Advanced Composition |S4|: The Academic Essay مـكونـات المـقـالـة الأكاديمية

Ahmed Elrhazi English

23 Apr 202106:34

Summary

TLDRThis script outlines the structure and purpose of various essay types commonly studied at university, including narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, and cause and effect essays. It emphasizes the importance of an essay's components: an introductory sentence, thesis statement, body paragraphs with main points and supporting details, and a conclusion that restates the thesis and offers a final thought. The script also highlights the use of transitions and language to enhance academic writing.

Takeaways

📚 There are various types of essays studied at university, including narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, cause and effect, and flash essays, each with a unique purpose.
📝 An academic essay is structured with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, usually consisting of four or more paragraphs.
💡 The introduction includes an introductory sentence and a thesis statement, which presents the writer's perspective and what the essay will discuss.
🔍 Body paragraphs delve deeper into the thesis, with the first sentence being the main point followed by supporting details.
🔗 Transitions are used in academic writing to move from one point to another, such as 'first', 'second', 'in addition', 'for example', and 'however'.
📈 The conclusion wraps up the essay, restating the thesis, providing a final thought, or summarizing the main points without introducing new ideas.
👉 Transitions in conclusions can include phrases like 'in short', 'in brief', 'to conclude', and 'in summary' to signal the end of the essay.
📌 The essay's purpose can be to tell a story, describe something, or persuade and convince readers to change their opinions.
📑 Each essay type has distinct features and serves a specific purpose, which should be understood before writing.
👔 An example given in the script is that if students wear uniforms, parents can save money as they won't need to buy many different clothes for their kids.
✍️ The script emphasizes the importance of understanding the features and structure of an academic essay for effective communication.

Q & A

What are the different types of essays mentioned in the transcript?
-The transcript mentions narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, cause and effect, and flash essays.
What is the purpose of a narrative essay?
-A narrative essay tells a story, often personal or historical, to engage the reader and convey a message or experience.
What is the purpose of a descriptive essay?
-A descriptive essay aims to provide a detailed account or depiction of a person, place, object, or event, using vivid language and sensory details.
What is the main goal of an argumentative essay?
-The main goal of an argumentative essay is to present a clear position on a debatable topic and persuade the reader to accept that position by providing compelling evidence and logical reasoning.
What are the key components of an academic essay's structure?
-An academic essay typically has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
What does the introduction of an essay usually contain?
-The introduction usually contains an introductory sentence and a thesis statement that sets the stage for the essay and presents the main argument or point.
What is a thesis statement and what does it do in an essay?
-A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that states the main point or argument of the essay. It guides the reader on what to expect in the body paragraphs.
What is the role of body paragraphs in an essay?
-Body paragraphs expand on the thesis statement by explaining, describing, giving reasons, or providing examples that support the main argument.
What is the significance of transitions in academic writing?
-Transitions in academic writing help to guide the reader from one point to another, creating a smooth flow of ideas and enhancing the coherence of the essay.
What should a conclusion in an essay do?
-A conclusion should summarize the main points, restate the thesis, and provide a final thought or feeling. It should not introduce any new ideas.
What are some examples of transition words or phrases used to close an essay?
-Examples of transition words or phrases used to close an essay include 'in conclusion', 'in short', 'in brief', and 'to summarize'.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Academic Essays

This paragraph introduces various types of essays encountered at the university level, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, cause and effect, and flash essays. It emphasizes the unique purposes of each essay type, which range from storytelling to description and persuasion. The paragraph also outlines the general structure of an academic essay, which includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It explains the role of the thesis statement in the introduction and the function of body paragraphs in supporting the thesis with explanations, descriptions, reasons, and examples. Additionally, it touches on the use of transitions in academic writing to connect different points.

05:01

🔍 Deep Dive into Essay Components

The second paragraph delves deeper into the components of an academic essay. It discusses the importance of transitions in moving from one point to another within the essay and provides examples of such transitions, including 'first,' 'second,' 'third,' 'lastly,' 'in addition,' 'then,' and 'later.' The paragraph also highlights the role of the conclusion in summarizing the essay, restating the thesis, or providing a final thought without introducing new ideas. It offers examples of concluding phrases like 'in short,' 'in brief,' and 'to conclude.' The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the structured nature of academic essays and the importance of adhering to this structure for clarity and effectiveness in communication.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Academic Essay

An academic essay is a formal piece of writing that presents a clear, well-reasoned argument or analysis of a topic. It is longer than a paragraph and contains more information, typically structured with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the video, the focus is on understanding the structure and purpose of different types of essays, such as narrative, expository, and argumentative, which are all variations of academic essays.

💡Introduction

The introduction is the opening section of an academic essay that sets the context for the reader. It includes an introductory sentence that provides a general statement or fact, followed by a thesis statement that outlines the writer's perspective on the topic. In the script, the introduction is emphasized as a crucial part of the essay, where the writer can capture the reader's attention and present the main argument.

💡Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that presents the main argument or claim of an essay. It is typically found at the end of the introduction and serves as a roadmap for the reader, indicating the direction the essay will take. The script mentions that the thesis statement can express the writer's opinion or perspective on the topic and what the body paragraphs will discuss.

💡Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are the core of an academic essay, where the writer expands on the thesis statement by providing evidence, explanations, descriptions, reasons, or examples. Each paragraph should have a main point and be supported by detailed evidence. The script illustrates that body paragraphs are where the writer delves deeper into the topic, using supporting details to strengthen the thesis.

💡Transitions

Transitions are words or phrases that connect one idea to another in writing, guiding the reader through the essay's flow. They are essential in academic writing to ensure smooth progression from one point to the next. The script provides examples of transitions such as 'firstly,' 'in addition,' 'lastly,' and 'however,' which are used to structure the essay and enhance coherence.

💡Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a type of academic essay that tells a story. It often involves personal experiences or observations and is structured around a plot with characters, setting, and a sequence of events. The script mentions narrative essays as one of the essay types that students may be required to write, emphasizing their storytelling aspect.

💡Expository Essay

An expository essay is designed to explain, inform, or describe a topic. It presents a clear and objective view of the subject matter without the writer's personal opinion. The script identifies expository essays as a type that requires the writer to provide detailed information and explain concepts or processes.

💡Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a type of academic writing that aims to persuade the reader to accept the writer's point of view on a controversial issue. It involves presenting a thesis and supporting it with logical arguments and evidence. The script discusses argumentative essays as a means to change opinions and convince readers.

💡Cause and Effect

Cause and effect is a method of analysis that explores the reasons behind an event (the cause) and the results of that event (the effect). In the context of essays, this can be a structure or a theme that the writer explores. The script briefly mentions this type of essay, which would involve discussing how certain factors lead to specific outcomes.

💡Conclusion

The conclusion is the final section of an academic essay where the writer summarizes the main points and restates the thesis in light of the evidence presented. It should not introduce new ideas but rather reinforce the writer's argument and provide a sense of closure. The script emphasizes that the conclusion is a critical part of the essay, often using phrases like 'in summary' or 'to conclude' to signal the end.

💡Academic Writing

Academic writing refers to the formal writing style used in scholarly and educational contexts. It is characterized by objectivity, clarity, and the use of evidence to support claims. The script discusses various aspects of academic writing, including the structure of essays, the use of transitions, and the importance of a clear thesis statement.

💡Structure

Structure in the context of an academic essay refers to the organization of content into a logical and coherent format. This includes the arrangement of paragraphs, the flow of ideas, and the use of headings or subheadings if necessary. The script highlights the importance of a structured approach to writing, which helps guide the reader through the writer's argument.

Highlights

There are several types of essays studied at university such as narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, cause and effect, and flash.

Essays have a unique purpose, some tell a story, are descriptive, or try to change opinions and convince people.

An essay is longer than a paragraph, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

An academic essay typically has four paragraphs or more.

The introduction includes an introductory sentence and a thesis statement.

The thesis statement expresses the writer's opinion or perspective on the topic.

Body paragraphs elaborate on the thesis statement, providing explanations, descriptions, reasons, or examples.

Each body paragraph starts with a main point followed by supporting details.

Transitions are used in academic writing to move from one point to another.

Examples of transitions include 'first', 'second', 'third', 'in addition', 'lastly', 'then', 'next', and 'later'.

Examples and reasons are given to support the main point in a paragraph.

The conclusion ends the essay, summarizing the main points without introducing new ideas.

Concluding sentences can restate the thesis, give a final thought, or express a hope or concern.

Academic essays may suggest something, summarize the main points, or share a hope or concern about the topic.

Transitions to close an essay include 'in short', 'in brief', 'to conclude', or 'in conclusion'.

The essay structure is crucial for presenting information in an organized and coherent manner.

Understanding the features and structure of an academic essay is essential for effective writing.