Erörterung schreiben I musstewissen Deutsch

Main ideas / concepts

A discussion essay is an essay where you take and justify a position on a topic—an opinion you already have, but structured and written down.

There are several types of discussion essays:

• Controversial (dialectical) discussion essay: usually framed as a yes/no or “should…?” question. You weigh pros and cons, then decide and try to convince the reader.
• Linear discussion: often framed with a “why…” style question. You discuss only one side (usually only pro arguments).
• Text-based discussion: you take a position on a text you read beforehand.

Methodology / step-by-step instructions (7 steps)

Step 1: Brainstorming

You need: scrap paper + pen + your brain.

Generate ideas for both sides:

• Make a mind map or similar.
• Ask what supports and what contradicts your topic.
• Use possible sources/triggers:
  • whether tablets are used in class,
  • what you’ve seen on YouTube/TV,
  • personal experience.

If you get stuck (emergency tips):

• Ask parents, siblings, friends, or Google.
• Ensure you can understand their ideas and present them credibly as your own.

Example topic used:

• Should all books and notebooks be replaced by tablets?

Example pro/con ideas (for that topic):

• Pros: advantages, always having everything, lighter bag, environmentally friendly
• Cons: loss of writing skills, technical defects, more distractions

Step 2: Organizing

• Sort notes into:
  • arguments for tablets vs. arguments against tablets
• Use a table:
  • one side for pro, one side for con
• Number arguments by strength:
  • strongest vs. weakest
• Decide early:
  • Are you for or against tablets?

Step 3: Introduction (3–4 sentences)

• Purpose: grab attention and make the reader interested.
• Keep it short: 3–4 sentences max (crucial for impact).
• Use a strong “hook,” e.g.:
  • a current event (something being discussed, a school policy change, a recent film),
  • personal experience,
  • a quote, statistic, or study from a credible source.

Emergency tip #2:

• One of the “new trend / everyday life / internet is everywhere” style sentences is often effective.

• Include the question, but:

  • do not state your opinion yet (save it for later).

Step 4: Main body (with memory-based ordering)

Use the psychological idea: the last thing you read is remembered most.

Reordering strategy

1. List the opposing position’s counterarguments first (the side you don’t support).
   • Start with the strongest counterarguments so the reader remembers them.
2. Then present your position.
   • Start with the weaker arguments and save the “wow”/strongest argument for the very end.

Additional rules

• Put thematically similar arguments together to keep the reasoning coherent.
• Justify every argument, not just claim it:
  • Explain clearly what you mean.
  • Best support: examples and/or evidence from statistics/studies.
• For opposing arguments too, use justification language (e.g., “This argues for/against… because…”).
• Use connecting phrases (e.g., “It is closely linked to this, and so on.”).

Tone and language rules

• Neutral formulation
• Avoid first-person (“I”) during the main part
• Avoid emotional arguing; be objective

Quantity guidance

• 3–5 arguments per position is typically enough (unless the teacher specifies otherwise).
• Your position should include one or two more arguments than the opposing side to be more convincing.

Step 5: Conclusion

In a few sentences:

• Summarize the most important points from the main body
• Do not introduce new arguments
• Answer the original question with your opinion

Best practice:

• Refer back to the main idea of the introduction to “round off” the text.

Optional addition:

• Add a short outlook (future development), if desired.

(Here, first person is allowed, since you are stating your final stance.)

Step 6: Review and proofreading

• Read through everything again.
• Make corrections.
• (The video also mentions a summary/check section later.)

Step 7: Finalizing

• Finish the essay.
• (Light-hearted closing: relax and be satisfied with your work.)

Speakers / sources featured

• Speaker/creator: the video narrator/teacher-like presenter (no name provided in the subtitles).
• Sources mentioned (not directly quoted as specific publications):
  • “Researchers” who “actually proved” the memory effect (no specific study named)
  • “Studies/statistics online” used as possible evidence (no specific studies named)
  • “Newspapers” as a possible source for the introduction hook (no specific newspaper named)