The Essay

Methods of Developing an Essay NarrationNarration –Tell a story to illustrate a main idea (thesis) DescriptionDescription –Appeal to the senses ExpositionExposition –Informative writing ArgumentationArgumentation –Seeks assent, advises or moves the reader to act

Narration Tells a storyTells a story Focuses on events, actionsFocuses on events, actions Shows narrator’s (writer’s) response to the eventShows narrator’s (writer’s) response to the event Has a beginning, middle, and endHas a beginning, middle, and end Use of character, setting, conflict, dialogue etc.Use of character, setting, conflict, dialogue etc.

Description Tells how something looks, feels, sounds, smells, or tastes.Tells how something looks, feels, sounds, smells, or tastes. Creates a dominant impression on the reader.Creates a dominant impression on the reader. Rarely used in isolation, often in conjunction with other methods.Rarely used in isolation, often in conjunction with other methods.

Exposition Most familiar to youMost familiar to you –Term papers –Exam TypesTypes –Cause and effect –Comparison –Process –Definition –Example

Argumentation and Persuasion ArgumentationArgumentation –Creates “us vs. them” position –Divides audience –Shows strength of position on issue PersuasionPersuasion –Attempts to unify audience –Asks them to act in some way

Mixing Methods Most effective writing will use more than one method to develop ideas.Most effective writing will use more than one method to develop ideas. Most essays will have one dominant method.Most essays will have one dominant method.