Essay Guide
Essay Introduction
1. Mastering the Introduction
An introduction is the opening of an essay. Its purpose is to inform your audience about the topic of your essay, and to state your opinion or stance (if any) about the stated topic.
2. What is a Thesis?
A thesis is a statement that is supported or proven in the body of the essay.
3. How to write a thesis
Writing a successful thesis can be a challenge for any writer. It has to be clear and informative, but also brief. Here are some key points to writing a successful thesis.
Writing a Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
A topic sentence in a paragraph is like the GPS in a car. It shows you (and others) where you are going and explains the point of the paragraph.
2. Supporting Sentence
A supporting sentence is a sentence with information that supports a main idea or claim. Supporting sentences give a reader details to understand a main idea, or evidence to show why a claim is true or correct.
3. Transitions
Transitions are words or phrases that tell readers that a new thought, paragraph, or section is coming. They are key ingredients that keep writing clear and organized.
Types of Essays
1. Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay takes a point of view on an issue and tries to convince the audience to agree with the stated point of view.
2. Narrative Essay
By definition, a narrative is a series of connected events – in other words, a story. An essay is a piece of writing that focuses on a specific topic. So, a narrative essay is a piece of writing that focuses on a particular story. In practice, a narrative essay is a story about a personal experience.
3. Compare and Contrast Essay
A compare and contrast essay is an essay that examines the characteristics of two or more topics. The purpose of the essay is to highlight interesting or important similarities and differences between these topics.
4. Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay is an essay that describes something – an object or person, an event or place, an experience or emotion, or an idea.
5. Cause and Effect Essay
A cause and effect essay is one that shows how two or more events are connected.