Essay Writing Structure and Types

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.