Reports vs. Essays

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Reports vs. Essays

• LA Essay Writing

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Reports

• Are presenting information, usually in
  descriptive, explanatory way.
• Should not have a bias or opinion a report
  should be neutral in tone.

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Report Example

• The Rocky Road to Independence The Rise of the
  Independence Movement in Alberta in the Last
  Fifteen Years.
• The rise of separatist parties in Alberta after
  1993.
• The signing of the Red Deer Manifesto in 2000.
• Fear of a new NEP by Albertas politicians.

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Essays

• Are written as an argument. You are arguing a
  point of view or opinion.
• Details and information are used to back up your
  argument. The focus is on the argument not the
  facts though.
• The tone is not neutral.

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Example

• Time to Separate Why Alberta Needs to Leave
  Canada
• The Canadian govt is heavily biased towards
  eastern Canada through special deals.
• Alberta pays more than its fair share to Canada
  and doesnt get much back in return.
• Albertans can better govern Alberta than people
  in Ottawa who have nothing in common with us.

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The Introductory Paragraph

• Start with a general statement describing your
  topic and get progressively more specific.
• The second last sentence of your paragraph should
  be your thesis statement your statement of
  argument.
• The last line of your sentence should list out
  your three supporting points which will become
  your three body paragraphs.

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Thesis

• The thesis is the central argument of your essay
  Everything in your essay should tie back to and
  support your thesis.
• Albertans need to vote to separate from Canada
  for the good of the province and its people.
• The Canadian govt is heavily biased towards
  eastern Canada through special deals.
• Alberta pays more than its fair share to Canada
  and doesnt get much back in return.
• Albertans can better govern Alberta than people
  in Ottawa who have nothing in common with us.

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Body Paragraphs

• The topic sentence of each body paragraph
  represents a separate supporting point mentioned
  after the thesis sentence.
• The rest of the paragraph contains facts, quotes
  and other details which reinforce and support the
  topic sentence.
• At the end of a paragraph, a transition sentence
  is written which connects the two body paragraphs.

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Concluding Paragraph

• Usually started with the phrase In summary, or
  In conclusion,
• The thesis statement is rewritten USING NEW
  WORDING. The three supporting points are
  mentioned again.
• Finally, a general concluding statement relating
  your paragraph to the larger topic is written.