How to Write an Essay: Types of Essays in English
In most college classes, you’ll be
assigned to write several essays over the course of the semester. In some
classes, you’ll just have to do multiple-choice or short-answer questions.
However, in some classes, you’ll be assigned full-length essays or even
research papers. Whether you have to write four or 40 pages, there are some
commonalities among all essay types that make it easy to adapt your writing
style as needed. Here are some tips on how to write an essay and what you
should know about each type of essay in English.
1) Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay will explore a
person, place, object or event. It will focus on details that build up a
picture for your reader. The goal is not just to describe but also evoke a
reaction from your reader. Describing what it's like to be underwater and
seeing fish swimming around you is one example of a description. You should
create that experience for your reader so they can see those fish too! This
type of essay is often used when describing places or people. Use imagery and
sensory details to help paint a vivid picture for your reader.
2) Narrative Essay
A narrative essay is a story you tell.
It can be about a personal experience or just something that happened in your
town or city. You’ll need to gather some good details for your story and make
sure it follows a smooth, logical order. This type of essay works best when you
use strong sensory languages like smells, tastes, sight, and sounds. This will help
create pictures in your reader’s minds so they can experience what you are
talking about more clearly! Examples of narratives include biographies, memoirs, and travel stories.
R E A D M O R E
3) Expository Essay
Writing with a purpose is always
helpful, even when it comes to writing essays. Expository essays are common
assignments for many writing classes, and they require you to take a stance on
a subject. In order to write an expository essay successfully, you must do your
research and have a clear point of view or opinion on whatever topic your
instructor asks you to focus on. An expository essay is typically five
paragraphs long and written using present tense; however, some instructors may
ask that you use past tense if appropriate. There are two main types of expository
essays: cause-and-effect and compare-and-contrast. Cause-and-effect essays
explain how one event led to another, while compare-and-contrast essays examine
two things side by side. The most important thing about any type of expository
essay is clarity—you want your reader to be able to follow along easily without
getting lost along the way.
4) Comparison/Contrast Essay
A comparison/contrast essay has two or
more subjects. For example, you may compare and contrast your own upbringing
with that of a close friend. This type of essay is useful when you want to
show how two or more things are similar, different, or both. There are three
important points to remember about comparison/contrast essays. First, do not
simply rehash what both subjects have in common—you need to make a distinction
between them. Second, remember that each point must make a connection between
at least one other point and cannot stand alone as its own idea. Third,
remember that there are many ways to approach writing a comparison/contrast
essay. You can choose to focus on just one main point and then explain it
through examples from each subject (A + B = C). Or you can write about all
three points equally (A + B + C = D). In either case, be sure to clearly
identify which subject is being discussed for each part of your paper. It’s
also helpful if you title your paper with something like Comparison Between
Subject 1 and Subject 2 so readers know exactly what they’re reading.
5) Argumentative Essay
The argumentative essay instructs,
persuades, and informs. With a strong thesis statement and a thorough list of
reasons and facts, you can make your voice heard. Arguments are one of several
types of essays that students must learn how to write. An argumentative essay
should be a clear presentation of different views (for example, pro-life or
pro-choice) about a particular topic. After offering both sides of an issue,
readers should be convinced by your evidence for whatever position you choose.
If they agree with your opinion, they will feel confident in sharing it with
others. If they disagree with it, they may still find something useful in your
reasoning process. Regardless of their reaction to your point of view, however,
readers will appreciate having all relevant information at their fingertips. It
is up to them to decide whether or not they agree with what you have written.