 Types of Essays

There are many different types of essays, but they are often defined into four categories:
argumentative, expository, and compare and contrast.

 Argumentative essays

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a

strong thesis statement and a clearly defined stance on your topic. The aim is to convince the
reader of the thesis using evidence (such as quotations) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test the ability to research and present a position on a topic. This is the
most common type of essay at the college level most papers we write will involve some kind of
argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

 The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement

 The body presents your evidence and arguments
 The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

 Example

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of
the internet on education.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its
prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the
students surveyed used Wikipedia. An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its
use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic
writing”. Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among
their students, but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires
further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself
explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to
academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own
guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that
users should always read the references and check whether they really do support what the article
says. Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation
and referencing. The use of Wikipedia, therefore, has a positive side that merits deeper
consideration than it often receives.

 Expository essays

An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an

original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test the familiarity with a topic and the ability to organize and convey
information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at the college
level.

The introduction of an expository essay states the topic and provides some general background,
the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

 Example

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is an
example of expository essay.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes
Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the
press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for
the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be
reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The
Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across
the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural
production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

 Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

Comparing and contrasting is an important skill in academic writing. It involves taking two or
more subjects and analyzing the differences and similarities between them.
We might find ourselves comparing all kinds of things in an academic essay: historical
figures, literary works, policies, research methods, etc. Doing so is an important part of
constructing arguments.

Comparing and contrasting is also used in all kinds of academic contexts where it’s not explicitly
prompted. For example, a literature review involves comparing and contrasting different studies
on the topic, and an argumentative essay may involve weighing up the pros and cons of different
arguments.

 Structuring your comparisons

When comparing and contrasting in an essay, there are two main ways to structure your
comparisons: the alternating method and the block method.

 The alternating method

In the alternating method, you structure your text according to what aspect you’re comparing.
You cover both your subjects side by side in terms of a specific point of comparison. Your text is
structured like this:

 Point of comparison A
o Subject 1
o Subject 2
 Point of comparison B
o Subject 1
o Subject 2

The following is the example of alternating method

One challenge teacher’s face is identifying and assisting students who are struggling without
disrupting the rest of the class. In a traditional classroom environment, the teacher can easily
identify when a student is struggling based on their demeanor in class or simply by regularly
checking on students during exercises. They can then offer assistance quietly during the exercise
or discuss it further after class. Meanwhile, in a Zoom-based class, the lack of physical presence
makes it more difficult to pay attention to individual students’ responses and notice frustrations,
and there is less flexibility to speak with students privately to offer assistance. In this case,
therefore, the traditional classroom environment holds the advantage, although it appears likely
that aiding students in a virtual classroom environment will become easier as the technology, and
teachers’ familiarity with it, improves.

 The block method

In the block method, we cover each of the overall subjects that are being compared in a block.
We say everything we have to say about our first subject, then discuss the second subject,
making comparisons and contrasts back to the things we’ve already said about the first. The text
is structured like this:

 Subject 1
o Point of comparison A
o Point of comparison B

 Subject 2
o Point of comparison A
o Point of comparison B
 Example

The most commonly cited advantage of distance learning is the flexibility and accessibility it
offers. Rather than being required to travel to a specific location every week (and to live near
enough to feasibly do so), students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.
This allows not only for a wider geographical spread of students but for the possibility of
studying while travelling. However, distance learning presents its own accessibility challenges;
not all students have a stable internet connection and a computer or other device with which to
participate in online classes, and less technologically literate students and teachers may struggle
with the technical aspects of class participation. Furthermore, discomfort and distractions can
hinder an individual student’s ability to engage with the class from home, creating divergent
learning experiences for different students. Distance learning, then, seems to improve
accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.
Note that these two methods can be combined; these two example paragraphs could both be part
of the same essay, but it’s wise to use an essay outline to plan out which approach you’re taking
in each paragraph.