How the author presents her or his information is as important as what information the author presents. Strategies for writing may include the overall pattern of an essay. Typical patterns include: - argument
- explanation
- definition
- evaluation
- comparison and/or contrast
As you read, you should also consider an author's purpose for writing. Most essays contain a variety of purposes, but one often stands out among others. Common purposes include: - to inform
- to persuade or warn
- to describe or narrate
- to demonstrate
- to compare and contrast
- to seek a solution to a problem
- to explain a process
- to classify or define
- to summarize
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