Editor's Choice
Is it true that order of importance is often used in various types of essays to emphasize ideas from most to least important or vice versa?
Quick answer:
It is true that order of importance is often used in essays to emphasize ideas, typically from most to least important or vice versa. This technique is particularly effective in argumentative, cause and effect, and comparison/contrast essays, where highlighting key points strategically can strengthen the argument. However, different essay types like narrative and descriptive might employ chronological order instead. Ultimately, the choice of order depends on the essay's purpose and desired impact.
Order of importance is most important for argumentative essays. In building a persuasive argument it matters to put your strongest points first.
For example, if you are arguing in favor of bill that would reduce air pollution, a reader is likely to lose interest if you start off with minor points, such as reducing air pollution will help flowers in the local parks to thrive. Flowers simply are not that important to most people. But if you start with statistics about increases in major, life threatening diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, illustrated with the story of an otherwise healthy person who was debilitated by a disease related to air pollution, people are much more likely to pay attention. Once you have caught the reader's attention and presented your strongest case, you can then buttress your argument with less important, but still relevant points.
Rhetorical strategies such as description...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
and narration don't have to worry as much about order of importance. Those modes can be very effective starting off in a low-key way and saving the more important points for theclimax.
The answer I would give you to this question is a qualified yes. Many writers use the most important to least important ideas while others use the opposite of least important to most important. For cause and effect, this works well, as it does for comparison/contrast or argument pieces. So that is true; however, that does not mean that these two are the only ways to organize especially if you include narration and description. Sometimes it is more effective to use chronological order. However, if your one objective is to emphasize which ideas are the most or least important, it is true that this is the way to organize. I just would caution you that you must look first at what you are writing about and what you want to achieve.