ESSAY WRITING
Name and signature of the sender
What is an essay?
Is a short piece of writing on a subject especially as part of a course of studying.
There are several types of essays but the main ones are three which are classified according to the purpose.
a) Narrative essay
This is the kind of writing that gives an account of an event that the writer has witnessed and which he or she wants to share with the
reader. This kind of writing needs to be so carefully written in order to make the reader understand the incident.
The following are some of the guidelines to be followed for effective narration.
i) Write on an incident that is amusing, exciting or significant. The writer should put essential details of the incident into the reader’s mind
that will help the reader be involved and share the writer’s experience.
ii) Give your story a structure i.e. the narrative essay needs to have the beginning, the middle and the end in which the beginning need to
capture the reader’s attention, the middle has to narrate events chronologically were as the ending of your story should quench your
reader thirst.
iii) Piece your climax of the story close to the end so as to create suspense to the reader
iv) Create suspense in the story, this is used to arose the readers excitement hence enhancing the understanding of the story suspense is
created by delaying the climax.
v) Use the techniques that will make your reader experience that as the use of imagery that is powerful in eroding emotion by so doing
you set how the reader will respond.
vi) Be consistent in the use of point of view i.e. is decide what person to use, it may be either the first or the third person, when this is
consistent, it makes the reader follow your story without difficulty
b) Descriptive essays
This is the type of essay that is meant to tell us things people, event or place look like i.e. it is used to describe the physical features of
the people, things, event or places.
The following are the things to be considered in order to develop a good descriptive essay
i) Before you start your description, list your vivid memories, that means list all things that you remember then categories, the list into
people, places or things after that choose items on the list that interest you and which you will include in your essay.
ii) Determine some variables of your writing I.e. think about your audience, topic, purpose, format of presentation and the situation in which
you will make your description.
iii) Organize your essay start your description at a certain focal point, that means you should have a center from which the description
proceeds, in a logical direction i.e. you may describe something from top to bottom or from near to far or from other perspective
depending on the thing being described.
iv) Use metaphors to add life to every day or boring subject matters. The use of metaphors may help in making ordinary things seem new.
E.g. the guys tip toed in the mine fields of garbage.
v) Try to incorporate five senses in your description i.e. Use the words that appeal to senses hence making the description affection.
vi) Consider the impression that you want to make i.e. be conscious about the effect that you want to bring to your audience such as whether
you want your audience to like or dislike something or a person you are describing, you may also wish your reader to be flattened or
amused e.g. skinny vs. slim give different impressions
Example of the descriptive essay
KIGAMBONI
In terms of population, Kigamboni is averagely populated by people of different tribes, religions and race. But rather a great number happens to be people of the coast from Zanzibar and Pemba. Both Christians Muslims and other religions exist among the population of Kigamboni Hehe, Sukuma, Chagga with many other tribes. All these make up the people we see in that area.
The environment in Kigamboni is awesome considering the green vegetable around, the ocean at large bringing the breeze towards the area. And due to the ocean, people have to cross using a ferry well known as Panton to get to town for their activities. Despite existence of fishing activities, trade centers, people in Kigamboni still manage to keep the environment clean.
Weather in Kigamboni is good, sunny at times rainy too but worthy. It even facilitates growth of crops such as coconut yams, potatoes and more helped by the fertile soil around the areas. And so far no disaster has occurred involving the weather.
Economically Kigamboni is full of various activities, trade, fishing, industries. People living have a normal life standard for an African as they participate in various activities.
Kigamboni happens to be a very unique place that lately it’s been heard that it will be renovated to a very big- beautiful city, so maybe then it can always remain a perfect home for me and every other citizens living there.
c) Expository essays
It is the type of essay or composition which is meant to present information, explanation opinions or ideas about something.
These are the essay we most often write at school and they usually rely on the writers experience that means without experience these essays cannot be
written.
The following are some of the strategies of expository essays
- Choose the topic that you are familiar with, for example if your given a task to write about the disadvantages of corruption
- Development a thesis statement that will act as the basis of your explanation; For example the following statements,
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– It is good for people of different religions to marry
– Civil education can lead to free and fair election
– If a female student gets pregnant, her parents should be held responsible
- Determine your purpose and audience
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The purpose will make you decide on the style and the audience will guide you how to write your exposition.
Question:
“Bride price is outdated”, Discus
BUSINESS/OFFICIAL LETTERS
The business or official letters file into several categories as follows
- Application letters – for job application
- Query letters – for seeking information
- Complain letters – claiming something
- Resignation letters – resigning
- Inquiring/order letter – for ordering goods
- Confirmation letters – confirming or indicating that things will be done
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APPLICATION LETTER
Consider the following letters
Example 1.
MWINJU STREET
P.O. BOX 232,
11th July 2013
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER,
MWANANCHI COMMUNICATION LTD,
P.O. BOX 1123,
DAR ES SALAAM.
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: APPLICATION FOR THE NEWS EDITOR POST
I read with interest your advertisement that appeared in the Mwananchi news paper of 10th July 2013 through which you declared that you are in need of a qualified news editor. So, I write in response.
I am a graduate from the University of Dar Salaam were I got my degree in journalism in 2008. Since my graduation I have been working as a free lancing news editor for various news papers in Tanzania so have ample experience in the field of editing. Other qualifications that I posses will be evident in the CV and the certificate copies that I have enclosed with this letter.
I will be pleased to work with a prosperous and International standard news paper like yours. The experience that I have most in these few years convinces me that I can work to meet your standards. Working with your company will make me advance my carrier further. Indeed, I regard may self as the right person your company is looking for.
I am ready to appear for interview at your convenience. I’m also looking forward to receiving a positive response from you.
Yours faithfully,
c.s
Caroline Senga
Components
- The senders address
- Date
- The receivers address
- Salutation
- Title/heading of the letter
- Body of the letter
Should have four paragraphsi. Opening (reflects the title)
ii. Give brief description of your recent qualifications and experience
iii.Describe why your special, why you should be considered and others
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iv. How you will be contacted and your readiness for the interview.
7. The ending or closure of the letter
This goes with the words yours faithfully if the address is unknown your sincerely if the address is known
Example 2.
GENERAL MANAGER,
MTWARA WATER AUTHORITY,
P.O. BOX 8877,
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: APPLICATION FOR THE SECRETARY POST
I learned of the position as advertised recently in the daily news paper that you are in need of a secretary and so I write in response.
I am a Diploma holder of secretarial courses at the Mwalimu Nyerere College in Dar es Salaam. I have worked as a secretary in an NGO in Dar es Salaam for two years after receiving my diploma hence I have experience on this field. The certificates to prove this plus other qualifications I have as indicated in my CV will be attached with the letter.
I have considerable working experience which makes me feel confident about the fact that I can work to meet your needs. I will be very pleased to get job with a good and accurate company.
I would welcome an opportunity to get discuss with you during the interview hence am hoping for a positive response.
Yours faithfully,
c.s
Caroline Senga
Exercise
Write an application letter to the general manager, Mtwara water authority, P.O. BOX 8877, Mtwara. Apply for the post of a secretary as advertised recently in the daily news paper.