This section discusses the nature and various purposes of academic writing according to five main types of academic writing. They are descriptive, expository, compare-contrast, cause-effect and argumentative essays.

The basic structure of an essay consists of 3 main parts: Introductory Paragraph, Body Paragraph, and Concluding Paragraph.

The introduction starts with the general ideas of the topic. This includes the background and general information that the writer wants to relay to the readers on the topic. The introduction to the main ideas (normally 3 main ideas) of the topic will be conveyed in the last sentence in the introductory paragraph namely the Thesis Statement. The introductory paragraph is designed in an upside-down triangle to show how the ideas are organized from general to specific.

The body paragraphs come after the introductory paragraph. Each body paragraph starts with a transitional word to signify the main idea. This can be found in the topic sentence which is a sentence that informs the main idea. The topic sentence can be placed in the beginning, middle or end of the paragraph. Each main idea in the body paragraph needs to be supported with further elaborations, examples, definitions, historical backgrounds, or facts.

The first body paragraph informs the first main idea related to the topic as stated in the thesis statement. The second and the third body paragraphs will also inform the second and the third main ideas respectively.

The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay. This paragraph brings the essay to a close, reminds the reader of the basic ideas from the essay, and restates the thesis statement. The conclusion should not contain new ideas, as it is the summation of the content of the essay. The restatement of the thesis is a simpler form that the one originally presented in the introduction.

Features of a Descriptive Essay

• Aims to capture the reader's interest through the use of words and descriptions.

• Use of visualization for a more vivid descriptions. Visualizing what he is describing allows the writer to make the visual image sharper and easier for the reader to imagine.

• Make use of the five senses to convey personal perceptions and feelings on the subject through the use of the sensory details (sight, hear, taste, smell, and feel). Rather than writing, “It was a hot day", show the readers how hot it was: “Beads of sweat trickled from my forehead, and I could feel the sun scorching my body.”

• A descriptive essay can be either objective (concrete, factual) or subjective (personal).

• Include figurative language to further engage with the readers' emotions and feelings such as metaphor, hyperbole, simile and personification.

Features of an Expository Essay

• The thesis statement needs to be well thought out and presented clearly in the opening paragraph. It is the decisive statement around which you’ve built your entire essay. A good thesis statement is a sentence that communicates your essay’s position, the context for this position, and the scope of your essay’s supporting paragraphs.

• Your tone should be objective and academic. While narrative and descriptive essays can take on artistic, impassioned, and familiar tones, expository essays stick to conventional language and a neutral tone.

• Stick to the facts. An expository essay is not the place to express your opinion—or even present the facts in a way meant to change or shape the reader’s opinion.

• Always be completely sure of the facts you’re presenting. That means thoroughly vetting your sources, cross-checking them with other reputable sources, and properly citing every fact you put forth as the truth.

Features of a Cause-Effect Essay

• Transitional words used to show the relationship between cause and effect:

For causes: because, due to, on cause is, another is, since, for, first, second

For Effects: consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore

• Distinguish between cause and effect.

To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?"

To identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?“

• The following is an example of one cause producing one effect:

Cause: You are out of gas.

Effect: Your car won't start.

• Develop your thesis statement. State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects, or both. Introduce your main idea, using the terms "cause" and/or "effect."

Structures of an Argumentative Essay

• Introduction:

Background of argument, brief introduction to the content of the essay, definition of key terms, statement of view

• Body:

Presents supports to the thesis statement, contains developing sentences that extend the topic sentence, gives evidence to support topic sentence, provides a concluding sentence which re-informs the writer's view

• Conclusion:

Restates the line of argument, summarises the points that supports the thesis, suggests further recommendations