Essay Types and Modes You'll Need to Write for College

~TYPES~

You Want Us to Write What? Understanding the Task Assigned

Which academic essay writing types we use depends upon which 
disciplines (or classes) we write for. Each instructor or 
professor will assign papers that invite us to reveal in 
writing what we have learned/what we think about the 
material for that particular class:

* ANALYTIC-A classic style used in art, science, history, 
psychology, education, and most other disciplines across the 
curriculum to explore and investigate an idea, process, 
person, action, or attitude.

* ARGUMENTATIVE-Used in more advanced English classes, in 
philosophy, and in courses which include theory.

*COMPARATIVE/CONTRASTIVE-Used in most courses where specific 
analysis of like and unlike elements, characters, and ideas 
lend themselves to comparison.

*DEFINITIONAL-Written when we apply a more thorough study to 
a topic, especially an abstract one.

*DESCRIPTIVE-Used to more intensively, more concretely cover 
an idea, item, or subject.

*EVALUATIVE-Often confused with analytical, the evaluative 
essay moves beyond the what and how to the how much…we put 
a value on the topic here.

*EXPLANATORY-Also called the expository essay (though I tend 
to see all essays as expository, as exposing a truth about 
something). With this type we further our own and our 
readers’ understanding of the subject.

*PERSONAL-Also called the response essay, the personal style 
essay is still well written (readable for an audience other 
than the writer), but is more informal–containing narrative 
details that entertain.

*RESEARCH-While most essay types will include references or 
will quote authorities, the research essay is mostly 
informational, using the findings–the stats and facts–we 
made investigating the findings of others.

~MODES~

Modes and Types and Modes…Oh Crimeny! Avoiding Confusion

We need not panic when called upon to do a specific type of 
college paper writing. Why? Because we already use the 
types…on a smaller scale.

That is, we use miniature versions of the essay types when 
we write paragraphs for the complete essay. A type and a 
mode are the same thing, then. One is just smaller, while 
the other is an extension of the smaller.

For example, we write about the forms and functions of 
gossip for a sociology paper. We open with a definition 
paragraph that shows how the word “gossip” originated from 
the word “gospel.” Then we continue to discuss how gossip 
brings people closer–emotionally, spiritually, and even 
physically.

Go Easy on Yourself: Your Confusion is Understandable

Just as we might call all writing expository, we call one 
type and one mode an expository type of essay and an 
expository mode of writing. So is the piece I’m writing 
explanatory, definitional, comparative? I include 
explanatory elements. I use definition and example. I slip 
a comparison in, too.

Here’s one way to look at types/modes:

–We write a paragraph or passage in a certain mode. –We 
can then turn that smaller piece into a whole essay, into 
one long, extended mode.

Here’s another way to look at types/modes:

We buy a box of gourmet chocolates. We lift one from the 
box: we understand that the thing we hold in our hands is a 
chocolate. It also has chocolate in it.

Here’s one more way to look at types/modes:

You own a Camaro with a Corvette engine. They’re both 
Chevys.

You’re Going to What, Now? Confuse Us All Over Again?

No. Now that we have the types/modes separated enough to 
understand the difference, I’ll just remind you of one more 
thing: we can and usually do overlap the modes. No one 
piece of academic essay writing exists in one isolated mode 
alone. It includes many varied sub-styles to make it more 
engaging, entertaining, and expository.

Complete Essay
Online Essay