Do you remember the definition of a topic sentence? Topic + Controlling ideas for the paragraph
Do you remember the definition we had of the thesis statement? Topic + controlling ideas for the essay
In this lesson, we are going to look at controlling ideas in more depth, which are different types of writing.
I. So what are the controlling ideas?
They are simply the different types of writing we use. In American writing, many call this rhetorical structure, which means how we organize or think in a language. All languages have one type of writing, chronological order or a story.
In American writing, there are many other types of writing. Let's look at most of the most popular types of writing or rhetorical structure:
chronological order. Chronological order is time order. It is used in biographies where you talk about one period of time or one period of time to the next period of time.
expository – why. Expository is just the reasons for the topic.
problem/solution. Depending on what's required, we will write about both the problems and solutions of a topic or just one of them.
cause-effect. Like problem/solution, depending on what's required, we will write about both cause-effect or just one.
comparison/contrast. Comparison means similarities and contrast means differences. Often we will write about just one of them.
Process. The process is how we do something. For this type, you will see vocabulary how, ways, methods, steps or even the word process to indicate that you have a process.
Argumentative. Here the topic is controversial like the legalization of marijuana. This type is like a debate on paper. In this type, your reasons have to be the strongest possible logically in order to prove your position, in order to win the debate.
Summary/response. One part of the essay is the summary of what has been read and the other part is on your opinion about what you've read.
Persuasive. In this type of writing, the writer's job is to persuade, convince the reader, of what they are writing about. Sometimes, they will ask them to take a specific action based on what they've written.
Logical division. This last type is a very broad category and as such some used a different word other than logical division. In this type though, you'll see words like
types or kinds of
advantages/disadvantages
qualities/characteristics/traits
or you will have categories of nouns/adjectives/phrases
So in this lesson, we looked at the controlling ideas, the types of organizing ideas, the types of organizing writing.
Please note that because this is how we organize and think knowing the different types will help you not just in writing but in reading, listening and giving a presentation.