Writing thoughtful discussion posts can help you reflect on course materials deeper and interact with other students during online education. You can find a simple discussion board post format below. It will help you engage in a conversation critically and express your opinions fast.
1. Start with a Clear Introductory Sentence
While responding on forums, create an introductory sentence that presents your position on the topic or a clear response to the question. It is better to avoid general information and broad focus. Narrow down your point of view. Because of such narrow focus, discussion board post format appears as a thoughtful expression of your reasoning backed by evidence and connection to course resources.
2. Present Evidence from Your Research and Course Resources
In response to the prompt, use citations for the credibility of your claims. Connecting to course resources will strengthen your knowledge of the course. Finding relevant and credible sources online and citing them will improve your research skills.
3. Connect Evidence and Your Point
Evaluate what you have learned from the course and how course materials have changed your point or strengthened it.
Writing in discussion board post format can help you check your understanding and knowledge of the topic, course concepts, or theories. Thus, make your post as concise as possible.
4. End with a Question for Peers
When writing a question, ask yourself the following question so what? Consider what insights you have got from the course and what is left unclear or unanswered.
React to responses provided by peers in online discussions of topics. Consider strong and weak points of their responses. It is similar to live seminars, forums, or classroom interaction.
5. Discussion Post Components and Length
You can write between 250-1,000 words using PEEL (point-evidence-evaluation-link) structure. However, end your discussion with a question for peers based on insights you have gained.
Overall, include the following parts:
- Introductory sentence,
- Evidence backing up your claim,
- Link between your view and evidence,
- Relation to the course,
- Question for peers.
Discussion board posts differ from other types of academic papers in their simple outline:
- The absence of formal introduction,
- No thesis statement,
- The absence of formal conclusion,
- A direct answer to the discussion question,
- Support with evidence from reliable sources,
- The use of first-person singular pronouns only if personal reflection and experience are needed,
- Formal tone and style of writing,
- Introductory and concluding sentences for paragraphs,
- Respect in responses to peers.
Although an introduction and conclusion are not necessary, but a discussion board post should start with an introductory sentence and end with a concluding one and a question.
Overall, write to the point. Remember that the most important task is to present your knowledge of the topic within the defined word limit. Therefore, it requires expressing ideas directly.
For example, when you are asked to discuss treatment options for a specific disease in nursing, do not describe the disorder itself, but start writing directly on treatment methods. Right in the first sentence, present these by enumerating. Then discuss each option with support, using in-text citations.
Use first-person singular pronouns only if you are to give your personal opinion and experience. Interact with others posting their responses.
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Updated on May 16, 2025
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