Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

The word ‘essay’ is derived from a Latin word ‘exagium’,

which roughly translates to presenting one’s case. So
essays are a short piece of writing representing one’s side
of the argument or one’s experiences, stories, etc. 

Essays are very personalized. 

An essay is generally a short piece of writing outlining the

writer’s perspective or story. It is often considered
synonymous with a story or a paper or an article. Essays
can be formal as well as informal.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Formal essays are generally academic in nature and tackle serious topics.

Informal essays which are more personal and often have humorous
elements.

1. Descriptive essay
2. Definition essay
3. Compare and contrast essay
4. Cause and effect essay
5. Narrative essay
6. Process essay
7. Argumentative essay
8. Critical essay
9. Expository essay
10. Persuasive essay
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

1. Research: Begin the essay writing process by researching your

topic, making yourself an expert. Utilize the internet, the academic
databases, and the library. Take notes and immerse yourself in the
words of great thinkers.

2. 2. Analysis: Now that you have a good knowledge base, start

analyzing the arguments of the essays you're reading. Clearly
define the claims, write out the reasons, the evidence. Look for
weaknesses of logic, and also strengths. Learning how to write an
essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

3. Brainstorming: Your essay will require insight of your own,

genuine essay-writing brilliance. Ask yourself a dozen
questions and answer them. Meditate with a pen in your
hand. Take walks and think and think until you come up with
original insights to write about.

4. Thesis: Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear

assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your
thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence
that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. It's
practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear
thesis.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

5. Outline: Sketch out your essay before straightway writing it out. Use one-line
sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph
will contain. Play with the essay's order. Map out the structure of your argument, and
make sure each paragraph is unified.

6. Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the
reader's attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a
buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument.
 
(Note: The title and first paragraph are probably the most important elements in your
essay. This is an essay-writing point that doesn't always sink in within the context of the
classroom. In the first paragraph you either hook the reader's interest or lose it. Of course
your teacher, will read the essay you've written regardless, but in the real world, readers
make up their minds about whether or not to read your essay by glancing at the title
alone.)
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

7. Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a

single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic
sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your
ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your
reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words,
instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay.

8. Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-

up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps
a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action.
Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let
him or her know exactly what.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

1. Descriptive Essay
This type of essay is designed for describing details of the subject. It can be
written about any object and its features. You are to describe the way it looks,
smells or works. It can be compared with a detailed overview of the things you
write about. In this type of essay, every detail counts.

2. Definition Essay
The ultimate goal of the definition essay is to focus on the definition of the
subject. It may focus on different things or various origins.
The point of this type of essay is to explain something on a higher level than
dictionaries do.

Here you are to delve into the subject to get the understanding of what it is, how
people perceive it, what it associated with.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

3. Compare & Contrast Essay

This type of essay is aimed to dwell upon on differences and similarities between
two objects, events, things, etc. The reader should receive a clear understanding of
what certain things have in common and what is different about them. The writer
has to be well informed about both subjects in order to provide the reader with a
clear comparison of the two subjects.

4. Cause & Effect Essay

This type of essay is destined to focus on the sequence of an event and the result
of it. It reminds some a study where you are to show what cause has led to a
particular result. In case there are more causes than results or fewer causes than
results the writer has to explore them separately. The cause & effect essay requires
the writer to draw a logical connection between the reasons of a certain event. To
write a good essay of that type it is necessary to study the works on the similar
topics to have a better understanding of how such research is done.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

5. Narrative Essay
This type of essay is aimed at telling a story about a certain event in a
person's life. It may be a funny festival or a watching a good movie in the
cinema, everyday activity or visiting another country. In such essay, you
are free to express your personal attitude towards things that affected
you, places that you liked or people you were with. It is usually written in
the 1st person with a frequent usage of "I.“

6. Process Essay
When it comes to a process essay, one may find certain similarities with a
cause and effect essay. This type of paper required the same level of
understanding of the subject and how it works. It sometimes resembles a
manual where the instructions to do something are given. To write this
essay better, you are to perform the described process if possible as it is
easier to tell about something you know well and good at.
 Introduction to Essay Writing Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Argumentative Essay
When it comes to this type of essay, it should be noted that it is quite useful for
any student on any level of education. The ultimate goal of this essay is to
persuade the reader to take the author's viewpoint. It is not an easy thing to do
as this paper is aimed at manipulating the other people's thoughts to change
their attitude towards something.

For this writing, you are to use firm language, proved facts and accurate and
vivid illustrations as an evidence of your argument should be flawless. Stripped
of these items your argumentative essay won't be persuasive enough and your
influence on the reader will be minimal. Skilled writers are to be completely sure
about every word they write and every fact they give. There is no room for
mistakes and uncertainty. What makes this type of essay more difficult is that
you have to be ready to fight against opposing ideas, and your paper should
contain the antidote to the critics of your viewpoint.
 Opinion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Opinion Based Essay

Step 1 – Introduction
In the introductory paragraph, you need to present your subject and state
your opinion clearly. Make sure it contains a thesis statement – a
sentence that summarizes the main point of your paper.
 
There are several techniques to begin your essay, so you can:
 
address the reader directly;
include a quotation, direct speech, a sentence from a book or play;
ask a rhetorical question.
 Opinion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Step 2 - Main Body

In the body of your essay, you need to support your thesis statement. Write
several paragraphs, each presenting a separate point of view supported by
reasons. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence – the main idea you
will back up with arguments. Make sure you don't begin a new paragraph
because the one you are writing right now is too long. Begin a new
paragraph only when you want to discuss a new idea.
 
While writing, pay special attention to:
 
 Opinion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Tense – normally you should use present tenses in this type of essay.
Linking words – use different expressions for giving reasons (one
reason for ... is / many people believe that... / since... / due to...),
expressions opinions (to my mind... / I am convinced that... / from my
point of view...), adding ideas (first of all.../ secondly... / what is more,
…/ finally... ), etc.
Formal vocabulary – do not use idioms, phrasal verbs or colloquial
expressions.
Formal punctuation – do not use exclamation marks, parentheses and
contractions.
Citing sources where necessary.
 Opinion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Step 3 – Conclusion

To conclude your opinion essay, write a paragraph where

you restate your opinion using different words. You should
avoid introducing a new idea or apologizing for your views.
However, to make your essay more engaging, you can end
with a warning, ask a provocative question or suggest
consequences.
 Opinion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Proofreading:
When you complete your essay, evaluate different aspects to make sure that
your work is just excellent:
Grammar – make sure you use the same tense throughout the essay.
Vocabulary – check whether you use linking words and avoid slang.
Spelling and capitalization – check if all the words are written correctly.
In addition, make sure you do not present your ideas using the lists. After all,
this is an opinion essay, not a shopping list.
Done right, your opinion essay will be an outstanding piece of writing. Follow
the tips above and take your essay writing to the new heights!
 Advantages and disadvantages description Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Advantages and disadvantages description Essay

This advantage disadvantage essay is not asking for your opinion. You could
simply write one paragraph on the advantages and another on the
disadvantages.

Understanding the Task

When you have this type of advantage disadvantage essay it is important to

distinguish between this and one that asks you to discuss advantages and
disadvantages but does not ask your opinion.

If you are asked “What are the advantages and disadvantages of…..” you are
not being asked your opinion. You simply have to discuss the benefits and
drawbacks.
 Advantages and disadvantages description Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

You could do this in two body paragraphs:

Body One: The positive points

Body Two: The negative points

However, if you have the word “outweigh” or “Will this trend have more positive
or negative effects?” then you are being asked for your opinion and you must
say which there are the most of – positive or negative impacts. 

If you do not do this then you may get your score reduced on ‘Task Response’
for not fully addressing the question.
 Advantages and disadvantages description Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Writing your Thesis

You then need to think of 3 supporting ideas. One for one side and two for
the other side.
So you will then have three body paragraphs, one with the drawback /
benefit and two with the advantages / disadvantages.
It is common academic practice to start with the opposing opinion to
yours, so you can start with the point that you have one idea for.
 Advantages and disadvantages description Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Question 1
In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

Question 2
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language
at primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 3
Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
 Problem and Solution Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Problem and Solution based Essay

Describe the problem

Convince the reader the problem needs solving

Explain the solution proposal

Argue that this is the best solution

Refute objections
 Problem and Solution Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Introduction
In the introduction, you need to describe the problem and explain why it needs to
be solved and then give your thesis solution. Remember:
•If it is an unknown problem, you will need to explain in detail.
•If it is a familiar problem, then you need to paint a vivid picture.
•In both situations, you will need to convince the reader that it is an important
problem.
 Problem and Solution Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Creative Introduction Ideas

1.Tell a true-life story about the problem.
2.Give a personal experience story.
3.Give statistics and facts about the problem which make it vivid for the reader.
4.Give the history of the situation and explain how this problem developed.
5.Use a vivid description with sensory details that makes the reader see the
situation.

Thesis
At the end of your introduction, you can ask your thesis question and then give
your solution idea as the thesis statement. Here are some tips:

• State your solution clearly in one sentence.

• Usually, your thesis sentence will come after your description of the problem.
• Sometimes, you may not want to state this thesis until after you have shown
that the present solutions aren't working, especially if your thesis is something
simple.
 Problem and Solution Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Body of Paper
The body of your paper will be three or more paragraphs and must:
• Explain your solution clearly
• Give details about how this solution will solve the problem
• Explain who will be in charge and how it will be funded
• Give evidence that your solution will work (expert opinion, examples of when it has worked before,
statistics, studies, or logical argument)

The body of your paper will also seek to argue that your solution:
• Will solve the problem.
• Is cost-effective.
• Is feasible to implement.
• Is a reasonable solution to the problem.
• Can stand up to possible objections.
• Is better than other solutions.
 Problem and Solution Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Writing the Conclusion

• Your conclusion will be one or more paragraphs. For an excellent ending, you
want to clinch your argument and convince your reader that your solution is the
best. Here are some effective ideas:
• Tell the reader what should happen.
• Give a description of how the situation will change if your plan is adopted.
• Use the end of the frame story to show how the solution is needed or how it will
work.
• Give a real-life example or scenario showing adoption of your plan and how it
works.
• Cite convincing facts, statistics, or expert testimony on the solution or the
problem.
 Discussion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Identifying the Question

Look at the three questions below and choose one you think is a discussion
question.
Question 1.
Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be
no role for the teacher in education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Question 2.
Computers are being used more and more in education.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Question 3.
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this
is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
 Discussion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Introduction:
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- State Both Points of View

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- State first viewpoint
Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4- Example to support your view
 Discussion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- State second viewpoint

Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 4- Example to support your view

Conclusion 

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Discussion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership
Discussion Based Essay Knowledge – Commitment – Leadership