Essay writing is one of the most common academic tasks that pupils are supposed to do at school, college and university. There are four broad types of essays and most of the academic essays, even though they may be on topics that are wide, are classified as narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive. Each of the types differs in the purpose, form, tone and style of writing. Knowledge of these types of essays enables students to answer assignment questions accurately, effectively structure their ideas and to achieve academic standards. It makes the writing process a lot more focused and easier when the students are made aware of whether they are expected to tell a story, describe something, explain a topic or argue a position.
The Necessity to Study the Kinds of Essays
A lot of students have the problem of failing to do their essay well not because they do not have an idea; rather due to misunderstanding the assignment. This is evidenced by the case where a student can write personal views in an expository essay when he or she is supposed to give an objective account of it. In a persuasive essay, another student can tell you about a subject so well and yet have no good argument. Such errors can be avoided by being aware of the four basic types of essays. It also helps students to choose the right language, evidence, examples and structure. A knowledge of the kind of essays is a good step towards obtaining better grades and having more organized and meaningful writing.
Narrative Essays
A narrative essay is a narration. It is usually based on some experience, event, travel or a major experience. The main purpose of a narrative essay is not only to engage the reader in the narrative but also to teach, communicate or make some reflection. Unlike all the other forms of academic essays, the narrative essay can also contain first person language, such as I or we, especially when the writer is writing about his or her own life.
Any effective narrative essay tends to have a start, a middle and a conclusion. Introduction preconditions the situation and introduces it. The body narrates the happenings in chronological order but the end is a reflection concerning the meaning of the experience. Typically, narrative essays contain characters, setting, conflict, feelings and conclusion. An essay on overcoming stage fear and relocating to a new city, or learning by experience can be written in the form of a narrative essay. Students who seek academic assistance, such as the services of essay writing uae tend to seek assistance on how to make expository essays transparent, balanced and well structured. The best thing about a good narrative essay is not that you should recount on what has been happening. The author ought to make the experience significant to the reader. Details, emotions and reflection matter as they enable the reader to know why the story is significant. A narrative essay is to be more personal but well-structured and focused.
Descriptive Essays
A descriptive essay is an essay that lingers on the description of a person, place, object or event or experience in detail. This is to create an actual picture in the mind of the reader. In descriptive writing, the sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch is used to create a description of the subject to make it alive. A descriptive essay demonstrates beauty instead of merely informing the reader about it, based on particular images and details of that place. Nevertheless, a descriptive essay must not turn into a piece of haphazard information. It needs an organization and a point of focus also.
Expository Essays
Expository essay is a description, clarification or explanation of something. It is not intended to portray a personal experience or to appeal to the reader on the emotional level but to educate her or him in a way that is understandable and logical. Expository essays are typical of academic writing since they involve the analysis of facts, description of processes, comparison of ideas, or definition of concepts.
Some examples of expository essay topics would be to explain the impact of social media on communication, give the reasons behind climate change, compare and contrast online classes and classroom classes, or discuss the significance of time management. In this type of an essay, the writer should use evidence, examples, definitions and logical explanations.
An expository essay should be written in a formal manner. Personal opinions are not to be used unless indicated in the task. The topic and thesis statement are in the introduction.
Persuasive Essays
A persuasive essay is an essay which is supposed to influence the reader to an opinion, argument or position. A definite position on a problem is chosen by the author of such an essay and supported by arguments, facts, and examples. Persuasive essays tend to be applied in the academic, social, political and business-related issues.
Examples of persuasive essays include: A persuasive essay can be composed saying that schools ought to be assigned less hours of homework, governments ought to invest more on renewable energy or that universities ought to provide cheaper education. The author should be able to provide good arguments and demonstrate why his or her opinion is valid. Another way in which a persuasive essay can be composed is by taking counterarguments which the writer takes into consideration why his or her side is more convincing. A generic persuasive essay outline is composed of an introduction, in which a clear thesis statement is given, body paragraphs, which include supporting points and a conclusion, which aids in supporting the main position.
The Principal Contrasts of the Four Kinds of Essays.
The difference between the four types of essays is primarily purpose. A narrative essay is a story, a descriptive essay a picture, an expository essay exposition, and a persuasive essay an argument. They also have different styles of writing. Narrative essays tend to be written in the first person and are chronological. Descriptive essays are composed using words and senses. The exposition essays concern the facts, examples, and the logical explanation. Persuasive essays employ reason, evidence and arguments.
These differences will assist students to make the correct choice. Where the question involves the students describing it, then they must be attentive to details. When it requires them to explain something, they ought to give concise information. When it requests them to argue or discuss, they need to come up with a position and advocate it. They have to give a meaningful story or experience in case they are asked to narrate or reflect on it.
Choosing the Correct Type of Essay.
The selection of an essay type is based on the question of the assignment. Before writing one should read carefully the words of instructions. Some of the words that can imply a narrative essay include telling, recounting or reflecting. Descriptive essay is indicated with the use of such words as describe or illustrate. Expositional essay is normally needed in terms of words like explain, define, compare or analyze. The implication of the use of words such as argue, convince, evaluate or justify is normally to suggest that it is a persuasive essay.
Conclusion
Essays are divided into four general categories that are narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive. There is a purpose of each type and these types of writing should be approached differently. Narrative essays are purposeful stories, descriptive ones present a comprehensive picture, expository ones give a clear explanation and persuasive ones employ powerful arguments to influence the reader. Armed with these four kinds of essays, students will be in a position to tackle academic assignments well, be able to plan their writing easily and write clear, relevant and well structured essays.
