The Complete Guide to Essay Types

A narrative is concerned mainly with the narration of some event. But it should not be confused with a short story. It covers historical events, biographies, incidents, accidents and journeys etc. You write about something that happened — to you, or to someone else. The objective is to take the reader through the happening from start to finish, like you’re telling it out loud.

Key Features:

• It has a real story – There’s a beginning, middle, and end. Something happens, and there’s usually a point to it.
• You use "I" – Most of the time you’re telling your own experience, so you say “I went,” “I felt,” “I saw.”
• It has details – You describe what you saw, heard, and sensed so the reader can picture it.
• It often has a lesson – The story might show what you learned, but the main business is to tell what happened.

A descriptive essay consists of descriptions of animals, plants, things, towns, historical buildings and different aspects of nature, etc. It is all about painting a picture with words. You describe something so well that the reader can almost see it, hear it, smell it, or feel it.

It deals with the details about some subject. Occupations, scientific topics and literary topics.

What it does:

• Gives information – No stories, no opinions. Just clear facts.
• Explains “how” or “why” – Like how something works, why something happens, or what something means.
• Stays neutral – You don’t say “I think” or “this is good.” You just explain.

A reflective essay deals with topics of abstract nature such as habits, qualities, social or political topics and philosophical or religious subjects. A reflective essay is one in which you write about something that happened to you, and what you learned from it. Think of it like talking to someone about an experience — but with more thought behind it.

In a narrative essay, you just tell what happened. In a reflective essay, you go deeper: “This happened… and here’s what it means to me now.”

These types of essays deal with topics concerning human feelings and emotions. Imaginative essays deal with feelings, emotions, and made-up situations.

Common Topics:

• 'The Autobiography of a Crow' – You write as if you are the crow.
• 'A flight to the Moon' – You imagine going to the moon.
• "If I were a tree", "The day the toys talked", "Life in the year 2100"

How it’s different:

• Not like expository – You’re not giving facts. You’re making things up.
• Not like narrative – It might not be a real story that happened. It could be totally made up.
• Emphasis on feelings – You often show emotions: wonder, fear, joy, loneliness.

An argumentative essay is one in which you pick a side and try to convince / satisfy the reader you’re right.

What you do:

• You take a position – You say “I think this” or “this should happen.”
• You give reasons – You explain why your idea makes sense. Use facts, examples, or common sense.
• You answer the other side – You mention what people who disagree might say, then explain why you still think you’re right.

It’s not just your opinion: Saying “I like summer” is an opinion. Saying “Schools should have summer break because kids need rest and families need time together” — that’s an argument.

Key tip: Stay calm and use facts. Don’t get angry or call names. You want the reader to trust you.