The structure of an academic essay

!There are 3 MAIN TYPES of ESSAY:

a)DESCRIPTIVE essay (focuses on the description of an

object/character/event/place).

b)REFLEXIVE essay (focuses on a PSYCOLOGICAL INTROSPECTION on a

THEME of general interest expressing opinions and thoughts on that
topic).

c)ARGUMENTATIVE essay (focuses on EXPRESSING AGREEMENT or

DISAGREEMENT sustain by objective arguments, on a given
topic/quotation).

!Structuring an essay
-an academic essay is divided into 3 PARTS:
1)INTRODUCTION gives a GENERAL VIEW that is meant to
introduce the THEME/TOPIC of the essay or it only presents the INTENTION
of the writer on the ideas to follow.
2)CONTENT/THE BODY OF THE ESSAY represents a DETAILED
PRESENTATION of opinions, arguments, examples to sustain the topic
should consist of 2 or more paragraphs (each paragraph should introduce a
new idea).
3)CONCLUSION represents a FINAL IDEA on the aspects
presented above that restates the topic in introduction.

!Linking words or expressions

*INTRODUCING THE TOPIC:

-The topic/theme of the book/fragment/chapter is…
-The book/fragment/chapter is about/speaks about/deals with/argues
on/brings forward…
-The author/writer presents/introduces/focuses on/expresses/narrates…

*CHANGING THE TOPIC:

-Now, I want to speak/consider/argue…
-Moving on the other/second aspect/idea/issue…
-Moreover (mai mult decat atat)
-Furthermore (mai departe, in plus)

*REFFERING TO A CERTAIN ASPECT:

-As far as…is concerned…
-Concerning this aspect…
-Regarding…
-As regards…

*POINTING SIGNIFICANCE/IMPORTANCE:
-Specific adjectives/epithets:
-great importance: significant, key-, outstanding, crucial/historic/
memorable, major, brilliant, (N) breakthrough (eveniment fara precedent,
revolutionary).
-less importance: insignificant, of a lesser importance, minor.

*SEQUENCING IDEAS:
-To show the beginning of a list of ex/arguments/ideas:
-These come as follows:…
-These are the following:…
-(such) as:…
-First of all/Firstly/First/In the first place…
-Second of all/Secondly/Second/In the second place…
-Third of all/Thirdly/Third/In the third place…
-At least/In the end/Finally/Final/In the last place…
*Last but not the least

*EXPRESSING OPINIONS:
-in my opinion…
-as far as I’m concerned/I know…
-as for me…
-if you ask me, I would say that…
-according to my knowledge/belief
-I think/consider/(strongly) believe…
-Personally, I…
*EMPHASIZING A POINT/IDEA:
-Generally/In general…
-As a rule…
-As far as…is concerned…

*EXPRESSING CERTAINTY:
-Beyound any doubt/the shadow of a doubt…
-There is no doubt that…
-It is doubtless…
*It is certain that…

*GIVING EXAMPLES:
-for example/instance…
-let’s take as an example…
-like…
-namely…
-I want to exemplify by…

*CONTRASTING AND COMPARING:

-compare/If comparing…
-let’s take as a comparison…
-in comparison with/comparing with…
-by contrast…
-on the contrary…
-on the one hand…on the other hand…
-as opposed to…
-yet/however/nevertheless…
-in spite of this/V-ing/despite this…
-unlike…

*CONCLUDING:
-in conclusion,…
-to conclude with,…
-to end with,…
-to sum up,..
-all in all,…
-on the whole,…
-in brief/short,…
-Briefly/Shortly,…
 *EXPRESSIONS(noun, adjective, verb+ preposition):
a fi responsabil pentru = to be responsible for
a fi cauza a = to be the cause of
a provoca ceva = to bring along/about
a da nastere la = to give birth to/to give rise to
a suscita(interes)/a trezi = to arouse(the interest)
a reiesi din ceva = to come out of
a se datora cuiva/a ceva = to be due to
a fi rezultatul a ceva = to be the result of
a rezulta din ceva = to result from
a rezulta in ceva = to result in

*MARKERS:
multumita/datorita = thanks to/due to
din cauza a = because of
de aceea, de aici = that’s why, hence/therefore
pe de alta parte/de fapt = whereas