Archive for Essay types

Critical Analysis

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

In a critical analysis, you examine and assess a work from a number of points of view. Requirements often vary by instructor or company, but you should always include the following.

  • Enough background information to familiarize your reader with the piece you’re analyzing (including the name of the author or artist) (more…)

The comparison contrast essay

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

The comparison essay reveals similarities, and the contrast essay shows differences, but the word comparison is often used to describe essays that discuss both similarities and differences.

Whenever a writer lines up two things for discussion, he will almost always be comparing and contrasting them. Never forget however, that for this essay type to be really meaningful, all the subjects must be members of the same group. A writer might profitably compare and contrast a vocational major with an academic major because both are courses of study. Another writer might effectively compare and contrast a vocational course with an industrial training program because both lead to a job. However, it is not likely that any writer could meaningfully compare and contrast an academic major with an industrial training program. When you employ the comparison/contrast mode of writing, be sure the subjects are plainly related.

There are two ways the details in a comparison paragraph may be arranged: the point-by-point pattern or the block pattern. We will examine the block pattern first because it really is quite simple. To begin, you describe the pertinent points of the first subject: then you describe the pertinent points of the other. You should always try to conclude the essay with a brief statement that brings the two into focus and restates your reason for comparing them. The block pattern is appropriate to use and easy to organize when the subjects are brief and not too complicated. The point-by-point method helps to keep the reader’s attention when the material becomes detailed or full of refinements or exceptions.

Argumentative essay

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

The term argumentative essay refers to a written attempt to present a coherent discussion of a subject with a view to defending a specific thesis. The thesis of an argumentative essay is its main conclusion: it is usually a position or point of view, but may consist of a simple statement. The key phrase in the definition is defending a specific thesis. This is what makes an essay argumentative in nature, for any attempt to defend a conclusion requires premises. An argumentative essay can thus be regarded as an extended argument.

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Admission essay

// January 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

The role of the essay in the admission process

admission essay

How important is my essay in the admission decision?

It depends. Except at the most selective schools, if your GPA and SAT scores are both remarkably high, then as long as you don’t write something patently stupid or offensive in your essays, your GPA and SAT scores will probably convince the admission committee at the school to admit you. On the other hand, if a particular school is a long-shot for you then even a great admission essay will probably not in itself persuade the admission committee to admit you. The fact is this: The closer you are to the borderline, the more significant a role your essay will play in the admission decision. (more…)

Reason Essay Outline

// January 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

Reason essay: employs reason paragraphs to explain an event, perspective, or incident

Reason Essay Outline (more…)

Persuasive essay

// January 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

Expository essays require beginning writers to come up with a main idea that announces the paper’s theme. Persuasive essays, on the other hand, require authors to develop a thesis assertion on a meaningful subject. The writers must take a risk and develop an opinion about a topic based on their own research. Once students have successfully practiced writing the various expository essays, they are ready to compose persuasive essays.

The purpose of the persuasive essay is to present a definite opinion about a controversial issue and persuade the reader to feel likewise about the subject. Writers must clearly explain their opinions in positive terms and include compelling facts and reasons to support that point of view. The persuasive essay speaks with confidence, clarity, and sincerity. It addresses reasonable opposing arguments and points out their weaknesses. The strongest point is often saved for last in a persuasive essay to prove to skeptical readers they have something to benefit by assuming the same stance.

The persuasive essay contains an introductory paragraph that includes a thesis/focus sentence, three or more supporting body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Students use the introductory paragraph to gain the reader’s attention and identify the controversy. Each of the body paragraphs begins with the writer’s position, followed by facts, reasons, and examples to support it. Rather than simply announcing (he subject of the essay, students develop an opinion about the topic based on some research they have done. Opposing sides of the issue and their weaknesses are cited, solutions proposed, and the writer’s outlook is confirmed in the conclusion.

Expository essay

// January 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Essay types

The expository essay is the academic writing assignment most often required of students, one that requires them to gather, organize, and present their thoughts about a course-related topic. Its purpose is to present information in a way that demonstrates a clear understanding of the subject. It speaks with conviction, flows logically, and uses correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. The specific purpose will vary with the assignment; it may be to explain something using reasons or examples; to identify the steps in a process; to classify, compare, or contrast; to assess cause and effect; or to argue for or against a policy or opinion. (more…)

5 Paragraph Essay

// January 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Essay types

Five paragraph essay

Introductory Paragraph

Attention-getter Introductory comments Thesis/focus sentence Plan/sequence of three main ideas (more…)