is also known as a definition essay. It is the most basic type of essay. It aims only to explain an idea or define a concept, without making an argument. In general, It is a short piece of writing that answers a question (for example, “How is paper made?”) as directly as possible.

It is similar to an expository essay in that it describes a concept, but it takes the topic one step further by presenting the advantages and disadvantages of the subject to provide an objective analysis. For instance, an expository essay would describe how the president is elected, while _________essay would describe how the president is elected and dive into the possible benefits and pitfalls of the electoral process.

is a type of essay that takes a stance on an issue. a writer attempts to persuade readers to understand and support their specific point of view about a topic by stating their reasoning and providing evidence to back it up. It is usually includes an introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs that feature a counterargument and data to back up your central thesis, and a conclusion.

is a literature-based essay, in which the writer breaks down a short piece of literature (often as small as a single sentence) in order to make an argument about what the author is trying to say. Similar to persuasive essays, It usually follows a traditional argument format—introduction, thesis, body, and conclusion—that uses textual evidence and other critics’ writing to back up its ideas.

is also called a personal essay or reflective essay, combines personal storytelling with an academic argument. This essay type allows the writer to make an argument or impart a lesson through personal experience. It is always nonfiction and is usually autobiographical, often written from the first-person point of view. Many personal statements, college application essays, and scholarship essays can also be classified as this type.

It aims to depict a certain event or object with vivid sensory details (sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound). It is often written in a more creative style—but it usually doesn’t tell a full story or try to make an argument.