I had the privilege of watching Natasya teach how to write a discursive essay for a Mod C assessment. It was a valuable opportunity to observe another tutor’s approach and reflect on the different ways students can be supported in developing their writing skills. The lesson reaffirmed the importance of clear structure, careful questioning, and giving students the confidence to approach writing in a more thoughtful way.

What stood out most was the way Natasya broke the discursive essay into manageable steps. Instead of presenting it as one large task, she guided the student through the purpose of discursive writing, the importance of exploring different perspectives, and how to connect ideas in a way that feels balanced and mature. This made the task feel less overwhelming and helped show that discursive writing is not simply about arguing both sides, but about considering an issue with depth and control.

I also noticed how she used questioning to encourage the student to think more independently. Rather than simply giving answers, she prompted the student to explain their reasoning, refine their ideas, and consider how a reader might respond. This helped make the lesson feel collaborative rather than overly directed.

Overall, the lesson reaffirmed the importance of patience, modelling, and clear scaffolding. It showed how effective tutoring can make complex writing skills feel achievable while still giving students room to develop their own voice.

Nabil Harrar