Definition of Types of Essay

An essay is a short academic composition. The word “essay” is derived from a French word
“essai” or “essayer,” which mean “trail.” In composition, however, an essay is a piece of
non-fiction writing that talks or discusses a specific topic. Presently, essay is part of every
degree program.

Each subject has specific requirements for the essays to be written. Some subjects need
longer essays, while others need shorter ones, such as a five-paragraph essay. In
composition, the start is made from a five-paragraph essay. Based on the requirements, there
are seventeen types of essays.
Types of Essay
1. Definition Essay
As the name suggests, a definition type of essay defines different things, ideas, and
perceptions.
2. Narrative Essay
A narrative essay is a narration like a short story. It is, however, different from a short
story in that it is written in an essay format.
3. Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay describes something to make readers feel, smell, see, taste, or hear
what is described.
4. Expository Essay
An expository essay exposes things in detail to make readers understand without any
complications.
5. Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is meant to convince the target audience to do something or not do
something.
6. Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay is meant to present arguments in the favor of something. It
has an additional fourth body paragraph that is meant to present opposite arguments.
7. Analytical Essay
An analytical essay analyzes something, such as in literature an analytical essay
analyzes a piece of literature from different angles.
8. Comparison and Contrast Essay
A comparison and contrast essay makes either a comparison, a contrast, or both
between two different or similar things.
9. Cause and Effect Essay
A cause and effect essay makes readers understand the cause of things, and their
effects on other things.
10.Critical Essay
A critical essay is written on literary pieces to evaluate them on the basis of their
merits or demerits.
 11.Process Essay
A process essay outlines a process of making or breaking or doing something that
readers understand fully and are able to do it after reading it.
12.Synthesis Essay
A synthesis essay means to synthesize different ideas to make a judgement about their
merit and demerits.
13.Explicatory Essay
An explicatory essay is meant to explain a piece of literature. It is often written about
poems, short stories, and novels.
14.Rhetorical Analysis Essay
A rhetorical analysis essay evaluates a speech or a piece of rhetoric on the basis of
rhetorical strategies and devices used in it.
15.Review Essay
A review essay discusses the merits and demerits of a book and evaluates it through a
review.
16.Simple Essay
A simple essay is just a five-paragraph essay that is written on any topic after it is
specified.

17.Research Essay
A research essay revolves around a research question that is meant to answer some
specific question through a research of the relevant literature.
A narrative essay is a type of essay that has a single motif, or a central point, around which
the whole narrative revolves. All incidents, happenings, and characters revolve around a
single motif presented in the narrative. A narrative essay is similar to a simple five-paragraph
essay, in that it has the same format. It is only different in that it is a narrative, having
characters, incidents, and dialogues.

Difference Between a Narrative Essay and a Short Story

A narrative essay has a specific format, specific aspect to discover, and a specific motif. It
revolves around that motif set by the writer prior to writing the essay. A short story,
however, is different from a narrative essay in that it does not revolve around a pre-set motif,
and that it does not have a specific format. Also, a short story always leaves readers at a
critical juncture with the desire to discover more. In contrast, a narrative essay ends when the
readers are fully satisfied. They do not wish to read any more or do not want to discover
anymore.

Elements of a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay has three required elements: character, theme, and dialogue.

Character

Characters are an important part of a narrative essay. Even if the essay is autobiographical in
nature, the person writing the essay is a character involving some other characters who act,
behave, and do like all other characters presented in stories and novels.

Theme or Motif

A narrative essay revolves around a theme or a motif. This theme or motif is presented in
its thesis statement, which breaks it down into three distinct evidences. These three distinct
evidences are then further elaborated through characters in body paragraphs.

Dialogue

Dialogue is used to capture the conversation between characters. In a narrative essay,

dialogue is the third important element, without which the characters lose their worth and
liveliness.

Examples of Narrative Essays in Literature

Example #1: New Directions (by Maya Angelou)

“Annie, over six feet tall, big-boned, decided that she would not go to work as a domestic
and leave her “precious babes” to anyone else’s care. There was no possibility of being hired
at the town’s cotton gin or lumber mill, but maybe there was a way to make the two factories
work for her. In her words, “I looked up the road I was going and back the way I come, and
since I wasn’t satisfied, I decided to step off the road and cut me a new path.” She told
herself that she wasn’t a fancy cook but that she could “mix groceries well enough to scare
hungry away and keep from starving a man.”

This paragraph is an example from a narrative essay of Maya Angelou. She has described
how a girl looks, and how she behaves. She has also written direct dialogues to show that it
is a narrative.

Example #2: Saturday Evening Post (by Russell Baker)

“When I burst in that afternoon she was in conference with an executive of the Curtis
Publishing Company. She introduced me. He bent low from the waist and shook my hand.
Was it true as my mother had told him, he asked, that I longed for the opportunity to conquer
the world of business?

My mother replied that I was blessed with a rare determination to make something of myself.

‘That’s right,’ I whispered.

‘But have you got the grit, the character, the never-say-quit spirit it takes to succeed in
business?’

My mother said I certainly did.”

In this piece from a narrative essay by Russell Baker of the famed Saturday Evening Post,
the author has fully described the efforts of his mother by her dialogue. Both character and
dialogue are very clear.

Example #3: Only Daughter (by Sandra Cisneros)

“Once several years ago, when I was just starting out my writing career, I was asked to write
my own contributor’s note for an anthology I was part of, I wrote: ‘I am the only daughter in
a family of six sons. That explains everything.’

“Well, I’ve thought about that ever since, and yes, it explains a lot to me, but for the reader’s
sake I should have written: ‘I am the only daughter in a Mexican family of six sons.’ Or
even: ‘I am the only daughter of a Mexican father and a Mexican-American mother.’ Or: ‘I
am the only daughter of a working-class family of nine.’ All of these had everything to do
with who I am today.”

In this essay, the author has given full description of a daughter – how she looks and how she
behaves.

Function of Narrative Essay

A narrative essay describes people, presents their conversation, and narrates their
experiences to teach lessons to readers. In fact, it is like a story, but different in that it is
weaved around a motif. A motif is given before the incidents of the essay. Readers become
aware of this single theme, central idea, or motif once they go through the essay. Its major
aim is to provide information about life experiences and lessons learned from those
experiences.
Expose means to uncover or lay something bare, or to discover something in a way that
others know what it is. Expository is derived from exposition, which is a noun of ‘expose.’
An expository essay is a genre of writing which tends to explain, illustrate, clarify, or
explicate something in a way that it becomes clear for readers. Therefore, it could be an
investigation, evaluation, or even argumentation about an idea for clarification.

Types of Expository Essay

Expository essay is further divided into five major categories.

1. Descriptive Essay: A descriptive essay describes something, some place, some

experience, or some situation through sensory information.
2. Process Essay: A process essay explains or shows a process of making or doing
something.
3. Comparison Essay: A comparison essay makes comparison and contrasts between
two things.
4. Cause/Effect Essay: A cause and effect essay finds out the cause of something and
then its effects on something else.
5. Problem/Solution Essay: A problem/solution essay presents a problem and its
solution for readers.

Difference Between an Expository Essay and an Argumentative Essay

As is clear, an expository essay is an exposition, explanation, investigation, or illustration for

the purpose of clarification, therefore, its tone is often kept neutral. However, in
an argumentative essay, a clear position about something is taken before the argument is
presented. There is no issue of objectivity or neutrality.

Examples of Expository Essay in Literature

Example #1: How Chinese Mothers are Superior (by Amy Chua)

“I’m using the term ‘Chinese mother’ loosely. I know some Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Irish
and Ghanaian parents who qualify too. Conversely, I know some mothers of Chinese
heritage, almost always born in the West, who are not Chinese mothers, by choice or
otherwise. I’m also using the term ‘Western parents’ loosely. Western parents come in all
varieties. All the same, even when Western parents think they’re being strict, they usually
don’t come close to being Chinese mothers. For example, my Western friends who consider
themselves strict make their children practice their instruments 30 minutes every day. An
hour at most. For a Chinese mother, the first hour is the easy part. It’s hours two and three
that get tough.”

This is an excerpt from a comparison/contrast essay by Amy Chua, which explains how
mothers are different in different cultures. This paragraph compares mothers from Chinese,
Iranian, Jamaican, and Irish contexts.

Functions of an Expository Essay

The function of an expository essay is to clarify and expose things, ideas, persons, and places
through description, process, comparison/contrast, or through problem solution. The
objective of this type of essay is to make readers aware of things given in the essay. It proves
full and detailed information in a way that readers become knowledgeable about the topic.
A descriptive essay, as the name implies, is a form of essay that describes something. In
this genre, students are assigned the task of describing objects, things, places, experiences,
persons, and situations. The students use sensory information to enable readers to use their
five senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight to understand the topic of the essay.

Qualities of a Descriptive Essay

 Clear and Concise
 Use of Images

 Use of Five Senses

As far as clear and concise language is concerned, it is necessary to describe things

precisely. Imageryis used to make things seem real and remarkable. The use of the five
senses creates the imagery, or a mental picture, for each reader.

Difference Between a Description and a Descriptive Essay

A description could be just a paragraph, or it could be longer, as needed to fully describe the
thing. However, a descriptive essay has five paragraphs. It is written in a coherent way with
a good thesis statement at the end of the introduction, three body paragraphs, and
a conclusion.

Examples of Descriptive Essays in Literature

Example #1: The Corner Store (by Eudora Welty)

“Our Little Store rose right up from the sidewalk; standing in a street of family houses,
it alonehadn’t any yard in front, any tree or flower bed. It was a plain frame building covered
over with brick. Above the door, a little railed porch ran across on an upstairs level and four
windows with shades were looking out. But I didn’t catch on to those. Running in out of the
sun, you met what seemed total obscurity inside. There were almost tangible smells —
licorice recently sucked in a child’s cheek, dill pickle brine1 that had leaked through a paper
sack in a fresh trail across the wooden floor, ammonia-loaded ice that had been hoisted from
wet croker sacks and slammed into the icebox with its sweet butter at the door, and perhaps
the smell of still untrapped mice.”

This description of the “Little Store” is not only clear and concise, but also has images and
sensory information about the store building.

Function of Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay presents a person, place, or thing, in a way that readers feel as if it is in
front of their eyes, or that they are tasting it, or that they can hear it, or that they can smell it.
Writers use sensory information to describe object. The object of the writer is to present a
picture of something as honestly as he can.
Persuasive Essay

The term “persuasive” is an adjective derived from verb “persuade,” which means “to
convince somebody.” A persuasive essay is full of all the convincing techniques a writer can
employ. It presents a situation, and takes a stand – either in its favor, or against it – to prove
to readers whether it is beneficial or harmful for them.

Why Persuasion?

The question arises why persuasion if the people are already aware of everything. Its answer
is that each person’s ability of seeing and understanding things depend on his vision. He
believes only what he sees or is told about. If another side of the coin is shown, the people do
not believe so easily. That is why they are presented with arguments supported with
evidences, statistics and facts. Persuasion is done for these reasons:
 1. A Better World: To ask the people that if they accept your argument, it will be good
for them to take action and make the world a better place.
2. A Worse World: It means that if readers do not do what they are asked to do, the
world will become a worse place.
3. Call to Action: It means to persuade or tempt readers to do what the writer wants
them to do.

Difference Between a Persuasive Essay and an Argumentative Essay

A persuasive essay is intended to persuade readers to do certain things, or not to do certain

things. It is the sole aim of the writer to coax or tempt readers, and force them to do certain
things or take actions. However, an argumentative essay intends to make readers see both
sides of the coin. It is up to them to select any of the two. In other words, an argumentative
essay presents both arguments; both for and against a thing, and leaves the readers to decide.
On the other hand, a persuasive essay intends to make readers do certain things. Therefore, it
presents arguments only about one aspect of the issue.

Examples of Persuasive Essay in Literature

Example #1: Our Unhealthy Obsession and Sickness (by Frank Furedi)

“Governments today do two things that I object to in particular. First they encourage
introspection, telling us that unless men examine their testicles, unless we keep a check on
our cholesterol level, then we are not being responsible citizens. You are letting down
yourself, your wife, your kids, everybody. We are encouraged continually to worry about our
health. As a consequence, public health initiatives have become, as far as I can tell, a threat
to public health. Secondly, governments promote the value of health seeking. We are meant
always to be seeking health for this or that condition. The primary effect of this, I believe, is
to make us all feel more ill.”

This is an excerpt from a persuasive essay of Frank Furedi. It encourages people to think
about how the government is helping public health. Both the arguments of persuasion start
with “First” in the first line and with “Secondly” in the second last line.

Function of a Persuasive Essay

The major function of a persuasive essay is to convince readers that, if they take a certain
action, the world will be a better place for them. It could be otherwise or it could be a call to
an action. The arguments given are either in the favor of the topic or against it. It cannot
combine both at once. That is why readers feel it easy to be convinced.
Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a type of essay that presents arguments about both sides of an
issue. It could be that both sides are presented equally balanced, or it could be that one side
is presented more forcefully than the other. It all depends on the writer, and what side he
supports the most. The general structure of an argumentative essay follows this format:

1. Introduction: Attention Grabber / hook, Background Information, Thesis Statement

2. Body: Three body paragraphs (three major arguments)
3. Counterargument: An argument to refute earlier arguments and give weight to the
actual position
4. Conclusion: Rephrasing the thesis statement, major points, call to attention,
or concluding remarks.

Models for Argumentative Essays

There are two major models besides this structure given above, which is called a classical
model. Two other models are the Toulmin and Rogerian models.
Toulmin model is comprised of an introduction with a claim or thesis, followed by
presentation of data to support the claim. Warrants are then listed for the reasons to support
the claim with backing and rebuttals. However, the Rogerian model asks to weigh two
options, lists strengths and weaknesses of both options, and gives a recommendation after an
analysis.

Examples of Argumentative Essay in Literature

Example #1: Put a Little Science in Your Life (by Brian Greene)

“When we consider the ubiquity of cellphones, iPods, personal computers and the Internet,
it’s easy to see how science (and the technology to which it leads) is woven into the fabric of
our day-to-day activities. When we benefit from CT scanners, M.R.I. devices, pacemakers
and arterial stents, we can immediately appreciate how science affects the quality of our
lives. When we assess the state of the world, and identify looming challenges like climate
change, global pandemics, security threats and diminishing resources, we don’t hesitate in
turning to science to gauge the problems and find solutions.

And when we look at the wealth of opportunities hovering on the horizon—stem cells,
genomic sequencing, personalized medicine, longevity research, nanoscience, brain-machine
interface, quantum computers, space technology—we realize how crucial it is to cultivate a
general public that can engage with scientific issues; there’s simply no other way that as a
society we will be prepared to make informed decisions on a range of issues that will shape
the future.”

These two paragraphs present an argument about two scientific fields — digital products and
biotechnology. It has also given full supporting details with names.

Function of Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay presents both sides of an issue. However, it presents one side more
positively or meticulously than the other one, so that readers could be swayed to the one the
author intends. The major function of this type of essays is to present a case before the
readers in a convincing manner, showing them the complete picture.
Analytical Essay

Analytical implies the breaking down of something into parts, or the discussion of something
in a way that it becomes a dissection of the whole. An analytical type of essay differs from
other types of essays in that its primary goal is to explain something bit by bit to enhance
understanding. Most of the times, an analytical essay is written about the analysis of a text,
or a process, or an idea. In literature, however, it is a critical analysis of some literary text
which is done to enhance its understanding.
Difference Between an Analytical Essay and a Critical Essay

An analytical essay is just an analysis of a literary text. By contrast, a critical essay involves,
not only an analysis of the text in question, but also dissection of the literary terms and
devices used by the author to make his meanings clear. The critical essay also explains the
functions of the literary terms used, and evaluates their usage, and whether they have
achieved the intended purposes or not.

Types of Analytical Essay

1. Cause and Effect: One way of analyzing something is to discuss the cause of
something, and its effect on other things.
2. Comparison and Contrast: Another way of analyzing something is to compare and
contrast things among themselves.
3. Classification: Classification is yet another method of analyzing things, to learn of
their nature.
4. Process: Process is also a type of analysis writing.
5. Definition: Defining things is also a way of analyzing the nature of things.

Examples of Analytical Essay in Literature

Example #1: Liposuction: The Key to Energy Independence (by Barbara Ehrenreich)

“I say to my fellow humans: It’s time to stop feeding off the dead and grow up! I don’t know
about food, but I have a plan for achieving fuel self-sufficiency in less time than it takes to
say ‘Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.’ The idea came to me from reports of the growing
crime of French fry oil theft: Certain desperate individuals are stealing restaurants’ discarded
cooking oil, which can then be used to fuel cars. So the idea is: why not skip the French fry
phase and harvest high-energy hydrocarbons right from ourselves?”

This is an excerpt from the essay of Barbara Ehrenreich, in which she has made comparison
and contrast between human beings and animals, regarding food choices. This is a good
analysis of the food we use.

Function of Analytical Essay

An analytical essay dissects something such as a concept, an idea, a thing, or even

a character. Its major aim is to enhance the understanding of readers. An analysis could be
done through a process, definition, classification and division, or comparison and contrast.
The thing or idea is broken into several parts, through classification and division, and then
analyzed. A process is broken into several steps for analysis. Not only do analytical essays
enhance understanding, but they also make readers aware of minute details of things.
Cause and Effect Essay

Human beings often try to find root causes of things, happenings and phenomena. This
research leads to the discovery of effects, too. It is because human beings always desire to
understand reasons for things, and why they happen. A composition written to find out
reasons and results is called a cause and effect essay. It makes discovery of the causes of
something and resultantly finds out effects.

Signal Words for Cause and Effect Essays

Cause and effect uses special words for causes, effects, and predictions, such as led to,
because, cause, reason, explanation, so etc. However, for effects, the words most commonly
used are therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, then, and thanks to. For predictions, the
most commonly used words are if, when, after, as soon as, may, might, or possible.

Examples of Cause and Effect Essay in Literature

Example #1: Why We Crave Horror Movies (by Stephen King)

“I think that we’re all mentally ill: those of us outside the asylums only hide it a little better
—and maybe not all that much better, after all. We’ve all known people who talk to
themselves, people who sometimes squinch their faces into horrible grimaces when they
believe no one is watching, people who have some hysterical fear—of snakes, the dark, the
tight place, the long drop … and, of course, those final worms and grubs that are waiting so
patiently underground.

When we pay our four or five bucks and seat ourselves at tenth-row center in a theater
showing a horror movie, we are daring the nightmare.

Why? Some of the reasons are simple and obvious. To show that we can, that we are not
afraid, that we can ride this roller coaster. Which is not to say that a really good horror movie
may not surprise a scream out of us at some point, the way we may scream when the roller
coaster twists through a complete 360 or plows through a lake at the bottom of the drop. And
horror movies, like roller coasters, have always been the special province of the young; by
the time one turns 40 or 50, one’s appetite for double twists or 360-degree loops may be
considerably depleted.”

Stephen King tells the reasons people like to watch something horrible or terrible. This
passage sheds light on those reasons.

Function of Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay explains the real situation to readers. Readers understand what lies
behind a happening, and how it effects, or how it will impact, human beings. Mostly, such
essays are used for scientific topics. It is because these essays explore the nature of things,
and their likely effects on us, or the things around us.
A comparison and contrast essay compares two similar objects, or contrasts dissimilar
objects, in a way that readers become informed about the advantages and disadvantages of
both the objects. Readers are then able to weigh pros and cons of the objects compared and
contrasted to select a better product. It, however, does not mean that it is only a comparison
or contrast of products, it could be a situation after which readers are to make a decision,
weighing pros and cons. Although a comparison and contrast essay is set to demonstrate both
similarities as well as differences, sometimes it only shows similarities, and at other times,
only differences.

Difference Between a Division/Classification and Comparison/Contrast Essay

A division and classification essay, like comparison and contrast essay, is also an analysis
essay whose objective is to break a thing or idea, or an essay into bits for analysis. A
comparison and contrast essay, however, intends to point out qualities and deficiencies in
things, or explain bad and good aspects of an issue. This is mostly done for decision making
purposes.

Examples of Comparison and Contrast Essay in Literature

Example #1: A Slow Walk of Trees (by Toni Morrison)

“His name was John Solomon Willis, and when at age 5 he heard from the old folks that “the
Emancipation Proclamation was coming,” he crawled under the bed. It was his earliest
recollection of what was to be his habitual response to the promise of white people: horror
and an instinctive yearning for safety. He was my grandfather, a musician who managed to
hold on to his violin but not his land. He lost all 88 acres of his Indian mother’s inheritance
to legal predators who built their fortunes on the likes of him. He was an unreconstructed
black pessimist who, in spite of or because of emancipation, was convinced for 85 years that
there was no hope whatever for black people in this country. His rancor was legitimate, for
he, John Solomon, was not only an artist but a first-rate carpenter and farmer, reduced to
sending home to his family money he had made playing the violin because he was not able to
find work. And this during the years when almost half the black male population were
skilled craftsmen who lost their jobs to white ex-convicts and immigrant farmers.”

This passage compares two types of attitudes about the author’s grandfather; one of the
black community and the other of the response of the white to this blackness.

Functions of a Comparison and Contrast Essay

A comparison and contrast essay helps readers reach a critical decision. It could be a
comparison and contrast of two products, two objects, two things, or two issues. Readers
read the essays, weigh all aspects, and then decide whether to make a purchase and decide in
favor of one thing or not. This type of essay also makes readers more cognizant of the
situations or issues discussed.
Process Essay

As the name suggests, this type of essay explains a process of making or breaking
something. These essays are often written in chronological order, or in numerical order to
show step-by-step processes. They are written in descriptive or prescriptive modes. Although
it is not a technical communication, it sounds like having all the qualities of a technical
document. The only difference is that it is often written in descriptive mode, while a
technical document is mostly in imperative mode.
Transition in a Process Essay

As process essay provides step-by-step approach of doing something, they have

typical transitionwords. These transition words make readers understand what has been done
and what will follow next. Some of the specific transition words could be immediately,
initially, in the end, in the future, in the meanwhile, later, next, soon, eventually,
finally or firstly, and secondly.

Examples of Process Essay in Literature

Example #1: Community Re-Discovered (by Heidi Ramirez)

“In any community, there are several and varying ways in which residents fulfill a sense of
community: participating in intramural sports, attending farmers’ markets, walking with
neighbors, attending political meetings, helping the elderly, visiting the library, and
volunteering for youth groups. It’s knowing the people in these interchanges, not just being
familiar with faces, that build strong community. Unfortunately, when this basic
engagement is overlooked, communities can begin to disintegrate.”

This an excerpt from a process essay by Heidi Ramirez. It sets the tone of a process how
communities integrate with each other. It clearly shows the sequence of the integration
process.

Function of a Process Essay

A process essay gives reader a sense of complete how-to-do process of making or creating
some objects or things. Readers, after going through the essay, are able to create and make
things. Although it is not like imperative instructions, it gives full details in a descriptive or
prescriptive mode. It is because its major objective is not to present trite and dry instructions,
but lively language to make readers read it with interest and do the act with enthusiasm.
A definition essay is a type of essay that defines a term, a concept, or an idea. The
difference, however, in a simple definition and a definition essay is that a simple definition is
a literal definition, while a definition essay covers all the connotative and denotative
definitions of a term. A definition essay introduces the term, concept, or idea being defined,
presents clear and specific information about the term, and uses examples to clarify it.

Writing an Effective Thesis Statement for a Definition Essay

A thesis statement is the heart of an essay. The same is the case with a definition essay in
which a thesis statement plays a key role in defining the term. The introduction just gives a
good hook and background information. It is the thesis statement which presents the major
points of the definition. Like all thesis statements of five-paragraph essays, the thesis
statement of a definition essay has three major evidences that relate to the definition of the
term, idea, or concept being defined. However, it just keeps the topic limited to the definition
by structure, by function, or by analysis.

Difference Between a Definition and a Definition Essay

Words, ideas, and concepts have various connotative meanings in different contexts. One
concept in one text could be entirely different from the same concept used in another text. In
order to explain in meticulous detail, various definitions are collected and analyzed.
Definitions are also based on structure and analysis as well as functions. When these
definitions are discussed according to their roles in different contexts, it is called a definition
essay. A definition is just a simple statement about a term, but a definition essay is a
discussion of several definitions of the same term.

Examples of Definition Essays in Literature

Example #1: An Argument Against Happiness (by Marc Gellman for Newsweek)

“Why is it that bad people can be happy? The reason is that happiness as defined by our
culture has become just a synonym for pleasure, and anyone can feel pleasure. A good meal,
a winning team, a fabulous vacation can make even the biggest criminal feel just as happy as
the most noble hero. The problem is the linkage between happiness and pleasure. Feeling
good has no natural connection to doing good. But it does in the teachings of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as in the good and decent lives
of those who do not find their life’s guidance from ancient-wisdom traditions. For all these
people, happiness is linked to goodness, not pleasure.”

This paragraph defines what happiness is. Although it is not a complete definition essay, it is
part of a definition essay. Just check how happiness is defined and elaborated in different
ways.

Function of Definition Essay

A definition essay tends to define a term and settle or resolve a controversy. Readers, when
reading a definition essay, finds themselves making distinctions among different definitions
of a term. It presents a full picture of different usages of the same term in different contexts,
making readers aware of all the contextual interpretations.
Critical Essay

Contrary to the literal name of “critical,” this type of essay is not only an interpretation, but
also an evaluation of a literary piece. It is written for a specific audience, who are
academically mature enough to understand the points raised in such essays. A literary essay
could revolve around major motifs, themes, literary devices and terms, directions, meanings,
and above all – structure of a literary piece.
Evolution of the Critical Essay

Critical essays in English started with Samuel Johnson. He kept the critical essays limited to
his personal opinion, comprising praise, admiration, and censure of the merits and demerits
of literary pieces discussed in them. It was, however, Matthew Arnold, who laid down the
canons of literary critical essays. He claimed that critical essays should be interpretative, and
that there should not be any biasor sympathy in criticism.

Examples of Critical Essay in Literature

Example #1: Jack and Gill: A Mock Criticism (by Joseph Dennie)

“The personages being now seen, their situation is next to be discovered. Of this we are
immediately informed in the subsequent line, when we are told,

Jack and Gill

Went up a hill.

Here the imagery is distinct, yet the description concise. We instantly figure to ourselves the
two persons traveling up an ascent, which we may accommodate to our own ideas of
declivity, barrenness, rockiness, sandiness, etc. all which, as they exercise the imagination,
are beauties of a high order. The reader will pardon my presumption, if I here attempt to
broach a new principle which no critic, with whom I am acquainted, has ever mentioned. It is
this, that poetic beauties may be divided into negative and positive, the former consisting of
mere absence of fault, the latter in the presence of excellence; the first of an inferior order,
but requiring considerable critical acumen to discover them, the latter of a higher rank, but
obvious to the meanest capacity.”

This is an excerpt from the critical essay of Joseph Dennie. It is an interpretative type of
essay in which Dennie has interpreted the structure and content of Jack and Jill.

Functions of a Critical Essay

A critical essay intends to convey specific meanings of a literary text to specific audiences.
These specific audiences are knowledgeable people. They not only learn the merits and
demerits of the literary texts, but also learn different shades and nuances of meanings. The
major function of a literary essay is to convince people to read a literary text for reasons
described.
Format of an Essay

Generally, a simple a five-paragraph has five paragraphs including an introduction, three

body paragraphs, and a conclusion. An argumentative essay, however, has an additional
paragraph which presents counter argument or opposing arguments in the same sequence.
However, at the end of this paragraph, both the arguments are weighed in the favor of
stronger arguments presented earlier in three body paragraphs.
The format of an argumentative essay is given below:

A. Introduction

2 Background 3 Thesis
1 Hook
Information Statement

B. Body Paragraph

2. 3Supportin
1. Topic Sentence
Explanation/Example g Details

C. Counter 4. Transition Sentence

 Argument

3.
2.
1 Topic Sentence Supporting
Explanation/Example
Details

4 Comparison of Body
D. Conclusion
Paragraph Arguments

1 3. Concludi
Rephrasing ThesisSt 2. Summary of Points ng
atement Remarks
Function of Types of Essay

An essay is a specific discussion or debate on a topic from a specific point of view. A student
discusses the topic from his own specific angle. Readers not only get a glimpse of what the
other aspect of the topic is, they also come to know about the tone and voice of the student
writers to decide whether he has achieved a certain level of capability in writing. In literary
essays, a writer becomes discusses the influence that literary piece has upon the readers
about a certain point of view. Essays are also useful in winning public approval about certain
political ideas.

The linking words list below is essential for

IELTS writing task 2 for high score.
Listing
This is often used to either put your paragraphs in order or
used inside the paragraph to list your supporting points.

 firstly
 secondly
 thirdly
 fourthly
 lastly /last but not least / finally
Adding Information
You will need to support your main points in your IELTS
essay. These linkers inform the reader that extra
information is about to be presented.

 in addition
 additionally
 furthermore
 moreover
 also
 not only … but also
 as well as
 and
Giving Examples
It is often useful to give examples to support your ideas in
IELTS writing task 2. Make sure you use this range of
linking words to do so.

 for example
 one clear example is

 for instance

 such as

 namely

 to illustrate

 in other words

To learn how to put examples in sentences for essay

writing, please follow this link: How to Add Examples to
Essays.
Results and Consequences
These linking devices can be used for solution essays or
any essay when you need to explain the consequences of
something.

 as a result
 consequently
 therefore
 thus
 hence
 so
 for this reason
Highlighting and Stressing
It is important to be clear about what you mean in your
essay. These linking words help you stress particular
points.

 particularly
 in particular
 specifically
 especially
 obviously
 of course
 clearly
Concessions and Contrasts
You often need to give opposite ideas, particularly for
discussion essays so the linking words below will help you
show the reader when you want to introduce an opposite
point. Also you might want to give exceptions to a rule for
a concession.

 admittedly
 however
 nevertheless
 even though
 although
 but
 despite
 in spite of
 still
 on the other hand
 by contrast
 in comparison
 alternatively
 another option could be
Reasons and Causes
These connecting words will help you explain reasons and
causes for something which is very common in IELTS
writing task 2, especially for cause / solution essays.

 because
 owing to
  due to
 since
 as
Giving your Opinion
 in my opinion
 I think
 I believe
 I admit
 in my view
 I concur / agree
 I disagree / I cannot accept
Concluding Linkers
 in conclusion
 to conclude
 to sum up
.
General explaining
IELTS Writing Task 2:
1. IELTS recommend you spend no more than 40 mins
on writing task 2. However, the time is yours to
manage as you wish.
2. You should write over 250 words.
3. IELTS writing task 2 is worth only about 66% of your
total writing marks.
4.You will be marked on:
1. Task Response (25%)
2. Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
3. Vocabulary (25%)
4. Grammar (25%)
IELTS Essay Structures
Nearly all of Task 2 essays follow this basic structure:

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

1. Opinion (Agree or Disagree)

2. Advantages and Disadvantages

3. Problem and Solution

4. Discussion (Discuss both views)

5. Two-part Question

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Typical Question Words–What is your opinion?Do you agree or disagree?To what extent do you agree or
disagree?Direct question.

Example Question–
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school
programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger
children).

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Structure
Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement (It is agreed…/It is disagreed…/This essay agrees/disagrees…)

Sentence 3- Outline Sentence (This essay will discuss….)

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- Topic Sentence

Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence

Sentence 3- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- Topic Sentence

Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence

Sentence 3- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary and opinion

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Save
Typical Question Words: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Example Question

Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Structure
Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- State One Advantage

Sentence 2- Expand/Explain Advantage

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Result

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- State One Disadvantage

Sentence 2- Expand/Explain Disadvantage

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Result

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- Opinion

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)

Save
Typical Question Words

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while
others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
Structure
Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- State first viewpoint

Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 4- Example to support your view

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- State second viewpoint

Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 4- Example to support your view

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Problem and Solution Questions

Save
Typical Question Words

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Example Question

Students are becoming more and more reliant on computers.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible
solutions?

Structure
Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- State Problem

Sentence 2- Explain problem

Sentence 3- Result

Sentence 4- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- State Solution

Sentence 2- Explain Solution

Sentence 3- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- Recommendation or Prediction

Two-Part Questions
Save
Typical Question Words

There will normally be a statement and they will then ask you to answer to separate questions.

Example Question

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of
individual wellbeing.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

Structure
Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- Answer first question directly

Sentence 2- Explain why

Sentence 3- Further explain

Sentence 4- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- Answer second question directly

Sentence 2- Explain why

Sentence 3- Further explain

Sentence 4- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary
 Comparison of IELTS and TOEFL
TOEFL iBT
Accents Mostly North American English accents.
used:
Length of 4 hours
test:
Reading 60–100 minutes (sometimes shorter,
Section: sometimes longer).
The TOEFL Reading section asks you
to read 4-6 academic English passages
(all of the same level of difficulty) and
answer multiple-choice questions about
them.
Questions test comprehension of the
text, main ideas, important details,
vocabulary, inferring, rhetorical devices
and style.
Listening Length: 40-60 minutes
Section: Campus conversations & Lectures
Take notes 40-60 mins multiple choice
The Listening Section presents 2-3
longer conversations and 4-6 lectures.
The situations are always related to
university life (eg: a conversation
between a student and a librarian about
finding research materials). All
questions are multiple choice and ask
you about important details, inferences,
tone, and vocabulary.
The conversations and lectures are
spoken in very natural English and
include informal English, ‘filler’ words
like ‘um’ and ‘er’.
Speaking Length: around 20 minutes.
IELTS (Academic)
Range of international English
accents.
2 hours, 45 minutes
3 passages x 20 mins
Starts ‘easy’, gets harder.
Questions are taken from academic
textbooks, newspapers or
magazines (all academic English).
There are about 15 different types
of questions which IELTS may
choose to use. These include:
short answer, multiple choice,
match a heading, True/False/Not
Given, complete a summary, locate
the information and others.
Listening: around 30 minutes
The IELTS has four listening
sections. The first is a
"transactional conversation" in
which someone may be applying
for something (eg: a driver's
license, a library card) or asking for
information. The second section is
an informational lecture of some
kind. The third section is a
conversation in an academic
context and the final section is an
academic lecture.
Question types that may be used:
complete a summary, fill in a table,
multiple-choice, label a diagram or
picture, classify information into
different categories. Answers are
first written into a test booklet and
then transferred onto an answer
sheet later.
Length: 12-15 minutes.
Section: You sit at a computer, wearing
headphones and a microphone.
6 different university-type questions are
asked and recorded. Your test is
assessed by an examiner on another
day, after the test.
Two questions will be on familiar topics
and ask you to give your opinion and/or
describe something familiar to you (eg:
your town or your favorite teacher).
Two questions will ask you to
summarize information from a text and a
conversation – you may be asked your
opinion as well.
Two questions will ask you to
summarize information from a short
conversation.
Writing Length: 50 minutes.
Section: Two questions. Answers are typed into
a computer.
The first question is an ‘Integrated task’
which involves reading a short passage
(around 300 words long) and listening to
a 2-minute lecture about the same topic
(the listening may support or contradict
the reading). You must take notes as
you listen. You then must write a 150-
225 word answer to a question about
what you just read and listened to. You
are given 30 minutes to plan, write and
edit your essay.
The second question involves writing an
essay of 300-350 words. The essay
must state, explain and support your
thinking on a particular issue.
Test is recorded.
The speaking module may be held
on the same or different day from
the rest of the test. It is conducted
by a trained, live examiner and
consists of 3 Parts.
Part 1 is a brief introductory
conversation followed by some
short questions about familiar
topics (eg: the interviewer may ask
about your hometown, your job,
your favourite food, your hobbies,
etc).
In Part 2, you will be given a card
with a topic and a specific question
to answer. You will have to speak
for 1-2 minutes on this topic.
In Part 3, the interviewer will ask
you questions related to the
question asked in Part 2.
Length: 1 hour
Two tasks. Answers are
handwritten.
For Task 1, you will need to
describe information in a graph,
table or diagram. You need to
write 150 words.
For Task 2, you will need to write
an argument (eg: The solution to
the pollution problem is to
dramatically increase the cost of
fuel) or discussion (eg: what is
happiness) on a topic. You will
need to write 250 words and IELTS
suggests you spend 40 minutes on
the answer.
 3.International grants and scholarships ( arranging documents)
Educational grant – is a great opportunity for students to get money for education, accommodation, transport
and scientific researches realization. The majority of European countries have special programs to
sponsorship talented students in their high schools.
Depending on the country and type of funding, there are grants that:

 Fully cover the cost of education

 Cover educational costs, student fees, accommodation, foods, transport
 Paid as a monthly scholarship
 Cover only 75%, 50% or 25% of educational costs
 Designated for specific specialties and areas of study
 Designated exclusively for students with financial difficulties
Usually, foreign students are respected in European universities, which are ready to give scholarships for
education and different grants. But in a majority of cases there are some requirements to all candidates,
without any exception.
The most popular criteria for getting grant:

 The confirmation of enrollment on a full-time form of study at the university, who cooperate with the
program , or provides grants for study
 High school invitation
 High academic achievements in education
 High level of language of the country, where you plan to study (it is obligatory criteria in Germany,
England, Czech Republic)
 Active life position, leadership qualities, initiative, etc.
There is also an information about the terms and amounts of funding; there are one and two semester
scholarships, for one year of studying with the possibility of continuation, and also for two and three years.
The amount of scholarship in every country is counted depending on the cost of education and the amount of
students’ costs to the room rent, foods and transport.
The majority of programs provide only one time participation in the competition. This means that one
student can get the grant for education only once. Although there are programs, which can be continued, and
you can participate few times.
It is important, that the majority of programs start to pick the applications from candidates for a few months
before the learning process. Usually this period is about November-January, if the learning process starts
from the September next year.
That is why you would better start the preparation earlier. Also there are programs, which do not need the
application separately. And commission goes through the candidates for scholarship among all people, who
applied to study.