Kinds of essay

Description Essay

In a description essay, you write about what a person, place, or thing is like. You organise the essay by describing different parts or aspects of the main subject.

Example question: Write an essay describing your English classes.

Introduction:	Introduce what an English class is.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Describe how it starts: half the group is late while the other half is not ready for the class. 2. Describe what the teacher's reaction is: a lecture on importance of good attendance and doing home assignments, then - frantic and not very successful attempts to adjust the lesson plan to accommodate the fact that nearly no one is ready. 3. Describe what students like about their English classes: the saved-by-the-bell game.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise what English classes are like.

Explanation Essay

In an explanation essay, you explain how or why something happens or has happened. You need to explain different causes and effects. You should organise the essay by explaining each individual cause or effect.

Example question: Write an essay explaining why students do not do home assignments.

Introduction:	Give background information on students' life and studies.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Explain first reason: lack of time. 2. Explain second reason: tiredness. 3. Explain third reason: laziness. 4. Explain fourth reason: boring uninteresting assignments.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise main reasons.

Definition Essay

When you are writing a definition essay, you take a term or an idea and write about what it is. Often, definitions are combined with classification or other forms of organisation in the essay. You need to give a careful definition of the key term before going on to discuss different types or examples

Example question: Write an essay defining types of students one is likely to come across at our university.

Introduction:	Define the key term 'student'.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Define one type of students: natural born truants. 2. Define another type of students: pretenders. 3. Define the rare type: hard-working teachers' pets - nearly extinct.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise types of students.

Classification Essay

In a classification essay, you separate things or ideas into specific categories and discuss each of them. You organise the essay by defining each classification and by giving examples of each type.

Example question: Write an essay discussing the types of excuses students make when coming late for their classes.

Introduction:	Give background information about students' behaviour when they come late for classes.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Define and describe the "Sorry! I've been unlucky! (lost keys, traffic jams, urgent telephone calls etc.)" type of excuses. 2. Define and describe the "Sorry! I was held up by the Dean/ teacher of something/ a man looking for something." type of excuse. 3. Define and describe the "It's none of your business, teacher. I pay for my classes and I don't have to apologise when I turn up late." type of excuses.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise students' excuses.

Compare and Contrast Essay

In a compare and contrast essay, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, or things. You can organise the essay by writing about one subject first and then comparing it with the second subject. A more effective way is to organise the essay by comparing each subject by category.

Example question: Write an essay comparing students’ attitude to work and entertainment at the beginning and at the end of a semester.

Introduction:	Introduce students' way of life: a mix of work and fun at different proportions depending on the time of the year.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Compare students' attitude to work at the beginning and end of a semester. State what the similarities and differences are. 2. Compare students' attitude to entertainment at the beginning and end of a semester. State what the similarities and differences are.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise the similarities and differences.

Sequence Essay

In a sequence essay, you are writing to describe a series of events or a process in some sort of order. Usually, this order is based on time. You organise the essay by writing about each step of the process in the order it occurred.

Example question: Write an essay outlining the stages of students' studies at university.

Introduction:	Describe what a student is like.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Describe an eager-to-learn first-year student who doesn't know how to study. 2. Describe an eager-to-have-fun second- or third-year student who doesn't know why study. 3. Describe a fourth- or fifth-year student who knows how and why study but is too spoilt now to do it.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise the main steps of students' academic life cycle.

Choice Essay

In a choice essay, you need to choose which object, idea, or action that you prefer. You organise the essay by describing each option and then giving your opinion.

Example question: Write an essay choosing between morning and afternoon shifts at university.

Introduction:	Introduce the subject.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the morning shift. 2. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the afternoon shift. 3. State which shift you prefer and why.
Summary paragraph:	Summarise your findings.

Evaluation Essay

In an evaluation essay, you make judgements about people, ideas, and possible actions. You make your evaluation based on certain criteria that you develop. Organise the essay by discussing the criteria you used to make your judgement.

Example question: Write an essay evaluating the importance of attending your Speech Practice classes.

Introduction:	Give your judgement on whether good attendance is important to master your English.
Supporting paragraphs:	1. Explain first criteria: having fun with one's fellow students while the teacher is trying hard to make his students work. 2. Explain second criteria: a chance to practice your language skills - if any. Explain third criteria: better chances to pass one’s exam from the first, maximum second attempt.
Summary paragraph:	Conclude with an overall judgement about the importance of attending Speech Practice classes more or less regularly.

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