English Essay: Topic 1: Introduction To Essay Writing

English Essay
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO ESSAY WRITING

by
Zainab Muhammad Shahid
1. WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
 The word “Essay” comes from the Latin verb exigere, which means "to
examine, test, or (literally) to drive out."
 The essence of the academic essay is to encourage students to test or examine
their ideas concerning a particular topic.
 The essay can be viewed as the converse of a research paper
 It should have a proper beginning middle and an end.
 Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a
number of skills such as:
o Close reading
o Analysis
o Comparison and contrast
o Persuasion
o Conciseness
o Clarity
o Exposition.
2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN ESSAY?
 To have a concise, logical and holistic view on a certain topic.
3. REQUISITES OF ESSAY WRITING.
 Topics should be creatively tackled.

 Various ideas and concepts should be projected concisely with clarity in
purpose and direction.
 The writing must be focused, deliberate and interesting.
4. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY?
a. DECODING THE TOPIC.
i. Take time to brainstorm

ii. Use clear and concise language
iii. Reflect your thoughts
iv. Leave the reader with a clear impression.
v. Be organized
b. TWO MODELS, METHODS OR APPROACHES.
i. General to specific: Broad to narrow. The inverted pyramid model 

ii. Specific to general: Narrow to broad. The pyramid model 
*choose one that you can easily tackle.
c. THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

i. An introductory paragraph including the thesis statement.
ii. Three evidentiary body paragraphs
iii. A conclusion
*Outline of the essay is to be crafted on the same format.
d. SEVEN POINT PARAGRAPH WRITING
(Body) paragraph structure
i. Paragraph heading/topic: Topic sentence

ii. Reason or explanation
iii. Supporting point 1
iv. Example 1
v. Supporting point 2
vi. Example 2
vii. Concluding sentence.
5. STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY.
a. The structure of the essay is held together by the following.
i. A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first
paragraph of the essay.
ii. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to
follow the guidelines set forth.
iii. Introduction should be mastered in order to compose an effective or
persuasive essay.
iv. Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and
conclusion.
v. Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay
together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable
to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.
b. Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
i. Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general

idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay.
ii. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for
one’s audience.
iii. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay
must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the
opening paragraph.
c. Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

i. Every argument is to be supported and backed by the evidence.
d. A bit of creativity!
i. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature
ii. You are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people
evaluating your essay.
e. A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses
it in light of the evidence provided.
i. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate
impression on the mind of the reader.
ii. It must be effective and logical.
iii. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion
iv. Synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information
presented in the body of the essay.
6. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY ACCORDING TO FPSC REQUIREMENT?
*IMPORTANT NOTE BY FPSC ON ENGLISH ESSAY PAPER.
NOTE: (i) Make an outline and write a COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY (2500-3000

words) on any ONE of the given topics. Make sure you use different
forms of discourses, e.g. exposition, argumentation, description and
narration. Credit will be given for organization, relevance and clarity.
7. POINTS TO CONSIDER
a. Comprehensive essay
b. Exposition
c. Argumentation
d. Description
e. Narration
a. Comprehensive essay
i. It should be all encompassing
ii. Concise but holistic
b. Exposition
i. Investigate an idea
ii. Evaluate evidence
iii. Expound on the idea
iv. Set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise
manner
v. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast,
definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.
c. Argumentation
i. Investigate a topic
ii. collect, generate, and evaluate evidence
iii. establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
iv. Use data gathered from reports, surveys, statistical data, interviews,
observations, or experiments.
v. Using the data, choose a position and support it with the evidence.
vi. Argumentative essays can be longer than five paragraphs.
vii. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic
viii. Refer to the sources of information and their credibility
ix. Form a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding
the essay.
d. Description
i. To create a written account of a particular experience, emotion,

situation.
ii. Allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint
an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).
e. Narration
i. To tell a story
ii. Involves the authors point of view
iii. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal
iv. Students are to express themselves in a creative and impressive
ways
8. FORMAT OF OUTLINE
1. Introduction (one paragraph that should include the following points)

a. Thesis statement
b. Quotation, verse of a poem, anecdote, etc. (hook or the attention grabber)
or start with your own voice.
c. Your point of view on the topic
d. Your methodology of developing the essay that leads to justification of the
thesis statement
*Thesis statement can be the first or the last point of the introduction.
*In academic writing it is preferred to start an essay with your own voice as it allows
the examiner to evaluate your calibre.
2. Crunch paragraph: Open up the argument by giving background, history, and

your point of view on the topic, then relate it to the thesis statement and ground
it in the current scenario.
a. Heading one: Supporting paragraph
b. Heading two: Supporting paragraph
c. Heading three: Supporting paragraph
d. Heading four: Supporting paragraph
3. Topic one: What? Why? When? Who? How? (causes and effects)
4. Topic two: Present and future (current scenario and solutions)

5. Conclusion (one paragraph that should include the following points)

a. Round up all arguments and tie loose ends
b. Refer to established arguments and relate to your thesis statement
c. Show that thesis statement has been proven
d. Quotation, verse of a poem, anecdote. (always end on a positive note)
9. TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
*Follow your writing style and strive to improve it
*Use simple language that represents clarity of thought
*Avoid verbosity and idiomatic expression to eliminate confusion
*Avoid unnecessary usage of hence, thus, henceforth, therefore, furthermore,

firstly, secondly, thirdly…, etc.
* Use your knowledge and strengths to personalise the essay
*Keep analytical approach
*Refer to Recommended books by FPSC
*Do not refer to multiple sources related to the structure of essay to avoid
confusion
*Refer to Bertrand Russell’s Unpopular Essays
*Refer to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease, read a
few pages to see the simple writing style and the impact that expression leaves
on the reader
*Use your academic background and the knowledge acquired from compulsory
and optional subjects to supplement your analysis
……..
Best of luck 

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English Essay

TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO ESSAY WRITING

2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN ESSAY?

 To have a concise, logical and holistic view on a certain topic.

3. REQUISITES OF ESSAY WRITING.

 Topics should be creatively tackled.

4. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY?

a. DECODING THE TOPIC.

i. Take time to brainstorm

i. General to specific: Broad to narrow. The inverted pyramid model 

*choose one that you can easily tackle.

c. THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

*Outline of the essay is to be crafted on the same format.

d. SEVEN POINT PARAGRAPH WRITING

(Body) paragraph structure

i. Paragraph heading/topic: Topic sentence

5. STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY.

a. The structure of the essay is held together by the following.

i. Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general

c. Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

6. HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY ACCORDING TO FPSC REQUIREMENT?

*IMPORTANT NOTE BY FPSC ON ENGLISH ESSAY PAPER.

NOTE: (i) Make an outline and write a COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY (2500-3000

i. To create a written account of a particular experience, emotion,

1. Introduction (one paragraph that should include the following points)

2. Crunch paragraph: Open up the argument by giving background, history, and

4. Topic two: Present and future (current scenario and solutions)

5. Conclusion (one paragraph that should include the following points)

*Follow your writing style and strive to improve it

*Use simple language that represents clarity of thought

*Avoid verbosity and idiomatic expression to eliminate confusion

*Avoid unnecessary usage of hence, thus, henceforth, therefore, furthermore,

* Use your knowledge and strengths to personalise the essay

*Keep analytical approach

*Refer to Recommended books by FPSC

*Refer to Bertrand Russell’s Unpopular Essays

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