Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic of a narrative essay?
What is a key characteristic of a narrative essay?
How does a descriptive essay differ from a narrative essay?
How does a descriptive essay differ from a narrative essay?
What is essential for crafting a strong descriptive essay?
What is essential for crafting a strong descriptive essay?
Which of the following topics would be most appropriate for a narrative essay?
Which of the following topics would be most appropriate for a narrative essay?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary purpose of an expository essay?
What is a primary purpose of an expository essay?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic of an argumentative essay?
What is a key characteristic of an argumentative essay?
Signup and view all the answers
Which part of an argumentative essay outlines the writer's stance on the topic?
Which part of an argumentative essay outlines the writer's stance on the topic?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of essay is more focused on creativity and personal experience?
Which type of essay is more focused on creativity and personal experience?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of essay usually does not require an original argument?
What type of essay usually does not require an original argument?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of essay is most commonly assigned in college?
Which type of essay is most commonly assigned in college?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the conclusion of an argumentative essay typically do?
What does the conclusion of an argumentative essay typically do?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes an expository essay?
Which of the following best describes an expository essay?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a typical structure of an expository essay?
What is a typical structure of an expository essay?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Essay Structure
- An essay is a piece of writing with five or more paragraphs.
- It focuses on one topic with various main points.
- Main points are introduced in an introductory paragraph and supported in body paragraphs.
- The conclusion is the last paragraph.
Types of Essays
- Argumentative and expository essays focus on conveying clear information.
- Narrative and descriptive essays focus on creativity and interesting writing.
- Argumentative essays are most common at the university level.
Essay Structure (Overview)
-
Introduction: Contains general statements about the topic, gaining reader attention. The thesis statement follows this and presents the main ideas of the essay.
-
Body Paragraphs: Support main ideas of the thesis statement. Each begins with a topic sentence and includes supporting sentences. Each paragraph focuses on one idea.
-
Conclusion: Summarizes main points. May include opinions, predictions, or solutions related to the topic.
Essay - Introduction
- Introductory paragraph is the first paragraph.
- Has two main parts.
- General statements: A few sentences about the subject that grab the reader's attention.
- Thesis statement: One sentence telling the reader the main points of the topic and the essay's "plan."
Essay - Body Paragraphs
- Body paragraphs follow the introduction, supporting the main idea.
- Breaks main idea into smaller sub-topics.
- Consists of a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.
Essay - Conclusion
- Final paragraph, summarizing the important ideas.
- Can include personal opinions, predictions, or solutions related to the topic.
Argumentative Essays
- Present extended, evidence-based arguments.
- Require a strong thesis statement (clear stance on the topic).
- Aim to convince the reader using evidence (quotations).
- Test research and presentation skills.
- Most common type of essay at college level.
- Typically organized into an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Expository Essays
- Provide clear explanations of a topic.
- Don't need original arguments—balanced, well-organized view of the topic.
- Assess a reader's familiarity with a topic and their ability to organize/convey information.
- Usually assigned at high school or in college-level exams.
- Introduction states the topic and provides background.
- Body presents details.
- Conclusion summarizes presented information.
Narrative Essays
- Tell a story—often based on a personal experience, sometimes an imaginary one.
- Assess creativity and narrative structure.
- Very personal.
- Not strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Should set up and express the point of the story—what was learned or the impression it made.
Descriptive Essays
- Provide detailed sensory descriptions of something (place, object...).
- Allow for creativity more than other academic writing.
- Focused on one place or object rather than a whole story.
- Test the ability to use creative language and striking word choices to create a memorable picture.
- Structure is usually loose. Introduces the subject and ends with an overview or general view.
Assignment 1
- Argumentative/persuasive: Examples include: Money can't buy happiness, impact of the internet on society, superstition.
- Expository: Examples include: Creative ways to spend leisure time, careers, impact of procrastination on grades.
- Descriptive: Examples include: Favorite personality, favorite book, happiest moments of life.
- Narrative: Examples include: Learning a life lesson, memorable trip, summer vacations.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers the essential structure of an essay along with different types of essays. It includes details about the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, as well as the characteristics of argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Test your understanding of effective essay writing!
