Essay Types by Tnarik
What are the different essay types? Generally, there are about 6 different essay types and each will be used depending on what you are trying to achieve with your essay. If you are instructed to use a particular type of essay, then this article will give you a quick overview of what you have to focus on for that type. If you are given the choice of essay type, then you can make this decision based on a few questions about your topic. In particular, what technique works for your selected topic? What kind of writing style is suitable? What tone is efficient?
Here are the common types of essays that can help students on their paper writing activities:
Persuasive or argumentative essay – A persuasive or argumentative essay makes a claim or position regarding a subject for the main purpose of persuasion. It is usually presented with statistics, expert opinions, and well-supported arguments about a claim or controversy. In using an argumentative tone in essay writing, it is essential that the issue to be discussed is two-sided wherein the writer takes a stand. Also, the main argument must be clear, exact, and highly focused.
Comparison and Contrast essay – This type of essay writing takes two subjects and identifies their similarities and differences. A good comparison and contrast paper possesses a valid basis for comparison – a limited focus and catchy information. In writing essay using compare and contrast, it is vital that the purpose for comparing and contrasting the two subjects is made clear. This purpose is crucial because it provides focus to the paper.
Descriptive essay – Descriptive essays’ aim is to provide a vivid picture of a certain person, place, object, or event. It offers concise details that enable the readers to imagine the subject described. Generally, descriptive essays explain the “what, why, when, where, and how” of a topic.
Definition essay- Definition essay writing demands writers to present a meaning of a term that goes beyond the objective definition offered in the dictionary. Essay writers need to provide a more focused and exact description of the term than what is offered in reference sources.
Narrative essay – A narrative essay tells a story in a sequence of events. This type of essay is told from a defined point of view, often the author’s. It offers specific and often sensory details to get the reader involved in the elements and sequence of the story. Verbs must be vivid and precise.
Evaluation essay – The prime purpose of this essay writing style is to form judgment on certain ideas, places, services, etc. basing on clear-cut criteria. An informed opinion is critical to the development of this essay. It is important to use facts, statistics and other authoritative resources to establish and organize the criteria to present a substantial analysis and evaluation.
Essay writing is just one tough kind of various paper writing activities. Students usually ask for professional essay help to assist them on what type of approach or style to use in their composition.
Contributing author – Source. Image shown under creative commons share alike licence – Source.
Part 4 in this 4 part video series on how to write an argumentative essay. Great for IELTS training.
Part 3 in this 4 part video series on how to write an argumentative essay. Great for IELTS training.
Part 2 in this 4 part video series on how to write an argumentative essay. Great for IELTS training.
Part 1 in this 4 part video series on how to write an argumentative essay. Great for IELTS training.
Laura Turner discusses how to write an argumentative essay. Laura calls it a persuasive essay, but I personally prefer the distinction an argumentative essay as she discusses boths side of the case.
Photo by Clarity
In my previous article I discussed the basics of a persuasive essay. To quickly recap, a persuasive essay uses a passive argument to convince you of a statement. A persuasive essay is often confused with an argumentative essay. This is not the case – an argumentative essay is the big brother of the persuasive essay.
You may be asking, “What do you mean by the big brother”? Let me explain with real world examples. An example of a persuasive essay is a sales letter or job application. You are using features and benefits to convince the reader to take action. It is passive persuasion – you don’t mention your competitor’s product when trying to sell your own.
The argumentative essay differs as it actively takes into account both sides of the argument. A real life example of an argumentative essay is a lawyer defending you in court. You need to take into account the opposing views in an argumentative essay and actively counter them. This focus makes the argumentative essay more detailed than the persuasive essay, hence the analogy of the big brother.
As with the persuasive essay, the argumentative essay is supported by facts. These facts are common to both sides of the argument and are not debatable. For example, a bloody knife found at a crime scene is a known fact. Both sides of the argument draw interpretations from these facts. It is your role in the argumentative essay to counter the opposing argument and draw alternative conclusions that are better supported by the facts. Lawyers use expert witnesses to give authority to their argument. You can do the same in your essay by quoting well known sources or using testimonials.
At what audience do you aim your argumentative essay? If you are in a court of law, you are convincing the judge or jury. In an essay, the audience is not so well defined. The first thing to understand is that you will not persuade everyone with your argument. You will have the extremes in your audience that will agree or disagree with you regardless of what evidence you are presenting. This is especially the case if you have chosen an emotive topic. Science versus religion is a good example of this. It is the bulk of the people in the centre who may have an opinion but are not certain of their conclusions that you are really aiming for. What objections to your argument are they likely to have? You need to address these in your essay to persuade them of your ideas.
In summary, the argumentative essay is the big brother of the persuasive essay as it actively focuses on both sides of the argument. Instead of simply relying on features and benefits as with the persuasive essay, the argumentative essay is more weighted towards authority and how you can draw more supportive conclusions from the facts.