Type of Essays

Argumentation Supporting
Explanation Essay Discussion Essay Local Fallacies
Essay Evidence

Temporal How to Use Hasty

Type
Sequential Evidence Generalisation

Cyclical Fact Accuracy Missing the Point

Cause and Post Hoc

Quotes Reliable and
Effect (False Cause)
not biased
Opinion of
Slippery Slope
Experts
Relevant
Anecdotes Weak Analogy
enough fact
for each Appeal of
Examples points Authority

Charts/
Arrangement Ad Populum
Diagrams
of fact
(general to
specific) Ad Hominem and
Tu Quoque

Appeal to Pity

Appeal to
Ignorance

Straw Man

Red Herring

False Dichotomy

Begging the
Questions

Equivocation
 TOPIC 4 – TYPE OF ESSAYS
EXPLANATION ESSAY
Definition – essay that explains things or processes in sequential order.
Planning Introduction
Give readers some general
thesis must be able to
answer the Wh-Questions information about the
subject
such as What, Who, Why,
What for, When & How
the main idea sentence
must be able to stand on its
own and make complete
sense by itself.
Body (style) Conclusion
Temporal Sequential – summarizing or giving
additional information
points of the essay written
in pretty linear way (a-b-c- related to the process
before ending
d) and ‘time markers’ are
usually used at the
beginning of each
paragraph to show the
process involved
Cyclical – main point
represented in cyclical
manner such as formation
of rainfall or breathing &
blood circulation
Cause & effect – points in
explaining & describing of a
certain issue (traffic jam,
accident)
 ARGUMENTATION ESSAY

Definition – try to win readers over so that they will agree with your point of view, accept your
facts, embrace your values and adopt your arguments and way of thinking

Planning Introduction Body Conclusion

provide general explanation Thesis statement would be the most importance since it
Read the topic given your stand or position taken is the most memorable to
of the topic
concerning of the topic the readers

elaborate some background

Underline the key words very important that the
information stand clear & not confusing
argument is solid

Find synonym of the key make a thesis statement of

word for better present the argument in remind your readers about
topic sentence greater detail with evidence
understanding the issue raised, summarise
to support point of view main points, re-emphasize
your opinion and a glimpse
Decide to support or oppose of what is to come if the
try to convince audience
the findings situation remains with no
why your stand is the right
one changes
Find reasons or evidence to
support point of view Use statistics, other
keep it precise and concise,
research/studies, popular
not lengthy
beliefs or stories to support
Draft conclusion with
point of view
emphasizing position stand
on the issue discussed
avoid 'logical fallacies' or
poor argument
Keep essay in 1-3-1 format
anticipate counter-
arguments and be
prepared to address them
•taking opposite side for a
moment
•doing through research
on the topic
•discussing the topic with a
friend

DISCUSSION ESSAY

Definition – discussing both sides of an issue, topic, results of certain research and the
implications. Providing evidence and weights for both sides (support & oppose) of the issue and
let the readers to decide for themselves.
 SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

a) Type
i. Fact – information from something that actually exists in reality (statistics)
ii. Quotes – comments from credible source. Do not overuse this
iii. Opinions of experts – opinions from experts on subject of writing
iv. Anecdotes – short accounts of interesting or humorous incidents to liven up a
boring academic essay
v. Examples – representative of the whole group and great at clarifying the points
vi. Charts/Diagrams – Drawing/Illustration that is used to clarify complex concepts in
the writing

b) Steps in using Evidence

i. Ensuring the accuracy of each fact – accuracy of information is crucial especially
with dates, figures and names
ii. Facts must be recent, reliable and not biased
iii. Only use facts which is relevant to your writing
iv. Ensure enough facts for each point made
v. Arrange facts from general to specific or vice versa

LOGICAL FALLACIES

No Logical Fallacies Definition Tips

1. Hasty Generalisation Making assumption of a whole
group based on sample that is
inadequate (Stereotypes)
2. Missing the Point Premises of an argument do
support a particular conclusion -
but not the conclusion that the
arguer actually draws (wrong
intention/intention, less solid
conclusion)
Ask yourself what kind of ‘sample’ used
– relying on your or people’s opinion or
experiences (if so, provide evidence)
Separate premises from conclusion
Missing the point often occurs when
extreme conclusion is being drawn
(careful in claiming something big)

3. Post Hoc (False Assuming that because B comes Provide explanation, process or
Cause) after A, hence, A caused B evidence of A causing B rather than
brief statement of B comes after A
4. Slippery Slope Writer claims that situation will Check arguments for chains of
leads to critical moments with less consequences, which is reasonable
evidence to support assumptions (A lead to B lead to C)
5. Weak Analogy Weak analogy relationship Identify what points of evidence used,
between 2 or more objects, ideas and comparing 2 things which is
or situations sharing the same points
6. Appeal to Authority Argument using referral to less Ensure the authorities cited are
respected/expert sources just to experts on the subject discussed
impress readers with famous Try explain reasoning or evidence that
names or supposed authority expert/authority (not biased) used for
their opinion
7. Ad Populum Writer takes advantage of people’s Ensure to not recommending audience
desire to fit in with others to believe in the conclusion because
persuade audience to accept the everyone else believe in it. Popular
arguments opinion is not always right
8. Ad Hominem & Tu Focus the attention on people Stay focus on opponent’s arguments
Quoque rather than on arguments or rather than their character
evidence (attack on opponent’s
characteristics rather than their
arguments)
9. Appeal to Pity Takes place when an arguer tries Ensure to not using empathy in writing
to get people to accept a just to have readers agreement
conclusion by making them feel
sorry for someone (empathy)
10. Appeal to Ignorance Due to absence of evidence / Carefully select argument with lack of
explanation on certain issue, writer evidence and draw conclusions from it
demand acceptance for argument
from readers (claims about the
truth or a conclusions)
11. Straw Man Make stronger argument by Be charitable to opponents by stating
anticipating and responding in- their argument as strongly, accurately
advance opponent’s argument and sympathetically as possible.
(might make)
12. Red Herring Distracting readers from main Try layering premises and conclusions
issue by redirecting it to side issue
out in an outline-like form (state how
many issue raised & does evidence
support conclusion?)
13. False Dichotomy Arguer point the audience into Examine argument point, state all
single directions / solutions, options/alternative available
whereas there are other options
available which is not mentioned /
directed
14. Begging the Ask the reader to simply accept the a) Write argument and conclusion in
Question conclusion without providing real shot outlined form (detect any gaps
evidence (circular reasoning – that influence the flow of
repeating same thing as presentation)
conclusion; or simply ignores b) Check to see either the argument
important assumption that the repeating as conclusion
argument rests on)
15. Equivocation Sliding between 2 or more different Identify important words/phrases
meanings of a single word/phrase which had double meaning in
that is important to the argument argument to ensure not sliding
between 2 meanings &
misunderstanding