There are many types of essays divided into many categories and kinds. So one can not limit the types of essay into numeric form, but the important point to be noted is no matter how you classify the types of essay the fundamental theme remains constant. We may be writing a “5-Pararaph Essay”, it could also be descriptive and illustrative at the same time, but what is important for students is the comprehension of an essay theme. You will no longer be confused about determining the exact theme of your essay once you understand your school or college assignment. You can easily relate the following information with your assignment to determine what you are supposed to do in composition.



Here follows the list of almost
all types of Essay

mode:

1. Narration
2. Description
3. Illustration
4. Process Analysis
5. Persuasion/Argumentation
6. Classification
7. Cause & Effect
8. Comparison & Contrast

The
Narrative Essay

1. A narrative essay tells a story…
2. It can be either fictional or real-life.
3. The more “real” it is for you, the better you will tell it. (Sometimes our imagination is more real to us than our daily lives.)

The
Descriptive Essay

1. A descriptive essay paints a picture with words…
2. It appeals to the senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
3. It can also appeal to emotions.

The
Illustration Essay

1. In an illustration essay, you give examples of your topic.
2. Examples are very helpful to readers who may be unfamiliar with your subject.

The
Process Analysis Essay

1. Process Analysis is a “how to do it” essay.
2. You show in words how to do things: what steps are taken from beginning to end.
3. Finally, you tell what you will have when the process is finished.

The
Classification Essay

1. A classification essay breaks down a general subject into classes (categories or groups.)
2. You can classify either things or ideas.
3. You decide how you will classify your topic, but always go from general to specific.

The
Definition Essay

1. A definition essay gives the meaning of a word, term or concept.
2. The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition.
3. The connotation of a word is its informal or slang meaning in daily usage.

The
Cause & Effect Essay

1. A cause & effect essay tells how things affect each other; how they depend on each other.
2. An effect may have one cause or several different causes.

The
Comparison-Contrast Essay

1. Comparison tells how things are alike and contrast shows how they are different.
2. In this essay, you normally show either comparison or contrast, but you can tell both if you want.

The
Persuasive Essay



In the persuasive essay, you are writing to get your audience to accept your point of view and think like you do.


(source: http://www.ukessaywriting.com/types_of_essays.htm)