An essay is a piece of writing that examines and evaluates a topic. Essays can range from close textual analysis to personal reflection, depending on the author's purpose. Formal essays are characterized by 'serious purpose, dignity, logical organization, length,' whereas the informal essay is characterized by 'the personal element (self-revelation, individual tastes and experiences, confidential manner), humor, graceful style, rambling structure, unconventionality or novelty of theme,' etc. Generally speaking, an essay is composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. An Introduction typically represents a brief overview of the topic, usually followed by a thesis statement, which is a clear and concise statement of the essay's main argument or purpose. The body paragraphs are made up of evidence and ideas that support the essay's central argument and its thesis statement. The conclusion is a summation of the essay that ties all the major ideas previously presented together. In other words, the essay is like a snapshot of an idea, which could be anything from a political theory to a scientific experiment. Additionally, it is important to note that essays have been around since the ancient Greeks, and they have evolved since then to become a core part of most contemporary educational curriculums around the world.
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