Essay writing is among the tasks some students dread the most. However, with the right approach and topic selection, you can create the best paper that will add more marks to your final grades. But before you determine the subject you will write on; it is important to understand different essay types. The type of essay will control the structure you will use and how you will arrange your ideas up to the final step. Read on and understand how to differentiate types of essays and the approach you need to consider in each category.
Types of essays students should understand
When you get a topic, the professor might expect you to write either:
- Argumentative essays
- Descriptive essays
- Expository essays
- Narrative essays
Writing different essay styles
When you get a topic on an essay, ask yourself, is it a narrative, an expository, a descriptive, or an argumentative essay? The style of an essay will determine how your ideas will flow. The style will also determine the type of language you will need to use, as explained below:
- Narrative – In this type of essay, you need to write about a certain experience by narrating events. You need to use creative language here to drive the point home. For instance, you can get a question like, write an experience when you encountered the worst ordeal.
- Argumentative – Here, you need to argue your opinions against the research. In your argument, you must provide strong evidence that supports your idea and point of view. For instance, you can get a topic like, “Do you think the internet has impacted education positively or negatively?”
- Expository – The teacher wants to evaluate your understanding of a given topic or concept under an expository essay. Make sure you communicate your points clearly that the reader can understand easily. For instance, you can get a topic on Explain how the modern transport system has changed people’s lives.
- Descriptive – Essay topics under the descriptive category require you to describe something in detail. You need to use creative language to get the reader hooked on your paper. For instance, you can get a topic on “Describe your ideal productive day.”
Tips on how to understand different essay topics:
Know how to differentiate four types of essays
Some students are often confused about what to do when they get different essay types. We have described the basics of the four types of essays above, but if you find it hard to analyze the differences, try and consult with your teacher to ensure you are doing the right thing.
Understand how to research different types of essays
Sometimes, you might be forced to go the extra mile and research the types of essays to understand what the reader expects from you. Be keen t note the slightest differences and language requirements. We have many articles from online platforms explaining what you should do. However, you can simplify the whole idea and make use of the library and explore essay types.
Form a discussion group on the types of essays in college
If you want to have a better understanding of different essays, form a group with other students with similar interests as yours and start a discussion of essays. In a group, each student has a better understanding of one type of essay than the other. Exchanging such ideas and concepts creates a perfect moment for digesting ideas. Besides, it is easy to ask a fellow student a question and get instant answers to your satisfaction.
Ask your teacher what are the different types of essays?
The best and straightforward way to understand different essay types is to discuss directly with your tutor. They have been in the same scenario as you before, and they have a better understanding of all the essay topics. Remember to write down notes from the teacher’s explanation for future reference.
Conclusion
Essay writing is an art every student should embrace. Whatever question comes your way, be ready to tackle it as required. Ensure you have an in-depth understanding of a topic before you start writing.
