Types of Essays

Types of Writing

When away at college or in high school, we encounter many different types of writing. What exactly is it that we are trying to communicate in all of these types of writing? There are a lot of things that are context dependent and the intentions we have may vary, but if we are to be the best writers we can be, we need to understand all the types of writing out there.

How can we rise to write the best essay possible? What makes a really good writer? As real authors, we need to approach different types of writing with the most professional attitude, understanding genres of writing and styles of writing as best we can. Let’s consider the most common types of writing:

• Persuasive writing – writing by giving an opinion and backing it up.
• Descriptive writing – writing using description, trying to paint a picture or a scene.
• Expository writing – writing that tries to inform the audience or explain something to them.
• Narrative writing – writing that tries to tell a story to the audience.
• Now that’s done, what is an essay?

What is an essay?

Whether you’re in high school, college or even if you’re at work, there are many types of writing to do in essay form. It doesn’t matter whether you’re familiar with different types of expository essays or whether scientific essays are your bag, to be a good writer, one must understand all the types of college essays and work to answer, what is an essay and how can one define it?

The broadest essay definition: “a piece of writing on a particular topic or subject matter”.

With the broadest of essay definition, we can now take a look at the different types of essay subject matter out there. Being a good writer is all about knowing your craft and knowing about all the types of essays that exist, whether you will be writing them or not.

Types of essays

Now that one has managed to define essay writing, he or she needs to know about all the types of essays that are in existence. If one is going to be the best essay writing that they can be, they need to have the broad understanding of essay types.

Types of essays: argumentative essays

The argumentative essay is a great way to voice your opinion, however, the key thing when writing any types of argumentative essays is to consider a well-rounded view of everything for and against your topic. You might want to sound obnoxious the opinionated in your writing. Choosing a topic could be quite easy – there are so many types of argumentative essays that could be written. One only needs to pick a topic he is passionate about, and which others may argue for and against. There are many different topics you could choose:

• Does pornography leads to psychopathic traits?
• Cannabis should be made legal stop.
• Abortion should be made legal in Ireland.
• The richer person gets the more tax they should pay.
• Children under ten should be given less homework to do.

Types of essays: classification essays

One of the most common types of essays is the classification essay, whereby the goal is to divide or categorize ideas and things to use as a base for classification. This type of essay requires good organizational skills to write and come up with good classifications. If one is unsure about classification essay topics, take note of some of the following low:

• Different types of Christmas gifts in a cultural context.
• How Halloween costumes relate to folklore.
• The different ways to keep fit.

Types of essays: expository essays

More often than not, an expository essay is one of those essay types that is commonly referred to as the how-to essay. Types of expository essays are varied, but they all serve to explain something with facts and evidence rather than opinion. This is important to grasp as the purpose of the essay can be often misconstrued. If you’re looking for subject matter, there are many types of expository essays that can be written:

• An analysis essay: Writing according to the analysis of objects, events or other things.
• A how-to essay: writing a description of how to achieve or do something.
• Descriptive essay: Writing that tries to describe a particular event.
• Step by step essay: Describing a particular process in writing.

Types of essays: College essays

College can be a difficult time for students. One is introduced to so many different styles of writing and these types of writing styles that vary between different genres of writing. There is a lot to take in, but no matter what kind, of course, you’re doing, all types of college essays will have certain things in common that you need to take note of. Remember to think of the following:

• Write with a vocabulary that is reminiscent of a college student.
• Gather information from most reputable sources and journals.
• Write in a way that is sophisticated and mature.
• Make good use of planning in order to guide your essay.
• Understand your thesis statement and refer to it throughout your essay.

Types of hooks for essays

There are so many different types of essays to be written and each one needs to grab the reader’s attention from the beginning. Using an essay hook can serve this purpose and there are numerous types of hooks for essays that can be employed. When you’re next working on your essay, try to fit in one of these types of hooks for essays at the beginning. Your reader will be instantly engaged and wanting to read more.

Don’t identify your essay subject until you piques your audience’s interest.

Make use of the present tense to recount some incidents in a way as if it was happening now.

Write a description of a process leading into your subject.

Create a candid secret about your subject.

Open with a humorous observation.

Good essay topics – general examples

With all the understanding of essay types that one has, how can one come up with good essay topics? More often than not, it can be a struggle to get a topic down, so if you’re unaware of what you could write, take notes of some themes that are usually guaranteed to work:

• Controversial, e.g. “Gay marriage and adoption in the United States.”
• About current affairs, e.g. “The Paris Climate Change Agreement and its effects.”
• About ethics, e.g. “Can one justify a lucrative job at the expense of their family life?”
• About the law, e.g. “The problem associated with juvenile sentencing.”
• About society, e.g. “Environmental protection against natural disasters.”

Types of essays – conclusion

When one is crafting the perfect essay, it’s important that they know about the different types of essays and types of writing styles out there. We hope that this article has increased your knowledge about the types of writing out there so that you can come up with good essay topics and know how to write the perfect essay. Good luck writing!