Final answer:
Essay prompts include keywords such as describe, analyze, explain, and compare and contrast, all of which determine the structure and purpose of the essay, from a detailed description to a comparative analysis linking back to a central thesis statement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key words in the prompt that indicate the type of essay include describe, analyze, explain, and compare and contrast. These words guide the structure and purpose of the essay. A descriptive essay focuses on providing detailed images of a person, place, object, or event, invoking the senses of the reader. An analytical essay, like a literary analysis essay, involves a formal examination of literature, breaking down elements such as theme, character development, and literary devices to understand the piece's deeper meaning. To explain is to clarify and elucidate a subject or process, providing insight and understanding to the reader. Lastly, a compare and contrast essay examines the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, which may be literary works, ideas, or phenomena, linking back to a central theme or thesis statement.
The thesis statement is central to essay writing, guiding the direction of an analysis and each body paragraph should contain a main idea or topic sentence that relates back to this thesis. The use of evidence, either through direct quotes or paraphrase, supports the claims made in the essay. In literary essays, authors commonly discuss literary devices such as symbolism, metaphor, and irony to enhance their analysis. The structure of an essay's conclusion is also important as it should summarize the main points and reflect on their significance, creating a sense of closure while distinguishing it from the introduction.