A Rundown of Essay Types
Essays are short literary compositions that usually present the personal views of the authors. Students are often asked to write essays as their written assignments. However, writing essays requires the writer to fully understand what approach is appropriate for a given topic – in order to employ the suitable type of essay. And what are the basic essay types? Here are some:
• Persuasive/argumentative
Persuasive essays, also known as the argumentative writing, utilize logic and reason to prove that one idea is greater than another. It attempts to persuade readers to accept a certain point of view or to take a particular action. This approach always uses sound reasoning and solid evidence like facts, logical reasons, examples, and quotes from experts.
• Expository
The main purpose of an expository essay is to present, completely and fairly, an event or a situation. Expository writing presents a subject in detail, apart from criticism, argument, or development.
• Informal
Informal essays are written mainly for pleasure. Such essays are less formal and more relaxed expression of opinion, observation, humor or pleasure. A good informal essay has a casual style but retains a strong structure.
• Literary
In the literary essay, a writer explores the meaning and construction of a piece of literature. A literary essay focuses on elements such as the structure, character, theme, style, tone, and subtext. The goal of this essay approach is to discover how and why a certain piece is put together the way it is.
• Narrative
The purpose of a narrative is to describe an event in a chronological manner. This type of essay includes the characters, their actions, the plot, and perhaps, some relevant details.
• Comparison/contrast
Comparison essays show how two subjects are similar while contrast essays show how two subjects are different. In writing about two objects, decide whether to compare, contrast, or do both.
• Descriptive
A descriptive essay creates a vivid impression of a particular topic. It captures a person, place, or thing into words by appealing to the five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
• Definition
Definition essays are writings that explain a meaning of a term in manner that the author perceives the topic. While some terms have definite, concrete meanings, such as glass, book, or chair, terms such as dignity, honor, or love are abstract and depend more on a particular point of view.
• Classification
In a classification essay, the writer separate things or ideas into specific categories and discusses each of them. This style organizes the essay by defining each classification and through giving examples of each type.
• Personal
A personal essay is a free-wheeling device of self-expression. These essays represent what the writer think and feel about a given topic. This type of essay has a purpose of revealing the personality of an applicant for a graduate education.
• Cause and effect
This approach is concentrated on the ability of the writer to connect reasons to consequences. A cause and effect essay presents a logical flow of details that connects the cause to the effects on any analyzed aspect.
• Reflective
It is obviously a reflection on a personal event or experience of the essay writer. The main condition however, is that it has to be a certain personal experience on which the writer has a personal perception.
Writing essays can be torturing for many students as it demands a good grasp of what method or technique to employ. That’s why understanding types of essay is an essential part of crafting good essays.