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Essay Writing

This document provides a guide to writing an academic essay. It defines what an essay is, discusses the main types of essays such as argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. It also outlines the typical characteristics of an essay such as unity, order, brevity, and style. The document then discusses how to structure an essay with an outline, organize materials, write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Finally, it provides some essay topics for practice and references used.

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Carl Jhonson
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198 views16 pages

Essay Writing

This document provides a guide to writing an academic essay. It defines what an essay is, discusses the main types of essays such as argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. It also outlines the typical characteristics of an essay such as unity, order, brevity, and style. The document then discusses how to structure an essay with an outline, organize materials, write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Finally, it provides some essay topics for practice and references used.

Uploaded by

Carl Jhonson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ESSAY WRITING

A guide to writing an essay

Department of English and Foreign Languages


SRM Institute of science and Technology
Definition
The word 'essay' derives from the
Latin word 'exagium', meaning the presentation of a
case.
The Frenchman Michel de Montaigne, born in 1533,
was the first author to describe his works of writing
as essays.
An essay is a focused piece of writing that develops
an argument or narrative based on evidence, analysis
and interpretation.
Types of essays
Argumentative essays

Expository essays

Narrative essays

Descriptive essays

Textual analysis essays


Characteristics of an essay
Unity
Order
Brevity
Style
Personal touch

An essay must have a unity, treating in orderly manner


of one subject and the style should be simple, direct and
clear.
Classification of essays
Essay type Skills tested Example prompt
Argumentative •Forming an opinion via research Has the rise of the internet
•Building an evidence-based had a positive or negative
argument impact on education?

Expository •Knowledge of a topic Explain how the invention


•Communicating information clearly of the printing press
changed European society
in the 15th century.

Narrative •Creative language use Write about an experience


•Presenting a compelling narrative where you learned
something about yourself.

Descriptive •Creative language use Describe an object that has


•Describing sensory details sentimental value for you.
Structuring an essay
Outlining

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of


your essay before you start writing.

It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases


for every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving
you a picture of how your argument will unfold.
Contd..
Organizing your material
you need to shape your ideas into a structured
argument.

Tips for Organization


Arguments usually proceed from the simplest claim to
the most complex
Give the background early
Define terms as needed
The Introduction
A good introduction paragraph is both engaging and
informative. The main goals of your introduction are to:
✔ Catch your reader’s attention and interest.
✔ Give context and background on your topic.

✔ Set up the focus and purpose of your essay.

Thesis statement
✔ The central argument of your paper or essay.
✔ It is just one or two sentences long, and usually appears near the end of
your introduction.
Example:
✔To slow the effects of climate change, the US should immediately begin phasing out fossil
fuels and invest in a Green New Deal; as the world’s most powerful economy, it can take a
global lead in reducing carbon emissions.
The body of an academic essay
✔ Begin with a rough outline of the organization.

✔ A good working thesis statementA good working thesis


statement and working topic sentences will help keep
you on track as you write.

✔ Condense all of the paragraphs into only their topic


sentences and read them one at a time.

✔ Check for smooth transitions between paragraphs.


✔ Example: However, evidence from a more recent study points to a different
conclusion. …
Contd..
Topic Sentence
Every paragraph in your paper needs a topic sentence. The
topic sentence expresses what the paragraph is about. It should
include two key things:
✔ The topic of the paragraph
✔ The central point of the paragraph.

How to write Paragraphs:


✔ Unified: all the sentences relate to one central point or idea.
✔ Coherent: the sentences are logically organized and clearly connected.
✔ Relevant: the paragraph supports the overall theme and purpose of the
paper.
How to conclude an essay?
A strong conclusion doesn’t just summarize what
you’ve already written. It aims to:
✔ Make connections that tie together the essay’s main points.
✔ Show why your argument or analysis matters.
✔ Leave the reader with a sense of the essay’s broader implications.

A strong conclusion aim to do the following:


✔ Synthesize the essay’s main points
✔ Emphasize the significance of the thesis statement
✔ Close the essay’s argument and open broader questions
Revision Process
The most effective approach to revising an essay is to
move from general to specific:

✔ Start by looking at the big picture: Does your essay achieve its overall
purpose, and does it proceed in a logical order?

✔ Next, dive into each paragraph: Do all the sentences contribute to the point
of the paragraph, and do all your points fit together smoothly?

✔ Finally, polish up the details: Is your grammar on point, your punctuation


perfect, and your meaning crystal clear?
Essay Topics for practice
Learning at Home during Lockdown: My Parents and
My Teachers
Does technology play a role in making people feel
more isolated?
Social media has played a big role in increasing
business opportunities.
An experience that changed my life forever.
Universities are becoming business driven.
Write an essay on how advancement in science
improve the quality of life for humans.
References
Dew, E, Stephen(2020). Practical Academic Essay
Writing Skills: An International ESL Students English
Essay Writing Book (Academic Writing Skills)
(Volume 2) 2nd Edition . HBI Cambodia.com

The Beginner’s Guide to writing an Essay retrieved


from
https://www.scribbr.com/category/academic-essay/

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