1007 Words Essay on different Types of Essays

I. Narrative Essays treat of – (i) historical stories or legends (ii) biographies (iii) incidents (iv) accidents or natural disasters (v) journeys (vi) stories. In writing Narrative Essays, keep to the order in which the events are supposed to have occurred, and omit minor details. In biographies, describe and comment on the character of the person, and point out the lesson to be learnt from incidents and stories.

“True narrative”, says Eric Parridge, “Whether pure or mixed, should be as swift as the theme allows. It should be economical in language.

II. Reflective Essays consist of reflections on some topics as (i) habits, qualities, etc. (ii) Social, political and domestic topics (iii) philosophical subjects; (iv) religious and theological topics. In treating such themes, we must; (i) explain the advantages of possessing good habits, and disadvantages of lacking them; and quote stories, fables, or historical or literary references in support of our statements; (ii) discuss the importance of social institutions, etc. and (iii) expound and discuss philosophical and theological theories.

III. Descriptive Essays consist of descriptions of some place or thing; e.g. (i) Animals, plants, minerals; (ii) towns, countries, buildings, etc.; (iii) aspects and phenomena of nature (iv) manufactured articles.

In the descriptive themes you are asked to describe some aspects or phenomena of nature such as A mountain, A Rainbow, A Moonlit Night, A Thunderstorm, etc. Sometimes you are asked to sketch a character e.g. A Postman, A Railway Porter, A Liftman, A Snake-charmer, A Street Cobbler, etc. While describing animals or plants or scenes or places or people, first give a general impression, and then fill in the vivid details. Think and write in terms of colours, sounds, smells, tastes, shapes, sizes etc.

Descriptive writing is sometimes informative, sometimes communicative. If you are describing to a person what a telephone is and how it works, your purpose is simply to convey the information clearly and accurately. The purpose is not to convey your feelings to the reader.

But there is also another kind of descriptive writing which aims at communicating feeling. If, for example, you are describing a mountain you may give information about it. If you have felt the beauty, you should attempt to, communicate your impression effectively.

If you have to describe persons, you should try to present the character in such a manner as to make the reader actually see that person. While sketching the character of a person you may begin by quoting something amusing that the person said or by describing briefly something that he did.

Then you may state why the character is so interesting to you? In the next paragraph you may describe his personal appearance giving details in a vivid and graphic manner. Then give some of his habits, his interests, his likes and dislikes – even some of his eccentricities – strange personal peculiarities. You may also describe his merits and his weaknesses. It is better to follow some such plan. You should always attempt to make the picture concrete by giving details, experiences, incidents etc.

IV. Expository Essay consists of expositions of some subject, e g. (i) institutions, industries, occupations, (ii) scientific topics (iii) literary topics.

V. Imaginative Essays are essays in which the writer is called to place himself in a position of which he has no actual experience.

VI. Proverb-type Essays are essays in which a particular proverb is first applied to one specific aspect of life. Then it is applied to different avenues of life. Similar proverbs and maxims are discussed. If possible, exception to the particular is illustrated. Some of the most popular proverbs which lend themselves to essay-writing are as follows:” Distance Lends Enchantment”, “A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous thing”, “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword”, “Make Hay while the Sun Shines”, “All that Glitters is not Gold”, “Laugh and be Merry”, The Child is the Father of the Man”, “We Live in Deeds, not in Years” “Sweet are the Uses of Adversity”,” Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow”, “Knowledge is Power”, “Example is Better than Precept” and ” Honesty is the Best Policy”

If an essay is to have any value at all it must show at least three things: (1) that the student has some knowledge of the subject; (2) that he knows how to arrange his ideas in a good order; (3) that he is able to keep to the point.

The two main requirements in an essay are (1) to have something to say, and (2) to know how to say it. In order to have something to say the student must have a good stock of general knowledge. The best way to acquire this knowledge is by close observation and careful reading. Therefore, the student must keep his eyes open wherever he happens to be, and try to collect at first hand as much useful information as he can., as far as reading goes, it is important that the student should know something about the leading facts of History, Geography, Literature, and topics of general interest; not a detailed knowledge of course, but enough to write intelligently upon the more general aspect of the subject.

Moreover, the student will get a good deal of help from a study of one or two reputable newspapers, such as The Times of India and The Indian Express, and by listening to some of the popular lectures arranged from time to time by Door Darshan on Television. To ensure a permanent record of work, the student should keep a notebook and enter in note form a selection of the different types of information he has been able to gather.

To sum up, in writing an essay the student should try to achieve the six P’s which are: 1) Pleasant appearance. 2) Proper selection of the subject. 3) Planning. 4) Proportion. 5) Perspicuity (clarity). 6) Persuasiveness (act of bringing the reader to one’s owns opinion).