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ENGLISH I – UNIT 4: PARAGRAPHS, ESSAYS, AND RESEARCH REPORTS
TYPES OF ESSAYS
Now that you’ve learned the most basic type of essay, the five-paragraph essay, you have a clearer understanding of how to organize information
into essay form. But wait, there’s more that you need to know. The five-paragraph essay is merely a structure for you to follow. It is a way of putting
the information in your essay together so that it is clear to your reader. What you need to understand now is that there are many types of essays.
Essays are written for different purposes. You will study six types of essays in this lesson. Keep in mind that essays are often longer than five
paragraphs, but all essays must contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Here is your goal for this lesson:
l Recognize characteristics of common types of essays.
expository essay written for the primary purpose of explaining or informing
narrative essay written for the primary purpose of telling a story or relating an event
persuasive essay written for the primary purpose of convincing the reader
descriptive essay written for the primary purpose of describing something
critical essay written for the primary purpose of exploring a literary work
comparison and contrast essay written for the primary purpose of pointing out the similarities and differences between two subjects
There are so many types of essays that we could not possibly learn them all in one lesson. Therefore, you will only be studying six of the most
common types of essays that students are asked to write.
They are:
l expository essay
l narrative essay
l persuasive essay
l descriptive essay
l critical essay
l comparison and contrast essay
Expository Essay
An expository essay is an essay that presents facts about a subject. Expository essays are used to explain or inform. You might write an expository
essay, for example, on dolphins, Colorado, or Thomas Jefferson. Also included in the expository essay category are those essays that explain how
to do something. Common examples might be how to pack a suitcase, how to change a tire, or how to plan a social event.
One thing to remember when writing an expository essay is that it is not necessary for you to prove anything or argue your opinion. In fact, this is
harmful in expository writing. You just need to give your reader clearly stated information. With this in mind, this is one essay in which your thesis
statement should not have an opinion in it. Furthermore, you should not use first person, such as “I” or “my” in expository writing.
Here are some examples of thesis statements used in expository writing:
l Dolphins are social animals as displayed in their behaviors and communication patterns.
l Colorado’s climate produces extreme weather.
l When planning a wedding, a couple must consider their needs, their wants, and their budget.
You encounter examples of expository writing every day. Newspaper articles, instructions on how to assemble a new piece of furniture, and
encyclopedia articles are all examples of expository writing. Reading through such examples can help you write your own expository essay.
Narrative Essay
You may be wondering if it is ever acceptable to use personal pronouns such as I and my in an essay. The answer is yes. The narrative essay is an
essay whose purpose is to tell a story. Narrative essays are not the kind of stories that we read in storybooks. Rather, a narrative essay shares a
personal experience and gives the reader the insight learned from that experience. Most often, a writer will write about his own experience.
However, a narrative essay may also tell about someone else’s personal experience, perhaps that of the writer’s mother, grandfather, or best
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friend.
Thesis statements used in narrative essays look like the following:
l Sometimes your greatest weakness can introduce you to your greatest strength.
l Last summer changed my life.
l The death of my grandfather taught me a great deal about myself.
Notice that in all of these thesis statements, we are introduced to the subject of the essay and we see that the story the writer is about to tell has a
very definite point. The writer does not just wish to tell us a story, but makes it clear that there is a greater truth to be learned from the story.
When organizing your narrative essay, you should introduce your subject with a thesis statement in your introductory paragraph. Your body
paragraphs should tell the story. Finally, your concluding paragraph should sum up the experience and explain the greater truth about life that was
revealed through the experience.
Persuasive Essay
A third type of essay, the persuasive essay, is written for the purpose of trying to convince the reader to agree with your point of view. The
persuasive essay can also be called an argumentative essay because you as the writer are trying to “argue” your point of view.
Although persuasive essays should not use personal pronouns such as I and my, they should most definitely state an opinion about something. The
tricky part is that the writer must use facts to convince the reader to agree with her. Examples of persuasive writing include television commercials,
political campaign ads, and research papers on controversial topics. All of these examples use facts to convince their audience to see things from a
particular point of view.
Before you begin writing a persuasive essay, you must decide on your topic. Then, you must determine whether you will argue in favor of
something or against something. Finally, you must decide what facts you will use to back up your argument. For example, let’s say you’ve chosen
to write on the topic of students wearing school uniforms in public schools. Next, let’s say that you want to argue in favor of mandating that students
wear school uniforms in public schools. Finally, you decide that you will argue your main points: wearing school uniforms increases campus
security, it solves the problem of students wearing inappropriate attire, and it decreases social conflicts among students.
Moving on with our example, now that you’ve decided your topic, your argument, and your main points, you’re ready to begin writing. The most
important sentence in your paper, your thesis statement, should be written next. This sentence will guide your whole paper. Here’s a possible thesis
statement: Public school systems should mandate that students wear school uniforms in order to increase campus security, help their students look
better, and promote a positive social environment.
Here are some thesis statements used by students writing persuasive essays:
l The local government should place parking meters in the downtown area to generate revenue from visitors, discourage illegal parking, and
force businesses to provide appropriate parking for their employees.
l Student athletes should be required to keep up their grades because it encourages responsibility, creates good student role models for
others, and places academics above sports.
l Laws prohibiting abortion protect unborn children and keep mothers emotionally and physically safe.
As always, you want to really grab your reader’s attention in the introduction. Sometimes, an alarming statistic or fact is the best way to do this in a
persuasive essay. You should also consider using researched facts throughout your essay. Proof through research makes your argument stronger.
Be sure to document your research properly using MLA format. The body of your essay should logically argue each main point with confidence.
Finally, use your conclusion to restate your points and call your audience to action. Your conclusion should drive the point home and make this a
paper that your reader will not soon forget.
Descriptive Essay
Descriptive writing requires some heavy thought as to how you will show your reader what you’re describing. Rather than just tell your reader, show
them through appealing to their five senses. What does this thing you’re describing look like? How does it sound, smell, and feel? Does it have a
taste to it? For example, instead of just telling your readers, “Grandpa had wrinkles,” show them by saying something like, “Grandpa’s face had the
appearance of many tiny winding roads. Each road was a separate journey.” See how much easier it is to visualize now? Appealing to the senses
gives a much more vivid description.
You might be wondering how to write a thesis statement for a descriptive essay. That’s a good question.
First of all, your thesis statement is just as important in a descriptive essay as it is in any other type of For More Information
essay. Your thesis statement will point out particular characteristics you will describe and define their
importance. For example, a thesis statement for a descriptive essay about your grandfather might be, Grandpa’s face is described as having
“Grandfather’s struggles were evident in his weakened body and his determined spirit.” the appearance of many tiny, winding
roads. This description is not just
Here are some other example thesis statements from descriptive essays: capable of producing a visual
description. It also implies that
l The land and the people of Iowa always tell me I’m home. Grandpa’s life has taken him through
l Mother was constant, beautiful, and strong. many life experiences. The winding
l I loved the look and feel of my first car. roads represent life’s journey’s and
Grandpa’s accumulated wisdom from
Your body paragraphs should provide specific examples of the characteristics you mentioned in your his experiences. In this way, the
thesis statement. Remember to continually appeal to the reader’s senses. Finally, the conclusion should description helps us understand
provide the reader with a summary and a reminder of your thesis statement one last time. You want to Grandpa’s character.
leave the reader with a sense of why this particular object, person, or place is so meaningful to you.
Critical Essay
The critical essay is an essay written for the purpose of exploring an artistic work. Critical essays are written about books, movies, new CD
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releases, and even for concert reviews. It is important to understand that a critical essay does not evaluate whether a literary work was good or
bad. You are not discussing whether you liked it or not. Rather, you are teaching your reader something about the work. What you want to do is
make a claim about the work and then back up your claim with evidence drawn from the text itself. The best way to present your evidence is to
provide the reader with direct quotes and paraphrases from the text. Be sure to use proper MLA documentation for these.
Let’s work through the process of creating a critical essay. Let’s say you’ve been asked to write a critical essay on the character of Ebenezer
Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. In case you’re unfamiliar with this story, it is about a very cold-hearted man who loves money
and will seemingly do anything he can to get more. On Christmas Eve, he is visited during the night by three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas past,
present, and future. Each spirit shows Ebenezer Scrooge part of his life and how his greed affects others. Through this experience, Ebenezer
changes and becomes loving and generous towards others.
Let’s say that you want to make a claim about Ebenezer Scrooge, proving that his prior unpleasant life experiences caused him to become cold-
hearted and greedy. You would need to make this claim in your thesis statement, and then provide evidence from the text to support your claim.
Your thesis statement might be something like, “Ebenezer’s unfortunate life experiences drove him to become cold-hearted and greedy.” The body
of your paper, then, would provide evidence from the text to support your claim. You could discuss Ebenezer’s loneliness at boarding school, his
uncaring father, and his lack of friends. As you present each piece of evidence, be sure to explain to your reader exactly how the evidence supports
your claim.
Here are some thesis statements taken from critical essays.
l Rolevaag’s description of the land mirrors Beret’s emotional struggles.
l Robert Newton Peck’s characters are clearly individuals who interpret life apart from their religious ideals.
l Charlie Gordon recognizes the characteristics of true friendship because of his operation.
The conclusion of your critical essay should not only summarize your main points, but it should briefly discuss how well the author did at presenting
the text. Finally, your conclusion should leave your reader with a feeling that he or she should continue thinking about your claim and whether the
text supports your claim.
Comparison and Contrast Essay
The final essay type you will study in this lesson is called the comparison and contrast essay. The purpose of a comparison and contrast essay is to
show how two subjects are similar and how they are different. To compare two things means to point out their similarities. To contrast them means
to show how they are different.
There are many possible subjects you might choose for a comparison and contrast essay. You could compare and contrast two kinds of cars. You
could talk about two vacation spots, two people, or two methods of communication. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your
two subjects must at least share a few things in common. Otherwise, you will have a very difficult time making comparisons.
The introduction of a comparison and contrast essay should briefly introduce both topics. As always, you need a well-developed thesis statement.
Let’s say you were going to write your paper on alligators and crocodiles. Your thesis statement might be, “Although both alligators and crocodiles
share some basic characteristics, they each have some very distinct features of their own.” Here are some other thesis statements from
comparison and contrast essays:
l Disney World and Disneyland both offer family fun; however, each comes with its own unique attractions.
l Although musicals and plays are both dramas, they are distinctly different forms of theater.
l Although Hawthorn’s book, The Scarlet Letter, and the 1995 movie by the same title directed by Roland Joffe share the same basic plot, there
are some profound differences that change the outcome of the story.
The body of a comparison and contrast essay must be carefully organized. Without deliberate and organized presentations of each point of
comparison and contrast, your reader will be lost. Worse yet, your paper will lose focus and appear to ramble.
There are two basic methods of organizing a comparison and contrast essay. They are the whole-to-whole method and the point-by-point method.
In the whole-to-whole method, the writer presents all of the information about his first subject before presenting any information about his second
subject. For example, if you were writing a comparison and contrast essay on alligators and crocodiles, you would first present all of the information
you have to share on alligators. Once you have exhausted this first subject, then you would present your second subject, crocodiles. Keep in mind
that you will need to decide beforehand which specific points you want to compare and contrast. You will need to discuss the same points in both
presentations. Let’s say that you want to point out similarities and differences in the two animals’ appearance, behavior, and biology. You would first
present information on the alligator’s appearance, behavior, and biology. Then, you would present the same information on the crocodile, making
certain to point out to your reader how these characteristics are similar and different that the alligator’s as you just mentioned.
Here is the general outline for the whole-to-whole method:
Introduction
I. Alligator
l A. Appearance
l B. Behavior
l C. Biology
II. Crocodile
l A. Appearance
l B. Behavior
l C. Biology
Conclusion
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In the second method, the point-by-point method, you would present information about both subjects at the same time. This method reveals
comparisons and contrasts one point at a time. Getting back to our example, this means that you would first discuss the similarities and differences
in the two animals’ appearance. Second, you would discuss the similarities and differences in their behavior. Finally you would discuss their
biology.
Here is a general outline for the point-by-point method:
Introduction
I. Appearance of alligators and crocodiles
l A. Similarities
l B. Differences
II. Behavior of alligators and crocodiles
l A. Similarities
l B. Differences
[Link] of alligators and crocodiles
l A. Similarities
l B. Differences
Conclusion
The organizational method you choose is really a matter of personal preference. In some cases, however, the subject matter you are presenting will
lend itself to one method over the other. Think your subjects through. Outline them using both methods. If one method seems to more clearly
present the subjects, use that one.
You have just finished studying six types of essays. Each type is written for a different purpose. Expository essays present facts. Narrative essays
tell a story. Persuasive essays try to convince your reader. Descriptive essays appeal to the senses. Critical essays attempt to teach your reader
something about a literary work. Finally, comparison and contrast essays show the similarities and differences between two subjects.
Depending on the type of essay you are writing and the breadth of the topic you are covering, the length of your essay will vary. It is important to
keep in mind, however, that there are some basic parts of your essay structure that should always be included. You should always have an
introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Most importantly, you need a focused and well-developed thesis statement to keep your essay headed in
the right direction.
Problem Number: 1
Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay contains an opinion?
expository
comparison and contrast
persuasive
descriptive
Problem Number: 2
Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay is used to tell readers about a special event in your life?
critical essay
narrative essay
expository essay
comparison and contrast essay
Problem Number: 3
Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay would have the following thesis statement?
Canoeing and white water rafting use upper body strength, but different skills must be developed in order to be successful at each activity.
persuasive essay
critical essay
expository essay
comparison and contrast essay
Problem Number: 4
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Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay would have the following thesis statement?
America's Groundhog Day has produced a yearly tradition, influenced pop culture, and made many groundhogs famous.
critical essay
narrative essay
expository essay
comparison and contrast essay
Problem Number: 5
Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay would have the following thesis statement?
My grandmother's Victorian home gave one the feeling that he had traveled back in time.
descriptive essay
critical essay
expository essay
persuasive essay
Problem Number: 6
Student Grade: A (100%)
Which type of essay would be used to explain how to prepare a dinner party?
descriptive essay
narrative essay
expository essay
persuasive essay
Problem Number: 7
Student Grade: F (0%)
Using documented research will make your argument stronger in a persuasive essay.
True
False
Problem Number: 8
Student Grade: A (100%)
Some essays do not need a thesis statement.
True
False
Problem Number: 9
Student Grade: F (0%)
A critical essay points out what you particularly enjoyed about a literary work.
True
False
Problem Number: 10
Student Grade: F (0%)
It is usually best to use the whole-to-whole method when writing a comparison and contrast essay.
True
False
Problem Number: 11
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Student Grade: A (100%)
Match the description to the type of essay.
critical essay teaches the reader something about a literary work
descriptive essay appeals to the five senses
expository essay its main purpose is to present information to the reader
narrative essay tells a story
comparison and contrast essay shows the similarities and differences between two subjects
persuasive essay tries to convince the reader
These are the possible matching answers:
critical essay
comparison and contrast essay
persuasive essay
expository essay
narrative essay
descriptive essay
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