Mastering the Discursive Paper: Balancing the Argument

A discursive paper is generally a critical essay based on sound evidence, providing a balanced argument that allows the reader to reach their own conclusion. Some nursing journals, including mental health nursing journals, offer authors the option of submitting a discursive manuscript for peer review and possible publication. However, the author guidelines for this genre of paper are often limited. Likewise, guidance on what constitutes a robust, discursive paper in the wider academic literature is difficult to locate. Moreover, consideration of published discursive papers in various journals suggests variations in their structure and scope. For example, some discursive papers adopt a formal, systematic approach, while others present ideas more reflectively and use the narrative form. While this lack of guidance and consistency empowers academic freedom when developing discursive papers, it can also present challenges for those seeking direction. For example, some authors may struggle to determine the right depth, tone, balance of evidence, and level of personal reflection when writing a discursive paper. Similarly, peer reviewers may need clarification on how to gauge the quality and requirements of a discursive paper.