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Essay Unit → Terms & Examples for Practice → Questions, Journals, and Assignments for Essays Studied in Class
Essay – short composition dealing with a single topic and usually expressing one person’s point of view on, or understanding of, that topic
Types of Essays Descriptive Essay Writer creates and shares his impressions of persons, places or experiences by giving concrete details Gives a description (clear picture) rather than persuade the reader of the rightness of an idea or tell a story
Narrative Essay Writer reports events, real or imagined, that enable him to communicate an idea or make a comment on life. Something happens in the narrative essay-events.
Expository Essay Writer explains a subject, using definition, example, comparison or contrast and logical reasoning as methods of development. The writers purpose may be to clarify an idea, to analyze a problem or work of art or to report on some event or topic. Writer tries to be objective, rather than subjective.
Argumentative Essay Argumentative writing seeks to convince the reader of the truth of an idea or of the rightness of a proposal. Words, examples and authorities chosen are intended to convince the reader of something. Must also use expository techniques as definition, example, etc.. to make his argument.
Persuasive Essay Persuasive – author’s chief concern is to convince readers that his or her opinions on a subject are the correct ones. example – Newspaper Editorials Must also use expository techniques as definition, example, etc.. to make his argument. Formal Essay a) has a serious purpose b) is logically organized c) tends to be informative and analytical d) critical essays, serious discussions e) found mostly in texts, literature and serious writing f) objective g) avoids contractions (abbreviations) h) impersonal tone i) bookish and academic j) has long involved sentences – high vocabulary
Informal Essay a) more personal in its approach to its subject matter b) subject may be on anything c) vocabulary and diction is varied d) some use dialogue and story – others may be character sketches e) direct conversational tone f) makes use of contractions g) subjective h) paragraphs and sentences may vary in length Tone is the writer’s attitude towards his subject and towards his audience. Tone in writing is like tone in speaking, though it may not be so easily detected. A person’s tone of voice may be 1) happy or sad 2) thoughtful or whimsical 3) solemn or cheerful 4) sarcastic or sincere 5) angry or pleasant 6) admiration or disgust 7) serious or neutral Depends on the occasion, or the circumstance, or the subject.
Purpose: the main idea that is intended to get across to an audience
Audience: listeners, spectators, or readers that watch, listen or read a piece of work
Biography: a true story written by an author about the life of another person
Autobiography: a true story written by a person about his/her own life
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