Structure of an Essay

Title Introduction Background information Thesis Body Thesis Point 1 Thesis Point 2 Thesis Point 3 (and so on) Conclusion Reiterate Thesis Summarize Essay

Types of Essays
Process Essay
Functions
1. How To 2. Chronological Order

Organization
The organization of a process essay works through the events or steps logically, putting what came or what needs to be done in order of occurrence. (Think about a recipe)

Signal Words
A process essay uses special signal words that help with the transition from one event or step to another. These words are: First, first of all, second, third, etc. Then, next, after that, soon, later, later on Finally, last, last of all Meanwhile, at the same time, now Gradually, eventually After As As soon as Before Since Until When While The first (second, last final) step On the third (first, fifth) day After leaving home (or anywhere else) Later that morning (afternoon, evening, night) For five (seven, ten) minutes In 2004 (or some other year/month) Several years (months) ago A few weeks (months, years) later In the next (past, last) 15 (any number) years

Cause and Effect Essay

Function
This shows how reasons and results are related to one another.

Organization
Organization is set up either in a block or in a chain. Block Title Introduction Background Information Thesis Body Causes Transition Effects Conclusion Chain Introduction Background Information Thesis Body Cause/Effect Cause/Effect Cause/Effect (and so on) Conclusion

Signal Words
Like the process essay, the cause and effect essay has its own set of signal words that help you transition from one area to another. These are: For Because Since As To result from To be the result of Due to Because of The effect of The consequence of As a result of As a consequence of

Comparison and Contrast Essay

Function
To show how similar and how different two or more things are.

Organization
There are two ways to set up a comparison and contrast essay: block organization and point-bypoint organization. Block Title Introduction Background Information Thesis Body Similarities/Comparison (or differences) Transition Differences/Contrast (or similarities) Conclusion Point-by-Point Introduction Background Information Thesis Body Similarities/Differences Similarities/Differences Similarities/Differences (and so on) Conclusion

Signal Words
There are signal words for this type of essay as well. They have the same function as the rest, to help you move from one area to the next. These are: Comparison Similarly Likewise Also To As Just as And Both and Not only but also Neither nor Like (+noun) Just like (+noun) Similar to (+noun) (be) like (be) similar (to) (be) the same as (be) the same (be) alike (be) similar To compare with (to/with)

ContrastUnexpected Results However Nevertheless Nonetheless Still Although Even though Though But Yet Despite (+noun) In spite of (+noun)

ContrastDirect Opposition However In contrast In (by) comparison On the other hand On the contrary While Whereas But Differ (from) Compared (to/with) (be) different (from) (be) dissimilar to (be) unlike

Argumentative Essays
Function
An argumentative (or position) essay is designed to present an issue either to inform/explain or to highlight one side of an issue.

Organization
There are two ways to set up an argumentative essay: block or point-by-point. Both are similar to the cause and effect essay with a few minor differences.
Block Title Introduction Background Information Thesis Body 1. Summary of the other sides argument Rebuttal to the first argument Rebuttal to the second argument Rebuttal to the third argument (and o on) 2. Your first argument Your second argument Your third argument (and so on) Conclusion Point-by-Point Introduction Background Information: Here is where you will put the summary of the other sides arguments instead of in the body like the block organization. Thesis Body 1. Statement of the other sides first argument and rebuttal with your counterargument 2. Statement of the other sides second argument and rebuttal with your counterargument 3. Statement of the other sides third argument and rebuttal with your counterargument (and so on) Conclusion: you can include a summary of your point of view here if you want