Essays and Cultural Perspectives – definition, types, structure, cultural analysis

1. What is an Essay?

An essay is not a diary entry, a news report, or a research paper. Its hallmark is a central thesis that the writer develops through logical reasoning and textual evidence.

2. Major Types of Essays

Worked Example – Identifying Essay Type
The excerpt below is taken from a past BBA assignment:
“Digital wallets have transformed consumer behaviour in Nepal. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, e‑wallet transactions grew by 45 % in 2023. However, the lack of robust cybersecurity measures poses a serious threat to user data.”
Analysis: The writer presents facts and explains a phenomenon → Expository essay.

3. Standard Essay Structure

INTRODUCTION
    • Hook (quote, statistic, question)
    • Background information
    • Thesis statement (one clear claim)

BODY PARAGRAPHS (usually 3)
    • Topic sentence (supports thesis)
    • Evidence / examples
    • Explanation / analysis
    • Transition to next paragraph

CONCLUSION
    • Restate thesis in new words
    • Summarize main points
    • Closing thought (implication, recommendation)

Flexibility note: The “three‑paragraph body” is a scaffold; you may expand to five or more paragraphs if the assignment demands deeper analysis.

4. Cultural Perspectives in Essays

Culture = shared beliefs, values, customs, language, and artifacts that give meaning to a group’s way of life.

Cultural perspective is the interpretive lens through which a writer perceives and evaluates events. It influences:

• Topic selection (what is considered worth writing about)
• Argument framing (what is persuasive in a given culture)
• Evidence choice (local statistics vs. global data)
• Tone and style (formal vs. conversational, direct vs. indirect)

4.1 Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism

4.2 Comparative Framework

When an essay asks you to compare cultural values (e.g., Chief Seattle vs. Nepali people), use the following matrix:

5. Writing an Essay with Cultural Insight

Step‑by‑step guide

1. Choose a culturally charged topic – e.g., “Impact of e‑Sewa on traditional market vendors.”
2. Research both perspectives – gather data from Nepali news, academic journals, and statements from vendor associations.
3. Formulate a thesis that acknowledges dual viewpoints – “While e‑Sewa expands financial inclusion, it also threatens the socio‑cultural fabric of traditional bazaars.”
4. Organize body paragraphs – each paragraph can focus on a different cultural dimension (economic, social, religious).
5. Use culturally appropriate evidence – cite a Nepali government report, a vendor’s interview, and a comparative study from another South Asian country.
6. Conclude with a culturally sensitive recommendation – propose hybrid payment models that preserve market rituals.

6. Real‑World Applications

Sample handwritten essay page showing margins and paragraphing (Image: Hoover, Lou Henry, 1874-1944, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Portrait of Chief Seattle, 19th‑century illustration (Image: E.M. Sammis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Busy Kathmandu market illustrating traditional commerce (Image: Sundar1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

6.1 Example 1 – Daraz Product Description (Persuasive Essay Elements)

Daraz sellers write product descriptions that follow an expository‑to‑persuasive flow:

• Hook: “Experience the crisp sound of a premium acoustic guitar.”
• Features (evidence): “Solid spruce top, mahogany back, 41 cm scale.”
• Benefit (analysis): “Delivers rich tones for beginners and professionals alike.”
• Call‑to‑action (conclusion): “Order now and enjoy free delivery across Nepal.”

The structure mirrors the five‑paragraph essay, with the thesis being the product’s unique selling proposition.

6.2 Example 2 – Ncell Promotional Email (Cultural Appeal)

Ncell’s “Festival Data Pack” email uses cultural perspective:

• Opening line: “Celebrate Dashain with unlimited data for your family!” – taps into Nepali festival values of togetherness.
• Body: Lists data limits, pricing, and a short testimonial from a local shopkeeper.
• Closing: “Stay connected, stay blessed – Ncell wishes you a happy Dashain.”

The email’s cultural framing (family, blessings) aligns with Nepali collectivist values, making the promotional message more persuasive.

6.3 Example 3 – Google Blog Post on Climate Change (Global Cultural Perspective)

Google’s “How AI helps predict monsoon patterns” article adopts an expository essay style, but it also acknowledges cultural impacts:

• Discusses how farmers in the Terai rely on monsoon predictions for planting decisions.
• Highlights local knowledge (e.g., “watching the sky”) alongside AI models.

This blend of scientific exposition and cultural context exemplifies the cultural‑aware essay expected in academic writing.

7. Worked Example Linked to a Real Situation

Scenario: A BBA student must write a 500‑word argumentative essay on “Should the Nepal Rastra Bank mandate a 2 % transaction fee for all e‑wallets?”

Step‑by‑step trace:

Word‑count check: Approx. 120 words for intro, 80 words each body paragraph, 70 words for conclusion → 500 words total.

8. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

9. Practice Questions

1. Identify the cultural lens in the excerpt: “The river is our mother; we must protect it as we protect our children.” (Hint: consider Nepali Hindu reverence for rivers.)
2. Rewrite the thesis of the following sentence to make it argumentative: “Digital wallets are popular in Nepal.”
3. Create a brief outline (intro + 2 body points + conclusion) for an essay comparing Nepali and Chief Seattle’s view of land ownership.

10. ## In the real world

• Daraz’s product pages use the five‑paragraph essay structure to persuade customers, turning features into benefits and ending with a clear call‑to‑action.
• Ncell’s festival‑themed promotional emails embed cultural values (family, blessings) into the persuasive essay format, increasing conversion rates during Dashain.
• Google’s climate‑change blog blends expository essay techniques with cultural context, showing how AI predictions affect Nepali farmers’ planting decisions.

These examples illustrate that the same essay conventions you practice in class are employed daily by major Nepali and global companies to inform, persuade, and connect with audiences.

11. ## Exam tip

• Read the prompt twice. Highlight the required essay type (expository, argumentative, etc.) and the cultural angle.
• Plan with a 5‑minute outline: thesis → three supporting points → counter‑argument (if required) → conclusion.
• Allocate time for cultural evidence. Use at least one Nepali statistic or local example; this scores marks for relevance.
• Leave 5 minutes for proofreading: check thesis‑body alignment, transition words, and citation format (APA style is preferred for BBA).

By mastering the structural scaffold and consistently weaving cultural perspectives, you will meet the exam’s expectations for depth, analysis, and relevance.