DIFFERENT KINDS OF ESSAYS

An essay is a short piece of writing that discusses, describes or analyzes one topic. It can discuss a subject
directly or indirectly, seriously or humorously. In other words, essay is a short piece of writing about a
particular subject by a student as part of a course of study. It can describe personal opinions, or just report
information. An essay can be written from any perspective, but essays are most commonly written in the
first person (I), or third person (subjects that can be substituted with the he, she, it, or they pronouns).
There are many different kinds of essays. The following are a some of the most common ones:

o COMPARE AND CONTRAST

O DESCRIPTIVE
O CAUSE AND EFFECT
o CLASSIFU
O NARRATIVE
O PROCESS
O ARGUMENTATIVE
o CRITICAL
O PROCESS

COMPARE/CONTRAST:
Examples:A compare/contrast essay may discuss . . .
• the likenesses and differences between two places,
like New York City and Los Angeles;
• the similarities and differences between two
religions, like Christianity and Islam;
• two people, like my brother and myself.
The compare/contrast essay discusses the similarities and
differences between two things, people, concepts,
places, etc. The essay could be an balanced discussion, or
an attempt to convince the reader of the benefits of one
thing, person, or concept.
• The essay could discuss both similarities and
differences, or it could just focus on one or the other.
A comparison essay usually discusses the similarities between two things, while the contrast essay
discusses the differences.
MODEL ESSAY : COMPARE and CONTRAST

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
As we know there are two types of schools in Turkey. One of them is the private
schools, which are established by a person or firm where mostly children of the rich are
educated. The other is the public schools which government sets up itself and they are
seen more commonly in Turkey. When we compare two types of schools, the private
schools have some aspects that are hardly seen in public schools, such as, the quality of
education, the facilities and the high rate of entering a university.

Firstly, the teachers who are provided with high salary and some other
opportunities are the source of the quality education in private schools. Not
encountering hardship, they concentrate on their work more and thus, come the
success, inevitably (finally). One reason that increases the quality of education in
private schools is the perfect relationships between the teachers and student. Via this,

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settlement students in private schools tell any of the problems they face, so education
rises to degrees which are beyond perfection.
Secondly, as success depends not only on education but also on facilities that
help the student socialize himself and relax, private schools are far ahead from the
public schools. Sports halls, swimming pools, conference halls, places for relation –
physically and a psychologically perfect condition.
The third and the most obvious aspect of the private schools is the high rate of
entering university that they have. By the help of their qualified teachers and the
facilities they have, students in private schools can be successful in universities easier
than those in public schools. So, they can be more ready for the future, and for the
responsibilities which they will undergo one day.
To conclude, our country needs more and more private schools because of the
quality education. Our children need to have the government’s support, intensively.
Thus, if the government helps the people of firms who want to establish private
schools, our problem of education will decrease in the close future.
•

CAUSE/EFFECT:

CAUSE: a person, event, or thing makes something happen

What was the cause of the accident?
Heavy storm was the cause of many delayed flights today.
One of the causes of the accident was poor communications.
EFFECT:result, the result of particular influence
The radiation leak has had a harmful effect on environment.
I tried taking tablets for the headache but they did not have any effect.
CAUSE and EFFECT: the idea of fact of one thing directly causing another.

Examples:A cause/effect essay may explain . . .

•why a volcano erupts, and what happens afterwards;
•what happens after a loved one's death.
• The cause/effect essay explains why or how some event
happened, and what resulted from the event. This essay
is a study of the relationship between two or more events
or experiences. The essay could discuss both causes and
effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A
cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something
happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after
a specific event or circumstance.
• The below example shows a cause essay, one that would explain how and why an event happened.

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 • If this cause essay were about a volcanic eruption, it
might go something like:
"Pressure and heat built up beneath the earth's surface;
the effect of this was an enormous volcanic eruption."
• The next example shows an effect essay, one that would
explain all the effects that happened after a specific
event, like a volcanic eruption.
If this effect essay were about a volcanic eruption again, it might go
something like:
"The eruption caused many terrible things to happen; it destroyed homes, forests, and polluted the atmosphere."

SAMPLE ESSAY:

WHY MARRIED COUPLES DIVORCED

Have you ever wondered why there are many married couples nowadays divorce? What could be the effects and
results of having a divorce? Nowadays many married couples who seem separate file for divorce and it affects the
life of children. Many young people are having problems because of the divorce of their parents. Many young
people, whose family is unstable turn to taking drugs, run away from home and even commit suicide. The children
may get involved with gangsters, take drugs and become addicts also attempt to commit suicide. Sometimes some
excel while other survives. There are three main reasons why married couples divorce: having affairs, financial
problems and outside influences.

One of the reasons why married couples get divorced is because of having an affair. Most married couples
today get divorced because either the husband or the wife is having an affair with another man or woman. Consider
that the woman or the man does not have the same feeling for each other as that had before and he or she goes out
and had an affair with another man or woman. This is the time when either the wife or the husband come home late
at night and have an argument with each other. The husband then starts bet up the wife. They fight and argue and the
wife then runs away with their children to her family. Having an affair is one of the most common reasons why
married couples divorce or separate.

Another reason why married couples divorce is because of financial problems. Many families have many
problems because the husband spended too much money on alcohol instead of buying food for the family and family
needs. The wife tried to do anything to help the family to survive. The children stop going to school and they will
not be well educated. The husband will not even think about his children and the wife will then files for divorced.
She cannot live with the situation anymore.

Many couples divorce because of lacking money for the family needs. The wife or the husband is jobless and
either of them will not be satisfied because of lacking of money for the family. Many couples are in the situation
easily separate. The man or the woman will find another man or woman whose has a job so they will be happy to
live together.

Because of outside influences married couples sometimes separate or divorce. Some married couples are
influenced by their friends and family and that caused them to be single again. They want to continue their education
and they want to be alone. Most young couples that are the ones that easily files for divorced still want to enjoy life
and have fun.

The reasons why many married couples get divorced because of having affairs with others, financial problems in the
family and outside influences them. Many married people get divorced in Micronesia now a day and
many children problems therefore. To conclude, I thinks being a single person is more free or fun than
to be married. Being married requires a responsible approach to keep the marriage going. So get
married if you are ready to have responsible. by Noelle Soumwei
http://www.comfsm.fm/anthology/Spring2001/cbaker/NoelleSoumwei.htm

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NARRATIVE:
Examples:A narrative essay could tell of . . .
* my brother's and my fishing trips;
* a boring trip to the grocery store;
* my near-death experience at the beach.
The narrative essay tells a story. It can also be called a "short story."
Generally the narrative essay is conversational in style, and tells of a personal
experience. It
is most commonly written in the first person (uses I). This essay could tell of a
single, life-shaping event, or simply a mundane daily experience.

PROCESS:
Examples: A process essay may explain . . .
* how to properly re-pot a plant;
* how an individual came to appreciate hard work.
A process essay describes how something is done. It generally explains actions that should be
performed in a series. It can explain in detail how to accomplish a specific task, or it can show how
an individual came to a certain personal awareness. The essay could be in the form of step-by-step
instructions, or in story form, with the instructions/explanations subtly given along the way.

ARGUMENTATIVE:
Examples: An argumentative essay may persuade a reader that . . .
* he or she should use public transportation instead of driving.
* cats are better than dogs.
An argumentative essay is one that attempts to persuade the reader to
the writer's point of view. The writer can either be serious or funny, but
always tries to convince the reader of the validity of his or her opinion.
The essay may argue openly, or it may attempt to subtly persuade the
reader by using irony or sarcasm.

DESCRIPTIVE:
Examples: A descriptive essay could describe . . .
* a tree in my backyard;
* a visit to the children's ward of a hospital;
* a hot fudge sundae;
* what an athlete did in order to make it to the Olympics.
The descriptive essay provides details about how something looks, feels,
tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds. It can also describe what

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something is, or how something happened. These essays generally use a lot of sensory details. The essay could be
a list-like description that provides point by point details. Or, it could function as a story, keeping the reader
interested in the plot and theme of the event described.
WRITING is a very difficult process-especially for nonnative speakers. A writer must worry about
many things. One must pay attention to grammar and vocabulary. A writer should also pay
attention to the process of writing and edit his or her final draft. In conclusion, if the instructions
are followed, there would be no doubt that you would become a successful writer.

Structure of an Essay: Outline

Title: ____________________

I. Introduction
A. Introductory statement
B. Thesis statement: ____________________
II. Body
A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
B. Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
C. Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
III. Conclusion
A. Closing statement
B. Restate thesis: ____________________

Structure of an Essay: Outline

I. Introduction
• Introductory statements
• Thesis statement
• Introduce supporting ideas (optional)

II. Body
• First supporting idea
Transition, topic sentence
Discussion, examples, and analysis
Conclusion (optional)
• Second supporting idea
Transition, topic sentence
Discussion, examples, and analysis
Conclusion (optional)
• Third supporting idea
Transition, topic sentence
Discussion, examples, and analysis
Conclusion (optional)

III. Conclusion
• Transition, statement reflecting back on thesis
• Restate key points
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 • Ending statement that provokes thought (optional)

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
Your essay should start with an introductory paragraph.
There are actually many different ways to begin an essay; therefore, the format of the introductory paragraph is
flexible.
Often, essays begin with a general introductory statement.
This statement could be an anecdote, description, striking statistic, a fact that will lead to your thesis, etc.
Beginning this way, you will use the first few sentences to prepare, or "lay the basis" for your thesis, and use the
last sentence of the first paragraph to present your thesis. However, your thesis statement can be anywhere
in your introduction.
How do you begin to write an introduction paragraph?
• Step #1:
• Most essays begin with a general statement (generalization).
• Step #2:
• Next, the supporting detail sentences are written to narrow the topic.

Sample:1

1. WHY MARRIED COUPLES DIVORCE?

The legal ending of a marriage is called divorce. There are many couples who are
divorced in the world. There are many children who are facing many difficulties
because of their parent’s divorce. A child who lives with one parent or only the mother
will be suffered, because they will only one parent to help them through his or her
difficulties. When the children’s parents are divorced it is hard for them to live
happily. They hoped that these kinds of situation would not happen in their families.
Being divorced is not easy on the children, but on the other hand for the parents it is
good for them. Couples who are divorced because of various problems. Divorce can
cause by relationship problems, not having enough money and child abuse in many
families.

There are three items listed in the thesis statement:

1) relationship problems
2) not having enough money
3) child abuse in many families
Sample 2:
HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL WRITER?
To become a successful writer, students should follow some important steps. Just
attending the class is not enough. Learning to be a successful writer involves a lot of
hard work. There is a need for a good background in grammar and vocabulary, skills
in writing essays, skills in editing, and doing the homework.

There are three items listed in the thesis statement:

1) a good background in grammar and vocabulary,
2) skills in writing essays, and
3) skills in editing and doing the homework.

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 DEVELOPMENT PARAGRAPHS
Your second paragraph generally begins the body of the paper. (For a longer paper, the body of the paper may
not begin until the third paragraph or later).

This paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the first supporting idea (the support for
your thesis). You should use the middle of the paragraph to discuss your support, give examples, and analyze
the significance of these examples. Your last sentence of the body paragraph could be used to draw a
conclusion for that supporting idea, or to transition into the next paragraph.

SAMPLE: 1

Many couples are divorced because of relationship problems, which include wife abuse,
jealousy, and affairs. Some couples are divorced when the husband does not feel comfortable with
what his wife does. Especially when the husband was uses drugs, such as alcohol and make troubles
in the family. When the husband comes home and he is drunk, he hits his wife if the wife does not
make him food to eat. Even if the husband is not drunk, he may also hits his wife for not doing her
house chores. Eventually, the wife will not be able to live with this kind of man, so she breaks up
with her husband by divorcing him. It is the same with jealousy. When the husband sees his wife
talking to a different man, he gets jealous, and when the wife comes home, he also hits her. The wife
will not even understand why her husband has done this to her. It is also the same for the wife when
the husband talks to a different woman, the wife will also get jealous. As a result, they have a
relationship problem between them and they get divorced. Relationship between also causes by
affairs. When the husband is came home late, the wife will think about something else, like thinks
that her husband is hanging out with other woman. Relationship problems between couples can
bring about a divorce.

Your next two body paragraphs should follow the same format as your first body paragraph. They should each
have a separate topic sentence and supporting ideas, but the three paragraphs should work together to prove
your thesis. If you are writing a longer paper, you will have more than three body paragraphs, but they should
all follow this format.

Divorce between a couple also can cause by not having enough money if the husband or the
wife is jobless. Each of them may overspend their money, and even have bad management. It is
common in many parts of the world, a couple can divorce because the husband or the wife is jobless.
When the husband is jobless, it is very hard for the family to live. On the other hand, if the wife
has a job and the husband is jobless, the wife will also separates from the husband, because the
husband will overspending their money on buying alcohol and anything he wants with out the
family. The wife is a better manage than the husband, because she is caring for the children. The
husband does not even care of their children because he will find himself feeling good without
thinking of their children. At this time the wife will divorce her husband because the husband does
not even care about their children.

Child and abuse also causes the couple to divorce when the father drinks too much alcohol.
There are many children who are not attending school, because the father wants their kids to work
for him than going to school or be with other children. The mother does not want her husband to do
these to their children, and she got mad with her husband. When the father abused the kids the
mother get mad. Sometimes the father will abuse their children when he gets drunk. This was
happening with many families in the world. When the father is drunk and he comes home, he tries to
do something with their own kinds like sleeping with them. This is a major problem in many
families. Therefore the wife will divorced her husband.

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SAMPLE 2

First of all, it is important that students already have sufficient knowledge in grammar and
vocabulary. During the course, they should increase their vocabulary and improve their grammar
skills even more. The more vocabulary students know, the better and easier the writing will be.
Furthermore, it is also an advantage when grammar skills are at a level that enables students to
avoid comma splices, the wrong verb tenses or forms, lack of punctuation as well as lack of
transition words. This helps to get a better final grade, as all those mistakes would decrease it. One
additional way to avoid mistakes is to follow the teacher's instructions - especially when doing the
homework. There may not be enough time in class to go into all the details and to practice all the
topics sufficiently. Without practice and revision of the topics taught in class, there will probably be
less improvement of vocabulary and grammar skills.

The next step to becoming a successful writer is the ability to write essays. What has to be
considered? It is not just writing a nice story. There are certain rules that have to be obeyed. Students
should know that an essay consists of three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the
conclusion. The introduction needs to have a thesis statement, one or more hooks, so it can help the
reader to understand what the main point is. The body can have several paragraphs, but each
paragraph needs to have one topic sentence, at least 5-8 sentences and a concluding sentence. The
body provides details to support the thesis statement. Then, the conclusion can be a result, a
recommendation or a prediction. When all these steps are completed, the writer still has another job.

After writing an essay, students should also be able to edit their papers. Many mistakes can be
avoided if students look over their papers carefully after finishing the writing. This should be done
step by step by looking at the following: 1. sentence boundaries, 2. verb tenses and verb forms, 3.
nouns, articles, and numbers, 4. word choices, word forms, and spelling, 5. one's own particular
weakness such as prepositions in the case of the writer. Editing can be improved by doing
homework. This is a good way to reduce mistakes on the final exam.

CONCLUSION
In this paragraph the writer should briefly restate what they have written in the four previous paragraphs.
The form of your conclusion, like your introduction, is flexible.
Then you should briefly restate your key points to gently remind the reader how well you proved your thesis.
Shortly, when you write a concluding paragraph:
1. Restate the thesis statement.
2. Restate the topic sentences from the developmental paragraphs.
3. State your opinion or preference, make a prediction/result/, or give a solution.
4. Conclude with a statement that sums up the essay.
Sample:

In conclusion, many couples are divorce because of these kinds of problems that occur in their
families. Their marriage is depending on the problems. But they don't think about their love, or their
children. Some couples are not divorce, even though they are facing these kinds of problems in their
families. They showed their real love between them. Therefore we have to show real love, respect,
and kindness in our families so it will be a happy family.

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SAMPLE ESSAY: Read the following essay and notice how the conclusion paragraph is written.

Living in an Apartment
When a person decides to enter a university away from home, he or she must also consider living
accommodations. Although most universities offer student dormitories, students frequently choose to live in an
apartment. While there are many advantages to apartment living, there are also many disadvantages. Before a
student decides to live in an apartment, he or she should review all the advantages and disadvantages to living
in an apartment.

Living in an apartment has many advantages. First, students can choose to live in a quiet neighborhood.
A quiet neighborhood is beneficial to studying. Away from the distractions of campus life, students can be more
serious about their studies. Second, apartment life allows students to be more independent. For example, they can
cook whatever they want to eat and have their meals whenever they want them. Third, students can often find
apartments that are cheaper than the fee for room and board in a dormitory. However, living in an apartment also
has disadvantages. Being away from campus life can make students feel isolated.

Another disadvantage is that apartments close to campus are usually expensive, and those farther
away are not within walking distance. Therefore, transportation must be considered. Finally, students who live in
apartments must cook their own meals, shop for food, do the laundry and clean their entire apartment - not just their
room.

Notice that this conclusion
restates the topic and gives a
personal preference.
The writer lists the reasons
for the preference and
concludes with a summary
statement.
Even though there are many advantages to apartment living, I would
prefer to live in the university dormitory for the following reasons. First. I will be
new at the university and meeting people will be easier in a dormitory
setting. Second, I won't have to worry about purchasing and cooking food or
cleaning up afterwards. Consequently, I will have more time for my studies.
Finally, I will be within walking distance of my classes and the university library.
In conclusion, living on campus is more advantageous for me than living in an
apartment.

ANALYZING ESSAYS
Read the following checklist. You will not have time to rewrite your essay during the test.
Therefore, keep this list in mind as you write your outline and essay.
1. Is there AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH?
2. Does the introductory paragraph RESTATE THE QUESTION?
3. Does the introductory paragraph have a THESIS STATEMENT (a controlling idea)?
4. Does each paragraph have a clear TOPIC SENTENCE?
5. Do the topic sentences of the developmental paragraphs SUPPORT THE THESIS STATEMENT?
6. Do the ideas in each developmental paragraph support the topic sentence of the paragraph?
7. Are the DETAILS (examples, facts, descriptions, personal experiences) clear?
8. Is there a CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH?
9. Does the concluding paragraph give (A) an opinion, preference, prediction, or solution
and (B) reasons?
10. Does the essay end with a CONCLUDING STATEMENT?
11. Does the essay ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION?
12. Have the grammar and spelling been corrected?

USEFUL EXPRESSION AND LINKING WORDS / PHRASES

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 TO MAKE CONTRASTING POINTS
TO LIST AND ADD POINTS: On the other hand
In the first place, However
To start/begin with, In spite of
Secondly While
Thirdly, Nevertheless
Finally, Despite
In addition (to this) Even though
TO ADD MORE POINTS THE SAME TOPIC:
TO INTRODUCE EXAMPLES
What is more, For example
Furthermore, For instance
Also Like
In addition to this / that Especially
Besides Such as
Apart from this / that In particular
Not to mention the fact that
TO CONCLUDE
To sum up
All in all
All things considered
In conclusion
On the whole
Taking everything into account
As was previously stated

Sources:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/structure.html
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/structure.html
http://www.comfsm.fm/anthology/Spring2001/cbaker/NoelleSoumwei.htm
Writing Academic English- Longman – Second edition

Seven Errors to Avoid When Composing a Thesis

· A thesis cannot be a fragment; it must be expressed in a complete sentence.

ex. How driving too early effects our roads.

· A thesis must not be in the form of a question. (Usually the answer to that question could
be the thesis.)

ex. Should sixteen year olds be allowed to drive a car?

· A thesis must not contain such phrases as "I think" or "I believe." (These weaken the
statement.)

ex. In my opinion, sixteen year olds should not be allowed to drive a car.

· A thesis must not contain elements that are not clearly related.

ex. Sixteen year olds should be allowed to drive because eighteen year olds
are allowed to vote.

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· A thesis must not be expressed in vague language.

ex. Bad things have resulted from sixteen year olds doing things before they
are ready.

· A thesis must not be expressed in muddled or incoherent language.

ex. Sixteen year olds have reached a level of responsible maturity that
deserves recognition and reward from those with the power and
status to make laws, so that they are given their constitutionally
guaranteed right to drive a car.

· A thesis should not be written in figurative language.

ex. A sixteen year old without a driver's license is like a boy without a
dog.

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