Have you been assigned an essay and you’re not sure what’s expected of you? Here’s a range of guides to each of the different types of essay and assignments most often given to students. Using our guides, you’ll be able to choose the right essay structure to fully address what is being asked of you. We also have an overview of essay types here. Underneath the essay writing guides on this page you can read a guide to breaking down the essay question.
The dialectic essay is typically used in philosophy to explore the whole range of perspectives about a philosophical stance. Students often tend to endorse one opinion without being able to see the merits of the opposition’s point of view. For example, if the student is against abortion, they may be unable to understand why the … Read more
The abstract is a summary, usually of approximately 150-300 words, of what the reader can expect to find in the dissertation. Be concise and don’t reference or use quotes in this part. Your dissertation abstract is a highly condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered. The abstract concisely … Read more
The Purpose Instructors and professors often assign a five-paragraph essay to their beginning composition students. The five-paragraph essay is a useful assignment because the rigid structure helps students get a good grasp on how to organize an argumentative essay. This foundational format allows them to continue on to write longer and more sophisticated essays with … Read more
Purpose The purpose of an admissions essay is to help level the playing field between students applying to college who have different educational backgrounds. In addition, it helps schools identify students who have the capability to do well at the college or university who did not have a remarkable record in high school. By evaluating … Read more
What is an argumentative essay? An argumentative essay is an essay in which the author researches a controversial topic, takes a stance, and attempts to persuade the audience to agree with his or her position based on the evidence he or she has uncovered. This type of essay is carefully planned and usually takes several days … Read more
Understanding Cause and Effect Essays A cause and effect essay is one in which the writer makes a claim for why something happens (the cause) or what the result of something is (the effect). The essay may also deal with both causes and effects, exploring the intricate relationships between events and their outcomes. This type … Read more
Purpose The classification essay is designed to get students to think creatively and critically about categorizing information. In a classification essay, a student defines categories within a broader definition, breaking down complex topics into manageable and understandable segments. This type of essay requires students to analyze and organize information logically. For example, students might classify … Read more
Understanding Critical Essays A critical essay is a type of academic writing where the writer examines the work of another creator, be it a writer, artist, or a piece of legislation, and judges how successful that work is in achieving its aims. Unlike a simple review or a literary analysis, a critical essay goes deeper … Read more
Understanding Definition Essays A definition essay is a type of essay in which the writer defines a word. However, a definition essay must go beyond a dry dictionary interpretation. It should explore the word in different contexts, examine varying meanings of the word, and compare and contrast it to similar words. The aim is to … Read more
Understanding Analytical Essays An analytical essay requires that the writer go beyond simply describing or reporting on something. This type of essay involves a detailed examination of the elements or structure of the subject, which could be a text, event, or phenomenon. For example, an analytical essay on the Great Depression might look at the … Read more
Understanding Expository Essays An expository essay is a type of academic writing that provides information, explains a topic, or clarifies an idea to the reader. This form of essay is objectively written and usually research-based, aiming to present facts and details without personal bias or opinion. Examples of expository essays include a history class essay … Read more
Purpose The personal statement is a crucial component of the application process for admission into a graduate program. It serves as a platform for applicants to present themselves beyond their academic records and test scores. Given the competitive nature of graduate program admissions, where there are often dozens of applications for each available spot, the … Read more
Understanding Informal Essays An informal essay, unlike most formal academic essays, puts the writer and maybe even the audience front and center. This type of essay is characterized by a personal tone, conversational style, and the freedom to explore various topics in a less structured format. An informal essay can cover a variety of topics … Read more
Purpose An illustration essay is the simplest form of an argumentative essay. The primary objective of an illustration essay is to prove that something exists or to demonstrate a particular phenomenon. For example, a topic of an illustration essay might be sexism in the workplace. The main argument would be that sexism exists in the … Read more
Purpose The purpose of an evaluative essay is to teach students how to think critically and how to use examples to support their points. This type of essay encourages students to assess an item, idea, or piece of work, and then present an informed judgment based on specific criteria. Evaluative essays are relatively simple and … Read more
As well as understanding what type of essay you are being asked to write, sometimes, looking at the wording of the question helps you to understand more about the content of the essay that is expected. These are terms commonly used in essay questions:
Account for
Your tutor is asking you to explain or clarify an issue, or give reasons for something.
Analyse
Your tutor will expect you to resolve the essay question into component parts, examining the issues critically and minutely. It is likely you are being asked to write an analytical essay.
Assess
For this type of essay, you are being asked to determine the value of or weigh up a particular piece of evidence, statement or fact.
Compare
When asked to compare, you are required to look for similarities and differences between issues, perhaps reaching some conclusions about which is preferable. See compare and contrast essays.
Contrast
Your tutor here wants you to set different perspectives in opposition in order to bring out the differences. See compare and contrast essays.
Criticise
In a critical essay, you are being asked to make judgments (backed by the discussion of the evidence or reasoning involved). See critical essays.
Define
As you might expect, here you are expected to state the exact meaning of a word or phrase. In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possible meanings or often used definitions. See definition essay.
Describe
When asked to describe, you are expected to give a detailed or graphic account of a particular issue. See descriptive essay.
Discuss
If your tutor asks you to discuss an issue, you are expected to explain the issue, then give two or more sides of the issue and any implications
Evaluate
If asked to evaluate, you are expected to make an appraisal of the worth or validity or effectiveness of perhaps an issue, statement or piece of evidence in the light of its truth or usefulness (similar to assess).
Explain
When required to explain something, you need to make the meaning of it plain, interpret what is set out for you and account for it, i.e. give reasons why something is the case.
How far..?
Some essay questions begin ‘How far…?’. These require that you determine to what extent something is true. Usually this requires looking at evidence or arguments for or against, and weighing them up.
Illustrate
If your tutor asks you to illustrate something, you need to make the particular issue or point clear and explicit. It is a good idea to use carefully chosen examples.
Interpret
When required to interpret a particular statement, fact or issue, you need to explain the meaning of it, make everything clear and explicit, and usually giving a judgment or opinion on the issue in question.
Justify
When asked to justify something, you need to show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions, and to answer the main objection likely to be made about them.
Outline
Students are often required to outline a particular issue. This type of essay requires you to give the main features or general principles of the subject, omitting minor details and emphasising structure and argument (similar to summarise).
State…
This type of essay simply requires you to present a particular issue or fact in a brief, clear form.
Summarise…
An essay requiring you to summarise something needs to give a concise, clear explanation or account of the issue in hand, presenting the main factors and omitting any minor details and examples (similar to outline).
