Essays categorized into two: formal and informal.

Formal essays are generally published in academic journals and are intended to further the progress of research into a certain subject. The writers of formal essays recognize that their research builds on the findings of others and will potentially inspire still further research and essay-writing; therefore, essay writers often use secondary research and direct observation. Secondary research consists of reading and analyzing the work of other researchers. The essay-writer then links his essay to its foregoer and influences by providing documentation.

Informal essays are generally written both to inform and to entertain. They may also attempt to persuade the reader to accept or reject an opinion or point-of-view of the writer. Informal essays are published in popular magazines rather than academic journals or even in school official publication. Informal essays may allude to sources of information, but they do not always provide documentation of secondary research.

TYPES OF ESSAY:

Expository Essay - Gives directions or instructions about how to complete a task, or how something is done.

Cause/Effect Essay - Focuses on a condition or situation and asks either why? (cause) or what is the result? (effect).

Definition Essay - Defines a topic both concretely (dictionary def.)and abstractly (extended def.).


A dictionary often defines a word three ways:

1. the term
2. the class to which it belongs
3. the characteristics that distinguish it.

eg. truck (term) four wheeled vehicle (class) used for transportation (characteristic).

Comparison/Contrast Essay - Shows the differences and/or similarities
between two persons, places, things, ideas, etc.

Argumentative or Pro/Con Essay - Your opinion on a subject is argued based on reasoning and understanding.
a) You present objections and refute them
b) You present points supporting your position

Literary Analysis Essay - Focuses on your observations about a book, story, poem, or play.

Character Analysis Essay - Focuses on your observations about a character in literature. Your evaluation of the character is based on what that character says, does, and/or what other characters say about him/her.