Classic Essay Styles Expository Essay Expository Essays are usually written to collect information from a variety of sources into one place. These essays are often assigned in class to present your understanding of a topic or synthesize information. Their format includes an introduction to the topic, a thesis statement, and body paragraphs exploring evidence. A successful expository essay will lead the reader to seriously consider the thesis the author presents and take the information provided to be truthful and useful enough to keep reading. If you were to write your Academic Statement as an expository essay, we would encourage you to personalize it. Your research subject is yourself and your own materials. Perhaps the thesis could be something like, “I have met the Six Expectations of an Evergreen graduate in the following ways.” This type of essay would present the facts and rely more heavily on evidence (your skills, experiences, evaluations) rather than pivotal moments. Persuasive Essay A persuasive essay uses evidence to persuade someone of its thesis or main idea using your reasoning and your opinion. Persuasive essays typically have an introduction paragraph that contains some background information about the topic (which in this case would be you and your background), a thesis statement that articulates the main idea, body paragraphs with reasoning (not necessarily evidence, as in an expository essay), and a conclusion, which reframes the main idea and summarizes your thinking. Ideally a persuasive essay will shift your readers’ thinking, causing them to take your side. If you were to write your Academic Statement as a persuasive essay, your thesis could aim to prove that you gained something of importance from your education—or that you feel assured of your own skills and preparedness for your next goal.
32 | The Evergreen State College | Writing Center
