Is there a specific essay theory for the grammar school exam?
As part of the preparation for the grammar school exam (Gymi exam), candidates and parents often ask whether there is a specific essay theory for the Gymi exam, i.e. whether the essays in the grammar school exam should be written differently to essays in other settings, such as in standard German lessons, university studies or in certain professions such as the media.
In the following article, we answer the questions of what essay theory is, what an essay is and whether there is a special essay theory for the grammar school exam. Finally, we explain how you can learn or practise essay writing
Start an essay course for essay training now!
Table of content:
- What is essay theory?
- What is an essay?
- What types of essay are there?
- Essay training with essay tool and essay course
What is essay theory?
Essay theory - also known as ‘essay theory German’ - refers to the systematic approach to the type of written texts that are produced in German lessons at school, at university or in various professions, for example in the media sector.
The different types of essay can differ in terms of the subject matter, the purpose of the text, the text structure, the linguistic means (e.g. tenses), the way in which the topic is developed (e.g. reporting, narrative, descriptive, argumentative), but also in other respects.
However, there is no special essay theory that applies specifically to the grammar school examination (Gymi exam).
Rather, the widespread systematic definitions of essay theory, which essay types exist and how an essay of the respective essay type should be written, can be applied to all areas in which essays are written.
There is therefore a universal essay theory for school, university and work, which also applies to German essay writing, for example in the grammar school entrance examination (Gymi exam).
What is an essay?
According to general essay theory, an essay is a text that is written on a specific topic. In a school essay, this topic is usually specified by the task setter, whereby the type of essay often has to be derived from the task. Among other things, the structure in detail, the way the topic is developed and the linguistic means depend on the type of essay, although there are also similarities between the essay types.
The rough structure of most essays can be divided into three parts, regardless of the type of essay:
- Introduction (5 - 10 per cent)
- Main body (80 - 90 per cent)
- Conclusion (5 - 10 per cent)
What types of essay are there?
According to essay theory, a distinction is made between the following types of essay:
- Report
- Letter
- Narrative
- Argumentation
- Statement
- Description
- Discussion
- Summary
- Characterisation
- Essay
- Review
- Short story
- Interpretation
However, not all types of essay need to be mastered in the grammar school examination. That would be too much to ask, as the above list is not exhaustive; there are a number of other types of essay.
The following types of essay are important for the Gymi exam in Zurich and we have categorised some important characteristics according to essay theory:
| Report | Narrative | Argumentation | Statement | Description | Letter | |
| Subspecies | Damage report, accident report, experience report, newspaper report, etc. | Narrative core narrative, continuation narrative, stimulus word story, experience narrative, fantasy story, etc. | Statement, narrative with statement | Stellungnahme, Erzählung mit Stellungnahme | Person description, object description, animal description, process description, route description, etc. | Personal letter, thank you note, invitation, official letter, etc. |
| Type of topic development | Related to an event, written for the purpose; factual, not emotional | Increasing tension up to a peak; emotional | Objective example arguments (pros and cons) and own opinion at the end; convincing | Personal example arguments (pros and cons) and own opinion at the end; convincing | Related to person, object, animal, process; factual, descriptive, partly explanatory | The information communicated depends on the recipient; depending on the addressee, it can be emotional, grateful, friendly or factual; the polite form (Sie-form) must be used for official letters |
| Linguisticmeans | Basically past tense; use of indirect speech, do not use direct speech | Basically past tense; use of direct speech, for example in conversations | Present tense, give examples and evidence | Present tense, give examples and evidence | Present tense, use of the passive voice, making lists | In principle in the present tense; when recounting the past in the past tense |
Start your essay training course now!
The description essay type is usually not a separate essay type in the Gymi exam, but part of other essay types. .
Caution should be exercised with fantasy stories, which should only be chosen in the grammar school exam if you are sure that you are good at telling fantasy stories. In our experience, fantasy stories are either rated as very good or very bad by the examiners; there is usually no middle ground here.
You may also be interested in the following article with specific tips on how to use essay writing: ‘How do I write a good essay?’
Essay training with essay tool and essay course
Mastering essay writing is not just about getting a good grade at school or passing the grammar school exam in order to transfer to grammar school. By practising essay writing, you also acquire writing skills for the time after school, which is important in many professions.
In addition to journalists and bloggers, who often write reports and discussions, as well as the many influencers who tell picture stories or create videos according to a written script, many other professional groups also need to be practised in essay writing.
Just think of police officers and expert witnesses who have to write reports and descriptions. Or judges, who often have to discuss in a judgement which legal opinion or which legal arguments speak for or against the conviction.
Here we have compiled a list of professions in which a high level of writing skills is required, although this list is not exhaustive:
- Journalist
- Content writer
- Blogger
- Influencer
- Copywriter
- Translator
- Police officer
- Judge
- Public prosecutor
- Expert witness
- Secretary
- Doctor
- Medical typist
You can practise writing good essays. On the one hand, it is advisable to write essays regularly and then have them corrected. The tutoring institute Lern-Forum offers the right solution for this with the so-called essay tool, which you can use to upload your essays and then have them corrected by professionals.
It is also advisable to take part in special essay courses. These are also offered by Lern-Forum. In the essay courses, essay writing is explained and practised by experienced teachers.
Attend an essay course for essay training now!
And don't forget: Use the essay tool for professional essay correction!
Sources
https://www.lern-forum.ch/en/gymnasium-preparation-zurich/essay-training/registration
https://www.lern-forum.ch/en/e-learning/essay-training/how-to-write-an-essay
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_witness
https://www.lern-forum.ch/en/e-learning/essay-correction
Multicheck-Kosten: Was kostet der Multicheck-Test?
Wie hoch sind die Multicheck-Kosten? Was der Multicheck-Test kostet und welche Kosten bei der Multicheck-Vorbereitung entstehen können, erfährst du hier.
Das duale Bildungssystem der Schweiz bietet Chancen - nicht für alle
Das duale Bildungssystem in der Schweiz: eine Chance für einige, aber nicht für alle: wir erklären die Bedeutung vom dualen Bildungssystem und seine Vorteile.
Ab wann sollte man mit der Gymivorbereitung beginnen?
Ab wann Gymivorbereitung beginnen in Zürich? Für das Langzeitgymnasium in der 4. Klasse und für das Kurzgymnasium spätestens in der 1. Sekundarklasse.