The Essay

Essay Introduction

In the Short Story Unit you experienced the fascinating world of suspense and human conflict that is revealed through fiction. In the essay unit, you will study selections in non-fiction Just as a short story has certain characteristics, qualities, and elements, an essay has certain characteristics that you must learn.

Talented short story writers create escape or interpretive fiction, however essay writers present their ideas, opinions and experiences in non-fiction. Essayists may instruct, inspire, argue, persuade, describe, criticize, reflect, and even satirize. They manipulate stylistic devices to create a strong impression. Even though the short story has more action, the essay has more ideas. The essay is a form of literature.

The Five Paragraph Essay

A simple model for the relationship between the introduction, the body, and the conclusion is the old newspaper maxim:

"You tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, you tell 'em, and then you tell 'em what you told 'em."

Your introduction begins with the general and moves toward the specific, as the sides of the triangle narrow toward a point. Ask yourself how the specific question you are addressing in the essay relates to a greater issue or field. You lay out a plan for what will follow.

The middle section (body) is a sequence of paragraphs that support your thesis, or (in an expository essay) provide the information you promised in your introduction.

What you say in your conclusion should match what you said when you introduced the essay: it should be a restatement (but not a mere repetition) of your thesis, ideally in a way that shows more fully and clearly what you have been arguing. Present your thesis in its final, most persuasive form.

The important thing at this stage is to ensure that you construct paragraphs that are unified: one topic per paragraph, each topic suitably and sufficiently supported. If your outline has been carefully thought out, the sequence of paragraphs will make logical sense.

The Essay

Writing A+ Essays

INTRODUCTIONS

1. “Clincher” statement that catches the reader’s attention
2. Overview of what you plan on discussing in your essay
3. Thesis statement - state your POSITION
4. Transitions smoothly into first paragraph

THESIS STATEMENT

1. Main idea of your entire paper
2. Expresses your position in a full, declarative sentence
3. Controls the focus of the entire paper
4. Points forward to the conclusion
5. Conforms to your reasons, examples, and evidence

A WORKING 3 PART THESIS

Opinion and Fact
Dracula was one of the better films this summer because if its setting, action, and philosophy.

Consequence
Social ostracism, great expense, and personal hardship are three of the unfortunate results of the most dangerous disease of the century - AIDS.

Autobiographical
From my personal experience, I know that poor preparation, alcohol consumption, and insect infestation can cause most family picnics to fail.

AVOIDING MISTAKES IN YOUR INTRODUCTION

  • Avoid a purpose statement, such as “The purpose of this...” “Now I shall prove”, "in this paragraph I will tell you" SHOW -DON’T TELL
  • Avoid repetition of the title or text
  • Avoid complex or difficult questions that may puzzle your reader
  • Avoid simple definitions - EXPLAIN
  • Avoid artwork or cute lettering

A BEAUTIFUL BODY

PARAGRAPH

  • A group of sentences that presents and develops one MAIN IDEA about a topic
  • These sentences work together to communicate one MAIN IDEA

MAIN IDEA

  • the overall POINT of the PARAGRAPH that is conveyed in the TOPIC SENTENCE

TOPIC SENTENCE

  • USUALLY the first sentence of the PARAGRAPH that states the MAIN IDEA stated in each part of the THESIS
  • This sentence CONTROLS the ENTIRE PARAGRAPH
  • It tells the READER what the reset of the paragraph is ABOUT
  • This helps the WRITER focus on the MAIN IDEA and not stray from the MAIN IDEA
  • This is more GENERAL than the SUPPORTING DETAILS that follow.

SUPPORTING DETAIL SENTENCES

  • Other sentences in the PARAGRAPH that give INFORMATION that SUPPORTS the MAIN IDEA that was stated in the TOPIC SENTENCE
  • A paragraph with only 1-2 supporting details is NOT EFFECTIVE and UNACCEPTABLE
  • At least THREE details are NEEDED to provide STRONG SUPORT for the MAIN IDEA:
  • descriptions
  • definitions
  • examples
  • elaboration
  • exploration
  • Paragraphs should be AT LEAST 6 sentences, including TRANSITIONS

*WARNING*

Sentences that DO NOT SUPPORT the TOPIC SENTENCE DESTROY the UNITY of the paragraph!

SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

The last sentence of each paragraph should reflect:

  • what you have just discussed in the paragraph
  • signal the change into the next paragraph

CONCLUSIONS

1. Restate the thesis

2. GO BEYOND the thesis by stating something worthwhile:

  • reach a judgment
  • endorse an issue
  • discuss findings
  • offer directives

3. Leave the reader with a thought provoking statement

AVOIDING MISTAKES IN YOUR CONCLUSION

  • AVOID presenting new IDEAS
  • AVOID stopping at an awkward spot or trailing off into meaningless or irrelevant information
  • AVOID questions that raise new issues
  • AVOID fancy artwork or cute lettering

Devising a Thesis

Using A Canadian Writer’s Reference read section C p. 3 to 35 (it can be downloaded from the English 10-1 PDF Resources folder). Make your own notes. An important concept from these pages is that of the three point thesis:

  • generalization
  • limited
  • focused

The Essay

Lesson 5:Objective 3

Sample Student Essay

The following is a sample of a student essay on fiction techniques and their contribution to the effect of a short story, in this case, "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury. Students are often asked to write critically about the literature they read. If fact, this is a favoured method of evaluation by English teachers. It is important, therefore that you master the techniques used in this Sample Student essay.

Notice the effective introduction, three point thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences, restatement of thesis in the conclusion and a citation on separate page showing the source of the story used. Also, note the student uses the present tense and cites his quotations within the essay in parentheses. Notice how the quoted material fits in as part of his own sentence structure, using ellipsis (...) to indicate words that have been left out. See page 257-268 in A Canadian Writer’s Reference for more help with quotations.

Student, I.
Eng10E1
Date

Effective Devices Used in "The Veldt"

Short story writers use many techniques to make their fiction come alive for the reader. "The Veldt", a science fiction story by Ray Bradbury, relies on three techniques or devices to create a successful story. He provides a futuristic setting to give the plot a reality or plausibility that might not exist in a more contemporary setting, an initial incident which sets up the conflict, and foreshadowing which hints at the grisly outcome.

The reader's belief in the possibility of the strange plot relies on his acceptance of the robotic home of the Hadley family. If Bradbury had tried to force this plot into a traditional household, the reader might have rejected the premise that violence and death might happen. Because the reader does not have rooms that come alive like Peter and 's bedroom, it is necessary to suspend disbelief in order to accept the macabre plan carried out by the children. Bradbury makes it clear from the beginning
that the story occurs in the future as

"They walked down the hall of their soundproofed Happylife Home which had cost them thirty thousand dollars installed, this house which clothed and fed and rocked them to sleep and played and sang and was good to them." (101)

Without the elements of setting such as the automatic switches, the odorophonics, and the three dimensional screen, the reader might not accept the plot and the story would be a failure.

The initial incident, the event which sets the action in motion, occurs when the reader learns of the 'malfunction' in the nursery. George, the father, is unable to make the African Veldtland disappear and utters, "the fool room is out of order. It won't respond" (106). Programmed to be a peaceful, cheerful, nurturing environment, the nursery has become a wild killing field. Before, the parents had control of the room (and control over their children), but now, they seem powerless. The initial incident begins the chaos and disorder which will escalate. As a result, the reader's interest is piqued not only because the environment in the room is so oppressive and ominous but because of the near panic of the parents.

The third device which is a major tool used by the author is foreshadowing. The screams that "sound familiar" (109) let the reader know that there is violence behind the door. Also, both parents discover a personal article destroyed in the play room which seems to seal their fate and let the reader know that what has happened to George's wallet is also sure to happen to him. Peter's threat that his parents had better not consider closing down the room (110) foreshadows the lengths to which he will go to protect his newly-gained power.

Ray Bradbury's unusual setting, intriguing initial incident, and meaningful foreshadowing help to make a powerful story. The reader plunges into a modernistic household which has become a monster. The shock is strong and complete at the end.

Work Cited

Bradbury, Ray. "The Veldt", Inside Stories. Ed. place: publisher, date. page

The Essay

Essay Theory

In the English language the word essay comes from the French term essai, which means " to try". Essays are an author's attempt to express his/her opinion on a subject. The degree of personal input determines the label that is applied to the essay. When studying the essay as a literary form it is necessary to look at two basic areas: essay subject matter and essay subject manner.

Types of Essays

Only general groupings can be followed for essays because essay form and subject are so nebulous . However, certain forms are distinguishable, and following are some of the major divisions. The amount of personality coloration in essays varies widely, because they are written by individuals, and may range from the almost pure impersonality of the encyclopedia article to the highly personal expression of a writer's thoughts and beliefs in a diary.

There are two primary types of essays:

  • informational (expository ) essays
  • personal essays

Depending on style and content, essays range from formal to informal and display certain characteristics.

Formal essays:

  • have a serious purpose
  • focus on significant subject matter
  • have a literary style varying from stylistically elegant to plain serious prose

Informal essays:

  • reflect the writer’s personality and interests entertain the reader
  • are written in a lively, light or humorous manner
  • use casual, conversational language

A. Informational Essays

The primary purpose of the informational essay is to give information, to teach, to instruct, to explain. It may do this by presenting facts only, or it may present facts backed up by observations of the author, hence adding elements of the author's personality to what is still mainly an information-giving communication. To clarify this further, informational essays may be divided into three categories.

1. Exposition:

This type of informational essay is based on fact, and fact only. Technical or scientific explanations, textbooks, instructions, and 'how to' articles all fall into this category. Very little if any of the writers' personalities will be disclosed in this type of essay since it deals with fact and attempts to clarify meaning. It is organized according to process, classification, or comparison -contrast and uses reasoning by induction, deduction, definition, cause and effect, and analysis.

2. Argument:

This type of informational essay is also based on fact, but the essayist goes beyond this by trying to prove a case or develop an argument. It tries to convince the reader that a specific theory or premise is true or false. It is usually organized from specific facts to a conclusion or conversely from a generalization to specific applications.

3. Persuasion:

Informational essays of persuasion are again based on fact, but the essayists deliberately try to get the readers to take a particular point of view or accept a particular opinion. Their approach will be a mixture of appeal to reason and emotion. Because they have moved beyond using straight fact to include their own personal method of strengthening their argument ,or persuading their readers to agree with them, their personalities have been inserted.

As the essay moves from purely informational to purely personal, the personality of the author becomes almost as important as the information presented.

B. Personal Essays

The primary purpose of the personal essay is to entertain by making the reader "feel at home" with the author, whose person is revealed through his/her writing. They as individuals, are inextricably interwoven among the threads of their ideas, which make up their essays. Personal essays may also be grouped into broad categories.

1. Familiar:

The author gives unique reactions to experiences and contacts in his/her own life. It may in this way be autobiographical in nature.

2. Character:

This portrays individuals, emphasizing particular qualities which the author deems important. It may be written with a moral purpose in mind.

3. Descriptive:

This describes a scene or object , usually using a spatial arrangement. The things chosen as part of the description are coloured by the outlook and personality of the author.

4. Narrative:

It is similar to the descriptive, but in the narrative essay the essayist arranges material chronologically, developing the narrative or the events as they happen in time. Also it is similar to the descriptive in that the events which the writer selects to develop the narrative express his/her personality.

5. Critical:

This is extremely subjective, with the author passing judgment on such things as artistic works, individuals, historical or contemporary events, and social questions.

6. Philosophic or Reflective:

This type of essay presents the personal reflections of the essayist on such subjects as morals, religion, education, and history. The essayist wishes the reader to reflect on the subject, although the reader may or may not agree with the author’s thoughts.

7. Satiric:

Satire may be defined as ridiculing or poking fun at something, with the underlying idea of bringing about a change. This type of essay may be directed at any subject, and its success depends largely on the personality of the author and how it is presented in the essay.

An essay will seldom be a pure example of one of these categories and may fit into two or three. Usually its main development can be identified and it can, for convenience, be placed under one of the above.

Levels of English

Formal English is used by educated people for formal occasions, e.g. graduations, opening ceremonies, formal essays, etc. It has the following characteristics:

  • bookish tone, not conversational
  • many figures of speech
  • complex language not commonly used in conversation
  • wide use of allusions
  • long, complex sentences
  • strict grammatical correctness:
  • no short cuts such as contractions (can't, won't, etc,)
  • no ellipses [a part omitted and implied, e.g. I am taller than Chris (is)]
  • no abbreviations.
  • use of many rhetorical devices (rhetorical questions, parallel structure, balanced sentences, repetition for emphasis, etc.)

Informal English (Colloquial English) is comfortable English used by educated people in conversation and informal writing. It’s characteristics are as follows:

  • conversational tone, light and personal
  • relaxed, simple sentence structure
  • few allusions and figures of speech
  • use of many "ordinary" words such as contractions, abbreviations
  • occasional use of slang (limited)

Non standard English has the following characteristics:

  • abundance of slang
  • cliches
  • grammatical errors
  • incorrect pronunciation
  • simple or long sentences joined by 'and' or 'then'

Diction

The choice of words in an essay, its diction, contributes to its purpose.

Connotative and Denotative Words

Words in the English language may be classified into words with denotative meanings and connotative meanings. The denotative meaning of a word is its dictionary meaning. A "house," for example, is defined as "a building intended as a dwelling for human beings." The denotation of a word means what the word stands for. It is the precise, literal, factual meaning. A "cat," defined literally according to Webster's New World Dictionary, is "a small, lithe, softfurred animal, domesticated since ancient times and often kept as a pet or for killing mice". A writer will use words with denotative meanings if the purpose is to present exact information.

Those houses were built in the early '50's.
That cat was nearly hit by an automobile yesterday.

The connotative meaning of a word is what the word suggests. The word "home," for example, though it means the same as "house," suggests something more than "a building intended as a dwelling." It means in its connotative sense "a place where an individual's affections are centred." The word cat has also the connotative meaning of a spiteful woman. Two words, therefore, may share the same denotative meaning, but they may have connotative meanings quite different. Consider the words in the following list. Observe the shades of meaning around the denotative meaning.

  • imitate, copy, forge, mirror, counterfeit, reproduce
  • small, little, stunted, puny, dwarfish, tiny
  • stout, corpulent, fat, obese, plump, chubby, fleshy
  • thin, slender, slim, lean, lank, gaunt, emaciated
  • dog, mongrel, pup, puppy, mutt, canine, whelp

What do the following words connotate to you personally?

church / oily / mother / honesty / rose / ocean
snow / love / eternal / youth / test / examination

General and Specific Words