Modes of Discourse May serve as the primary mode of composition for an essay, or a smaller component of a larger essay

Narration Tells a story by presenting events in an orderly, logical sequence Typically chronological order

Description Tells readers about the physical characteristics of a person, place, or thing It relies on the five senses Usually a component of a larger essay with a different primary purpose

Exemplification Uses examples (or one example) to illustrate or explain a general point or an abstract concept

Comparison & Contrast Comparison Contrast Shows how two or more things are alike Contrast Shows how two or more things are different Usually used together, not separately

Classification & Division Process of breaking a whole into parts Classification Process of sorting individual items into categories Tries to make sense of seemingly random ideas by putting scattered bits of information into useful, coherent order

Definition Tells what a term means and how it differs from other terms in its class Formal definitions Dictionary Extended definitions Explaining what something, or someone, is – its essential nature Explaining what something, or someone, is not

Cause & Effect Analyzes why something happens Examines causes, describes effects, or does both Links situations and events together in time with causes preceding effects Analysis of why something happened or is happening can lead to a prediction of what will happen

Process Analysis Explains how to do something or how something occurs Presents a sequence of steps and shows how thise steps lead to a particular result Typically chronological order

Argumentation Process of reasoning that asserts the soundness of a debatable position, belief, or conclusion It takes a stand and urges the audience to share the speaker’s perspective Appeals to reason (logos) more so than anything else

Quick Think Journal When was the last time you saw a homeless person? Describe the situation and what you remember about this person. What other experiences have you or someone you know has with the homeless or homelessness? How does the local community perceive homelessness? Do you think that these ideas are accurate? Explain.