I bought a used copy of the IEW binder and there was a newsletter in it that presented an interesting article about the difference between the above. Reports are just that – reports of information. Essays include a thesis, your thoughts about the information. Traditionally they include an introductory paragraph that ends with your thesis and you spend the rest of your paper arguing for your view and presenting evidence. This little article suggests that for a persuasive essay you don’t want that approach or you’ll say in the opening your opinion and anyone not in agreement will already be on the defense. Instead open with a question, spend the entire paper arguing your side and presenting evidence for why you are right, and close with your thesis statement.

Interesting!