Everyone who was holding a magazine or newspaper faced this genre. And many had the opportunity to independently create works of this kind. What is an essay? This is a philosophical study, scientific, journalistic or critical article, note, essay, usually written in prose. A distinctive feature of this genre is a freely developing interpretation of the phenomenon or study of the problem. The personal point of view of the author in the essay is a mandatory characteristic of the text. Moreover, such an individual and subjective opinion is usually expressed in an artistic, original way. Psychological or
philosophical reasoning contained in the essay is in no way a claim to the ultimate truth or to scientific
authority. This is precisely a personal position. Subjectivity and author's point of view are necessarily present in the works of this genre.
Of course, essays, examples of which we read daily in magazines (for example, in the column "Editor's Column"), which were created by great philosophers and poets, combine poetic images, paradoxical formulations, witty aphorisms along with ideas. Often in them there are also elements of the plot narrative or lyrical and analytical digressions
The aesthetic function of the text in the essay is a key role that determines both the choice of topic and language expressive means. Speech constructions should represent the erudition and eloquence of the author.
An essay is an open literary form. The author in it makes a kind of attempt to penetrate into the essence of the issues that he raises, however, he does not present all the arguments, as happens in a scientific style, but makes a subjective choice. Often essays, prepared and published, appear incomplete, unsaid. However, it is this free composition that confirms the literary skill of the author.
An essay is a genre that relies heavily on associations and quotes.
It is based on the principle of free connections; it should not have a chronological or thematic order, a hierarchy of arguments. An exception is an essay as a genre selected for the written part of some exams. Fragmentation, voluntary associations, generic and species syncretism of the essay - this is its specificity. Such a text combines the features of many genres. One of the essential characteristics of an essay is intertextuality. The author can use various quotes, aphorisms, reminiscences from other
works of literature and culture. He can carry out historical and philosophical allusions. In the course of thought, the author can make free digressions that are completely unrelated to the main issue.
To write a good essay, make a plan that will be the axis of the composition of your text, use a number of keywords, associations, quotes. Try to find parallels between phenomena, alien aphorisms, thoughts. Be sure to express your own thoughts. Quotations can be refuted, you can argue with them, but do not forget to indicate the primary sources.
The original title, which can be a metaphor, a rhetorical question, a proverb, will decorate the essay. Before acquainting the reader with the topic of your reasoning, you can introduce him to the course of affairs with the help of an epigraph. The essay does not require a pronounced ending or conclusion, he does not need “morality”, as is customary in maxims or fables. However, to summarize your thoughts and once again emphasize your point of view on this issue is worth it.