Antithetical discussion explained using an example

Understanding the antithetical discussion

In the case of the antithetical discussion it's about examining both sides of a question, that is, examining both the pros and cons of a topic.

• Brainstorming at the beginning is important for any good discussion. Write down everything you think about, for example, "School uniform - yes or no?" occurs.
• Once you have found some points and arguments, sort the arguments that belong together and assign examples to the respective points.
• When you're done, it's especially important to write a good outline. This is so important that you will not lose your thread while you are writing. A continuous line must be recognizable in the discussion in any case.
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• As you outline the outline, make sure that you don't include examples of arguments in the outline. Find a thesis, that is, an assertion.


Discussion - student exchange

The discussion is being dealt with in your class’s German lesson and you need to ...

• Then the real writing begins. Write the introduction, body, synthesis, and conclusion to have a complete discussion.

Exemplary antithetical discussion

In the following the example topic should be: "School uniform - yes or no?"

• First of all, you need to write an introduction. Think of a good hanger for school uniforms. Either something about other countries that already have school uniforms, a current political debate on this topic or something similar to introduce the topic.
• Then the main part, being the real one argumentation goes: In an antithetical discussion, the side for which you are for must be highlighted last. So if you are in favor of school uniforms, write down the negative arguments first, and then the positive ones. If you are against school uniforms, the positive arguments come first and then the negative ones.
• It is also important that you choose the order of the arguments carefully. Because the most important argument always comes at the end of each line of argument. That is, first name the least important argument.
• Furthermore, you should build up every single argument with the four B's. First the claim, then the justification, then an example and then the reference to the claim, so that the reader can once again see what exactly the example now stood for.
• For example, if you find that it is better not to introduce school uniforms, then your line of argument could be be the following: School uniforms strengthen the sense of togetherness in a school, since all students wear the same clothing wear. Especially when you get together with other schools, you identify with your own school enormously, which is why they strengthen coexistence. Then there is another pro-argument with the same 4-B structure, which is more important than the first mentioned and just listed, such as: School uniforms switch off bullying activities.
• When you have finished the strongest argument, the turning point comes and you name all the positive arguments, starting again with the weakest. For example, first of all: School uniforms cost money, then: School uniforms promote the loss of one's own identity.
• Once you have described all the arguments here, too, comes the synthesis. Here it is important that you give a final overview of the arguments and suggest a solution. In the antithetical discussion, the synthesis is elementary. For example, say, "It is good to have common clothes for school if you can represented, but in principle each student should be given the opportunity to be individual can dress. One solution would be Casual Friday, which comes from working life, when you can wear your own clothes once a week. "
• Last but not least, the conclusion comes, so to speak, the conclusion, here it is best to refer to the introduction again and round off the topic. No arguments should be repeated here.