The Four Main Essay Types

AP Writing Expectations

In AP courses, there are certain expectations for the structure and organization of your writing. When you complete your Performance Tasks, you will want to make sure that you use the lessons from those modules to help you craft the assignments. However, there are four main essay types outside of the AP requirements that you want to be familiar with. Read through the essay types and example below:

Type 1: The Informative (Expository) Essay

Informative Essay Characteristics

Choose a topic
- Remember this is not an argumentative essay, so you will not be trying to prove a claim -- you are simply informing readers about a certain topic
- For example, instead of "Sports," you could write about "The Benefits of Playing Soccer."
Develop a Thesis Statement
- A thesis statement is one sentence that tells the reader what your essay is about. It should be clear and focused.
  - Example: Regular exercise provides many benefits to several parts of the human body

The developed body paragraph structure discussed in previous modules remains the same, but you would change the overall focus to your informative topic
- Notice how each commentary needs at least 2-3 developed sentences.
  - Thesis: Serving the President of the United States of America has several benefits but contains aspects some people do not prefer in a career.
  - Body 1 Topic: The President of the United States has a great amount of power which appears beneficial in certain situations.
  - Evidence: Today, “[t]he President of the United States must be ready to travel anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. Fortunately, modern presidents have access to a variety of transportation options - including flying aboard Air Force One” (“Air Force One”).
  - Commentary: The president has his own airplane that he can use, so he can travel around the world whenever he wants or needs. Having an airplane at one’s disposal reveals power that few people have.
  - Evidence: In government, “[e]very bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it with his objections…” (US Const. amend. 1 sec. 7).
  - Commentary: The president does not have to allow a law that he thinks is not good for the country. The ability to choose what laws are helpful reveal the great amount of power the President holds.
  - Conclusion Sentence: Overall, the President holds a lot of power that can help him, so he has a lot of responsibility to use his power wisely.
View examples of Informative (Expository) Writing: Download the writing elements associated with an Expository Essay and a printout of these elements.

Type 2: The Argumentative (Persuasive) Essay

The Purpose of Argumentative Writing

Writers who need to convince or persuade the reader that the opinion or claim of the writer is valid will use persuasive writing. Argumentative writing often appears in the business world such as marketing, advertising, or lobbying among other fields using any form of persuasion. Remember that argumentative essays will include a counterclaim paragraph since this is an argumentative essay.

Argumentative Writing Characteristics

Argumentative (Persuasive) writing is an essay genre that introduces an argument by expressing an opinion and attempts to support that argument.
- Identify Opposing Views: Before writing your argument, anticipate the objections your audience may have.
- Refute with Evidence: After presenting a counterargument, use evidence to refute it.
- Strengthen Your Argument: By addressing counterarguments, you show that your position is well-thought-out and resilient against criticism. This technique can make your overall argument more convincing.
The developed body paragraph structure discussed in previous modules remains the same:
- Repeat the example structure below for all body paragraphs
- Notice how each commentary needs at least 2-3 developed sentences.
  - Thesis: Teen driving comes with risks.
  - Body 1 Topic: With less experience, teen drivers get into more accidents than other drivers.
  - Evidence: Research finds that “teen drivers aged 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash” (CDC 15).
  - Commentary: Unfortunately, teen drivers just make more mistakes than other drivers which lead to severe consequences. Some of these mistakes include being distracted while driving.
  - Evidence: For example, “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds—at 55 mph, that's like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed" (NHTSA 5).
  - Commentary: Keeping a teenager off a phone is a very difficult task. Younger drivers tend to allow distractions such as phones to affect their driving and cause accidents.
  - Conclusion Sentence: To keep roads safe, teenagers need stricter rules and education about driving.

Review the various elements used in Argumentative writing: Download the writing elements associated with a Persuasive Essay and a printout of these elements.
Rhetorical appeals can also help to strengthen your argument; they are techniques used to persuade an audience. There are three main types of rhetorical appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos.
- The introduction and conclusion paragraphs are great places to use pathos for an Argumentative Essay:

1. 1. 1. Ethos (Ethical Appeal): Ethos establishes your credibility as a writer. By demonstrating knowledge of the subject or sharing personal experience, you build trust with your audience. For example, when analyzing The Great Gatsby, consider referencing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s background or the historical context of the Jazz Age to strengthen your argument.
    2. Pathos (Emotional Appeal): Pathos appeals to the audience's emotions. Use vivid language, anecdotes, and imagery to evoke feelings. For instance, if discussing the character of Gatsby, you might highlight his dreams and struggles, making readers empathize with his tragic fate.
    3. Logos (Logical Appeal): Logos relies on reason and evidence. Present logical arguments supported by data, facts, or logical reasoning. For example, when analyzing a theme like the American Dream in The Great Gatsby, you would provide specific characters from the text who did or did not achieve their dream. You could also use statistics from the 1920s to help you prove a point as well.

Type 3: The Literary Analysis Essay

The Purpose of a Literary Analysis

Writing a literary analysis is all about breaking down a piece of literature (like a novel, poem, or short story) and examining its elements to understand how they work together to create meaning. You will be writing a literary analysis essay later in the course.

Literary Analysis Characteristics

Understand the work (poem, play, short story, novel, etc.)
- Before you start writing, make sure you really understand the text you’re analyzing.
  - Read it carefully and think about what the author is trying to say.
  - Take notes on important themes, characters, symbols, and events.
Choose your focus
- Decide what specific part of the text you want to focus on such as:
  - Themes
  - Characters
  - Symbols
  - Literary Devices
  - Author's Style
Develop a thesis statement that is tailored for a literary analysis essay; remember that literary analysis thesis statements must include the title and author of the work you are writing about
- Example:
  - In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the symbolism of the green light to represent Gatsby's unattainable dreams.
- Example:
  - In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare shows that impulsive decisions lead to tragic consequences through the characters' actions.
The developed body paragraph structure discussed in previous modules remains the same, but you would change the overall focus to what you are analyzing in your chosen work of literature
- Notice how each commentary needs at least 2-3 developed sentences.
  - Thesis: One important theme in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is the destructive power of love.
  - Body 1 Topic: The relationship between Romeo and Juliet leads to a tragic outcome due to their love.
  - Evidence: When first seeing Juliet, Romeo says, "Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night" (Shakespeare 1.5.45-46).
  - Commentary: Romeo's love for Juliet overwhelms him, leading him to forget about the girl he was just in love with. He is ready to completely forget about anything and everything for Juliet - even the fact that they are mortal enemies - which will ultimately lead to tragedy.
  - Evidence: When the nurse goes to find Juliet for her marriage, she cries out, "She's dead, deceased, she's dead; alack the day!" (Shakespeare 4.5.25).
  - Commentary: Juliet fakes her own death in order to get out of marrying anyone other than Romeo. She is willing to forget about her family and her obligations for someone she has known for just a short time. By putting these actions in motion due to how overpowered she is by love, Juliet and others will suffer the consequences.
  - Conclusion Sentence: Overall, Romeo and Juliet's relationship reveal that love, when not handled properly, can lead to death and sadness.

Type 4: The Narrative Essay

The Purpose of a Narrative Essay

A narrative is a story that shares events, characters, and themes. It is a creative style of writing that allows writers to share their imagination with their readers. Nearly all narratives utilize a traditional plot structure that follow the typical plot pyramid structure: Exposition (setting the scene), Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.

Narrative Essay Characteristics

Choose a topic
- Your instructor might ask you to choose a personal experience or event that impacted you
- You might be asked to write a narrative about a fictional character or a narrative from the perspective of a fictional character
Organize ideas using the plot pyramid
- Exposition (setting the scene), Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
- Narrative essays still require an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion
Features to include:
- Descriptive and figurative language
- First or Third person
- Dialogue
- Conflict to grab reader
- Strong theme
View the following Narrative Essay writing elements: Download the writing elements associated with a Narrative Essay and a printout of these elements.

Let's look at an example paragraph in narrative writing. Notice the incorporation of figurative language to make the images come alive for the reader. Unlike the example below (which is just an excerpt), make sure to include dialogue in your narrative writings.

Narrative Writing Example

As you read this excerpt, notice the dialogue, figurative language, and imagery that makes you feel present in the narrative.

I knew I shouldn’t check my phone while driving, but when it buzzed on the passenger seat, I couldn’t help myself. Just one glance.

As I reached over, my best friend Emma’s name lit up the screen. Hey, are you on your way?

I started typing a quick reply—Yeah, be there in—

Suddenly, the blaring honk of a horn snapped me back to reality. My heart jumped as I yanked the wheel, barely avoiding the car in the next lane. My tires screeched as I swerved back. My hands were shaking.

“Oh my Gosh,” I whispered, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

My phone buzzed again. I didn’t dare look this time. Instead, I took a deep breath and pulled into a gas station parking lot. My pulse was still racing as I picked up my phone to call Emma instead of texting.

“Hey, what’s up?” she answered cheerfully.

“I almost crashed,” I admitted, my voice shaky.

“What? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, but… I was texting you back when it happened.”

She was silent for a moment. Then she sighed. “Jenna, you know better than that.”

“I know,” I muttered. “It was stupid. I just… I didn’t think it would happen to me.”

“It only takes a second,” she said gently.

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. My hands were still trembling. “I’m putting my phone on Do Not Disturb from now on.”

“Good. I’d rather you show up late than not at all.”

I swallowed hard, realizing how close I had come to making a fatal mistake. From that moment on, my phone stayed out of reach whenever I was behind the wheel.

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