Cécile Lerch
The essay is an important part of the Gymnasium entrance exam. It accounts for a quarter of the total grade, especially in the entrance exam for short-term Gymnasium. That's why it's worth knowing exactly what's important when writing a good essay. In this article, we'll show you what to look out for and give you helpful tips on how to score as many points as possible in this part of the exam.
Duration You have 90 minutes.
Length You should write about 1.5-2 pages.
What types of essays are there in the Gymnasium exam?
- Narrative You act as the narrator and develop a story with a clear structure. This means you write a beginning, a middle, and an end. The aim is to create suspense and interesting characters. The story should follow a common thread.
- Description You describe people, places, or events in as much detail as possible. The aim is to give the reader a vivid and accurate picture by appealing to different senses. You use language that is rich in adjectives.
- Report This essay is similar to a newspaper article or a non-fiction book. You provide factual and objective information about an event or topic without expressing your personal opinion or judgment.
- Argumentation An argument is a type of text that aims to present a specific thesis or opinion on a topic in a convincing manner. It is supported by logical arguments that are backed up with examples, evidence, or quotations.
Typical essay topics for the Gymnasium entrance exam
You will receive either a detailed assignment, a picture, or a text as the basis for your essay. To give you an idea of what the assignment will look like, we have listed some typical essay topics here. These assignments are from the 2023 Zurich short-term Gymnasium entrance exam:
Topic 1 Waste and recycling
What does the picture show about how we deal with waste and recycling? Discuss
possible problems and opportunities and summarize your opinion at the end.
Image: Paul Langrock/Zenit/laif
Topic 2: Away from home
Describe a situation in which you spent the night alone in an unfamiliar environment without your family.
Make it clear what you were feeling when you were away from home at night.
Topic 3: Changing Switzerland
What would you change in Switzerland? In the main section, explain a
specific idea and describe what you hope to achieve with it.
Topic 4: A promise is a promise
Explain exactly what a promise is. In the main part, use an appropriate
example to argue and explain
whether, in your opinion, a promise can be broken in
a particular situation or not.
Tips for preparing for the essay
- Read the topic carefully and pay close attention to the task.
- Then think about a rough outline: What do you want to say in the introduction? What arguments or examples will you use in the main part? And how will you round off your essay in the conclusion?
- Practice makes perfect – so write sample essays regularly. Have other people read them and give you feedback. This will help you identify what you are already good at and where you can improve.
- Also, create a study plan for writing essays. Familiarize yourself with the different types of texts and practice with short tests and exercises.
You can also learn all this with our preparatory course for the entrance to the short-term Gymnasium. We will show you step by step how to structure a successful essay, which types of texts are written in which styles, and what you need to pay particular attention to when writing. You will also learn what makes a good paragraph and what typical mistakes you should avoid. In addition, we will review all the important grammar and theory you need for the language exam.
Tips for a good essay
- Divide your essay into an introduction, main body, and conclusion: An essay always consists of an introduction that introduces the topic, a main body that elaborates on the topic in detail, and a conclusion that summarizes and rounds off the topic.
- Make meaningful paragraphs and transitions: Each paragraph should contain a clear thought. Use transitions and connecting words to ensure a flowing text.
- Create a “common thread”: The text should have a logical connection throughout, with each section building on the previous one in a meaningful way without straying from the topic.
- Pay attention to chronological or logical sequences: In a narrative, the text often follows a chronological sequence, while reports and descriptions follow logical structures (e.g., from general to specific).
- Stick to the text type: Make sure you adhere to the characteristics of the respective text type—narratives are story-like and exciting, reports are factual and objective.
Sample essay for the Gymnasium entrance exam
We have written a sample essay on topic 4:
A promise is an integral part of our social fabric. It expresses trust, reliability, and a sense of responsibility. But even though a promise is binding, there are situations in which one might ask: Must a promise really be kept under all circumstances? In the following, I would like to explain what a promise is and use three arguments to illustrate when and why it may be broken under certain circumstances.
A promise is a voluntary commitment. When you make a promise, you signal to the other person that you are reliable. Trust is the foundation of every relationship, and promises help to strengthen that trust. That is why promises should always be taken seriously and kept. Nevertheless, there are situations in which circumstances change drastically. A promise that made sense at one moment may have negative consequences later on. For example, if someone asks for confidentiality, but this puts themselves or others at risk. In such cases, it may be morally imperative to break the original promise in order to prevent greater harm. In extreme situations, the welfare of people must take precedence over the obligation of a promise. If keeping a promise would put someone in serious danger, then it is more responsible to break the promise. Responsibility means not only thinking about one's own honor, but also about the consequences of one's actions for others.
A promise is an important symbol of trust and should not be made or broken lightly. However, there are situations in which breaking a promise is right and necessary, namely when the well-being and safety of people are at stake. Ultimately, true responsibility is demonstrated not only by keeping promises, but also by making wise and compassionate decisions in difficult cases.
Why is this text good?
- Topic reference: The text clearly focuses on the topic of “promises” and the question of whether they can be broken.
- Relevance: The statements are factual, correct and thematically relevant.
- Coherence: There is a clear common thread from the introduction through three arguments to the conclusion.
- Text pattern: The text form of an argumentative discussion is correctly implemented.
- Clarity: The text uses understandable examples that bring the topic to life.
- Grammar & Spelling: No errors in spelling or grammar.
- Punctuation: Punctuation is correct and supports the flow of reading.
- Word choice: Appropriate, precise, in places even stylistically appealing.
- Sentence structure: Varied sentence structures, no monotonous flow of language.
- Linguistic devices: Occasional rhetorical questions and contrasts that make the topic more exciting.
Conclusion
A good essay needs more than just a good idea; it thrives on structure, linguistic precision, and clear expression. This blog article provides a concise overview of what matters in the Gymnasium entrance exam: confident knowledge of essay types, adherence to formal rules, and targeted practice. With practical tips and examples, you will be optimally prepared for the exam and get the most out of the essay section.
