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Kami Export - Forms and Types of Essays

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Kami Export - Forms and Types of Essays

Uploaded by

beazoe12
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Form

Formal and Informal Essays

Essays fall into two broad categories: formal and informal. The informal essay is often called the familiar
or personal essay.
It is useful to see the similarities and differences between informal and formal essays, as shown in the
comparison chart below.

Characteristics Informal Essay Formal Essay


Author’s Viewpoint Usually uses first person; Usually uses third-person pronoun
Directly addresses reader
Subject/Content: Frequently drawn from life of the more commonly drawn from shared
Sources of Evidence writer and everyday events historical events or literature or other
forms of knowledge
Tone Frequently more personal and Tends to be removed from the
subjective; may be ironic, amusing, subject and appears to be objective;
thoughtful, angry, or serious may be ironic, amusing, thoughtful,
angry, or serious, but tends to hold
emotions in check and express
concerns through strong arguments
and powerful rhetorical devices
Structure Appears to be more loosely Follows a fairly rigid structure that
structured focuses on the development of one
clear argument at a time to support a
clearly stated thesis
Location of Thesis May appear anywhere in the essay; Usually stated explicitly, generally
may not be explicitly stated located in the first or second
paragraph of the essay
Style A number of stylistic devices likely to A number of stylistic devices likely
engage the reader; vocabulary tends used to engage the reader;
to be drawn from everyday usage vocabulary tends to be more
academic and may contain some
unfamiliar words
Purpose Entertainment; gentle reflection Provokes thought, and sometimes
action

Essays may combine characteristics of the formal and informal. However, most essays tend to
be predominantly one or the other. A familiar essay can usually be understood and appreciated in a
single reading. A formal essay frequently requires several rereading to ensure a clear and full
understanding.
The type of essay you will most frequently encounter in the formal essay. The following diagram
illustrates its form. Note how tightly structured the ideas are, and how each relates to the overall thesis
of the essay.

Taken from:
Barclay, S. et al. (2001). Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature and Media. Canada: Oxford
Structure of a Formal Essay

I. Introduction
● Introduction to general topic engages reader
● Narrowing/focusing of topic
● Thesis: statement of position taken on topic establishes direction of paper

II. Body

Part 1. Topic Sentence Part 2. Topic Sentence Part 3. Topic Sentence


Supporting evidence
Explanation /
arguments about how
evidence supports and
develops Argument and Evidence Argument and Evidence
argument/idea stated
in topic sentence

Concluding Sentence
Summarizes key idea
Links to next section Concluding Sentence Concluding Sentence

III. Conclusion
● Thesis restatement
● Broadening of topic
● Statement of importance and / or relevance
● Insightful closure

Taken from:
Barclay, S. et al. (2001). Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature and Media. Canada: Oxford
The Four types of essays

Whether they are formal or informal, essays can be divided into four basic types depending on
the writer’s purpose. These purposes are: to explain, to recount a story, to argue for a position,
or to persuade. The line between these purposes can sometimes be blurred (for example, a
writer may choose to tell a story in order to explain something).

1. The expository essay (explanation) describes or explains a topic. For example, an essay
entitled “The Care and Maintenance of a Bicycle” would be an expository essay.

2. The narrative essay (recounting) uses a single well-told story as the basis for drawing a
conclusion or making a statement of opinion. For example, “My Most Exciting Bicycling
Adventure” would be a narrative essay.

3. The argumentative essay presents a reasoned series of arguments in support of a


position. For example, an essay entitled “Cars or Scooters: Which Is the Most Efficient
and Safe Method of Urban Transport?” would be an argumentative essay.

4. The persuasive essay combines reasoned arguments with the emotion required to
persuade the reader to take action. For example, an essay entitled “Save the Ozone and
Stimulate Your Heart: Leave You Cars at Home and Bicycle” would be a persuasive essay.

The purpose of an essay will often determine its form, or structure. In argumentative
writing, for example, the author may present both sides of an issue in a measured way before
making judgment, or may be concerned only with building up the evidence on one side.

Taken from:
Barclay, S. et al. (2001). Canadian Students’ Guide to Language, Literature and Media. Canada: Oxford

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