Essay Structure and Methods of Development

Types of Essays (4)

Persuasive/Argumentative, Expository, Process Analysis, Narrative

Persuasive/Argumentative Essay

To argue a point of view

• Uses persuasive reasoning and/or logical arguments

Expository Essay

Essay that informs others (subjectively and unbiased) on a topic

• backed up by research

• no personal pronouns/opinions

also done to promote a view.

• Often aims to promote awareness

Process Analysis Essay

To teach others the process behind the how/why of something

• Usually written in step-by-step format

Narrative Essay

To make a point by telling a story

• The thesis is embedded in a story

Methods of Development (5)

Comparison and Contrast, Narrative, Analogy, Cause and Effect, Persuasive

Comparison and Contrast

Reveal something / make a point by showing similarities / differences of two or more things

Narrative

Uses a story (personal, fiction, anecdote, etc …) to make a point that supports the thesis / purpose of the essay

• Should be clear and avoid any complexities that are not necessary to make the desired point

Analogy

• Reveal something about an idea / thing by describing / explaining something totally different but probably more familiar

• Can be a quick comparison to show a parallel or longer to reveal something

• Different from metaphor because it is used to teach / explain and instead of being representative / similar in some clear way it is completely different except for the implicit lesson

ex: the heart and a pump

Cause and Effect

• Shows a relationship between two or more things

• Helps to explain the why

• analyses the reasons for the action (cause) and the consequences (effect)

Persuasive

• Used to convince others of an opinion or to take action and do something

• Can be formal / argumentative (evidence, logic) or use methods of persuasion and rhetoric to influence with less emphasis on fact

Developing Paragraphs or Arguments (7)

Ways to develop the thesis in specific arguments

Examples, Facts/Figures/Statistics, Anecdotes, Logic/Reasoning/Rhetoric, Classification, Definition, Description

Examples

• Using references as evidence

• Usually researched from history, current events, or literature

• Sometimes hypothetical or fabricated examples are used

Facts/Figures/Statistics

• Factual evidence from reputable sources

• Used as evidence or to inform

Anecdotes

• A short story

• Can be used to support a point and add interest

• Can help to establish tone

Logic/Reasoning/Rhetoric

• Uses logic and reasoning to establish something

• Deductive and inductive arguments use premises that, if accepted as true, lead to a conclusion that is either irrefutable (deductive) or highly likely (inductive)

Classification

• Organizing ideas into groups or categories (Ex. Chronology)

• Can be used to define relationships

Definition

• Defining terms and ideas

Description

• Uses imagery

• Can create strong emotional appeals

• May connect to the thesis directly (explicitly) or figuratively (implicitly)