dissertation

essay

noun dee-sehr-tah-SYOHN Rare

Origin: Latin dissertatio, from dissertare (to discuss)

Also means

dissertation

Usage Note

Dissertation in the French education system is a structured written exercise, especially in philosophy and literature at lycée and university level — more formal than an English 'essay'. French students learn a rigid three-part structure: thèse, antithèse, synthèse. In academic English the word 'dissertation' usually means a long thesis; the French dissertation is shorter and more argumentative.

Examples

"Les élèves doivent rendre leur dissertation vendredi."

Natural Translation

The pupils must hand in their essay on Friday.

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