Instructor: Tej Prasad Neupane

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 What is an Essay ?

• An essay is a composition usually in

prose having moderate length and
usually written in restricted topic.
Essay makes up the major genre or
part of literature. In the essay, the
essayists (authors) express their ideas
which are directly conveyed to the
readers.
 …..
• When we draw the lines of similar materials, we mainly
categorize the essay in two parts, i.e. formal and impersonal
and informal and personal. The book reviews, news paper
editorial, the monologues, treaties, biographical, scientific,
historical, critical and expository essays fall into the formal
category, however, the character sketches, articles,
impressionistic essays fall into the informal category. The
informal essays are playful, personal and they express the
private feelings, experiences, and ideas of the authors.
Generally, there are four modes of essay. They are:
• Narration
• Exposition
• Description and
• Persuasion
 Narration :
• In the essay, there are some characters and
events. There is a plot which tells the story.
Narration is essentially the mode of
storytelling. What happens in the life of the
characters, how the action develops in different
situation is the major concern of Narration.
( Generally it deals with: What happened ?
when did it happen? Where did it happen?
Who did it? [reference with past tense. Hence,
mostly you may use different forms of past
tense])
 Exposition:
• It deals with the senses of the readers. It’s
major concern is to describe about something
to affect the sense of human beings.
Exposition is the informative style which gives
directions to get somewhere or to move to
the certain actions. Various strategies are used
in the expository writings to explain
something and to present information.
Scientific essays are the best examples of
expository writings.
 Contd. Exposition:
• The authors may use classification, process analysis,
cause and effect, definition, comparison and contrast as
well as metaphor and analogy to expose different
information and direction. The two objects are
compared and contrasted to show the different
characteristics or properties. Some person or objects are
put in the group of others to show the distinction and to
classify them (comparison and contrast). Different kinds
of definition, explanation, synonyms, antonyms etc. are
used to define something clearly (definition). The causes
and consequences are used to show the case of event. In
the analogy, less familiar or primary object is compared
with more familiar and secondary object. In the process
analysis, it is clarified that how something is done and
through what process and action it develops.
 …..
• In the expository writing, the information,
directions, ideas, experiences, and the facts are
exposed through different strategies. A thing or
person or an idea is put into the group of other
similar things. This makes the classification
easier. Here, the similar and distinct
characteristics are focused. Classification is that
mode of essay which organizes and analyses to
obtain knowledge. The process or the method of
doing something is analyzed by process analysis.
Most of the “How to essay” fall into this
category.
 … ….

• How to grow cotton, how to avoid road accident etc. are some of the examples.
The operations are presented in the chronological order. The process analysis
concerned with how something happened than what happened to someone or
something. The essay in cause and effect are likely to construct argumentative
strategy. It concerned with the reasoning that carries the readers step by step to
the proof. This kind of essay analyze why something happens (causes) and to what
consequences (effect)[ Why did it happen?, What caused it?, What does it cause?
What are its effect?] . Definition is that technique which presents the essential
meaning. It is related to the study and analysis of the properties or ideas about
something. The meaning is extended by analyzing the qualities, studying the story,
explaining the purpose and clarifying the meaning by using synonyms and
antonyms [How can it be defined? How does it resemble other members of clsass?,
How does it differ from other members of its class?]. To understand the ideas of
the essay, the similarities and differences are explored through comparison and
contrast. The metaphor is also used for exposition by comparing directly between
the two objects and ideas. Analogy is another significant element that reveals the
truth by comparing the primary object or ideas with the secondary and more
familiar one[how it is like other things?, How it is different from other things?].
Description deals with the senses of human beings in the process of literary
activities. Descriptions tells how a person, place, thing, idea etc. looks, feels,
sounds, smells, tastes and so on. The scientific descriptions are the best example of
 Persuasion :
• It is the soul of essay. The purpose of
all essays is to persuade the readers to
do or believe something. It is the art of
influencing the audience to move
towards some action or believes.
According to the tradition of essay, the
authors persuade the readers by
appealing their reason, senses, and
the moral psychology of ethics.
 Argumentation:
• It is one of the most persuasive
methods of the essay. When an
argument is created, the readers
are persuaded through different
kinds of appealing. The argument
is significant in the essay as it
moves the readers towards a
belief.
 General Guidelines to Write an Essay:
• In any academic writings, must follow the formal pattern of
writing. An effective academic writing must be structured.
In general, we write any essay in three levels :
1. Introduction ( we don’t have to write the word
introduction. The first paragraph of any essay shall be
consider as Introduction)
2. Body paragraph(s) ( we needn’t write the word Body
paragraph) : It is the middle section of the essay. There
must be at least one body paragraphs, however there is
no limit for long.
3. Conclusion : The final section of an academic essay.
 ….

• Introduction:
. Begin your introduction paragraph by hook sentence .
Generally, it comes at the beginning of the
introductory paragraph (first or second sentence) : 1-
2 sentence
An essay hook is the first one-two sentences of your
essay (in its introductory part) which serves to grab
the attention of its readers and let him decide
whether he wants to continue reading this essay or
not. Hence, the author must try his best to grab the
attention of reader. The hook sentence will be guided
by your topic ( you can not write whatever comes in
your mind. It must be guided by topic and must
What are the source of Hook Sentence?

1. Quotes of famous people:

….
2. A literary quote
 Question:

• (Nothing can attract people’s interest better than a question, because

they will definitely continue reading your essay to find the answer.
But try to ask questions that do not lead to such simple answers as
“Yes” or “No”; they should lead to some thinking, different attitudes,
opposite points of view, alternative variants, etc.)

Ex:“Have you ever wondered, whether the

effort of government is sufficient to
control climate change/Covid -19?”
• What was it like to live through the Holocaust?
 Fact or Definition:
• According to BBC/CNN/WHO
report, “almost 80% scientists
are using animals for their
scientific experiments. They
are using Monkeys, tortoise
mostly”.
 Statistics :

• “70% of all jobs found today were got

through different networking
strategies.”
Anecdote (An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point.
Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your topic. This can be a very effective opener
for your essay)

• “I am wonderful to describe
my childhood days and
traumatic memory. Twenty
years ago, I went to a local
market with my
parents………………… ”
 Background sentences
• It provides background details
about the topic of your essay.
Hence, try to answer the
“W/H” questions (when,
where, how etc. in order to
provide background details.
 Thesis Statement:
• If you are adding your point of view in reference to the
topic of essay, this is called thesis statement which
expresses your opinion on the topic you are writing. It
is an opinion, argument, point of view, agreement,
disagreement of author. A judgment or opinion can be
an effective thesis statement. It communicates the
position of author on the given topic. The thesis
statement is not final conclusion but it is a tentative
hypothesis.
• Ex.1: Whatever the arguments have been given for
and against the use of animals, the use of animals in
the scientific experiments is the violations of rights of
animals declared by the UN charter and other treaties.
 ….

• Ex.2: “The continuing threat of Coronavirus, particularly in the inner cities,

suggest its necessary to frequently test high-risk populations”.

• An effective thesis statement has three

characteristics:
a. An effective thesis statement clearly expresses your essay’s main idea. (you
must state the idea you want to develop in body paragraph[s].
b. An effective thesis statement is clearly worded. In other words, the thesis
statement should give a straightforward and accurate indication of what
follows, and it should not mislead readers about the essay’s direction,
emphasis, scope, content, or viewpoint. It must avoid vague language,
confusing abstractions, irrelavant details, and unnecessarily complex
terminology.
c. An effective thesis statement communicates your essay’s purpose. ( In
general, the purpose of the essay could be to express your
opinion(expressive), to provide information( informative), and persuade
the readers(persuasive).

(please read pg. no. 44-47)

The purposes of writing essay:

1.Compare two topics: [ Impact

of covid-19 in Eastern
countries and Western
countries, Education system of
private schools and
government schools]
Describe something (Descriptive Essay):
• Describe a famous building or structure. Where
is it? Who built it? when?What is it used for?
• Describe an important invention or
development in information technology? What
is the invention? How did it change the way
people do things? Why do you think it is
important?
• Describe a food culture in your community?
• Describe a tourist destination that you think is
especially beautiful, historic or significant?
 Explain causes :
• Causes of climate change.
• Causes of speedy spread of coronavirus in
U.S.A.
• Causes of Migration in Nepal
• Causes of growth of CVD ( cardiovascular
disease) in developing countries like Nepal
 Explain effects :
• Consequences\effects of climate change
• Effects of Co vid-19 in culture/ economy
 Cause and effects ( both)
• There has been much discussion recently
about global warming. What are some of the
causes of climate change? Do humans have
the power to stop global warming?

• [ This type of essay is called “ Cause and effect

essay”]
 Give an opinion:
• Traffic is a problem everywhere in the world. It
creates congestion, pollution, and noise. In
response to this problem, some cities charge an
expensive congestion tax to cars in downtown
areas. Do you agree with this tax?
• Scientists can learn a lot by doing experiments on
animals, but some people believe that this makes
animals suffer. Should scientists be allowed to
continue this research?
• ( This type of essay is called “Opinion Essay”
Ex: Q. Do you think birth-order affect one’s
relationship with parents and others?
 Body Paragraph[s] (page no.55-60):
• This is the middle section of your essay.
• you must be guided by your thesis statement. The body paragraphs present the
support that convinces your audiences. You have to try your best to convince
the readers that your thesis is reasonable. If you have supported, write in favor
of the argument/s, or if you have disagreement, write against the statement
with examples and evidences.
• Write in details/ write your reasons with supporting details that show why you
think your opinion is correct. Use arguments and counter arguments.
• If there are more than one paragraph, it is better
to start it by Topic sentence. Topic sentence
introduces the topic, or tells the readers what the
paragraph will be about. It also contains an idea or
opinion about the topic which is called controlling
idea.
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 ***The body paragraph should be unified, coherent, and well
developed.

• Unity and Coherence within a paragraph: A

paragraph is a collection of sentences which all
relate to one main idea or topic. Effective
paragraphs have four main characteristics: a topic
sentence, unity, coherence, and adequate
development.
•
….
Unity ( Each body paragraph should be unified. )
• Unity refers to the extent to which all of the ideas
contained within a given paragraph "hang together"
in a way that is easy for the reader to understand.
When the writer changes to a new idea -- one which
is not consistent with the topic sentence of the
paragraph -- the writer should begin a new
paragraph. Unity is important because it aids the
reader in following along with the writer's ideas. The
reader can expect that a given paragraph will deal
only with one main topic; when a new paragraph
begins, this signals that the writer is moving on to a
new topic.
• A paragraph has unity when all the sentences
support one single idea.
• Coherence (Each body paragraph…. should be coherent)
• Coherence refers to the extent to which the flow of ideas
in a paragraph is easily understood by the reader. For this
reason, coherence is closely related to unity. When a
writer changes main ideas or topics within a paragraph,
confusion often results. To achieve coherence, then, a
writer should show how all of the ideas contained in a
paragraph are relevant to the main topic.
• A paragraph is coherent if its sentences are smoothly and
logically connected to one another.
• While writing an essay, the author must organize his idea
in a logical flow( sentences are clear and connected to
each other.). It is better to organize the paragraph
according to time order, spatial order, or order of
importance.
 Time order:
• First..second….third.
• In the beginning, in the middle, in the end
• At the beginning, at the middle, at the end
• Afterward, as soon as, at the same time, before
earlier, eventually, in the meantime, …
• First..second, then, after that, moreover,
furthermore, afterward…eventually/finally
Techniques to maintain coherence
• Each body paragraph should be coherent. We
can maintain coherence by repeating key
words to carry concepts from one sentence to
another and to echo important terms.
• We can use pronouns to refer to key nouns in
previous sentences.
• We can use transitions: words or expressions
that show chronological sequence, cause and
effect.
 Each body paragraph should follow a
particular pattern of development.
• Adequate Development ( Each body paragraph should be well
developed)
• A paragraph is adequately developed when it describes, explains and
supports the topic sentence. If the "promise" of the topic sentence is
not fulfilled, or if the reader is left with questions after reading the
paragraph, the paragraph has not been adequately developed.
Generally speaking, a paragraph which consists of only two or three
sentences is under-developed. A good rule of thumb to follow is to
make sure that a paragraph contains at least four sentences which
explain and elaborate on the topic sentence.
• Types of support for well development :
Use examples, Reasons, facts, statistics, details, opinion of expert,
personal experience, visuals. However, the support should be
relevant, specific, adequate, representative, documented.
 Summary of body paragraph:
1. Each body paragraph should be unified.
2. Each body paragraph should be
coherent
3. Each body paragraph should be well
developed
4. Each body paragraph should follow a
particular pattern of development.
5. Each body paragraph should clearly
support the thesis statement.
 Conclusion and comment:
• Re-emphasize thesis in a paragraph only. This
is the last section of an essay. It restate the
essay’s main idea or it reviews the key points
of essay.
• Conclusion and comment: Summarize the
main points and make a prediction, a
warning, or a suggestion as to why your
opinion is the best.
 Techniques to write conclusion (pg no.60-61):
• 1. you can conclude your essay by reviewing your key
points or restating your thesis.
• 2. End with a recommendation of a course of action
• 3. End with prediction …If impact of coronovirus
continues for….
• 4. You can end with a relevant quotation.

***However, don’t end by repeating the exact words of

your thesis and listing your main points, don’t end
with empty phrase, don’t introduce new points or go
off in new directions, don’t end with unnecessary
 ….

• The above evidences and

arguments proved that
the………………………