Transcript The Essay powerpoint

THE ESSAY
REFERENCE POINTS FOR
“KIDS WHO WANT TO WRITE GOOD”
DEFINITION
Derived from the French verb essayer “to try”, an
essay is a composition discussing a topic in either
an informal or formal style.
It is an extended piece of writing in which an author
explores a subject in some detail.
The author should have a clear purpose, should
reflect on his or her ideas, organize them clearly,
and “try” to capture the attention of the intended
audience with stimulating and insightful content.
A WELL-WRITTEN ESSAY MUST HAVE
A PURPOSE
inform
convince
entertain
analyze
problem solve
DEFINITION OF PURPOSE
The reason for its existence, the
reason why it has been written.
It will determine nearly everything
about the piece of writing-its tone,
diction, style, selection of specific
details, audience, attitude.
AND MAY BE CATEGORIZED
ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING
TYPES…
Expository which explains or informs about
an event, process, issue, or topic.
Narrative tells a story of an event or
experience
TYPES CONTINUED…
Descriptive describes a person, place, event, object,
or process.
Persuasive/argumentative tries to win the audience
over to an idea or point of view. The writer can
either be serious or funny, but always tries to
convince the reader of the validity of his or her
opinion. The essay may argue openly, or it may
attempt to subtly persuade the reader by using
irony or sarcasm.
HAS AN INTENDED AUDIENCE…
DEFINITION OF AUDIENCE
The people for whom a piece of literature is written.
Authors usually write with a certain audience in mind, for
example: children, members of a religious or ethnic
group, or colleagues in a professional field.
The term “audience” also applies to the people who
gather to see or hear any performance, including
plays, poetry readings, speeches, and concerts
HAS UNITY…
Unity: your
essay should
contain only the
content that is
relevant to your
topic
WAYS TO ESTABLISH UNITY
1. Development of topic sentence.
2. Elimination of all unrelated ideas.
3. One main dominant impression.
4. Introduce new paragraph when a
new idea about subject.
UNITY CONTINUED…
5. Paragraphs make a direct reference to
introduction (thesis).
6. Maintains a consistent point of view.
7. Concluding paragraph restates thesis
(closing by return)
8. Maintains a single focus.
HAS COHERENCE…
Coherence:
involves the smooth and
effective transition from
one idea to another or from
one sentence or paragraph
to another
IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH COHERENCE…
1. ideas must be arranged in proper order.
2. The gaps between sentences and paragraphs must
be bridged
3. Thoughts must be developed appropriately.
#1. THOUGH LOGICAL ORDER
•order of importance: most to least important
•chronological: beginning, middle, end
•time order: “then”, “later”
•spacial or place: “on the right”, “in the
distance”, “in front of” etc.
•logical: familiar to unfamiliar; general to
specific
NUMBER TWO - THOUGH
REPETITION
•repeat key words/phrases
•similes, metaphors
•closing by return
NUMBER THREE - PARALLELISM
Refers to the use of equivalent grammatical forms to
express a series of ideas of equal importance. Parallelism can
help to give your sentences rhythm, balance, impact, and clarity
of expression.
Examples: she loved jogging, swimming, and skiing.
I skydive to relieve boredom and to get over my fear of heights.
The movie is successful because it is very funny and because it features a
popular star.
Early in the novel the character, Piers, did… In the fifth chapter, he did…
At the climax in the seventh chapter, he did…
NUMBER FOUR - THROUGH
PRONOUN REFERENCES
Pronouns- generic words that are used to rename or replace other "brandname"
Nouns-must have an antecedent (the initial noun which is then replaced by the
pronoun). The pronoun and its antecedent must agree in number, person and
gender.
Pronoun references, when used effectively, can create coherence.
NUMBER FIVE - THOUGH TRANSITIONAL
PHRASES
Use connectives and transitions:
between paragraphs
between sentences
AND EMPHASIS…
Emphasis: means that
important elements in
the essay are made to
stand out (key ideas)
How can this be done?
AN ESSAY SHOULD HAVE STYLE
Style – the author’s presentation; depends on the subject, purpose, tone; audience
must be considered. Style may include:
Formal language that is polite, respectful and following particular conventions
(covering letter for job, textbooks, public speeches)
STYLE CONTINUED
1. Informal is the language used in letters to
friends and in family conversations.
2. The writing is less obviously serious in
purpose, usually shorter, freer of structure
3. Written to please and entertain rather than
to instruct
STYLE (CONT.)
Imaginative
Satirical – making a comment about a serious subject in a humorous way; use of
sarcasm
Narrative – tell a story; lots of action, little plot development
HAS DICTION
The choice of words
and phrases. In
literature, a term
used to describe the
level of language
used. Example:
slang, colloquial,
formal)
AN ESSAY SHOULD REFLECT THE TONE
Or the writer’s attitude
towards his or her
subject and audience.
admiration, arrogance, belonging, bitterness,
cynicism, depressed, dignified, furious,
indignation, ironic, reverence, satirical,
wonderment, etc.
AND REVOLVE AROUND A CLEAR
THEME
the dominating idea or central
focus of a piece of writing.
“Dulce et Decorum Est”
Subject: War
Theme: Nothing romantic
about dying for one’s country
HAS A SPECIFIC
STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION
PROVIDES A STRONG INTRODUCTION
IS WELL-SUPPORTED WITH
EXAMPLES/EVIDENCE
LEADS THE READER TO A LOGICAL
CONCLUSION THAT SUMMARIZES
THE MAIN IDEAS
DEVELOPMENT
Effective essays require sufficient
elaboration and enough concrete
evidence, detail, and explanation of facts
to support your thesis statement
(central ideal of an essay written in a
complete sentence that establishes the
topic of the essay in clear, unambiguous
language)
THIS CAN BE DONE BY USING SOME OF THE
FOLLOWING METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT)
•
Example and Illustration is used to support an idea,
reinforce a contention, or clarify some topic.
•
Process Analysis presents information and gives
direction. Process refers to the way something is
done or how it happens. Analysis of a process
explains rather than specifically shows how. How-to
of a process details specific steps
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT CONT…
Comparative Essay:
• Explores the similarities and differences between two (or
among more) related items
• Makes a thesis statement about these similarities and
differences
• Reveals unexpected relationships among items
• Can be written for one of more of the following purposes: to
inform, persuade, evaluate or entertain
• Uses specific examples
• Is organized consistently, item by item
Cause and effect
• Explores and explains the causes and effects of
certain events, conditions, or situations
• Supports explanations with specific evidence
• Presents the evidence in a well-organized, logical
sequence
• Makes connections clear with transitional words
such as as a result, because, due to
METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT CONT..
Classification and Division Essay
Is a means whereby items, ideas, topics, or any entity are
sorted and arranged into meaningful categories
Attempts to deal with the complexity of a subject by
separating it into smaller, individual units.
A writer may wish to further divide his topic into parts in
order to begin a more detailed analysis.
METHODS CONTINUED…
Definition
Expository writing which concentrates on detailing the
characteristics of a particular thing.
May extend beyond the basic definition by dealing with a
topic’s qualities, purpose, history and so on.
Definition is at home with process analysis, where
unfamiliar terms must be explained.
•
Humor
•
Analogy (comparison)
•
Restating a key idea in
different words