How to Write Great Essays

recount:
see 
narrate
■
review:
critically examine the topic, event, idea, or thing in question, dis-
cussing major points and their strengths and/or weaknesses
■
state:
express major points concisely, without using examples or details
■
summarize:
see 
state
■
trace:
similar to 
narrate
; describe the chronology of an event to reveal its
meaning
PERSUASIVE
In a persuasive, or argument, essay, you choose one idea and show why it is more legitimate
or worthy than another. Your purpose is not to merely show your side, but convince your
reader why it is best. In order to convince effectively, you must base your argument on rea-
soning and logic. The most important strategy for the persuasive essay is to choose the side
that has the best, or most, evidence. If you believe in that side, your argument will most
likely be even stronger (although you don’t have to believe in it to write a good essay).
An important component of a persuasive essay is the inclusion of other points of
view.They are presented in order to be refuted or weakened, thereby strengthening the case
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Timed Essay Writing Strategies
CHAPTER 7 
HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
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for your side. However, it is important to use reasoning and understanding to refute them.
If you don’t sound fair, or simply present emotional reasons why your side is best, you have
weakened your argument. You must show that your idea is most legitimate in part because
other ideas are weak or incorrect.
Key verbs that will help you identify a call to write a persuasive essay include:
■
criticize:
express your judgment about the strengths and weaknesses of your
topic, and draw conclusions
■