Writing is a form of persuasive communication. There is always a point of view to project and which the writer wants the reader to understand. In other words, we write for a reader. The success of writing is therefore best judged by how well the reader understands the message we are trying to send by writing.
Writing is one of the most significant features of a literate society. It is the use of language in its writing form. The writer’s opinion is the thesis, which indeed an essay should contain. This thesis should be supported with a range of organized materials properly synthesized to constitute good writing.
THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD WRITING
The qualities of a good writing have been discussed in varied forms. However, we find these noted in Ebele Eko (1987) more encompassing and exhaustive than others. They are;
- Economy
- Simplicity
- Clarity
- Economy: – Economy in this sense means conciseness. To be concise is to utilize the mini-mum number of words to express an idea in a sentence without loosing any detail. Also, a good writing should be concise in the number of sentences in a piece of writing. A good writing should not emphasize economy at the expense of clarity and accuracy. Redundancy of words sentences and paragraphs should be avoided.
- Simplicity: – The language of a good writing should be simple. It should not be too difficult to understand. To achieve this, the writing should avoid the use of rare and complex vocabulary; and long complex sentences which could be broken down into several well arranged simple sentences. What should engage the writer’s mind is how well his message is delivered and understood. Anyway writing is done for someone else to read. In all, a good writing should be straight forward and easily understood.
- Clarity: – Clarity is another important quality of a good writing. A writer should express his subject of discussion as clearly as possible. He should have the ordinary readers in mind. He should be eager to invite more people into his field. This can be best done by demystifying the subject with the use of language which does not convey obscurity and vagueness of ideas. No matter how technical and abstract a subject might be, a writer should be able to give the reader information and instruction that are simple, clear, direct and therefore effective, useful and educative. This goes a long way to show that the writer has adequate knowledge of his subject.
THE ESSAY OUTLINE
Longer essays require elaborate outlines. These outlines can occur in any of the two forms – topic and sentence outlines. The topic outline is shorter. It sets down points or ideas in stages without explaining. The sentence outline is more restricted and more specific in its directions.
THE FORM OF THE OUTLINE
Stage 1: – Formulate the thesis and establish the purpose of the essay.
Stage 2: – Write down the major ideas or topic sentences each directly connected to the thesis as major paragraph.
State 3: – Sub-divide each topic sentence into sub-paragraphs, each dealing with just a point
Stage 4: – (a) Complete the sub-division and write complete sentences (b) Revise the essay, ensuring the topic of the presentation
ADHERE TO THE OUTLINE
TYPES OF ESSAY
- Narrative Essay
- Descriptive Essay
- Argumentative Essay
- Expository Essay
Essays are versatile literary forms that serve various purposes, each distinguished by its unique characteristics and objectives. Here are four prevalent types of essays, each with its distinct style and purpose:
1. Narrative Essay:
A narrative essay revolves around storytelling, where the author recounts a personal experience or event. The primary goal is to engage the reader by creating a vivid and compelling narrative. This type of essay often includes elements such as characters, plot, setting, and a clear chronological sequence. Through the art of storytelling, the writer aims to convey a specific message or lesson learned from the experience.
2. Descriptive Essay:
In a descriptive essay, the writer employs sensory details and vivid language to paint a vivid picture for the reader. The goal is to evoke the reader’s senses, enabling them to visualize, hear, taste, smell, and feel the subject being described. Whether depicting a person, place, object, or emotion, a descriptive essay aims to create a sensory-rich experience, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the depicted scene.
3. Argumentative Essay:
An argumentative essay is designed to persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific course of action. It involves presenting a well-structured argument supported by evidence and logical reasoning. Writers in this genre analyze and refute counterarguments while building a strong case for their stance. The key is to convince the reader through a coherent and compelling presentation of ideas, often incorporating statistical data, expert opinions, and examples.
4. Expository Essay:
The expository essay aims to inform, explain, or describe a concept to the reader. It focuses on presenting factual information, defining terms, and providing a clear and organized explanation of a topic. This type of essay is often used in academic settings to impart knowledge on subjects such as science, history, or literature. The writer avoids personal opinions and instead emphasizes clarity and objectivity, allowing the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
These four types of essays showcase the diversity of the genre, offering writers various approaches to express ideas, share experiences, persuade, or educate their audience. Each type demands a unique set of skills, ensuring that the writer tailors their approach to effectively achieve their intended purpose.
See also:
STRUCTURE | Clauses – Subordinate and Insubordinate
Structure: Affixation: Suffixes
Structure: Idioms