GUİDE TO DİFFERENT KİNDS OF ESSAYS
Descriptive:
Examples: A descriptive essay could describe . . .
* a tree in my backyard;
* a visit to the children's ward of a hospital;
* a hot fudge sundae;
* what an athlete did in order to make it to the Olympics.
The descriptive essay provides details about how something
looks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds. It can also
describe what something is, or how something happened. These
essays generally use a lot of sensory details. The essay could be a
list-like description that provides point by point details. Or, it could
function as a story, keeping the reader interested in the plot and
theme of the event described.
Definition:
Examples: A definition essay may try and define . . .
* the meaning of an abstract concept, like love;
* the true meaning and importance of honesty;
* how the meaning of family goes deeper than just your blood
relatives.
A definition essay attempts to define a specific term. It could try to
pin down the meaning of a specific word, or define an abstract
concept. The analysis goes deeper than a simple dictionary
definition; it should attempt to explain why the term is defined as
such. It could define the term directly, giving no information other than the explanation of the term. Or, it
could imply the definition of the term, telling a story that requires the reader to infer the meaning.
Compare/Contrast:
Examples:A compare/contrast essay may discuss . . .
* the likenesses and differences between two places, like New York City
and İstanbul;
* the similarities and differences between two religions, like İslam and
Christianity;
* two people, like my brother and myself.
The compare/contrast essay discusses the similarities and differences
between two things, people, concepts, places, etc. The essay could be an unbiased discussion, or an
attempt to convince the reader of the benefits of one thing, person, or concept. It could also be written
simply to entertain the reader, or to arrive at an insight into human nature. The essay could discuss both
similarities and differences, or it could just focus on one or the other. A comparison essay usually
discusses the similarities between two things, while the contrast essay discusses the differences.
Cause/Effect:
Examples:A cause/effect essay may explain . . .
* why a volcano erupts, and what happens afterwards
* what happens after a loved one's death.
The cause/effect essay explains why or how some
event happened, and what resulted from the event.
This essay is a study of the relationship between two
or more events or experiences. A cause essay
discusses the reasons why something happened.
