Writing an Essay

Part IEssay Types

Three types of essays commonly explored in English composition classes include cause and eect, compare and contrast, and the persuasive essay. What follows is a brief description of each essay type and an explanation of the writer s objective.

Cause and Eect

A cause and eect essay attempts to determine objective reasons that answer

why about a question. While more than one answer is always possible, the writer attempts to present the most logical explanations for the subject at hand. Select a subject by asking, Why? Remember to consider the length of your assignment. Test each hypothesis to determine which answers Why to your specic question. Arrange the explanations in the best order for the desired eect: e.g., chronological or reverse; eect before cause; cause before eect.

Compare and Contrast

A compare and contrast essay presents similarities and dierences between two subjects, items, or topics. You may either examine the features of the two subjects without making any judgments, or you may point out advantages and/or disadvantages of each with the intention of making a choice between them. Comparative essays may discuss similarities or dierences arranged in the order the writer chooses. No particular number of main points is required. Always choose two subjects that have enough basis for comparison to cover the required essay length. A common essay length is approximately 500 words and requires at least three ways in which the subjects are alike or dierent. Your thesis should tell the reader exactly what you are going to compare or contrast.

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There are two basic methods or styles of organizing a compare and contrast essay. With the subject by subject or block method, you address each subject in separate paragraphs. If you have selected the subject by subject method for your essay, the body will consist of several pairs of paragraphs. First and second paragraphs of body: The rst paragraph will address a characteristic of Subject X and the second paragraph will address the same point for Subject Y. Third and fourth paragraphs of body: The third paragraph will address another characteristic of Subject X and the fourth paragraph will address the same point for Subject Y. Include additional pairs of paragraphs for additional points of comparison, discussing other points of similarity and dierence, with the characteristics of Subject X being listed rst. In the point by point method, you examine one aspect of one subject and the same aspect of the second subject within the same paragraph. If you have selected the point by point method for your essay, the body should consist of a minimum of three paragraphs. First paragraph of body: State a characteristic of Subject X and then state how Subject Y is similar/dissimilar. Second paragraph of body: State another characteristic of Subject X and again state how Subject Y is similar/dissimilar. Add additional paragraphs for additional points of comparison, keeping the target length of your essay in mind.

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Persuasive Writing
The purpose of persuasive writing is to assert an opinion which you are going to

defend and to oer supporting evidence (data) in order to convince the reader to agree with you. In the process, you deal with opposing views, thus convincing him/her of the superiority of your argument. Additionally, a good writer may present emotional as well as rational appeal. All of your reasoning should lead to a logical conclusion. If your subject matter warrants a change, you will oer a solution to the status quo in a proposal. While not all persuasive essays include documentation, most college-level writing will require research. By investigating your topic and including supporting comments from authorities, you give credibility to your argument. Select the subject that oers the best supporting evidence considering the required length of your paper. It is also important to determine how much you personally have invested in an essay topic. Personal investment is a key to eective persuasion. Make a clear statement of what you believe or assert and, if applicable, your proposed solution or change.

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Part II - Writing Process

Select your subject and decide on your point of view: cause and eect, compare and contrast, persuasive, or some other viewpoint. The thesis is your statement of purpose. The thesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. Dont begin to write your essay until you have a clear thesis. Gather all factual information using guidelines for documentation and works cited, i.e., The Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (MLA) or The Chicago Manual of Style (also known as Turabian). Consider all potential explanations, rating them in order of importance or relevance to the thesis. Assemble collected facts to support each explanation. Prepare an outline arranging the explanations in the best order for the desired eect. The purpose of an outline is to make your task easier. As you write your outline, ask yourself whether each idea serves to clarify and strengthen the thesis. Use the sample outline by inserting your specic information into the outline structure. Write a rough dra2 of the essay, saving at least two copies to your hard disk or onto a oppy diskette. Lay the paper aside. Proofread later with a fresh perspective; the computer can check spelling errors easily. Be aware that sometimes a word is correctly spelled but used incorrectly in a particular sentence. It is still important to proofread a2er the spell check. Print the nal copy.

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Part III - Essay Outline Sample [Template]

I.Introduction A.Get the reader s attention by asking a leading question; relay something enticing about the subject in a manner that commands attention. Start with a related quote, alluring description, or narration. B.State the thesisthe causes and eects to be discussed; comparison of subject X and subject Y; your position on the issue; your proposal if applicable; and the main points that will develop your argument.

II.Body A.First Point, Assertion, Explanation 1.Supporting evidence (examples, facts, statistics, quoted authorities, details, reasons, examples) 2.Supporting evidence B.Second explanation 1.Support 2.Support C.Third explanation 1.Support 2.Support D.Fourth explanation (continue as above with additional explanations as needed.) 1.Support 2.Support E.Your proposal (if applicable) F.Address opposing viewpoints

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III.Conclusion A.Show how explanations (causes) are logical reasons producing the eects discussed; review subject X and subject Y; reiterate your assertion and proposition (if applicable). Reemphasize your thesis in a fresh way, showing how your have achieved your purpose. If you intend to draw to a conclusion about one subject over the other, emphasize that point. B.Deal with opposing views unless done above in Section F. C.Appeal to the reader to see how you have come to a logical conclusion. D.Make a memorable nal statement.

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