Tutor profile: Jessica C.

What is a standard academic essay format?

In a standard academic essay, there will be an introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. In the introduction, the writer will introduce the topic, provide any necessary background information, and present the thesis statement. This statement provides the main point or argument of the essay and can act as a guide for the reader. Following this paragraph are the body paragraphs. Usually there are a minimum of three, with each breaking down a separate aspect of the thesis. These body paragraphs are there to explore the ideas presented in the thesis, and as such house the majority of evidence and analysis. At the end of the essay is the conclusion paragraph. This is where the argument or analysis is summarized and the writer makes their final points, often reflecting back to their original thesis statement. These three paragraph formats create a cohesive, organized essay.

What are two examples of famous authors whose works defined their genres?

Though there are many authors whose work is famous within the genre, there are several who stand out with unique and often genre-defining works. One such author is Mary Shelley and her ever-famous Frankenstein. Often credited as the birth of the genre of science fiction, Frankenstein explores the human condition through the monster Victor creates and the intersection of this humanity with the imagined reaches of science. The novel presents strong criticism of the extremes of pursuing scientific development, a theme which can be seen in many contemporary science fiction novels. Another author whose works were key to the definition and development of their genre was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle is famous for his impact on the genres of mystery and detective novels with his characters of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. These stories are popular even today, and were the birth of many of the tropes of modern mystery novels. These two famous authors clearly have had an immeasurable impact on their respective genres with their literary works.

What are the main differences between an argumentative essay and an analysis essay?

There are several key differences between these two essay styles. In an argumentative essay, the writer has a particular point of view on the subject matter, with the task of persuading the reader to understand and agree with this point of view. The writer will need to focus on various methods of persuasion-- such as ethos, pathos, and logos-- along with relevant supporting information to convince their reader. Additionally, argumentative essays need to be formatted in such a way to draw the reader through the various facets of the argument and make sure they can follow clearly. In comparison, an analysis essay focuses closely on one or more written works to break down the internal structure, meaning, figurative language, and more. The goal is not to persuade the reader of the inherent "correctness" of the analysis, but rather to explore how these details reflect or pertain to the larger concepts of the original work. While both essays types are written in a standard essay format, the evolution of each leads to separate conclusions.