Types of essay

Types of Essay Expository Essay | Gives directions or instructions about how to complete a task, or how something is done. | – How to water ski or snow ski  – How to juggle work and school – How to lose friends – How to win an argument with your parents | Cause/Effect Essay | Focuses on a condition or situation and asks either why? (cause) or what is the result? (effect). | – second hand smoke (effects)  – poor grades (causes & effects) – staying up too late (effects) – teen suicides (reasons why & effects) | Definition Essay | Defines a topic both concretely (dictionary def.)and abstractly (extended def.).   A dictionary often defines a word three ways:   1. the term 2. the class to which it belongs 3. the characteristics that distinguish it. eg. truck (term) four wheeled vehicle (class) used for transportation (characteristic). | – Responsibility (facing the consequences of one’s actions)  – Best friends (what they are and are not) – snobs (how to recognize them in society) – courage (shown by common people in everyday life) | Comparison/Contrast Essay | Shows the differences and/or similarities between two persons, places, things, ideas, etc. | – Two friends or relatives who could be compared  – Two movies you have seen with similar characteristics/situations  – A foreign car and an American car – Knowledge and understanding | Argumentative  or Pro/Con Essay | Your opinion on a subject is argued based on reasoning and understanding.    a) You present objections and refute them b) You present points supporting your position | – Should women serve in the military?   – Should everyone go to university? – Should there be censorship on television? – Should students have a job while attending school? | Literary Analysis  Essay | Focuses on your observations about a book, story, poem, or play. | – How the conflict in ____ is more external than internal  – The love-hate relationship between two characters – How symbolism is important in revealing meaning in ____ | Character Analysis Essay | Focuses on your observations about a character in literature.   Your evaluation of the character is based on what that character says, does, and/or what other characters say about him/her. | – Describe the main character in ____  – What are the dominant character traits of the main character in ____  – Why does ___’s personality lead him to despair? |