Chapter 14: ESSAY WRITING

• Essay < the French word ‘essai’ = an effort / a verbal sketch
• Essay = a written composition in which the writer
• Shares his/her knowledge of a certain topic
• His/her perspective on the issue discussed
• Offers criticism & comments on the situation

Types of Essays

1. Argumentative/ Point-of-view Essay

• Is written to contend an established view
• The author is keen to challenge the established notion
• Only reason-based argument
• Not those governed by our subjective opinions / emotions

2. Analytical Essay

• Reviews a book/movie/topic/situation/a given text
• Brings to the fore its subtle nuances
• The data & material collected play an important role
• They form the basis of an analysis

3. Descriptive Essay

• Is written to give the reader the specific & concrete details of an object/ a situation
• The author harps on his/her own senses to help the reader visualize, feel or enjoy what he describes
• Sometimes becomes overtly subjective
• His intention > to make the reader comprehend a situation through his/her observation
• Descriptive essay — often a reflection of the author’s personality

4. Expository essay

• Explains a topic without giving the author’s views
• Conveys info about a topic/situation/fact/state
• Tone — detached, objective & matter of fact
• Imparts to the reader the info & knowledge that the author possesses

5. Reflective / Philosophical Essay

• Discusses a profound & deep issue
• The author discusses universal human issues like life, death, truth, faith, love etc.
• The author rises above the immediate & mundane
• Universalizes the personal
• A comprehensive & unemotional perspective

FEATURES OF A WELL WRITTEN ESSAY

• Is the result of careful planning & selection of material
• Rejects what is redundant
• Is comprehensive in its approach & vision
• Highlights all the aspects related to the issue under discussion
• Is written in an objective & detached manner
• Is well balanced & not lop-sided; strikes a balance in its different parts & gives due importance to each of its various parts
• Coherence – does not focus on individual aspects of the problem; creates the impact of one organic whole
• Reflects consistency & logical sequence of ideas in a composed & controlled manner
• No ornate & bombastic words/exaggerations but emphatic & powerful words
• Is direct, simple, vigorous & lucid without ambiguities, equivocations & verbal juggleries
• Has a carefully chosen title

STAGES IN ESSAY WRITING

1. Collecting the relevant material
2. Defining the scope
   • An essay is always specific & to the point; so the scope of the presentation of the idea has to be defined & the title carefully chosen
3. Making an outline/ skeletal form
   • The main & sub-points of the essay
   • Keeps us focused & systematic in taking up the various issues involved in the essay
   • Helps us express ourselves in a coherent way
   • Helps us to avoid writing something redundant & missing out an important aspect of the issue
4. Making the first draft
   • Jot down the sequence in which the different ideas will be dealt with & prepare a rough sketch
5. Revising & editing
   • Pay careful attention to maintaining the logical development of the idea Reshape the matter & rephrase the material
   • Make the style compact & direct without ambiguity

COMPONENTS OF AN ESSAY — 3 PARTS

1. Introduction
   • Keep the introduction brief & effective
   • Avoid starting abruptly or too philosophically
   • Define/explain the title in a precise, specific way
   • Use quotations, statements/sayings to introduce the reader to the main idea
   • Don’t take sides on an issue or sound prejudiced
   • Avoid jargons, cliches, & bombastic beginnings
2. Development of an idea/ the main body
   • Evaluate all the possible aspects of a problem / topic / issue
   • Give due importance to each aspect
   • Relate all the ideas to one another
   • Connect this part to the hopes raised /promises made in the introduction
   • Maintain equality in the length & size of different paragraphs
   • Analyse the different aspects of the problem exhaustively & leave nothing to chance
   • Use supporting material to develop ideas
   • Use brief/extended examples, facts, comparison, contrasts, expert testimony to make the text look comprehensive & authentic
   • The main body should automatically lead to the conclusion
3. Conclusion
   • Reinforces the idea already illustrated & established in the main body
   • Avoid developing new ideas in the conclusion
   • Avoid feeble endings
   • Pack it with force & vigour
   • Should naturally emerge out of the discussion
   • Should be crisp & in cohesion with the other parts of the essay