What are the 4 Types of Essay Writing & Tips to Write Each One Well

When faced with an upcoming essay assignment, many students feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of them. What type of paper will best suit my goals? What kind of structure will help me organize my ideas and develop my argument? Will you find enough research on my chosen topic? How should you approach writing your essay? There are many questions to consider before settling down to write an essay. Understanding the types of essay writing can help you answer these questions. This blog will help you clearly understand the four main types of essay writing and feel confident choosing and writing the right type for any assignment. 

With an AI writing assistant like HyperWrite, you can feel more prepared to tackle your next essay. Using advanced technology, HyperWrite can help you organize your ideas, find the proper structure for your essay, and even generate sample paragraphs to help you get started.

What are the 4 Types of Essay Writing?

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essays, but they are often categorized into four main types: 

• Argumentative
• Expository
• Narrative
• Descriptive essays

Essay type

Skills tested

Example prompt

Argumentative

• Forming an opinion via research
• Building an evidence-based argument

Has the rise of the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?

Expository

• Knowledge of a topic
• Communicating information clearly

Explain how the invention of the printing press changed European society in the 15th century.

Narrative

• Creative language use
• Presenting a compelling narrative

Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.

Descriptive

• Creative language use
• Describing sensory details

Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

Expository Essays: Let’s Examine This Objectively

The expository essay requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea clearly and concisely. This can be accomplished through:

• Comparison and contrast
• Definition
• Example
• Analysis of cause and effect
• And other methods.

It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.
‍
Please note that this genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various exam formats.

The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following: 

The Importance Of Thesis Statements And Transitions In Essays

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement occurs in the first paragraph of the essay. This thesis statement must be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines outlined in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be pretty challenging to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion. Transitions are the mortar that holds the essay's foundation together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.

Developing Focused And Coherent Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs that include evidential support. Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. Moreover, such conciseness creates ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

Evidential Support 

Often, students are required to write expository essays with little or no preparation; therefore, such essays typically do not allow for a great deal of statistical or factual evidence.

A Bit Of Creativity

Although creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is, nonetheless, an art form. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.

A Conclusion That Does Not Simply Restate The Thesis

It readdresses the issue in light of the provided evidence. It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be practical and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay. 

The Five-Paragraph Essay

A standard method for writing an expository essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of: 

• An introductory paragraph
• Three evidentiary body paragraphs
• A conclusion 

Expository Essay Example Paragraph 

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century significantly altered this situation. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He created his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability enabled the reliable production of high-quality books. 

‍This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation. 

Descriptive Essays: Painting a Picture with Words 

The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something:

• Object
• Person
• Place
• Experience
• Emotion
• Situation

This genre encourages students to write a detailed account of a specific experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

One could benefit from keeping in mind this simple maxim: 

If the reader is unable to form an impression of the thing that you are describing, try again! Here are some guidelines for writing a descriptive essay. 

Take Time To Brainstorm 

If your instructor asks you to describe your favorite food, make sure that you jot down some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you might start by writing down a few key ingredients: 

• Sauce
• Cheese
• Crust
• Pepperoni
• Spices
• Hot
• Melted

Once you have written down some words, you can begin by compiling descriptive lists for each one.

Use clear and concise language. This means that words are chosen carefully, particularly for their relevance to what you are intending to describe. 

Choose Vivid Language 

Why use a horse when you can choose a stallion? Why not use tempestuous instead of violent? Or why not miserly in place of cheap? Such choices form a clearer image in the reader's mind and often offer nuanced meanings that serve their purpose. 

Use Your Senses 

Remember, if you are describing something, you need to be appealing to the senses of the reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or looked. Embellish the moment with senses. 

What Were You Thinking

If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with the reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing loss in their lives, or ecstatic joy, or mild complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir to achieve your full descriptive potential. 

Leave The Reader With A Clear Impression

One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of familiarity and appreciation in the reader. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very pizza I just described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays. 

Be Organized

It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of emotions and senses when writing a descriptive essay. However, you must strive to present an organized and logical description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a cogent sense of what it is you are attempting to describe. 

Descriptive Essay Example 

On Sunday afternoons, I enjoy spending time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch, he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbors. He does this until the barking of the next door’s dog scares him from his post ,and he bolts for the cat flap to hide from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond at my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting. 

Narrative Essays: Telling a Story 

When writing a narrative essay, one might think of it as telling a story. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal, allowing students to express themselves in a creative and, quite frequently, moving way. 

Narrative essays test your ability to build a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing. Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

Here are some guidelines for writing a narrative essay:

If written as a story, the essay should include all the parts of a story. This means that you must include an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.

When would a narrative essay not be written as a story? A good example of this is when an instructor asks a student to write a book report. This would not necessarily follow the pattern of a story and would focus on providing an informative narrative for the reader. 

Purpose, Point of View, and Language

The essay should have a purpose. Make a point! Think of this as the thesis of your story. If there is no point to what you are narrating, why narrate it at all?

The essay should be written from a clear point of view. It is quite common for narrative essays to be written from the standpoint of the author; however, this is not the sole perspective to be considered. Creativity in narrative essays oftentimes manifests itself in the form of authorial perspective.

Use clear and concise language throughout the essay. Much like the descriptive essay, narrative essays are effective when the language is carefully, particularly, and artfully chosen. Use specific language to evoke specific emotions and senses in the reader. 

First-Person Usage and Organization

The use of the first-person pronoun ‘I’ is welcome. Do not abuse this guideline! Though it is welcome, it is not necessary, nor should it be overused for lack of more precise diction.

As always, be organized! Have a clear introduction that sets the tone for the remainder of the essay. Do not leave the reader guessing about the purpose of your narrative. Remember, you are in control of the essay, so guide it where you desire (just make sure your audience can follow your lead). 

Narrative Essay Example

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and weighty than classes like English. If there was no correct answer, why bother? I recently had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what philosophy would involve exactly. I had no idea. I envisioned something quite abstract: lengthy, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones, “but you can call me Rob,” was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk freely, we looked at our own choices. To discuss ethics, we examined dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no correct answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically” and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me in more ways than one to look at things with an open mind. 

Argumentative Essays

Specifically, you argue for or against a particular position. For example, your assignment might be to take a stance on your school’s policy of not allowing students to take more than two AP courses per year and support your position with data. To help your position that it’s a good policy, you might point to the correlation between how many AP courses a student takes and their average AP test scores or the hours of homework required for each AP course.

Well-written argumentative essays don’t rely on emotional appeal. Instead, they persuade readers of the merits of their positions through statistics, facts, and logical arguments. In most cases, argumentative essays are pieces of persuasive writing.

Please note: 

Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. 

The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first-year writing or advanced composition courses, involving lengthy and detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE. 

Research and Reasoning in Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research, where students collect data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. 

Detailed research enables the student to learn about the topic and understand different points of view regarding it, allowing them to choose a position and support it with evidence collected during the research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following: 

Crafting an Effective Argumentative Essay Introduction

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement occurs in the first paragraph of the essay. In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should:

• Establish the context by providing a general overview of the topic. 
• The author should explain why the topic is essential (exigency) or why readers should care about the issue. 
• Students should present the thesis statement. 

This thesis statement must be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines outlined in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be pretty challenging to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion. Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that follows in the next section. 

Body Paragraphs that Include Evidential Support

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. Such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. 

Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also essential to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis (warrant). However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. 

Addressing Counterarguments in Argumentative Essays

Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the subject. Rather than outright refuting these differing opinions, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well-informed or how they might be outdated. 

Evidential Support (Whether Factual, Logical, Statistical, Or Anecdotal)

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some:

• Factual
• Logical
• Statistical
• Anecdotal evidence

Should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple perspectives when collecting evidence. 

As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not align with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well-informed or up-to-date on the topic. 

Crafting an Effective Argumentative Essay Conclusion

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided. It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. 

Therefore, it must be practical and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. Also, include a brief discussion of additional research that should be conducted in light of my work. 

A Complete Argument 

It may be helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If you were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. 

If you were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument. 

The Five-Paragraph Essay 

A standard method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of:

• An introductory paragraph
• Three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and 
• A conclusion. 

Longer Argumentative Essays 

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing some research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. 

Authors may have to examine the context surrounding the topic, sources of information, and their credibility, as well as some different opinions on the issue, before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment. 

Argumentative Essay Example Paragraph 

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). 

‍An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). 

Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is often regarded as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to consult other sources. 

Its articles usually provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

Related Reading

• Best AI Tools For Students
• Should Students Use AI
• Can You Use AI For College Essays
• Why Is AI Good For Students
• Essay Writing Tips For Students
• Can You Use ChatGPT For College Essays
• How Can AI Help Students
• Using AI To Write Essays
• College Essay Writing Tips
• How To Write The Best College Essay
• Essay Writing Prompts
• Benefits Of Using AI Writing Tools

Try our AI Writing Assistant to Write Natural-sounding Content

HyperWrite pairs state-of-the-art AI with deep personalization, so every suggestion sounds like you on your best day. From instant email drafts and blog outlines to in-line sentence rewrites, our writing-focused chatbot and integrated document editor make writing effortless. Students receive accurate, cited content for essays that don't sound like ChatGPT wrote them. 

Professionals transform rough thoughts into polished content quickly, expressing ideas in more precise language with ensured accuracy. Collaborate directly with AI inside the document editor and discover how fast thoughtful writing can be. 

Create your free account and start writing with AI that gets you.

Related Reading

• Benefits Of AI For Students
• Steps To Writing An Essay
• Writing Prompts For Students
• Why Is My Essay Detected As AI
• Best Ways To Start An Essay
• Best AI For College Students
• Best AI For Medical Students
• Best AI Essay Writer For Students
• Free AI For Research Paper Writing
• AI For Assignment
• Best AI For Essay Writing

‍

‍

‍