Literary essay
Some of the conditions
the literary essay needs to fulfill are variety and a free selection of themes.
The literary subject is more of a form problem than a depth problem.
Montaigne’s essays
established the genre’s autonomy, and many times they derive from literary
quotes, readings and works, but they also present many other themes motivated
by the observation of customs, human behavior and vital experience. The
literary essay can be defined beginning with the ideas encompassed in many
disciplines like morality, science, philosophy, history and politics, which
create a free and dynamic reading. In the essay, the author captures his ideas
and thoughts about life; it is and should be personal, subjective: a vision
from the writer’s own mind.
The essay is, by
definition, a provocative concept that invites one to violate aesthetics and
moral norms. Journalists say that people make essays every day as an
informative note about reality. The essay is the quintessential critical
product. On the other hand, philosophers defend the essay as a real form of
expression of philosophical manifestations, calling it a treatise, discourse or
retort. So, the essay can’t be boxed into only one concept, because the
different disciplines adjust it according to their own needs, and use
instruments to defend their genre.
Scientific essay
One of the frontiers
between science and poetry is in the essay. It’s been known as the
“literary-scientific” genre because it strays from scientific reasoning with
its artistic imagination. The scientific creation has roots, like poetry, in
the imaginative capacity, and it can’t be completely ignored. However, it
doesn’t stray far from nature or logic. The essay shares one of its essential
purposes with science: deeply exploring reality, approximating the “truth” of
things. It shares originality, intensity and expressive beauty with art.
There’s not really a
defined style for essays. There are many styles, according to the author’s
personality. But, there is one essential condition they must all meet: clarity
of expression, the transparency that can help the reader get a better
understanding of the authenticity of the thoughts captured by the
essayist.
