The first step is to have a careful conversation with the student and an assessment by the school psychologist to ensure that there is a fright.
• How to Reduce Bullying in Senior Facilities One of the main reasons an individual may commit suicide due to bullying is because it may make an individual develop a negative self-image after the bullying incident. Some of the major bullying incidences that […]
• Active Shooter and Nursing Bullying Nurses should lock all doors and use tables and other objects to reinforce them to prevent any possibility of the active shooter getting to the patients’ room.
• Racist Bullying Among Black Students in US Universities This research focuses on the impact of bullying and racism among African American students in the country. What are the impacts of bullying and racism among Black students in U.S.universities?
• Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder In fact, bullying as a social phenomenon can be characterized as a social and interaction issue; therefore, it is possible to analyze the connection between autism and acts of bullying and inappropriate behavior.
• Eliminating the Problem of Online Bullying Eliminating the problem of online bullying is vital for improving the mental health of adolescents and young adults and allowing them to build their lives free of adverse external influences. It is possible to see […]
• Sexual Bullying in Schools and Its Influence The author states the difference in the mental and physical maturation of girls and boys as one of the core roots of the issue.
• Bullying and Harassment in the Healthcare Workplace This paper is written to explore the origins of discrimination and harassment in the healthcare workplace. Bullying begins early in medical college and residencies; it has been referred to as an element of the learning […]
• Queer (LGBT) Teenage Bullying at School The importance of this source to the research is associated with the significant role that youth organizations have to play towards minimizing bullying among LGBT students.
• Bullying of Children: Misconceptions and Preventive Measures As a result, the density of shows and articles devoted to bullying creates an illusion that this event appears more often than it does in reality.
• Bullying Behavior and Impact of Hegemonic Masculinity Rosen and Nofziger applied a quantitative research design to explore the relationships between students’ bullying experiences and race, age, and socioeconomic status and identify the frequency of bullying.
• Bullying and Incivility in Clinical Setting The problem of bullying and incivility in a clinical setting can negatively affect the quality of care provided, so it needs to be managed.
• Bullying and Its Influences on a Person It is common for victims of bullying to develop mental health issues, as they were placed in stressful situations and had a constant fear along with depression in some cases. Making friends is one of […]
• “Bullying in Schools”: The Aspects of Bullying In their article, Menesini and Salmivalli examine the current state of knowledge on the topic and thoroughly discuss all of the aspects of bullying.
• Moral Development and Bullying in Children The understanding of moral development following the theories of Kohlberg and Gilligan can provide useful solutions to eliminating bullying in American schools.
• Analysis of Bullying and Parenting Style Since the given topic usually refers to children and adolescents, it is evident that their parents hold a portion of responsibility because the adults affect the growth and development of young individuals.
• Hate Crimes – Bullying More than two-thirds of children and adolescents experience bullying and more than one-fourth of them report extreme forms of coercion.
• Bullying Management: Mass Awareness Program Bulletin.”Teachers, trained to help to rebuild trust, confidence, growth, and commitment through mass awareness to arrest bullying in high schools”. The proposed mass action program is meant to promote awareness on the need to stop […]
• An Anti-Bullying Program Integrated With PRAISE by Ackerman I chose to describe bullying because of the importance of the topic and due to my personal interest in it. Education will eliminate most of the reasons for bullying and provide students with the E […]
• Bullying Through Social Media: Methods An Informed Consent Document will be provided to participants prior to the research, explaining the purpose of the study and promising to protect their identity.
• Bullying Through Social Media In particular, inequality in the position of the persecutor and the victim is evident – the aggressor can be anonymous, and there can be many of them.
• Bullying of Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic Then, the principles of adult learning will be used to develop and implement an information product to improve the nursing workforce’s bullying awareness and the knowledge of healthy conflict resolution in the workplace.
• Bullying in Healthcare Organizations: Impact on Nursing Practice Bullying in business entities is a common phenomenon, but the extent of its influence on the “production process” in healthcare and medicine institutions is only beginning to be recognized.
• Workplace Bullying Among Nurses in the Acute Setting Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of conflicts between nurses and their colleagues and managers has increased significantly in my workplace.
• Bullying Perpetration Among School-Aged Children Mucherah et al.examined how the school climate and teachers’ sanctions against bullying relate to the risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of bullying.
• Programming for a Year 5 Class on Bullying As a result, in Lesson 6, they will offer their project addressing bullying behaviour and present it to their class, which is the main aim of the Unit Plan.
• Injury and Violence Prevention: – Bullying The aim of preventing injury and violence from bullying is to enable the student to have a healthy social and physical life that will enable them to perform well in their studies and live healthily.
• Cyber-Bullying vs. Traditional Bullying: Its Psychological Effects The researchers presented the recent statistics in order to illustrate the negative social and psychological effects of cyber-bullying in contrast to the traditional bullying in schools.
• Bullying in the Workplace Old Nurse to New Nurse This unvoiced scourge in nursing is characteristically encouraged by the need of bullies to have a total control of a person. Resignation of nurses due to bullying can lead to shortage of nurses in hospitals.
• Bullying and Peer Abuse Especially at work, targets fear coming to work and this will have an adverse result in the efficiency of the staff in the hospital.
• Cyber Bullying and Positivist Theory of Crime Learning theory approaches to the explanation of criminal behavior have been associated with one of the major sociological theories of crime, the differential association theory.
• Cyberbullying and Bullying: Similarities While deciding on fitting and balanced sanctions, it is vital to reflect on the ways in which cyberbullying events differ in effect in comparison to other forms of bullying.
• Protection From Bullying: Methods That Work Because of this, it is vital that parents, teachers, and guardians educate themselves on the nature of bullying and work together to develop effective methods and strategies that would help to overcome the problem.
• Psychology: Social Media and Bullying The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of social media and bullying and express the author’s opinion on the matter.
• Workplace Bullying and Its Impact on People and Society The paper follows a traditional structure with the introduction and body paragraphs that provide essential information devoted to the problem, and improve the understanding of the concept of bullying.
• “Bullying Behavior Among Radiation Therapists” by Johnson and Trad The literature review encompassed a considerable number of sources pertinent to the study and recent enough to be relevant; all the publications were dated within the last fifteen years.
• Human Rights Issues in Australia: Bullying Among School-Going Age and Young People The focus of the topic of the day is on bullying. It is used to prevent or avoid the occurrence of a bullying experience.
• Bullying and Worker’s Harassment in Western Australia In most of the armed services in Australia, new recruits and women are commonly the victims of bullying and harassment despite the fact that it is unacceptable.
• Behaviour Management: Bullying The typical behaviors which I saw in the child who got bullied are: The victim of this bullying is physically weak and a soft-natured one.
• Cyber-Bullying Is a Crime: Discussion It is easy to see the effects of cyber-bullying but it is hard to find out who is the bully making it hard for authorities to pin the blame on the perpetrator of a crime […]
• Conflict Resolution Tactics and Bullying This study is interesting to the extent that it shows how the social environment impacts the development of a child and how it shapes his or her conflict resolution techniques.
• School Bullying: Case Analysis Even today there is no generally accepted definition of bullying but it is thought that when an individual is for a long period of time is exposed to repeat negative actions and behavior by one […]
• Bullying in the Workplace as a Psychological Harassment Another form of bullying in the workplace is physical assault in the sense that if the workers are not at ease with each other and when the rules and regulations are not at all observed, […]
• “Adolescents’ Perception of Bullying” by Frisen et al. The second and the third aims of the study were “to describe how adolescents perceive bullies” and “to describe what adolescents believe to be important in order to stop bullying”, respectively.
• The Long Term Effects of Bullying in Elementary School Wolke and Lereya argue that the problem is that the majority of studies on bullying are cross-sectional and only use follow-ups after a short period of time.
• Workplace Bullying, Salivary Cortisol and Long-Term Sickness Absence The purpose of this cohort-based study was to investigate the extent to which cortisol levels were associated with sickness absence and the relationships between workplace bullying and sickness absence through the prism of cortisol use.
• Workplace Bullying in Australia It is possible to offer several recommendations that can reduce the risk of bullying in organisations. In this case, more attention should be paid to the absence of mechanisms that can protect the victims of […]
• Domestic Violence and Bullying in Schools It also states the major variables related to bullying in schools. They will confirm that social-economic status, gender, and race can contribute to bullying in schools.
• The “Bully-Free” Initiative: Bullying in Education The students need to have a clear idea that bullying goes against the rules of the school and which actions may be considered bullying.
• Gender and Bullying Issues in Nursing A lack of tolerance for workplace harassment and bullying is likely to lead to the deterioration of the situation and further misunderstanding and tension in an organization.
• Bullying and Cyberbullying Among Peers They are facing the dilemma of how to react, whether they have to fight a superior force of the enemy or to complain to teachers and parents, undermining their reputation.
• Bullying in Schools and Its Major Reasons As of now, the most important goal in research studies covering the topic of bullying in schools is to understand the mechanisms behind bullying promotion and prevention.
• Bullying Prevention Programs Some teachers and professors claim that their students cannot show their potential in their hobbies due to the limitations they experience because of bullies around them. As it is mentioned above, educators do not control […]
• Bullying and Its Impact Thus, the current paper is dedicated to the issue of bullying and its effects as well as anti-bullying practices as related to peer victimization.
• Fights and Bullying Among Middle School Learners Alongside the positivist philosophy, the research adopted the survey strategy that involved the use of self-administered questionnaires to collect from the participants.
• Dealing With Workplace Bullying According to the report presented by the University of Louisville, workplace bullying is a repeated action of one employee or a group of employees towards another individual or group. Dealing with bullying in the workplace […]
• Bullying Policies in Walton School District and Georgia University The sample bullying policy language in Walton School District is very similar to the language in the policy of the University of Georgia.
• Amanda Todd’s Bullying and Suicide Story She was fifteen years old, and her story created a major uproar in the press, as it showed the true nature of bullying and the effects it has on the person.
• Bullying in America: Causes and Prevention That is why it is important to pay attention to the reasons why bullying occurs and ways in which it can be reduced.
• Bullying, Facts and Countermeasures Whether it is the bully or the bullied, the parents will need to do a lot to see to it that their children are brought up in the best of the behaviors.
• Bullying as Social and Criminal Deviance The most important step in the student’s guide to research that I would need to analyze bullying is defining the topic.
• Bullying and Legislation in Australian Workplace According to the authors of the article, workplace bullying can be characterized as internal violence. According to the authors of the article, bullying is a widespread phenomenon and is a common attribute of many organizations.
• Bullying at Australian School: Causes and Solution The technological breakthrough that was witnessed in the late 90s and the early 2000s also contributed to the development of the phenomenon, sparking the concepts such as cyberbullying and online bullying.
• Workplace Bullying in The Playground Never Ends The primary reason for becoming a bully is primarily seen in fear to lose authority or formal positions in an organization and have more institutional power than that of the targets.
• College Students: Suicide and Bullying-Methods The analysts used this tool to report the mood of the participants by posting quizzes, which the students answered while filling the questionnaire.
• Girl-To-Girl Bullying and Mean Stinks Program The positive results can be achieved by the implementation of the multiple educational programs, the increase in public awareness, and promotion of the values of the healthy relationships.”Mean Stinks” is exactly the program with the […]
• Association of Parenting Factors With Bullying The lack of the parental support is the main cause of students’ deviant behaviors at school, including the cases of bullying, and those parents who pay much attention to developing their career cannot provide the […]
• The Problem of Workplace Bullying In particular, this paper will include the discussion of the research articles, reports and case studies that describe the causes of workplace bullying and the strategies used by companies in an effort to overcome it.
• College Students: Suicide and Bullying The misconception that bullying is a minor issue among college students has contributed to the high number of students who suffer because of bullying.
• Homosexual Students and Bullying Specifically, the section addresses the prevalence of bullying in schools and the level of bullying in bisexuals, gay males, and lesbians.
• Social Psychology of Violence and Bullying in Schools Bullying is a common phenomenon in schools and it is reported that it results in violence in learning institutions in the end.
• Bullying and Suicide: The Correlation Between Bullying and Suicide Nonetheless, the extensive research shows that the correlation exists and bullying is one of the risk factors for development of suicidal ideas in adolescents.
• Cyber Bullying Reduction Program Table of Activities Activity Significance Assembling parents/guardians, students and teachers to announce and explain the program in the institution To enlighten parents/guardians, students and teachers about the rules and regulation enacted due to the threat […]
• Cyber Bullying Prevention in Learning Institutions: Systematic Approach To start with, the students are provided with ways of reporting their concern to the educational institution, and when the staff members of the institution receive the report, they evaluate the information together with the […]
• Discouraging and Eliminating Cyber Bullying Resources Role of the resource/input Statement forms To facilitate information transfer to the staff Counseling Personnel To arm students against the problem Bullying report system To create efficient internet enhance report system Regulation implementation documents […]
• School Bullying: Methods for Managing the Problem The investigation of relevant studies on the methods for stopping school bullying reveals that the most effective ways of eliminating this type of behavior include providing training for teachers, encouraging students to participate in the […]
• High School Bullying Effective Responses Emphasis will also be made on the kind of audience to read this article because the contents of this study need to be at par with other similar articles in the journal to be selected.
• Bullying as a Relational Aggression This resistance has been one of the obstacles to eliminating the cyber bullying in the schools. Schools and districts have been involved in the Challenge Day activities where children are advised on how to handle […]
• Social Bullying in Jeff Cohen’s “Monster Culture” It is clear that his part of character is mostly dominant in the childhood stages, as children are not able to develop a sense of morality and predict the consequences of their actions.
• Cyber Bullying and Its Forms The difference between the conventional way of bullying and cyber bullying is that in conventional bullying, there is contact between the bully and the victim.
• Problem of Workplace Bullying Authority intervention should occur when the employees fail to respond to awareness intervention, and thus decide to continue with their behaviors.
• Problem of Childhood Bullying in Modern Society To begin with, the family which is the basic and the most important unit in the society as well as the primary socializing agent plays a major role in shaping behavior of children include bullying.
• Problem of the Managing Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace Employees in an organization have a specific role that they are supposed to play and this means that there might be shortcomings which should not lead to bullying.
• School Bullying: Causes and Police Prevention It is for this reason that there has been need for the intervention of the community and the government to address the issue of bullying schools lest the school environment becomes the worst place to […]
• Cyber Bullying as a Virtual Menace The use of information and communication technologies to support a deliberate and most of the time repeated hostile behavior by an individual or groups of people with the sole intention of harming others, one is […]
• Does Bullying Cause Emotional Problems? However, the current study was relevant because of this design, for the scope of the study covered as well as the results were accurate, and the conclusions drawn were correct.
• Ban High School Bullying A number of stakeholders contribute to the high prevalence of bullying in American schools. Schools that ignore bullying are a big part of the problem and they need to be held accountable.
• The Problem of Bullying While most states in the United States of America have laws to protect people from bullying, the federal government is yet to enact an anti-bullying law.
• Ethical Case: Facebook Gossip or Cyberbullying? The best option to Paige is to apologize publicly and withdraw her comments. The final stage is to act and reflect the outcome of the choice made.
• Bullying on the Rise: Should Federal Government Enact Federal-Bullying Laws? This paper will thus use both primary and secondary data to discuss the prevalence of bullying in schools and whether the federal govern should enact federal laws to curb the social vice at school.
• Bullying in School Face-to-face bullying is an interesting area of study because it clearly demonstrates bullying in school. Students consider bullying as a school culture even though it is contrary to the school rules and regulations of schools.
• Bullying in the Schools Furthermore, the law states that training should be done to the teachers as well as the other members of staff on how to deal with bullying and the law also needs the schools to report […]
• The Issue of Bullying in the Schools It gives me joy to know that the issue of bullying is now a pubic affair since bullying stories were unheard of when I was growing up.
• Troubled Adolescent due to Bullying His lowered self-esteem would make him to observe the common behaviours of the older boys quietly and accept the situation as a cultural practice.
• Workplace bullying: does it exist?
• What are the three key elements of bullying?
• How does bullying affect those who observe it?
• Direct and indirect bullying: what is the difference?
• What families do bullies typically come from?
• Aggressive children: what is their future?
• How to prevent bullying in schools?
• School bullying and domestic violence: is there a connection?
• Cyberbullying: how to prevent it?
• What can parents do to prevent their children from bullying?
• Children’s Rights Research Ideas
• Equality Topics
• Homophobia Topics
• School Violence Ideas
• Respect Essay Topics
• Social Inequality Paper Topics
• Suicide Topics
• Youth Violence Research Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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The New York Times

The learning network | on bullying: resources and questions for writing or discussion.

On Bullying: Resources and Questions for Writing or Discussion

Updated | June 2014

Use the links below to navigate this page to find resources on bullying and cyberbullying:

Some Questions for Discussion or Writing

• Learning Network Lesson Plans and Other Teaching Materials
• Learning Network Student Opinion Questions
• New York Times Articles
• New York Times Opinion Pieces

Other Resources on the Web

After Phoebe Prince died, we asked students, What Can Be Done to Stop Bullying? Later that year, when Tyler Clementi committed suicide, we asked What Should the Punishment Be for Acts of Cyberbullying? Hundreds of students wrote in to discuss both questions. That summer, we also posted a collection of resources on bullying for teachers and parents. In May of 2012 we collaborated with the Op-Ed columnist Nicholas D. Kristof to hold an essay contest on bullying. Here, he writes about the contest winners in his column.

Bullying and cyberbullying seem to be in the news more than ever. Visit the related Times Topics page and you’ll find articles about:

• the trial of Dharun Ravi and Rutgers University one year after the suicide of Tyler Clementi;
• a TV anchor who stands up to “bully” a viewer who complains about her weight;
• the controversy over the 2012 “Bully” documentary;
• charges of antigay bullying in student suicides in Minnesota ;
• and news of a number of initiatives — from state curriculums to a White House conference to a foundation created by Lady Gaga — devoted to addressing the problem.

What do you think: Has all the attention to this subject by parents, educators, legislators and filmmakers helped?

Below you’ll find our new, comprehensive list of resources, including lesson plans, Times articles, links to organizations around the Web, and a list of questions that we hope will inspire writing and discussion on this important subject.

The following questions are suggested by the related Times or Learning Network materials that are linked above them.

From “Teenagers Tell Researchers It’s a Cruel, Cruel Online World” :

• Have you witnessed “people being mean or cruel” online, as 88 percent of teens say they have? Have you joined in?
• How can the use of social media “echo and amplify” bullying?

From “Bullying Law Puts New Jersey Schools on Spot” :

• Do you agree with the statement, “There is no such thing as an innocent bystander when it comes to bullying”?
• Are laws like New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights necessary, or do they go too far?

From “Gossip Girls and Boys Get Lessons in Empathy” :

• Can empathy be taught?

From an Op-Ed, “Bullying as True Drama” :

• Would you say there is bullying in your school, or would you just say there is “drama”?
• What’s the difference between “drama” and behavior that is more serious?
• Why might the language adults use to talk about bullying (“victim” and ” perpetrator,” for instance) be alienating to young adults?

From “Behind Every Harassed Child? A Whole Lot of Clueless Adults,” A.O. Scott’s review of the movie “Bully”:

• How can adults — often unwittingly — contribute to the problem of bullying?
• To what extent do you think cruelty is “embedded” in our schools and in our society as a whole?

From “The Bleakness of the Bullied,” Charles M. Blow’s column about the bullying he endured at age 8:

• How does it feel to a child to be bullied?

From our lesson plan, ‘A Troubling Trend’: Discussing Bullying and Anti-Gay Attitudes :

• What, if anything, can be done to make schools safer and more inclusive?

Learning Network Resources

Lesson Plans and Other Teaching Materials:

Lesson | ‘A Troubling Trend’: Discussing Bullying and Anti-Gay Attitudes

Reader Idea | A Student-Driven Bullying Curriculum

Lesson | Do The Right Thing: Making Ethical Decisions in Everyday Life

Lesson | No Place for Bullies: Holding Anonymous Discussions to Reflect on Solutions

Lesson | Crossing the Line Online: Sexual Harassment and Violence in the Age of Social Media

Common Core Practice | College Basketball, Defining Bullying, and Water in India

Lesson | Does Motivation Matter? Debating the Legal Category of Hate Crime

Lesson | Who’s Got the Power? Reflecting on Healthy and Abusive Relationship Dynamics

Lesson | Responding in Kind: Writing Essays About Choosing Kindness in the Face of Cruelty

Lesson | Many Reasons Why: Reflecting on Teen Depression

Lesson | Monkey See, Monkey Do: Considering the Social Ecosystems of Schools by Learning About a Baboon Troop

Lesson | Hall Monitors: Investigating Violence in Schools

Guest Post | 10 Ways to Talk to Students About Sensitive Issues in the News

Reading Club | Should Character Be Taught? Students Weigh In

Teaching Resources Series | Adolescent Health Q. and A. | How Facebook Use Correlates With Student Outcomes

Student Opinion Questions: All of the following questions are still open to student comment:

How Big a Problem Is Bullying or Cyberbullying in Your School or Community?

When Do Pranks Cross the Line to Become Bullying?

Do Adults Who Are ‘Only Trying to Help’ Sometimes Make Things Worse?

Does Mitt Romney’s High School Bullying Matter?

Should the R Rating for ‘Bully’ Be Changed?

Can Kindness Become Cool?

How Should Schools Address Bullying?

What Should the Punishment Be for Acts of Cyberbullying?

What Can Be Done to Stop Bullying?

How Do You Use Facebook?

How Much Do You Gossip?

Who Has the Power in School Social Life?

Are You Popular, Quirky or Conformist?

Do You Unknowingly Submit to Peer Pressure?

Does Your Digital Life Have Side Effects?

Selected Recent New York Times Content:

A Curriculum to Strengthen Students Against Cyberbullying

On Facebook, Bullies ‘Like’ if You Hate

School Bullies Prey on Children With Autism

Family of Boy, 12, Who Hanged Himself Points to Bullying

A Star Athlete Makes a Big Move Off the Field

Film Review: “Behind Every Harassed Child? A Whole Lot of Clueless Adults”

“Bullying Law Puts New Jersey Schools on Spot”

“In Suburb, Battle Goes Public on Bullying of Gay Students”

“Minnesota School District Reaches Agreement on Preventing Gay Bullying”

Motherlode: “What Works to End Bullying?”

Motherlode: “How Do We Define Bullying?”

“Accusations of Bullying After Death of Staten Island Teenager”

SchoolBook: “Bullying Changes a School, One Child at a Time”

Well: “Talking About the It Gets Better Project” “Rutgers Verdict Repudiates Notion of Youth as Defense”

From the Opinion Pages:

Nicholas D. Kristof: The Winning Essays Are …

Nicholas D. Kristof: “Born to Not Get Bullied”

Bill Keller: “Tyler and Trayvon”

Bill Keller: “Tyler and Trayvon, Continued …”

Charles M. Blow: “The Bleakness of the Bullied”

Op-Ed: “Bullying as True Drama”

Op-Ed: “Make the Punishment Fit the Cyber-Crime”

Times Multimedia

Interactive | Coming Out: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Teenagers Talk About Their Lives

Slide Show | In Skidmore, Mo., a Killing Lingers

The Bully Documentary Project | Toolkit for Educators

The Bully Documentary Project | Share Your Bully Stories

U.S. Department of Education | StopBullying.gov

Bit Strips | Stop Bullying Comic Challenge

National Council of Teachers of English | Resolution on Confronting Bullying and Harassment

Medline Plus | Bullying

The It Gets Better Project

Education.com | Bullying

National Crime Prevention Council | Bullying

Teaching Tolerance | Bullying

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Bullying is happening everyday at any kind of schools. Its our job as students to prevent it and stop it. It is ridiculous that kids are killing themselves from it! If someone pulled those other kids aside and showed them what they are doing and how to be the one to take a stand, then it will stop most of these tragedies from happening.

Bullying can take an extreme emotional toll- the effects of which can last a lifetime. If you know a NYC public school student struggling with bullying, they can call the BRAVE line Monday – Friday 2:30-9:30pm at 212-709-3222.

Nationwide, if you or a loved one are in emotional distress, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK.

Well done on putting this useful set of Bullying resouces together. As you say bullying is often a group behaviour with the those in authority taking part, at least to the extent that they do nothing. This group behaviour is often called mobbing. Tose who prefer to still call it bullying use phrases like workplace-bulying. Mobbing occurs in schools too, though most people still prefer to call it bulling, even when it is a group behaviour.

There is another great resouces at //whistlebloweraustralia.com/2011/07/07/bullying-mobbing-reprisals-and-whistleblowing-resources/

Thank you for your useful information.

hi , stop bullying

//movies.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/movies/bully-a-documentary-by-lee-hirsch.html

Bullying and Adult’s that Don’t Pay Attention

Misery some children inflict upon others Just kids being kids Physical and emotional abuse Emergence of a movement Socially isolated children Singled out for mistreatment Adults often fail to protect Feeling of aloneness is one of the most painful consequences If not for them, what friends do I have? It’s a heartbreaking moment Parents and the powerful grown-ups who let them down Bullying is connected to the broader issues of homophobia, education and violence Will it ever stop?

I agree with the anti-bullying campian, and this blog is well written and im telling all my friends about this blog because we are against bullying!!!!! Keep this artical up, and everyone will LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉

Bullying is happening everyday at all schools. Its our job as students to prevent it and stop it. It is ridiculous that kids are killing themselves from it! If someone pulled those other kids aside and showed them what they are doing and how to be the one to take a stand, then it will stop most of these tragedies from happening. Bullies dont know what is going on at their victims homes. The kid they bullied about her ugly clothes, her mom and dad can’t afford to buy her the forty dollar pants that are”cool”. That kid they called fat, is probably starving himself right now! The littlest things that we do can make a big difference in our life and in the lives of those around us!

Bullying is something that NEEDS to be handled and soon. Enough kids and adults, no matter what age, have commited suicide or do something they would never do under different circumstances. It doesn’t matter if it’s physical bullying or cyber, or mental(which is affected by all). What matters is that every generation has bullies, but every coming generation is getting worse and worse in cases like these. Most people think no one can stop hundreds, maybe thousands, of bullies but if over a hundred, or thousand, people work together, they can accomplish the impossible. Look at Kony 2012. They wanted and believed in what people who knew about it as impossible, or “it’s not our problem. let them deal with it.” Well, the U.S. should start sticking up for what they have been saying the represent. That’s what Kony 2012 wants too. After spreading the word, using what they could use, they have over 71 million people following in their footsteps, wanting what people thought was impossible. It’s no longer impossible, but possible. Why can’t we do the same about bullying?? People need to stop. This is not how I visualized our country, and I’m pretty sure its not how others thought of it either. But everyone won’t do anything because they think its impossible, or they aren’t a big enough person to make a difference. Well, you can be if everyone just gets together and does something.

//bullyingam.blogspot.jp/ Have you ever been teased by people and been fun of? This is a big problem going around the world called bullying. Here is my link to my blog in which I wrote my essay. I have experienced being bullied by my friends too. I wanted to move to the other class. But because of my support from my school I overcame my problem. – Amartya M

As a high school student, it’s difficult to see bullying in school compared to the classic “sport jock” pushing around the “nerd”. With Facebook, Youtube, cell phones, and a whole array of social media tools, especially the internet, bullying has a whole new set of mediums to take place in. While I do agree that physical bullying has seemed to fade away, there seems to be an increase in the mental and emotional bullying done online. Whether it be an offensive Facebook status targeted at someone or a Youtube clip of two teenagers being secretly recorded having homosexual sex, which was the case with Tyler Clemente. It is obvious that bullying has significant impacts, on the victims, victim’s family and friends, and on so many more. From this campaign and encouragement of young students to speak up, I really hope to see many bullying techniques and stories of victims to be exposed so everyone else can understand what is happening daily with children. While it may seem impossible to stop all hate and bullying, it is necessary to at least strive for a better environment for children to grow up and mature in.

Bullying is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a serious topic that involve people lives. I have personally known someone who has taken his life due to bullying and i know what it’s like to be bullied. In my opinion, its not just the victim that needs help but also the bully. We need to address the core of the problem so it doesn’t continue to happen so frequently. This is something I feel strongly about and it’s very important that everyone is aware of this issue and how they can help. EVERYONE can make a difference. By sticking up for someone, or making people aware of this problem you are making a difference. Making someone feel like they fit in you are making a difference. Although it seems that this hate can never be stopped, its important that everyone do their part to make the not only schools but the internet a more friendly place.

In my opinion there is no such thing as an innocent bystander. If you are witnessing someone being bullied and not doing anything about it you are automatically siding with the bully. To me, if you are watching someone being bullied and letting it happen, you are essentially agreeing with what the bully is saying/doing. I think that the laws that New Jersey has put into effect dealing with bullying are perfect. There have been too many recent cases about teens committing suicide due to bullying. This is something that cannot be taken lightly. If this is the only way we can control bullying, then it’s what has to be done. Our society cannot just sit and watch kids commit suicide. It is necessary for us to take action.

Bullying. Everyone in America has either been the victim of it, seen it., or even been the bully. When something is that common, it’s not a problem, it’s an epidemic. There are many forms of bullying, but in this age, cyber bullying is climbing to the top. This includes bullying via text, email, Facebook, or any thing like that. Many people see the commercials and hear the speeches about preventing bullying, but some people don’t even realize how seemingly minor things, like texting something mean or making an offensive joke about someone, are considered bullying too. Sometimes a person just wants to seem popular by jumping on the bandwagon or someone may have issues at home that cause him or her to act out. The people who just want to be popular can be stopped much easier than those whose aggressive behaviors originate at home. Children everywhere are subject to abuse, physical and verbal. These children just want a form of control that they lack in their home, so they do some of the same things that they experience at the hands of their guardians in an attempt to feel a sense of dominance. This is very hard to stop because a person cannot monitor a family’s interactions with their children 24/7 and penalize a parent when they mistreat their child. When a person bullies, I doubt they realize the affect it may have on someone. That victim could have an extremely rough life; they could have divorced parents or a sibling with cancer; now add to that a person tormenting them everyday, and this creates a situation that no person should ever have to endure. This makes an individual dread waking up each morning and going to school. Just imagine being afraid to go to bed, because you know that when you wake up, your going to have to face relentless torment and humiliation. The fact that this occurrence is so common is just plain ridiculous, something must be done, and there are many great ideas out there, people just need to listen.

I think that Dharun Ravi should be punished for his actions because he spied on his roommate and he showed that he does not respect his roommate and other gay people. By putting such a video online in a way that shows that he is mocking his roommate, Ravi appeared to have looked down on who his roommate was. I do not think that his punishment was harsh enough because they need to make an example out of him. If the government does not take care of this problem now it will get worse and will affect people who have nothing to do with this issue. It is true that he was just spying. Yes, they do live in the same dorm and both have access to it, but this is a violation way to severe. I agree that being gay is not the natural way to live, but it is not a wrong way. People who look down upon this do not see that this will not affect you. Why do you care if someone else is gay? You do not have to embarrass them because you think it is wrong. Dharun Ravi’s actions led to the death of Tyler Clementi and he should be punished. Would you want to live a life that everyone mocks you for?

Romney lacks empathy. He thought bullying a fellow student was funny and just a prank. He thought putting his poor frightened dog on top of the car was normal; even when the dog got terribly sick from riding on the roof. . Romney has no feelings for the majority of people in this country that he says he wants to lead. He is a narcisist, and sees nothing wrong with his behavior. He has no conscience.

Of course bullying is wrong. Every little kid knows this.

I think bullying is a very serious matter. However, I do think it is being addressed. I think that parents, teachers, and even other students are taking much more action when it comes to bullying. I think in the past, some teachers have ignored victims, even when they have reached out to their teachers for help. Obviously that it not addressing the situation. When the victims are constantly being ignored, they might do something dangerous or something they’ll really regret just so that their voices can be heard. I think if you are being bullied, you should do something about it. Tell someone about it, a parent, a friend, a teacher, anyone. I have been involved with bullying in more ways than one. I will admit I have been the antagonist in some situations, but have also been the victim. Middle school was an emotional roller coaster. My friends and I were at a constant battle with one another. We would pick someone to bully and gang up on, just for fun. We thought we were cool and thought it was really funny. It wasn’t until the summer going into highschool that we realized how immature and foolish we all were. Long story short, bullying is meaningless and if you are a victim of bullying you should speak up about it and let yourself be heard in a non-violent way.

I think bullying is a very serious topic. We discussed in our school if you are getting bullied in any kind of way to tell someone. I’ve never been bullied or seen any bulling in our school. I haven’t seen the bully movie but I know that one of my favorite pop stars Lady GaGa was a victim of bullying when she was a kid. I learn from hearing this is that the victims that you bully will remember you. They will remember the damage you did to them. But if you do get bullied, the right thing is to do is tell someone you trust like your favorite teacher or your school principal. Don’t do any damage as a result it will make things worse. If you witness someone getting bullied then tell someone or stick up for them. If anyone of my classmates were getting bullied by anyone I would stick up for them even if the bully is 10 times larger than me. In conclusion, I think victims of bullying should stand up and tell someone instead avoiding or running and kids who witness the bullying should tell someone.

Bullying is a serious subject. Many children in school get bullied and are afraid to speak up, which i believe is horrible. Nobody should have to be going through this and nobody has the right to put someone in this situation. Bullying doesn’t just occur in school, no it happens everywhere. Drama and bullying are total opposites, because everyone has drama at some point and others know about it , but being bullied that’s different not many people know and the ones who do know are the ones who are bullying you. I believe that if you see someone is getting bullied you have to speak up, save them! They are to scared to talk for themselves so you have the right to let others know so they can help them out. However, i think the topic of bullying is being addressed. More people are paying attention to it. Its become a worldwide matter. For example in my school there has been people coming in and giving presentation on this topic, they talk about it , and tell us what we can do to help. In fact not many people act upon it because if we all contributed to it there would been much bullying anymore and people wouldn’t be afraid to speak up.

i think bullying should not be talarated and teachers should be more aware of there surroundings.

My company has put together a video on Cyberbullying as well as other kid-centric topics. It might be of some help. //www.high-speed-internet-access-guide.com/articles/cyberbullying-information.html

I believe people shouldn’t be this cruel to one another it’s not fair to make people lose their lives just because another person is bullying them everyone deserves a chance to be themselves. Advice: just ignore the bully or just laugh along with them it will stop and if it doesn’t go to an adult/teacher/principal and tell them what’s goin on.

Bullying must be stopped. Bullying is the cause to many suicidal deaths in the U.S. Parents and teachers need to be more involved and if they see a sign of bullying address it seriously

Bulling should never be tolerated. But victims of bullying should know that it doesn’t last forever. There would be a stop to bullying. Just pray and there will be a way.

In my opinion bullying is a major social issue around the world. Many teenagers commit suicide due to this terrible occurence, and it shouldn’t be happening. Teenagers are supposed to be enjoying their lives in high-school being able to feel safe in the community. Now, no one feels safe. People are constantly being criticized for their uniqueness in looks or opinions. If some of them are able to defend themselves and not let the bullying take control, others can’t help getting very low self esteem that makes them commit suicide. Teenagers are being constantly verbally abused and physically by people who consider themselves superior, when in fact just don’t have a heart. Obviously bullies come from many spheres, especially family and parenting. So parents need to help their kids not to become bullies and not to be bullied by others as well. Kids don’t have any self confidence or feeling of safety due to this issue. It needs to be eliminated, because it is completely and utterly wrong. I feel like this article is great in showing different sources, where people can find information about bullying, learn about it, and help eliminate it from our everyday world.

Speaking from London, UK. I think it definitely is an issue at different degrees all over the world that really does need to be addressed. I was bullied at secondary school and I can’t speak for what happens at other secondary schools, but at my one, the teachers would often twist things and it would always be ‘What did he do for them to start on him?’ When let’s face it, I had done nothing at all. I eventually ended up attempting suicide twice at 15 and 17. I still suffered with clinical depression well into my 20’s. I don’t know what the policies are for bullying in other countries, but over here I think that school inspectors and governors need to looks a lot more closely at their schools because there is only so much teachers can do, I understand, I’m very aware of that. But the steps and things that they can do they literally can’t be bothered to do them.

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Workplace Bullying Prevention: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Susan l. johnson.

University of Washington, Tacoma

To analyze the discourses of workplace bullying prevention of hospital nursing unit managers and in the official documents of the organizations where they worked.

Workplace bullying can be a self-perpetuating problem in nursing units. As such, efforts to prevent this behavior may be more effective than efforts to stop the behavior. There is limited research on how healthcare organizations characterize their efforts to prevent workplace bullying.

This was a qualitative study.

Critical discourse analysis and Foucault’s writings on governmentality and discipline were used to analyze data from interviews with hospital nursing unit managers (n=15) and organizational documents (n=22). Data were collected in 2012.

The discourse of workplace bullying prevention centered around three themes: prevention of workplace bullying through managerial presence, normalizing behaviors and controlling behaviors. All three are individual level discourses of workplace bullying prevention.

Current research indicates that workplace bullying is a complex issue with antecedents at the individual, departmental and organizational level. However, the discourse of the participants in this study only focused on prevention of bullying by moulding the behaviors of individuals. The effective prevention of workplace bullying will require departmental and organizational initiatives. Leaders in all types of organizations can use the results of this study to examine their organizations’ discourses of workplace bullying prevention to determine where change is needed.

INTRODUCTION

In the past decade workplace bullying has been identified as a concern for nurses in many countries and across many workplace settings (e.g. Quine 2001 , Johnson 2009 , Hutchinson et al. 2010a ). Workplace bullying is detrimental to the health of both targets and witnesses of bullying ( Nielsen & Einarsen 2012 , Reknes et al . 2014 ). It also negatively affects nurses’ job satisfaction ( Johnson & Rea 2009 , Laschinger et al. 2010 ), their productivity ( Lewis & Malecha 2011 , Berry et al . 2012 ) and contributes to medical errors ( Wright & Khatri 2014 , Laschinger 2014 ).

While workplace bullying was initially thought to be the result of an escalated conflict between individuals ( Zapf & Gross 2001 ), subsequent research indicates that environmental factors, such as leadership style ( Laschinger et al . 2012 ), oppressive working conditions and low job control contribute to the presence of bullying in healthcare organizations ( Hutchinson et al . 2010c , Purpora et al . 2012 , Rodwell & Demir 2012 ). Research also indicates that organizations can unwittingly reward bullying behaviors by promoting nurses who engage in these behaviors ( Katrinli et al . 2010 ), or by allowing bullying to operate as a form of ‘informal organizational authority’ ( Hutchinson et al . 2010b , p. 38). These findings suggest that organizational level interventions to prevent workplace bullying may be more effective than individual level interventions that address bullying after it has occurred (e.g., disciplining bullies) (Vartia & Leka 2010).

In healthcare, research has focused on focused on individual level interventions which involve direct confrontation of bullying behaviors by staff nurses ( Griffin 2004 , Stagg 2011 , Stagg 2013 , Ceravolo et al . 2012 ). While few studies have examined the long-term effects of these interventions, the research that is available suggests that individual level interventions may not result in significant behavioral change ( Stagg 2013 ) and that stopping workplace bullying once it has started can be a lengthy and arduous process ( Johnson 2013 ).

This study was based on critical management theory ( Alvesson & Deetz 2009 ), discourse theory ( Wodak & Meyer 2009 ; Willig 2009 ) and Foucault’s (1980) notions of governmentality. While critical management research can be negative and hyper-critical, it can also be transformative if the ultimate goal is to suggest ways of transforming managerial discourses and practices to make them more effective and humane ( Villadsen, 2007 ). Critical analysis gains depth when theoretical knowledge is used to help interpret and understand empirical data ( Alvesson & Deetz 2009 ). To that end, Foucault’s (1980 , 2010) theories on governmentality and discipline were chosen as the framework to organize the findings. This decision was made after an initial examination of the data revealed similarities between the way managers and organizations discussed workplace bullying prevention and the way management techniques were discussed in Foucault’s writings.

Foucault describes governmentality as the management of groups of people by states or organizations ( Foucault, 2010a ). To meet their goals, organizations need a well-regulated, self-disciplined workforce ( Jackson & Carter 1998 ). Since it is not possible for managers to directly supervise workers all the time, organizations operate on principles of a psychological contract, where employees learn to regulate their own work through adoption of the goals of the employer ( Villadsen, 2007 ). In this model, the goal of organizational discipline is the prevention of deviations of behaviors through the creation of a workforce that is responsible for controlling their own behavior ( Brivot & Gendron 2011 ).

Modern disciplinary power also operates through what Foucault (1980) calls the gaze, as well as through hierarchical observation ( Foucault 2010a ). The concept of the gaze was based on Bentham’s notion of the panopticon, a prison that was designed in such a manner that a lone guard from a central tower could oversee multiple inmates. A notable feature of the panopticon is the strategic use of lighting which allows the guards to see the inmates, but does not allow the inmates to see the guards. The purpose of this lighting is to make inmates believe they are under constant observation and to adjust their behaviors accordingly ( Foucault, 1980 ). Foucault noted that organizations can exert power in a similar manner, exerting control over multiple people through an ‘inspecting gaze, a gaze which each individual will interiorize to the point that he is his own overseer, each individual thus exercising this surveillance over and against himself’ (p. 154). Through knowledge of employees, regular performance evaluations and informal feedback, modern managers manifest this inspecting gaze, thereby establishing behavioral norms which the workers themselves eventually internalize ( Townley 1998 ; Villadsen, 2007 ). Managerial techniques which are based on individual self-regulation can be beneficial and can result in an autonomous, self-directed workplace. Where they fall short is when they are uncritically adopted in an attempt to resolve all workplace problems. This results in a situation wherein individual employees are blamed for problems or failures that are organization-wide ( Chauvière & Mick 2013 ).

In this paper, the discourses of workplace bullying prevention of healthcare organizations and nursing unit managers who work in these organizations are analysed. While there are many definitions of discourse, for this study discourse was defined as the language which is used when discussing a given concept, such as workplace bullying ( Willig 2009 ). This language is indicative of how the issue is conceptualized and how it is acted on. For example, if workplace bullying is predominately discussed in relationship to patient outcomes and negative effects on the health of targets of bullying are not discussed, this indicates that it is mainly viewed as a patient safety issue ( Johnson et al. 2015 ). The actions that would arise from this discourse would mainly involve protecting the safety of patients and the needs of workers would not automatically be addressed ( Johnson et al. 2015 ).

The specific aim of this study was to analyze discourses of workplace bullying prevention in documents produced by hospital systems and used by unit level managers who worked in these organizations.

This study involved critical and Foucauldian discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with nursing unit managers and documents from hospital systems where they worked. Critical discourse analysis is a methodology which can be used to study how language informs social practice ( Wodak & Meyer 2009 ). In this study it was used to examine how language informs workplace bullying prevention. Foucauldian discourse analysis allows researchers to explore how language constructs selves and identities ( Willig 2009 ). In this study it was used to examine how managers use language in an attempt to shape employee’s behavior.

Participants

A purposive sample of unit level managers, who had been aware of workplace bullying in their organization, was recruited via announcements of the study on various email lists. Fifteen managers were interviewed. Participants came from seven different hospital systems in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.

Data collection

All data were collected between January and April 2012. Data from the managers were collected via semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews that ranged from 45 minutes - 2 hours. Examples of questions that were asked are:

• How can workplace bullying be prevented?
• Describe your efforts to prevent the occurrence of bullying on your unit.
• Who has primary responsibility for preventing bullying?

The documents for the study were obtained from the human resource departments where the interviewees worked and from the publically available web sites of these organizations. Additionally, interviewees were asked to if there were any other documents they used to guide their management and prevention of bullying. Three interviewees added additional documents to the study. To be included, documents needed to address workplace bullying, or other non-physical violence between co-workers (e.g., harassment, disruptive behavior).

Ethical Considerations

The ethics committee of the researchers’ university approved the study. Informed consent was obtained from interviewees. Names of organizations and individuals were removed from both the interview transcripts and the organization documents prior to analysis.

Data analysis

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and checked by the researcher for accuracy against the original recording. To aid with coding and tracking quotations, Atlas t.i 6.2, a qualitative software program, was used. The initial stage in the analysis process involved a careful reading of the interviews and organizational documents and highlighting all passages that pertained to prevention of workplace bullying. These passages were then grouped according to common themes. Initially, ten themes were identified. Foucault’s concepts of governmentality and the panopticon were used to more concisely group the data into three main themes and one sub-theme.

To ensure that the analysis is rigorous, a researcher who is using Critical Discourse Analysis needs to engage in a cyclical process of review of the data and reflection of the theoretical perspectives that inform the study ( Willig 2009 ). This was accomplished by a cyclical process that involved reading and re-reading the texts while referring to the writings of Foucault and other authors who have applied his ideas of governmentality to modern management practices. Critical discourse analysis can also be evaluated by assessing whether it produces reasonable and convincing results and an internally coherent narrative ( Willig 2009 ). This was accomplished by allowing other researchers who are familiar with both workplace bullying and Foucault’s theories to critique and comment on the findings.

Fifteen managers were interviewed. The majority ( n =14) were female and self-identified as white ( n =13). Participants were between 32–70 years of age ( mean =52, SD 9.2) and had 3–25 years ( mean =10, SD 6.5) of experience in nursing management. The discourse analysis revealed three main themes, presence, normalizing behaviors and control; and one sub-theme, presence in absentia. Each will be discussed in turn.

The managers in this study discussed their physical presence on the unit as an active deterrent to bullying. Although they might have as many as 100 direct reports, they said they made an effort to get to know each one and interact with their staff as often as possible:

But we make a point of interacting often. I will take breaks with them…and everybody gets a chance to just talk. There’s not a lot of person-personal barriers, um, because everybody kind of knows everything about everybody…And when there are issues, we’re really fast about dealing with them.’ (Participant 6)

In this passage, the manager describes a nursing unit with few interpersonal barriers, which allows her to ‘know everything about everybody.’

Emphasizing the lack of barriers on their units, managers also described an open door policy, which allows staff to drop by and share concerns at any time. This open door policy, which makes it easy for staff to report the co-workers’ behaviors, also gives managers the opportunity to ‘keep a ‘tic’ on the environment’ (Participant 14). The open door also allows the managers to observe the staff, who similarly to the inmates in the Panopticon, do not know when, or if, they are being observed.

In the hospital policy documents, there was also language which indicated that employee’s behaviors should be controlled through managerial presence. For example, ‘Supervisors may be disciplined for…failing to notice violations of this Standard of Conduct’ (Hospital 6) and ‘It is considered misconduct for a manager or supervisor who knows or should have known of workplace harassment to fail to address and report such behavior’ (Hospital 4). The use of the phrase ‘should have known of’ in the second example suggests that managers are not only expected to be omnipresent, but that they are also expected to be omniscient.

The managers acknowledged that one of the drawbacks with using presence as a deterrent is the possibility that individuals will develop strategies for avoiding surveillance. Staff could hide bullying behaviors by engaging in covert behaviors to bully others. As one manager said, ‘But I know she still subtly does it [bullying], you know, in little ways that I can’t actually write her up for’ (Participant 4). Managers discussed how the subtle nature of bullying could make it ‘invisible’ (Participant 8), which meant that it could not be observed.

Managers also said that prevention through presence was challenging because staff change their behaviors when the manager is on the unit:

I don’t see everything. I mean, in all honesty, people like to keep, they put their best behavior forward. I mean, if they care about that sort of thing. Um, but I think for-I mean, there’s an element of bullying that’s pretty sinister. And so people who are going to bully probably are smart enough to know when they should and when they shouldn’t. And when they shouldn’t would be when I’m around. (Participant 5).

To deal with this possibility, managers said they randomly show up on the unit. As one said, ‘I’d round all hours of the day so they never know when I’m going to be there’ (Participant 8). Another said, ‘a lot of times I will go in and show up early, you know, an hour or so early. And probably about every two months I do a nightshift’ (Participant 4). Managers also said they try to be around staff as much as possible so that, ‘…people aren’t at that heightened sense of awareness that, ‘Oh, the boss is here.’ And so then they will revert more to their more normal behaviors’ (Participant 5).

Since the managers knew they could not be everywhere and see everything on the unit, they talked about creating presence in absentia, the illusion of presence when it did not exist. This sub-theme will be discussed in the next section.

Presence in Absentia: Delegated authority

Because managers cannot be omnipresent, they said they delegate authority for prevention of workplace bullying to assistant managers, to nurses in charge of a given shift, or to staff in general. As one said:

I like to take responsibility, it’s up to the manager, but you cannot be there 24 hours a day and seven days a week, so you have to train the staff to recognize it and to, uh, stop it. Um, everybody takes responsibility. Just can’t have it. (Participant 12).

Hospital documents indicated that organizations also expected employees to monitor the behaviors of other employees and to report negative behaviors to their manager. For example, on hospital’s document contained the following language: ‘Any employee who is aware of any instances of disruptive behaviors should report the alleged act immediately to his or her supervisor’ (Hospital 3). While employees were encouraged to report even suspected violations of the code, they were also admonished that, ‘the submission of false or misleading reports of violations will not be tolerated’ (Hospital 3). While this language was written to prevent false accusations, it may also deter reporting of bullying if it involves behaviors that are covert or subtle.

Normalizing behaviors

The second element of the discourse was that workplace bullying could be prevented through the establishment of behavioral norms. As one manager said, ‘if you’re not out there to set expectations, people set their own’ (Participant 5), implying that without leadership, staff would revert to negative behaviors. In the documents, managers were also instructed to ‘lead by example’ (Hospital 2) and to, ‘embody the highest standards of behavior in all interactions’ (Hospital 2). Another hospital’s annual performance review rewarded employees and managers ‘who are a role model for behaviors and values’ (Hospital 3).

In addition to modeling appropriate behaviors, managers and documents discussed codifying behavioral expectations, either through a code of conduct or by writing down values all employees were expected to share. These values were linked to discussions of inappropriate behaviors, as in the following example, ‘Inappropriate and/or disruptive behaviors directly impact our values of teamwork, integrity & respect, staff satisfaction and ultimately patient safety’ (Hospital 1). To help employees internalize these behavioral expectations, codes of conduct were generally written in first person, plural, as in the following:

We will treat our patients, visitors and all other workforce members with courtesy and respect with our spoken and unspoken behavior. We will avoid any inappropriate and disruptive behaviors that may interfere with patient care delivery and services or any acts that interfere with the orderly conduct of the organization’s or individual’s abilities to perform their jobs effectively. (Hospital 4)

The managers also said they used the organizational values and codes of conduct to shape the unit’s culture:

These, these six core values… on our unit, we try to weave it into everything we do. Um, for example, um, when we interview, um, new people that are interested in a job, we talk about the core values. We talk about what we’re looking for. We, we mention them. We see if they’ve seen them on our website, if they’re aware of our core values….And I don’t want to kind of trivialize it, because, but we’ll say things like, ‘Yeah, well that doesn’t really exhibit our core value of kindness. Or do you think that feels collaborative?’ You know? (Participant 13)

While this manager indicates she shares the organizations’ values with current and prospective staff, by saying ‘I don’t want to kind of trivialize it,’ she seems to be stating that too much discussion of the values can make them sound banal and trivial.

Managers also discussed attempting to mould behaviors and to prevent bullying through education. This was done either on the unit, or by sending employees to outside classes. Managers said the goal of education was to teach staff how to behavior professionally, how to defuse conflict and how to communicate effectively. While some managers said educational efforts could be effective:

I have seen some substantial transformation, um, in employees once they’re, they’re guided and given the tools they need to do things right. And a lot of that just has to be, you know, scripting when they hit situations. (Participant 14).

Others admitted change could be difficult to sustain:

I can send them to a class on dealing with difficult people till the cows come home. And I have sent people to classes on that. But the thing is they don’t know how to come back and-and use the tools that they get. They’ll come back and they’ll be very excited … But they don’t know how to-to practice what they, what they learned …in those conferences. Or they get too scared to do it and then they just fall back into their old patterns of allowing that person to treat them that way. (Participant 8)

To reinforce educational offerings, managers said they try to ‘identify [individual] strengths and focus on those’ (Participant 10). Similarly, the policy documents instructed managers to ‘look for the positive in employees…and then recognize it’ (Hospital 2), to ‘inform staff of standards’ (Hospital 6) and to ‘assure all staff are aware of these standards’ (Hospital 4).

Control: Catching it early, enforcing behavioral standards

The third element of the discourse was that workplace bullying could be prevented through enforcement, or control. In this category, managers discussed preventing the spread of bullying by intervening early. As one said:

But I think if you can recognize the beginning of it, you can usually put an end to it right there and then. Um, without having to call it bullying. But implying that that is what it is. And with some people I-I say that, you know? You know, I say, you come-you’re coming across like a bully. (Participant 2)

While this manager is trying to convey the message that she is deals with bullying ‘in real time,’ thus preventing future occurrences, her reluctance to label behaviors as bullying suggests that staff who engage in these behaviors do not face real consequences. Furthermore, this manager, as well as other managers, said they preferred to informally talk with employees about their behaviors rather than pursuing formal disciplinary process, which was described as frustrating and time consuming. As one manager said:

Um and I believe dealing with it in real time…when HR and unions are involved, there’s so much that slows the process of holding conversations and dealing with things in real time sometimes, um, that that can be kind of frustrating. Because I-I’m a believer that dealing with things in real time is, uh, your best way to handle a-a lot of these things. (Participant 10)

When managers discussed dealing with behaviors ‘in real time’, it usually involved techniques such as ‘calling them out for bad behaviors’ (Participant 1), which they said was the responsibility of all of the staff and not just the managers:

It [confronting behavioral deviations] should be part of everyday life. If somebody says something snotty to you, somebody should say something that you’re being snotty. That should just be how we all communicate with each other. (Participant 14).

This language was reflected in the hospital’s policy which said:

Professional relationships are more easily maintained when each person is responsible for talking directly to the professional colleague involved when issues regarding behavior or language arise. (Hospital 8)

These policies create the expectation that every member of the organization is not only responsible for their own actions, but they are also responsible for monitoring the behaviors and language of their co-workers.

In this sample, the main discourse was that workplace bullying could be prevented through managerial presence, through the creation of behavioral norms and by controlling deviations of these norms. These discourses describe prevention efforts that seek to modify individual behaviors and to create a workforce who refrain from engaging in bullying behaviors. They are reminiscent of Foucault’s (1980 , 2010) discussion of modern disciplinary power, which is designed to create docile bodies that, primarily through self-regulation, behave according to institutional and societal expectations.

The first element of the managerial and organizational discourse was that workplace bullying could be prevented when managers were present on the unit and could monitor the behavior of staff. This discourse is similar to Foucault’s (1980) descriptions of the panopticon, which is designed in a manner that allows one centrally located guard to control the behavior of multiple inmates by creating the expectation that any given inmate might be watched at any given time. Similarly, the managers in this study said that observation was most effective when it occurs randomly and when staff did not know when or if they were being observed. To create the sense of presence when managers could not be on the unit, managers said they delegated authority to assistant managers, charge nurses and other staff.

While modern disciplinary power may have origins in techniques such as the panopticon, it also operates on the assumption that direct coercion is neither possible nor necessary to modify all behaviors ( Foucault 2010b ; Savage 1998 ; Villadsen 2007 ). To that end, organizations also expect employees, especially those who belong to the professional staff, to monitor their own behaviors, changing those which are not in agreement with the goals and values of the organization ( Jackson & Carter 1998 , Villadsen, 2007 ). In this study, managers acknowledged the limitations of the technique of using presence to deter workplace bullying. Therefore, the second element of their discourse was that it is important to establish and reinforce behavioral norms that allow employees to monitor their own behavior. This discourse was also present throughout the organizational documents, many of which discussed behavioral expectations and included codes of conduct for employees. Acknowledging the limitation of this preventive measure, which targets individual behaviors and does not change the conditions which give rise to these behaviors ( Vartia & Leka, 2011 ), the managers stated that despite their efforts to teach staff new norms of behavior, most eventually reverted to old, established patterns of interaction.

The third element of the managerial and organizational discourse was that workplace bullying could be prevented through control; by catching behaviors early and by calling attention to them when they occurred. Indeed, research indicates that codes of conduct will only deter workplace bullying if they are enforced ( O’Farrell & Nordstrom 2013 ). However, if disciplinary responses to incidences of bullying are not swift and effective, employees get the message that addressing these behaviors is not a priority ( Salin, 2003 ). The managers in this study indicated a preference for soft disciplinary techniques, such as merely pointing out deviant behaviors, without labeling them as bullying and pursuing formal disciplinary action. The unintended consequence of this disciplinary style is that it allows staff to engage in bullying behaviors with impunity. Rather than changing behaviors and preventing future bullying, this disciplinary technique may actually reinforce bullying by demonstrating a certain level of tolerance for it.

The discourses of prevention of workplace bullying identified in this study operate under the assumption that workplace bullying is an individual level problem. In contrast, current research indicates that organizational and departmental factors, such as leadership style, the amount of change in the organization and the intensity and pressure of the job, explain more of the variance in bullying than individual characteristics ( Salin & Hoel 2011 , Zapf & Einarsen, 2011 ). Consequently, the current recommendations are that prevention strategies should include organization-wide efforts such as management training, assessment of workplace stressors and workplace redesign to reduce these stressors ( Vartia & Leka, 2011 ). In addition to focusing on changing individual behaviors and interactions between employees, to prevent workplace bullying, organizations need to focus on improving the overall climate for employees ( O’Farrell & Nordstrom 2013 ).

Limitations

One of the limitations of this study is that it was conducted in a specific place and time and may not be generalizable to other populations. However, the findings are transferable in that they can be used by researchers and practitioners to interrogate discourses and practices related to workplace bullying in other settings to determine why efforts to curtail workplace bullying are not succeeding and how these discourses and practices might be changed. Another limitation is that it only examined formal organizational documents, (i.e., policies) and discussions with managers in an artificial setting (i.e., interviews). Analysis of informal documents such as internal memos or emails, or observations of informal, natural discussions among members of an organization may add deeper insight into organizational and managerial discourses of workplace bullying prevention. This is an area where further research is needed.

By using a critical discourse analysis, this study demonstrated how organizational and managerial discourses on the prevention of workplace bullying operate on an individual level and how this discourse fails to address system-level issues that contribute to the problem. It is probable that organizations have never considered how working environments shape employees’ behaviors and how organizational practices contribute to problems such workplace bullying. Education of organizational leaders on the root causes of workplace bullying and on how to maintain and strengthen the psychological contract between employers and employees is a necessary step in the eradication of this occupational hazard. Critical discourse theory suggests that one way to bring about changes in social practices, such as workplace bullying prevention, is to change the discourse around these practices ( Wodak & Meyer 2009 ). Therefore, workplace bullying may be more effectively prevented when the discourse includes a discussion of the organizational factors which contribute to the phenomenon.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

Why is this research needed.

• Workplace bullying, which is experienced by nurses globally, has negative repercussions on quality of care, on the health of individual nurses and on the retention of nurses.
• To avoid the negative outcomes associated with workplace bullying, organizations should work to prevent these behaviors from occurring.
• To date, there is little research that has examined what healthcare organizations are doing to prevent workplace bullying.

What are the key findings?

• Organizational documents and hospital nursing unit managers say that workplace bullying can be prevented through managerial presence on the unit, through establishment of codes of conduct and through controlling behaviors with disciplinary techniques.
• These discourses address individual level antecedents of bullying and do not address departmental or organizational climates which allow these behaviors to develop and flourish.

How should findings be used to influence policy/practice/research/education?

• Managers and organizations need to be informed about current research which indicates that workplace bullying is a systemic, rather than an individual, problem.
• Managers and organizations should examine how their language frames workplace bullying as an individual issue; and how this perspective can impede effective prevention.
• Future research should focus on what types of organizational initiatives are the most effective at preventing workplace bullying.

Acknowledgments

Funding Sources : Hester McLaws Scholarship, University of Washington, School of Nursing

National Institutes of Health-National Center for Research Resources (Grant 5KL2RR025015) to Dr. de Castro

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Grant 3T42OH008433) to the University of Washington Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety

Conflicts of Interest : None

Author Contributions:

• substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data;

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‘To understand bullying, we must address drivers of violence’

Drawing on her research and that of others in the field, Neziswa Titi, a researcher at the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Children’s Institute, explains that to understand the root cause of bullying, society must address the underlying drivers of violence in children’s environments.

In the last year, we have seen worrisome media reports of children bullying each other. The public has expressed grave concern with calls for schools to take action against children who violate their peers. In one particular case, we witnessed the detrimental psycho-social effects of bullying which can lead to suicide or children being unable to return to school.

The pervasive question lingering in the air, as if children are to blame, is, “Why do children abuse each other?”

Findings from my doctoral research that sought an in-depth understanding of the life stories of children who had experienced sexual trauma within a context of poly-victimisation (exposure to different forms of violence) in South African townships indicated bullying as one of the multiple forms of violence they experience.

While the study sought to understand how children made meaning of sexual trauma, surprisingly, children focused more on the detrimental effects of parenting, suggesting that parental physical and emotional abuse affected them more than sexual violence.

The findings also indicated, once again, the detrimental psychological and social effects of childhood in lone parenting and single mother households.

Children also reported that they live in perpetual fear of victimisation in the townships resulting from witnessing and experiencing different forms of violence at the same time.

To understand the root cause of bullying, we must address corporal punishment and the underlying drivers of violence in children’s environments. Films like Underground Railroad and 12 Years a Slave portray slavery and apartheid, with religion being used to promote and perpetuate corporal punishment.

The demonstrated brutal use of corporal punishment is therefore a historical form of punishment over subordinates. The generational repercussions of this kind of discipline is the ongoing historic trauma our society is dealing with today.

Given that humans are products of their environments and the integral role history plays in people’s realities, there is a need to acknowledge the impact of South Africa’s brutal and violent past on children’s realities. Historic trauma has a generational impact on cultural approaches to conflict resolution and informs parenting practices in the country as a whole.

The stressors that are embedded in the daily struggles of communities create frustration in households which result in mismanaged anger and violence, and this is, ultimately, both witnessed and experienced by children.

In a recent virtual session with Parliament, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma outlined the root cause of the problems in South Africa, and identified the loss of land and forced removals; fathers and men living in dormitories away from their wives and children; cheap and long hours of labour; and job reservations for white people only with the economy being monopolised by a few.

These roots causes are the consequence of Apartheid laws with visible inequalities evidenced by the racial segregation in the make-up of townships and the suburbs, which means the majority of childhoods in South Africa are disadvantaged.

Franz Fanon in his classical work, Wretched of the Earth , aptly describes the locale in which most South African children live, calling it a damned zone. The violent colonial history and apartheid laws such as the migrant labour system and the construction of townships have had detrimental effects on family systems, and the presence of fathers in their children’s lives.

The works of Nhlanhla Mkhize, a professor of psychology and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrates how this difference is attributable to the absence of collective child-rearing as a consequence of Western individualistic norms of parenting.

His views on culture, modernisation and fatherhood are supported by findings from the Understanding Fatherhood in South Africa report by Heartlines which outlines cultural (i.e. ilobolo and intlawulo), environmental (i.e. historical and migrancy), notions of masculinity, socio-economic and systemic factors (governmental and religious) as some of the drivers of absent fatherhood.

In the paper, Reflections on Parenting Practices that Impact Child-rearing in a Low-income Community , Naiema Taliep, Ghouwa Ismail and I demonstrate how parenting is influenced by the way societies are organised. Ineffective parenting practices have been associated with multiple negative social and health outcomes among young people, with children demonstrating low emotional intelligence and aggressive behaviours which both constitute bullying.

Social disorganisation, and family structure comprised of women-headed, single-parent families with poor parental monitoring and formal and informal social networks, influence a child’s outcomes.

Nonzuzo Mbokazi’s doctoral research explained how low-income, employed mothers navigate care strategies and childcare for their young children in KwaZulu-Natal while navigating work and mothering responsibilities in the absence of support from the father’s family.

This is demonstrated by the fact that single mothers lack parenting support which is an outcome of patriarchal norms which have rendered women with less economic power. Women’s lack of financial autonomy, in conjunction with an internalised violent response to stress, strips mothers of the ability to give nurturing care in the form of supportive, consistent, and involved parenting.

During the children’s hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill (to adjust the Children’s Act) in Parliament on May 21, 2021, a Western Cape Government child monitor from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner stated that “children are the outcome of parental performance.”

This means that when corporal punishment is used as a form of discipline, children learn to use force, violence and abusive speech as a means to be heard or seen, which are all forms of bullying.

While media reports are based on older children’s experiences of bullying (usually at school), bullying behaviours are evidenced quite early in children’s life courses, as is the case with toddlers whose emotions are not properly managed and do not possess the language to express their feelings as this has arguably not been modelled to them.

The question to be asked then is: “How would toddlers learn to manage their emotions and use positive vocabulary to express their feelings if this is not modelled by parents?”

Child outcomes are the responsibility of both parents. While, in the South African context, single motherhood and lone parenting are highly prevalent, all parents need support to unlearn the ineffective and abusive parenting practices currently being employed and to model healthy disagreement to children.

Women, due to patriarchal privilege for men, carry most of the parenting responsibility, and as such, children experience mothers to be more aggressive in parenting. To this effect, another child monitor in her submission to Parliament reflected on the emotional abuse of children by their mothers, describing them as rude and vulgar towards their children. The children, in turn, called for legal repercussions against mothers who are violent towards their children.

As with the South African Schools Act of 1996, which prohibits the use of corporal punishment on learners, corporal punishment by women against children in the home is seemingly only enforced in the most severe cases. It should, however, be noted that male-headed households also contain violent parenting practices with men violating both women and children.

In a webinar titled, Promoting an understanding of the intersections between violence against women and children organised by the Children’s Institute, UCT on 13 October 2020, researcher at the University of Johannesburg Lisa Vetten, unpacked the history underpinning men’s entitlement to uphold their sense of power through their perceived right to punish women and children.

While all children are affected by corporal punishment and bullying, black children experience multiple intersecting oppressions namely race, gender and class – in addition to age – leaving them at the bottom of the social ladder.

As a result, children across all races, social classes and genders are exposed to men’s and women’s violence against them.

When alone, children then violate and bully each other as an outlet for all the anger they have built up inside. This is to say, children experience and inflict violence on each other across all settings like at home, in school and within the community. They are therefore merely modelling society when bullying and harassing each other.

It is time we rethink how the country can begin reshaping how to express discomforts, how to listen to different perspectives and embrace change and agency.

In his seminal book, I Write What I Like , Steve Biko called it a “miracle” for someone to make it to adulthood in a township. Therefore, knowing the history and design of townships and its residual legacies, the law must be redressed to correct the miserable worlds of South Africa’s children through the Children’s Amendment Bill.

Apartheid laws created this misery that South Africa’s children and their caregivers find themselves in, therefore modern-day policies should make provision for fathers to have access to their children.

Parliament is currently conducting hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill. To give children a better environment; the economic stressors and hard living conditions in which mothers must parent their children has to be addressed.

Focusing on the role that structural factors play in parenting can ensure that we address the “causes of the causes” concerning parental stressors which are transferred to children. The Children’s Amendment Bill must be amended to make provision for fathers to have equal parental responsibilities and rights as mothers and strengthen parental support for children.

Programmes are needed to help caregivers and parents learn alternative disciplining mechanisms to corporal punishment, which will, in turn, support parents with choosing better ways to discipline and engage with their children.

Considering our history, it must be acknowledged that South Africa is a traumatised country as we see in the hostility of its people and the behaviours of children.

A model that is a contradiction to the violent and aggressive persuasive parenting style and demand for authority is gravely needed to take care of bullying in its early stages.

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80 Bullying Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Bullying Essay Guide: Topics, Selection, and Writing Tips

Bullying is a topic that has attracted significant attention over the years due to its widespread prevalence and detrimental effects on victims. Primarily observed among school children, bullying often stems from social differences, physical appearances, or an individual’s vulnerability. This article aims to guide you through the process of selecting the best bullying essay topic and offers a plethora of topics to inspire your writing.

How to Choose the Best Bullying Essay Topic?

1. Consider Your Audience: Choose a topic that resonates with your readers. Given the prevalence of bullying, many can relate, including perhaps your teachers.

2. Brainstorm and Collaborate: Discuss potential topics with peers to gauge their depth and relevance.

3. Hook Your Readers: Start with an engaging title and opening line to captivate your audience immediately.

4. Rely on Facts: Ensure you incorporate accurate statistics and facts to build a credible argument.

5. Proofread: Review your essay, refine it, and seek feedback. Ensure all aspects of your chosen topic are addressed. For comprehensive proofreading and topic selection, consider using professional services like writeondeadline.com .

Bullying Essay Topics

General topics:.

• Effects of bullying on victims’ wellbeing.
• Strategies to combat bullying in schools.
• The role of parents in addressing bullying.
• Personal experiences with bullying – as a bystander or victim.
• Legal implications and interventions against bullying.
• Motivations behind bullying behaviors.
• The societal view on bullying: Is it normalized?
• Differentiating between various forms of bullying.
• The impact of teachers’ interventions in bullying scenarios.
• Raising awareness about bullying in educational institutions.

Cyberbullying Topics:

• Factors leading to cyberbullying.
• Overcoming the trauma of online harassment.
• Investigative methods to trace cyberbullies.
• The psychology of individuals who cyber bully.
• Comparing the psychological impacts: Cyberbullying vs. traditional bullying.
• How social media platforms can be breeding grounds for cyberbullying.
• Prevention strategies against online harassment.

Anti-Bullying Topics:

• Effective measures to eradicate bullying.
• The repercussions of bullying on individuals.
• Role of parents and educators in supporting bullying victims.
• Social dynamics contributing to bullying.
• Governmental initiatives against bullying in schools.
• Techniques to confront and neutralize bullies.

General Bullying Topics:

• The psychological aftermath of being bullied.
• The global statistics on bullying: How does it vary?
• The role of school leadership in bullying interventions.
• Bullying and its connection to the rise in youth mental health issues.
• Can bullying be linked to familial structures and parenting styles?
• Bullying in adult workplaces: Is it an extension of school behavior?
• How pop culture and media representation influence bullying trends.
• The economic implications of bullying on society.
• Effects of bullying on academic achievements.
• The role of peer pressure in bullying incidents.

Cyberbullying Themes:

• Anonymity and its role in escalating cyberbullying.
• The dark side of social networking sites: A hub for bullies.
• Laws and regulations against cyberbullying worldwide.
• The role of tech companies in preventing online harassment.
• Digital footprints: How they contribute to cyberbullying.
• The evolution of cyberbullying: Past, present, and future.
• Parental monitoring: A solution to teen cyberbullying?
• The contrast between online and offline bullying personas.
• How educators can equip students against online threats.
• The long-term effects of cyberbullying on mental health.

Anti-Bullying Initiatives:

• School programs that effectively reduce bullying.
• The power of storytelling and personal narratives in bullying prevention.
• Community-driven initiatives against bullying.
• The role of celebrities and influencers in anti-bullying campaigns.
• Collaborative strategies between parents and schools to counteract bullying.
• Importance of counseling services in schools for bullied students.
• Anti-bullying laws and their effectiveness.
• The positive impact of peer-support groups.
• Role models and mentors: Their influence on reducing bullying.
• International anti-bullying initiatives and their success stories.

Bullying Research and Case Studies:

• Detailed analysis of high-profile bullying incidents.
• Cultural influences on bullying behaviors.
• Ethnographic studies on bullying patterns.
• The connection between substance abuse and bullying.
• How do marginalized groups (LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities) experience bullying differently?
• The link between childhood trauma and becoming a bully.
• Comparative studies: Bullying in urban vs. rural schools.
• Evaluating the success of helplines for bullied individuals.
• The role of the internet in both escalating and combating bullying.
• Assessing the impact of anti-bullying mobile apps and digital tools.

Societal and Psychological Perspectives:

• Bullying from a sociological viewpoint: What does it reveal about society?
• The psychological profile of a typical bully.
• Do societal standards and ideals indirectly promote bullying?
• How bullying affects the family dynamics of the victim.
• The cycle of bullying: Can a victim become a bully?

Argumentative Essay Ideas on Bullying:

• Defining a bully: Are they criminals?
• Examining bullying trends across different age groups.
• Gender dynamics in bullying: Do boys bully more than girls?
• Assessing the correlation between bullying and academic performance.
• The link between bullying and suicidal thoughts.

For those who might feel overwhelmed by the wide array of topics, our dedicated team at writeondeadline.com is here to assist. Whether you need help in choosing a topic, writing, or proofreading your essay, our experts are just a click away.

Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay About Bullying

Learn How To Craft a Powerful Persuasive Essay About Bullying

Published on: Jan 24, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

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Are you looking for ways to craft a powerful persuasive essay about bullying? Writing an effective and engaging persuasive essay is no easy task.

However, with some preparation and planning, it can be a piece of cake! 

From outlining strong arguments to providing examples, we will explain all details of composing a perfect persuasive essay about bullying.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

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Writing a Perfect Persuasive Essay About Bullying 

Bullying is a major issue that affects many children, teens, and adults in schools, workplaces, and other environments. 

Writing a persuasive essay about bullying can effectively raise awareness of the problem and find solutions.

Here are a few components of a persuasive essay that you should include:

• An Introduction 

Start your essay with an interesting introduction that explains the concept of bullying and its effects on those involved.

Provide evidence to support your argument using facts, statistics, and personal accounts to support your claims. 

Offer potential solutions to the problem of bullying. Focus on proposing effective solutions that can be implemented in schools and other environments where bullying is a common issue.

• Call to Action

Conclude your essay with a call to action for both victims and bystanders of bullying. Encourage them to stop it or report it when they witness it happening.

Here Is How You Can Write a Persuasive Essay About Bullying Introduction 

Writing an introduction to a persuasive essay about bullying can be challenging.

To start, it's important to understand the purpose of the introduction. It is to provide a brief overview of the topic and introduce your thesis statement. 

• Begin by providing a general overview of the topic of bullying.
• Introduce the main point of your essay: your thesis statement. 
• Create a hook for your introduction to draw readers into your topic and compel them to read further. 
• State why this issue is important and relevant, providing evidence from authoritative sources to support your claims. 
• Conclude your introduction with a summary of the main points you will make in the essay. 

How To Write Body Paragraphs In a Persuasive Essay About Bullying

Body paragraphs in a persuasive essay about bullying should focus on providing evidence to support the thesis statement. 

This can be done through various research methods such as interviews, surveys, and personal experiences. 

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Here are five ways to effectively write body paragraphs for a persuasive essay about bullying:

1. Utilize vivid tone and descriptive imagery

2. Present evidence - Provide facts, figures, and other evidence to support your argument. 

3. Discuss consequences: Explain how bullying hurts individuals, communities, and society. 

4. Make a call to action: Ask the reader to participate in anti-bullying initiatives or speak up when they witness bullying.

5. Offer solutions: Suggest ways to prevent bullying, such as implementing more school-wide programs or teaching students.

How To Write The Conclusion In a Persuasive Essay About Bullying

The conclusion of a persuasive essay about bullying should summarize the key arguments. 

It should provide a call to action for readers to take further steps in preventing or stopping bullying.

Check out this amazing video!

Lastly, it is important to end on a positive note, reassuring readers that progress is possible.

Learn more about making perfect persuasive essay outlines in this amazing blog!

Examples of Persuasive Essay About Bullying

We have shared some practical examples of persuasive essays on bullying so that you can get inspired and start crafting your paper. 

Persuasive essay about bullying must stop

Short Example of Persuasive essay about bullying

Persuasive essay about bullying in school

Cyber Bullying Persuasive Essay

Bullying Persuasive Speech

Examples of Argumentative Essay About Bullying

These essay samples can give you a helpful look at how other students have approached this complex topic before. 

Argumentative Essay About Bullying Introduction, Body, Conclusion

Argumentative essay about bullying pdf

Check out this amazing blog by our expert writers on persuasive essay examples !

Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics About Bullying

Have a look at these inspiring topics. You might get motivation for your next persuasive essay. 

• Should Schools Implement Mandatory Training Programmes to Address Bullying?
• What Role Do Parents and Guardians Play in Preventing Bullying? 
• Is Online Harassment on the Rise and How Can We Stop it?
• How Effective Are Anti-Bullying Policies at Schools?
• Should Employers be Responsible for Preventing Bullying in the Workplace? 
• How Can We Make Schools a Safer Place to Help Students Avoid Bullying?
• Is Social Media Making Bullying Worse? 
• Are Laws and Regulations Regarding Cyberbullying Effective Enough?
• Should Teachers Be Held Accountable for Bullying in the Classroom?
• What Are Some of the Long-Term Effects of Bullying on Victims? 
• How Can We Encourage Bystanders to Speak Out Against Bullying? 
• Is Cyberbullying More Difficult for Parents and Schools to Stop Than Traditional Bullying? 
• Should Government Intervention be Required to Address the Bullying Crisis in Schools?
• How Can We Help Victims of Bullying Heal and Recover? 
• What Are Some Effective Ways to Prevent Bullying From Occurring?

Check out some more persuasive essay topics to get inspiration for your next essay.

In conclusion, consider all aspects of the issue when writing a persuasive essay on bullying. You should provide evidence to support your point of view and address any potential counterarguments. 

If you're struggling to write a persuasive essay on bullying, CollegeEssay.org's persuasive essay writing service is here for you.

Our experienced essay writer can help you create a well-researched, persuasive, and compelling essay.

With our essay writing service, you can be sure your essay will make an impact. 

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How to Write Papers About Bullying?

Academic writing

Essay paper writing

Probably everyone is familiar with a definition of bullying. Unfortunately, this problem is still common these days, even though a lot of effort is put in fighting it. Bullying still affects thousands of students around the world, and as a result, many teens are afraid to go to school. Teachers and parents may not always notice this issue and do not think about the ways to prevent it. But the aggressive behavior should be stopped, and any writer can actually help by writing a persuasive essay on bullying. Even one essay can contribute to solving this problem. If you are the one who is ready for that, then you are in the right place – this article will help you to write a good argumentative essay on bullying!  

First thing first, it is important to look for ways of solving this problem. However, it is way more complex than you may think. Some students consider such a topic as an easy one because there is a lot of information that you can include in your paper, but it is actually quite challenging to write a perfect essay on this issue. The reason is that there are so many things to cover that you can get lost in numerous ideas even if you just want to know what is a good introduction for a bullying essay.

However, after reading this article, you will know how to write a perfect paper and get an excellent mark for it. Moreover, you will be able to cover a great amount of information in your text, making it a perfect example for the other authors who are just getting into the problem. However, be ready to spend a lot of time on the actual research as the issue requires a thorough examination. And now, after this short introduction to the problem, we are going to start with one specific thing that you must write about, which is the history of the issue under consideration.

History of Bullying

In order to research the problem, we will need to find out more about it. Historically, the word ‘bully’ had a totally different meaning, which was something like ‘sweetheart,’ but nowadays, the things have changed a lot, and in any bullying essay example, you will find the meaning which will denote a person, who is oppressing others for some specific reason or even without it. The first time this word was used in 1530, and just a couple centuries later, it has a totally different meaning than it had before. What is the reason for that?

The most likely, it happened when schools allowed students not to wear the uniform. Apparently, social inequality was more evident when children began to wear casual clothes. It may seem quite an unpersuasive fact, but any of the existing informative essays on bullying state that this issue has grown a lot from the 16 th century. However, bullying existed not only because of different clothes. It even existed in adult society. Still, it was hard to identify as bullying. The reason was that people who had more privileges than others could easily mock the surrounding people for any reason they wanted. The same thing was happening with people who were bullying those with disabilities. It is something that is totally inappropriate in our world, but some centuries ago, specific disabilities were an object for mocking and laughing. After talking about history, it is crucial to think of a number of things such as bullying essay outline, title, and some more before moving on to the actual text writing.

An Interesting Title for Bullying Essay

The other thing you have to think about before writing the actual text is its name. Do not underestimate the importance of this part of work, as it is crucial to have the best title that you can create. Luckily, you will be able to find a lot of interesting ideas online.

The only thing you will need to know is that it should not be too long and boring. This is usually not mentioned in bullying essay ideas guides, and that is quite sad, as students tend to make this mistake quite often.

The Importance of Statistics

Have you ever had the feeling that the text is awesome and very well-written, but it lacks something? It feels like you are missing something important in your “how to prevent bullying essay.” This is the statistics which make the paper more interesting. To make your life a little easier, we will provide some actual examples that you can use in any of your essays about bullying:

• More than 35% of kids have been threatened online.
• Almost 77% of school-aged kids say that they were the victims of at least one type of bullying.
• 1 out of 4 kids will most likely get bullied during their adolescence.

Probably, these statistics will be enough to prove that the problem of bullying is getting worse every year. By the way, it would be a great thing to do if you add some statistics to your introduction for bullying research paper because it is an awesome way of hooking your readers. Just one interesting fact will attract the audience to read the entire text. Just remember that any hook for essay on bullying will make your text much more interesting and engaging.

And now, as you know hot approach such parts as bullying paper outline and intro, it is time to move on to the actual text writing, where you can get a lot of interesting advice on how to make your text original and what topics are the best to write about.

Bullying Research Paper Thesis

It is generally believed that the bullying essay thesis is one of the most difficult things to write in the whole text. And that is true in many cases. The reason for this idea is that in some cases, it is almost impossible to find the needed information; for example, the origin of the word ‘bully.’ However, with our topic, there is enough information on the Web, making it a really interesting work to find the right information for your first paragraph. Therefore, let us move on to the essence of thesis, and after that, we will move to the actual examples.

This part of the article might be different for certain cases and may contain a different number of words. However, generally, the thesis statement is a single sentence that gives the reader a topic to think about. All you need from your thesis is a hook that will catch the reader’s attention. It is quite hard, and if you want to compare it to something else in the text, we can probably draw some parallels with the title for bullying research paper where we had to find that perfect balance between the size and the meaning. The problem of texts nowadays is that some of them have a lot of useless information at the beginning. Therefore, it is quite hard for people to read the paper till the end. However, with all of these tips, you will be able to have the highest grade possible. So, what can we write about in our thesis statement for bullying essay? It’s probably one the most important parts, so let’s consider it in detail.

Well, it is really up to the author writing a persuasive essay on bullying as they need to find the balance and get that sentence that will hook the reader.

Next, it has been proven practically that the quality is what really matters in thesis about bullying, not the quantity. Some authors manage to put just a couple of words with a slight statistical fact, and they still get a perfect thesis that attracts readers. Indeed, you can use those statistical facts that have been mentioned in the previous text, and they will most likely work, but you also need some other facts in order to engage the reader. Indeed, it will take a lot of time, but if you get everything perfect, it will bring you a lot of success. Also, the advice for the future is to think of how your thesis statement about bullying will be applied to the following text, as you do not want to have a sophisticated thesis that is not linked to the rest of the article.

In your text, you may ask your reader why the number of incidents of bullying is growing in numbers all around the world, or you can think of some ways of dealing with the problem. What dangers bullying brings to the modern world, and how can we try to fight those dangers? Those are just simple examples, but you can still use one opening statement for bullying essay that has been included here. It is awesome to have these as a backup, but you can always think of your own examples that might make more sense in your own well-thought text.

After you have your first part of the text ready, make sure to check it for mistakes, as the young authors tend to concentrate on quantity but not on quality. For some, this process is quite easy as they do not make many mistakes during the writing, but for others, it is crucial, and they will require a lot of time, just like picking one of the titles for a bullying essay for the first time. However, young authors can always find help online. There are various services offering assistance with writing. Now it is time to move on to the most interesting, yet the most difficult to write section of our essay, which is the main part.

Moving On to The Body of Bullying Essay

First thing first, while writing a convincing bullying essay, make sure that your thesis is not contradicting the next part. The next problem you might face with that is the number of words required in the text. The nice fact about our topic is that we can divide the main part into two smaller topics. It will be even better if you are writing a cause and effect essay on bullying, which allows you to cover many interesting subtopics.

Causes of Bullying

If you need to write an essay on bullying prevention, you will need to analyze the causes of the phenomenon. If you fail to explain this topic to the reader, it is almost useless to continue working on the paper, as you will not be able to show the reader that you are competent in the question you are writing about. Therefore, try to put as much energy in this part as you can. And that will be the biggest step to your success in writing any of your research papers on bullying.

There are so many reasons why people become bullies that some of them might not even be on this list. Therefore, we will need to look at many of them to show the whole case to the readers and give them as much info as we can. Let us start.

Cultural Bullying

This issue is considered to be the oldest and the most topical even today, so you will have enough information for your discrimination and bullying essay. For example, there was a terrible period in history when slavery occurred because of cultural dominance. That is the worst example of people being bullied and humiliated just because they are of a different race. You might have faced something like that when reading one of those racist jokes. State in a research topic on bullying that it would be great if everybody put their effort into fighting this kind of bullying.

Social Issues

This type of bullying might be found in any workplace. There might be various reasons for this type of bullying; for example, personal issues between two or more sides. However, this only happens when the workers are equal or almost equal at work positions. If you have faced such type of bullying and you have your own solution to this problem, then it would be awesome to include this experience in your stand up against bullying essay.

This problem often occurs in big companies. The trickiest in this case is that it is rather hard to find evidence of bullying since the victim can assess the situation subjectively, and the negative intent is not always recognizable. You can include this paragraph in your bullying research paper, as this is a great example of modern bullying.

Almost in any school, there is a student from a family, where the children do not get enough attention. They are left exploring the world on their own, and the streets become their home. But what can you learn from living on the street? Perhaps, the knowledge of how to not get bullied. Moreover, having all that experience makes somebody a perfect bully, and not even knowing that people, especially kids, are becoming dangerous if they think they are not treated right. This kind of bullying is a perfect topic for discussion in your essay on bullying in schools. Therefore, it is crucial for adults to take care of such children to help them overcome their fear of the world.

Well, now you have most of your text finished with some nice examples of what causes people to become bullies. But there is actually the other side, which is people who make bullies who they are. They are those who are the easiest targeted by bullies.

Kids from Loving Families

These kids are a total opposite of the bullies who have a tough time. This type of children is almost always nice to others, that is why they become a perfect aim for those who like to make fun of others. These kids often get so much attention and care from their parents that they have no idea about the things they might face in the future. This is a perfect example to use in your verbal bullying persuasive essay, as in some other cases, people do not get just verbally bullied but also get physically threatened. Quite often, children may call other kids names and force them to do things that they don’t want to do. It would also be a good idea to put this topic in your short essay about child abuse and bullying.

Not only weak people suffer from being bullied. Our society is so sick that everybody might get bullied even without any reason. State in your essay that there should be something that could lead to positive changes in our society; this tip is one of the most important among the other bullying persuasive essay prompts. Moreover, using the next part of our advice you will be able to write even more on this topic as the causes of this problem is just a part of the problem, while the main reason is not even the person who is bullying, but the outcomes of all of this phenomenon.

So now, we will discuss how to help those people who suffer or have suffered from bullies throughout their childhood and adolescence. This is a really important thing to talk about, as it often does not get the needed attention. It would be great to add this to your bullying research paper outline as this topic has not yet been researched much, so you will be able to deliver interesting unknown information to your readers, making yourself a reputation of a good writer. So, what is that topic that we will discuss before moving on to the conclusion paragraph for bullying essay?

Effects of Bullying

The question of consequences of bullying is the one that is often forgotten, as people tend to only think about the cause of the phenomenon. Most people hope to have all of their problems to be solved by someone else. The same with the situation when we are so passionate about solving the causes of bullying that we simply forget about those who have already suffered bullying or are suffering from it right now. This is not something that you would like to talk about in your bullying essay introduction (because it is rather sad and pessimistic), but having this info in your essay will make it unique. And let us move on straight to the examples of what bullying can bring to someone’s life.

Bad Academic Achievements

Being bullied, kids are left without any psychological help. Therefore, all they care about is getting back on track from all the bad things that happened in their life. However, one thing that is worth attention is grades and GPA. That is an issue that somebody who is being bullied has to take into consideration. You can include this topic in your college admission essay on bullying, as it actually is one of the factors that affect the transition from high school to college. Moreover, that would be an awesome topic to write about when applying to the university you like.

Depression and Anxiety

Some people still think that depression is something that happens to sad teens when they are 14-16 years old. However, it has been proven that depression is a dangerous psychological state that might lead to terrible consequences if you do not cure it. Therefore, it is crucial to realize that kids who suffer from depression or anxiety might not be sad about one certain thing. If you know such a person, have a conversation with them. You might be the one who will save a victim of a bully. This example is the best to use in how bullying affects victims essay, as it shows one of the worst cases that a person can face and how valuable your help might be for these people.

One more serious consequence that may be described in bullying and harassment essay is the issue of suicide. Indeed, nobody should say that every single person who is bullied is going to end up committing suicide, but we can definitely see that in the worst cases, teens and kids are willing to do anything to stop others from bullying them. In situations like this, professional help is required, and a lot of work has to be done to save a child with dangerous thoughts. In your effects of bullying essay conclusion, you can actually give some advice for parents or teachers to prevent kids from this problem. It is actually quite hard to approach this topic as it might be a little too much to write in some informational essays, but at the same time, by writing about this problem in your text, you are spreading the information among the public. However, you can use this in something like an essay about bullying and violence because those are two reasons that get people to the state when they are so weak that they are likely to end their lives.

So we are finally finished with our main part, and now we have to start thinking about how to end our text. The last section of texts about bullying might be written in various ways, and there might not be any advice on your topic on the Web in general. For example, if you are writing a workplace bullying essay, it will be quite hard to conclude because of the lack of information online. However, you can just try to summarize the text and make an interesting conclusion of what you had learned from all of that information and describe some actions that people can take to fight the existing problem. So, what should you do to have the best conclusion possible?

Finally, it’s time to think about the conclusion for your essay about physical bullying. In the end, you should summarize your vision of the issue. Remember that your final part should not contain any new information. This advice will make your research paper about bullying easy to read and will give it a professional look.

And now, we will give a recipe for a perfect conclusion. First of all, you will need to re-read everything that you have written previously in your text, and depending on the type of your text, you will be able to make some conclusions at the end. For example, when writing a research article on bullying, you will most likely have no chance to give the reader your own thoughts on the matter, so you have to think how to briefly analyze and systematize the info presented in previous parts of the paper.

The situation is getting totally different when you are writing another type of paper on bullying. For example, if you are writing an essay where you have to show your attitude towards the topic, you can get creative in the last part of the text. For example, you may offer some ways of solving the existing problems in the text.

Modern Type Of Bullying

There is one more important thing to discuss when talking about bullying, and that is cyberbullying. It is actually a pretty common issue on the Internet, and, unfortunately, it’s spreading quickly. Cyberbullying ranges from regular texts and messages to online games and platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and even more! Even though this problem is too widespread to ignore, unfortunately, not much was done to fight it. Therefore, there is really a need to write a cyberbullying research paper to spread awareness of this issue. It’s important to mention that cyberbullying includes sending mean, cruel, and negative messages, posting or sharing any harmful and false content about the person that is being bullied, sharing any personal information without permission that could cause harm and embarrassment, and even threatening them. There are different cyberbullying essay topics you can choose from, and most of them will be covered in this article. You can also come up with your own topic if you have witnessed cases of bullying. You can also find cyberbullying essay example to see how others handled this task.

How Cyberbullying Impacts Others?

Some people treat cyberbullying as something that is not as bad as offline bullying, but the truth is that cyberbullying can go on for a long time, and some bullies can stay undetected for a long time. While writing your cyberbullying argumentative essay, try to include all of the points that state why this issue is an important one and why we should find the solution as quickly as possible.

Cyberbullying makes t hose who are bullied feel less safe and more depressed; they face such problems as anxiety, stress, and even suicidal mood. There have been cases of teenage suicide that were caused by constant cyberbullying. Victims often feel like there is no escape from bullying. 

Unfortunately, over the last decade, the number of victims who experienced cyberbullying has doubled, and most of them are teenagers. When writing the effects of cyberbullying essay, conduct research on the points that were mentioned and feel free to add something else and try to be as clear as possible.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying?

While writing how to prevent cyberbullying essay, remember to include some key points to help people prevent and stop cyberbullying. It’s also necessary to refer to credible sources to support your opinion. Therefore, use some plausible scholarly articles on cyberbullying.

There are many ways to prevent cyberbullying or at least help the victims of it:

• First of all, never share any of your passwords, private photos, and information online, even if the people you’re talking to are your friends and relatives. You never know what is going to happen to you; someone might hack your accounts and steal all your personal data.
• Do not post anything without thinking about the content you are about to share. Remember that some words and actions are never going to be taken back.
• If you want to make a comment on somebody’s page, think how you would have felt about the same words directed to you. Share your opinion only if you are sure that the comment is not going to hurt anybody.
• If someone has already bullied you online, don’t wait and save everything, every single comment and photo, so you can have some evidence to prove that it actually happened.
• Report fake profiles, inappropriate and harmful photos, and violent content on any social media. You have a right to feel safe and secured, and it is okay to report anything that violates your safety and privacy. You could write a cyberbullying on social media essay to talk more about this issue and particularly discuss how it is happening on different platforms.
• If you see cyberbullying actually happening, do not hesitate to report the person that is doing it and show support for the victim even if you don’t know them. No one deserves to be bullied offline and online, and everybody needs support. 

There are also many other useful resources on the Internet about this issue. Google some scholarly articles and cyberbullying case studies to find out more about it. Keep in mind that the sources you are choosing have to be reliable so that the reader will not be confused with the false information. Reliable sources will make your persuasive essay on cyber bullying more powerful and worthwhile.

So that was the most important information for your prevention essay. Hopefully, most of this data will help you get an excellent grade. But sometimes you have to write a less specific essay. It may be so generalized that you will be surprised by how hard it is to explain the topic. So, let’s consider how we write the cyberbullying research paper outline. That is a process, which requires an ability to concentrate on your task and put as much information in one sentence as you possibly can. For example, in a facebook cyber bullying essay, all you had to do was just tell the readers the real situation about cyberbullying. However, you did not have to include any factual information and look for data about various countries.

Let’s move to the other type of paper you may get as a task. For example, how are we going to start our informative essay on cyberbullying? Well, that is actually quite similar to what you would expect from any type of essay. You will need to create a nice hook that will engage the reader in getting acquainted with your paper. In order to do so, you will need to look for some interesting facts to shock the reader in your cyber bullying essay introduction. However, do not expect your beginning to save the whole essay. You still need to work on the main part of your discursive essay on cyberbullying. And just like always, we are going to give you a number of examples that you can use to hook your reader:

• Over 70% of students admit that they have faced bullying online at least once.
• 67% of students say that cyberbullying is a serious problem that needs to be solved immediately.
• Only 10% of kids are likely to tell their parents about bullying online.

Hopefully, with this advice, your beginning of the essay will be interesting and engaging. After you are finished writing the first part of facebook bullying essay, start thinking about your next part, which is the main paragraph.

Body of such paper will vary from some other types of essay. For example, in a cyberbullying solution essay, you will not be able to give your reader the full perspective on the problem, as your main task is to find the answers to existing questions. Moreover, this topic is quite narrow so you may have some problems while looking for information. However, you have to think of this as of an important task, so make sure that your main part is informative, and most importantly, it fits the given topic. 

On the other hand, when writing a simple cyberbullying research essay, you will get less chance to give your own opinion on what you are writing about, but at the same time, you will be able to cover the whole problem easily. For you, that will mean a good chance to include some interesting facts or show both sides of the problem.

After you are done with your cyberbullying essay hook, the introduction part in general, the body, and all the transitions between them, you will have to check if everything that you have done is on the right topic and fits the task. If you notice some inconsistencies or mistakes, you can always go online and look for some other information to replace the wrong part of the text. And that brings you to the final part of writing. Your cyberbullying essay conclusion is the most important among all three main sections. Hopefully, all of these pieces of advice will help you to get the highest grade and, maybe, even some popularity among those who are experts in the field you are writing about. After reading this article, nobody will have a question of how to write a persuasive essay on cyberbullying. Good luck in covering such an important topic!

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How to Write a Discursive Essay Helpful Instructions

November 17, 2023

Learn What is a Discursive Essay?

You have to choose your topic with great care and research it first to learn more about how to use the obtained information. No matter where your subject takes you, presenting more than one perspective is vital. A discursive essay means that some creative writing has a place. Only such an approach can present a balanced and thought-out example of a successful discursive essay. The only point that must be considered is a critical evaluation of a subject. It means that an author must avoid any biases. Even if some aspects may disturb you or go against your beliefs, do your best to provide varied opinions to present a clear picture, at least in one paragraph.

The information for your discursive essay topic must be chosen from verified, trustworthy academic sources. Construct a smart discussion and guide your audience from one idea to another. A clear thesis statement is a must. It will help you to highlight all the important sides of your chosen or given subject. Most students also find it helpful as they have to narrow things down by presenting different perspectives.

Different Types of a Discursive Writing Essay

There are several types of discursive essays that you may encounter as a college student. Three of them are the most common, which represent the following:

• Opinion Discursive Essay

An opinion type of composition is the most common. The main purpose here is to find a topic first and research it. Once done, you must offer your opinion and support it with arguments. All the opinions that go against yours are also necessary. Remember that stating only one opinion is not an option. You must present both sides of a story before coming up with the final paragraph. Re-state your main claim as well. Your conclusion should allow your audience to pick a side instead of being forced to choose.

• For and Against Discursive Essay

The complex aspect here is that you must research the facts that speak for and against a certain topic. You may choose the alcohol problem or the use of artificial intelligence in the field of healthcare as an example. The question of your research must be stated correctly and clearly. An answer must be accessible, represent academic research, and be done step-by-step. Present different perspectives and different viewpoints.

• The solution to Problem Writing

Here is where you must state a problem and explain why it matters. When asked to compose a solution to a problem discursive essay, focus on a solution and provide it. The facts and the evidence play a vital role here because a good example always matters. It is always beneficial if you can include some prior research or quote another researcher.

Important : As a way to avoid confusion, one must remember that two additional types of discursive writing can be met in most colleges these days. The talk is about argumentative writing and persuasive writing tasks.

An argumentative essay can be identified as a topic that you research with due care and depth. You still have to collect information and present it to your target audience as an argument in a body paragraph.

A persuasive essay , as the name implies, is where you persuade or convince your readers with the help of examples. The task of making someone see things your way is also an academic type of discursive writing. A different perspective must be explained before you present your main idea.

How to Write a Discursive Essay Correctly?

Regardless of the type that you are asked to present, these five steps are essential:

Step 1: Choose a relevant topic to start with.

Choose something that you know well or subjects that can be researched easily. For example, if you would like to talk about whether violent video games must be banned, research it first. The same is true for using school uniforms in the United States vs Great Britain. A thought-provoking question may be presented in the first paragraph. Discussing various viewpoints, some people may talk about traditions, while others will mention economics. As you work on your discursive essay, you must highlight more than one fact and present different opinions correctly.

Step 2: Write down a list of vital facts.

When you already know the basics about your topic, continue taking notes. You should also examine essay examples. It helps narrow things down and ensures that you do not accidentally forget some facts. For example, you may write down important dates, names, or statistical information. The more you add, the better your discursive essay will be. At the same time, remember not to overdo it, as it can turn your writing into an informative essay!

Step 3: Come up with a strong argument.

The next step is to find an argument that can explain, convince, and make your readers see the point. Your essays must focus on one argument. Do not add bias to an argument, but only work with the facts. A discursive essay introduction must have a hook. It will make your writing less biased and more balanced. The main evidence with your final position must be presented in a thesis-like form.

Step 4: Define more than one opinion to reflect the main argument.

When composing a discursive essay’s body paragraphs, you must consider more than one opinion. For example, if we take the school uniform debate, we can discuss how it can unite all children and decrease poverty. Then, we can discuss how school uniforms help support school traditions. If some people find it outdated, take your time to research why it is so!

Step 5: Work on your structure.

Consider coming up with a clear structure or pattern that can help your readers see your points. Choose your discursive essay format next. The most accessible and popular discursive essay structure example is given below:

A Discursive Essay Introduction – Main Argument – Evidence – Second Paragraph Argument – Example – Third Argument – Importance – Opposing Argument – Explanation with Supporting Evidence- Conclusion.  

When and if necessary, you may add a thesis after an introduction if the task is to find a good solution to a specified problem. Always consult your grading rubric and your teacher to be sure!

Helpful Tips for Writing a Discursive Essay

As a way to overcome initial confusion and set the tone of discursive writing, let’s ask several important questions:

• What three main things matter the most about your chosen topic? Think about at least three facts that talk about your subject. It will help to create a strong thesis statement and a conclusion.
• What ideas help to deliver specific facts and information? Add good examples that can persuade people. Avoid using a personal opinion.
• What sources can provide support for the main arguments? Good scientific sources or statistical data are recommended.
• Can I compose a strong thesis based on my facts? Compose a strong thesis statement claim first.
• Did I provide an opposite opinion? Think about what others have to say.
• Have I checked for a personal bias and a critical analysis? Avoid talking about a sole opinion unless you are asked to do so!
• What type of discursive writing must be written? An informative, critical, argumentative, solution-and-a-problem essay, etc.
• Did I provide several verified sources? At least one source per page is recommended! If you talk about an example, a resource to support it will make your writing more valid.

These eight questions must be asked before you start writing. Once you find the answers, writing and thinking about your writing will be much easier. Remember that all of your claims and counterclaims must be supported with examples and align with each other. Provide a healthy balance between the pros and cons of a certain issue or a problem you choose to discuss. Make your conclusion in a logical manner.

When you choose a topic, do not make it harder or more complex than it has to be. Keep your writing accessible and use persuasive writing techniques. Start with a claim followed by an example. If it needs to be clarified, add an explanation to make understanding all the different viewpoints easier.

If you are stuck with the lack of counterarguments to your claim, you may add a simple “arguments against” tag to your search string in Google or any other search engine. It is also helpful if you start with a Google Scholar or similar research databases. Look for opinion essays or argumentative essays as you research. Seeing what other researchers have to say always helps to find unusual opinions and fill the gaps as you construct your discourse.

DOs and DONT’s to Remember

Accidental mistakes are always possible, but have no fear ─ we have a checklist of things you must do and a list of the most common mistakes that must be avoided in the writing process!

Remember to edit and proofread your work aloud if you wish to make things impressive. It is one of those things that help to improve readability. You have to keep things accessible and use persuasive and explanatory language. It must be close to an argumentative essay writing. Besides, proofreading your work aloud always helps avoid mistakes and correct them. It might take more time but always pays off in the end!

Possible Discursive Essay Topics

Choosing a good discursive essay topic may appear more challenging than it seems. If you cannot find a good essay-type idea, brainstorm some of these topics below with our brief explanations:

• Are heavy video games harmful or useful for kids?

This topic may talk about how the use of video games can lead to violence from one side. Talk about the media bias and attitude. Then talk about the positive cognitive effect that positively affects our memory and attention. Use all perspectives related to provide evidence and offer valuable insights. A thorough research must be done here!

• The pros and cons of using AI in education

Although it is one of the most discussed subjects these days, you may choose it as an idea. Talk about how it helps to do things faster yet deters our creativity. You can talk about good examples and quote psychologists, students, and teachers. Providing supporting evidence, you must recap key points and include all the negative aspects as well.

• The negative and positive sides of rock music

It is a good subject for most college students who listen to rock artists. Think about all the cons and pros, such as attitude or political activism. Do not focus on two or three bands but talk about statistical data before you end up with particular examples. An alternate manner must be used as you work on your main idea, where you offer various perspectives and start a balanced discussion.

• Bullying and social media effect

You must avoid a personal bias and never use any personal examples. Talk about how this problem exists and why this particular topic is so important. Use statistical data next to present ideas. Explain why bullying occurs on social media by offering multiple perspectives. Provide examples with a logical structure. Talk about the solutions and initiatives similar to working on an argumentative essay.

• Solar energy: pros and cons

If you choose engineering or similar discursive essay topics, think about making your discursive essay more accessible. Talk about the presence of solar energy and how affordable and well-known it is. Add more opposing viewpoints, and share some practical tips. Then make a table with the facts that speak for and against your essay topic sentence. Come up with a conclusion to sum things up!

You can talk about anything you wish to discuss. If some topic is uncommon, add the words “important facts” and “stats” as you research. It will make things easier as you try to locate your sources. If a topic sentence has already been provided, seek relevant research papers to find some trustworthy academic resources.

FAQ on Discursive Essays

• What is the best way to compose a conclusion for a discursive essay?

A strong conclusion must re-state a thesis with the main argument to help your readers reach their conclusion. It has to sum things up and make a call to action. An attention-grabbing element must be used to remind your readers about your problem. Remember that no new ideas or viewpoints can be added to your essay. Anything not supported before in relevant body paragraphs must be eliminated. A conclusion should discuss both sides that speak for and against your essay thesis.

• What is the recommended length for a discursive paper?

No strict length is usually specified. Including an introduction with a thesis and at least three body paragraphs is important. Since we have to add two or three counter-arguments, they may be in one or two body paragraphs. A discursive essay conclusion ends up things. It may help you to see how much must be included. Most discursive essays these days vary from 1,500 to 3,000 words for college students. At least three body paragraphs must be included for ideas.

• What makes discursive essay writing different from persuasive tasks?

A good persuasive essay only focuses on one point related to a problem. It means that you must talk about what you believe in. A discursive essay writing must talk about three to five different opinions. Persuasion essays only bring up a topic with a persuasion, while discourse is always about an explanation and a proper academic analysis.

• What is an example of good discursive essay evidence?

If you choose a topic for a summer camp for boys and girls, you may talk about gender segregation in the past. This means that starting with statistical data can help set the tone and make a comparison. This way, you can talk about the past and the present by explaining how opinions have changed. An interview, basic facts, sample data, and a good timetable can be good examples of learning how to write a discursive essay.

Useful Sources to Consider for Your Essays

As a way to assist you in learning how to write a discursive essay, take a closer look at some of these academic resources:

• Purdue Owl Guide . One of the best databases for college and university students. It has amazing APA, MLA, Chicago, and many other free guides with examples.
• What is Discursive Writing Univesity of Sussex Guide . A brief instruction that you can print to have a good checklist.
• University of Michigan-Flint’s List of Most Discussed Ideas . A list of current events you should take a look at. When you feel stuck, this database can help you become more inspired.
• Google Scholar . One of the most famous scientific databases where you can search things by keyword and receive citation data in different formats.
• Web of Science . Another great database you can access and find things based on various academic subjects.
• Jstor . It is one of the best and constantly updated scientific archives that host both old and newest articles.
• PubMed . If you are studying medical subjects, it is one of the best database examples, even for those not-so-common ideas.

All of these links will assist you in composing a successful discursive essay. Make sure to take your time and always remember to proofread!

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How to write a discursive essay: step-by-step guideline

Updated 31 Jul 2024

Many students struggle with discursive writing as it can be tricky. It’s hard to manage different opinions and create a well-organized argument, leaving learners feeling unsure. In this article, we want to make creating discursive essays less confusing by giving helpful tips. If you grasp the essential information and follow our advice, you can tackle the challenges of this essay style and learn how to express convincing and well-thought-out ideas. Come with us as we explore the basic dos and don’ts for making successful writing.

What is a discursive essay? 

This type of academic writing explores and presents various perspectives on a particular topic or issue. Unlike an argumentative essay, where the author takes a clear stance on the subject, discursive writing aims to provide a balanced and nuanced discussion of different viewpoints. What is the discursive essay meaning? The first word implies a conversation or discussion. So, the text encourages an exploration of diverse opinions and arguments.

This homework, commonly assigned in higher academia, serves various purposes:

• Students analyze diverse perspectives, fostering critical thinking as they weigh different viewpoints before forming a conclusion.
• Such essays involve thorough research, requiring students to synthesize information from various sources and present a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
• When struggling with how to write my essay for me, students develop their communication skills as they should express complex ideas clearly and coherently, creating smooth transitions between arguments.
• While not demanding a fixed stance, discursive papers require persuasive writing skills. The authors present each perspective convincingly, regardless of personal endorsement.
• Encouraging an appreciation for the issue’s complexity, the essays promote tolerance for diverse opinions.

In summary, these papers contribute to developing analytical, research, and communication skills, preparing students for nuanced engagement with complex topics in academic and professional settings.

What is the difference between discursive and argumentative essays?

While these documents may exhibit certain similarities, it’s crucial to underscore the notable distinctions that characterize them, delineating their unique objectives and methodologies. 

Discursive essays

• Objective presentation: A five paragraph essay of this type aims to provide a comprehensive discussion on a particular topic without necessarily taking a clear stance.
• Multiple perspectives: Writers explore different viewpoints, neutrally presenting arguments and counterarguments.
• Complexity: These essays often deal with complex issues, encouraging a nuanced understanding of the subject.
• Balanced tone and language: Such writing allows for a more open expression of different ideas using objective and formal language. 
• Flexible structure: These texts allow for a free-flowing topic analysis and may express numerous ideas in separate sections. 
• Conclusion: While a discursive essay example may express the writer's opinion, it doesn’t necessarily require a firm conclusion or a call to action.

Argumentative essays

• Clear stance: This type involves taking a specific position and defending it with strong, persuasive arguments.
• Focused argumentation: The primary goal is to convince the reader of the writer's position, providing compelling evidence and logical reasoning.
• Counterarguments: While an argumentative essay acknowledges opposing views, the focus is on refuting them to strengthen the writer’s position.
• Assertive tone: This type aims to present ideas from the writer’s perspective and convict the reader using evidence and reasoning.
• Rigid structure: These texts come with a clear structure with a distinct introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs with arguments and reasoning, and a conclusion that highlights the author’s stance.
• Call to action or conclusion: Such papers often conclude with a clear summary of the arguments and may include a call to action or a statement of the writer’s position.

The key distinction lies in the intent: discursive texts foster a broader understanding by presenting multiple perspectives. At the same time, argumentative papers aim to persuade the reader to adopt a specific viewpoint through strong, focused arguments.

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Discursive writing types

When delving into discursive essay format, exploring three primary forms of writing is essential.

1. Opinion essay.

• In an opinion essay, your viewpoint on the discussed problem is crucial.
• State your opinion in the introduction, supported by examples and reasons.
• Present the opposing argument before the conclusion, explaining why you find it unconvincing.
• Summarize your important points in the conclusion.

2. Essay providing a solution to a problem.

• Focus on discussing an issue and proposing solutions.
• Introduce the issue at the beginning of the text.
• Detail possible solutions in separate body paragraphs.
• Summarize your opinion in the conclusion.

3. For and against essay.

• Write it as a debate with opposing opinions.
• Describe each viewpoint objectively, presenting facts.
• Set the stage for the problem in your discursive essay intro.
• Explore reasons, examples, and facts in the main body.
• Conclude with your opinion on the matter.

If you need professional writers' support when working on your homework, you may always pay for essay writing . Our experts can explain how to create different types of papers and suggest techniques to make them well-thought-out and compelling.

Discursive essay structure

Discover a concise outline that will help structure your thoughts and arguments, allowing for a comprehensive and articulate presentation of your ideas.

The length of the discursive introduction example and the number of body paragraphs can vary based on the topic's complexity and the text's required length. Additionally, adjust the outline according to specific assignment guidelines or your personal preferences.

10 steps to create an essay

Many students wonder how to write a discursive essay. With the following guidelines, you can easily complete it as if you were one of the professional  essay writers for hire . Look at these effective steps and create your outstanding text. 

1. Choose an appropriate topic:

• Select a topic that sparks interest and is debatable. Ensure it is suitable for discursive examples with multiple viewpoints.

2. Brainstorm your ideas:

• Gather information from various sources to understand different perspectives on the chosen topic.
• Take notes on key arguments, evidence, and counterarguments.

3. Develop a clear thesis:

• Formulate a thesis statement that outlines your main idea. This could include your stance on the topic or a commitment to exploring various viewpoints.

4. Create a discursive essay outline:

• Structure your text with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Outline the main points you want to cover in each section.

5. Write the introduction:

• Begin with a hook to grab the reader's attention.
• Provide background information on the topic.
• Clearly state your thesis or the purpose of the essay.

6. Create body paragraphs:

• Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence.
• Present different perspectives on the topic in separate paragraphs.
• Support each perspective with relevant evidence and examples.
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each viewpoint.
• Use smooth transitions between paragraphs.

7. Suggest counterarguments:

• Devote a section to acknowledging and addressing counterarguments.
• Refute or explain why you find certain counterarguments unconvincing.

8. Write the conclusion:

• Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate your thesis or the overall purpose of the essay.
• Provide a concise discursive essay conclusion, highlighting the significance of the topic.

9. Proofread and revise:

• Review your work for clarity, coherence, and logical flow.
• Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Ensure that your arguments are well-supported and effectively presented.

10. Finalize and submit:

• Make any necessary revisions based on feedback or additional insights.
• Ensure every discursive sentence in your paper meets specific requirements provided by your instructor.
• Submit your well-crafted document.

Following these steps will help you produce a well-organized and thought-provoking text that effectively explores and discusses the chosen topic.

Dos and don’ts when completing a discursive essay

If you want more useful writing tips, consider the dos and don’ts to create an impactful and compelling text.

• Thorough research: Do conduct extensive research on the topic to gather a diverse range of perspectives and solid evidence. It will strengthen your discursive thesis statement and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
• Clear structure: Do organize your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that present different viewpoints, and a concise conclusion. Use a separate paragraph to introduce every point. This structure helps readers follow your argument effectively.
• Neutral tone: Do maintain a balanced tone and impersonal style throughout the essay. Avoid being overly emotional or biased, as the goal is to present a fair discussion of various perspectives.
• Critical analysis: Do critically analyze each perspective, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. Build your discursive thesis on trustworthy sources and make appropriate references following the rules of the required citation style. This showcases your critical thinking ability and contributes to a more nuanced discussion.
• Smooth transitions: Do use smooth transitions between paragraphs and arguments to create a cohesive flow. The use of linking phrases and words enhances the readability of your text and makes it easier for the reader to follow your line of reasoning.

Don’ts:

• Avoid biased language: Don’t use biased language or favor one perspective over another. Maintain an objective tone and present each viewpoint with equal consideration.
• Don’t oversimplify: Avoid oversimplifying complex issues. Acknowledge the nuances of the topic and provide a nuanced discussion that reflects a deep understanding of the subject matter.
• Steer clear of generalizations: Don’t make broad generalizations without supporting evidence. Ensure that relevant and credible sources back your arguments to strengthen your position.
• Don’t neglect counterarguments: Avoid neglecting counterarguments. Acknowledge opposing views and address them within your discursive essays. It adds credibility to your work and thoroughly examines the topic.
• Don’t be too personal : Avoid expressing your personal opinion too persistently, and don’t use examples from your individual experience. 
• Refrain from unsupported claims: Don’t make claims without supporting them with evidence. Substantiate your arguments with reliable sources and statistics with proper referencing to enhance the credibility of your document.

By adhering to these dos and don’ts, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of writing a discursive text and present a well-rounded and convincing discussion.

Final thoughts 

Mastering the art of writing a discursive essay is a valuable skill that equips students with critical thinking, research, and communication abilities. If your essay-writing journey is challenging, consider seeking assistance from EduBirdie, a trusted companion that guides students through the intricacies of these papers and helps them answer the question, “What is discursive writing?”. With our support, you can navigate the challenges of crafting a compelling and well-rounded discourse, ensuring success in your academic endeavors. Embrace the assistance of EduBirdie and elevate your writing experience to new heights.

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Written by Steven Robinson

Steven Robinson is an academic writing expert with a degree in English literature. His expertise, patient approach, and support empower students to express ideas clearly. On EduBirdie's blog, he provides valuable writing guides on essays, research papers, and other intriguing topics. Enjoys chess in free time.

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How to Write an Outstanding Discursive Essay: Structure and Format

A discursive essay or discussing essay is similar to other essays in that it shares information and gives an opinion, but differs because it doesn’t provide any new knowledge or insight.

Instead, the goal of this type of essay is to convince the reader by arguing for your position and providing evidence. This blog post will teach you how to write a discursive essay so you are ready for your next assignment!

Discursive Essay Meaning

What is discursive essay? A discursive essay is a type of argumentative essay that should take the reader through your thought process and reasoning. This type of writing takes on a certain position or argument. It is usually written in order to convince the reader of a particular point of view.

For example, if you are writing about how college should be free for all students, then your stance would be pro-free college education and your goal would be convincing the readers that this idea should become reality.

Discursive writing is one of the most basic forms of writing. It can be used to write about anything from a personal experience, to an opinion on a current event.

Four (4) Steps to follow in Discursive Writing

• Choose a topic.

There are many different types of topics that you can pick from, but before picking one it’s important to make sure the reader will be interested enough in what you have to say about it.

• Formulate introduction:

Secondly, after choosing your subject matter for discussion and research, come up with an introduction based on some introductory questions into why this issue deserves attention or needs solving.

This way readers understand where your argument stems from and how they should take it further by reading more than just what was written here.

• Conclusion part

A strong conclusion is key when coming to any type of discourse because it ties everything together nicely so there isn’t anything left hanging that could confuse anyone who happened upon your writing.

• Examples, data and references

Finally, you can always think of an example or case study to illustrate the issue at hand and provide a real-life scenario for your readers so they understand it better.

Discursive essay Structure, Format and Outline

Introduction

The introduction for a discussing essay is often short, with the writer providing one or two paragraphs to introduce the topic.

This section should also include an explanation of what it means to be “discursively” writing so that readers understand how this text will organize and present information differently than other types of essays.

The majority of your discursive essay paper should consist of reading/writing about your topic in depth with evidence from research included throughout each paragraph.

In addition, you can provide additional content by including quotes from sources who have studied more deeply into the subject at hand; questions that need answering when considering certain aspects of your issue; descriptions about different perspectives on your topic; etcetera. You do not need to follow a strict outline or linear structure in your writing.

The conclusion

Your discursive essay should end with a summary of the key points you have made throughout your paper, and how these pieces of information connect to one another. This is also where you can make an argument for why this issue matters.

This is how discursive essays are typically structured in order to best engage with their audiences and get them thinking about what they’ve just read which leads into understanding on their own about this topic as well as opening up new avenues that could lead towards solving whatever problem may be at hand.

In a nutshell, discourse writing is engaging because its written in such away where arguments come together around one focused subject matter which brings forth introspection from anyone who reads it.

Discourse essay structures help keep everything organized while still being engaging by discussing events related to the argument’s topic.

Tips for Discursive Essay Writing

• Write all aspects of the topic at once
• Research the topic beforehand to make sure you have enough information for your essay and are able to cover all bases
• Write a draft of an outline before moving on to writing the body paragraphs as this will help with structuring, order, and content flow
• Create headings that match each section in your outline so it’s easier when going back over things later or if someone else has to look at it (e.g., Introduction)
• Format with double spaces between sentences unless otherwise specified by assignment instructions
• Use good grammar throughout: Comma after listing items; Quotation marks where needed; Avoid contractions like “I’m” or stay consistent within same sentence
• Include a title, author’s name and date in the header
• Proofread before submitting for review

30+ Original Discursive Essay Topics

• The role of the media in a democratic society.
• The effects of consumerism on the environment.
• Should there be a ban on handgun ownership?
• What is your personal experience with cyberbullying?
• How has technology changed how we communicate and socialize as a society?
• Does religion belong in schools or should it have its own place outside education systems to avoid bias from students who don’t share the same beliefs?
• Is capitalism bad for individuals, corporations, governments and entire societies around the world today?
• How mental illness is perceived and treated in America
• The role of the police officer.
• What the consequences are for people who consume alcohol or drugs
• Why do some people take medication?
• The benefits of living in a multicultural society
• Write an essay on Violence in schools and how it impacts students.
• How to improve public speaking skills
• Discursive Essay on Mental health: what is the difference between physical illness and mental illness?
• What makes someone successful versus unsuccessful.
• Is technology ruining our social lives?
• In what ways can we promote diversity on college campuses without hurting people’s feelings or making them feel like they’re not wanted.
• How does “unlearning” racism work?
• What are some steps that can be taken to un-learn racist behaviour, thoughts, beliefs, etc.?
• Do you think white supremacy groups should have freedom of speech at university protests?”
• The meaning behind tattoos – why do so many people get tattooed now days when historically this was a sign of slavery?
• The potential causes of obesity.
• Discursive Essay on who should be in charge: the government or self-rule?
• Is it worthwhile to save endangered species from extinction?
• What are your thoughts on euthanasia and its legality around the world?
• To what extent do you think gender stereotypes affect individual lives? – Should we work towards lessening these effects, or just let them happen naturally?
• Should all restaurant workers be paid fair wages for their service (especially those who wait tables)? Why/why not? What would this mean for customers’ dining experience at restaurants if they had to pay more than usual per meal/dessert order?”
• How much does social media really impact our teenage generations today and how will that affect society as a whole in the future?
• Applying for college to an institution: What are your chances?
• The importance of education and becoming educated about the world around us.
• Gun Control essay : Why it should be allowed or not permitted.
• Should children have homework on weekends?

Discursive Essay Example

“ The Misunderstanding between Feminists and Transgender Activists over Gender Identity Politics

In our current society, it seems as though feminists are not unified on their stance towards transgender activism based solely off of gender identity politics…Or so says what many people believe without taking into account that there are two different schools of feminism which reflect differing opinions about trans* rights and inclusion within the feminist movement. Some feminists are in favor of including transgender people, while other feminists believe that trans* activism is actually a threat to the feminist movement.

The debate between these two schools of feminism has become so intense and complicated that it can be difficult for someone who is not well-versed in feminist theory to understand what they are fighting about. However, with both sides having strong arguments rooted in past experiences as women, there’s no easy way out .”

Sample 2: Discursive essay on recreational drugs

“So  why should we use recreational drugs?

Most people argue against drugs for many different reasons: moral arguments, health concerns, legal consequences, and so on. This Discursive Essay will examine all of these arguments as well as the idea that drugs are good for society in general

An argument against using recreational drugs is moral concerns because people argue they’re morally wrong; this could be challenged by saying what about alcohol? If we say some things like driving while intoxicated or drinking from a baby bottle when you’re over 18 then there’s no difference with doing illegal substances.

A health concern to consider would be physical ailments such as lung cancer which can happen after smoking weed but it also comes down to how long you smoked for and if you have any family history related problems. The second point about health is mental illnesses such as addiction which depends on individual circumstance.

Legal concerns can range from being caught with drugs in your car to possession charges, and result in fines or jail time. The third point about legal concerns is how the drug affects you which can happen even if it’s not doing anything wrong because people react differently.

Societal implications exist due to culture: some societies may be more accepting of certain substances while others have a stricter view. This may depend on who they are talking to as well and what their position was so this could create an atmosphere where someone might feel pressured into using any substance at all times just for acceptance purposes.

Moral objectives would only really matter for those within that moral objective but if there were two parties then one will think its morally right while another doesn’t see it as being wrong. Morals can be seen as subjective and so this leads to the two parties having different views on a certain action.

Facts, such as when someone is hurting themselves or others due to substance use, are objective facts that don’t rely on feelings but rather sense. When something has an effect then it will have consequences because of how its affecting them physically or mentally which means that if they continue with their actions until these consequences happen then it becomes objectively morally wrong for one’s own sake.

Situations that may affect an individual’s understanding are: personal perspectives, societal views and cultural values. These all play a role in how people understand as well because it can impact their mental state which could have different effects on what they believe to be right from wrong for them personally.

If there is no medication then this will result in negative consequences but not always – if someone takes enough of the drug then they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms like weight loss, nausea and insomnia depending on the type of substance consumed so this would need to be taken into account when writing about drugs. ”

Topic: “ Is technology good or bad ” discursive essay

Technological advances have become so widespread in society that most people will not be able to live without them. Many of these same technological advancements are also linked with the progression of information technology, which has been a major factor in shaping and defining our culture today. With this being said, it is important to ask ourselves whether or not these technologies are good for us? Or should we reconsider how we use certain aspects of technology?

This discursive Essay will discuss five possible pros and cons related specifically to the advancement of technology including social media usage, cyber bullying, reliance on cell phones as well as computer-related activities at work/at home. It will then further explore if there are any other alternatives aside from just relying on devices like laptops or mobile phones.

The pros of technology have been argued to be the convenience it brings. For example, social media has made connecting with people easier than ever before and allows us to get information without having to go out in person or look for a local newspaper article. It also provides entertainment as well as other features that make life simpler. This includes apps like weather forecasting, calculators and even online shopping.

On the flip side, there are negative aspects related to how we use some technologies today such as cyber bullying which is defined as “the new form of face-to-face abuse”. In regards to the reliance on devices like laptops or mobile phones at work/at home; this can cause laziness due to the lack of physical movement.

There are many positives that can come from the internet such as access to information, communication with people who live in different geographical locations and a vast amount of content (both useful and useless). However, we must take caution when it comes to how much time is spent online and what types of things they look at on social media sites like Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Pinterest , LinkedIn , Reddit and Youtube .

Technology has both positive aspects but also negative ones depending on which side you’re looking at it from. The awesome thing about this topic though is there’s not one answer because everyone carries their own opinion on whether it be good or bad so anyone reading these words should form an opinion themselves by critiquing my thoughts instead of just taking them as the truth .”

Discursive Essay Writing Help At Cheap Prices

This article provides practical tips on how to write a discursive essay, the structure, format, outline for this kind of academic paper as well as some topics you may want to consider when working on your own composition.

We also provide an example at the end in case you need more help with understanding what it takes to craft these types of homework essays properly.

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Argumentative Essay on Bullying

Bullying is a widespread problem in schools a positive psychological and psychological impact on students-if. It leads to short-term and long-term outcomes, including concentration problems, learning difficulties, mental problems, depression, anxiety, etc. It may consist of threats, verbal and physical abuse, sarcasm, insults, and so on. There is no consensus among scholars and educators on how such misconduct should be prevented and punished. Personally, its complexity requires a collaborative approach, which means that parents, teachers, and students themselves need to be involved. Solutions to bullying in schools vary widely. Some parents and teachers believe that the situation is not hopeless for the lives of insignificant children. Many of them have been bullied and believe it is widespread in schools.

This attitude is hazardous because it discourages children from reporting incidents of abuse and leaving them face to face with their abusers. Some schools bear a tremendous degree of responsibility for ending bullying. They do not promote this type of behavior by imposing sanctions on victims and providing psychological support to victims. Student education is another typical approach to bullying, and some educational institutions offer bullying lectures.

Collaborating with bullies can also bring good results and because these students often need psychological support to overcome anger. Teachers, parents, and students working together is the most effective approach to the problem of bullying in schools. It is not enough to give talks while parents fail to give their children adequate attention and support at home.

Similarly, sanctions will not bring long-term consequences unless students are aware of the adverse effects of their behavior and know how to stop bullying in their groups. Parental education may also be effective because some families are unemployed.

  They see the importance of the problem and may not see their children’s requirements. As a result, schools, parents, and students must collaborate to eliminate bullying and make school a safer environment.

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How to Write a Discursive Essay: Awesome Guide and Template

The term "discursive" comes from the Latin word "discursus," meaning to move around or traverse. A discursive essay reflects this by exploring multiple viewpoints and offering a thorough discussion on a specific topic.

In this article, our term paper writing service will define what a discursive essay is, distinguish it from an argumentative essay, provide practical tips on how to write one effectively, and examine essay examples to illustrate its structure and approach.

What Is a Discursive Essay

A discursive essay is a type of essay where you discuss a topic from various viewpoints. The goal is to provide a balanced analysis by exploring different perspectives. Your essay should present arguments on the topic, showing both sides to give a comprehensive view.

Features of discursive essays typically include:

• Thesis Statement: Clearly states your position or argument on the topic.
• Discussion of Perspectives: Examines different viewpoints or aspects of the issue.
• Evidence and Examples: Supports arguments with relevant evidence and examples.
• Counterarguments: Addresses opposing viewpoints to strengthen your position.
• Logical Organization: Structured to present arguments coherently and persuasively.

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How to Write a Discursive Essay

Writing a discursive essay involves examining a topic from different angles and presenting balanced viewpoints. Whether you're tackling a controversial issue or analyzing a complex subject, following these steps will help you craft a well-structured discursive essay.

1. Understand the Topic

Before you start writing, make sure you grasp the topic thoroughly. Identify key terms and concepts to clarify what you need to discuss. Consider the different aspects and perspectives related to the topic that you will explore in your essay.

2. Research and Gather Evidence

Research is crucial for a discursive essay. Gather information from reliable sources such as books, academic journals, and reputable websites. Collect evidence that supports various viewpoints on the topic. Note down quotes, statistics, and examples that you can use to strengthen your arguments.

3. Plan Your Structure

Organize your essay effectively to ensure clarity and coherence. Start with an introduction that states your thesis or main argument. Outline the main points or perspectives you will discuss in the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a different aspect or viewpoint, supported by evidence. Consider including a paragraph that addresses counterarguments to strengthen your position.

4. Write the Introduction

Begin your essay with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader's attention. Start with a hook or an intriguing fact related to the topic. Clearly state your thesis statement, which outlines your position on the issue and previews the main points you will discuss. The introduction sets the tone for your essay and provides a roadmap for what follows.

5. Develop the Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay should present a balanced discussion of the topic. Each paragraph should focus on a different perspective or argument. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Support your points with evidence, examples, and quotes from your research. Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain the flow of your argument.

6. Conclude Effectively

Wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes the main points and reinforces your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. Instead, reflect on the significance of your arguments and how they contribute to the broader understanding of the topic. End with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action, encouraging readers to consider the complexities of the issue.

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Discursive Guide Checklist

Discursive Essay Examples

Here, let’s take a look at our samples and see how different topics are discussed from different viewpoints in real discursive essays.

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Discursive Essay Topics

Here are a range of topics that encourage exploration of different perspectives and critical analysis. Choose a topic that interests you and allows for a balanced analysis of arguments and evidence.

• Should governments impose higher taxes on sugary drinks to combat obesity?
• Is homeschooling beneficial for children's education?
• Should the use of drones for military purposes be restricted?
• Should the legal drinking age be lowered or raised?
• Is online education as effective as traditional classroom learning?
• Should parents be held legally responsible for their children's actions?
• Is artificial intelligence a threat to human employment?
• Are video games a positive or negative influence on young people?
• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
• Should schools teach mindfulness and meditation techniques?
• Is cultural diversity in the workplace beneficial for companies?
• Should prisoners have the right to vote?
• Is social media addiction a real problem?
• Should plastic packaging be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives?
• Is it ethical to clone animals for agricultural purposes?
• Should the government provide subsidies for electric vehicles?
• Is privacy more important than national security?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Is renewable energy the future of our planet?
• Should parents have access to their children's social media accounts?

By the way, we also have a great collection of narrative essay topics to inspire your creativity.

What is the Difference Between a Discursive and Argumentative Essay

Discursive essays and argumentative essays share similarities but have distinct differences in their approach and purpose. While both essay types involve critical thinking and analysis, the main difference lies in the writer's approach to the topic and the overall goal of the essay—whether it aims to explore and discuss multiple perspectives (discursive) or to argue for a specific viewpoint (argumentative). Here’s a more detailed look at how they differ:

Types of Discursive Essay

Before writing a discursive essay, keep in mind that they can be categorized into different types based on their specific purposes and structures. Here are some common types of discursive essays:

Opinion Essays:

• Purpose: Expressing and supporting personal opinions on a given topic.
• Structure: The essay presents the writer's viewpoint and provides supporting evidence, examples, and arguments. It may also address counterarguments to strengthen the overall discussion.

Problem-Solution Essays:

• Purpose: Identifying a specific problem and proposing effective solutions.
• Structure: The essay introduces the problem, discusses its causes and effects, and presents possible solutions. It often concludes with a recommendation or call to action.

Compare and Contrast Essays:

• Purpose: Analyzing similarities and differences between two or more perspectives, ideas, or approaches.
• Structure: The essay outlines the key points of each perspective, highlighting similarities and differences. A balanced analysis is provided to give the reader a comprehensive understanding.

Cause and Effect Essays:

• Purpose: Exploring the causes and effects of a particular phenomenon or issue.
• Structure: The essay identifies the primary causes and examines their effects or vice versa. It may delve into the chain of events and their implications.

Argumentative Essays:

• Purpose: Presenting a strong argument in favor of a specific viewpoint.
• Structure: The essay establishes a clear thesis statement, provides evidence and reasoning to support the argument, and addresses opposing views. It aims to persuade the reader to adopt the writer's perspective.

Pro-Con Essays:

• Purpose: Evaluating the pros and cons of a given issue.
• Structure: The essay presents the positive aspects (pros) and negative aspects (cons) of the topic. It aims to provide a balanced assessment and may conclude with a recommendation or a summary of the most compelling points.

Exploratory Essays:

• Purpose: Investigating and discussing a topic without necessarily advocating for a specific position.
• Structure: The essay explores various aspects of the topic, presenting different perspectives and allowing the reader to form their own conclusions. It often reflects a process of inquiry and discovery.

These types of discursive essays offer different approaches to presenting information, and the choice of type depends on the specific goals of the essay and the preferences of the writer.

Discursive Essay Format

Writing a discursive essay needs careful planning to make sure it’s clear and flows well while presenting different viewpoints on a topic. Here’s how to structure your discursive essay:

Introduction

• Start with an interesting opening sentence to catch the reader's attention. Give some background information on the topic to show why it’s important.
• Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic, and mention that you’ll be discussing different viewpoints.

"Should genetically modified foods be more strictly regulated for consumer safety? This question sparks debates among scientists, policymakers, and consumers alike. This essay explores the different perspectives on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to give a complete view of the issues."

Body Paragraphs

• Begin each paragraph with a sentence that introduces a key point or perspective about GMOs.
• Present arguments, evidence, and examples to support each perspective. Consider the benefits, risks, and ethical issues around GMOs.
• Address possible objections or opposing viewpoints to show a balanced analysis.

"Supporters of GMOs argue that genetically engineered crops can help solve global food shortages by increasing crop yields and resistance to pests. For example, studies have shown that GMOs like insect-resistant corn have reduced the need for chemical pesticides, which benefits both farmers and the environment."

Counterarguments

• Recognize the counterarguments or concerns raised by opponents of GMOs.
• Provide reasoned responses or rebuttals to these counterarguments, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.

"However, critics of GMOs worry about potential long-term health effects and environmental impacts. They argue that there isn’t enough research to ensure the safety of eating genetically modified foods over long periods."

• Summarize the main points discussed in the essay about GMOs.
• Reinforce your thesis statement while considering the different arguments presented.
• Finish with a thought-provoking statement or suggest what should be considered for future research or policy decisions related to GMOs.

"In conclusion, the debate over genetically modified foods highlights the need to balance scientific innovation with public health and environmental concerns. While GMOs offer potential benefits for global food security, ongoing research and transparent regulation are essential to address uncertainties and ensure consumer safety."

Formatting Tips

• Use clear and straightforward language throughout the essay.
• Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain the flow of ideas.
• Use headings and subheadings if they help organize different perspectives.
• Properly cite sources when referencing research findings, quotes, or statistics.

Remember, besides writing compositions, you’ll also need to do math homework , something we can assist you with right away.

Yays and Nays of Writing Discourse Essays

In learning how to write a discursive essay, certain do's and don'ts serve as guiding principles throughout the writing process. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can navigate the complexities of presenting arguments, counterarguments, and nuanced analyses, ensuring the essay resonates with clarity and persuasiveness.

Wrapping Up

Throughout this guide, you have acquired valuable insights into the art of crafting compelling arguments and presenting diverse perspectives. By delving into the nuances of topic selection, structuring, and incorporating evidence, you could hone your critical thinking skills and sharpen your ability to engage in informed discourse. 

This guide serves as a roadmap, offering not just a set of rules but a toolkit to empower students in their academic journey. As you embark on future writing endeavors, armed with the knowledge gained here, you can confidently navigate the challenges of constructing well-reasoned, balanced discursive essays that contribute meaningfully to academic discourse and foster a deeper understanding of complex issues. If you want to continue your academic learning journey right now, we suggest that you read about the IEEE format next.

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What is a Discursive Example?

What is the difference between a discursive and argumentative essay, what are the 2 types of discursive writing.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Updated old sections including definition, outline, writing guide.
• Added new topics, examples, checklist, FAQs.
• Discursive writing - Discursive Writing - Higher English Revision. (n.d.). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpdwwmn/revision/1  
• Prepare for Exam Success: C1 Advanced self-access learning Writing Part 1 -the discursive essay Lesson summary. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/Images/583526-c1-advanced-self-access-learning-writing-part-1-discursive-essay.pdf  
• Tomeu. (n.d.). Advanced C1.1: How to write a DISCURSIVE ESSAY. Advanced C1.1. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://englishadvanced2.blogspot.com/2013/10/speakout-advanced-p-25-examples-of.html