1. Essays Types and Topics for example 02-11-2009S.b.A1

2. What is Essay? Origin: The name “essay” goes back to 1588 when the writer Michel de Montaigne published his book “Essais”. Since then the word essay has been widely used to describe a short work that reveals the writer’s point of view on some particular subject. This word has come from French and has the same origin as the French verb “essayer” (to attempt). 02-11-2009S.b.A2

3. Background Before Montaigne: Some ancient Greek writers such as Plutarch and Roman philosophers, such as Sineca also composed and wrote essays After Montaigne: Abraham Cowley, Joseph Addison, Francis Bacon and Virginia Woolf 02-11-2009S.b.A3

4. Different Types of Essays Persuasive Narrative Evaluation Descriptive Process Classification Definition Cause and Effect Comparison Research 02-11-2009S.b.A4

5. …continued Persuasive/argumentative essay: Makes a claim or takes a position and backs it up with statistics, expert opinions, and other evidence. You may review an opposing review and explain why it is wrong and you are right. In the persuasive essay, you are writing to get your audience to accept your point of view and think like you do. e.g. “Drilling For Oil: To Be Or Not To Be?”; “Now or Never” 02-11-2009S.b.A5

6. …continued  Narrative essay: Tells a story in a sequence of events. There should be some point, lesson, or idea gleaned from this narrative to make the essay meaningful. 1. A narrative essay tells a story… 2. It can be either fictional or real-life. 3. The more “real” it is for you, the better you will tell it. (Sometimes our imagination is more real to us than our daily lives.) e.g. A Road Accident 02-11-2009S.b.A6

7. …continued Evaluation essay: Describes a thing or event and explains its importance, value, and/or relevance. Did you like this thing? Why? e.g. Evaluation of a text book 02-11-2009S.b.A7

8. …continued Descriptive essay. Explains the “what, why, how, when, and where’s” of a topic. For example, a descriptive essay about a tree would explain what it’s made of, why it grows, when it grows, and so on. 1. A descriptive essay paints a picture with words… 2. It appeals to the senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell; use of imagery 3. It can also appeal to emotions. e.g. Margalla Hills 02-11-2009S.b.A8

9. …continued Process Essay: An essay that describes the method by which an event, task, or goal is completed 1. Process Analysis is a “how to do it” essay. 2. You show in words how to do things: what steps are taken from beginning to end. 3. Finally, you tell what you will have when the process is finished. e.g. How to make a cup of tea; Getting published; Process of a 4-stroke Internal Combustion Engine 02-11-2009S.b.A9

10. …continued Classification Essays: 1. A classification essay breaks down a general subject into classes (categories or groups.) 2. You can classify either things or ideas. 3. You decide how you will classify your topic, but always go from general to specific. 02-11-2009S.b.A10

11. …continued Definition Essay: 1. A definition essay gives the meaning of a word, term or concept. 2. The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition. 3. The connotation of a word is its informal or slang meaning in daily usage. e.g. Dictionary of terms: Definition of a citizen 02-11-2009S.b.A11

12. …continued Cause and Effect Essay: 1. A cause & effect essay tells how things affect each other; how they depend on each other. 2. An effect may have one cause or several different causes and vice versa e.g. EFFECTS OF WATCHING TOO MUCH TV; ALCOHOL ABUSE etc 02-11-2009S.b.A12

13. …continued Comparison essay: Demonstrates similarities and differences between two topics. 1. Comparison tells how things are alike and contrast shows how they are different. 2. In this essay, you normally show either comparison or contrast, but you can tell both if you want. e.g. Urban and rural life 02-11-2009S.b.A13

14. …continued Research Essay: The research essay leads you into the works of others and asks you to compare their thoughts with your own. 02-11-2009S.b.A14

15. “Successful writers know that they produce the best material when they put a little bit of heart and soul into their writing”. 02-11-2009S.b.A15

16. Sources http://www.ukessaywriting.com/types_of_essays.htm http://www.bestessaytips.com/types_of_essay.php http://www.realresearchwriting.com/essay/types/ http://essayinfo.com/essays/cause_and_effect_essay.p hp http://essayinfo.com/essays/cause_and_effect_essay.p hp 02-11-2009S.b.A16