11 min read
Published on: Sep 20, 2017
Last updated on: Oct 19, 2023
Share this article
Are you a college or high school student ready to start on a journey through the fascinating world of essay writing? Brace yourself because you'll encounter a variety of essay types that will challenge your writing skills and creativity.
Picture this: You're handed an assignment, a blank canvas on which to express your thoughts and ideas. But here's the catch – your teacher won't always specify the type of essay you should craft. It's up to you to solve the riddle hidden within the assignment question.
But fear not!
In this blog, we'll discuss the four most common types of essays you're likely to encounter during your academic years. While these essays may share a common foundation and structure, each possesses its own unique characteristics.
Let’s get started!
On This Page
When it comes to academic writing, understanding the different types of essays is essential. Each type serves a distinct purpose and requires a specific approach. Let's explore these essay types along with their descriptions and example prompts in the table below:
Essay Type | Skills Assessed | Example Prompt |
Argumentative Essay | Formulating arguments, critical thinking, persuasive writing. | Argue for or against the implementation of stricter gun control laws in the United States. |
Descriptive Essay | Sensory Description, Imagery, Figurative Language | Describe a place you visited recently and explain why it left a lasting impression on you. |
Expository Essay | Informative Writing, Research, Clarity | Explain the causes and effects of climate change, and discuss its impact on the environment and society. |
Narrative Essay | Storytelling, Narrative Structure, Engagement | Describe a memorable childhood event that had a significant impact on your life. |
Understanding these major types of essays and the skills they assess will empower you to approach your academic writing with confidence. Depending on your assignment's requirements, you'll be better equipped to choose the appropriate essay type and showcase your writing abilities effectively.
Each type offers a unique opportunity for you to express your ideas, and arguments and perfect your specific writing skills.
Here are the key types of essay formats explained in detail, along with examples to enhance your understanding.
An argumentative essay is an essay type that presents a well-structured argument supported by evidence and reasoning. The primary goal is to engage the reader in a discussion, provide evidence, and logically demonstrate why a particular viewpoint is more valid.
In simple words, the writer must provide evidence and remain consistent in their stance. While argumentative essays present both sides of an issue, they strongly support one perspective.
Before beginning the writing process, it is better to go through some expertly crafted argumentative essay examples. This approach enables you to grasp the argumentative essay outline and writing style more effectively.
Here is a high-quality argumentative essay example for you to get inspiration for your essay.
A descriptive essay is a form of writing that aims to immerse readers in a sensory-rich experience. Unlike informational or persuasive essays, its primary goal is to vividly depict a person, place, object, event, or experience.
The descriptive essay must evoke the senses and emotions of the reader. In simple terms, the reader should see what you saw and feel what you felt. To make it better, you can use several literary devices such as;
All of them help in making the experience and your essay better.
Creating a perfect descriptive essay for an assignment is not difficult if you go through some expert descriptive essay examples first.
Here, we have provided a well-written descriptive essay for you to get inspired from and start the writing process confidently.
Need more examples? Read our Descriptive Essay Examples and Writing Tips blog to get inspired!
An expository essay is a type of writing that provides clear and objective explanations of a topic without expressing personal opinions. It aims to inform and educate by presenting factual information and analysis.
Therefore, it is important that you make a focused outline and stick to it throughout the process.
An expository essay incorporates a wide array of essays such as:
To start the writing process, here is an expository essay example from one of our expert writers to understand the basics.
Looking for more sample essays? Check out our Expository Essay Examples blog and take inspiration from a range of expository essays!
A narrative essay is a type of academic writing that tells a story or recounts a personal experience. Unlike other essays, its primary purpose is to engage and entertain the reader through storytelling.
Wondering how to get your story into an interesting narrative? Learn the best way to write a perfect narrative essay with the help of expert narrative essay examples.
For more examples visit our blog on narrative essay examples.
In addition to the major types of essays discussed earlier, there are several other specialized types that cater to specific audiences. These essays provide diverse avenues for writers to communicate their ideas effectively.
We will go through these essay types here.
A persuasive essay is another type of academic essay. In this essay type, the writer utilizes logic and reasoning to show one’s idea is more convincing than another idea.
In writing a persuasive essay, the main aim is to persuade the reader to accept a certain point of view. The presented argument or claim must use solid evidence and sound reasoning by stating facts, examples, and quotes.
Since persuasive essays are the most common type of essay, it is essential to get familiar with their writing style. For that, here is an interesting persuasive essay example that you can explore for your better understanding.
Read our persuasive essay examples blog for more samples!
An analytical essay is a type of academic essay in which the writer analyzes a topic bit by bit. Writing an analytical essay is not about convincing readers of your point of view. But wanting readers to agree with what you have written.
So, there is no need to use strong persuasive language in an analytical essay. Rather you should aim to provide enough analysis to make sure your argument is clear to the readers.
Let’s take a look at a sample analytical essay:
Read our analytical essay examples blog if you are looking for more sample essays!
A reflective essay type of essay requires you to examine your personal experiences through self-reflection. In the process of writing a reflective essay, you provide insight into what you have gained from those experiences.
What makes reflective essays different from other essay types is the fact that it examine the past experience from the present. Reflective essays take the reader through a journey of self-growth.
The following reflective essay example will help you get a clear idea of how to structure your analytical essay.
It is a form of a textual analysis essay in which the student examines and analyzes a persuasive text. It is like an essay, speech, or visual art and analyzes the rhetorical devices used in it. Writing a rhetorical analysis essay is different from writing other essays because it will be more than adding facts only.
Here is a rhetorical analysis essay example that will help you learn better.
Check out our rhetorical analysis essay examples blog for more samples!
A literary analysis essay is based on close reading and analysis of a work of literature like poetry and novel. It identifies different literary factors like themes, setting, characters, setting, and the kind of language used in it. A literary analysis essay has the same 5 paragraphs as any other essay but the main subject and topic are different.
Need help with your literary analysis essay? Below is a sample essay to help you understand better.
Summing it Up!
Now you know what are the different types of essays in academic writing that you are most likely to get assigned. However, if you still find it difficult to compose your essay, leave your piece of writing to our experts.
Whether you need an argumentative essay, narrative essay, descriptive essay, or expository essay we are here to help. Our expertise extends to all types of essays, ensuring that your academic writing needs are met with precision and excellence.
Request 'write my essay' today and let our professional writing service help you write A+ grade essays within your specified timeline!
A thesis statement is the most important part of any essay. Other than the research itself, the thesis statement is the most important part of an essay or research paper. A thesis statement summarizes the main point and essence of the argument.
Usually, university students get argumentative kinds of essays. No matter what kind of essay you write, you will need to develop an argument.
Here are some kinds of essays and the kind of arguments added to them.
Besides, there are a number of different kinds of argumentative and analysis essays.
WRITTEN BY
Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)
Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
An Easy Guide to Writing an Essay
Learn How to Write An Essay in Simple Steps
A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide
A Catalog of 500+ Essay Topics for Students
Essay Format: A Basic Guide With Examples
Learn How to Create a Perfect Essay Outline
How to Start an Essay- A Step-by-Step Guide
A Complete Essay Introduction Writing Guide With Examples
20+ Hook Examples to Grab Reader’s Attention
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Powerful Thesis Statement
20+ Thesis Statement Examples for Different Types of Essays?
How to Write a Topic Sentence: Purpose, Tips & Examples
Learn How to Write a Conclusion in Simple Steps
Transition Words For Essays - The Ultimate List
4 Types of Sentences - Definition & Examples
Writing Conventions - Definition, Tips & Examples
Essay Writing Problems - 5 Most Paralyzing Problems
How to Make an Essay Longer: 14 Easy Ways
How to Title an Essay - A Detailed Guide
1000 Word Essay - A Simple Guide With Examples
Website Data Collection
Are you sure you want to cancel?
Your preferences have not been saved.