An essay can be described as academic or formal because it is characterized by a clear thesis statement, an introduction of what the paper discusses body of discussion supported by facts and a conclusion. Essays use academic, dry, and formal languages. Essays must have a theme of discussion, and it is organized in paragraphs describing flow of ideas. A story may include characters, a narrator, a dialogue, first, and third person perspectives.
Although a story may have a thesis, it is usually buried under certain themes like conflict resolution, conflicts, character development, and different kinds of symbolism. Instead of stating the thesis statement directly like in an essay, stories use characters and imageries to bring out meanings. Essays are not fiction whereas short stories are. This implies that an essay involves documentation of facts whereas the content used in writing a story may be invented. Thus, stories may not be true, unlike essays (Axelrod and Cooper 332).
Stories are created to give information about a certain incidence whereas an essay is an individual’s composition on a certain objective. Essays are sometimes expressions of individual’s opinions on a certain subject.
An essay is mainly written to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s opinions pertaining a certain subject whereas a story may be written for entertainment purposes. The same content can be covered in both essays and stories. A story and an essay are similar in that they are written in some order. Both have an introduction, middle, and a conclusion (Axelrod and Cooper 340).
What elements of the peer discussions are valuable in writing your essays?
Professors in learning institutions argue that group discussions enhance the performance of students both outside and in class. Group works changes the way students think. For instance, an individual student is not likely to postpone assignments in a group environment. It is easy for a student to postpone his or her assignment than it is if he or she is aware that his or her participation counts to the performance of the group.
Through group work, students gain courage of giving explanations. Speaking and listening to other students as they give out explanations improves their ability to remember the concepts of essay writing during examinations. Workings with other students compel students to put their work in an organized manner. Writing essays in an organized manner gets students good grades in examinations (Axelrod and Cooper 292).
Working in peer discussion improves the knowledge of the student. This is mainly because each group member will come up with his or her own thought and ideas and as a result, group members learn from each other. This equips them with the knowledge and concepts of writing good essays. Apart from excelling in tests, students build self-confidence from peer discussion, which is important in life.
Expressing themselves in their groups prepares them to face and address large gathering as well as official groups like boards and admission panels in future. Students learn the way other students approach essay writing and other assignments. The new perspective guides students in making necessary corrections and adjustments when writing their own assignments.
Students learn how to formulate answers to questions and present them properly. Last, peer discussions help students to learn how to correct and respond to their own assignments. Peer discussions play a major role in teaching students good essay writing tips (Axelrod and Cooper 300).
Works Cited
Axelrod, Rise B. and Cooper, Charles. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2012. Print.