An essay is a "short formal piece of writing..

dealing with a single subject" ("Essay,"

2001). It is typically written to try to persuade the reader using selected

research evidence ("Essay," 1997). In general, an academic essay has three parts:

1. An introduction that gives the reader an idea of what they are about to learn and

presents an argument in the form of a thesis statemen

2. A body, or middle section, that provides evidence used to prove and persuade the

reader to accept the writer's particular point of vie

3. A conclusion that summarizes the content and findings of the essay

Essay Examples and the 4 Main Types

There are four main types of essays: narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative. Each
has a unique purpose. Some tell a story, some are descriptive, and others attempt to alter
opinions. 

Narrative Essays
Narration means you’re telling a story from a certain viewpoint, and there is usually a reason for
the telling. All narrative essays have characters, setting, a climax, and most importantly, a plot.
The plot is the focus of the story and is usually revealed chronologically, but there are
sometimes flash-forwards and flashbacks. If you’re looking to write a personal narrative
essay, here are some tips to get you started.

When writing a narrative essay, remember to:

 Include sensory and emotional details, so the reader will experience the story, not just
read about it.
 Allow the story to support the point you’re making, and make reference to that point in
the first sentence.
 Write in the first or third person.
Descriptive Essays
Descriptive essays describe the traits and characteristics of people, objects, events, and
feelings in intricate detail. What’s being described will be thoroughly examined. For example, if
you were describing roses, you might want to detail:

 Their origin
 Their appearance
 Their color
 Their fragrance

When you write a descriptive essay, you want to involve the reader’s senses and emotions. For
example, you could say, "I got sleepy." Or, you could write, "While I waited for Santa, my eyelids
grew heavy, the lights on the tree began to blur, and my head began to droop." The second
excerpt provides vivid detail, allowing readers to feel like they’re there.

Expository Essays
Expository essays compare, explore, and discuss problems. While there’s a bit of a storytelling
element to them, their purpose is greater than that. It’s always to explain some integral concept
to the reader. As such, they inform, describe, and explain.

When writing an expository essay, the text needs to:

 Be concise and easy to understand.

 Offer different views on a subject.
 Report on a situation or event.
 Explain something that may be difficult to understand.

Argumentative Essays

In an argumentative essay, the writer is trying to convince the reader of something. He or she will
demonstrate the validity or falsity of a topic. The writer’s position will be backed up with evidence,
including statistics or the opinion of experts. In these essays, the writer isn’t merely offering an opinion,
but making an argument for or against something, and supporting that argument with data.