Assignment

Topic :
Essay writing
Submitted To :
MAM. Faiza
Submitted by : Roll No
49, 50, 51,
52, 53, 54
Class :
BS MASS COM & Media
Smaster :
2nd
Subject :
Functional English
 Essay Writing
Definition of Essay
Essay is derived from the French word essayer, which means “to attempt,” or
“to try.” An essay is a short form of literary composition based on a single subject
matter, and often gives the personal opinion of the author. A famous English
essayist, Aldous Huxley defines essays as, “a literary device for saying almost
everything about almost anything.” The Oxford Dictionary describes it as “a
short piece of writing on a particular subject.” In simple words, we can define it
as a scholarly work in writing that provides the author’s personal argument.

Format of an Essay
1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraphs
3. Conclusion

Introduction
Definition of Introduction
An introduction, or introductory paragraph, falls in the start of an essay. It is the
first paragraph, which is also called “a gateway” of an essay. It is because it
attracts the attention of readers to the essay and gives them background
information about the topic. It also introduces the thesis statement of the
essay, which is the heart of an essay, and tells what is to be discussed in the
body paragraphs.

Elements of an Introduction
Generally, an introduction has four integral elements which come in a
sequence, one after the other. They are as given below:
1. Hook or attention grabber
2. Background information
3. Connect
4. Thesis statement
Hook:
A hook is the first sentence of an introduction. It is also called an “attention
grabber.” As the name suggests, it is intended to hook readers, or grab their
attention. It therefore must be attractive, charming, and readable to encourage
readers read the entire piece. A hook could be a good quote, a good verse, or
a good incident, anecdote, or an event.
Background Information:
Background information takes most of the space in an introduction. It normally
comes after the hook, which is just as single sentence. However, background
information in a short essay could take three to four sentences, and more in a
long essay. Its purpose is to introduce the readers to the background of the
topic, so that they should be able to expect what is to come next and then read
it.
Connect:
This is just a short sentence which connects the background information with
the thesis statement. It is often missed in short essays, where background
information is directly connected with the thesis statement. However, in longer
essays, it is a short sentence that starts with a transition, and connects the
background information with the thesis statement. Its purpose is to let the
readers connect with the major themes of the essay.
Thesis Statement:
This element comes directly after the connect, and is often called the heart,
core, or central point of the essay. Without a thesis statement, an essay cannot
be called a good essay, as it misses its thesis or central point of argument. In a
five-paragraph essay, the thesis statement should comprise a single sentence,
with three points of evidence that are discussed in body paragraphs. However,
in longer essays, it could be longer. It could be two or three sentences, with
each sentence having two or three evidences and a counterargument

Body Paragraph
Definition of Body Paragraph
A body paragraph in an essay is a paragraph that comes between
the introduction and the conclusion. In a five-paragraph essay, there are three
body paragraphs, while in longer essays there could be five or even ten. In
major research papers, there are hundreds of body paragraphs.
Components of a Body Paragraph
A body paragraph has three major components: (1) topic sentence, (2)
explanation, (3) supporting details. Without any of them, the body paragraph
seems to be missing something, and will not add anything to the theme and
central idea of the essay.

Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and states the main
idea to be discussed in the paragraph. In a body paragraph, the topic
sentence is always about the evidence given in the thesis statement of the
essay. It could be a claim, an assertion, or a fact needing explanation. It is
generally a statement or a declarative sentence.

Explanation / Example
The topic sentence is followed by an explanation and/or an example.
Whatever it is, it generally starts with “in other words” or “it means;” or “for
example,” “for instance,” etc. This is called “metacommentary,” or telling of the
same thing in different words to explain it further, so that readers can
understand.

Supporting Details
Supporting details include concrete examples, rather than explanation or
metacommentary. In common essays, or five-paragraph essays, this is just a
one-sentence example from everyday life. However, in the case of research
essays, these are usually quotes and statistics from research studies.

Different Between an Introduction and a Body Paragraph

Although both are called paragraphs, both are very different from each other
not only in terms of functions but also in terms of components. An introduction
occurs in the beginning and has three major components; a hook, background
information, and a thesis statement. However, a body paragraph is comprised
of a topic sentence making a claim, an explanation or example of the claim, and
supporting details.
 Conclusion

Definition of Conclusion / A Concluding Paragraph in Essay

A conclusion is the last paragraph of an essay. It occurs after the body
paragraphs have said what they have to say. It is comprised of three important
elements:
1. Rephrasing of the thesis statement
2. Summary of main ideas
3. Concluding remarks

The first element, the rephrasing of the thesis statement, is to remind readers
about the topic discussed in the essay. It usually breaks the thesis statement
into three parts, and put it in two or three sentences.
The second element summarizes all of the main points of the essay. It usually
contains three or more sentences. It could be that these main points are the
same given in the thesis statement before it, repeating them for emphasis.
However, mostly these main points are other than the ones given in the thesis
statement.

The concluding remarks are the final remarks of the essay. These remarks
could be a call to action, a suggestion, a recommendation, or a wakeup call. It
could be a final question mark demanding further detailed response, or it could
be an ending statement.

Difference Between a Body Paragraph and Conclusion

A body paragraph explains a claim made in its topic sentence. It then gives an
example, and supporting details about the claim. However, a conclusion sums
up the whole essay on a thoughtful response. Both have different elements and
different structures.
Types of Essays
The type of an essay will depend on what the writer wants to convey to his
reader. There are broadly four types of essays. Let us see.
1. Argumentative Essay
2. Descriptive Essay
3. Narrative Essay
4. Discursive Essay

Argumentative Essay
Definition of Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay is a type of essay that presents arguments about both
sides of an issue. It could be that both sides are presented equally balanced, or
it could be that one side is presented more forcefully than the other. It all
depends on the writer, and what side he supports the most. The general
structure of an argumentative essay follows this format:

Introduction: Attention Grabber / hook, Background Information, Thesis

Statement

Body: Three body paragraphs (three major arguments)

Counterargument: An argument to refute earlier arguments and give
weight to the actual position

Conclusion: Rephrasing the thesis statement, major points, call to

attention, or concluding remarks.

Example:
The Flight from Conversation
“We’ve become accustomed to a new way of being “alone together.”
Technology-enabled, we are able to be with one another, and also elsewhere,
connected to wherever we want to be. We want to customize our lives. We want
to move in and out of where we are because the thing we value most is control
over where we focus our attention. We have gotten used to the idea of being in
a tribe of one, loyal to our own party.”
 Descriptive Essay

Definition of Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay, as the name implies, is a form of essay that describes
something. In this genre, students are assigned the task of describing objects,
things, places, experiences, persons, and situations. The students use sensory
information to enable readers to use their five senses of touch, taste, smell,
hearing, and sight to understand the topic of the essay.

Qualities of a Descriptive Essay

1. Clear and Concise

2. Use of Images
3. Use of Five Senses

As far as clear and concise language is concerned, it is necessary to describe

things precisely. Imagery is used to make things seem real and remarkable.
The use of the five senses creates the imagery, or a mental picture, for each
reader.

Example:
Our Little Store rose right up from the sidewalk; standing in a street of family
houses, it al one hadn’t any yard in front, any tree or flower bed. It was a plain
frame building covered over with brick. Above the door, a little railed porch ran
across on an upstairs level and four windows with shades were looking out. But
I didn’t catch on to those. Running in out of the sun, you met what seemed total
obscurity inside. There were almost tangible smells — licorice recently sucked
in a child’s cheek, dill pickle brine1 that had leaked through a paper sack in a
fresh trail across the wooden floor, ammonia-loaded ice that had been hoisted
from wet Croker sacks and slammed into the icebox with its sweet butter at the
door, and perhaps the smell of still untrapped mice.”
 Narrative Essay
Definition of Narrative Essay
A narrative essay is a type of essay that has a single motif, or a central point,
around which the whole narrative revolves. All incidents, happenings, and
characters revolve around a single motif presented in the narrative. A narrative
essay is similar to a simple five-paragraph essay, in that it has the same format.
It is only different in that it is a narrative, having characters, incidents, and
dialogues

Elements of a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay has three required elements: character, theme, and dialogue.

Character
Characters are an important part of a narrative essay. Even if the essay is
autobiographical in nature, the person writing the essay is a character involving
some other characters who act, behave, and do like all other characters
presented in stories and novels.

Theme
A narrative essay revolves around a theme or a motif. This theme or motif is
presented in its thesis statement, which breaks it down into three distinct
evidences. These three distinct evidences are then further elaborated through
characters in body paragraphs.

Dialogue
Dialogue is used to capture the conversation between characters. In a narrative
essay, dialogue is the third important element, without which the characters lose
their worth and liveliness.

Example
Saturday Evening Post

“When I burst in that afternoon she was in conference with an executive of the
Curtis Publishing Company. She introduced me. He bent low from the waist and
shook my hand. Was it true as my mother had told him, he asked, that I longed
for the opportunity to conquer the world of business?
My mother replied that I was blessed with a rare determination to make
something of myself.

‘That’s right,’ I whispered.

‘But have you got the grit, the character, the never-say-quit spirit it takes to
succeed in business?’

My mother said I certainly did.”

Discursive Essay
Definition :
A discursive essay is a type of essay that discusses a problem, a controversy,
or a recent issue. This essay may be informal or formal, but is most often written
in a formal manner. Many universities and classes require applicants and
students to write this type of essay to examine and evaluate their skills in writing,
thought formation, and analysis.

One of the distinguishing elements of a discursive essay is its objectivity. It is

important that the writer present the problem in an unbiased manner, discussing
all points of argument thoroughly and carefully. If instructions allow the writer to
side with one point, he should first present all sides before choosing one. To
make the essay more objective, it is recommended that the essay be written in
a third-person perspective and avoid using first-person phrases such as “in my
opinion,” “I believe,” and “I fully support.” In this way, a discursive essay is
different from an argumentative essay, as the latter only presents one side of
the issue and discusses details for or against that side.

An effective discursive essay often, if not always, starts with a sound

introduction that clearly establishes what the issue is about. It can also discuss
the issue’s relevance and context to other current issues. The gist of the issue
should not go beyond one paragraph, which can be composed, generally, of
three to six sentences.

negative points, instead of jumping from one positive argument to a negative

one.

Ideally, each main point should be discussed in just one paragraph. The writer
can start the paragraph with a concise, to-the-point statement before
expounding into details and presenting other lines of reasoning. To make an
argument more credible, the paragraphs can also include further examples,
situational cases, and even quotations from reliable sources and important
people regarding the issue. After finishing one point, the writer should start with
another paragraph, using proper conjunctions and connective phrases to make
for a smooth transition.

A discursive essay should also end with a conclusion, or a paragraph that

summarizes the main elements and arguments within the issue. If allowed, the
writer can also state his position regarding the issue, but should still be
unbiased. He can also give a “forecast” of what can or cannot happen, given
the information and details presented. The conclusion should not include new
ideas that are not expounded before. A discursive essay should not only discuss
a certain subject matter, but should also invoke readers to create further
discussions.