essay

Analysis

Break the subject (an object, event, or concept) down into parts and explain the various parts.

“Why?” “How?” “So what?” “What if?”

What it might mean is, how it relates to what is known, the implications it offers, in other words, my point is, to put it another way,

Cause and Effect

Explain both events and ideas. The cause is the stimulus or reason for an event or idea. The effect is the result or consequence of the even or idea.

So, because, cause, comes from, due to, if, on account of, reasons, since, stems from, accordingly, according to affect, as a result, consequence, consequently, creates, effect, hence, leads to, result, then, therefore, thus

Compare and contrast

Compare two or more items by describing how they are similar; contrast two or more items by explaining their differences; or, provide both the similarities and the differences for a number of items.

Comparison: alike, as well as, both, similarly, likewise, in the same way, analogous to, correspondingly, identical, equivalent

Contrast: alternatively, although, but, contrast, conversely, despite, differs from, however, in contrast, less, more, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, unlike, -er suffix (e.g., higher, better, newer)

Concession/refutation

Offer the opposition’s viewpoint and then tell why it is incorrect/inadequate/unimportant

Author states . . .; however, . . . .

Author believes . . ., but . . . .

Critique

Point out both the good and bad points of something.

Definition

Give an accurate meaning of a term with enough detail to allow the reader to understand your intention when you use the term.

Means, is, refers to, is called, can be defined

Description

Write about the subject so the reader can easily visualize it; tell how it looks or happened, including how, who, where, why.

Diagram

Make a drawing of something and label its parts.

Discussion

Give a complete and detailed answer, including important characteristics and main points.

Division and classification

Divide a whole into parts or sort related items into categories.

Class, classified, category, divided into, group, kind, parts, type

Evaluation

Give your opinion of the value of the subject; discuss its good and bad points, strengths and weaknesses.

Exemplification

Provide examples or cases in points: facts, statistics, cases in point, personal experiences, interview quotations.

Such as, for example, for instance

Explanation

Give the meaning of something; give facts and details that make the idea easy to understand.

Illustration

Make the point or idea clear by giving examples.

Interpretation

Tell about the importance of the subject. Explain the results or the effects of something.

Justification

Give good reasons that support a decision, action, or event.

List

Make an organized listing of the important points of a subject.

Also, another, besides, equally important is, finally, further, furthermore, first, second, in addition, last, moreover, several

Narration

Recount an event; tell a story.

Overview

Describe the issue, including the various viewpoints

Process order

Explain how to do something or how something happens.

After, afterward, as finally, first, second, last, next, then, when, while

Question and Answer

Ask a question to focus the writing on a specific topic and then answer the question.

Report

Write a detailed account of activities or events such as research or a conversation.

Summary

Briefly cover the main points.

Article, book, concluded, found, in conclusion, in short, investigation, then, therefore, to review, to summarize, research, study subjects

Trace

Tell about an event or process in chronological order.

After, afterward, as finally, first, second, last, next, then, when, while