• Compare/Contrast Essays 
• Cause/Effect Essays 
• Classification/Definition says 
• Position Papers
• Solution Papers 
• Process Analysis 
• Evaluations 
• Response Papers
• Creative/Expressive 

Argumentation and Analysis

• Keep your purpose and audience in mind
• Be sure you have a plan or outline (which is subject to change)
• Introduce the texts or issues in question carefully and immediately
• Draw evidence and support for you argument or analysis from the text
• Focus on the texts in question almost exclusively
• Avoid vague generalizations; they are hard to support and defend 
• Use specific examples from the text and then go outside it
• Cite your sources - quote and paraphrase appropriately or you have plagiarized yourself
• Develop your ideas - comment on the quotes you bring in to the essay. Take them apart.
• Write a conclusion which moves from specific to general – ask the “so what?” question 

Style

• Avoid passive voice sentences (is/am/are/was/were or any form of /to be/))
• Do not announce your opinion. Simply state your case. The reader will gather how you feel about a certain issue from the tone, the focus of the argument etc.
• Organize your work carefully - by time, by order of importance, by logical progression
• Use transition phrases to help the reader follow your logic (therefore), to mark contrasts
  (on the other hand), similarity (similarly), sequence (next), example (for instance)
• Pick a tense (usually the present tense) and stick with it, unless you are referring to historical time
• Chose your words carefully and proof-read and edit

Format

• Edit your work. Print it out and read it aloud. Have a friend read it for you. 
• Spellcheck the document and laser print if possible
• Double space, staple and paginate the paper 
• Don’t use large fonts or fancy-colored paper
• Give your work an interesting, relevant title