1. Writing Genres
Ms. Haynes
February 5, 2013

2. Writing Genres Descriptive Expository Personal Persuasive Informal

3. Descriptive Essay Vividly describes a person, place, or thing
Elaborate use of sensory details
Details that go beyond the general
Figurative language may be used
Ie. Simile, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism
Showing, not telling
Find a part of “Just Lather” that is written in a descriptive style

4. Expository Essay
Demonstrates cause and effect relationships, explaining how something is done, good for writing compare and contrast
Explains, informs, clarifies, defines, instructs
States the main idea, supports using quotes and examples, has a conclusion
You wrote one yesterday!

5. Personal Essay Also known as autobiographical essay
Writing about you, or one of your personal experiences that is significant in some way
When my Dad moved to Canada from Russia…
When I broke up with my first boyfriend…
When I wasn’t accepted into university…

6. Persuasive Essay
Attempts to persuade the reader that this point of view is valid, or to take a particular action
Similar to the Propaganda video we watched
States a position
Presents ideas logically, factually, clearly
Supports using quotes, statistics, examples, facts
Ends with a strong argument, summary, or call for action
Ecocriticism – Global Warming

7. Informal Essay “For fun” essay – meant to entertain
Allowed to speak directly to reader
Relaxed tone
Silly life lessons

8. Formal Essay - Introduction
Meant to catch reader’s attention
Give the reader a sense of what the composition will be about
Introduce the topic, then get to the point quickly and state your thesis
Does the introduction prepare and engage the reader?

9. Formal Essay - Body
Start with a transition if necessary and write the topic sentence
Provide the details which will develop the main idea
Sum up the paragraph and refer to the topic sentence if necessary

10. Formal Essay - Body Ask yourself these questions:
Are transitions used to provide coherence?
Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence?
Is each paragraph unified – only one main idea?
Does each supporting paragraph show how the main point and examples relate to the thesis?
Has sufficient detail been provided?
Is there a concluding sentence for each paragraph?

11. Formal Essay - Conclusion
Sum up what has been said in the composition
Does the conclusion sum up the main ideas?
Is the conclusion interesting?
Does the essay conclude in a memorable way, or does it seem to end abruptly?

12. Essay Revision Re-read for spelling, grammar, and syntax mistakes
Are your paragraphs interesting to read?
Are your points presented in a logical and useful way?
Can connections between paragraphs be clarified?

13. Type of Arrangement
Examples
Chronological order (time)
Physical order
Order of importance
Similar ideas
Different ideas Co