Types of Writing

An essay is a part of writing that  analyses and evaluates a topic or issue. 

Types of writing

Cause/Effect Essay

Writing about meaningful relationships between events and their results. A cause is what made an event happen and an effect is what happens as a result of that event.

Good Cause/Effect:

• Clearly distinguishes between a cause and an effect.
• Establishes a clear thesis statement.
• Presents information in an effective order.

Comparison/Contrast Essay

When you write about similarities and differences, you are writing a comparison/contrast essay.

Good Comparison/Contrast:

• Uses subjects that have enough in common to be compared and or contrasted
• Serves a purpose-either to help readers make a decision or understand the subjects being compared and/or contrasted
• Presents several important, parallel points of comparison/contrast
• Arranges points in a logical organization

Definition Essay

Writing that tells what something means.

Good Definition:

• Tells readers what term or concept is being defined
• Presents a clear and precise basic definition
• Uses examples to show what the writer means
• Uses words and examples that readers will understand

Description Essay

When you are writing a description essay, you are "painting a picture" with words.

Good Description:

• Creates a main impression-an overall effect, feeling, or image -about the topic
• Uses concrete, specific details to support the main impression
• Uses details that appeal to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch

Narration Essay

A narration essay is a writing that tells a story.

Good Narration:

• Includes specific details to make the incident come alive for your reader
• Focuses on re-creating an incident that happened to you over a short period of time (usually an emotional experience)
• Conveys a particular mood (feeling) - do you want to suprise your readers, make them laugh, have them share in your sorrow or fear?

Persuasive Essay

In persuasive essays, you are writing to convinces others by presenting solid, supported arguments.

Good Persuasion:

• Takes a strong and definite position on an issue or advises a particular action.
• Gives logical reasons and supporting evidence to defend the position or recommend action.
• Considers opposing views.
• Has enthusiasm and energy from start to finish.

Process Analysis Essay

In a process analysis essay, you write to explain how to do something or how something works.

Good Process Analysis:

• Either helps readers perform the steps themselves or helps them understand how something works
• Presents the essential steps in a process
• Explains steps in detail
• Presents steps in logical order (usually time order - chronological)