types of essays

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TYPES OF ESSAYS

There are many different types of essays and each type has a different purpose. The following are just a few of the most common types of essays.

TYPE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE TOPICS

Expository Essay Gives directions or instructions about how to complete a task, or how something is done. - How to water ski or snow ski
- How to juggle work and school
- How to lose friends
- How to win an argument with your parents

Cause/Effect Essay Focuses on a condition or situation and asks either why? (cause) or what is the result? (effect). - second hand smoke (effects)
- poor grades (causes & effects)
- staying up too late (effects)
- teen suicides (reasons why & effects)

Definition Essay Defines a topic both concretely (dictionary def.)and abstractly (extended def.). A dictionary often defines a word three ways:
1. the term
2. the class to which it belongs
3. the characteristics that distinguish it.
eg. truck (term) four wheeled vehicle (class) used for transportation (characteristic). - Responsibility (facing the consequences of one's actions)
- Best friends (what they are and are not)
- snobs (how to recognize them in society)
- courage (shown by common people in everyday life)

Comparison/Contrast
Essay Shows the differences and/or similarities
between two persons, places, things, ideas, etc. - Two friends or relatives who could be compared
- Two movies you have seen with similar characteristics/situations
- A foreign car and an American car
- Knowledge and understanding

Argumentative
or
Pro/Con Essay Your opinion on a subject is argued based on reasoning and understanding.
a) You present objections and refute them
b) You present points supporting your position - Should women serve in the military?
- Should everyone go to university?
- Should there be censorship on television?
- Should students have a job while attending school?

Literary Analysis
Essay Focuses on your observations about a book, story, poem, or play. - How the conflict in ____ is more external than internal
- The love-hate relationship between two characters
- How symbolism is important in revealing meaning in ____

Character Analysis
Essay Focuses on your observations about a character in literature. Your evaluation of the character is based on what that character says, does, and/or what other characters say about him/her. - Describe the main character in ____
- What are the dominant character traits of the main character in ____
- Why does ___'s personality lead him to despair?

Resources:
Meriwether, Nell W. Strategies for Writing Successful Essays. Chicago: NTC Publishing Group, 1998.
Sebranek, Patrick , Verne Meyer, and Dave Kemper. Writers INC: A Student Handbook for Writing & Learning. Wilmington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1996.

Home | English 10 | English 12 | Homework

TYPE	DESCRIPTION	EXAMPLE TOPICS
Expository Essay	Gives directions or instructions about how to complete a task, or how something is done.	- How to water ski or snow ski - How to juggle work and school - How to lose friends - How to win an argument with your parents
Cause/Effect Essay	Focuses on a condition or situation and asks either why? (cause) or what is the result? (effect).	- second hand smoke (effects) - poor grades (causes & effects) - staying up too late (effects) - teen suicides (reasons why & effects)
Definition Essay	Defines a topic both concretely (dictionary def.)and abstractly (extended def.). A dictionary often defines a word three ways: 1. the term 2. the class to which it belongs 3. the characteristics that distinguish it. eg. truck (term) four wheeled vehicle (class) used for transportation (characteristic).	- Responsibility (facing the consequences of one's actions) - Best friends (what they are and are not) - snobs (how to recognize them in society) - courage (shown by common people in everyday life)
Comparison/Contrast Essay	Shows the differences and/or similarities between two persons, places, things, ideas, etc.	- Two friends or relatives who could be compared - Two movies you have seen with similar characteristics/situations - A foreign car and an American car - Knowledge and understanding
Argumentative or Pro/Con Essay	Your opinion on a subject is argued based on reasoning and understanding. a) You present objections and refute them b) You present points supporting your position	- Should women serve in the military? - Should everyone go to university? - Should there be censorship on television? - Should students have a job while attending school?
Literary Analysis Essay	Focuses on your observations about a book, story, poem, or play.	- How the conflict in ____ is more external than internal - The love-hate relationship between two characters - How symbolism is important in revealing meaning in ____
Character Analysis Essay	Focuses on your observations about a character in literature. Your evaluation of the character is based on what that character says, does, and/or what other characters say about him/her.	- Describe the main character in ____ - What are the dominant character traits of the main character in ____ - Why does ___'s personality lead him to despair?