Good writing matters in lots of jobs.
When you’re trying to get your point across, it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve.
Essays are one way to do that. They come in different flavors, each with its own perks for getting your message across loud and clear.
Knowing the ins and outs of these can make you a better writer and make sure your ideas hit the mark every time. Let’s keep reading to know more about it.
Essays – What Do You Need to Know about Them?
Essays can be different, each serving a specific purpose: persuading or informing readers about a topic. Knowing which type suits your message helps you craft a better piece. I mean, if you talk to some skilled essay writers from Paper Help, you will be able to learn more about it.
Sometimes, like in school or job applications, the type is pre-determined.
Other times, it’s up to you. You might aim to sway opinions, delve into abstract ideas, or stir emotions. The choice often depends on your goal.
For instance, if you’re teaching a process, a step-by-step process essay works best.
Types of Essays
1: Narrative Essay
Think of narrative essays as your chance to dive into your own experiences and share them with others. It’s like telling a story about yourself, whether it’s the thrill of your first time behind the wheel alone or conquering something that used to scare you silly.
These essays are where you can let your creativity shine, whether you’re scribbling them down for a college application or weaving them into your job pitch.
In these essays, you can use literary tricks, such as metaphors or dialogue, to make your story engaging. Start with a catchy opening and give enough background for readers to follow along.
Wrap up with a conclusion that sums up your main point or goals, like how an experience shaped your career ambitions.
2: Descriptive Essay
Descriptive essays are like detailed portraits of their subjects, whether it’s a person, place, thing, or event. Instead of following a strict timeline like stories, they zoom in on the tiny details, offering readers a vivid snapshot.
To write an engaging descriptive essay, your aim is to immerse your readers in the experience. You want to ignite their senses and evoke emotions. How?
Well, choose words that vividly describe, create clear images, and be incredibly specific about what you’re talking about. Use various dynamic verbs and colorful adjectives—they’re like spices for your writing, adding zest and making it captivating.
3: Expository Essay
Remember back when snagging a book was like striking gold?
It was a whole ordeal, with monks painstakingly copying them out by hand. That made books rare treasures, but way too pricey for the average Joe.
Then along comes Johannes Gutenberg with his genius printing press. It was like magic—boom! Suddenly, books were rolling off the press like there’s no tomorrow, and everyone could afford to get their hands on some knowledge.
It was a game-changer, sparking this awesome era where ideas spread like wildfire, and learning became way more accessible. Gutenberg was the real MVP, no doubt about it!
4: Political Essay
Ever think about those essays you had to read in history class? You know, the ones where big-shot writers talk about how society should run?
Well, they’re called political essays, and they’re all about how things are going down now and how they reckon we should sort it out. Remember folks like Thomas Hobbes, John Rawls, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau? Yeah, they were all about that.
Take, for instance, Sarah Katz’s piece, “The Era of Easier Voting for Disabled People Is Over.”
She dives into how during the pandemic, voting got a bit easier for folks with disabilities. But now, with new laws trying to tackle voter fraud, it might throw a wrench in the works for these voters. It’s like a real-life tug-of-war between making voting accessible and keeping things legit.
5: Compare-and-Contrast Essay
So, you know those essays where you gotta compare and contrast stuff?
Yeah, they’re common in school. Basically, you’re looking at two things, finding what’s similar and what’s different, and then talking about it.
Could be anything from comparing two books you had to read, like Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” to comparing historical figures or even processes. Sometimes they throw in a twist and ask you to compare more than two things, but usually, it’s just a pair.
These essays are usually about explaining stuff, like showing how two things are related or not. But sometimes, they can also be about convincing someone of something.
Like, you could compare two arguments to persuade someone to take your side.
For example, you might write about how both Melville and Poe show characters getting stuck in their own misery in their books. It’s all about digging into how they do it and what it means.
So, next time you’re stuck with one of these essays, just remember, it’s all about finding the similarities and differences, and then telling people what’s up.
Bonus: College (Application) Essay
So, not every essay you crank out in college counts as a college essay. Surprise, surprise!
Unless you’re applying to some fancy grad school or a specific academic program down the line, you’ll likely write all your college essays before you even step foot on campus.
Now, let’s talk about these special essays, often dubbed college application essays or personal statements. They’re like a little window into your soul for the college you’re eyeing up.
They’re short and sweet, giving a sneak peek into what makes you tick and why you’re the perfect fit for that school. Usually, you get some prompts to guide you through the writing process. Think of them like helpful nudges to get your creative juices flowing.
If you’re curious about what a killer college essay looks like, there are loads of examples out there. You can check out websites like collegeessayguy.com or even hit up your school’s stash of successful essays, like what Johns Hopkins offers on their site.
Take, for instance, this gem called “Switching Shoes” by a recent Johns Hopkins admittee. The dude talks about how stepping into a new sport totally shook things up for him.
It wasn’t just about the game; it was about learning to take feedback like a champ, speaking up when needed, and seeing his sport in a whole new light.
So, yeah, college essays are like your chance to shine before you even set foot on campus. Dive in and show ’em what you’re made of!
