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: G1222, Writing IV
: 2006
: v 1.0 rev 1
Module 4
Types of Essay
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What’s inside
• The 5 types of essay
• The Characteristics of the five essays
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Main types of essay
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Book Review and Article Critique
Writing an Annotated Bibliography
Literature Review
Academic Proposal
Abstract
Lab Report
Short Report
Presentations
Application Letters and Résumés
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1) Analogy and Comparison
Analogy and comparative essays both use comparison, but they use it somewhat
differently. Comparative essays simply compare similarities and differences, while
analogy essays use analogy to clarify difficult topics.
Analogy
An analogy is a kind of comparison that attempts to illuminate a subject by
comparing it to something else that is in many ways unlike the subject. For
example, an analogy might explain the workings of the human brain and nervous
system by comparing it to the electrical wiring of a car. Although a person and a
car are very different, there are specific similarities that can help someone picture
the way a human nervous system works by reference to the more familiar car
electrical system.
Comparison
This kind of essay is also known as the compare-contrast essay. In a comparison
essay, the object is to compare the similarities of otherwise different things, and/or
to contrast the differences of otherwise similar things. Sometimes, you may be
expected to look at the similarities and differences, though usually the similarities
of similar things and the differences of different things are already obvious.
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2) Analytical Essays
An analytical or analysis essay is one that analyzes, that is, interprets or
examines something. There are several different kinds of analytical
essay including cause and effect, description, literary analysis, and
process analysis.
Cause and Effect
A cause and effect essay examines or interprets the causes or effects of
a situation. In this kind of essay, you may start from a known result or
situation and examine what brought about that result.
Description
Some essays do nothing but describe. To describe something in an
essay, it's a good idea to use some of the same techniques as you
would use in creative writing. Make use of all five senses: how does a
thing look, feel, taste, smell, and sound?
Literary Analysis
A literary analysis essay interprets literature (a poem, short story, play,
etc). It may discuss the meaning of the work, or it may evaluate the use
of particular literary techniques, style and so on. Generally, a literary
analysis focuses on three aspects of literature: a writer, a specific literary
work or works, or a literary element.
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3) Argument and Opinion
Argument essays and opinion essays can be very similar, in that
they both present a position and offer reasons for holding that
position. The difference is largely one of degree; an opinion can be
supported, but not actually proven, while an argument is a more
rigorous and logical construct that ideally can be objectively
evaluated in comparison to other arguments In other words,
opinions are personal, but arguments must be supported with
good evidence.
An argumentative, or persuasive essay
is meant to convince the reader of something. You don't necessarily
have to agree with the position you are arguing for, as long as you
write your essay as if you agree.
An opinion essay simply expresses the writer's opinion on a particular
topic. A good opinion essay, though, not only states what the opinion
is, but also why the writer holds that opinion, and shows that the
writer has examined and evaluated other possibilities. This kind of
essay can be used for sharing ideas, explaining the reasons for
actions you've taken, or to try to convince the reader to change their
mind.
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4) Classification and Definition
When you need to write about what something is, you'll probably
need to use classification and definition. Classification related
something the other things that it is like or unlike, while definition
attempts to say simply what the thing is.
classification
Classification essay clarifies relationships between things.
Classification, essentially, divides things into categories based on
their similarities and differences. This is especially important in
science, but all topics can make use of classification.
Definition
Definitions can, of course, be useful in nearly any kind of writing.
Definitions can also make an essay all on their own, depending on
the topic and the purpose of defining it. For many terms that need
defining, especially simple physical things, a sentence or a
paragraph is often enough. For more abstract concepts, though, a
whole essay may just be the beginning.
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5) Narration
Like description, narration offers opportunities for using the
techniques of creative writing in an essay. By making your essaywriting more creative, you may enjoy it more--school work can be
fun if you know how it make it fun.
Narration
A narration or narrative essay is an essay that tells a story. It is a
good way to involve the reader, as reading a narrative essay is
much like reading a short story (if it is done well). In a narrative
essay, the message of the essay may not be apparent until the end,
once the reader has already read it; thus it can be a powerful way of
getting people to read about things they might avoid in another kind
of essay.
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Other Types of essay
Argumentative essay:
An argumentative essay is built around a specific statement known
as the thesis or conclusion that is debatable within the field in which
you are studying. In other words, at the center of an argumentative
essay is a statement with which your readers may disagree. Your
essay will need to support that statement in a manner that convinces
your readers of its truth.
Debatable statements = Statements with which other people might
or might not agree . These are sometimes called "arguments,"
"assertions," "propositions," "claims," or "conclusions.“
eg. Solar energy is the best way of meeting California's energy
needs in the 21st century
Non-debatable statements = Statements with which no-one would
normally disagree or argue. These are sometimes called "facts“
.eg. Coal and oil are the main sources of energy in the United
States in the 20th century
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Interpretive Essay
Interpretive Essay
Interpretation of a text is required when an author's words do not
immediately make sense to us and we become puzzled about their
meaning or implication. Such puzzlement rarely occurs in the course
of everyday reading that is aimed at gaining information. We usually
read advertisements, weather reports and descriptions of current
events in an entirely straightforward or transparent way, in a search
for facts and content. However dubious we may be occasionally
about the truth of what we read, we are seldom dubious about the
meaning of the text -- assuming, of course, that we understand the
author's words. When we find the meaning of a text intelligible and
unproblematic in this way, it is because we share with the author a
common perspective or set of assumptions. By sharing this common
perspective or set of assumptions, we are able meaningfully to take
issue with the author's factual claims. Disagreement always
presupposes and is made possible by extensive tacit agreement
about matters that are not in question.
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