DIFFERENT STRUCTURES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES

There are a number of ways of structuring ideas in an essay. Some common structures include:

 

Definition

Each paragraph defines a term or explains a concept.

 

Example and illustration

The writer uses examples to support a thesis or to make the essay more meaningful.

 

Classification and division

 

Similar to definitions, this style of essay will break a topic down into several subcategories.

 

Compare and contrast

 

Remember "one of these things is not like the others" from Sesame Street ? This type of essay shows how things are alike and different.

 

Cause and effect

 

This style of essay attempts to look at why things happen and the impact of those events on ourselves, on others, and/or on the environment.

 

Process analysis

Also known as exposition , this type of essay attempts to explain how things work or why things happen by showing the various steps of some sort of process.

 

Narration and description

This type of writing tells a story or describes something.


Time to Apply What you Know!


Use this worksheet to brainstorm potential topics for each purpose of essay writing. One example has been completed for you.