Chapter 16

Types of Essays, Part 1

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The illustration essay is frequently used in college writing and in business.

For history, health, psychology, and English, you will be asked to develop a main point with examples.

In your jobs, you will write reports that include examples.

In a job application cover letter, you might give examples of achievements that demonstrate your special skills.

The Illustration Essay

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The thesis statement in an illustration essay states the writer’s central point—a general statement that the rest of the essay will develop with examples.

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Often a writer will notice specific examples first, see a pattern, and then come upwith a generalization – a thesis statement or topic sentence.

Examine these photographs of houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Can you make any general statements about Wright’s houses, based just on these examples?

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA. The Robie House, Chicago, IL.

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1. Role models (positive or negative)2. Failure as an effective teacher3. Qualities (or skills) that many employers look for4. TV shows that send a violent (hopeful, or other) message5. Everyday action steps to protect the environment6. Three people in the news who exemplify honesty or commitment

to principles7. The skills, values, or traits that would make your friend a good

store manager (police officer, cartoonist, and so forth)8. Musicians or artists of a particular type (R&B, tropical Latin,

surrealist, French impressionist, and so on) or three works by the same artist

9. Experiences that shaped your attitudes toward education (or family or work)

10.Unusual places to go on dates (or to study, de-stress, get married, and so on)

Suggested Topics for Illustration Essays

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The narrative essay (telling a story) is used frequently in college writing.

In history, you might write a paper on the major battles in World War I or an essay about the struggle of women to gain the right to vote.

In English you might write a composition retelling a meaningful incident or personal experience.

In police work, nursing, and social work, your ability to organize facts and details in clear chronological order—to tell a story well—will be a crucial factor in the effectiveness of your writing.

The Narrative Essay

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The thesis statement of a narrative essay usually gives the point of the essay.

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1. A favorite family story or a story from your ethnic tradition2. An immigrant’s journey3. The story behind a key scientific discovery or invention4. How you chose your major or career path5. Someone’s battle with a serious illness6. An important historical event7. The plot line of a movie or TV show you would like to produce8. The story of someone who inspires you (based on an interview you

conduct)9. Learning a new language (or other subject or skill)10.An unforgettable incident you witnessed

Suggested Topics for Narrative Essays

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Although paragraphs of description are more common than whole essays, you will sometimes need to write a descriptive essay.

In science labs, you may need to describe cells under a microscope

In business, you might need to describe a product, a piece of equipment, or the behavior of consumers in a test group.

In social work, medicine, and psychology, case notes require precise description.

You already use your descriptive powers in personal e-mails and letters.

The Descriptive Essay

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The thesis statement of a descriptive essay says what will be described and often gives an overall impression of it or tells how the writer will approach the subject.

11Skeleton in finery for Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Like a photograph, a good description creates a vivid picture.

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1. The rituals and decorations of a holiday you know well2. A place that people don’t want to see, such as a public

dump, a prison, or a very poor neighborhood3. The scene of a historic event or battle as you imagine it4. A lively public place, such as a campus hang-out, a

fitness center, or a dance club5. A tourist attraction or a place of natural beauty6. Your present or future workplace, including setting,

people, and action7. A computer, vehicle, or piece of equipment from your

job8. Your family portrait9. The settings and costumes of a movie you admire10.A scene you will never forget

Suggested Topics for Descriptive Essays

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The process essay is frequently used in college and business.

Process essays explain how to do something or describe how something works (or how something happened).

In psychology, you might describe the stages of a child’s moral development.

In history, you might explain how a battle was won or lost.

In business, you might set forth the steps of an advertising campaign.

In medicine, science, and technology, you must understand and perform numerous biological and technical processes.

The Process Essay

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The thesis statement in a process essay tells the reader what process the rest of the essay will describe.

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Look at this poster called The Illiterate. The picture seems to compare someone who cannot read and write with a blindfolded man walking off a cliff. What does the picture say about being illiterate? Does it accurately define illiteracy? Do you know anyone who is illiterate? If you were writing an essay called The Illiterate, how would you explain the term?

The Illiterate by Aleksei Radakov.

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Study this diagram showing that heart disease is actually a process. Read about the four stages of heart disease.

Heart disease is a process affecting 16,800,000 Americans.

Stage 1. Normal arteries are healthy and open. Stage 2. Cholesterol begins to be deposited in a damaged or inflamed artery wall. Stage 3. Cholesterol continues to build up, narrowing the artery. Stage 4. The artery becomes so clogged that a blood clot can block it, causing heart attack or stroke.

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1. A process that will help new students at your college (how to register, how to drop or add courses, how to meet people on campus, how to apply for financial aid, and so on)

2. How to get action on a community problem3. How to begin tracing your family’s genealogy4. How to teach a child a skill or value5. How to perform a procedure at your workplace (help an elderly person

dress, make a Hollandaise sauce, handle a crime scene, and so on)6. How to set up a program or piece of technology (such as a cell phone, e-

mail, a website, or a blog)7. The yearly cycle of a crop (corn, wheat, oranges, cocoa, and so on)8. How to impress the boss (in-laws, professor, person you are dating)9. An important process you learned in another course (stages of human

moral development, how a lake becomes a meadow, and so on)10.How to get an A in___________________________________________

Suggested Topics for Process Essays

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Although paragraphs of definition are more common in college and the workplace than whole essays are, you may have to write a definition essay.

In a computer course, you might be called on to define a network or database.

In psychology, you might need to define the Oedipus complex, or in biology, the terms DNA or stem cells.

Sometimes defining a term people think they know—like work ethic or acquaintance rape—can be illuminating.

The Definition Essay

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The thesis statement of a definition essay tells the reader what term will be defined and usually defines it briefly as well.

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1. A special term from sports, technology, business, art, or psychology

2. An environmental term (global warming, endangered species, recycling, deforestation, and so on)

3. A friend4. Poverty5. Immigrant6. Maturity7. A disease or medical condition, such as diabetes, autism,

depression, or alcoholism8. A slang term in current use9. A term from another language or culture (salsa, joie de vivre,

manga, machismo, and so on)10.Hate (for ideas, see What is Hate? http://www.media-

awareness.ca/english/issues/online_hate/index.cfm)

Suggested Topics for Definition Essays

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EXPLORING ONLINE

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/narrative.htm

Interesting tips on writing narratives and descriptions, with professional examples

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Chapter 17

Types of Essays, Part 2

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Essays of comparison or contrast are frequently called for in college courses.

In an English or a drama class, you might be asked to contrast two of Shakespeare’s villains.

In psychology, you might have to contrast the training of the clinical psychologist and that of the psychiatrist.

In history, you may be asked to compare ancient Greek and Roman religions.

The Comparison and the Contrast Essay

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The thesis statement of a comparison or contrast essay tells what two persons or things will be compared or contrasted.

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Comparing and contrasting two things requires concentration and focus. A few moments of thought usually are not enough to perceive all the similarities or differences. In a small group, practice paying close attention: study these two photographs until you spot three differences between them.

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1. Your mother’s or father’s childhood and your own2. Two cultural attitudes about one subject3. A neighborhood store and a chain store (bookstore,

restaurant, music store, and so on)4. Two politicians, entertainers, athletes, public figures,

artists, or historical figures5. Your expectations about parenthood (a job, or college) vs

the realities6. Two different social networking websites (like Facebook

and MySpace)7. A traditional doctor and an alternative healer8. Two views on a controversial issue9. A book and a movie based on that book10.Two job or career options you are considering

Suggested Topics for Compare/Contrast Essays

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The classification essay is useful in college and business.

In music, you might have to classify Mozart’s compositions according to the musical periods of his life.

A retail business might classify items in stock according to popularity–how frequently they must be restocked.

All plants, animals, rocks, and stars are classified by scientists.

Libraries classify and display books according the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

The Classification Essay

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The thesis statement in a classification essay tells the reader what group will be classified and on what basis.

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1. Members of your family2. People studying in the library3. Your monthly expenses4. Your coworkers5. College students’ attitudes toward plagiarism6. Dog owners7. Job options in your career field8. Teenagers whom you interview (about the value

of education, hope about the future, or other subject)

9. Items in your desk drawer, handbag, or car trunk10.Drivers

Suggested Topics for the Classification Essay

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Essays of cause and effect are among the most important kinds of essays to master.

Knowing how to analyze causes and consequences of events will helpyou succeed in college, at work, and in your personal life.

What caused a historic battle, an increase of homelessness, or a friendship breaking apart?

How will a certain child be affected by owning a computer, spending time at Day Care, or being teased because he loves to dance?

In business, the success of every company and product relies on a grasp of cause and effect in the marketplace: Why does this brand of smart phone outsell all others? What causes employees to want to work hard? How will the Internet affect business in 2030?

The Cause and Effect Essay

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The thesis statement of a cause and effect essay identifies the subject and tells whether causes or effects will be emphasized.

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Study this famous painting by Pablo Picasso, called “Guernica.” The painting depicts the bombing of the town of Guernica, Spain in 1937, and it is widely thought to be a brilliant depiction of the effects of war. What are these effects?

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1. What are the reasons why you are attending college?2. What are the reasons for the popularity of a certain product,

musical group, or game?3. What caused you to do something you are (or are not) proud of?4. Analyze the main causes of a problem in society (like child abuse

or teen pregnancy).5. What causes a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster?6. Choose an event in history that interests you and analyze its

causes.7. What are the effects of shyness on someone’s life (or pride, rage,

curiosity or the lack of it)?8. Write a letter urging a young person not to make a bad choice

with serious negative consequences (such as joining a gang or dropping out of school).

9. What are the effects of a new experience (a trip, military service, living in another country, dorm life)?

10.What are the effects of a divorce, death, or other loss?

Suggested Topics for the Cause and Effect Essay

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Persuasive essays are the essay type most frequently called for in college, business, and daily life.

You will often be asked to take a stand on an issue—censorship on the Internet, whether a company should invest in on-site child care, or whether a new super-store will help or hurt your community—and then try to persuade others to agree with you.

Examination questions asking you to “agree or disagree” are really asking you to take a position and make a persuasive case for that position—for example, “The election of President Barack Obama signals an end to racism in the United States. Agree or disagree.”

The Persuasive Essay

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The thesis statement in a persuasive essay clearly states the issue to be discussed and the writer’s position on it.

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Look closely at this public service advertisement. Like many ads, this one is trying to persuade the viewer to adopt or agree with a certain view. Write down the ad’s “thesis statement” and argument. How persuasive is this ad?

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1. I deserve a better grade on my _____ assignment (or in this course).

2. America should control guns with stricter laws.3. All animal testing of medicines should be banned, even if

such testing would save human lives.4. Every college student should be required to give three credit

hours’ worth of community service a year.5. The United States government should provide universal

health care to all citizens.6. A college education is (not) worth the time and money.7. Gay couples should be allowed to adopt children in all states.8. I am a good fit for the position of _____.9. To better prepare students for the world of work, this college

should do three things.10.The United States must find and deport all illegal aliens,

including students with expired visas.

Suggested Topics for the Persuasive Essays

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EXPLORING ONLINE

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.html

Excellent tips on developing and supporting an argument.