Ms.

Yenni – Essay Types

Compare and Contrast Essay

An evaluative tool to make accurate analysis/evaluation of a given topic:
- Must understand the critical points of similarity/difference
- Used quite often around us: To compare individuals; students; colleagues;
companies.

Purpose: Compare (Similarities) and/or Contrast (differences) of 2 or more subjects.

 Connect in a meaningful way, by illuminating the subtle differences / unexpected similarities

 Contrast: Distinctions between similar subjects  Increase the audience’s understanding of that category
 Comparison: The more divergent the two disparate (seemingly incomparable) subjects initially seem More
interesting comparisons

INTRODUCTION:
 Introduction: Hook to catch the reader’s attention? Give them a visionary aspect.

 (Thesis Statement): Clearly stated the comparing subjects + the claims/results that might prove useful to the
readers.

You may organize compare-and-contrast essays in one of the following two ways: Depends on your purpose

 According to the subjects themselves, discussing one then the other

- One paragraph for the similarities/differences for one subject.

- One paragraph for the similarities/differences for the other subject. (Used for essay 3 – pg 12 – 13)

 According to individual points, discussing each subject in relation to each point

- One paragraph for a specific similarity/difference for both subjects.

- One paragraph for a specific similarity/difference for both subjects.

Comparison Contrast
one similarity one difference
another similarity another difference
both conversely
like in contrast / Contrastingly
likewise unlike
similarly while
in a similar fashion Whereas / On the other hand

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Ms. Yenni – Essay Types

Cause and Effect Essay

Rhetorical style: Discusses which events lead to specific results
- The preceding event may NOT be the actual cause for the result
- You may be mistaking chronological order for causality, which can lead you to some
faulty logic.

Purpose: Determines how the various phenomena are related in terms of their origins and outcomes.

 Helps us understand “why” / “how” – Adverse consequences can be avoided.

 Obvious connection but exact relationship can be difficult to perceive
- A sore throat – a common cold: connection; however, it doesn’t mean sore throat 100% = a common cold.
**TIP: This can be advantageous as you can claim what the primary connection between the two subjects
through your essay is **
- “Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.”
INTRODUCTION:
 Introduction: Hook to catch the reader’s attention? Statistics + Relations

 (Thesis Statement): Clearly stated the cause(s) to their effect(s)

You may organize cause and effect essays in one of the following two ways: Depends on your purpose

 Start with the cause  Talk about the effects. // Start with the effect  Talk about the causes.

BLOCK CHAIN
All causes: listed first. All Each cause: Immediately
effects listed afterwards followed by its effect.
Generally clearer, especially The effects presented directly
for shorter essays relate to the causes
**Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as
scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.**

Transition signals
Cause Effect

The first cause of (Y) is (X) The first effect of (X) is (Y)

The next reason is (X) Another result of (X) is (Y)

Because of (X), (Y) As a result, (Y)

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Ms. Yenni – Essay Types

As a result of (X), (Y) As a consequence, (Y)

As a consequence of (X), (Y) Consequently (Y)

because/since/as (X) Therefore, (Y)

to result from (X) Thus (Y)

(X) results in (Y) Hence (Y)

to be the result of (X) (X) results in (Y)

(Y) is due to (X) (X) causes (Y)

Owing to (X), (Y) (X) has an effect on (Y)

(Y) is because of (X) (X) affects (Y)

(Y) is the effect of (X) (X) is one of the causes of (Y)

(Y) is the consequence of (X) (X) is the reason for (Y)

Significantly

Because of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in Cars are used increasingly for urban transport. As a
cities are worsening. consequence, pollution levels in cities are worsening.

As a result of the increased use of cars, pollution levels Increased use of cars for urban transport
in cities are worsening. adversely affects pollution levels in cities.

Steps:

1. Research the events to search for many causes. You need to be sure that you’re only stating the obvious.
 Don’t select the obvious cause without first doing substantial research. Be sure that you are not missing any other
causes.
2. Preceding events DON’T always mean there is a cause and effect relationship.
 When you confuse event sequencing for causality, you’re engaging in Post Hoc Reasoning.
 Post Hoc Reasoning: Like superstitions.
- E.g. You wore a red sweater the day you aced your exam, so it’s now a lucky charm when taking exams.
- Why? Chronologically: 1. Wore the red sweater  2. Did well on the exam.
- However, you cannot prove; Red sweater = Acing Exam
3. Once you are positive of a cause, you should follow chronological sequencing.
 Once the causal relationship is established: List the definite causes in sequential (chronological) order.

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 Explaining sequential orders: Helps the reader understand the causes and effects better.

4. IMMEDIATE cause vs REMOTE cause. = If there is one, discuss a causal chain (one event leads to another that leads to another).
 Causal chains: Help essay organization + explanation of thesis.
- With appropriate research + identified Causality among events: A causal chain can be developed.
- A causal chain occurs when one event leads to a result and that result leads to another result. Be sure that you
don’t leave out any of the events in the chain and be sure that you’re following proper sequencing.

Classification Essay
Rhetorical style: Splits up a whole into parts which are then
categorized.
Combines:
- Division of a complex and difficult topic  Subcategories = clarity and
explanation
- Determination of what categories are needed and the befitting information for those categories.

Purpose: Give a CLEAR understanding of the purpose of this categorization. Be specific / have superficial categories

INTRODUCTION:
 Introduction: Hook to catch the reader’s attention? Give them a visionary aspect.

 (Thesis Statement): Clearly stated the topic and how it is classified. Sometimes the categories are named.
- (topic)...(how classified)...(category) (category) (category).

You may organize classification essays in one of the following three ways: Depends on your purpose

 The first kind, the second kind, the third kind

 The first type, the second type, the third type – Essay exemplar (House chores)
 The first group, the second group, the third group

Comparison Contrast
one similarity one difference
another similarity another difference
both conversely
like in contrast / Contrastingly
likewise unlike
similarly while
in a similar fashion Whereas / On the other hand

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Steps:

1. Take a complex topic  Divide it.

 Divide the big/generalized topic  (More manageable) Subtopics. = Helps the readers comprehend the topic.

2. Be sure that you have found a principle of classification.

 Purpose/Principle of the classification.
- What do the subtopics have in common?

3. Make sure that your categories are distinct.

 Avoid confusing the reader by overlapping categories. = Create distinct categories.
 Clearer to the reader = Much stronger essay.

Make sure that your categories support your thesis.

 Lastly, make sure that your categories support your thesis. If you find that they don’t, adjust your thesis to
accommodate the change.

Argumentative Essay (Similar to Persuasion Essay)

Convinces the audience that the information is important.
- A clear assertion/argument about a certain topic/issue.
- Academic argument differs from a regular, emotional argument!
Purpose: CONVINCE the audience through academic arguments/assertions with logic and reasoning

 Assertion (opinion, theory, hypothesis) about some phenomenon or phenomena is correct or more truthful than others.
 The process of your reasoning clearly explained (from the known/assumed to the unknown).

- Without doing this: Do not have an argument; only an assertion, which is your unsubstantiated opinion.

TYPES of ARUGMENTS

Causal Evaluation Proposal Narrative Rebuttal Definition

Argue that Argumentatively Proposing a Telling a story Building a case Using a

something has evaluating solution to a with a clear point around to refute definition as the
caused something as problem. related to your an idea or ideas starting point for
something else “good” or “bad.” argument that have come making your case
A clear problem before
The criteria for and a specific
“good” or “bad,” solution to that
needs to be problem need to
established be proposed.

The causes of Evaluate a Argue a proposal Write a narrative Challenge the Argue that NCAA
the decline of children’s book that would about your ideas of the past. basketball
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Ms. Yenni – Essay Types

large mammals for your education increase experiences with players should be
in the world’s class, but you retention rates at standardized defined as
ocean and make would need to your college. testing in order professional
a case for your establish clear to make a case players and,
cause. criteria for your for reform. therefore, should
evaluation for be paid.
your audience.

INTRODUCTION:

 Introduction: Hook to catch the reader’s attention? Give them a visionary aspect.
 (Thesis Statement): Clearly stated the argument (problem) and its respective solution.

The writer’s point does NOT have to be COMPLETELY proven. Only need to convince the readers that your argument
or position is reasonable + has merit; i.e., that it is somehow more accurate and complete than competing arguments.

Argumentative essays are often organized in the following manner:

1. A statement of your assertion, its timeliness, significance, and relevance in relation to some phenomenon.

2. They review critically the literature about that phenomenon.

3. They illustrate how your assertion is "better" (simpler or more explanatory) than others, including improved (i.e.,
more reliable or valid) methods that you used to accumulate the data (case) to be explained.

Modes of PERSUASION – Work interchangeably

ETHOS PATHOS LOGOS

i) Convince the credibility. i) Appeal to our human emotions i) Appeal to our logical side.
ii) Often used for main ii) Powerful mode of persuasion, as ii) Facts are presented in a logical
professions. humans are emotional beings. manner.
iii) Strong logos = build ethos
A Psychology professor: ** NB: It’s the least respected of the three
writing an essay about the psychology ethical appeals in the academic
of eating disorders vs writing a paper community**
on quantum physics.
- The prior will have strong, built-in
ethos.

Can build your ethos via:
 Appropriate usage of appeals to
emotion and logic
 Credible sources
Can build your pathos via:
 Make the audience feel connected
with your topic and get emotionally
invested in the message.
When writing a research paper on the
Plague in Medieval times, you need to:
 Gather a lot of research
 Incorporate the research in an
organized and effective manner.
Ensure the logic of your points, and
avoid faulty logic.

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Ms. Yenni – Essay Types

 When the essay lacks logic and reasoning (More heavily based on personal opinions and emotions) = Persuasive
Essay.