Lesson 3

Writing Essays
OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. identify the different types of essay; and

2. write essays observing the steps in writing.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Essay writing is one of the best ways of expressing our opinions if we could not speak them out.
Through writing, our inner most thoughts will come out. Effective essays convey messages or
information to the readers leaving them lessons and ideas that mirror life. Writing essays could both be
beneficial to writers and readers. Through this, writers can express their ideas, feelings and emotions.
They will be able to unload their thoughts and at the same time enhances their writing skills. Likewise,
readers are the absorbers of these thoughts and ideas. Reading essays awakens the reader’s sleeping minds
and relives their spirit of humanity. To be effective in essay writing, one must learn and apply the theories
on crafting good essays.

In this lesson, you will be exposed to the different parts and types of an essay. Practical steps and
tips in writing essays will also be introduced. So learn all about these to enhance your essay writing
skills.

What is an Essay?

An essay is a short piece of writing that focuses on the writer’s point of the argument to particular
audience for a specific person. It is a non-fiction literary piece which was derived from a French word,
“essai” or “essayer” which means trail (www.literarydevices.net ). An essay is a well-crafted
composition with proper structured sentences and paragraphs. This piece of writing is said to be
personalized because the writer has to unveil his/her own point of view, experiences, feelings and
thoughts about a certain topic.

Parts of an Essay

Effective essay writing demands following the formats or the major parts. The title, introduction,
body and conclusion are the four major parts of an essay as discussed by Forlini, G. et.al.( 2005).

1. Title
It is the first part of the essay that functions as a preview of the thesis statement and an
advertisement from the essay. This part should provide clues to the topic and the focus of the writer in the
essay. The title should be brief and direct to the point but not misleading. Readers gain interest in reading
the essay when the title is inviting.
2. The Introduction
This is a major part of an essay which provides background information of the topic in the essay.
The purposes of the introduction are to discuss why the issue is of concern or interest. It is in the
introduction where the main point of the essay is established.
The introduction begins with a general idea and supported with specific ones. This part presents
the writer’s point of view. It usually ends with a thesis statement which puts into capsule the main idea of
the essay.

3. The Body
The body paragraphs are in the middle of the essay. This part discusses the relationship of ideas to
the thesis statement by giving reliable and enough examples, facts, statistical data and details. Viewpoints
must also adequately supported by reasons, phenomena or personal experiences.

4. The Conclusion
This is a final paragraph that gives the gist of the essay. It is a part where the writer takes into
persuading the readers by giving points or views with importance. The conclusion restates the main point
which is supported with significant evidence that encourages the readers to respond positively.

Four Types of Essays

All essays are written for some reasons but all have the same purposes and these are to present
and discuss a certain topic or an idea. Each type of essay presents a valid point of view and in as much as
possible, it persuades the reader. Essays have four main types which are the following: narrative,
descriptive, expository and argumentative or persuasive (www.imples.yourdictionary.com &
www.time4writing.com)

1. Narrative Essay
A narrative essay tells a story from a viewpoint. It makes use of narration which has the elements
– setting, characters, plot, point of view and theme. The plot usually uses the chronological order but
sometimes uses the flash-forwards and flashbacks. The purpose of the essay is not just to narrate but to
explain the importance of the experience in the story.

How to write a narrative essay

A. Connect your readers into your story by including sensory and emotional details.
B. Tell the story and allow the readers to absorb the emphasized theme of the essay.
C. Present your point and support with a reference.
D. Write using the third person.

Example of Narrative Essay

Text retrieved from: https://www.examples.yourdictionary.com

How I Learned Swimming

Learning something new can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had
to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that swimming was
an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise and help me to
become physically strongest. What I didn’t realize was that learning to swim would also make me
a more confident person.
New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my first swimming lesson was no
exception. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of
 the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes, the teacher
came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us. Although they
were both older than me, they didn’t seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim. I
began to feel more at ease.
We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us
stay afloat. One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning off by herself. The
other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for
the breast stroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through
the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, travelling at a fast clip
across the short end of the pool.
Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few more
weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs, she taught me the arm strokes. Now I had
two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated on my arms
however, things began to feel “right” and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling – like
flying, maybe – to be able to shoot across the water.
Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end, my persistence paid off. Not only
did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned something about
learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation, I am not so nervous. I may feel uncomfortable
to begin with, but I feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful free feeling when you achieve
a goal you have set for yourself.

2. Descriptive Essay
It is a way to communicate an experience, to illustrate something and to describe an event. It
allows the author to speak about an experience, traits and characteristics of people, feelings, emotions and
objects. The writer gives a thorough description of all the images that appeal to the senses through words
to convey deeper meaning to the readers. It is just like painting a picture through writing.

How to write a descriptive essay

A. Touch the readers’ feelings and emotions.
B. Indicate vivid details to let your readers get into it.
C. Use words imaginatively.

Example of a Descriptive Essay

Text retrieved from: https://www.sampleessay.net

The Library

Today, Wednesday 27th of April is a cold overcast day. We are in front of the library, in
the main entrance. The first thing that we can see is the huge stair that is connecting different floors
of the library. The ceiling is woodish with square window on the right side and also 10 grayish
lamps hanging around it.
It is not a busy day here. It could be because it is early and most of the students are in their
classes. As you enter to this place you can feel how warm and also see how bright it is. It makes us
feel comfortable. It is quiet most of the time but an annoying sound interrupts the silence. This
sound was made by a broken machine. A drab kind man who is in front of a computer is reading a
book. He is the receptionist.
We noticed a group of students talking and smoking outside the library. Two of them come
inside. For the first time we can hear the sounds of the street. Cars, buses and the wind whispering
the winter is here. The boys seem as freshmen because they are asking really loud the receptionist
what they need to do in order to use the computers. They go to the big lockers that are in the corner
and put all their things there. They go to the second floor. We can’t see them anymore. While we
 are watching them, a girl comes inside the library. She is a short, skinny girl. She looks like a gothic
because of the way she is dressed. She is wearing a short, black dress, black leggings and red
sweater and black boots. She has a nervous anxious attitude.

3. Expository Essay
This essay is an exposition of an idea and an evaluation of evidences of a problem presented. The
writer usually sets an argument main and explains some integral concepts to the reader. This is the type of
essay that only presents facts to inform, to describe and to explain.
How to write an expository essay?
A. Write concise and simple sentences.
B. Present views about a subject.
C. Give a situational report.
D. Explain ideas clearly.
E. Use the third person pronouns in writing.

Example of Expository Essay

Text retrieved from: https://examples.yourdictionary.com

Adolescence

Adolescence is often considered as one of the most challenging, most turbulent and most
difficult phase of life for both children and their parents. During the transition from childhood to
adulthood, teenagers often seek the possibility of being able to identify them as they start to search
for their place in this world. They also learn to interact with the other members of the society, define
their priorities, and adapt to social norms.
Some teenagers, unfortunately, do not go through this phase quite smoothly. Some even
experiment with illegal substances, leading to further damage. Among the biggest problems is when
teenagers start being a part of so-called teenage gangs. According to experts, this might be linked
to a desire to have respect and authority in the society of teenage hierarchy. Gangs typically attract
adolescents who are interested in belonging to a certain community that offers anonymity and
security, while being susceptible to peer pressure.
According to studies, the percentage of criminals among teenagers is quite high. This only
means that this problem among teenagers being associated in gangs is definitely worth every
attention. What is even more disturbing is even after quitting a gang, there is still a tendency to be
involved in various illegal activities during adulthood. This can depict that even though a teenager
may not commit a crime, for now, he may end up doing it later.
For parents who are concerned about the possibility of children joining gangs, there are
certain criteria about the behavior of their children, as well as their appearance, that they have to
pay attention to. Parents need to be extremely careful especially when it comes to identifying
potential factors that give hints to this tendency. Typically, if a child starts having problems at
school, hides activities from you, has unknown friends, wears particular symbols or colors all the
time, you may have to check now.

4. Argumentative/Persuasive Essay
The argumentative essay presents the both sides of an issue. It convinces the reader to go with the
presented earlier argument and at the same time to refute with the other arguments. The writer presents
the arguments and supports them by demonstrating the validity or falsity of a topic like giving evidences
and opinions. The main purpose of the essay is to convince the reader to believe with the presented
arguments.
How to write an argumentative essay
A. Present your argument.
 B. Gather supporting data for your argument.
C. Be firm with your stand.
D. Make a strong argument by supporting your position.
E. Don’t introduce new idea at the end.

Example of Argumentative Essay

Text retrieved from: https://examples.yourdictionary.co,

Young Drivers

Malaysian drivers, especially the young drivers, have been stigmatized as reckless and
lacking in road courtesy. Recent surveys have supported this image.
The many road safety campaigns aimed at injecting discipline in road users have met with
failure and frustration. Even the heavy fines and penalties do not seem to have had the desired
effects. Statistics show that most road accidents are caused by young drivers who are responsible
for various misdemeanors such as indiscriminate overtaking, not giving appropriate signals, drink
driving, speeding and failure to adhere to the traffic rules.
Young drivers tend to gravitate towards speeding and racing. It is alarming to note that our
roads and highways are constantly being turned into race tracks where drivers display their
daredevil stunts. Whatever reasons these young may have for speeding, it shows selfishness and
responsibility. They have no consideration for other road users or for traffic regulations. Since most
young drivers seem callous in their attitude, it is imperative that the legal age for driving be
increased.
Young drivers also seem to throw caution to the winds once they are at the wheels. They
are always in a mud rush to reach their destinations and do not pay heed to traffic regulations and
road conditions. This leads to accidents. It is only when they are older that they become mature and
can make the right decisions. If this is the case, what other reason do we need to increase the legal
age for driving?
Accusations and criticism have been hurled at young drivers for various traffic offences. It
is not right that the image of Malaysian drivers be tarnished but just because of a few young drivers
and that is why I am of the opinion that the legal age for driving be increased.

Writing an Essay

Writing an essay involves different skills like thinking, shaping, developing and organizing your
ideas and making a series of decisions (Forlini, G. et.al, 2005). In here, you will learn to make decisions in
the pre-writing (planning your essay), writing (creating a first draft), and revising (polishing your essay)
which are the steps of preparing an essay.

1. PREWRITING

Ø Planning your essay

Generate ideas and choose a general topic. Brainstorming can help in generating ideas and
making list of topics. Divide the general topic into specific ones.
Write a thesis statement by examining first your essay topic and your views about it.
Before writing your main idea in the thesis statement, think of the audience and the purpose of your
essay.
After writing the thesis statement, brainstorm for supporting information or data that will
become the body of your essay. Have a list of the facts, details, examples, evidences and incidents
that could support your thesis statement. From the long list of supporting information, choose the
strongest and the most relevant details to your thesis statement.
 Organize your essay by choosing appropriate subtopics, put them in logical order and
make an outline of your essay. Arrange the information by grouping your support to the subtopics.
Decide which logical order (chronological, in order according to importance, comparison and
contrast, development order or spatial order) that best develops your essay.

WRITING

Ø Creating a First Draft

Connect the ideas, facts, details and information in your outline. It is best to use
transitions within paragraphs to indicate a new subtopic or further development of the
preceding subtopic. Widen your vocabulary. Observe correct sentence structures, consistent
pronouns, parallel structures within sentences. Write concluding sentences at the end of every
subtopic

REVISING
Ø Polishing your Essay
Revise to correct, to improve and to polish your essay. For a sense of correctness, use a
checklist to evaluate your essay. Do the final changes, corrections in structure, content, grammar,
mechanics, spelling, capitalization and organization. Rewrite your essay and proofread your final
copy.
EXERCISES

I. IMPROVING COMPREHENSION. Identify the appropriate type of essay for the given topics
below. Write your answer (narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative/persuasive) on the space
provided before each number.
__________ 1. If you were a bird, what would you be?
__________ 2. Death penalty is an effective way to scare off the criminals.
__________ 3. Your first day as a college student
__________ 4. Preventive measures to stop bullying in schools
__________ 5. An account of your first time in the city
__________ 6. Talk about the oldest picture that you have
__________ 7. The genetically modified food is not beneficial.
__________ 8. Discuss the effects of mobile games to students.
__________ 9. Human activities have nothing to do with global warming.
__________10. A trip that included something unexpected

II. ENHANCING VOCABULARY. Accomplish the graphic organizer below by writing an adjective
inside each circle. Think of four adjectives that best describe rural life then write them on the numbered
circles. Four each of these four adjectives, fill-in the three circles with other adjectives that are related to
it. From the adjectives that you have listed in the graphic organizer, make an outline then write a
descriptive essay about rural life.

2 3

RURAL
LIFE
1 4
III. DEVELOPING WRITING SKILLS. Write an expository essay about the pandemic COVID-19. Fill
in each blank box in the diagram with complete sentences following the given guides. After filling in all
the boxes, rewrite your essay in a clean sheet of paper. Provide your own title.

Title
__________________________

Attention Getter

Topic Sentence

Point 1 Point 2
Three Points

Supporting Sentences Point 3 Supporting Sentences

Supporting Sentences

Concluding Sentences

Retrieved from: https:// www.eslflow.com

REFERENCES

Bajado, M. C. & Pioquinto, P. V. (2014). Technical Report Writing 1 for Criminology Students.
Project 6, Quezon City: Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.

Barrot, J. S. (2018). Business Correspondence with Style: A Guide to Effective Business English
and Correspondence for College Students and Professionals. South Triangle,
Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Egipto, J. L. (2011). Writing Business Letters. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City: Rex Bookstore

Examples of Essays. Retrieved from https://www.examples.yourdictionary.com

Forlini, G. et.al (2005). Prentice Hall Grammar and Composition 2. Jurong, Singapore: Pearson
Education South Asia Pte Ltd.

Four Types of Essay. Retrieved from https://imples.yourdictionary.com

Functions or purposes of business letters Retrieved from: https://freebcomnotes.blospot.com

Gonzales, C, Mañgilit, S. & Tavalera, G. English for Business: A Guide to Business Communication
(2006). Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., Inc.

Main Types of Essay. Retrieved from https://www.time4writing.com

Types of Essay. Retrieved from https://examplesessay.com

Wakat, G. et. al (2018). Purposive Communication. Manila: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

What is essay? Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net

Writing essay exercise. Retrieved from https://https.www.eslflow.com