This document summarizes a lecture on essays. It defines what an essay is, discusses purposes and types of essays. The main types discussed are expository, persuasive, informal, review, research, literary, argumentative, cause and effect, and comparison/contrast essays. It also discusses considering the audience and purpose in writing. Students are assigned to find an essay that reflects them, discuss its type, and prepare a copy of Francis Bacon's "Of Followers and Friends" for the next class.