ESSAY

ESSAY

• “Exigere” (latin) : "to examine, test”

• series of paragraph on a particular topic

• to test or examine students’ ideas concerning a particular topic

Purpose of Essay

The purpose of an essay is to encourage students to develop ideas and concepts in their writing with a direction more than their own thoughts.

• I have to say something.

• I have something to say.

Parts of an Essay

•Introduction•Body•Conclusion

Introduction-paragraph that tells the reader where you want

to go and how you want to go there.

-attracts enough the reader for them to read further

-communicates the central message

-includes your thesis statement

Suggestions for an Interesting Introduction

1. Tell an Interesting or Unusual Story 2. Use a relevant or appropriate quotation 3. Ask a though provoking question 4. Give a startling Fact

Body-paragraphs that may describe, define,

explain, or illustrate the thesis statement

-expands the central idea of your thesis statement

Body-give the thesis the necessary support

through exemplification, explanation, or clarification

-each paragraph should discuss one major point that supports the thesis statement

Conclusion-paragraph that wraps up your final thoughts

about the writing topic or thesis

-put the final touches in your essay

-reminds the reader the central idea of your essay

Conclusion-do not just repeat the thesis rather

restate it with a sharper focus

-closure to your essay

First Major Point

sub-point in support of the major point

specific detail or examples

Second Major Point

sub-point in support of the major point

specific detail or examples

Third Major Point

sub-point in support of the major point

specific detail or examples

ConclusionReiteration of the

thesisFinal thought about

the topic

IntroductionAttention getter

Transition/ General StatementThesis statement

Genres of Essay• Expository Essays• Descriptive Essays• Narrative Essays• Argumentative (Persuasive)

Essays

Expository Essay• a genre of essay that requires the

student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner

Expository Essay• accomplished through

comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc

Descriptive Essay• describes an object, person, place, experience,

emotion, situation, etc

• encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a particular experience

• allows for a great deal of artistic freedom

Narrative Essay• anecdotal, experiential, and personal—

allowing the student to express herself in a creative and, quite often, moving way

• include an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.

Argumentative Essay• requires the student to investigate a topic,

collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner

Review• How important is the introduction in an

essay?

• Why should the ‘body’ have at least three major supporting details?

• What will happen if your essay does not have a conclusion?

References:

• Plata, Sterling M., et.al. (2006). Keys to Critical Reading and Writing I. English Proficiency and Personal Leadership Workbook for College Success. (2nd ed.). Laguna: Trailblazer Publications.

• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/1/