header-pic

Essay Lessons for Dummies: What is an Essay Type?

This is a piece of writing that describes, analyzes or discusses a certain topic. It lets you discuss a subject seriously or humorously, directly or indirectly. It also covers personal opinions and reports information. Although a writer can write it from any perspective, these tasks are commonly written in 1st or 3rd person.

Here are the most common types:

  • Narrative
  • In this type, you will be telling a story about one personal experience. It can either be a daily routine event, a party you attended, a trip or a life-shaping voyage. Generally, these papers are written in the first person.

  • Process
  • This assignment guides its reader on how to do something or how something is done. You describe how to do something step by step. The paper has to be in details and should demonstrate specific actions or give specific instructions.

  • Critical
  • This assignment brings something or somebody into focus. It analyzes the strengths or weaknesses of people, things, events, etc. A critical essay starts with an overview of the key points of a movie, text or piece of art. Then, the work’s meaning analysis follows. It explains how the creator of the work accomplished his or her goals.

  • Descriptive
  • This assignment describes what the writer sees, likes, makes, feels or how it sounds, happens, smells or tastes. This kind of paper provides each and every sensory detail about the subject’s description.

  • Definition
  • In this paper, you are required to define the true meaning and the importance of timeless values, abstract concepts, and particular terms. The task explains more directly and deeper than a dictionary.

  • Cause/Effect
  • This task explains the way things happen, how it happens and the results of the happening. It resembles a study and can address causes and effects separately or both of them at once. For instance, three causes that result in one outcome or three effects brought about by one cause.

  • Compare/Contrast
  • This assignment explores the similarities or differences between religions, places, people, concepts, things, etc. It can also focus on the differences and/or similarities, done in a way that it entertains or convinces the reader. It will review the differences while a compare one reviews the similarities.

  • Argumentative
  • This task attempts to convince the reader to accept the writer’s views. A writer can be funny or serious, but they will try to get the reader to accept their opinion. A writer can argue openly or use irony or sarcasm.