expository/informative An Explanatory Essay, also called an Expository Essay, presents other people s views, or reports an event or a situation. It conveys another person s information in detail and explains what is difficult to understand. This type of essay does not criticize, judge, or show opinions. A good explanatory/expository essay consists of the following: The introductory paragraph clearly states what is to be analyzed or explained. Each subsequent paragraph has a distinct supporting topic. Each of the sentences of the paragraph relates directly to the topic. The concluding paragraph reinforces the position in a meaningful way. If you are writing an explanatory/expository essay, keep these points in mind. Write clearly and effectively. Make sure your readers understand your analysis and know how you have arrived at your conclusions. expository/informative Exposition is a type of discourse used to explain, describe or inform. In an expository essay, the purpose is to give the reader a balanced account of a subject, with a neutral, objective tone. This means, you do not pick sides, but rather show everything. The structure typically includes: Intro : Lead the reader into the topic and state the overall point/purpose of your essay Body: Divide the main topic of your essay down into sub points. These points can involve describing, explaining, comparing, or classifying, depending on the purpose of your paper. Conclusion : As with any essay conclusion, the aim is to briefly remind the reader of your overall point, possibly suggest wider implications, and give the essay a satifying sense of closure
Argumentative (Persuasive + counterargument) The purpose of an argumentative essay is to convince the reader of the validity of your point of view. Although your essay should still appeal to the reader's logic rather than emotion, you should clearly state an opinion rather than appearing neutral. The structure typically includes: Introduction : Lead the reader into the topic, the controversy or debate surrounding that topic, and clearly state your position. Body: Begin by making points that support your overall position. Then present and refute opposing arguments (show how wrong they are). Conclusion: This is your final chance to convince the reader. Do not introduce new arguments here, but rather restate your overall position clearly and briefly explain how you have demonstrated its validity. Argumentative (Persuasive + counterargument) Argumentative essay is a genre of writing that attempts to convince the reader to accept writer s point of view An Argumentative Essay is a type of writing in which the writer attempts to convince his audience that his argument is valid. An argumentative essay contains a combination of facts and writer s personal ideas (proving your opinion is right).. An argumentative essay is biased and subjective, although the writer has to be aware of the opposing views on the subject. This type of essay appeals to the logic and the reasoning. the main difference between argumentative and expository essay is that an argumentative essay contains statistics, facts and writer s personal ideas.
expository/informative expository essay is a genre of writing that provide information and explanations in a straightforward manner to the readers. Expository Essay is a type of writing that evaluates and explains a certain issue or a topic. A writer should always maintain an objective, neutral tone throughout the essay. In this type of an essay, the writer should refrain from pointing out his personal ideas and beliefs. (Do not give you opinion. Just the cold hard facts). The structure of an expository essay includes an introduction containing a thesis/opening statement, a body that contains sufficient facts, information to cover the topic and a conclusion that briefly summarizes all the points explained in the body. The main difference between argumentative and expository essay is that an expository essay contains only information, explaining the topic. Argumentative (Persuasive + counterargument) Goal: The writer aims to get the reader to accept his perspective/ his side as truth. General Technique: Relevant reasons and credible data are blended to demonstrate the writer s argument as true. Audience: to write an argument, the writer doesn t need an intended audience. The writer is satisfied with simply putting the truth out there. Viewpoints presented: Argumentative writing always acknowledges that opposing views exist. This demonstrates the writer as a fair minded person and gives him the opportunity to counter these perspectives with more logic, reasoning, and proof. Support: Arguments rely on logical reasons that are all based on facts, data, and evidence.
Persuasive Goal: The writer aims to get the reader to agree with him/his perspective. General Technique: Opinions are blended with emotional appeals with some facts sprinkled in. Audience: the writer needs an intended audience to determine his tactic for writing (manipulation, motivation, inspiration, frustration, etc.) Viewpoints presented: Persuasion has a single minded goal get what the writer wants. it is based on the writer s personal goals that his way of thinking is the only sensible one. Consequently, the writer s viewpoint is typically the only one presented. Support: persuasive pieces rely almost solely on opinions and feelings. the writer uses his own passion and/or plays off reader s emotion to get what he wants. Narrative This type of writing prompt asks you to tell about a personal experience that has really happened to you. This Type Of Writing Is Characterized By: Creative About Self Shows the Passing of Time Has a Detailed Setting Has Supporting Details Gives Information and an Explanation about Events *This is the only essay you may use first person in.
Narrative A narrative essay has a point or purpose that is usually found in the first paragraph. The introduction gives an idea of what is to come in the story. Given the topic Life After College, for example, an introduction may be: The day I got my diploma was one of the most glorious days of my life. Little did I know what challenges awaited me. The body of narrative essays contains the characters, settings, plot and climax of the story, described as vividly as possible through concrete, sensory details. For example, the body may contain details on your first job, your difficulties at work, and the different working realities you faced. The conclusion contains the resolution of the story. Thepurpose for the narration to inspire or teach, shock or provoke, or to simply entertain is clearly expressed in its ending. *This is the only essay you may use first person in. Persuasive Persuasive essays, argue the legitimacy of certain perspectives or actions through the use of logic and reasoning. It utilizes a more formal tone and is typically written in the third person point of view. The basic structure is the five paragraph essay containing an introduction, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Typically this essay is more based on personal opinion than an argumentative essay. For this reason there are more persuasive techniques that center around emotions in this type of essay. Bandwagon, slippery slope, and a variety of other persuasive techniques may show up in this type of essay.
Narrative In simple terms, a narrative essay is a story meant to entertain the readers. This writing style is extremely versatile, because it has almost no limitations. Every piece of fiction out there is an example of a narrative essay. However, this doesn t mean that these stories are purely fictional. If the author tells a story based on personal experience or historical facts, it will still be considered a narrative essay, as long as the work complies with the essential requirements that pertain to this style of writing. They are: A narrative essay usually involves the telling of some kind of story. There are some guidelines that should be followed no matter what. Include all the parts of story. This includes characters, plot, setting, etc. Even narrative essays should have a point, just like the thesis statement of expository essays. Choose a point of view for your essay and stick with it. The common point of view is first person, from the standpoint of the writer. Persuasive A persuasive essay is also known as an argumentative essay. This type of essay will be similar to an expository essay in that you will be exploring a topic and collecting and evaluating evidence. However, unlike an expository essay, you will be taking a stand for or against this topic. The format of the persuasive essay is similar to the expository essay from the thesis statement to the layout to the concluding paragraph. However, it s important to state that your persuasive essay will also include your opinion regarding the evidence and the topic itself. Like the expository essay, the persuasive essay can also use the five paragraph format. This essay is like an argumentative essay with no counter argument paragraph.
Compare and Contrast There are two primary ways to organize your compare and contrast paper. Chunking: placing all of the information for each individual subject in one place (chunk), and then using similarities as transitions. Here s a sample outline: 1. Jane is distinct because 2. Jane is similar to Alice in these ways 3. Alice is distinct because Piecing: giving pieces of the information for each individual subject in each paragraph arranging the information by topic rather than by subject. Here s a sample outline: 1. Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice s appearances 2. Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice s backgrounds 3. Differences and Similarities in Jane and Alice s interests Compare and Contrast If you want to write a successful compare/contrast essay, you'll need to avoid writing about really obvious differences and similarities. For example: We all know that horses are larger than cats. We also know that basketball teams contain less players than football teams. It would be better to write about how sensitive both horses and cats are to human needs and emotions. You could also suggest that though both basketball and football require a lot of teamwork, basketball players are expected to be a lot more versatile than football players. You don't have to be a genius to write an interesting compare/contrast essay you just have to look at ordinary things in a new way! Compare and Contrast
Introduction Your introduction like the five paragraph essay, should lead into the thesis Topic 1 This next portion of your essay should cover only the first topic of the comparison and contrast. Topic 2 This next portion of your essay should cover the second of the two topics. Do not discuss Topic 1 in this section. Since you have already gone into great detail about it. Topics 1 and 2 Together Now that you have analyzed both Topic 1 and Topic 2 independently, now it is time to analyze them together. Conclusion This conclusion is wrapping up everything you have just proven in your paper. It should restate the thesis in a new, more official way, and you should feel quite confident in your writing. OR Introduction Your introduction like the five paragraph essay, should lead into the thesis All Comparisons (Topics 1 and 2) This section should go through all similarities you find in the two topics on which you are writing. T All Contrasts (Topics 1 and 2) This section should go through all differences you find in the two topics on which you are writing. Conclusion Same as above.