Video summary

🔵ENSAYOS para la escuela- expositivos y argumentativos 🤯 (Plantilla descargable) #aprendeencasa

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas and lessons from the subtitles

Origin and purpose of the essay

  • The word “essay” is attributed to Michel de Montaigne, who used it to describe his writing style.
  • For Montaigne, an essay gives freedom to develop ideas even without deep, exhaustive knowledge of the topic.
  • Today, an essay can be:
    • Light / personal (presenting ideas in a flexible way), or
    • Logical and rational, grounded with arguments and reasoning.
  • A core feature of an essay is the logical presentation of thought.
  • In an argumentative essay, the author:
    • demonstrates, justifies, analyzes, debates, and persuades
    • so that the reader ends up accepting or agreeing with the author’s viewpoint.
  • Typical characteristics (as described):
    • Real topics (not fantastic ones)
    • Not a novel: presented as a prose text
    • Includes a thesis with justification using reasoning and/or evidence
    • Written in prose
    • Aims to persuade the reader to accept the thesis and arguments

Types of essays mentioned

  • Expository (explicativo): explains, defines, or clarifies an object for the reader.
  • Argumentative (argumentativo): presents the author’s critical stance and supports it.
  • Critical (crĂ­tico): presents the author’s position regarding the topic.
  • Also referenced:
    • Analytical essay (analĂ­tico): breaks down elements of the topic and examines their relationships.
    • Literary essay (literario): freer; more like a “flow of ideas,” expressing emotions, feelings, and opinions.

Focus of the video

  • The essay typically taught in middle and high school—the argumentative essay—is the main focus.
  • Other types are mentioned briefly.

Method / step-by-step guidance for writing an expository essay (template-like process)

The subtitles provide a practical structure (example topic: yoga practitioner) that can be adapted.

  1. Choose a topic and define its scope

    • Pick a topic.
    • Narrow it down by defining exactly what you will discuss.

  2. Write a thesis statement

    • The thesis is the central claim.
    • Example thesis idea: the work of a yoga practitioner is based on developing the body and controlling the mind and emotions.
    • Requirements:
      • expressed in one precise sentence
      • containing only one idea

  3. Brainstorm content

    • Generate words/phrases related to what you want to cover.
    • These become the material for your outline.

  4. Create an outline

    • Place the thesis as the central element.
    • Organize brainstormed ideas into subtopics for the development.

  5. Build a script/structure from the outline

    • Introduction
      • Provide background information (can be one paragraph).
      • The thesis is usually stated in the last lines of the introduction.
    • Body
      • Develop each subtopic/idea from the outline.
      • Rule: each paragraph should address only one idea.
      • If defending two different arguments, keep them in separate paragraphs (don’t mix).
    • Conclusion
      • Include a synthesis/summary of the most important aspects.
    • Bibliography
      • Always include references at the end.

  6. Write the essay

    • Follow the outline.
    • Keep paragraph structure consistent with the “one paragraph = one idea/argument” rule.

  7. Use research organization tools

    • While researching, create index cards / study cards (“work cards”).
    • Purpose:
      • keep information organized
      • have bibliographic references ready for citations
    • The video mentions another link/video explaining how to make index cards.

Argumentation: types of arguments (listed)

The subtitles include ways to support an opinion in an argumentative essay:

  • Arguments from authority
    • Use statements from recognized experts who share the same viewpoint.
  • Arguments appealing to the reader’s emotions
    • Persuade through emotional resonance.
  • Arguments based on scientific evidence
    • Support claims with research/data.

Differences between essay types (highlighted)

  • Argumentative vs. expository
    • Both share a similar structure.
    • The key difference: argumentative essays support ideas with arguments, not just present them.
  • Analytical essay
    • More complex: analyze each part of the object/topic, then explain how parts relate to the whole.
  • Literary essay
    • Freer, but it should still have:
      • topic selection
      • an outline to develop ideas (described generally as needing an outline rather than strict logic)

External resources referenced

The speaker mentions links (in the description/first comment) to:

  • Montaigne’s essays (for the literary essay style).
  • A basic manual/template for essay writing (example referenced).
  • A Study and Learn website with:
    • a downloadable essay template
    • outlines shown in the video
    • additional info, including a later video about arguments

Speakers / sources featured

  • Speaker within the video: Unnamed presenter (speaks in first person; promotes the “Study and Learn” channel).
  • Author referenced for essay origins: Michel de Montaigne
  • Website referenced: Study and Learn

Original video