The function of an essay

The corollary function of an essay is that of persuasion. As that of “pure science” – expressed in some scientific articles – asserts its objectivity and disinterest in convincing by other means that aren’t facts. Thus, the essay is used to impulse certain ideas or to convince of certain positions regarding certain facts. In order to accomplish this function, the essay exposes data and concepts in an evident thesis. José L. Vega (1979) states in his essay “Stages and Processes of the Sociopolitical Evolution of Costa Rica” the following, “ Questions arise, till when do we wait for the historical initiative to be in favor of the development of sectors which have not benefited from the achievements of the agro-commercial model, nor by the new scheme of the industrial/financial/ technological integration we are so depended on?”. As you can see, this text is emotionally charged, by using a rhetorical question and accumulation of information, etc, these suggest a certain stance.

Important parts of an essay

Abstract. This is a proceeding in rhetoric and in a text that is relatively extended but that may help a great deal. This allows listing the elements you will talk about. Below are some examples:

This essay contains, first, several introductory chapters. Then, there are three “great aspects” related to poverty. They are organized as follows: the international aspect, which describes the unequal distribution of the World production; the social aspect, which deals with the inadequate distribution of the National Product; and the economic aspect, which indicated the errors while suggesting solutions in the contemporary mechanisms of production. Finally, the conclusion, attempts to give meaning to Man’s economic efforts. (J. Figueres. The Poverty of Nations).

This deals with my childhood memories: the landscape, things and people of Costa Rica and my youth in San José. This showcases a certain degree of intimacy, which is part of remembrance. The pronoun “you” collaborates in this narration, as well as other words and many other people. (L. Ferrero. The tree of memories).

The abstract or the mentioning of the topics or points that are being dealt with in the essay allows for comprehension and easy following of the exposing text.

Development. Each of the points mentioned in the abstract will be developed in their own order. For example, in the essay “The island we have become” by I. F. Azofeifa (1979) includes three main components: the Costa Rican geography, the national character and the historical process.

Recapitulation. In rhetoric, recapitulation is a summary or concise statement or enumeration of the principal points or facts in a preceding discourse, argument, or essay. It could also be done in the conclusion, but perhaps it is most effective when done at the end of a writing in order to highlight the points discussed. Here are some recapitulations:

May these very boring notes be a reminder in order to remember in our way, that we always had a carnival, even if crazy, unlike the Europeans we do not have a mask. The real difference with the Europeans is that they would become all pious by drawing a cross on their forehead and get ready to begin the Holy week. (M.A. Jiménez 1979).

In summary: there may be particles falling in black holes and successively disappearing from our region of the universe. These particles travel to small universes separate from our own. It is possible that these universes retake part at some other point. Perhaps they aren’t of much help to space travelers, but their presence means that we are able to predict less than what we expected, even if we found the theory complete unification (…) in the last few years, several researchers have begun studying these little universes. I don’t think anyone will become rich by copyrighting these or making money by selling space travel, but it has become a very interesting field of research. (Stephen Hawking 1994).

Coming up with an essay scheme

Under all the main elements (motivation, purpose, abstract, development, recapitulation) you may write down the ideas that you are considering to talk about. On the way, you may introduce a subdivision under each topic, and further develop these ideas. However, in very brief texts these separations don’t truly exist.

Within the rhetoric apparatus, you may consider a way of organizing your ideas: by presenting them chronologically, in the order of cause and effect, or in a comparative manner, etc… These criteria will be dealt in the section “writing technique for essays”.

The scheme is an essential tool that helps generate a broad version of a text. The time taken to perfect and develop a text will be regained during the writing process.

The purpose of an essay

Purpose. In the classic discourse, the purpose becomes a brief mention of the general thesis the author wishes to propel. This is usually presented in the first few paragraphs of the essay. The following are some examples:

I will attempt to show how the social development and current human conduct aren’t achievements of our day and age, but rather, have issued from past events; this knowledge is a progression of ideas and actions that have been mended and transmitted through the years. (J. Jaramillo.  The Human Adventure).

It is worth mentioning that this essay attempts to demonstrate the decisive role, along with endogenous factors of change, that have played in the exogeny as a result of the rapid insertion of this country in the global market, starting from the 1840s. (J. L. Vega. “Stages and processes of the sociopolitical evolution of Costa Rica”).

My present design, then, is not to teach the method which each ought to follow for the right conduct of his reason, but solely to describe the way in which I have endeavored to conduct my own. (R. Descartes. Discourse on the Method).