1. What Is An Essay What is the purpose of all writing? 1. communicate 2. share knowledge 3. share ideas/feelings 4. establish status quo (way things are) What an essay is not. 1. not mere fact 2. not pure imagination 3. not an autobiography 4. not description 5. not a demonstration 6. not theme An essay: is a written expression of the author’s opinion. Blends facts/imagination knowledge/feeling 1

2. Difference between an essay and an expository theme: - An essay. does not merely record facts or recounts experiences; it registers the author’s opinion of these facts and experiences *Opinion is ALWAYS present at the heart of every essay. Tone – the writer’s attitude What attitudes of the author can the tone of the essay reflect? 1. serious 2. humorous 3. scientific 4. imaginative 5. formal/informal 6. straight forward/subtle 2

3. When choosing subjects for essays, what conditions must exist? 1. Required – the writer to know enough to arrive at an opinion. a. Not offensive b. has significance to the author c. uses life experiences 2. May also include/specialized knowledge about subject. Where can specialized knowledge be obtained? a. hobbies b. school subject that you excel in (essays based on specialized knowledge are easier to write) c. because author has an informed opinion d. main point – to write what you think rather than a foggy declaration of what you feel. 3

4. *Essay must have an opinion* Opinion - A belief not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but on what seems true, valid, or probable to one’s own mind; what one thinks; judgment. Fact - proved beyond all reasonable doubt Ask yourself How? Why? What? How to decide if essay opinion is interesting? OPPOSITION – a substantial # must disagree. Opinion is one person’s idea of truth Substantial Opinion must: 1. back up evidence 2. be logical 3. be clearly stated 4. be persuasive/share an intelligent opinion. 4

5. 5 Questions you should ask yourself to check your topic: 1. can a valid argument be made against it? 2. can I defend it logically against this argument? What kind of value judgments always have clear cut opposition? (19) - This is better than that What is a literature paper/argument? 1. has nothing to do with whether you like the work or not. 2. ask questions which make you think about what you have read. 3. what is the author trying to tell me? 4. Why? That is the big question - what changes occur to the main character - what does he/she learn? Types of literature essays: a. interpret poems b. analyze a particular role of character c. explain author’s point of view