The document discusses different types of academic essays, including expository, argumentative, and scientific essays. It provides details on the typical structure and elements of each type. For expository essays, it describes the introduction, body paragraphs using description, sequence, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, or problem/solution structures, and conclusion. For argumentative essays, it outlines developing a debatable thesis and using counterarguments and refutations in body paragraphs. Scientific articles follow the scientific method with sections for abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

1. Academic writing: different types
of essays
Notes on English for Bachelor and Master Students: Writing

2. The expository essay *
• acquaints the reader with a body of
knowledge;
• uses facts and statistical information in
logical order;
• usually provides an analysis based on
preliminary research;
• provides a wider context by referring to
books or articles.
• * All the information in this ppt can be found in:
• “Academic writing in English. A process-based approach.” , Van Loon, Thüss,
Schmidt and Haines, Coutinho, Bussum 2011.

3. Five common approaches to logically
organising information in the body:
• Description: a topic is introduced and followed
by its attributes.
• Sequence: a topic is introduced and followed by
details that need to be presented step by step.
• Cause/effect: an event or act and its effect are
described.
• Comparison/contrast: the similarities and
differences in two or more things are presented.
• Problem/solution: a problem is presented
followed by one or more solutions.

4. Expository essay structure:
• Introductory paragraph
• General introduction of the topic.
• Narrow down to Thesis Statement (final sentence)

5. Example:
• The longest and most severe economical crisis of
the twentieth century affected nearly every
country in the world. The timing was different in
every country, but for the US it all started with the
stock market crash in 1929. After this crash, the
US car industry was confronted with record low
sales which resulted in production loss and
massive unemployment.

6. First body paragraph
• Transition/Topic sentence
• Supporting details
• Concluding sentence
• Example: Paragraph topic: Record low sales....

7. Body paragraph 3
• Transition/ Topic sentence
• Supporting details
• Concluding sentence
• Example: Paragraph topic: Production loss...

8. Body paragraph 4
• Transition/Topic sentence
• Supporting details
• Concluding sentence
• Example: Paragraph topic: Massive
unemployment...

9. Concluding paragraph 5
• Transition/Topic sentence
• Restate major points in support of your thesis or
summarise key points. Finally, reflect on the topic
of your paper from a wider perspective.
• Example: The economic crash in 1929 had
devastating effects on the car industry. Due to
production loss, many car producers had to
economise or file for bankruptcy, surrendering
their personal investments as well. Employees of
those companies lost their jobs. As a result,
American society had become disorientated, and
a decade of delusion and fear was to follow.

10. The argumentative essay
• The main purpose of an argumentative
essay is to persuade the audience to
accept a position on an issue.
• It should contain a debatable topic and
develop a strong thesis statement.
• Unlike the expository essay, this essay
often deals with opposing points of view.

11. Introductory paragraph 1
• General introduction of the topic
• Narrow down to thesis statement (last sentence)
• Example thesis statement: .... The legitimacy of
the Security Council is at stake because the UN
still reflects the post-WWII international power
structure and not that of the 21st century.

12. Body paragraph
• Transition/topic sentence
• Counter argument (1/2 sentences). This shows
that you recognise that your thesis statement is
debatable.
• Refutation. This is an opportunity to deconstruct
the counter argument to highlight its weakness/es
and show that your argument is stronger.
• Concluding sentence

13. • Example: American congressman Joe Smith
claims that the current structure should not be
changed because it ensures a stable balance of
Eastern and Western interests.
New rising powers are underrepresented in the
current Security Council. Countries such as Brazil
and India should have a bigger role in resolving
international conflicts.

14. Body paragraph
• Transition/topic sentence
• Counter argument
• Refutation
• Concluding sentence

15. • Example: The French representative, Roleux,
claims that the Security Council reflects the
international power relations of most parts of the
world. Only South America and West Asia should
have additional seats.
The Security Council need not be
expanded if fewer European countries have a
permanent seat, and new emerging powers are
given permanent representation.

16. Concluding paragraph
• You may restate the major points in support of
your thesis or summarise key points and remind
readers of the weaknesses of opposing
arguments.
• You can end your arguments with a strong last
line, such as a quotation or a statement that sums
up your argument or places your topic in a wider
perspective.

17. The scientific article
• describes the result of the author’s own
research;
• critically reviews someone else’s
research;
• develops new theories on the basis of
other people’s research.

18. Scientific articles contain the
following elements, based on the
scientific method:
• abstract
• introduction
• methodology
• result
• discussion
• conclusion