Writing and Communication Skills

An argumentative essay presents a balanced argument, with evidence and reasoning supporting both sides of an issue, before presenting the writer's own position.

A narrative essay tells a story or recounts a series of events, often using vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a sense of immersion for the reader.

An expository essay explains or informs the reader about a particular topic, using facts, evidence, and examples to support the writer's main points.

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action, using strong arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals.

A personal essay combines elements of exposition, narration, and persuasion to tell a story and convey a message, often drawing on the writer's own experiences and reflections.

A reflective essay explores a particular topic from a personal perspective, often reflecting on the writer's own experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and drawing conclusions or insights from those reflections.

A comparative essay compares and contrasts two or more works of literature, film, art, or music, examining their similarities and differences to gain a deeper understanding of their themes, meanings, and significance.

An evaluative essay evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a particular work of literature, film, art, or music, using specific criteria to make a judgment about its overall quality and significance.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed description of a particular person, place, or thing, using vivid imagery and sensory details to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

A how-to essay explains a complex concept or process in a clear and concise manner, using step-by-step instructions, examples, and illustrations to help the reader understand the topic.

A creative essay explores a particular topic in a creative and imaginative way, often using literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification to convey a message or evoke a particular emotion in the reader.

Citing sources in academic writing is important to give credit to the original author, to avoid plagiarism, and to provide readers with more information about the topic.

APA (American Psychological Association) style is the most common citation style used in academic writing.

The best way to write a strong literature review is to be comprehensive and cover all relevant studies on the topic, to be critical and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the existing research, and to be organized and present the information in a logical and coherent manner.

IMF speeches are typically prepared texts read by the speaker.