Essay basics
The essay is a
relatively modern genre, although its origins can be traced back to olden
times. It’s developed importance to the modern ear. It’s possible that liberal
thought and journalism have had a great influence in its development and
hegemony.
Nowadays, the essay is
defined as a literary genre, but the essay is actually reduced to a series of
meanderings, most of the time in critical aspects where the author expresses
his thoughts about determined subjects, or even without a specific subject.
What separates essays
from other literary genres is a proper feature, and it’s suggested by its own
name. The word essay comes from the Late Latin “exagium”, which means “act of
thinking”. It’s also related to the origins of the word given to the testing of
the quality of metals. Essaying is thinking, testing, recognizing and
examining. So, the essay is a writing, usually brief, about diverse subjects.
It’s not defined by its subject, but rather by the author’s attitude to it; deep
down, it could be a hypothesis, an idea that’s being essayed. The essay is the
product of long meditations and thoughts, and its sense of exploration, its
audacity and originality are essential. The essay is the product of the mind’s
adventures.
An essay is written in
prose, it’s usually short, and expresses depth, maturity and sensitivity. It’s
a personal interpretation of any subject, whether it’s philosophical,
scientific, historical, literary, etc.
The way in which a
subject is exposed and examined borders that of scientific work; didactic and
critical. It doesn’t follow a rigorous and systematic order of exposition. The
point of view taken by the author when dealing with the subject is predominant
in the essay. The individual notes, the author’s feelings, tastes or aversions
are what characterize an essay, coming close to lyrical poetry. What separates
them is the language, which is more conceptual and expository in the essay, and
more intuitive and lyrical in poetry.
