The writing of essays, speeches and verbal communication has many similarities and very few, yet fundamental differences. Communication through an essay can often be nearly the same as a phone call to a friend. In both forms, the speaker or writer wishes to state a point. In both forms, there exist minor points that are related to the main point. Telephone conversations are very loosely organized and most of the statements are ad lib. Informal letters are also loosely organized and are written as the ideas come into the writer’s head. Essays and speeches differ from the conversation by their organization and adherence to a formal rule called structure. With a phone chat, the point being made is often subordinate to the psychosocial benefit of interacting with another person. In an essay or speech, the point is of primary importance. The essay or speech tries to be clear and effective at presenting its topic.
People will often have some news or may have a sudden realization that is so important that they must call a friend to communicate it. Whether the news is about a terrific date, a fun trip, or an unexpected good grade, the communication pattern is nearly the same. The caller gets the receiver’s attention, adheres to social protocol by asking about the receiver’s health, states the main point and expands on the subject with infinite yet interesting details. Both the order and number of those details are determined by one’s nature. We often describe our choices there by using the phrase “as the Spirit moves me.” After another round of protocol, the conversation ends without any restatement of the main point.
When people write an informal letter to friend to express the same news, the pattern is very similar though the level of detail is limited. In addition to the main point, only those details that are worth the effort of writing them out make it to print. As in the phone conversation, the informal letter does not restate the main point. Unlike the conversation, the point being made is of greater importance.
When writing an essay or speech, the point being made is of primary importance, and communication is more effective if we follow a structure that consists of an opening paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. The topic or point is so important that we will state the point three times. The first time, in the opening paragraph we state it as a thesis because we have not yet presented supporting evidence. The minor points are mentioned briefly and stated in a logical order. The minor points will be explained in the body. In body paragraphs we indirectly restate the main point by providing detail to the minor points and showing how they relate to the topic. The first sentence of each body paragraph states its topic. There should be one separate paragraph written to expand on each minor point. A paper is well organized when those body paragraphs are presented in the same order as the minor points were stated in the opening paragraph. A minor point may be presented as a contrasting topic that contradicts the main point, but we must explain why the topic is not a convincing counter-argument. In the final paragraph we summarize the minor points and use them as evidence to restate the main point as a conclusion.
The fundamental difference between verbal communication, informal letters and the writing of essays or speeches is the level of organization and structure. In all forms, the speaker or writer wishes to state a point or present a topic along with a few minor points. The telephone conversation and informal letter lack both structure and organization. Essays and speeches differ from them because they are governed by the rule of structure that requires an opening paragraph, body and conclusion. By being organized and following the structure pattern, an essay or speech can be much more clear, effective, and efficient at stating its point.
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Structure and Organization
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