Different Types of Essays

Different Types of Essays

What is an essay?

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject There are many different types of essays; however, they can all be grouped into three basic categories:

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject There are many different types of essays; however, they can all be grouped into three basic categories: Narrative Essays

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject There are many different types of essays; however, they can all be grouped into three basic categories: Narrative Essays Informative/Explanatory Essays

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject There are many different types of essays; however, they can all be grouped into three basic categories: Narrative Essays Informative/Explanatory Essays Argumentative Essays

What is an essay? essay: a short piece of nonfiction writing about a particular subject There are many different types of essays; however, they can all be grouped into three basic categories: Narrative Essays Informative/Explanatory Essays Argumentative Essays You will be asked to write essays from all three categories (at high school and at college), but the form you will use the most often will be: argumentative.

Narrative Essay

Narrative Essay narrative essay: non-fiction writing that is based on personal experiences or observations and that explores the “bigger picture” in some way

Narrative Essay narrative essay: non-fiction writing that is based on personal experiences or observations and that explores the “bigger picture” in some way common forms: experiential narrative, character sketch, personal symbol

Narrative Essay narrative essay: non-fiction writing that is based on personal experiences or observations and that explores the “bigger picture” in some way common forms: experiential narrative, character sketch, personal symbol Two things are needed to create “good” narrative writing:

Narrative Essay narrative essay: non-fiction writing that is based on personal experiences or observations and that explores the “bigger picture” in some way common forms: experiential narrative, character sketch, personal symbol Two things are needed to create “good” narrative writing: sought effect: trying to make your audience think or feel a certain way

Narrative Essay narrative essay: non-fiction writing that is based on personal experiences or observations and that explores the “bigger picture” in some way common forms: experiential narrative, character sketch, personal symbol Two things are needed to create “good” narrative writing: sought effect: trying to make your audience think or feel a certain way dramatic intensity: using the dramatic tools of fiction writing (description, dialogue, foreshadowing, plot, etc.) to create effect

Ideas for finding a narrative subject:

Ideas for finding a narrative subject: Start with something that is true about you (e.g. political preference, gender, age, origin, vocation, etc.).

Ideas for finding a narrative subject: Start with something that is true about you (e.g. political preference, gender, age, origin, vocation, etc.). Start with something (a quality or object) that defines you as a person (e.g. habit, hobby, physical appearance, a prized possession, etc.).

Ideas for finding a narrative subject: Start with something that is true about you (e.g. political preference, gender, age, origin, vocation, etc.). Start with something (a quality or object) that defines you as a person (e.g. habit, hobby, physical appearance, a prized possession, etc.). Start with something you either love or hate (e.g. food, place, activity, types of people, etc.).

Informative/Explanatory Essay

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something)

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s Challenges for the informative writer:

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s Challenges for the informative writer: You don’t feel knowledgeable enough.

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s Challenges for the informative writer: You don’t feel knowledgeable enough. Don’t write about something that is new to you.

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s Challenges for the informative writer: You don’t feel knowledgeable enough. Don’t write about something that is new to you. Don’t sell yourself short—you probably know more than you think.

Informative/Explanatory Essay informative/explanatory essay: non-fiction writing that either informs a reader about a particular subject or that is utilitarian (teaching the reader how to do something) common forms: reports, profiles, directions, how-to’s Challenges for the informative writer: You don’t feel knowledgeable enough. Don’t write about something that is new to you. Don’t sell yourself short—you probably know more than you think. Choose an audience who knows less than you do.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach. Include illustrations.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach. Include illustrations. C.O.I.K.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach. Include illustrations. C.O.I.K. Define your audience’s level of expertise.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach. Include illustrations. C.O.I.K. Define your audience’s level of expertise. Test it on real readers.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays It’s boring. Realize it is your job to make it interesting. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Try using a narrative approach. Include illustrations. C.O.I.K. Define your audience’s level of expertise. Test it on real readers. Err on the side of explaining too much.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject:

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. For a utilitarian subject, start with a “how-to” model: How to ___________.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. For a utilitarian subject, start with a “how-to” model: How to ___________. For an informative subject, focus on what a reader needs to know (or wants to know).

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. For a utilitarian subject, start with a “how-to” model: How to ___________. For an informative subject, focus on what a reader needs to know (or wants to know). Start with something that actually interests you.

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. For a utilitarian subject, start with a “how-to” model: How to ___________. For an informative subject, focus on what a reader needs to know (or wants to know). Start with something that actually interests you. If your subject seems too large, narrow your focus (e.g. basketballlay-up).

Informative Writing Different Types of Essays Ideas for finding an informative/explanatory subject: Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. For a utilitarian subject, start with a “how-to” model: How to ___________. For an informative subject, focus on what a reader needs to know (or wants to know). Start with something that actually interests you. If your subject seems too large, narrow your focus (e.g. basketballlay-up). Experiment with organizational methods (paragraphs, steps, bullet points, etc.).

Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something common forms: persuasive essays, analysis essays, research papers, proposals, reviews, editorials

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something common forms: persuasive essays, analysis essays, research papers, proposals, reviews, editorials An argument is not just a belief or opinion.

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something common forms: persuasive essays, analysis essays, research papers, proposals, reviews, editorials An argument is not just a belief or opinion. An argument is a belief or opinion with reasons or evidence to support it.

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something common forms: persuasive essays, analysis essays, research papers, proposals, reviews, editorials An argument is not just a belief or opinion. An argument is a belief or opinion with reasons or evidence to support it. Make sure your argument passes two tests:

Argumentative Essay argumentative essay: non-fiction writing that tries to convince the reader to agree with something common forms: persuasive essays, analysis essays, research papers, proposals, reviews, editorials An argument is not just a belief or opinion. An argument is a belief or opinion with reasons or evidence to support it. Make sure your argument passes two tests: Should Test: Can you phrase the thesis as a “should” statement? (e.g. Hermann Hesse’s Steppenwolf should be seen as a psychological exploration of the author’s own subconscious mind.)

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.)

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.) Ideas for finding an argumentative subject:

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.) Ideas for finding an argumentative subject: In many cases, you will be assigned a subject.

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.) Ideas for finding an argumentative subject: In many cases, you will be assigned a subject. Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar.

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.) Ideas for finding an argumentative subject: In many cases, you will be assigned a subject. Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. Start with something that actually interests you.

Stand-Up Test: How likely is it that someone in your reading audience will stand up and disagree? (e.g. No one would disagree with the following thesis: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a Romantic novel.) Ideas for finding an argumentative subject: In many cases, you will be assigned a subject. Make sure you write about something with which you are already familiar. Start with something that actually interests you. React to or interpret something you’ve seen, heard, or read.

Try to answer a question or solve a problem.

Try to answer a question or solve a problem. If your subject seems too large, narrow your focus (e.g. symbolic violence in Flannery O’Connor’s fiction  symbolic violence in Flannery O’Connor’s “Greenleaf”).

Different Types of Essays

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