Write the discussion using the ping-pong principle

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When writing a discussion, there are several strategies you can use to support your own positions and arguments. The so-called ping-pong principle has a particularly lively effect, but when using it you should pay attention to various things.

Positions and opposing positions appear alternately.
Positions and opposing positions appear alternately.

What is the ping pong principle?

When structuring a discussion one can proceed either in a linear or in a dialectical way. The ping-pong principle is a dialectical approach that can be understood as follows.

  • Dialectical means that when writing a discussion using the ping-pong principle, two fundamentally different points of view or lines of argument are juxtaposed.
  • The ping-pong principle differs from the so-called hourglass principle in that you have the Pro and one con arguments are not divided into two blocks, but alternate between them presents.
  • The ping-pong principle is similar to a real dialogue, in which speech and counter-speech alternate, which gives the discussion a very lively character.

How to structure the discussion properly

The main difficulty in writing a discussion using the ping-pong principle is always to find suitable transitions from one argument to the next. It works best if you follow these steps.

Outline: linear discussion - informative

A discussion is a special form of essay. In contrast to …

  1. First write down on a separate piece of paper in note form and in any order the arguments of the opposing position and look for your own arguments to support them invalidate.
  2. Then put the individual sections of the argument in such an order that your strongest argument emerges last in the discussion and thus the most lasting impression leaves behind.
  3. Then you only need the individual opposing positions together with your arguments to invalidate them in formulate the worked out order in order to ensure a well-structured discussion based on the ping-pong principle obtain.

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