Essay Writing

1. Definition of an Essay
An essay is a literary composition that expresses a certain idea, claim, or
concept and backs it up with supporting statements. It will follow a logical
pattern, to include an introductory paragraph (make the claim), a body
(support), and a conclusion (summary of statements and support).
An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or
argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.
There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content
and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course
requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative—
they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a
topic.

2. The basic Structure of an essay: introduction, body and

conclusion; reviewing paragraph structure Vs essay structure
There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay
structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and
deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.
Parts of an essay
The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.
Part Content
Introduction  Presents your topic
 Provides background
 Gives your thesis statement

Body  All paragraphs relate to your thesis

 Main points/ writer's claims/arguments
and analysis
 One main point per paragraph
 Presents evidence / details supporting
the core argument/writer claim in each
paragraph
 Each paragraph starts with a topic
sentence

Conclusion  Ties together your main points
 Shows why your opinion/claim/argument
matters

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3. Identifying thesis statement and supporting paragraphs,
elements of the thesis statement: topic and controlling idea
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your
paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.
Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re
writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea
you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to
this idea.
A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a
signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.
The best thesis statements are:
 Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more
words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or
two sentences.
 Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that
everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that
requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
 Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be
supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Steps for writing thesis statement

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:
A. Start with a question
For example, you might ask:
Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?
Or:
What impact did the invention of braille (the raised-dot reading system used
by blind and visually impaired people) have?
B. Write your initial answer
After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this
question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research
process and writing process.
The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on
education.The invention of braille improved the lives of blind people.
C Develop your answer
Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will
convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic
and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

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In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your
position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

Argumentative thesis statement

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for
education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key
historical development that you’ll explain.
Expository thesis statement
The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind
people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

D. Refine your thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:
 Why you hold this position
 What they’ll learn from your essay
 The key points of your argument or narrative
The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes
your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To
strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader
context of your topic.

Example: Improved thesis statement on internet use:-

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for
education: it facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different
perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and
teachers.

Example: Improved thesis statement on the invention of braille:-

The invention of braille transformed the lives of blind people in the 19th
century, but its success depended on mainstream acceptance by sighted
teachers, and this process was shaped by debates about disabled people’s
place in society.

Types of thesis statements

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary
depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

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  In an argumentative essay, your thesis statement should take a strong
position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis
based on evidence and logical reasoning.
 In an expository essay, you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or
process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong
opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you
want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

Example: Argumentative essay thesis statement:-

Although surveillance is viewed negatively by many people, its positive
social effects outweigh its downsides. Greater surveillance in public areas
helps maintain public order and ensures the personal safety of citizens.

Example: Expository essay thesis statement:-

The European Renaissance is closely linked to the economic wealth of Italy in
the Middle Ages. The development of Italian port towns as major trading
posts during the Crusades, along with the establishment of banking systems,
made patronage of the arts and sciences possible.

Placement of the thesis statement

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay
introduction or research paper introduction.
Example of an essay introduction
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the
world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among
young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow
up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful.
This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of
internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the
internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to
different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both
students and teachers.

4. Achieving unity and coherence within an essay

1.Unity
After you have already learned an essay and its parts, that
essay should consist of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The next step is to make sure that all three parts of essay work
together to explain your topic clearly.

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Therefore, a good essay needs “unity‟. Unity means single
idea. As mentioned by Zemach and Rumisek (2003: 78), unity in
writing is the connection all ideas to a single topic. In an essay all
ideas should relate to the thesis statement, and the supporting
ideas in a main body paragraph should relate to the topic
sentence. For example, if your essay is about the advantages of
fasting, discuss only that. Do not discuss about the disadvantages
When you want to keep a unity in an essay you have to edit
the outline for ideas that are not relevant to the thesis statement
or topic sentence. Also, after you have written the essay, it is
helpful to review the text and look for ideas that do not relate to
the thesis.

Coherence
A good essay also needs a coherence. According to Zemach
and Rumisek (2003: 82), coherence is related to unity. Ideas that
are arranged in a clear and logical way are coherent. The purpose
of coherence is to make the readers easily understand the
main points.
As mentioned by Oshima and Hogue (2006) There are four
ways to achieve coherence:
1. Repeat key nouns.
The easiest way to achieve coherence is to repeat key
nouns frequently in your paragraph or essay.
2. Use consistent pronouns.
When you use pronouns, make sure that you use the
same person and number throughout your paragraph.
Don't change from you to he or she (change of person)
or from he to they (change of number)

5. Writing the introduction (writing the hook, the background and

the thesis statement)
Introduction
The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should
accomplish a few specific goals. The main goals of an introduction are to:
 Catch your reader’s attention.
 Give background on your topic.
 Present your thesis statement—the central point of your essay.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay. It
sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

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Step 1: Hook your reader (Capture the reader's interest)
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on
writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy
that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic
you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or
plain statements of fact that are boring.
Examples: Writing a good hook
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve
them.
 Braille was an extremely important invention. (Incorrect)
 The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of
disability. (Correct)
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting,
making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
 The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a
variety of information and communication facilities.” (Incorrect)
 The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least
on the world of education. (Correct)
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious
term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it
gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
 Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth
century. (Incorrect)
 Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale
about the dangers of scientific advancement. (Correct)
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved
hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying
that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

Step 2: Give background information (Introduce the topic )

The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the
reader for your thesis statement. Give your reader the context they need to
understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your
essay, this might include:
 Historical, geographical, or social context
 An outline of the debate you’re addressing
 A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic

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  Definitions of key terms
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to
your argument.
Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to
later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the
essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the
scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to
introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Example: Background information:- The writing system of raised dots used
by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in
nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in
general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading
and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile
reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted
systems were difficult to learn and use.

Step 3: Present your thesis statement

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say
about the topic. This is your thesis statement—a sentence or two that sums
up your overall argument. Make a claim or express your opinion about
the topic in a thesis sentence. Your thesis sentence should provide your
specific assertion and convey clearly your point of view about your topic.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just
a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central
point about a topic.

Example: Thesis statement

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a
groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits,
but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

Step 4: Map your essay’s structure (Signposting)

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by
signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your
reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

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Example: Signposting:- This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind
people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of
Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education.
Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind
people’s social and cultural lives.

Essay Introduction paragraph example on the history of Braille.

1The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of
disability. 2The writing system of raised dots used by visually
impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-
century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in
general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access
to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social
participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but
existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn
and use. 3 As the first writing system designed for blind people’s
needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not
only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural
status of blindness. 4This essay begins by discussing the situation
of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the
invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within
blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects
of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

1. Hook:- Opens with a bold, concise claim to lead into the essay's argument.
2. Context:- Introduces the topic with a clear definition and relevant
background information.
3. Thesis statement:- States the essay's central argument.
4. Structure overview:- Signposts what will be covered in each part of the
essay.
.
6. Writing the body and the conclusion of an Essay | Drafting &
Redrafting
The body is the longest part of an essay. This is where you lead the reader
through your ideas, elaborating arguments and evidence for your thesis. The
body is always divided into paragraphs.
You can work through the body in three main stages:
1. Create an outline of what you want to say and in what order.
2. Write a first draft to get your main ideas down on paper.

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 3. Write a second draft to clarify your arguments and make sure
everything fits together.
1. Start with an outline
Before you start, make a rough outline (structure) that sketches out the main
points you want to make and the order you’ll make them in. This can help
you remember how each part of the essay should relate to the other parts.
However, remember that the outline isn’t set in stone – don’t be afraid to
change the organization if necessary. Work on an essay’s structure begins
before you start writing, but it continues as you write, and goes on even after
you’ve finished writing the first draft.
While you’re writing a certain section, if you come up with an idea for
something elsewhere in the essay, take a few moments to add to your
outline or make notes on your organizational plans.
How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples
An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you
start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for
every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving you a picture of how
your argument will unfold.
You’ll sometimes be asked to submit an essay outline as a separate
assignment before you start writing an essay—but even if you don’t have to
hand one in, it’s a good idea to create an outline as part of your writing
process.
Organizing your material
At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably
still not fully formed. You should know your topic and have already done
some preliminary research to find relevant sources, but now you need to
shape your ideas into a structured argument.
Creating categories
Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your
research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this
will be the basis of your thesis statement. Once you have an idea of your
overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that
serves that argument.
Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of
your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your
ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or
turning points from the period you’re discussing.
Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending
on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body

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paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each
theme.
As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are
any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is
clearly related to your thesis statement.
Order of information
When you have your material organized into several categories, consider
what order they should appear in.
Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion,
but the organization of the body is up to you.
Consider these questions to order your material:
 Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
 Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
 Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?
Presentation of the outline
Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall
topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.
In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences
or phrases. They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.
The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-
paragraph essay.

Essay outline template

I. Introduction
A. Hook
B. Background
C. Thesis statement
II. Topic one
A. First point
1. First piece of evidence
2. Second piece of evidence
B. Second point
1. First piece of evidence
2. Second piece of evidence
III. Topic two
A. First point
1. First piece of evidence
2. Second piece of evidence
B. Second point
1. First piece of evidence

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 2. Second piece of evidence
IV. Topic three
A. First point
1. First piece of evidence
2. Second piece of evidence
B. Second point
1. First piece of evidence
2. Second piece of evidence
V. Conclusion
A. Summary/synthesis
B. Importance of topic
C. Strong closing statement
You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short
phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as
full sentences and others as short phrases.
Examples of essay outlines
Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an
argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.
Argumentative essay outline
This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s
impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.
Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a
different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.
Argumentative essay outline
I. Introduction
A. Importance of the internet
B. Concerns about internet use
C. Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
II. The internet’s harmful effects on attention
A. Smartphone as classroom distraction
1. Data exploring this effect
2. Analysis indicating it is overstated
B. Impatience with reading
1. Students’ reading levels over time
2. Why this data is questionable
III. Flexibility the internet allows for
A. Variety of media to engage different learners
1. Video media
2. Interactive media
B. Accessible means of independent research

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 1. Speed and simplicity of online research
2. Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
IV. Students’ use of Wikipedia
A. Negatives of Wikipedia
1. Evidence indicating its ubiquity
2. Claims that it discourages engagement with academic
writing
B. Positives of Wikipedia
1. Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
2. Argument that it introduces students to citation
V. Conclusion
A. Summary of key points
B. Value of digital education for students
C. Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the
printing press affected life and politics in Europe.
The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual
points are described with full sentences.

Expository essay outline

I. Introduction
A. Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
B. Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing
press.
C. Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press
increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the
Reformation.
II. Situation before the printing press
A. Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
B. Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were
mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
C. Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
III. Invention and spread of the printing press
A. Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes
Gutenberg.
B. Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
C. Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the
Gutenberg Bible.

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 D. Link to the Reformation.

IV. Printing press’s influence on the Reformation

A. Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages
during the years following the printing press’s invention.
B. Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
C. Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on
religion and politics.
V. Conclusion
A. Summarize the history described.
B. Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this
period.

2. Write the first draft

Your goals in the first draft are to turn your rough ideas into workable
arguments, add detail to those arguments, and get a sense of what the final
product will actually look like.
Start wherever you want
Many writers do not begin writing at the introduction, or even the early body
paragraphs. Start writing your essay where it seems most natural for you to
do so.
Some writers might prefer to start with the easiest section to write, while
others prefer to get the most difficult section out of the way first. Think about
what material you need to clarify for yourself, and consider beginning there.
Tackle one idea at a time
Each paragraph should aim to focus on one central idea, giving evidence,
explanation, and arguments that relate to that idea.
At the start of each paragraph, write a topic sentence that expresses the
main point. Then elaborate and expand on the topic sentence in the rest of
the paragraph.
When you’ve said everything you have to say about the idea, move onto a
new paragraph.
Keep your argument flexible
You may realize as you write that some of your ideas don’t work as well as
you thought they would. Don’t give up on them too easily, but be prepared
to change or abandon sections if you realize they don’t make sense.
You’ll probably also come up with new ideas that you’d not yet thought of
when writing the outline. Note these ideas down and incorporate them into
the essay if there’s a logical place for them.

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If you’re stuck on one section, move on to another part of the essay and
come back to it later.
Don’t delete content
If you begin to dislike a certain section or even the whole essay, don’t scrap
it in fit of rage!
If something really isn’t working, you can paste it into a separate document,
but keep what you have, even if you don’t plan on using it. You may find that
it contains or inspires new ideas that you can use later.
Note your sources
Students often make work for themselves by forgetting to keep track of
sources when writing drafts.
You can save yourself a lot of time later and ensure you avoid plagiarism by
noting down the name, year, and page number every time
you quote or paraphrase from a source.
You can also use a citation generator to save a list of your sources and copy-
and-paste citations when you need them.

Avoid perfectionism
When you’re writing a first draft, it’s important not to get slowed down by
small details. Get your ideas down on paper now and perfect them later. If
you’re unsatisfied with a word, sentence, or argument, flag it in the draft and
revisit it later.
When you finish the first draft, you will know which sections and paragraphs
work and which might need to be changed. It doesn’t make sense to spend
time polishing something you might later cut out or revise.

3. Write the second draft

Working on the second draft means assessing what you’ve got and rewriting
it when necessary. You’ll likely end up cutting some parts of the essay and
adding new ones.
Check your ideas against your thesis (Check for Unity of Ideas,
evidence and details)
Everything you write should be driven by your thesis. Looking at each piece
of information or argumentation, ask yourself:
 Does the reader need to know this in order to understand or accept my
thesis?
 Does this give evidence for my thesis?
 Does this explain the reasoning behind my thesis?
 Does this show something about the consequences or importance of
my thesis?

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If you can’t answer yes to any of these questions, reconsider whether it’s
relevant enough to include.
If your essay has gone in a different direction than you originally planned,
you might have to rework your thesis statement to more accurately reflect
the argument you’ve made.
Watch out for weak points
Be critical of your arguments, and identify any potential weak points:
 Unjustified assumptions: Can you be confident that your reader
shares or will accept your assumptions, or do they need to be spelled
out?
 Lack of evidence: Do you make claims without backing them up?
 Logical inconsistencies: Do any of your points contradict each
other?
 Uncertainty: Are there points where you’re unsure about your own
claims or where you don’t sound confident in what you’re saying?
Fixing these issues might require some more research to clarify your position
and give convincing evidence for it.

Check the organization

When you’re happy with all the main parts of your essay, take another look
at the overall shape of it. You want to make sure that everything proceeds in
a logical order without unnecessary repetition.

Try listing only the topic sentence of each paragraph and reading them in
order. Are any of the topic sentences too similar? Each paragraph should
discuss something different; if two paragraphs are about the same topic,
they must approach it in different ways, and these differences should be
made clear in the topic sentences.
Does the order of information make sense? Looking at only topic sentences
lets you see at a glance the route your paper takes from start to finish,
allowing you to spot organizational errors more easily.
Draw clear connections between your ideas (check for Unity and
Coherence both within and between paragraphs)
Finally, you should assess how your ideas fit together both within and
between paragraphs. The connections might be clear to you, but you need to
make sure they’ll also be clear to your reader.
Within each paragraph, does each sentence follow logically from the one
before it? If not, you might need to add new sentences to make the
connections clear. Try using transition words to clarify what you want to say.

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Between one paragraph and the next, is it clear how your points relate to
one another? If you are moving onto an entirely new topic, consider starting
the paragraph with a transition sentence that moves from the previous topic
and shows how it relates to the new one.

Writing the conclusion

The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up
no more than 10–15% of the text. A strong essay conclusion:
 Returns to your thesis
 Ties together your main points
 Shows why your argument matters
A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that
leaves the reader with a strong final impression.
What not to include in a conclusion
To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few
things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:
 Including new arguments or evidence
 Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of
many”)
 Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”
Example of an essay conclusion
Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people
were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s
innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind
perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to
adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this
sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of
blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who
need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those
who do not.

7. Steps in writing an essay: planning (questioning, making list,

clustering, preparing outline), drafting, revising, and editing
The essay writing process consists of three main stages:
1. Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an
essay outline.
2. Writing: Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with
evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
3. Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar,
spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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 1. Preparation 2. Writing 3. Revision
 Define your essay  Write  Evaluate
topic the introduction the overall
  organization
 

 Do your research  Write the main Revise the content of
and gather body, organized each paragraph
sources into paragraphs

 Come up with  Write  Proofread your

a thesis the conclusion essay or use
a Grammar
Checker for
language errors
 Create an essay  Use a plagiarism
outline checker

8. Writing the basic types of essays (expository, descriptive,

narrative and argumentative) by employing the different
techniques
The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples
An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There
are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four
categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.
Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information
and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about
exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level,
argumentative essays are the most common type.
Essay type Skills tested Example prompt
Argumentat  Forming an opinion via Has the rise of the internet had
ive research positive or negative impact o
 Building an evidence-based education?
argument
Expository  Knowledge of a topic Explain how the invention of th
 Communicating information printing press changed Europea
clearly society in the 15th century.
Narrative  Creative language use Write about an experience where yo

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Essay type Skills tested Example prompt
 Presenting a compelling learned something about yourself.
narrative
Descriptive  Creative language use Describe an object that has sentiment
 Describing sensory details value for you.

Argumentative essays
An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It
requires a strong thesis statement—a clearly defined stance on your topic.
Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such
as quotations) and analysis.
Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own
position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—
most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.
The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:
 The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
 The body presents your evidence and arguments
 The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its
importance
Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with
an introduction. The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest,
provide background information, present your thesis statement, and (in
longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.
The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in
detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the
reader that your thesis statement is true.
In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up
three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs,
and might be divided into sections with headings.
Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence. Each
of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include
irrelevant information.
This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the
merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that
position.
An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects
on the arguments made in the body.
No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may
discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics

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for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and
importance of your argument.
Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a
conclusion.

Example of argumentative essay

Introduction
1. The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on
the world of education. 2The use of the internet in academic contexts is on
the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did
not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially
harmful. 3.This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives
of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and
educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source;
a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a
highly flexible learning environment.
Hook
1. The first sentence acts as a “hook” to draw the reader’s attention. In this
case, it does so by making a strong claim about the importance of the
essay’s subject.
2. Background: The following sentences set the context for the debate this
essay weighs in on.
3. Thesis statement: These sentences make up the thesis statement. This is
the central argument of the essay—the claim(s) that the rest of the essay
will work to back up with evidence and analysis

Sample paragraph in the Body of argumentative essay

1. A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a
source in their writing. 2. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated;
a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used
Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a
common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage
students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer,
2013). 3.Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as
ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages
engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. 4.This
point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself
explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often
provide references to academic publications and include warning notes
where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make

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clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users
should always “read the references and check whether they really do
support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,”
2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the
concepts of citation and referencing. 5. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a
positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.
1. Topic sentence: This topic sentence tells us what the paragraph will be
about: teachers’ perceptions of their students’ use of Wikipedia as a source.
2. Evidence: These sentences quote and paraphrase other sources to provide
relevant evidence. It’s important to include a citation each time you use
information from a source.
3. Interpretation: This sentence evaluates the evidence and sets up a
counterargument. It’s important to explain how your evidence relates to your
own arguments, and you don’t always have to agree with the sources you
cite.
4. Counter-evidence:These sentences provide counter-evidence to argue
against the claim that was questioned in the previous sentence.
5. Final sentence: The final sentence provides a concise statement of the
point the author has made in this paragraph, and may also gesture towards
what will be discussed next.
.

Sample concluding paragraph of an Argumentative Essay

Conclusion
1.The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education;
occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The
future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for
communication, research, and interactivity. 2.As the popularity of distance
learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by
digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. 3.
The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented
exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus
seriously on its potential for good.

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1. Summary:The first sentences serve as a concise summary or synthesis of
the arguments made in the body, reminding the reader of your overall
argument.
2. Significance: This sentence highlights the importance of the topic by
linking it with a contemporary trend in education. The conclusion is a good
place to emphasize the relevance of the argument you have made.
3. Strong closing statement:The final sentence usually tries to capture the
importance or originality of the argument in a strong, memorable statement.

Expository essays
An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It
doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized
view of the topic.
Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to
organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high
school or in exam questions at college level.
The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some
general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion
summarizes the information presented.
An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your
personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an
informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using
the first or second person (“I” or “you”).
The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of
your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out
your structure before you start, using an essay outline.
A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs:
An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction. This serves
to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide
a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.
The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often
consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is
where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.
It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined
topic, introduced with a topic sentence. Different topics (all related to the
overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order,
with clear transitions between paragraphs.
The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under
discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but

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should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your
conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Expository essay example:: Introduction

1. In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the
Middle Ages. 2.The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time
of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average
person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be
literate. 3.The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for
much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for
the Reformation.
1. Hook:This first sentence acts as a “hook,” catching the reader’s attention with a
strong statement that the essay goes on to justify.

2. Background: The introduction continues by filling in the background. Relevant

background details are presented that give context to both the hook and the thesis
statement to follow.

3. Thesis statement: In an expository essay, your thesis statement is simply the

central point that you want to make about the topic. It keeps your essay focused
and coherent.

Expository essay example: A paragraph in an expository essay

1. The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation
dramatically. 2.Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used
his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an
alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable
production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be
reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously
possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of
printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following
decades. 3.Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in
Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

1. Topic sentence; This topic sentence accomplishes two goals: It links this
paragraph to the topic of the previous one (“this situation”), and it indicates what
this paragraph will be about (“the invention of the printing press”).

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2. Explanation: The following sentences explain the topic in detail, providing specific
information and building up a narrative about the invention and spread of the
printing press.

3. Concluding sentence: The final sentence summarizes the key point of this
paragraph and suggests what the next paragraph will discuss (“it would lead to the
Protestant Reformation”).

Expository essay example: Conclusion

1.The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its
immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major
impact on politics and religion across Europe. 2.In the century following the
invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual
atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the
Reformation and the Renaissance.3. A single technological innovation had
contributed to the total reshaping of the continent

1. Broad summary: This sentence introduces the conclusion by speaking about the
topic in broad terms rather than in specifics.

2. Overview: This sentence expands on the previous, giving a brief overview of the
key points that the essay has discussed.

3. Key takeaway: Finally, the essay ends with a strong statement that emphasizes
the significance and interest of what has been discussed. It sums up the key point
that you want the reader to take from the essay.

Narrative essays
A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a
personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration
of something you have not experienced.
Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-
structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds
of academic writing. Writing a personal statement for an application requires
the same skills as a narrative essay.
A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and
conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by
expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or
why it made an impression on you.

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check out the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the
prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about
yourself,” to explore its structure.

Narrative essay example

1. Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and
math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects
as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right
answer, I thought, why bother? 2. But recently I had an experience that
taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took
my first philosophy class.

3. Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the
other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really
had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted
conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something
quite different.

4. A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from
the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. 5. And rather
than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points,
Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices.
To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of
class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be
the most interesting ones.

6. The experience has taught me to look at things a little more

“philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned
that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I
was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—
to look at things with an open mind
``
1. Background
These initial sentences set the background for the story: the author’s
previous attitude to subjects other than math and science. The author
expresses this attitude with the terms “solid” and “serious” and with the
rhetorical question in the third sentence.
2. Theme
The final sentence of this introductory paragraph introduces the theme of the
essay: The philosophy class, and the lesson the author took from it. A

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sentence like this is similar to the thesis statement in a more formal essay; it
introduces the point of the essay.
3. Description
This paragraph expands on the author’s skepticism by showing how it played
out in the situation itself. The use of the words “stilted” and “pondering”
evoke the author’s preconception that philosophy would be boring.
4. Character introduction
This sentence introduces a character, the teacher of the class, and
emphasizes how far he was from the author’s expectations with a snippet of
dialogue and a description of his real appearance versus what the author
imagined.
5. Development
These sentences express in more detail how the class differed from the
author’s expectations. The two sentences beginning with “To talk” are
similarly constructed, creating a rhetorical effect through repetition. The final
sentence summarizes the effect this had on the author.
6. Conclusion
The concluding paragraph expresses what the author learned from their
experience in an appealing way. The first sentence plays with the meaning of
the word “philosophically,” while the final sentence closes the essay with a
memorable statement.

Descriptive essays
A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something.
Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most
academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays.
You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole
story.
Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making
striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re
describing.
A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually
begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an
overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and
figurative language to create an original description of your object.
Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place
you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

Descriptive essay example

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1.On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my
house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the
back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and
relax. 2. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of
the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.
3. My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it
from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an
eye on the neighbors. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog
scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the
safety of the kitchen.
4. With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by
my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding
and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in
the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still
feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird
perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the
insects it shelters…
5. Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel
there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there
is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of
inhabiting

1. Introductory sentences
These first sentences contextualize the scene that will be described. The
present tense is used in this essay. The past tense can also be used, but
present is often chosen for a descriptive essay to make it feel more
immediate.
2. Personal impression
This sentence shows how the location feels to the author—like a “paradise”—
and lists three elements that contribute to this feeling. Groups of three are
commonly used in descriptive writing; the rule of three states that this is
an effective way to create rhythm.

3. Description of an event
This paragraph moves away from the generalizations of the first paragraph
to describe a specific event. It uses careful word choices (“kingdom,”
“govern”) to compare the cat to the ruler of a territory (the garden) for
humorous effect.

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 4. Analogy
This paragraph describes the behavior of the fish, and then compares the
author’s own attitude to that of the fish, using the description as an
analogy for something personal.

5. Conclusion
This paragraph concludes the essay by emphasizing the author’s feeling of
peace. The third sentence introduces a contrast with the previous two (the
rule of three again) to stress the author’s endless curiosity about the garden.

Essay checklist
Checklist: Essay

 My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length).

 My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background
information on the topic.
 My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the
essay.
 I use paragraphs to structure the essay.
 I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.
 Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.
 I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.
 My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between
arguments.
 I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.
 I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another
source.
 I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my
sources.
 My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation
style.
 My essay has an interesting and informative title.
 I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

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