HOW TO

STRUCTURE
A
DISCURSIVE
ANECDOTAL INTRODUCTION
KEY TECHNIQUES
1st person
Humour Describe a memory or event that prompted you to
Descriptive/figurative
language
consider the issue or topic of your piece.

Anecdote: a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or

person

KEY TECHNIQUES
PERSPECTIVE 1
1st person
Reflective tone Explore your issue or topic on a personal or
Introduce motif or local level.
extended metaphor

KEY TECHNIQUES
PERSPECTIVE 2
Quotes from research
Extend on motif or Explore your issue or topic on a more global
extended metaphor level. You might consider exploring the
Intertextual references
historical context of your issue.

KEY TECHNIQUES
PERSPECTIVE 3
Quotes from research
Extend on motif or Explore a different cultural, gendered,
extended metaphor geographical perspective on your issue.
Intertextual references

KEY TECHNIQUES ANECDOTAL CONCLUSION

Figurative language
Low modality Either return to your previous anecdote, or
Philosophical statement describe a new memory/event to show a
Cyclical structure
sense of resolution.
ANECDOTAL INTRODUCTION I remember visiting my grandparents during summer holidays. Their
house was full of old, well-loved objects, and the walls were lined with
First person perspective established shelves of books. One day, while I was bored out of my mind, my
Descriptive language
grandfather handed me an old hand-cranked radio. Exploring it was like
Issue of innovation leaning on the wisdom of the
past is introduced
uncovering forgotten wisdom, much like discovering a hidden corner of
Rhetorical question a garden, where familiar roots had quietly grown strong over time. This
Established metaphor of the garden experience got me thinking: In our relentless pursuit of the next big
Conversational tone thing, are we overlooking the value in what already works?

Consider sthe evolving landscape of Melbourne. The push for more bike
lanes and pedestrian zones has transformed the city's urban spaces.
These initiatives aren’t new; they’re akin to rediscovering perennial
PERSPECTIVE 1: LOCAL PERSPECTIVE plants in a garden. Urban planners long advocated for such community-
First person
focused designs. Melbourne’s implementation of these ideas has made
Collective pronoun ‘us’ the city more livable and sustainable, balancing bustling urban life with
Drawing on facts green, pedestrian-friendly spaces. Yet, not all aspects of the city have
Intertextual reference seamlessly integrated these practices. Some areas still cling to car-
Extension of garden metaphor centric development and the allure of modern, flashy projects,
Conversational tone
prioritising them over sustainable, community-driven designs. It’s a
reminder, as Prospero says in The Tempest, that “the past is
prologue”—the most effective innovations often come from revisiting
and nurturing the ideas that have long been there, just waiting for their
moment to grow.

This interplay between old and new also finds resonance in our
attitudes towards boredom and creativity. In the past, periods of
inactivity were seen as crucial for fostering imagination. Lin-Manuel
PERSPECTIVE 2: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Miranda, in an interview with GQ magazine, credited his unattended
First person afternoons with spurring his creativity, remarking, "there is nothing
Collective pronouns better to spur creativity than a blank page or an empty bedroom." By
Extension of intertextual reference
contrast, today’s obsession with constant stimulation and productivity
Drawing on quotes from research
Low modality often overlooks the value of such idle moments. Historically, the
Extension of garden metaphor benefits of boredom were recognised as a fertile ground where creative
Conversational tone ideas could take root. Much like Prospero, who used his exile to quietly
reflect and plan his future, we may find that stepping away from the
constant whirl of modern distractions creates space for our most
imaginative thoughts to emerge. This shift in perception underscores a
broader cultural challenge: in our pursuit of relentless innovation, we
may be undermining the very conditions that allow true creativity to
flourish.

Japan, much like a carefully cultivated garden, demonstrates that

innovation doesn’t always mean uprooting the old. The tea ceremony,
PERSPECTIVE 3: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE for instance, is a centuries-old tradition focused on simplicity and
mindfulness. In a society renowned for its rapid technological growth,
Drawing on real world examples this ritual reminds us that progress can also come from nurturing
Low modality what’s already planted. It’s similar to Seoul’s Samcheong Park Library,
Extension of garden metaphor designed as a space where people can escape technology and
Conversational tone
reconnect with simplicity. These cultural “gardens” of tradition offer a
different kind of innovation—one that grows from the past rather than
racing to reinvent everything. As with any thriving garden, sometimes
the key isn’t adding new plants but tending to the ones already there.

Thinking back to that summer with my grandfather, I realise now that

ANECDOTAL CONCLUSION
the radio wasn’t just a gadget; it was a lesson in finding value in the
First person
Collective pronouns familiar. True innovation doesn’t always mean chasing the latest and
Subtle calls to actin greatest. Sometimes, it’s about looking back, appreciating what’s
Low modality already there, and adapting it to meet today’s needs. As we move
rhetorical questiom forward, let's not forget the wisdom that comes from our past. After all,
Extension of garden metaphor sometimes the best way to innovate is to remember where we’ve been.
Rule of three
And who knows? Maybe the next big thing is already sitting in your
Cyclical structure
garden, waiting to bloom.
 ANECDOTAL INTRODUCTION

First person perspective

Descriptive/figurative language
Introduce big issue
Consider establishing extended metaphor
Conversational/humourous tone

PERSPECTIVE 1: LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

Drawing on facts/local perspectives

Intertextual reference
Introduce or continue extended
metaphor
Maintaining figurative language

PERSPECTIVE 2: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Drawing on broader perspectives,

quotes from research
Extension of intertextual reference
Extended metaphor/motif continued

PERSPECTIVE 3: GLOBAL/DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE

Drawing on further real world

examples
Extension of metaphor on a larger
scale
Scope to consider differing
cultural/historical perspectives

ANECDOTAL CONCLUSION

First person
Collective pronouns
Figurative language
Link back to introduction
Philosophical statement