Overview 

The essay is a commonly assigned form of writing that every student will encounter while in academia.  Therefore, it is wise for the student to become capable and comfortable with this type of writing early on in her training.  

Essays can be a rewarding and challenging type of writing and are often assigned either to be done in class, which requires previous planning and practice (and a bit of creativity) on the part of the student, or as homework, which likewise demands a certain amount of preparation.  Many poorly crafted essays have been produced on account of a lack of preparation and confidence.  However, students can avoid the discomfort often associated with essay writing by understanding some common genres within essay writing.  

Before delving into its various genres, let’s begin with a basic definition of the essay. 

What is an essay? 

Though the word essay has come to be understood as a type of writing in Modern English, its origins provide us with some useful insights.  The word comes into the English language through the French influence on Middle English; tracing it back further, we find that the French form of the word comes from the Latin verb exigere, which means “to examine, test, or (literally) to drive out.”  Through the excavation of this ancient word, we are able to unearth the essence of the academic essay: to encourage students to test or examine their ideas concerning a particular topic. 

Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of skills such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness, clarity, and exposition.  As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing. 

The purpose of an essay is to encourage students to develop ideas and concepts in their writing with the direction of little more than their own thoughts (it may be helpful to view the essay as the converse of a research paper).  Therefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require clarity in purpose and direction.  This means that there is no room for the student’s thoughts to wander or stray from his or her purpose; the writing must be deliberate and interesting.  

This handout should help students become familiar and comfortable with the process of essay composition through the introduction of some common essay genres.  This handout includes a brief introduction to the following genres of essay writing: 

· Expository essays 

· Descriptive essays 

· Narrative essays 

· Argumentative (Persuasive) essays 

The Three Parts of an Essay 

1. Introduction 

2. Body 

3. Conclusion 

Introduction: Consists of one paragraph.  Address the topic in the first sentence.  Present three examples or ideas to support your opinion.  

Body: Consists of three paragraphs.  1st paragraph details on example one; 2nd paragraph details on example two; 3rd paragraph details on example three.  Each paragraph should have three to five sentences.  Use transitional words and phrases to strengthen the organization, such as: `First of all’, `In conclusion’, `Secondly’, `As I have stated’, `Finally’.  Indent to show where a new paragraph begins  

Conclusion Consists of one paragraph.  Restates the introduction.  

In Review, the three parts of an essay will organize into five paragraphs: 1st Introduction: address the topic, present three examples; 2nd details on example one; 3rd details on example two; 4th details on example three; 5th: conclusion restates the introduction.  

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY  

What is an argumentative essay? 

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. 

Please note: Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay.  These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved.  The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research.  Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length.  Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE. 

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material.  Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments.  Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research.  Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning. 

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following. 

· A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay. 

In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way.  Next the author should explain why the topic is important (exigence) or why readers should care about the issue.  Lastly, students should present the thesis statement.  It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment.  If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay. 

· Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together.  Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.  Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section. 

· Body paragraphs that include evidential support. 

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea.  This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay.  In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience.  It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.  Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research.  It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis (warrant).  

However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic.  Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic.  Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date. 

· Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal). 

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view.  Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis.  However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence.  As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis.  It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis.  It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic. 

· A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided. 

It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle.  This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader.  Therefore, it must be effective and logical.  Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay.  Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis.  You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work. 

· A complete argument 

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate.  If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation.  In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict.  Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument. 

· Longer argumentative essays 

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays.  Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs.  Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay.  Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.