Essay

There will be many times during your life when you might be asked to write an essay. This can be an intimidating prospect, especially if you are not clear on exactly what an essay is and how it is meant to be written.

On this page, we are going to look more closely at what an essay is, what its purpose is, and the various types of essays. We will also look at some examples to give us a further understanding of the subject.

What Is an Essay?

In the simplest terms, an essay is a short piece of writing that focuses on a specific topic or subject. This piece of writing provides information about the topic while also expressing the opinions and thoughts of the author.

Often, an essay is used in an academic setting as a form of assessment to determine whether a student has understood their studies and to test their knowledge of a particular subject. Essays are also widely used in education to help students develop and improve their writing skills.

Types of Essays

When it comes to writing an essay, there is not simply one type; in fact, there are quite a few different types of essays, and each of them has its own purpose and function. Below, we will look at each of these in more detail.

Narrative Essays

A narrative essay is one that tells a story, often from a particular point of view. When writing a narrative essay, you should include characters, a setting, a clear plot, and a climax.

The plot is used to describe the events within the story. While these events are often presented in chronological order, you may also move back and forth in time by including flashbacks or references to the future.

It is vital that, when writing this type of essay, you use fine details to allow the reader to feel emotion and engage their senses, while also giving the story a clear purpose. The point of the essay should be stated early on, preferably in the opening line or, at the very least, within the introduction paragraph. Narrative essays are usually written in the first or third person and, unlike purely creative writing, are typically based on real events. Below is an extract from A Ticket to the Fair by David Foster Wallace.

It is press day today at the state fair in Springfield, Illinois, and I am meant to be there at the fairground at 9 a.m. in order to get my credentials. I think of these as a small card in the band around a hat. I had never been thought of as press until now. But my true interest in the credentials is being able to get onto the rides and into the shows for free. I have come in from the East Coast, fresh and ready for one of their magazines. It is not clear to me why they have an interest in this state fair, but I expect that the editors realise, from time to time, that most of the USA lives away from the coast and that they will employ someone like me to do a spot of rural reporting.

Descriptive Essays

A descriptive essay describes something in great detail. The subject can range from people and places to objects and events, but the key focus is depth. You might describe an item’s colour, origin, appearance, smell, taste, or how it feels.

It is important to help the reader clearly sense what is being described and to evoke some form of emotion while reading. At the same time, the information should be concise and easy to understand. Imagery is commonly used in this style of essay. Below is a passage from The Orchestra Played On by Joanne Lipman.

The hinge creaks as I open the decrepit case. I am greeted by flowing cascades of horsehair—the bow is a victim of the mites. It is agony when I twist my fingers into position, but to my surprise, and the surprise of my children—who had yet to hear me play—I was still able to make a sound.

Expository Essays

An expository essay is used to examine a topic by explaining, comparing, and exploring ideas. While there may be a small element of storytelling, this type of essay goes beyond that. Its main purpose is to explain an idea clearly by providing information and analysis.

Expository essays should be straightforward and easy to understand, while also presenting a range of viewpoints on the topic being discussed. This type of essay is often used to explain complex subjects in a clear and concise manner. Below is an excerpt from Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior by Amy Chua.

I am using the phrase “Chinese mom” loosely. I know of some Indian, Irish, Jamaican, Ghanaian, and Korean parents who fit the bill too. I also know Chinese moms, mostly born in the West, who are not Chinese moms. I am also using the phrase “parents of the West” loosely. These come in many varieties. That being said, even parents of the West who believe they are strict are not nearly as strict as Chinese moms.

Argumentative Essays

When writing an argumentative essay, you attempt to convince the reader of a particular opinion or point of view. The aim is to show whether a topic is true or false while clearly presenting your own stance.

It is very important to use facts and data to support any claims that are made within the essay. Below is a passage from the argumentative essay The Flight from Conversation by Sherry Turkle.

We have become used to this new concept of being alone together. Enabled by technology, we can be with each other while also being somewhere else. We want to customise our lives, to move in or out of where we are, valuing above all the ability to control where our attention is focused.

Other Types of Essays

While there are four main types of essays, there are also several less common forms. Although they are not part of the main four, these essay types are still important and each serves a specific purpose.

Definition Essays

This type of essay is used to define an idea, object, or concept.

Simple Essays

A simple essay (five-paragraph essay) usually consists of five paragraphs and can be written on almost any subject.

Persuasive Essays

A persuasive essay is written to convince readers to accept an idea, either encouraging them to do something or persuading them not to.

Rhetorical Analysis Essays

This type of essay analyses a speech or piece of rhetoric, focusing on the rhetorical devices used.

Analytical Essays

An analytical essay examines a subject, such as a piece of writing or a film, from different perspectives, allowing the reader to form their own opinion.

Compare and Contrast Essays

When writing a compare and contrast essay, the author highlights similarities and differences between two subjects, or does both within the same essay.

Cause and Effect Essays

This type of essay explains the causes of a particular event or situation and the effects that result from it.

Critical Essays

A critical essay evaluates a piece of literature by examining both its strengths and weaknesses.

Process Essays

A process essay explains how something is done by breaking the process down into clear, understandable steps.

Synthesis Essays

This type of essay combines ideas from multiple sources to form a judgment about their strengths and weaknesses.

Review Essays

A review essay evaluates a piece of literature or media by discussing its positive and negative aspects.

Research Essays

A research essay is written around a research question and aims to answer it using evidence gathered through research.

Explanatory Essays

This type of essay explains a piece of writing or literature and can focus on poetry, novels, or short stories.