Forming your own opinion on a topic and then expressing it in an understandable way can be a challenge. The text-bound discussion is about the argumentative discussion of a very specific topic based on a source text.
Preparation of a text-based discussion
First, you’ll learn what a textual discussion is.
The discussion is one written discussion of a specific topic or a dispute. In a text-bound discussion, this is done on the basis of a foreign reference text. This text can be factual, such as a newspaper article, or an epic work. In the latter case one does not speak of a text-based, but of a literary discussion.
In addition, there is also the so-called free Discussion based on an open question. This includes, for example, the dialectic discussionwhich contrasts arguments for and against a particular position.
If you know more about the basics one discussion If you would like to know, see the «Discussion» explanation. If you are interested in the dialectical discussion, please read the article of the same name.
In the text-based discussion, preparation is particularly important. Before you start writing, you should familiarize yourself with the task and the reference text.
- Read the text carefully and mark Text passages that the core issues represented the argument. Write down your own thoughts on a separate piece of paper. You can get possible bullet points counterarguments make and examples make notes that support them. In this way, you create a collection of arguments that you then use to structure your discussion.
- Once you know the position of the writer of your reference text, decide whether you want to refute or support that position. If there are no explicit instructions in the task, you can make this decision yourself. It is best to choose the position for which you can think of many good arguments.
The operator «discuss» indicates, for example, that you have a dialectic should write a discussion. This means that you compare both positions with each other and weigh them up against each other.
Structure of a text-bound discussion
If you have now collected all the important information and decided on a specific argument, the writing process begins. Like all other essay forms, the text-bound discussion also has a specific Construction. This is divided into three main components:
- introduction
- Bulk
- Ending
Introduction to a text-based discussion
The beginning of your text should arouse interest in the reader and lead to the topic of the argument. For this you can refer to current news, studies or quotes that fit into the context of the content.
In addition, you must in the introduction some Data to your reference text. This includes:
- title
- writing person
- text type
- Publishing year
- Publisher/name of newspaper
- reason for publication
- Central theme
Body of a textual discussion
The main part is also divided into individual steps. The first step is to analyze the argumentation of the author of the reference text.
Analysis of the argument
When analyzing the reasoning of the author of the original text, it is helpful to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the central thesis of the text?
- What arguments were used? Are they conclusive and comprehensible or are there gaps and errors?
- What types of arguments are they?
The answers to these questions provide information about how the argument is structured.
Keep in mind that readers of your discussion usually do not know the reference text.
speech analysis
The second step is the language analysis. In it you examine the language used by the writer. Pay attention to:
- sentence construction
- choice of words
- rhetorical medium
- other linguistic features
Don’t forget that you are not writing a factual text analysis. Keep this part of the discussion short and stick to the essentials.
opinion
The critical comment follows. Now you have to take a position yourself and make your own arguments. If your opinion aligns with the originator’s views, confirm their thesis by backing it up with your own reasons. Don’t forget that, too examples to attach.
If you disagree with the given view, now is the time to refute the corresponding points from the reference text with your own counter-arguments.
It is also possible to only partially disagree with one statement and support some others. In this case, refute those arguments that you find inconclusive and confirm those with which you agree. Also, try to find other justifications for both sides.
Argument types in the main part
In order to be able to differentiate between the different types of justification, you should be familiar with the different types of argumentation. Not all statements should be weighted equally. The factual argument, for example, is difficult to refute, while the empirical argument only refers to personal experience and cannot be generalized
In this overview you will find the most important types of arguments:
Conclusion of a text-based discussion
In the final part of your text-based discussion, you summarize the analysis results together and come to a conclusion that follows from your own reasoning. Either deepen your criticism or your agreement here. Rate the author’s text accordingly. Is it logical and convincing?
Again, make your own position clear and give a short one outlook. Is the topic important in the future? Make predictions and point out possible solutions. You can also make an appeal to readers.
Writing a textual discussion: tips
In addition to preparing and noting the structure of a textual narrative, here are some other helpful tips to help you craft a textual narrative:
- Write your text-based discussion in the present tense.
- When expressing views of the author of your reference text, use the subjunctive.
- Divide the body of your discussion into meaningful sections. Do not only consider the break between argumentation and language analysis as well as your critical opinion. Structure your own arguments and work your way forward piece by piece. This gives your text-based discussion clarity and structure.
- Write soberly and factually throughout the text.
- Use variety in your choice of words and sentence beginnings.
- Pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Formulation aids for a text-based discussion
Do you need a little more support in formulating your arguments? Then you will find a small overview here with various formulation aids for the analysis and the statement of the main part:
- On the one hand on the other hand…
- Apart from this…
- In addition, it should be noted that…
- Although the writer makes it clear that…, it cannot be denied that…
- On one side / on the other side…
- The author is of the opinion that…
- This argument is perfectly understandable, but / however / nonetheless / however…
- Seen in a different light, it should be noted (however) that…
- The thesis / the argument of the author is to be countered with the fact…
- Another reason/argument for/against… is…
- Although the fact… speaks for / against it, so…
- Disregarded here (however)…
- Furthermore… ; Further… ; Furthermore…. ; Come in addition…
- Seen from a different perspective…
Example of a text-bound discussion
This example shows how you can use formulation aids and sentence beginnings as well as arguments changeable design:
The writer is of the opinion that School uniforms in everyday life are an «imposition» (Z. XX), since they suppress the individual personality of the students and thus have a massive impact on the development process of young people in terms of self-awareness and self-discovery.
This argument is perfectly understandable nevertheless remains unmentioned here, that a school uniform not only hides personal clothing styles from students and teachers, but also prevents the expression of poverty or wealth through status symbols, for example in the form of branded clothing.
The thesis of the writer is also to be countered by the fact …
It is important that you make it clear to the readers of your text-based explanation whether you are expressing your own opinion or that of the author. If you quote a central thesis from the original text, remember to always include the text including the page number and/or line number as indicate source.
Text-based discussion – the most important
- A text-based discussion is a written discussion of a specific topic that is based on someone else’s source text.
- Text-based discussions consist of an introduction, body and conclusion.
- The introduction serves as an introduction to the topic and should arouse the reader’s curiosity.
- In it you name the basic data of the original work (title, year of publication, text type, author) and the central topic that the author of the text deals with.
- The main part first examines the argumentation and then the language of the author of the reference text.
- You then take a position yourself and find your own arguments and examples that support your position.
- In the final part, you evaluate the reference text subjectively and give an outlook on the future in terms of the importance of the topic.
- Be sure to write your entire textual discussion factually and in the present tense.