1. Essay Appreciation

2. Critical Thinking
An analysis is a way for us to critically evaluate the meaning of a piece of writing.
This helps us evaluate if it will be useful to us.
Practical application:
You are writing a research paper for your Introduction to Sociology class at university. For this paper you will need to gather evidence from written sources to support your thesis. You find a newspaper article, magazine essay and a Journal article that all say the same thing. But which is most credible?!

3. Essay Types There are 4 main types of essays (EDNA): Exposition
Description
Narration
Argumentation

4. Expository
Writer investigates an idea, evaluates evidence, expands on the idea, and develops a concise argument
Compare/Contrast, Cause/Effect
Most common academic essay style

5. Descriptive
The writer is describing something – object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc.
The writer is creating a detailed, true account of an actual event – there is a lot of artistic licence given

6. Narrative The retelling of a true story
Often anecdotal, experiential and personal
Because it is the retelling of a story, it must include all of the parts of a story: Intro, Plot, Characters, Setting, Climax & Conclusion
These essays should always have a point! What is the author trying to convey to the reader?

7. Argumentative
An investigation of a topic through the collection and evaluation of evidence
A clear position on the topic is always defined in the thesis
Uses many facts obtained through extensive research to convince the reader
Similar to expository, but much more lengthy

8. Troublemakers Read: Troublemakers by Malcolm Gladwell
Answer Questions #1-6
What type of essay is this?
What clues helped you decide?

9. Subject, Purpose & Audience
Subject: What is the essay about?
Purpose: Why has the author written this piece?
Audience: Who are the intended readers?

10. Unity & Coherence Unity Coherence One Tone (serious, humorous, etc.)
One Purpose (to persuade, to entertain)
One Theme or Thesis (moral or argument)
One Point of View (first or third person)
Coherence
Purposeful word and development choices made by the author to tie all parts of the piece together
Repetition (of words, ideas or images)
Transition words (smoothness)
Method of Delivery (EDNA)

11. Re-Read: Troublemakers
What are the subject, purpose and audience of the essay? Refer to specific examples.
Is the essay coherent?
Is the essay unified?