formal essay
Structured scholarly writing
A formal essay is a structured piece of writing that develops an argument or analysis according to academic conventions.
It typically includes an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a conclusion.
The tone is objective and impersonal, avoiding contractions and colloquialisms: The professor assigned a formal essay on economic inequality.
Distinguished from personal essays or informal writing by its rigid structure and scholarly voice.
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- thesis statementCore claim of essay
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
- academicRelating to education or theory
- structuredArranged in organized form
topic sentence · prose · paragraph · introduction · in conclusion · conclusion · analysis · scholarly · citation · works cited · rhetoric · persuasive · expository · dissertation · critique · composition · intellectual · rigorous
formal essayfreewriting
Continuous unedited composition
informal essay · stream of consciousness · journal entry · diary entry · free writing
formal essaycreative writing
Original literary expression
fiction · poetry · short story · personal narrative · rant
formal essayjournal entry
Dated record in diary
diary entry · personal reflection · creative writing · fiction · memoir
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