Four Common Types of Essays
Research is a detailed and careful study of a specific topic, problem, or issue. Its main purpose is to contribute to developing knowledge in a specific field of study, to prove a thesis, and to inform an action. The ability to effectively write different types of essays has become a crucial part of achieving academic success. It is important to understand the most common different types of essays. This is because in tests choosing the correct type of essay to write in response to a given question is the key to correctly answering it. This article looks at the importance of essays as well as the four most common types of essays.
Importance Of Essays
- Part of a given course or degree
These essays usually contribute to the final grade of a student. Failure to effectively write an excellent eye-catching essay will often lead to poor grades, thus reducing the overall GPA.
- Part of an application procedure for admission or a scholarship
Various institutions require students to write about their aims and objectives in the future. These essays are often required written as part of their application procedure for admissions into a given institution or college. Another essay that can be part of an application procedure is personal essay. This is often written as part of an application procedure for a scholarship.
- Essential tool for judging students understanding
Writing a particular essay can tell how well conversant you are with a specific topic. Hence, teachers often use essays to judge the knowledge of students.
Types of Essays
- Narrative Essays
This is a narration like a short story. However, it can be differentiated from a short story as is it usually written in essay format. In this essay, the writer ought to tell a story about a real-life experience. This essay often challenges students to write about themselves. The writer should make the story as vivid as possible. In this way, he can involve the reader.
Narrative essays should always be written in the first person to engage the reader; it gives him/her a feeling of being part of the story. Just like any other story, it should include a plot, character(s), and a setting. An effectively written narrative essay should also be able to draw towards a conclusion. It requires a clear structure introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should build suspense; the body should take the reader to the climax of the story and in the conclusion, take them down again. To tell a full-bodied story, it requires at least 1,000 words.
- Descriptive Essay
It is an essay that describes something to make readers feel, taste, smell, see or hear what is described. It is closely related to the narrative essay. This essay often strives to communicate a deeper meaning through the description. The description could be of a person, object, place, or even a memory that is important. The writer here has the purpose to not just tell but show by using sensory and colorful details. A good descriptive essay should appeal to the emotions of the reader. There is no exact format in which this essay should be written. It is, however, crucial to put into consideration the following guidelines:
- Brainstorm and put down the specific details about the topic.
- Put down descriptive words concerning the details above that will likely be used in the essay.
- Include not only the sense of sight in the description but also the sense of smell, touch as well sounds heard and taste of things.
- Emotions and feelings play a key role in the description. Instead of using the word sad, use words like tears flooded, shoulders drooped, and chin trembling to paint the reader’s sadness.
- The essay should be organized.
- Expository Essay
This essay exposes things in detail to make readers understand without complications. It is an informative essay that usually presents a balanced analysis of a particular topic. The writer often uses examples, statistics, and facts to explain a topic. This essay encompasses a wide range of essay variations such as the cause and effect essay and the comparison and contrast essay. Personal feelings cannot be incorporated into this essay as it is usually based on facts; hence writers cannot reveal their emotions.
Just like most essays, it comprises three parts; the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction briefly yet clearly states the thesis statement; the body addresses several single points that support the thesis statement. The conclusion summarises the points put down in the essay and supports the original idea as well. It should discuss the evidence revealed throughout the essay and should not include new ideas or information. There should be a transition between the introduction paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion paragraph creating a logical path for the reader to follow. This essay’s recommended length is around 500-800 words as it should be brief.
- Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is usually written to convince the target audience to do or not do something. The writer must build a strong case to support his view using logic and facts, sound reasoning as well as examples and expert opinion. All sides of the argument should be presented, but the writer must be able to prove clearly why a certain side is preferable to the other. Its structure is no different from that of other essays. It comprises of an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction is usually the first paragraph of the essay and it should expand clearly on the thesis statement.
There should be a transition between the introduction paragraph, the body paragraphs, as well as the conclusion paragraph. Without this transition, the reader could end up lost in your essay, as there will be no logical path to follow. The body paragraphs should each have a topic sentence to help that will support your argument. The conclusion should give a summary of why the audience should adopt your view. This essay can be a five-paragraph essay or even longer. Its length should be at least 2,000 words.