The Essay

A composition is writing that develops an idea, concept or thesis.   If the composition is long (a book or report, for examples), it is divided into sections or chapters which, in turn, are divided into paragraphs.   An essay is a relatively short composition that makes a single point and gets to it quickly.   Therefore, it is divided only into paragraphs.

1. Most essays are short enough to be read at one sitting.   Therefore, every word and sentence must count.   Chop out the unnecessary words.   Make every sentence just right.   This process is not easy; it is hard work!

2. An essay gets to the point quickly.   Readers should know right away why they should read this essay.   Be sure to state the purpose of the essay in the first or second paragraph. ^{Marius 23}   For example, see the first two paragraphs in the poverty essay.   The first paragraph incites the reader's attention.   the second paragraph introduces and states the thesis of the essay clearly at the end of the paragraph.

1. An informative (explanatory, expository) essay explains an idea or concept.   It can do this in four ways:

      a. A summary restates the main points of a composition without any judgements.

      b. A comparison indicates the similarities and differences among two or more compositions.

    c. An evaluation (critique) judges the effectiveness of a composition and explains your agreement or disagreement.

      d. A synthesis combines compositions of various authors for a specific purpose.

2. A persuasive (argumentative) essay attempts to influence opinion, or incite to action.

3. A descriptive essay describes a person, place or thing.

4. A narrative essay tells a story.

5. An entertaining essay makes the reader feel happy.

An essay is broken down into three types of paragraphs: introductory, body, and concluding.

1. The introductory paragraph(s) introduces the central idea or thesis of the essay.   It can do this in several ways:

- Use a simple, definitive statement.

- Ask a question.

- Tell a very short story.

- Describe a scene.

- Use a quotation.

- Use a dictionary definition.

- Give historical background.

- Give a justification.

- Give an outline.

Informative and persuasive essays include a topic sentence, called a thesis, somewhere in the introductory paragraph(s) that tells what the essay is about.   See the second paragraph of the essay on poverty.   The other types of essays usually do not have a topic sentence.

2. The body paragraphs develop the thesis.   It can do this in several ways:

      a. Chronological: present items as they happen over time.

      b. Spatial: present items in relationships within a place or setting.

      c. Importance: present items in a hierarchy or ranking.

    d. Cause & effect: present items as reason and result, motive and reaction,

      e. Stimulus and response.

      f. Compare & contrast: measure items against one another to show how they are alike and how they are different.

Body paragraphs can end with transitional sentences that make it easier for the reader to move from one paragraph to the other and still retain his/her focus on the thesis.

3. The concluding paragraph echoes the thesis without repeating it.   It drives the thesis home and perhaps suggests its significance.   It concludes swiftly.   See the poverty essay concluding paragraph for an example.

- It is written for a specific audience.

- It is relatively short and usually can be read in one sitting.

- It gets to its main point quickly.

- I stays on its subject to the end.

- It has unity.   All of its paragraphs work together toward the same goal.

- It has coherence.   It has clear links (connections) among each of its paragraphs.

- It is well-developed.   All paragraphs provide details important for developing the thesis.   Some parts are subordinated to others.

- It is interesting.   The reader wants to continue reading it.

- It cites sufficient evidence, both supportive and contradictory.

- It uses logical reasoning.

- It uses correct grammar.

- It is neat.