Essay Types overview with focus on Comparative.Logical Writing, Sem. I, 2013

An analytical approach• By setting essays as an important mode of assessment, universities are not simply aiming to assess the ability of students to understand and recall information. Essay tasks are intended to assess your ability to:• analyse concepts and arguments• synthesise ideas and evidence drawn from different sources• construct consistent and well-supported arguments• discuss an issue in a balanced way• evaluate the ideas and arguments of others• make judgements and express informed opinion.***Lecturers often complain that students tend to write essays which demonstrate lower level thinking skills, whereas what they are seeking is evidence of more complex thought.

Cognitive level of your response• From simplest to most difficult, the six key 'cognitive domains' (or thought processes) are:1. recall2. comprehension3. application4. analysis5. synthesis6. evaluation.*** It is important that your essays do not simply describe or reproduce key facts, or only outline the perspectives of various writers, but that they go beyond that, introducing elements of analysis, synthesisand evaluation.• What you need to do*** When you plan an essay, and as you are in the process of writing an essay, check whether you are addressing levels 4 to 6, or only the first 2 or 3 of the 'cognitive domains' listed above.

Common Structure• EssayFirst Paragraph• Hook• Topic Sentence• 3 Points• Thesis statement1# Body Paragraph• 1.Topic Sentence – 1st Point• 2.First main point + support sentences• 3.Second main point + support sen-

tences• 4.Third main point + support sen-

tences• 5. Transition / connectors2# Body Paragraph – 2nd Point• 1.Topic Sentence – 1st Point• 2.First main point + support sentences• 3.Second main point + support sen-

tences• 4.Third main point + support sen-

tences• 5. Transition / connectors

3# Body Paragraph1.Topic Sentence – 3rd Point2.First main point + support sentences3.Second main point + support sentences4.Third main point + support sentences5. Transition / connectors

5 Conclusion-restatement, suggestion, opinion or pre-

diction

Comparative Essay• A comparative essay asks that you compare at least

two (possibly more) items. These items will differ de-pending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare

• positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States) • theories (e.g., capitalism and communism)• figures (e.g., GDP in the United States and Britain)• texts (e.g., Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth)• events (e.g., the Great Depression and the global financial crisis of 2008–9)

• Even though you are comparing you still need to give a point of view (opinion)

Point-by-Point & Block MethodsBlock Method Point-by-Point MethodTopic sentenceMy hometown and my college town have several things in

commonSupport1. Hometowna. Sizeb. Ruralc. Campus2. College townd. Sizee. Ruralf. CampusConcluding Sentence

Topic sentenceMy hometown and my college town have several things in

commonSupport1. Sizea. Hometownb. College town2. Ruralc. Hometownd. College town3. Campuse. Hometownf. College townConcluding Sentence

Point-by-Point & Block Methods• My hometown and my college town

have several things in common. First, both are small rural communities. For example, my hometown, Gridlock, has a population of only about 10,000 people. Similarly, my college town, Subnormal, consists of about 11,000 local residents. This population swells to 15,000 people when the college students are attending classes. A second way in which these two towns are similar is that they are both located in rural areas. Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which is devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans. In the same way, Sub-normal lies in the center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle. Thirdly, both of these towns are similar in that both contain college campuses. Gridlock, for example, is home to Neut-ron College, which is famous for its Ag-ricultural Economics program as well as for its annual Corn-Watching Festival. Likewise, the town of Subnormal boasts the beautiful campus of Quark College, which is well known for its Agricultural Engineering department and also for its yearly Hog-Calling Contest.

•      My hometown and my college town have several things in com-mon. First, my hometown, Gridlock, is a small town. It has a population of only about 10,000 people. Located in a rural area, Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which are devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans. Gridlock also contains a college campus, Neutron College, which is famous for its Agricultural Economics program as well as for its annual Corn-Watching Festival. As for my college town, Subnormal, it too is small, having a population of about 11,000 local residents, which swells to 15,000 people when students from the nearby college are attend-ing classes. Like Gridlock, Subnormal lies in the center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle. Fi-nally, Subnormal is similar to Grid-lock in that it also boasts a beautiful college campus, called Quark Col-lege. This college is well known for its Agricultural Engineering depart-ment and also for its yearly Hog-Call-ing Contest.

Comparative Structure• Block Method1. Intro (hook, topic, points, thesis)2 London in 1900

A. PopulationB. Technology

– 1.lighting– 2.heating– 3.communicationC. Transport

3 London in 2000A. PopulationB. Technology

– 1.lighting– 2.heating– 3.communicationC. Transport

4. Conclusion

• Point by Point Method1. Intro (hook, topic, points, thesis)2. Population

London in 1900London in 2000

3 TechnologyLondon in 19001.Lighting2.heating3.CommunicationLondon in 20001.Lighting2.heating3.Communication

4. TransportLondon in 1900London in 2000

5. Conclusion

Individual Paragraphs?

ADVANTAGES of USING CELL PHONESThe most important advantage of cell phones is that you can use them almost everywhere without cables or electricity. By us-ing mobile phones, you can communicate with everyone when-ever you want and wherever you are. Beside this, if there is an urgent situation, such as an accident or a meeting with some-one, you certainly need a mobile phone. Furthermore, you can access the internet by using a cell phone. Recently, the most common way of communication in the world has been the SMS. Cell phones include this system; in this way you can communi-cate with someone for cheaper than a normal call.  DISADVANTAGES of HAVING A CARThere are certain disadvantages to having your own car. Firstly, you have to maintain and repair your car regularly. Therefore, you need to spend a considerable amount of money to keep the car in good condition. Moreover, driving can some-times be extremely stressful. For example, being caught in a traffic jam is not only irritating but also time-consuming. As a result, if you want to have a car, you should consider all the disadvantages.

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN THE COUNTRY. 

Living in the country is often the secret dream of certain city-dwellers. ……………(1), in reality it has both its advantages and disadvantages.  

There are many advantages to living in the country. ……………….(2), you are much closer to nature and can enjoy more peace and quiet. …………(3), life in the country is much slower and people tend to be more open and friendly. A fur-ther advantage is that there is much less traffic, and as a result it is much safer place to bring up young children.  

……………….(4), there are certain drawbacks to life outside the city. ……………….(5), because there are fewer people, one has a smaller number of friends. ……………….(6) entertainment, particularly in the evening, is difficult to find. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer shops and services often means that there are fewer employment opportunities. ……………….(7), one may have to travel long distances to work elsewhere, and this can be extremely expensive.  

……………….(8), it can be seen that the country is more suitable for some than others. ……………….(9), it is often the best place for those who are retired or who have young children, ……………….(10), young, single people who are following a career and who want some excitement are better provided for by life in the city. (Success at First Certificate-Robert O’Neill)

Cause – Effect – (solutions) • Defining Cause and Effect

The easiest way to define cause and effect is “one thing leads to another”. The one thing is the cause that leads to (or results in) “another”, the effect.

• In this kind of essay, the aim is to explain the causes (reasons) or the effects (results) of an event or situation.•     e.g. Causes of air pollution (multiple factors leading to air pollution).•     e.g. Effects of watching too much TV (many effects of a situation). • Sometimes an event causes something to happen, and that situation leads to another event, and it causes another event to happen. This is called

the causal chain or domino effect.•     e.g. Use of deodorants will bring the end of the world. • There may be several causes or effects of a situation. However, in a student essay, it is advisable to keep the number of major points to 2 or 3,which form separate developmental paragraphs.

Cause - Effect

• The thesis should clearly state the focus of your cause and effect essay. Alert your reader to the focus of your cause and effect essay by using the words cause and/or effect in your essay thesis. Along with the thesis, your essay in-troduction should also state the major points your essay will discuss.

• The purpose of the cause and effect essay may be either to analyze or inform. Generally, the cause and effect essay is organized either chronologically or in order of importance.

• Language:• To explain reasons and results, we use:• As a result,• As a consequence,• Consequently,• So,• Since• As,• Because• One reason why ...• One of the most important reasons why ...• The main reasons why ...• There are other reasons, too, ...

Cause – Effect Structures

Organization:Depending on the topic, there may be three patterns of organiza-tion:1. Multiple causes-->effectIn this pattern, the organization is as follows:Thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from cars, uncontrolled factory releases, and burning of low-quality coal for heating.I. exhaust gases from cars    A. government does not have enough control    B. citizens are not conscientiousII. uncontrolled factory gases    A. no regular checks on gases released    B. factories are inside the borders of residential areasIII. burning of low-quality coal for heating    A. no governmental control    B. other forms of energy too expensive Each developmental paragraph is devoted to one of the causes of air pollution. Each cause is supported by two minor supports. While writing, these major and minor ideas should be adequately ex-plained and exemplified as well.

Cause – Effect Structures

2. Cause-->Multiple effectsIn this pattern, the effects of a certain situation  are explained in separate paragraphs, with the following organization: thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociolo-gical issues of this century, which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of people.I. eating disorders    A. TV meals    B. obesityII. communication problems    A. more violence    B. no interpersonal talk   Again, we have grouped related effects under two main points: physiological and psychological. Then, we have supported each effect with two minor supports (A and B). While writing, we should explain these major and minor supports by giving examples and/or defining what we mean, as well.

Cause – Effect Structures

3. Causal chain / DominoIn this pattern, the events lead to one another, as in the following organization: thesis statement: Using deodorants with chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world.I. Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained in most deodorants  and re-leased by  some factories  into the air.II. This gas causes the ozone layer  to become thinner and finally dis-appear in patches.III. The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun cause overheating in the poles of the earth, where the icebergs start to melt.IV. The huge amount of water released from the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level.V. The sea will cover the land and this will be the end of the world. Again, each major point should be supported with examples, statist-ics that show that there are some factories and deodorants that re-lease chlorofluorocarbons, that there is a rise in the sea-level, etc.

Persuasive/Opinion Essay• A persuasive essay (form of argument essay) has

one of two objectives: • To convince your reader to adopt your point of

view • To convince your reader to take a specific course

of action • A good persuasive essay argues one side of a

very narrow topic. Although the persuasive essay only addresses one side of the issue, the topic must be debatable. Simply put, the persuasive essay recognizes that there are two sides to every question, but only presents one side to the reader. Still, it's important for you to understand both sides of the debate in order to promote your viewpoint effectively.

Essay Types – Argumentative V persuasive• The argumentative essay, although bearing many similarities to the persuasive (argument) essay, has several very distinct differences. • The objective of a persuasive essay is to “win” the reader over to your side of an argument, while the primary objective of an argumentative essay is just to show that you have a valid argument, allowing the reader either to adopt your position or to “agree to disagree”. • Another difference between the two types of essay is that in the persuasive essay, although you acknowledge the opposing view, only one side of the issue is debated. An important part of the argumentative essay is to use evidence both to substantiate one’s own position and to refute the opposing argument. • The final difference between the argumentative essay and the argument (persuasive) essay is the organization of the composition. The persuasive essay follows the basic essay format while an argumentative essay is more complex.

Argumentative Structure

Main Ar-gument

ObjectionReply / Re-futation

Body

Argumentative Structure – claim/counter claim

(This is just one way)• I. Introduction (Claim and counter claim statement)

• II. Body Part I A. First point and supporting information B. Second point and supporting information C. Third point and supporting information

• III Body Part II A. First point and supporting information B. Second point and supporting information C. Third point and supporting information

• III Body Part II• A. First counter point and refuting information

B. Second counter point and refuting information C. Third counter point and refuting information

• IV Conclusion – Restatement of claim and summary of the main ideas