In college, assignments range from multiple-choice questions to essays. You might receive an essay, but you don’t understand what is expected of you. You do not understand the instructions or expectations of the assignment. Do you need help identifying the type of essay you’ve been given and what you should write about?
Expository essay
Expository essays are also known as definition essay. They explain, describe and inform the reader about a topic. Use internet resources to find a list of expository essay topics. Some words used as instructions for expository essays include;
- Describe
- Explain
- Define
- Inform
- clarify
You should only use facts and proven theories in your expository essays. You are writing to explain a concept that already exists. Do not come up with your own ideas of what the concept represents.
Your aim is to educate your audience on the topic, not to convince them. Your opinion, preference, or influence should not be included.
Subtypes of expository essays include;
- Compare and contrast essays
- Process essays
- Cause and effect essays
Writing an expository essay is easier when you make an outline and stick to it. Use credible sources to make your point and cite them. Your essay should contain definitions, examples, analysis, comparisons, explanations, and details from credible sources.
Reflective essays
This is a type of essay that evaluates personal experiences as part of self-reflection. Reflective essays examine what you have gained from your experiences. Statements that show the essay is a reflective essay include;
- Write a reflection
- What lessons have you learnt?
- What would you do?
They build self-growth from an individual’s past and give the lessons and applications in the present. This essay is highly personal and entails your opinions, experiences, and perspectives.
Experimental reflections are a big part of college essays. You are expected to connect the theories you have been taught to practicals.
You can also write about those factors that influence your opinion on specific issues. This helps put your assumptions and thoughts into perspective and understand other people’s experiences.
Persuasive and argumentative essays
In this type of essay, you focus on logic and reason. Logic and reason are used to convey your thoughts and opinions about a topic. The main goal is to persuade your readers to accept a specific point of view.
The success of your paper depends on how you argue your points. That is why you need to use facts, evidence, and examples to validate your point.
If you have a hard time putting your points across, you can look into a college homework help service. The instructions of a persuasive or argumentative essay include;
- Argue
- Take a position
- Evaluate
- Discuss
Your persuasive essay will have more impact if your assumptions are evident in each paragraph. Your reader needs to relate and understand every point.
An excellent persuasive writer analyzes both the supporting and opposing arguments. When choosing a topic, find a debatable topic that will fulfill the requirements of your essay.
Descriptive essay
A descriptive essay provides information and educates the reader about a particular topic. Its object can be a person, place, experiment, or event. The instructions for descriptive essays include;
- summarize
- Identify
- Define
- Report
- Record
Your descriptive essay should contain elaborate details, discussions, and information about your topic. Analyze the topic from different angles to maximize the information you convey.
A descriptive essay should give your audience emotions. They should feel what you felt and see what you saw.
Narrative essay
Narrative essays are also called personal essays. They are used to narrate your study or experiences. They should be written in the first person. They also provide a detailed account of the events that happened.
Narrative essays do not try to persuade or convince. They give a lesson or a takeaway.
Narrative essays are nonfictional and autobiographical. They are less factual and unrestricted in the writing style.
The writer can organize the narrative essay in any way to illustrate the main point. They do not follow any specific structure or order.
The five elements of narrative writing include;
- Plot
- Character
- Setting
- Theme
- conflict
Analytical essay
An analytical essay is similar to an expository essay. It examines the advantages and disadvantages of the subject. It also organizes the information you have gathered into groups, parts, types, and categories.
For analytical essays, the topic is examined in bits. This ensures that all aspects of the subject have been evaluated.
This essay does not seek to convince your reader about the subject. You do not need to use persuasive language.
You should analyze the topic to clearly deliver your argument. Words used to identify analytical essays include;
- contrast
- compare
- examine
- relate
- analyze
Closing remarks
There are different types of essays. To write a good essay, understand the instructions and expectations of your essay. The best way to do this is to know what type of essay you have been given.
