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Modes of Essay Development
Following are descriptions and guidelines for developing your essay according to specific "modes" or kinds of essays. Most writing is a combination of two or more of these modes; your familiarity with these main principles of the modes will help you write more effectively:
Exemplification:
have a clear and focused thesis: try a THREE point thesis to map your essay
support your thesis with EXAMPLES: Show, don't tell the reader
examples are specific and have a context (usually physical, occurring within time and space)
you can use many smaller examples, or a few examples -- one for each of your three body paragraphs, or one big example for the whole essay
the five paragraph essay structure works best with exemplification
Description:
Description is about an NOUN: a person, place or thing (an object or place is best)
Organize spatially
Have a dominant impression
Appeal to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch/feeling
Use figurative language (comparisons: metaphors or similes)
Use SPECIFIC and CONCRETE details: Show us, don't tell us
As in all writing: eliminate vague points and neutral details
Here is an example of a narrative/descriptive essay.
Narration:
Narration is about an EVENT (a verb), an action, something that happens -- it is a STORY
Stories of any kind have a "conflict" and a "resolution"
Begin with introducing the reader to the story - introduce setting (when and where) and characters involved (who)
Organize chronologically
Have characters (people)
Use dialogue; specific dialogue is quoted. PUNCTUATE DIALOGUE CORRECTLY.
Include description and descriptive techniques (above) in your narrative essay.
Comparison-Contrast:
C/C essays CONTRAST TWO items, on the basis of what these things have in common
These things should be not too different but not exactly the same
Choose your BASES of comparison -- three, four, or more things that both items being compared have in common
The essay will discuss how your items being compared are DIFFERENT on each of your bases of comparison
You will only talk about how they are the SAME in the introduction
Organize BLOCK style or POINT BY POINT style
Cover each basis of comparison/item in the same order
Cover each basis/item equally
Discuss your items in consistent order - Item A is discussed first for first point, it is always discussed first for succeeding points
Persuasive C/C: Prefer one item over the other on each basis of comparison
Informative C/C: One item may be better on one or more basis; another better on another or more basis
Here is an example of a comparison/contrast essay.
Classification and Division:
Classification divides a group into categories (THREE or more)
Divide the group as thoroughly and as completely as is practical
You can and should omit minor or unimportant categories (for example: World Religons would thoroughly discuss the major Eastern and Western religions, but would discuss minor or little known religions under one inclusive category or omit them completely)
Some classifications are hierarchial (such as types of burns: first degree, second degree, third degree); others are not (such as religions)
As in comparison-contrast - have consistent bases of comparison and discuss EACH category on each of the bases
Discuss your categories equally - do not spend more time/space on one item and neglect another
Organize BLOCK style or POINT BY POINT style - be consistent
Discuss your categories or bases in consistent order
Definition:
Have an introduction that ends in a thesis that does the following:
State the CRITERIA for the definition of the term: i.e.: what things make this term what it is?
The body of the paper will: Give EXAMPLES of these criteria.
You will also need to: State what the term being defined is NOT.
Give EXAMPLES of what it is not.
Process:
A process essay is a "how to" essay
A process can either explain how a process is done (how a star goes nova; how a black hole is formed) or tell the reader how to do a process (how to make good grades, how to change a tire)
Second person, "you," is acceptable
Organize chronologically
Divide your process into steps
Clearly differentiate your steps with transitions
Don't skip necessary steps
Give helpful hints, reminders, and tips to help your reader do the process better
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