Essay Types

Analysis

Analysis essays break a chosen artifact down into meaningful components, examining each component carefully to illuminate something significant about the artifact as a whole. The elements identified as the basis for analysis can be determined by disciplinary convention or by the writer’s audience and purpose, among other things. Most successful analysis essays reveal something new or less obvious about the artifact under scrutiny, developing that case with evidence and examples from the artifact to demonstrate each point of discussion.

Narrative

Narrative essays are story-driven, typically using experience as evidence for some larger theme, question, or problem. Some of the most successful narrative essays follow a dramatic arc, building tension toward a pivotal moment or turning point in the story, followed by falling action and resolution. They often contain well-developed characters, dialogue, and vivid detail to immerse the audience in the story.

Rebuttal

Rebuttals focus on responding to an existing argument in an effort to persuade readers to see the weaknesses or limitations of that argument. Rebuttal essays typically summarize the existing argument, then articulate a thesis that challenges, provides an alternative to, or critiques the argument of another person or organization, using reasoning and examples to develop the key points of response.

Research

Research essays develop claims with evidence drawn from the writer’s careful synthesis of source material. Research-based arguments do not simply report on what is already known; rather, they persuade readers who are invested in the issue to adopt a new perspective or course of action based on substantial evidence and reasoning. Whether in the form of a position argument, a proposal argument, or some other subgenre, the most successful research essays appeal to the values of the writer's intended audience, while also ethically addressing and responding to opposing perspectives.