The cause and effect style of essay writing is one of the most common forms. In cause and effect essays, writers discuss the relationship between the factors that started an event and that event's results. Essays that focus on the cause and effect of an event are usually written in chronological order, starting with the actions that led to an event, then focusing on the changes brought about by the event.
In a compare and contrast essay, the writer focuses on two or more items, persons or events and discusses many of their differences and similarities. To write a good compare and contrast essay, a writer should choose topics that have some similarities and some differences. A well-written essay that compares and contrasts subjects can have one of two purposes: The essay can inform readers about the paper's topics or it can function to help readers make a decision between the topics discussed in the essay.
A definition essay presents a clear, straightforward definition of a subject. Definition essays are worded simply, making them easy to understand. Writers use descriptions and multiple examples in definition essays to clearly define the paper's subject.
Writers use descriptive essays to paint a picture of their subjects. Successful descriptive essays leave readers with an overall feeling or mental image about the paper's topic. In a descriptive essay, a writer discusses details of his topic that appeal to all five senses--sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste--when applicable.
A narrative essay is an essay that tells a story. Narrative essays contain vivid details that paint a picture of an event, allowing the reader to feel as if she were experiencing the actions firsthand. In narrative essays, writers re-create happenings, including emotions and moods to make the story come alive.
The purpose of a persuasive essay is to sway readers toward one side of an argument or decision. In persuasive essays, writers clearly state their opinions and support them with facts and statistics. Persuasive essays consider opposing viewpoints and explain their shortfalls. A successful persuasive essay will be enthusiastic and energetic, showing the writer's strong belief in his argument.
A process analysis essay functions like a how-to guide. In process analysis essays, writers discuss the steps needed to perform a certain action. Readers should be able to clearly follow the steps in a process analysis essay to complete the essay's task. Writers should present the steps in a process analysis essay clearly in chronological order, giving needed detail to each step.