Essay Writing Flashcards
What is an essay
An essay is a form of writing that pattern the expression of a persons view on particular subject for an audience of readers
What are the three structures of an essay
The beginning: where the topic is introduced.
The body of the essay: where the different ideas are developed.
The concluding part: where ideas are concluded
What are the types of essay
Narrative essay
Descriptive essay
Expository essay
Persuasive essay
Argumentative essay
What is narrative essay
Narrative essay writing takes the process of story telling. It is an account of something that happened or is going happen.
What is descriptive essay
This type of essay is written in an attempt to describe objects, people, and events vividly. It paints pictures with words
What is argumentative essay
The sole aim of this form of essay writing is to change a position or situation. It is a controversial discussion that makes it’s case through logic, reasoning, facts and evidence.
What is persuasive essay
This form of essay writing has the same as argumentative essay, that is to change a position or situation but this uses passionate appeal to woo the audience emotion.
What is expository essay
Expository writing tries to explain or give detailed information on a given topic or subject. It answers a readers basic question about a subject.
What are the guidelines for writing narrative essay
1)The story should be chronological, it doesn’t have to start from the beginning it can start from the end but readers must be able to follow the sequence of events
2) Elements such as character, setting point of view and plot must be present.
3) Each paragraph in a story contains an incident, a new paragraph shows a new turn or transition in the story.
Transitional words used to connect paragraph
After, before, meanwhile, first, second, during , finally,next , then,when, later, now.
Guidelines for descriptive essay
1) pay attention to details through observation
2) be creative in your choice of words and expressions
3) use figurative language to your image or object more striking
4) Use analogy to describe shapes, colour, qualities, size, attitude and sound etc
5) present your description clearly logically, effectively and in discernable pattern
6) Establish a dominant impression about your topic in a thesis statement.
7) Describe with words and expressions that are within the scope of reality
8) Start with introductory paragraph and end with concluding paragraph
Guidelines for argumentative essay
1) Argumentative essay must be presented logically, such arguments must be grounded in facts, evidence with proof, statistics etc to ensure that it convinces its audience
2) When presenting argument it is best to avoid emotional language, personal attacks, oversimplification and generalization
3) In addition, in presenting an argument, the real issue should be addressed . Do not evade the issue.
4) You need to strike a balance in your presentation i.e acknowledge the points that are against your view and counter them with stronger points. This will make your argument more credible
5) In presenting an argument your reasoning must be deductive, that is from general to the specific.
6) Avoid fallacies: do not assume but prove, the conclusion must be drawn from evidence and facts presented in the paragraph
Types of expository essay
1)Explain the process: this involves a series of steps each of is part of a total process . The steps must be presented in order
2) Defining a term: the best way to write an essay which defines a term is to list the component parts that make up the idea being defined and give and example of each
3) Making a comparison
4) making a classification: is an important mental process that groups ideas or objects making them easier for people to use.
Guidelines for expository essay
1) Write out the material and it’s exact qualities.
2) Explain the sequence of actions using command sentences.
