1. ENG 4U Essay Unit
Types of Essays

2. Expository Essay
The Expository Essay (explanation) – describes or explains a topic. For example, an essay entitled “The Care and Maintenance of a Bicycle” would be an expository essay

3. Narrative Essay
The Narrative Essay (recounting) – uses a single well told story as the basis for drawing a conclusion or making a statement of opinion. For example “My Most Exciting Bicycle Adventure” would be a narrative essay.

4. Argumentative Essay
The Argumentative Essay presents a reasoned series of arguments in support of a position. For example, an essay entitled Cars or Scooters: Which is the Most Effective Method of Transportation?” would be an argumentative essay.

5. Persuasive Essay
The Persuasive Essay combines reasoned arguments with the emotion required to persuade the reader to take action. For example, an essay entitled Save the Ozone and Stimulate your Heart: Leave Your Car at Home and Bicycle” would be a persuasive essay.

6. Personal Essay
Focused on a belief or insight about life that is important to the writer
Personal Narrative
Focused on an important event
Personal Memoir
Focused on an important relationship between the writer and a person, place, or object

7. A personal essay often combines elements of both the narrative and the memoir since an insight about life or a personal belief is usually based upon both experiences and relationships that have taught the writer what individual values are most important.