To identify the general nature of an academic writing
To identify five different types of academic writing (descriptive, expository, compare-contrast, cause-effect and argumentative essays).
To recognize the distinct purposes and features of each type of academic writing.
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.
A descriptive essay gives a vivid, detailed description of something—generally a place or object, but possibly something more abstract like an emotion. Students can be more creative and imaginative when writing this type of essay compared to the other types of academic writing.
Descriptive essays test the ability to use language in an original and creative way, to convey to the reader a memorable image of whatever being described. They are commonly assigned as writing tasks at primary and secondary schools.
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.
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Use one of the writing prompts below to write your descriptive essay.
Describe a place you love to spend time in.
Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.
Structures of a Descriptive Essay
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Use one of the writing prompts below to write your expository essay.
If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
Describe the importance of learning social values.
An expository essay is an essay that communicates factual information. It is the kind of writing where you position facts and observations to let them speak for themselves in the most effective way possible. It’s the kind of writing you do when you’re analyzing information you’ve been assigned to study, thinking critically about concepts covered in class, and explaining the processes and reasons behind the conclusions you’ve reached.
Expository writing has a clear purpose: to educate the reader. While it may also entertain or persuade the reader, these are secondary benefits and not the author’s goal. Well-crafted expository writing demonstrates the author’s expertise on the subject and in many cases demonstrates how they learned about their subject.
For example, you might be assigned to write an essay about the choral speaking competition you have joined. In this essay, you would introduce the competition in general. Then in the following body paragraphs, you would describe each stage and the processes you have to go through in preparing for the competition . In the final paragraph, you would restate the important preparation for the choral speaking competition.
Your essay about the choral speaking would explain the processes one have to work through the in facing the competition. In other words, your essay would present facts and process rather than opinion and commentary.
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.
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Compare and contrast essays are academic papers in which a student analyses two or more subjects with each other. To compare means to explore similarities between subjects, while to contrast means to look at their differences.
In preparing for the compare-contrast essay, the first thing you should do is grab a piece of paper and make a list with two columns: similarities and differences. Jot down key things first, the most striking ones. Then try to look at the subjects from a different angle, incorporate your imagination.
For visual learners, creating a Venn diagram might be a good idea. In order to create it, draw two circles that overlap. In the section where it overlaps, note similarities. Differences should be written in the part of circle that does not overlap.
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Use one of the writing prompts below to write your compare-contrast essay.
Buying things online versus buying things at a shopping mall.
E-book or paper textbooks.
The best compare and contrast essays demonstrate a high level of analysis. This means you will need to brainstorm before you begin writing.
Once you’ve mapped out the similarities and differences between your topics, you will begin to understand the relationship between your subjects. This prewriting process will allow you to develop your thesis statement and your topic sentences. Your thesis statement should function as a road map for your essay.
After you have spent time with your data, your prewriting process moves on to outlining. A good compare and contrast essay outline follows the standard essay format: introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion. Remain faithful to your outline as you write. Great outlining distinguishes tight, focused essays from meandering ones.
A good introductory paragraph sets the tone for your entire essay. The best introductions start with a hook—such as a rhetorical question or a bold statement. After your hook, introduce the subjects that you will examine in your essay. Your thesis statement should come at the end of the introduction.
Begin with a topic sentence that explains one area of comparison between your first subject and your second subject. For example, if your subjects are two different races in your country and your paragraph topic is cultural food, you can start by broadly describing each race's unique and distinct characteristics of the food.
Comparative essays usually take their subjects through several points of comparison. Therefore, plan on writing at least three body paragraphs that tackle your two subjects from a variety of angles. Link your paragraphs with transition words.
A great compare and contrast essay needs a great conclusion. By this point, you will hopefully have proven your thesis about how your two subjects are both different and alike. Your concluding paragraph is your chance to share any final insights and to reinforce the thesis of your overall paper. Do not introduce brand new information in your concluding paragraph; use it to summarize the entire paper.
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Use one of the writing prompts below to write your cause-effect essay.
Effects of silent treatment on friendships.
Causes and effects of lack of sleep on students.
Cause = Why something happens; the action that makes something else happen.
Effect = What happens because of the cause, the outcome or result.
e.g. I left my shoes on the floor, so my dog chewed them up
Cause Effect
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."
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Argumentative essay presents an argument through reasoning and the use of evidence. The thesis statement in an argumentative essay expresses the writer's position in relation to a given problem. since it is a type of writing with an attempt to persuade the readers to agree to the writer's points of view.
In an argumentative essay, the writer must state his or her view, give reasons which are supported with logical elaboration using evidences, examples and facts.
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
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Use one of the writing prompts below to write your argumentative essay.
Does technology make us more alone?
Everyone should learn a foreign language.
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