By: Kristina Yegoryan

ESSAY STRUCTURE

WHAT IS AN ESSAY?

The word “essay” means “to try.”

An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view.

It is a short piece of non-fiction: an editorial, a feature story or a critical study.

It differs from the article as in the essay the pleasure of reading takes precedence over the information in the text!

THE ORIGINE of ESSAY

The term was first used during the Renaissance ( 16th century) by Michel Montaigne who attempted to “assay” (weight) his thoughts on human perception.

17 th Cent. Age of Enlightenment: Essays were a favored tool of polemicists who aimed at convincing readers of their position

18th, 19th Cent: Essays were written for a general public

20th Cent: Some used essay to explain the new movement in art ( T.S. Eliot) and some used for literary criticism (v. Woolf, Charles du Bos)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF Academic ESSAY WRITING ?

Essay writing shows critical thinking and

ability to express one’s thoughts in writing.

Writing an academic essay means fashioning

a coherent set of ideas into an argument.

What To Remember When Writing an Essay

Organization and Structure

(academic essays have the 5 paragraph base- structure:

Introduction, 3 Main Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion)

Author’s voice (the essayist)

You do not need to use “I” when stating your arguments or

opinion- your essay/ your writing does present your

voice and your argument/opinion

“Voice is the essayist most proper but most dangerous

and delicate tool” (Virgina Woolf, British author)

What To Remember When Writing an Essay

Implied audience/reader : Encoding (writer’s purpose) vs Decoding (reader’s

interpretation) of the information in the essay

“ The reader of an essay is called on to join in the making of the meaning”

Rhetorical appeals: Ethos, Pathos, Logos (by Aristotle)Watch this video for understanding Rhetorical appeals: http://www.wimp.com/teachpersuasion/(What Aristotle and Joshua Bell teach us about

Persuasion)

The Main Essay Types are:

Narrative ( to tell a story/incident) Expository (to explain or acquaint with

something) Exemplification (brings in many examples to support a choice/argument) Cause and Effect Descriptive Definition Compare and Contrast Persuasive/ Argumentative (prove a point)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF IN-CLASS ESSAY?

At times it is difficult to test a student’s knowledge with multiple-choice tests.

Essay writing shows: Student’s interpretation Critical thinking Projection/expression of ideas Writing skills

In-Class Essay HOW TO DO

WELL

First read the instructionsRead and understand the questionsBreak each question down to grasp what they

are expecting as a responseUnderline or circle the main ideas in each

questionManage your time wisely

THESIS (Argument + A, B, and C supports)

BODY

A

B

C

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

ESSAY STRUCTURE ESSAY MAN

1. Attention Getter / Hook Use any of these hook strategies: Rhetorical question General statement Very specific statement Fact or a startling statistics, or a quote

2. Definition/ Depiction3. The Twist (However,…)

4. Explanation5. Thesis Statement

INTRODUCTION

THESIS STATEMEMT

BODY A BODY B BODY C

BODY PARAGRAPHS

In any of the Body paragraphs include:An academic/ scholarly source or a personal example to support information.

1. Summary sentence (General statement –going back to

Introduction)

2. Restatement of Thesis (re-saying your argument

(Ex. Since A, B, and C + your argument)

3. “Call for action” ( a suggestion/advice what to do)

CONCLUSION

TANK YOU for YOUR Attention!

Let’s try to structure a sample essay!

Watch the 3 min Ted Speech on Secrets of Success and THINK about your 3 secrets of success before you structure a 5 paragraph academic essay!

http://ed.ted.com/on/Zyl6wymX