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Various formats for writing essays – tips and guidelines.

Welcome to the comprehensive guide that will enhance your understanding of various essay writing formats. Crafting a well-structured and organized essay is a crucial skill for students and professionals alike. Different types of essays require adherence to specific formatting guidelines to effectively communicate ideas and arguments.

Whether you are writing a persuasive essay, analytical essay, narrative essay, or any other type, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into the key elements of each format. By mastering the nuances of essay writing formats, you will be able to express your thoughts clearly, logically, and persuasively, captivating your readers and achieving your communication goals.

Through this comprehensive guide, you will learn about the essential components of various essay formats, including thesis statements, introductions, body paragraphs, supporting evidence, and conclusions. By understanding the specific requirements of each format, you can tailor your writing style to meet the expectations of your audience and effectively convey your message.

The Complete Essay Format Guide

Understanding the proper essay format is essential for writing effective essays. Whether you are a student or a professional writer, knowing how to structure your essays can greatly impact the clarity and coherence of your writing. In this guide, we will walk you through the essential elements of essay formats and provide tips on how to structure your essays effectively.

1. Introduction

• The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay and should provide a brief overview of the topic you will be discussing.
• It should also include a thesis statement, which explains the main argument or point of your essay.

2. Body Paragraphs

• The body of your essay should consist of several paragraphs that develop and support your thesis statement.
• Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or point and include evidence or examples to support it.

3. Conclusion

• The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and should summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
• It should also provide a closing thought or reflection on the topic you have discussed.

4. Formatting

• Essays should be double-spaced and formatted with a clear font, such as Times New Roman, in 12-point size.
• Margins should be set to one inch on all sides of the page.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your essays are well-structured and easy to read. Remember to revise and edit your essays carefully to ensure that they are well-written and coherent.

Understanding Essay Structure Basics

When it comes to writing an essay, understanding the basic structure is essential. A typical essay consists of three main parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each of these sections serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall coherence of the essay.

• Introduction: This is where you introduce the topic of your essay and provide some background information. The introduction should also include a thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument that you will be discussing in the essay.
• Body Paragraphs: The body of the essay consists of several paragraphs that develop and support the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single point or idea and provide evidence and examples to support it.
• Conclusion: The conclusion brings the essay to a close by restating the thesis statement and summarizing the main points of the essay. It is also a good place to discuss the broader implications of your argument or suggest areas for further research.

By following this basic structure, you can ensure that your essay is well-organized and easy for readers to follow. Remember to use transitions between paragraphs to help connect your ideas and create a smooth flow of information throughout the essay.

Types of Essay Formats

When it comes to writing essays, there are several different formats that you may encounter. Each format has its own unique structure and requirements. Here are some of the most common types of essay formats:

• Argumentative Essay: This type of essay presents a claim or argument and supports it with evidence and reasoning.
• Descriptive Essay: Descriptive essays focus on describing a person, place, object, or event in detail.
• Narrative Essay: Narrative essays tell a story and often include personal experiences or anecdotes.
• Expository Essay: Expository essays aim to explain and inform the reader about a specific topic.
• Persuasive Essay: Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative essays but focus more on convincing the reader to adopt a particular point of view.
• Compare and Contrast Essay: This type of essay analyzes the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
• Cause and Effect Essay: Cause and effect essays explore the reasons behind a particular phenomenon and its outcomes.

It’s important to understand the requirements of each essay format and tailor your writing style accordingly to effectively convey your ideas and arguments.

Exploring Common Essay Styles

When it comes to writing essays, there are several common styles that you may encounter. Understanding the different types of essays can help you determine the best approach for your writing task. Here are some of the most common essay styles that you may come across:

1. Narrative Essays: These essays tell a story or recount an event. They often include personal anecdotes and can be quite engaging for the reader.

2. Descriptive Essays: In a descriptive essay, the writer paints a vivid picture of a person, place, object, or event. These essays appeal to the reader’s senses and emotions.

3. Expository Essays: Expository essays provide information, explain a topic, or analyze a concept. They are typically objective and present facts or opinions in a logical manner.

4. Persuasive Essays: Persuasive essays are meant to convince the reader of a particular point of view or argument. They often use evidence and reasoning to support a specific position.

5. Argumentative Essays: Similar to persuasive essays, argumentative essays present a claim or thesis and support it with evidence and analysis. However, argumentative essays also address counterarguments and refute opposing viewpoints.

By familiarizing yourself with these common essay styles, you can better tailor your writing to meet the requirements of your assignment and effectively communicate your ideas to your audience.

Comparing Argumentative and Narrative Essays

When it comes to essay writing, two common types of essays are argumentative and narrative essays. While they both aim to convey a message or argument, they differ in their purpose and structure.

• Argumentative Essays: Argumentative essays are designed to persuade the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action. These essays present a clear thesis statement and provide evidence to support the argument. They often involve research and logical reasoning to make a compelling case.
• Narrative Essays: Narrative essays, on the other hand, focus on telling a story or recounting an experience. They are often more personal and emotional, using descriptive language to engage the reader. Narrative essays may not have a thesis statement but instead focus on engaging the reader through vivid storytelling.

While argumentative essays rely on facts and evidence to support a specific viewpoint, narrative essays rely on personal experiences and storytelling to draw the reader in. It’s essential to understand the differences between these two essay formats to effectively convey your message and engage your audience.

Elements of a Well-Formatted Essay

Introduction : The introduction sets the stage for your essay, providing an overview of the topic and presenting the thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs : The body of the essay presents your arguments and evidence in support of the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea and provide clear evidence to support it.

Transitions : Transitions help to smoothly move from one idea to the next, connecting paragraphs and ensuring the essay flows logically.

Conclusion : The conclusion restates the thesis statement and summarizes the main points of the essay. It may also provide insights or recommendations based on the arguments presented.

Citations : Proper citations are essential in academic writing to give credit to the sources used and avoid plagiarism. Use the appropriate citation style required by your instructor.

Formatting : Pay attention to formatting elements such as font size, margins, spacing, and referencing style. Consistent formatting enhances readability and professionalism of your essay.

Key Components for a Strong Essay

When crafting a strong essay, there are several key components that you should consider to ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and effective. These key components include:

1. A clear and concise thesis statement that presents the main argument or point of your essay.

2. Well-developed paragraphs that support and expand upon your thesis statement with relevant evidence and analysis.

3. Smooth transitions between paragraphs and ideas to guide the reader through your essay and maintain coherence.

4. Proper organization and structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion that effectively communicate your ideas.

5. Attention to detail, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling to ensure that your writing is polished and professional.

By incorporating these key components into your essay writing, you can create a strong and compelling piece that effectively conveys your message to your audience.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Essay

When it comes to writing an essay, choosing the right format is crucial for effectively communicating your ideas and arguments. There are several different essay formats to choose from, each with its own unique structure and guidelines. Here are some tips to help you select the best format for your essay:

1. Consider your audience: Think about who will be reading your essay and what format would be most appropriate for them. For example, a formal academic essay might require a more structured format, while a personal essay could be more freeform.

2. Determine your purpose: Consider the purpose of your essay and choose a format that will best suit your goals. If you’re trying to persuade your reader, a persuasive essay format might be most effective. If you’re analyzing a topic, an analytical essay format could be more suitable.

3. Follow guidelines: If you’re writing an essay for a class or publication, make sure to follow any specific guidelines provided. This could include requirements for formatting, citation style, and overall structure.

4. Experiment and revise: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats to see what works best for your essay. Once you’ve written a draft, revise and refine your work to ensure that the format enhances your message.

By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right format for your essay and ensure that your ideas are conveyed effectively to your readers.

Considerations for Selecting Essay Styles

When selecting an essay style, consider the purpose of your essay. Are you trying to persuade, inform, or analyze? The style you choose should align with your overall goal and message.

Think about your target audience. Are you writing for a scholarly audience, a general audience, or a specific group of readers? The style of your essay should be tailored to resonate with your intended readers.

Consider the requirements of your assignment. Does your instructor specify a particular style or format to follow? Make sure to adhere to any guidelines provided to ensure you meet the expectations of the assignment.

Reflect on your own writing strengths and weaknesses. Are you more comfortable with a formal, structured style, or do you excel in a more creative, narrative format? Choose a style that plays to your strengths as a writer.

Lastly, consider the conventions of the discipline or field you are writing in. Different subjects may have specific expectations for essay styles, so make sure to research and understand the norms of your field.

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The 4 Main Types of Writing Styles and How to Use Them as a Writer

Understanding the 4 main types of writing styles can help you grow as a writer and attract an audience for your written work. Here’s how to identify each style of writing and tips for using each of the 4 common writing styles to develop your written skills.

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One of the things that can help you grow as a writer is to learn the 4 main types of writing styles and use the characteristics of each to further develop your own personal voice as a writer.

By learning how to use the different writing styles in your work, you will not only improve your skills as writer, but also learn ways to better connect with your audience of readers.

In this post we’ll cover the 4 main types of writing styles and how to use them as a writer to create compelling books, stories, essays, poetry, articles and more.

What are Writing Styles?

Writing styles are basically another way of saying the form or type of written work you are creating. Think of it as a classification for being able to identify what kind of writing you are creating.

For example, if you are writing a cookbook, that is a completely different style of writing than if you were writing a steamy romance novel!

Each writing style has a different purpose – and therefore, different characteristics are present when you are writing each type of different work.

Now that we understand what a writing style is – let’s talk about the 4 main writing styles which are commonly talked about amongst writers and literary educators.

The 4 Main Writing Styles & What They Mean

The four main writing styles which are commonly recognized are expository , descriptive , narrative , and persuasive .

Style #1: Expository

The definition of expository is this: “intended to explain or describe something.”

Most types of written work that fall into this category explain something in more detail, or provide insight and instruction in regards to a particular topic.

What types of writing fall into this category of expository writing style?

While there are many different types of written work which can be categorized as expository style of writing, you can often identify this type of writing by noticing the purpose of the work.

• Does the work intend to explain something in more detail?
• Does the written piece inform?
• Does the written piece answer questions such as “what, how and why?”

Here are some examples of the different types of writing pieces which can fall into the category of expository writing:

• Newspaper and Magazine Articles {not including editorials}
• Non-Fiction Books
• How-To Books
• Self Help Books
• Writing about Hobbies & Interests
• Recipes & Cookbooks
• Instructional Guides
• Scientific Research
• Textbooks & Educational Resources
• Business Articles & Books
• Medical Research, Journals and Articles

When you write expository style pieces, your main goal as a writer is to inform your readers with insight and facts that pertain to the subject of your piece.

For example, if you are writing about the history of ice cream, you would be including a lot of research and fun facts into your piece.

Note that this type of writing style is not intended to persuade or influence your audience. In writing your piece on the history of ice cream, you would NOT be trying to persuade your readers.

You would not want to say things like “Everybody should eat ice cream!” and “These 5 reasons will convince you forever to choose strawberry swirl flavored ice cream as your favorite flavor.”

Sometimes it can be confusing on whether an article is expository or persuasive. For example, an article called “The 5 Unexpected Health Benefits of Ice Cream” – would not fall into expository writing, even though it is providing information.

The word “benefits” has a positive connotation to the title. If you were to be writing an article on possible health benefits on ice cream, it would be very important that you as the writer keep your opinion separated from the facts and information if you plan for it to be an expository style piece. To be expository in nature, you would want to use a title such as “Scientists Research The Health Effects of Ice Cream.”

Books and articles that explain how to do something are also very popular examples of expository writing. Cookbooks are very popular, as they explain to others the tips, techniques, and recipes on how to cook something. How-to books for hobbies and crafts are also a good example of this type of writing.

Style #2: Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing goes deeper than expository writing. While expository writing might have some descriptive details and factual information, descriptive writing will make use of many writing elements and literary devices such as metaphors and similes.

The purpose and goal of descriptive writing is to bring your reader into the written work as if the reader were to be experiencing it first hand.

Most fictional pieces fall under the category of descriptive writing, and even some non-fiction pieces such as memoirs and creative non-fiction can fall under the category of a descriptive writing style.

If you are writing fiction, the more descriptive you can be with your words, the more relatable your story will be to the reader.

For example, we recommend that writers ask their characters questions as one way to really intimately understand the details about a character. Details about the setting, events, and people present in a story will help your readers be able to imagine and understand the piece.

This style also includes poetry. If you browse through some of our poetry writing prompts , you will see there is a lot of attention put on using details to create a scene or feeling in writing a poem!

Here are some examples of types of descriptive writing pieces:

• Poetry & Prose
• Travel Diaries
• Personal Journals
• Lyrics in Music and Songwriting

Most pieces using only a descriptive writing style are not very long. It is uncommon for a fictional novel to be 100% fully descriptive without getting into our next writing style, which is narrative writing.

Style #3: Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is far more complex that simple descriptive writing.

While a poem for example may describe a scene or even events or people – generally you do not get into the deep inner thoughts of the characters or even get a full story with a clear middle, beginning, and end complete with conflict and dialogue.

Nearly all fiction novels fall into the case of narrative writing, as well as longer epic poems and sagas.

In narrative writing, there is a story to be told – a clear plot complete with setting, characters, dialogue, conflict and resolution. A narrative piece often has a timeline or sequence of events which further build to the point of conflict and resolution.

Here are some examples of the works which would be considered to have a narrative writing style:

• Fiction Novels
• Memoirs & Biographies
• Screenplays
• Myths, Legends, and Fables
• Historical accounts
• Essays which talk about a lesson learned or valuable insight from an experience

Narrative writing pieces are generally easy to identify, although sometimes it can be confused with descriptive writing styles. The key difference in determining which one a written work might be is whether or not there is a developed storyline or plot.

If there is a well developed plot and storyline, you are most likely reading narrative writing.

Style #4: Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is a type of writing style where the purpose is to influence someone into believing or doing something. As the word “persuasive” suggests – your goal is to persuade someone’s actions or thoughts to align with your own goals as the writer.

The persuasive writing essay is a popular homework assignment for many kids. For example, a student might be assigned to write an essay to convince their parents of something. “Why We Should Get a Pet Rabbit” and “5 Reasons You Should Not Make Me Clean My Room”.

Persuasive writing is intended to convince someone of something, and so it usually needs to have a good bit of research and logical analysis – but also should attempt to make an emotional connection to the desired audience as well.

A classic piece of writing which serves as an example of persuasive writing is Thomas Paine’s book Common Sense , which was written in the Colonial times of the American Revolutionary War, urging citizens that separating from England was of utmost importance.

Here are some examples of types of writing which are persuasive writing:

• Editorial & Opinion pieces in Newspapers and Magazines
• Essays on a specific belief or “hot button” topic
• Letters written to request an action or file a complaint
• Advertisements {Convincing you to buy something}
• Copywriting {Note, copywriting is different from copyright!}
• Company Brochures
• Business Proposals
• Political speeches

When the intention of the work is to convince the audience of something – this falls into persuasive writing.

How to Use the 4 Main Different Writing Styles as a Writer

Now that we know the different types of writing styles, you may be wondering how do you use each style?

The first thing to do is think about what you are planning to write and what the intention is. What is your goal and what type of message are you trying to communicate to your readers?

Expository Style Writing:

In this type of writing your goal is to inform your readers about research or data.

When writing expository style pieces, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid using words which have a positive or negative connotation
• Do not insert your opinion or attempt to persuade your audience into thinking, feeling, or doing something based on your beliefs
• Use research and cite your sources
• When writing online, link to additional resources or websites
• Use quotes, illustrations or informative graphics to highlight the information
• Give concise and clear directions

Descriptive Writing Style:

This type of writing has the goal to describe something and bring into your reader’s imaginations

Here are some tips for writing with descriptive writing styles:

• Use literary devices such as metaphors and similes.
• Use well thought out adjectives and adverbs to describe nouns and verbs.
• Bring attention to small details
• Use the 6 senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, sound, and feeling

Narrative Writing Style:

In narrative writing style, your goal is to convey a storyline to your readers.

Here is how to achieve this type of writing style:

• Outline a storyline, plot or timeline sequence of events
• Include detailed descriptions of your characters and scenes
• Give your readers insight into the inner thoughts or behind-the-scenes information to elements of your story
• Answer the 6 W questions in your writing: Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why?
• Make it so your piece of work conveys an important lesson or insight – what is the moral of the story? What was the outcome of this experience?
• Use concrete language which gives readers a specific image to visualize and relate to

Persuasive Writing Style:

When you are writing to persuade, your intention is to convince your readers to side with you. This can be as simple as convincing them to buy your latest new product, or even writing about important social and humanitarian issues.

Here are some tips for writing persuasively:

• Include information, data, and facts to back up your argument
• Cite your sources and give readers access to additional information
• Appeal to your readers on an emotional level – how will siding with your opinion connect with them and make them feel?
• Take into consideration your reader’s needs, wants, and desires and how your message will help your reader achieve these.

Understanding Writing Styles Can Help You Be a Better Writer

No matter what type of writing you enjoy creating – understanding the basic main 4 types of writing styles can help you become a better writer.

If you are writing a how-to article for example, you will be able to understand what types of elements to ensure your piece of work includes. If you’re writing a descriptive poem, knowing what type of language to use can help convey your message for abstract concepts.

Use these different writing styles as a fun writing exercise!

Even if you typically only write for one style, it can be a lot of fun to push yourself to try to write for the different types of styles. For example, try writing a persuasive essay, and then a descriptive essay on the same topic. It can also be fun to write a descriptive poem and then turn it into a narrative essay or short story.

Not sure what to write about using these different writing styles? We have TONS of ideas for you with many different writing prompts! Check out our list of 365 writing prompts ideas which are sure to inspire your creative muse!

Using prompts is a great way to help you start writing in different writing styles and push yourself to a new exciting challenge for your writing skills!

I hope this article about the different writing styles and how you can use them as a writer will be helpful for you in building and developing your written skillset.

What types of writing styles do you enjoy writing the most? Have any tips for writing in expository, descriptive, narrative or persuasive styles of writing? We’d love to hear your ideas and experiences in the comments section below!

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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Guide to Different Kinds of Essays

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An essay is a paper that discusses, describes or analyzes one topic. It can discuss a subject directly or indirectly, seriously or humorously. It can describe personal opinions, or just report information. An essay can be written from any perspective, but essays are most commonly written in the first person ( I ), or third person (subjects that can be substituted with the he, she, it, or they pronouns).

There are many different kinds of essays. The following are a some of the most common ones:

Descriptive Cause/Effect Argumentative Definition Narrative Critical Compare/Contrast Process

Descriptive:

Examples: A descriptive essay could describe . . .

The descriptive essay provides details about how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds. It can also describe what something is, or how something happened. These essays generally use a lot of sensory details. The essay could be a list-like description that provides point by point details. Or, it could function as a story, keeping the reader interested in the plot and theme of the event described.

Definition:

Examples: A definition essay may try and define . . .

A definition essay attempts to define a specific term. It could try to pin down the meaning of a specific word, or define an abstract concept. The analysis goes deeper than a simple dictionary definition; it should attempt to explain why the term is defined as such. It could define the term directly, giving no information other than the explanation of the term. Or, it could imply the definition of the term, telling a story that requires the reader to infer the meaning.

Compare/Contrast:

Examples:A compare/contrast essay may discuss . . .

The compare/contrast essay discusses the similarities and differences between two things, people, concepts, places, etc. The essay could be an unbiased discussion, or an attempt to convince the reader of the benefits of one thing, person, or concept. It could also be written simply to entertain the reader, or to arrive at an insight into human nature. The essay could discuss both similarities and differences, or it could just focus on one or the other. A comparison essay usually discusses the similarities between two things, while the contrast essay discusses the differences.

Cause/Effect:

Examples:A cause/effect essay may explain . . .

The cause/effect essay explains why or how some event happened, and what resulted from the event.

This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more events or experiences. The essay could discuss both causes and effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after a specific event or circumstance.

The example below shows a cause essay, one that would explain how and why an event happened.

If this cause essay were about a volcanic eruption, it might go something like this: “Pressure and heat built up beneath the earth’s surface; the effect of this was an enormous volcanic eruption.”

The next example shows an effect essay, one that would explain all the effects that happened after a specific event, like a volcanic eruption.

If this effect essay were about a volcanic eruption again, it might go something like this:

“The eruption caused many terrible things to happen; it destroyed homes, forests, and polluted the atmosphere.”

Examples:A narrative essay could tell of . . .

The narrative essay tells a story. It can also be called a “short story.” Generally, the narrative essay is conversational in style and tells of a personal experience. It is most commonly written in the first person (uses I ). This essay could tell of a single, life-shaping event, or simply a mundane daily experience.

Examples: A process essay may explain . . .

A process essay describes how something is done. It generally explains actions that should be performed in a series. It can explain in detail how to accomplish a specific task, or it can show how an individual came to a certain personal awareness. The essay could be in the form of step-by-step instructions, or in story form, with the instructions/explanations subtly given along the way.

Argumentative:

Examples: An argumentative essay may persuade a reader that . . .

An argumentative essay is one that attempts to persuade the reader to the writer’s point of view. The writer can either be serious or funny, but always tries to convince the reader of the validity of his or her opinion. The essay may argue openly, or it may attempt to subtly persuade the reader by using irony or sarcasm.

Examples: A critical essay may analyze . . .

A critical essay analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, and methods of someone else’s work. Generally, these essays begin with a brief overview of the main points of the text, movie, or piece of art, followed by an analysis of the work’s meaning. It should then discuss how well the author/creator accomplishes his/her goals and makes his/her points. A critical essay can be written about another essay, story, book, poem, movie, or work of art.

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The 3 Popular Essay Formats: Which Should You Use?

General Education

Not sure which path your essay should follow? Formatting an essay may not be as interesting as choosing a topic to write about or carefully crafting elegant sentences, but it’s an extremely important part of creating a high-quality paper. In this article, we’ll explain essay formatting rules for three of the most popular essay styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

For each, we’ll do a high-level overview of what your essay’s structure and references should look like, then we include a comparison chart with nitty-gritty details for each style, such as which font you should use for each and whether they’re a proponent of the Oxford comma. We also include information on why essay formatting is important and what you should do if you’re not sure which style to use.

Why Is Your Essay Format Important?

Does it really matter which font size you use or exactly how you cite a source in your paper? It can! Style formats were developed as a way to standardize how pieces of writing and their works cited lists should look. 

Why is this necessary? Imagine you’re a teacher, researcher, or publisher who reviews dozens of papers a week. If the papers didn’t follow the same formatting rules, you could waste a lot of time trying to figure out which sources were used, if certain information is a direct quote or paraphrased, even who the paper’s author is. Having essay formatting rules to follow makes things easier for everyone involved. Writers can follow a set of guidelines without trying to decide for themselves which formatting choices are best, and readers don’t need to go hunting for the information they’re trying to find.

Next, we’ll discuss the three most common style formats for essays.

MLA Essay Format

MLA style was designed by the Modern Language Association, and it has become the most popular college essay format for students writing papers for class. It was originally developed for students and researchers in the literature and language fields to have a standardized way of formatting their papers, but it is now used by people in all disciplines, particularly humanities. MLA is often the style teachers prefer their students to use because it has simple, clear rules to follow without extraneous inclusions often not needed for school papers. For example, unlike APA or Chicago styles, MLA doesn’t require a title page for a paper, only a header in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

MLA style doesn’t have any specific requirements for how to write your essay, but an MLA format essay will typically follow the standard essay format of an introduction (ending with a thesis statement), several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

One of the nice things about creating your works cited for MLA is that all references are structured the same way, regardless of whether they’re a book, newspaper, etc. It’s the only essay format style that makes citing references this easy! Here is a guide on how to cite any source in MLA format. When typing up your works cited, here are a few MLA format essay rules to keep in mind:

• The works cited page should be the last paper of your paper.
• This page should still be double-spaced and include the running header of your last name and page number.
• It should begin with “Works Cited” at the top of the page, centered.
• Your works cited should be organized in alphabetical order, based on the first word of the citation.

APA Essay Format

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. This format type is most often used for research papers, specifically those in behavioral sciences (such as psychology and neuroscience) and social sciences (ranging from archeology to economics). Because APA is often used for more research-focused papers, they have a more specific format to follow compared to, say, MLA style.

All APA style papers begin with a title page, which contains the title of the paper (in capital letters), your name, and your institutional affiliation (if you’re a student, then this is simply the name of the school you attend). The APA recommends the title of your paper not be longer than 12 words.

After your title page, your paper begins with an abstract. The abstract is a single paragraph, typically between 150 to 250 words, that sums up your research. It should include the topic you’re researching, research questions, methods, results, analysis, and a conclusion that touches on the significance of the research. Many people find it easier to write the abstract last, after completing the paper.

After the abstract comes the paper itself. APA essay format recommends papers be short, direct, and make their point clearly and concisely. This isn’t the time to use flowery language or extraneous descriptions. Your paper should include all the sections mentioned in the abstract, each expanded upon.

Following the paper is the list of references used. Unlike MLA style, in APA essay format, every source type is referenced differently. So the rules for referencing a book are different from those for referencing a journal article are different from those referencing an interview. Here’s a guide for how to reference different source types in APA format . Your references should begin on a new page that says “REFERENCES” at the top, centered. The references should be listed in alphabetical order.

Chicago Essay Format

Chicago style (sometimes referred to as “Turabian style”) was developed by the University of Chicago Press and is typically the least-used by students of the three major essay style formats. The Chicago Manual of Style (currently on its 17th edition) contains within its 1000+ pages every rule you need to know for this style. This is a very comprehensive style, with a rule for everything. It’s most often used in history-related fields, although many people refer to The Chicago Manual of Style for help with a tricky citation or essay format question. Many book authors use this style as well.

Like APA, Chicago style begins with a title page, and it has very specific format rules for doing this which are laid out in the chart below. After the title page may come an abstract, depending on whether you’re writing a research paper or not. Then comes the essay itself. The essay can either follow the introduction → body → conclusion format of MLA or the different sections included in the APA section. Again, this depends on whether you’re writing a paper on research you conducted or not.

Unlike MLA or APA, Chicago style typically uses footnotes or endnotes instead of in-text or parenthetical citations. You’ll place the superscript number at the end of the sentence (for a footnote) or end of the page (for an endnote), then have an abbreviated source reference at the bottom of the page. The sources will then be fully referenced at the end of the paper, in the order of their footnote/endnote numbers. The reference page should be titled “Bibliography” if you used footnotes/endnotes or “References” if you used parenthetical author/date in-text citations.

Comparison Chart

Below is a chart comparing different formatting rules for APA, Chicago, and MLA styles.

How Should You Format Your Essay If Your Teacher Hasn’t Specified a Format?

What if your teacher hasn’t specified which essay format they want you to use? The easiest way to solve this problem is simply to ask your teacher which essay format they prefer. However, if you can’t get ahold of them or they don’t have a preference, we recommend following MLA format. It’s the most commonly-used essay style for students writing papers that aren’t based on their own research, and its formatting rules are general enough that a teacher of any subject shouldn’t have a problem with an MLA format essay. The fact that this style has one of the simplest sets of rules for citing sources is an added bonus!

What's Next?

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Compound sentences are an importance sentence type to know. Read our guide on compound sentences for everything you need to know about compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

Need ideas for a research paper topic? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Types of Essays in Academic Writing - Quick Guide (2024)

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Essay writing is an integral part of academic progress, playing a crucial role in enhancing critical thinking and communication skills among students.

There are different types of essays in academic writing, each with its unique purpose and requirements. Understanding these different essay types is essential for students to effectively convey their thoughts and ideas while demonstrating comprehension of the subject matter. In this article, let's learn more about the essay types and it's importance in academic writing.

Why is understanding essay types important in academic writing?

Essays serve as a medium for students to express their knowledge and opinions in a structured and coherent manner. They allow students to showcase their understanding of various concepts and ideas while adhering to the rules of academic writing. The different types of essays provide students with opportunities to explore different types of academic essays and develop their analytical and communication skills.

When it comes to academic writing, essay types play a crucial role in shaping the content and style of the writing. Each essay type serves a specific purpose and requires a distinct approach. By understanding the different types of essays, students can effectively convey their thoughts and ideas to their readers.

What are the types of essays in academic writing?

Academic writing encompasses a wide range of essay types, each serving a specific purpose and following distinct guidelines. Here's a brief overview of the major 7 types of essays commonly encountered in academic writing:

Expository Essay:

Expository essays is one of the types of essays aim to provide clear and concise explanations of a topic or concept. They present information objectively, without personal opinions or biases. The focus of expository essay is on organizing and conveying facts, ideas, or processes in a structured manner.

Key Features of expository essay:

• Informative and objective
• Presents a balanced and unbiased view
• Uses clear and concise language
• Follows a logical structure, often with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

Source: mtsac.edu

Argumentative Essay:

Argumentative essays is one of the most prominent types of essays which aim to persuade the reader to adopt a particular stance on a debatable issue. They present a well-structured argument backed by evidence and reasoning. The goal of argumentative essay is to convince the reader of the validity of the author's position.

Key Features OF argumentative essay:

• Presents a clear thesis statement
• Provides supporting evidence, such as facts, statistics, expert opinions, or examples
• Uses logical reasoning and counterarguments to address opposing views
• Maintains an objective and formal tone

Source: University of Washington

Narrative essay:

Narrative essays tell a story, recounting events or personal experiences in chronological order. They engage the reader by incorporating vivid descriptions, sensory details, and emotional language.

Key Features of narrative essay:

• Strong opening hook to capture the reader's attention
• Follows a clear narrative arc, including rising action, climax, and resolution
• Conveys emotions and personal reflections

Comparative essay:

Comparative essays analyze similarities and differences between two or more subjects. They highlight common themes, contrasting features, and unique characteristics. The goal of comparative essay is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subjects and their relationships.

Key Features of comparative essay:

• Clear identification of the subjects and their key attributes
• Organized comparison, often using a point-by-point or block format
• Evidence-based analysis of similarities and differences
• A balanced and objective approach

Cause and effect essay:

Cause-and-effect essays investigate the relationships between events, actions, or phenomena. They explore the reasons behind occurrences and the consequences that follow. The purpose of Cause and effect essay is to understand the underlying mechanisms and implications.

Key Features Cause and effect essay:

• Clear identification of the cause and effect
• Logical explanation of the causal relationship
• Evidence-based support for the proposed connection
• Consideration of alternative explanations or counterarguments

Problem solution essay:

Problem-solution essays identify a problem or issue and propose potential solutions. They analyze the causes and implications of the problem, evaluate different solutions, and recommend the most effective approach. The goal is to provide a practical and well-reasoned solution.

Key Features problem solution essay:

• Clear definition of the problem and its scope
• Analysis of the causes and consequences of the problem
• Evaluation of different solution options, considering feasibility and effectiveness
• Recommendation of the most viable solution with supporting arguments

Analytical essay:

Analytical essays break down a complex topic or concept into its constituent parts and examine the relationships between them. They provide a deeper understanding of the subject's structure, nuances, and underlying principles. The purpose is to offer critical insights and interpretations.

Key Features of analytical essay:

• In-depth examination of a topic or concept
• Breakdown of the subject into its components or underlying principles
• Analysis of relationships between different parts or aspects of the subject
• Identification of patterns, themes, or underlying theories

What are the structures and formats of different types of essays?

While each essay type has its unique structure and requirements, several elements are common across different types of essays.

Common Elements in Essay Structures

Most essays follow a similar structure, beginning with an introduction that provides background information and presents the thesis statement. The body paragraphs contain the main arguments, supported by evidence and examples. The conclusion summarizes the key points and restates the thesis, leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action.

Unique Formatting Requirements for Each Type of Essay

In addition to the common structural elements, each essay type may have specific formatting requirements. These may include the use of headings and subheadings, citation styles, and the inclusion of specific sections such as literature reviews or methodology explanations. It is crucial for students to familiarize themselves with the unique formatting guidelines for each essay type to ensure their work meets the expected standards.

By understanding the various types of essays and their distinct characteristics, students can adapt their essay writing style and approach to effectively communicate their ideas. Developing proficiency in each essay type equips students with valuable skills that extend beyond their academic journey, empowering them to articulate their thoughts clearly and persuasively in various professional and personal backdrops.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, the diverse range of types of essays in academic writing offers students opportunities to develop their critical thinking, persuasive writing, and storytelling abilities. Understanding the purpose and requirements of each essay type allows students to excel in conveying their knowledge and ideas effectively. Each essay type serves as a building block in the development of well-rounded academic writers. So, embrace the diversity of essay types, explore different writing styles, and tailor your approach accordingly to excel in the realm of academic writing.

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Have you ever wondered what makes Agatha Christie’s writing different from Dan Brown’s writing? Writing styles are what makes them unique! Even though their literary genres are the same, both these famous authors have different writing styles. 

Understanding what are writing styles and their different types will help you find your own. In this blog, we will understand the meaning of writing styles and types of writing styles with their examples. So get ready to find your style and improve your writing!

Whatever your writing style, we’ll edit it to precision! Learn more

What is a writing style?

A writing style is simply the unique way a writer expresses their ideas and crafts their prose. It’s like their personal signature or fingerprint on the page. A writer’s style can be influenced by factors such as their personality, experiences, target audience, and the purpose of their writing.

Different writing styles can evoke various tones and feelings in the reader, making the piece more engaging, persuasive, or informative. Each style has its own characteristics and techniques that writers use to effectively communicate their message. Mastering different writing styles can make you capable of tackling any writing task that comes your way.

Here’s a list of the most common and important styles of writing:

• Expository writing style
• Descriptive writing style
• Persuasive writing style
• Narrative writing style
• Creative writing style
• Argumentative writing style

Let’s look at these different types of writing styles in depth!

Types of writing styles

We will explore the types and writing style examples to learn more about them. At the end of each writing style is a worksheet for your practice!

1. Expository writing style

Expository writing serves to inform, explain, or clarify ideas and concepts. Its primary goal is to deliver information clearly and concisely without the influence of the writer’s own opinions. This style of writing is foundational in academic and technical settings, where understanding and precision are paramount. 

It is used in writing expository essays , textbooks, business reports, manuals, and articles that aim to educate and inform the reader about a particular subject.

An example of expository writing style:

A journal article explaining the process of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the remarkable biochemical process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. It occurs in the chloroplasts, where sunlight and carbon dioxide are transformed into glucose and oxygen through a series of reactions. This process not only fuels the plant’s own growth but also sustains life on Earth by producing vital oxygen and forming the base of the food chain.

The article provides a straightforward explanation of how photosynthesis works without offering opinions or arguments.

Use this worksheet to practice expository writing style: 

Expository Writing Style Worksheet 

2. Descriptive writing style

The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to provide a detailed sensory experience for the reader. It uses rich and evocative language to describe the subject matter in a way that the reader can visualize or imagine vividly. Descriptive writing serves to immerse the reader in the scene or topic, allowing them to feel as if they are part of the setting or event being described. 

It is often used in fiction , poetry , journal entries, descriptive essays , and nature writing, as well as in certain types of journalistic and academic writing where detailed descriptions are necessary.

An example of a descriptive writing style: 

The description of a puppy.

The small puppy was fluffy, with fur as white as snow. Its bright blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as it playfully wagged its tiny tail. The soft jingle of its collar could be heard as it bounced around the sunny backyard, exploring every corner with excitement.

The description uses picturesque language to describe the puppy, making the reader imagine the experience of actually seeing the puppy.

Use this worksheet to practice descriptive writing style: 

Descriptive Writing Style Worksheet

3. Persuasive writing style

The purpose of persuasive writing is to convince or persuade the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view or to take a specific action . Persuasive writers use emotional appeals, logical arguments, and credible evidence to build their case. The effectiveness of persuasive writing lies in its ability to influence the reader’s beliefs or behaviors.

This style of writing is essential in law, advertising, political speeches, and opinion pieces.

An example of a persuasive writing style:

A speech advocating for climate change action.

Today, we stand at a crossroads. The evidence of climate change is undeniable, and its effects are devastating. We have the power to change this trajectory. By investing in renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint, we can safeguard our planet for future generations. The time for debate has passed; now is the time for action.

The speech uses compelling language to convince the audience of the urgency of addressing climate change and suggests clear actions to be taken.

Use this worksheet to practice persuasive writing style:

Persuasive Writing Style Worksheet

4. Narrative writing style

Narrative writing serves to tell a story or to relay events in an organized, chronological manner. It is used to engage the reader by presenting a compelling tale, often to entertain, educate, or convey a particular theme or moral.

In addition to entertainment, narratives can be used to preserve history, as in the case of memoirs or biographies. It can also be used in narrative essays to share personal experiences in a relatable way or to explore complex ideas through literary devices .

An example of a narrative writing style:

A personal anecdote in a college application essay.

Back when I was eleven, a run-down piano in the community hall called out to me, its keys worn from years of neglect. Despite its decrepit state, I saw potential. Day by day, I cleaned and tuned it, and soon, my fingers danced across the keys, bringing life to melodies that had long been silent. That piano wasn’t just an instrument; it was my first step toward a lifelong passion for music.

The essay provides a narrative of personal growth and discovery centered around the piano, offering insight into the writer’s character and history.

Use this worksheet to practice narrative writing style:

Narrative Writing Style Worksheet 

5. Creative writing style

Creative writing’s purpose is to entertain, provoke thought, express feelings, and stretch the imagination of the reader. It’s a way for writers to express themselves creatively by talking about all sorts of human experiences, like wild adventures, deep thoughts, or trying out new ideas. Creative writing can help us understand what it’s like to be human, share stories that touch our hearts, or just give us a break from everyday life.

It includes genres such as fiction, poetry, drama, and other creative forms where the writer’s voice and style are integral to the work’s impact and appeal.

An example of creative writing style:

A short story opening in a literary magazine.

When Luna opened the antique locket, she didn’t expect to find the ocean. But there it was, a drop of the sea, trapped behind glass, its tiny waves crashing against the metal shores. As she peered closer, the sound of distant gulls filled her ears, and the scent of saltwater wafted through the air. Luna blinked, and for a moment, she was no longer in her grandmother’s attic.

This piece uses imaginative elements and detailed imagery to engage the reader and tell a story.

Use this worksheet to practice creative writing style: 

Creative Writing Style Worksheet

6. Argumentative writing style

The purpose of argumentative writing is to present a reasoned argument in favor of a particular position or point of view. This style of writing is analytical and persuasive. It requires the writer to clearly articulate their stance on an issue and support it with evidence, logic, and reasoning. Argumentative writing uses facts and logic, not emotions, to persuade. It encourages critical thinking by presenting multiple viewpoints and debunking opposing arguments.

Argumentative writing is critical in areas such as academic research , opinion-editorial pieces, argumentative essays , legal cases, and public debates.

An example of argumentative writing style: 

An editorial arguing for the preservation of historical buildings.

The city council must act now to protect our historic buildings. These structures are not mere edifices of brick and mortar; they are the embodiment of our community’s rich heritage and cultural identity. Critics may argue that development is essential for economic growth, but must progress come at the cost of our past? Surely, we can find a balance that honors both our history and our future aspirations. Preserving these landmarks is not a blockade to modernization—it is an act of respect for the narrative that has shaped us.

The editorial presents a clear argument for the preservation of historic buildings, addressing potential counterarguments about economic development and proposing a balanced solution. 

Use this worksheet to practice argumentative writing style: 

Argumentative Writing Style Worksheet 

Tips for adapting your writing style

• Know your purpose:   Make sure you know what you want to accomplish with your writing.
• Understand your audience: Adjust your style to fit the people who will read your writing.
• Use appropriate language: Choose words that match your audience and purpose, whether that means using formal or informal language, technical terms, or simpler words.
• Maintain Flexibility: Be ready to adjust your writing based on feedback and how well it’s working.
• Practice Consistently: The more you write, the better you’ll get at adjusting your style naturally.

Adapting to a writing style will give an edge to your writing and make your work stand out. Remember, adapting your writing style is not about losing your voice; it’s about expressing your ideas most effectively for a particular context.

Whatever your writing style, always make sure to revise and edit your writing to keep it perfect. As experts in editing and proofreading services , PaperTrue can help you make your writing flawless and error-free!

Want to read more? Here are some articles for you:

• 10 Best Content Editing Tools and Software (Free + Paid)
• The Top 10 Online Proofreading Services of 2024
• Top 10 Essay Writing Tools in 2024 | Plan, Write, Get Feedback

Frequently Asked Questions

What are writing styles, what are some common writing styles, how do i choose the right writing style, can writing styles be combined, how can i develop my own writing style.

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Writing styles may be hard to define, but something separates Hemingway from Steinbeck, Atwood from LeGuin, or Keats from Wordsworth. Though two given writers might dwell on similar themes, every writer expresses a unique writing style, conveyed through elements like word choice, narrative structure, and the author’s own voice.

But what is style in writing? On some level, style is ineffable. It’s also emergent: when you parse the elements of writing styles, you lose something that lives in how you put them together.

This article provides tips for honing style in your own work. We’ll analyze the different types of writing styles, look at examples of different writing styles from famous authors, and suggest different ways to experiment in your own work.

But first, let’s clarify what we mean when we say “writing styles.” What is style in writing?

What is Style in Writing?

Think of writing style as the author’s thumbprint—a unique and indelible mark on the voice and personality of the work. If a writer’s work is a house, style is what adorns that house: the window blinds, the doormat, the freshly painted eaves.

Style is like an author’s thumbprint—a unique and indelible mark on the voice and personality of the work.

Authors doesn’t only hone their style deliberately: writing styles emerge as a result of dedication, the author’s own personality, and a continuous experimentation with language and meaning.

To illustrate what we mean by style, let’s compare two examples of different writing styles from two different works of fiction. Each excerpt talks about the same dilemma—the endurance of memory​​—but approaches that dilemma in uniquely stylish ways.

“Perhaps you have forgotten. That’s one of the great problems of our modern world, you know. Forgetting. The victim never forgets. Ask an Irishman what the English did to him in 1920 and he’ll tell you the day of the month and the time and the name of every man they killed. Ask an Iranian what the English did to him in 1953 and he’ll tell you. His child will tell you. His grandchild will tell you. And when he has one, his great-grandchild will tell you too. But ask an Englishman—” He flung up his hands in mock ignorance. “If he ever knew, he has forgotten. ‘Move on!’ you tell us. ‘Move on! Forget what we’ve done to you. Tomorrow’s another day!’ But it isn’t, Mr. Brue.” He still had Brue’s hand. “Tomorrow was created yesterday, you see. That is the point I was making to you. And by the day before yesterday, too. To ignore history is to ignore the wolf at the door.”

—John le Carré, A Most Wanted Man

Compare this with the following excerpt:

“The ones who did it can always rationalize their actions and even forget what they did. They can turn away from things they don’t want to see. But the surviving victims can never forget. They can’t turn away. Their memories are passed on from parent to child. That’s what the world is, after all: an endless battle of contrasting memories.”

—Haruki Murakami, 1Q84

Each quote addresses a similar theme : how the perpetrators forget, but the victims always remember, and how that remembering shapes the world. Yet they approach the topic in different ways. John le Carré illustrates his point by examining historical, world-altering events. He uses dialogue and describes the gestures of his characters to punctuate his ideas, and he ends by suggesting that, if we do not remember, then we are infinitely more vulnerable to the metaphorical “wolf at the door.”

Haruki Murakami, by contrast, uses far fewer words to illustrate the same idea. His sentences are less laden with imagery and description; they are merely vehicles to his conclusion that the world is “an endless battle of contrasting memories.”

Each author takes his own route, and each excerpt will connect with the reader in different ways. Such differences in expression are the essence of style. Writing styles showcase how a writer reaches their point, encompassing the totality of the author’s word choice, sentence structures, use of literary devices, etc. It is the gestalt of every decision, both conscious and unconscious, that the writer makes in the text.

What Authors Say About Writing Style

Before we move on, let’s illustrate this point about authors’ writing styles in another way: different quotes from authors on writing styles themselves.

• “Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and vulgar, they will appear to as much disadvantage.” —Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield
• “When we see a natural style, we are astonished and delighted; for we expected to see an author, and we find a man.” —Blaise Pascal
• “The essence of a sound style is that it cannot be reduced to rules–that it is a living and breathing thing with something of the devilish in it–that it fits its proprietor tightly yet ever so loosely, as his skin fits him. It is, in fact, quite as seriously an integral part of him as that skin is. . . . In brief, a style is always the outward and visible symbol of a man, and cannot be anything else.” —H.L. Mencken
• “You do not create a style. You work, and develop yourself; your style is an emanation from your own being.” —Katherine Anne Porter
• “Style is that which indicates how the writer takes himself and what he is saying. It is the mind skating circles around itself as it moves forward.” —Robert Frost
• “Style is what unites memory or recollection, ideology, sentiment, nostalgia, presentiment, to the way we express all that. It’s not what we say but how we say it that matters.” —Federico Fellini
• “Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of style.” —Jonathan Swift
• “The web, then, or the pattern, a web at once sensuous and logical, an elegant and pregnant texture: that is style.” —Robert Louis Stevenson
• “Thought and speech are inseparable from each other. Matter and expression are parts of one; style is a thinking out into language.” —Cardinal John Henry Newman
• “Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about. It is this genuine caring, not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.” —Stephen King
• “It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.” —P.D. James

Elements of Writing Styles

Every author makes key decisions about their writing, and those decisions build over time into a cohesive writing style. What decisions do they have to make? In other words, what are the elements of writing styles?

Creative writing styles are honed through a combination of the following:

• Word choice
• Economy and concision
• Literary devices
• Context and purpose
• The author’s location, time period, and influences

Let’s explore each element in detail.

Elements of Writing Styles: Word Choice

Also called diction, word choice  refers to the artistic decisions a writer makes in choosing one word over another, and how those decisions affect the meaning, mood , tone , and ideas conveyed to the reader.

Word choice refers to the artistic decisions a writer makes in choosing one word over another, and how those decisions affect the meaning, mood, tone, and ideas conveyed to the reader.

Take a look at the following two example sentences. Only one word has been changed in each sentence, and those words are synonyms, but the changed word has a huge impact on the way each sentence is read.

• The Union beat The Confederacy during the American Civil War.
• The Union subjugated The Confederacy during the American Civil War.

As you can see, changing “beat” to “subjugated” affects every part of the sentence. The sentence moves from neutral and informative to passionate and descriptive; the idea, once impartial, now comes across as heavily invested in the outcome of the Civil War. A word like “subjugated” transmits to the reader that the Union was extremely powerful, even suggesting that the Confederacy was a victim of the North.

Small details such as word choice can have huge impacts on writing styles. Another important element to consider is syntax.

Elements of Writing Styles: Syntax

Syntax refers to sentence structure—how rearranging the order of words impacts the meaning transmitted to the reader. It is closely related to diction, but where diction is concerned with the choice of words, syntax is concerned with the arrangement of those words, as well as the length and complexity of sentences.

Syntax is concerned with the arrangement of words, as well as the length and complexity of sentences.

Much of syntax is innately learned, especially to native English speakers. For example, an English sentence is typically constructed with the subject first, and then the verb, followed by the object of that verb. See below:

• The quick brown fox (subject) jumped (verb) over the lazy dog (object).

If the daring writer wanted to complicate this syntactical order, they might write “Over the lazy dog, the quick brown fox jumped.” Of course, such experimentations can prove dangerous, as the reader might misinterpret that construction, or read it as shallow or pretentious.

Nonetheless, paying close attention to the structure, length, and word order of sentences can allow writers to develop their writing styles. Here are some other ways one might experiment with syntax:

• Structure (active to passive): The lazy dog was jumped over by the quick brown fox.
• Length : The fox jumped over the dog. OR: The quick, sly, and daring fox jumped right over the lazy and motionless dog.
• Word order : The brown fox jumped quickly over the dog lying lazily.

Notice how each of these syntactical changes affect the rhythm, meaning, and style of the sentences. Some changes certainly worsen the effect of the sentence.

A final element of syntax is punctuation. Commas, colons, semicolons, em-dashes, and periods each have their own specific use in English grammar. How the author decides to use each punctuation mark contributes to the overall style of their sentences.

Elements of Writing Styles: Economy and Concision

All stylish writers know how to use economy and concision. They know how to use fewer words, not more, and they know how to make every word count.

There are certainly rules and guidelines for concise writing. The economic writer knows to:

• Avoid adverbs.
• Use strong, visual verbs.
• Employ prepositions sparingly.
• Only use adjectives when necessary.
• Stay inside the active voice, unless the passive is necessary.
• Provide only the important details.

Later in this article, we dive deeper into concision. Nonetheless, let’s demonstrate this key facet of writing styles.

Here’s a simple, effective sentence:

We careened from California to Maine.

The wordy writer has many reasons to make this sentence more complicated. Perhaps the reader does need more information. But, the writer might also be insecure about their own writing, or else they might think every detail needs to be ornate (a tactic called purple prose ). Here’s the above sentence, written wordier. In parentheses are the rules broken from the list above.

We were driven (5) swiftly (1) and without (3) direction in (3) our little blue Chevy (4, 6), somehow (1) finding (2) our way from California to Maine.

Perhaps the little blue Chevy is important to the story. It does add some personality to the people in the car. Otherwise, this sentence is haphazard, conveying too much to the reader in too many words.

Elements of Writing Styles: Literary Devices

Literary devices are specific writing techniques that forge novel connections and possibilities in language. You are probably familiar with common devices, like metaphors and similes . However, there is a wide range of devices available to creative writers, from the hyperbole to the synecdoche, from the onomatopoeia to the paranomasia .

In any work of creative writing, literary devices are essential to both the author’s meaning and their writing style.

In any work of creative writing, literary devices are essential to both the author’s meaning and their writing style. Sometimes, the device is confined to a single sentence in the text. Other times, various elements of the writing—its plot , characters, and settings—act as metaphors for broader ideas and themes.

Here’s an example of a metaphor that’s daring, stylish, and effective:

“Love is so embarrassing. I bled in your bed. I’m sorry. I have built you a shore with all my best words & still, the waves.”

Out of Bound by Claire Schwartz

This is a striking metaphor, heartbreaking in its imagery. The speaker laments at the imperfectness of love and language: how, no matter how carefully and precisely a lover chooses the words they use to love another, those words are, inevitably, broken down by “the waves.” What do those waves represent? Perhaps the limits of language—the ever-present gap between what is spoken and what is understood. In the same way that love is modified by language, the shore is always modified by the waves.

Many stylistic decisions go into the construction of literary devices, including:

• Which devices are used.
• The images used to convey deeper meanings.
• The word choice and syntax of those devices.

Indeed, the construction of literary devices is closely related to syntax and word choice, but the way that the writer employs those devices and makes connections and comparisons is key to honing an author’s writing style.

To learn more, check out our articles on common literary devices and rhetorical devices .

Elements of Writing Styles: Context and Purpose

While an author’s writing style is the product of their own artistic integrity, some creative writing styles develop in relation to the context and purpose of the writing itself.

Some creative writing styles develop in relation to the context and purpose of the writing itself.

For example, an author might choose to write a murder mystery novel, a middle grade fiction book, and a historical account of the Sino-Japanese War. Each publication would have its own unique writing style, because the writing serves a different purpose in each book, and the author will have to write towards different audiences. We’ll explore this shortly when we look at the different types of writing styles.

In creative writing, the question of audience can matter a great deal. You would not want someone with a hard-boiled writing style to publish a romance novel in the same voice, nor would you expect a law critic to write poetry using the same word choice.

While audience should not define the author’s style and intent, it is a necessary consideration in the editing process before a work is published.

It is also important to note that there are different types of writing styles for different contexts. Let’s review those briefly.

Different Types of Writing Styles

In standard rhetorical analysis, there are four different types of writing styles: narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository. We mention a fifth style, the creative style, because certain decisions and elements are available to creative works that are not usually available to other writing styles.

Narrative Writing Styles

At its simplest, narrative is a synonym for storytelling . As such, narrative writing styles employ certain storytelling tactics to communicate a plot with characters, settings , and themes.

Narrative writing styles employ storytelling tactics to communicate a plot with characters, settings, and themes.

Here’s an example of a narrative writing style, which seeks to communicate the essential details for a reader to understand the story:

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor exercise was now out of the question.

I was glad of it: I never liked long walks, especially on chilly afternoons: dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddened by the chidings of Bessie, the nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John, and Georgiana Reed.” —Opening lines of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

These two paragraphs give us the essentials. We know that the narrator is a child with an unkind family (character), that they live somewhere bleak and chilly (setting), and that the speaker has been made to feel inferior to her peers (theme).

Narrative writing styles are commonly used in the following:

• Creative nonfiction
• Narrative poetry
• Legal writing
• Marketing and brand development

Descriptive Writing Styles

Descriptive writing seeks to evoke sensory experiences. This type of writing concerns itself with the effective use of imagery , including non-visual forms of imagery like sounds, sights, tastes, smells, and kinesthetic and organic images.

Descriptive writing seeks to evoke sensory experiences.

Here’s an example of a descriptive writing style, which uses imagery and other devices to reconstruct a particular sensory experience through language:

“The flower shop was here and it was my father’s domain, but it was also marvelously other, this place heavy with the drowsy scent of velvet-petaled roses and Provencal freesias in the middle of winter, the damp-earth spring fragrance of just-watered azaleas and cyclamen all mixed up with the headachey smell of bitter chocolate.” —Patricia Hempl, excerpt from The Florist’s Daughter

The writer employs a variety of images, scents, and comparisons to describe the sensual intensity of the flower shop. Details of the shop’s setting, smells, and the narrator’s relationship to the shop itself combine to make this an effective, descriptive passage.

Descriptive writing styles are commonly used in the following:

• Medical writing

Persuasive Writing Styles

Persuasive writing wants to change your mind. By employing logic, argumentation, and various rhetorical strategies, persuasive writers seek to convince you that their argument or interpretation prevails.

Persuasive writing wants to change your mind.

Here’s an example of a persuasive writing style, which uses rhetorical strategies to convince you about a certain worldview:

“Perhaps everybody has a garden of Eden, I don’t know; but they have scarcely seen their garden before they see the flaming sword. Then, perhaps, life only offers the choice of remembering the garden or forgetting it. Either, or: it takes strength to remember, it takes another kind of strength to forget, it takes a hero to do both. People who remember court madness through pain, the pain of the perpetual recurring death of their innocence; people who forget court another kind of madness, the madness of the denial of pain and the hatred of innocence; and the world is mostly divided between madmen who remember and madmen who forget. Heroes are rare.” —James Baldwin, excerpt from Giovanni’s Room

In addition to Baldwin’s lyrical prose style, key elements of this passage try to persuade the reader of the narrator’s worldview. “Garden of Eden” and “flaming sword” are strong visual metaphors, and setting up this worldview as a binary (people who remember or forget) encourages the reader to sort people into one of two categories. While persuasive writing styles usually come off as confident, the narrator’s admission that he doesn’t precisely know the answer to this conundrum helps humanize the conflict he’s debating. Certainly, this is a depressing worldview, and one which the reader is free to disagree with, but the strategies Baldwin takes in constructing this paragraph are certainly compelling.

Persuasive writing styles are commonly used in the following:

Expository Writing Styles

Expository writing wants to tell you about something as neutrally as possible. The goal is to be informative: by conveying something with as little bias and interpretation, expository writing styles stick to the facts. Do note that bias is universal: it is nearly impossible for any text to remove itself from bias completely.

Expository writing wants to tell something as neutrally as possible.

Here’s an example of an expository writing style, which conveys facts in a linear and digestible paragraph:

“On June 13, 1910, Arthur James Balfour lectured the House of Commons on ‘the problems with which we have to deal in Egypt.’ These, he said, ‘belong to a wholly different category’ than those ‘affecting the Isle of Wight or the West Riding of Yorkshire.’ He spoke with the authority of a long-time member of Parliament, former private secretary to Lord Salisbury, former chief secretary for Ireland, former secretary for Scotland, former prime minister, veteran of numerous overseas crises, achievements, and changes.” —Edward W. Said, excerpt from Orientalism

This opening passage of Orientalism sets the scene factually: we learn the time period, some geopolitical issues, and a main actor in all of these events. Yes, the passage does play up the significance of Arthur James Balfour and his many accolades, but this, too, is expository description, letting the reader know exactly who and what we are dealing with.

Expository writing styles are commonly used in the following:

Creative Writing Styles

Creative writing styles combine the previous four types: a creative writer can employ narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository strategies in their work. You may have noticed that creative genres, like fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, routinely show up under the categories of writing that employ the above four styles. This is because authors must employ a variety of strategies to tell effective stories.

Creative writers can employ narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository strategies in their work.

But, in addition to employing the previous four styles, creative writing also seeks to experiment and find new, artistic possibilities in language. Poetry is an obvious example, as the use of stanzas and line breaks affects how the language is read and interpreted. But there are also countless examples of experimentation in prose, from the use of stream of consciousness to the Oulipian n+7 .

Here’s an example:

“I turned out the light and went into my bedroom, out of the gasoline but I could still smell it. I stood at the window the curtains moved slow out of the darkness touching my face like someone breathing asleep, breathing slow into the darkness again, leaving the touch. After they had gone up stairs Mother lay back in her chair, the camphor handker- chief to her mouth. Father hadn’t moved he still sat beside her holding her hand the bellowing hammering away like no place for it in silence When I was little there was a picture in one of our books, a dark place into which a single weak ray of light came slanting upon two faces lifted out of the shadow. You know what I’d do if I were King? she never was a queen or a fairy she was always a king or a giant or a general I’d break that place open and drag them out and I’d whip them good It was torn out, jagged out. I was glad.” —Excerpt from The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

This is, of course, a highly literary and experimental piece of writing, but it demonstrates something distinct to creative writing styles. The italicized portions of text are streams of consciousness—moments where the reader has direct access to the unfiltered thoughts, images, and memories flowing through the character’s mind. Understanding these passages requires close attention to the text, as well as several re-reads. While creative writing styles can be far simpler than this, the point is that a creative writer takes great liberties to experiment with language, in ways distinct to creative writing, which seek to mine the wide varieties of the human experience.

Creative writing styles are commonly used in the following:

• Lyric essays
• Creative journalism

Elements of Writing Styles: The Author’s Location, Time Period, and Influences

Lastly, writers are undeniably influenced by their location, time period, and literary influences. For example, if you’ve ever read a poem or novel from Victorian Era England, you know that the Victorian writers (like the Brontës, Charles Dickens, or Percy Bysshe Shelley) often wrote in elaborate and flowery language. By modern standards, Victorian writing styles might seem overwrought; but, that style was influenced by the era’s appreciation for emotional intensity, as well as the tendency to pay writers per-word.

Writing Styles: Examples and Analyses

Let’s take a look at three writing styles examples. For each writer, we will examine how various stylistic strategies affect the overall mood and interpretation of the text, while also discussing that writer’s influences and likely intent. All examples come from published works of classic literature.

Ernest Hemingway’s Writing Style

Ernest Hemingway once wrote “A writer’s style should be direct and personal, his imagery rich and earthy, and his words simple and vigorous. The greatest writers have the gift of brilliant brevity, are hard workers, diligent scholars and competent stylists.” Hemingway’s writing style certainly lives up to this quote, as his words are often simple, direct, and unadorned.

Here’s an excerpt from his short story “ A Clean, Well-Lighted Place .”

It was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference. The two waiters inside the cafe knew that the old man was a little drunk, and while he was a good client they knew that if he became too drunk he would leave without paying, so they kept watch on him.”Last week he tried to commit suicide,” one waiter said.

“Why?”

“He was in despair.”

“What about?”

“Nothing.”

“How do you know it was nothing?”

“He has plenty of money.”

Hemingway’s writing style seeks to dispense the precise amount of information necessary for the reader, without any garnishment. Notice the details he provides: the exact time does not matter, only that “it was very late.” Notice, also, a similar pattern with the dialogue. People generally don’t speak in such clipped sentences, but the characters of this story speak to give just enough context for the story’s themes.

Additionally, the visual details, such as the dew settling the dust and the shadows of leaves against the electric light, evoke the sensation of a space that’s quiet and comforting, if also a little bit eerie.

Notice, also, the general lengths of the sentences. The first paragraph is built on longer sentences and clauses, which inevitably juxtaposes sensory details (an old man in the shadow of leaves cast by an electric light.) The effect of these sentences is that time feels slower, as the reader’s focus is on the kaleidoscope of details paused in this one moment in a quiet café.

Finally, pay attention to the lack of pretensity in Hemingway’s word choice. While the story itself deals with complex themes, including the question of nihilism, the language itself is simple, direct, and accessible.

Hemingway got his start in writing as a journalist, then as a short story writer, both of which certainly influenced his economic style. He famously coined the “Iceberg Theory,” which describes writing that focuses on surface-level details without explicitly analyzing underlying themes, rather implying those themes for the reader to interpret. Hemingway was also greatly influenced by World Wars I and II, and his writing style may have been a reaction to these wars, eschewing the flowery language of pre-war literature for a hardened, masculine style.

Toni Morrison’s Writing Style

A master of voice and character, Toni Morrison’s writing style borrows heavily from vernacular, from history, and from her own unique relationship to analogies and metaphors. Morrison frequently plays with sentence lengths and imagery, but her writing never fails to be compelling, lyrical, and delicious to read.

Here’s an excerpt from Recitatif , her only published short story:

My mother danced all night and Roberta’s was sick. That’s why we were taken to St. Bonny’s. People want to put their arms around you when you tell them you were in a shelter, but it really wasn’t bad. No big long room with one hundred beds like Bellevue. There were four to a room, and when Roberta and me came, there was a shortage of state kids, so we were the only ones assigned to 406 and could go from bed to bed if we wanted to. And we wanted to, too. We changed beds every night and for the whole four months we were there we never picked one out as our own permanent bed.It didn’t start out that way. The minute I walked in and the Big Bozo introduced us, I got sick to my stomach. It was one thing to be taken out of your own bed early in the morning—it was something else to be stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole other race. And Mary, that’s my mother, she was right. Every now and then she would stop dancing long enough to tell me something important and one of the things she said was that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny. Roberta sure did. Smell funny, I mean. So when the Big Bozo (nobody ever called her Mrs. Itkin, just like nobody ever said St. Bonaventure)—when she said, “Twyla, this is Roberta. Roberta, this is Twyla. Make each other welcome.” I said, “My mother won’t like you putting me in here.”

Both lyrical and conversational, Morrison’s style simply makes you want to read more. Pay attention to two things:

One, the lengths of these sentences. Morrison routinely switches from short sentences to longer ones, partially to emphasize important details in short sentences, and partially to keep the pace of the story engaging. The alternation of short and long sentences mirrors a conversational storytelling style.

Two, the childlike voice behind the narration. It is clear that the narrator is a child. Despite being directly stated, this fact is also obvious when certain elements of word choice are analyzed. Phrases like “smell funny” and “Big Bozo” clue the reader towards a speaker whose words and observations are that of a child.

One thing that’s absent from these paragraphs, but very much present in Morrison’s writing style, is the use of surprising comparisons (similes, metaphors, and analogies). This example comes later in “Recitatif”:

“I used to dream a lot and almost always the orchard was there. Two acres, four maybe, of these little apple trees. Hundreds of them. Empty and crooked like beggar women when I first came to St. Bonny’s but fat with flowers when I left.”

The simile “empty and crooked like beggar women” might be shocking to the reader, but it provides great insight into the personality of the narrator. This sentence is also ripe with foreshadowing , since the trees were “fat with flowers” when the narrator leaves St. Bonny’s.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Writing Style

One of America’s most influential writers, Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry and fiction forged new possibilities in the written word. Poe’s writing is often dark, gothic, and tinged with insanity, and his style reflects the problems that haunt his protagonists. Notice how psychosis influences Poe’s writing style in this excerpt from “ The Tell-Tale Heart :”

Poe adapts his style quite well to write a character who is clearly self-aggrandizing and obsessed with his own genius. The storytelling here has lots of repetition , such as “slowly—very, very slowly” and “cautiously-oh, so cautiously—cautiously” which makes the narrator sound in love with his own voice. And, it takes a while for the reader to understand what the narrator is doing, as his erratic behavior, like poking his head into the door for an hour, goes without a clear explanation.

Nonetheless, this writing is typical of Poe’s Gothic style. The use of words like “madman,” “midnight,” “vulture,” and “Evil Eye” give this story the grim moodiness characteristic of Poe’s writing. Additionally, the frequent use of em dashes and lengthy sentences propels the reader slowly, as we come to understand every minute detail that forms the totality of this character’s psychosis. This methodical, psychological writing style helps define Poe as a master of mystery and suspense.

Tips for Honing Your Own Author’s Writing Style

Writing styles develop with time, and there’s no singular thing any writer can do to hone their style. Rather, an attentiveness to language and a willingness to experiment are the best things you can do for yourself as you hone your author’s writing style. Nonetheless, here’s 7 pieces of advice for anyone who wants to write with style, flare, and confidence.

1. Creative Writing Styles: Experiment with Language and Syntax

Take risks in your writing. Be unconventional, and don’t always go for the expected word or phrase. Style doesn’t develop from playing it safe—it develops from making active decisions in the words you use to express your ideas.

What do we mean by taking risks? Here’s an example of a risky sentence, from poet Eduardo C. Corral: “Moss intensifies up the tree, like applause.”

This is a daring comparison: we don’t often think of moss “intensifying,” and so that verb already seems strange and risky. But then the moss itself is compared to applause, so now the visual cue of intensifying moss is being compared to intensifying sound. The product of this simile is that we see moss blooming and expanding across the tree, which makes this an effective and stylish sentence—but there’s a level of risk, faith, and skill involved in making this simile work .

Taking risks allows you to see what works and what doesn’t in your writing. So make bold comparisons! End your paragraphs with em-dashes! Try using four different languages in a single sentence!

Just be sure to review your work after and assess what does and doesn’t work for the reader. And, when you’re not sure what to do, try doing the complete opposite of what seems intuitive. You might find a short sentence works better than a long one, for example.

2. Creative Writing Styles: Experiment with Writing Forms

Creative writing styles often adapt to the form of the writing itself. For example, genre writing styles vary from genre to genre. You wouldn’t expect a writer of hard-boiled noir to have the same terse, simplistic style when writing romance fiction (although I would love to read that).

As you hone your writing style, experiment reading and writing in different forms. Pay attention to how the form demands you to make different stylistic decisions. The words you choose in a love sonnet will be different from the words you choose in a flash essay about your childhood. And, certainly, your sentence lengths will differ when you’re writing literary fiction versus speculative fiction .

Getting into the habit of making these stylistic decisions, and paying attention to those decisions, will help you create a mental framework for the ways you approach writing. Such is the nature of style development.

3. Creative Writing Styles: Consider Character

Character development is an essential part of fiction writing, and it will naturally affect the style you use to write. If you’re writing in first person or third person limited, then your protagonist’s personality will affect everything, because their worldview tinges the way you tell their story. Key observational details and thought processes from main characters naturally bleed into the style of the writing itself.

You can see this in action in the novels of F. Scott Fitzgerald. His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned , is written from the third person limited point of view of Anthony Patch, an unambitious libertine whose personality is defined by wry cynicism and a rigid belief in the purposelessness of life. These personality traits often affect the storytelling, as the reader sees the world through Anthony’s eyes, and thus trudges through a lot of Anthony’s ironic commentary and disdain for others.

Fitzgerald’s next novel, The Great Gatsby , is completely different, both tonally and stylistically. Written from the first person point of view of Nick Carraway, an optimistic bond salesman who wants to immerse himself in the high society of New York’s nouveau riche. Much of the style is poetic and introspective, honing in on the creative chaos of the Jazz Age and the tragedy of the American Dream.

For your own writing, alter your style to reflect the traits of your characters. Style reflects personality, and the person narrating your fiction will certainly want to tell their story in their own way.

4. Creative Writing Styles: Omit Needless Words

While style can take many forms, one thing that all good author’s writing styles have in common is an economy of language. In other words, no word in good writing is excessive or unnecessary. To sharpen your own style, you must omit needless words.

What does that look like? There are two ways to omit needless words: striking out redundancies, and rewriting phrases.

Here’s two examples. First, let’s look at redundancy. A redundancy is when you communicate something multiple times without refining the meaning of your words. Here’s a redundant sentence:

“The girl vaulted over the large gray boulder.”

Nothing is explicitly wrong with this sentence, but several words are giving repeat information. You don’t need the word “over,” because to vault means to jump over something. And, you don’t need the word “large,” because a boulder is, by definition, large. Finally, most rocks are gray, and the word “gray” isn’t offering much useful detail.

A much cleaner sentence would simply be “the girl vaulted the boulder.”

Another example is to rewrite phrases. If you don’t think about your words, it’s easy to communicate something in 10 words when 2 will do. Here’s another example sentence:

“She worked many long hours in order to secure a trade deal with the company.”

God, doesn’t that just read like a corporate memo? It’s passively worded and nondescript. Isolate any phrase in this sentence, and it can be truncated into something much more straightforward. Be sure to avoid phrases like “in order to”—simply “to” will always suffice.

Here’s a cleaner sentence: “She hustled to secure the Nike trade deal.”

Lastly, some categories of words are better than others. Nouns and verbs are necessary for understanding the action of a sentence. Adjectives should be used sparingly, and only when that description is necessary for the reader. Adverbs, which modify verbs, should only be used when there isn’t a sharper verb. For example, “breathing heavily” is much better written as “panting.”

For more advice, check out our article on how to omit needless words .

5. Creative Writing Styles: Read Like a Writer

How do published writers write so well? What did they do to craft such artful sentences, effective plots, or in-depth characters? While you can certainly learn these tricks by taking a writing class , you can also learn them by reading like a writer.

Reading like a writer means paying attention to the construction of a piece of literature and thinking about why that writing works. We did a little bit of this when we examined the above writing styles examples. By examining the elements of writing styles—word choice, sentence structure, character and voice, etc.—we paid attention to what makes each excerpt an effective piece of writing.

Employ those same strategies in the work you read. If there’s an author you like or whose style you admire, pay attention to what makes that style effective. And don’t be afraid to emulate that style in your own work: writers often borrow from each other’s styles and strategies to hone their own voice.

6. Creative Writing Styles: Study Poetry

The writing styles tips in this article primarily pertain to prose writers. But, whether you’re writing poetry, prose, or some secret third thing,  reading poetry is essential to honing style.

Poets are masters of language. They know how to build tension, pacing, and rhythm in their sentences. They know how to make that tension correspond with what they’re writing about. They manipulate vowel sounds, constants, tools like rhyme and meter, and a whole other host of poetic devices to move their readers.

Writing poetry is its own separate challenge. Prose writers don’t need to write poetry to master their writing styles. But they absolutely should study poetry. What makes language beautiful? What makes a poem concise? How does the flow of a sentence accentuate its meaning? Asking these questions and listening to the poets will help you experiment in your own pages.

7. Creative Writing Styles: Write Every Day

The key to honing your style is to write every day. A diligent writing practice will train your brain to think about language and make continuous stylistic choices in your work. Even if you can only manage 10 minutes a day on a writing project, or even if you just keep a writing journal, the simple practice of putting thoughts to words and words to pages will naturally sharpen the personality you put into your writing.

Hone Your Own Writing Style at Writers.com

One last piece of advice on writing styles is to read The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. You can find a free copy of it online here . Most of the advice in this book has remained true in the many decades since its publication, and while rules are certainly made to be broken, you should understand the rules first before breaking them.

Want clear, direct feedback on your writing styles and the other elements of your work? Take a look at any of the upcoming creative writing classes at Writers.com! Our instructors are masters of the craft and know how to sharpen your words so that they zing across the page.

Sean Glatch

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Types of Essays: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Different Essay Types

When it comes to academic writing, essays are one of the most common assignments you will encounter. Essays are a way for you to showcase your understanding of a particular topic, and they come in various forms. Each type of essay has its unique characteristics, and it is essential to understand the differences between them to produce a well-written piece. In this article, we will explore the different types of essays you may encounter in your academic journey.

Types of Essays: Your Ultimate Guide to Essay Writing

Understanding Essays

Definition of essay.

An essay is a piece of writing that presents an argument or a point of view on a particular topic. It is a formal piece of writing that is usually written in the third person and is structured into paragraphs. Essays can be written on a variety of topics, ranging from literature to science, and can be of different lengths. They are often used in academic settings to assess a student’s understanding of a particular subject.

Purpose of Essay

The purpose of an essay is to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s point of view. Essays can be used to argue for or against a particular position, to explain a concept, or to analyze a text. The writer must provide evidence to support their argument and must use persuasive language to convince the reader of their position.

There are four main types of essays: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. Each type of essay has its own unique characteristics and is written for a different purpose. Understanding the different types of essays is essential for writing a successful essay.

Types of Essays

Narrative essay.

A narrative essay is a type of essay that tells a story. It is often written in the first person point of view, and it can be either fictional or non-fictional. This type of essay allows you to express yourself in a creative and personal way.

When writing a narrative essay, it is important to have a clear and concise thesis statement that sets the tone for the rest of the essay. The thesis statement should be specific and should reflect the main point of the essay. It should also be interesting and engaging to the reader.

One of the key elements of a successful narrative essay is the use of vivid and descriptive language. This helps to create a clear picture in the reader’s mind and makes the story more engaging. Additionally, it is important to use dialogue to bring the characters to life and to show their emotions and personalities.

Another important aspect of a narrative essay is the structure. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and the events should be presented in chronological order. This helps the reader to follow the story and understand the sequence of events.

Descriptive Essay

In a descriptive essay, you are required to describe something, such as an event, a person, a place, a situation, or an object. The primary objective of a descriptive essay is to provide a detailed and vivid description of the topic. By using sensory details, such as sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, you can create a picture in the reader’s mind and make them feel as if they are experiencing the topic themselves.

When writing a descriptive essay, it is important to choose a topic that you are familiar with and have a personal connection to. This will help you to convey your emotions and feelings effectively and make your essay more engaging and interesting to the reader.

To write a successful descriptive essay, you should follow these steps:

• Choose a topic that you are passionate about and have a personal connection to.
• Brainstorm and create an outline of your essay, including the main points you want to cover and the sensory details you will use.
• Use sensory details to create a vivid and engaging picture in the reader’s mind.
• Use figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, to add depth and complexity to your descriptions.
• Use transitions to connect your ideas and create a smooth flow of information.
• Revise and edit your essay to ensure that it is well-structured, organized, and error-free.

Expository Essay

An expository essay is a type of academic writing that aims to explain, describe, or inform the reader about a particular subject. This type of essay is based on facts, evidence, and examples, and it does not require the writer’s personal opinion or feelings. Expository essays can be written in various styles, including compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem and solution.

Compare and Contrast Essay

A compare and contrast essay is a type of expository writing that involves comparing and contrasting two or more subjects. This type of essay aims to provide the reader with a better understanding of the similarities and differences between the subjects being compared. To write a successful compare and contrast essay, you need to identify the similarities and differences between the subjects, organize your ideas, and provide supporting evidence.

Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay is a type of expository writing that explores the causes and consequences of a particular event, situation, or phenomenon. This type of essay aims to explain the reasons behind a particular occurrence and its effects on individuals, society, or the environment. To write a successful cause and effect essay, you need to identify the causes and effects of the subject, organize your ideas, and provide supporting evidence.

Problem and Solution Essay

A problem and solution essay is a type of expository writing that focuses on a particular problem and proposes a solution to it. This type of essay aims to inform the reader about a particular issue and provide a viable solution to it. To write a successful problem and solution essay, you need to identify the problem, explain its causes, propose a solution, and provide supporting evidence.

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay is a type of academic writing that aims to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s point of view. In this type of essay, the writer presents their argument and supports it with evidence and reasoning to convince the reader to take action or believe in a particular idea.

To write a persuasive essay, you must first choose a topic that you are passionate about and can argue convincingly. Then, you need to research the topic thoroughly and gather evidence to support your argument. You should also consider the opposing viewpoint and address it in your essay to strengthen your argument.

The structure of a persuasive essay is similar to that of other types of essays. It consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should grab the reader’s attention and clearly state your thesis statement. The body paragraphs should present your argument and evidence, and the conclusion should summarize your argument and restate your thesis statement.

To make your persuasive essay more effective, you can use various persuasive writing strategies, such as appealing to the reader’s emotions, using rhetorical questions, and using vivid language. You can also use statistics, facts, and examples to support your argument and make it more convincing.

Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a type of essay that requires you to present a well-researched and evidence-based argument on a particular topic. The aim of this essay is to convince the reader of your stance on the topic by using logical reasoning and factual evidence.

To write an effective argumentative essay, it is important to have a clear and concise thesis statement that presents your position on the topic. This statement should be supported by strong evidence, such as quotations, statistics, and expert opinions. It is also important to consider and address potential counterarguments to your position.

One key aspect of an argumentative essay is the use of logical fallacies. These are errors in reasoning that can weaken your argument and make it less convincing. Some common logical fallacies include ad hominem attacks, false dichotomies, and straw man arguments. It is important to avoid these fallacies and instead rely on sound reasoning and evidence to support your argument.

When writing an argumentative essay, it is also important to consider your audience. Your tone and language should be appropriate for your intended audience, and you should anticipate and address any potential objections or concerns they may have about your argument.

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay is a type of academic writing that involves breaking down a complex topic or idea into smaller parts to examine it thoroughly. The purpose of this essay is to provide a detailed analysis of a particular subject and to present an argument based on the evidence gathered during the research.

When writing an analytical essay, it is crucial to have a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument of the essay. The thesis statement should be specific and concise, and it should be supported by evidence from primary and secondary sources.

To write an effective analytical essay, you should follow these steps:

• Choose a topic that interests you and that you can research thoroughly.
• Conduct research to gather relevant information and evidence to support your thesis statement.
• Create an outline to organize your ideas and arguments.
• Write an introduction that provides background information on the topic and presents your thesis statement.
• Develop body paragraphs that provide evidence to support your thesis statement.
• Write a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis statement.

When writing an analytical essay, it is important to focus on the analysis rather than just summarizing the information. You should critically evaluate the evidence and present your own interpretation of the data.

Critical Essay

A critical essay is a type of academic writing that involves analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating a text. In a critical essay, you must make a claim about how particular ideas or themes are conveyed in a text, and then support that claim with evidence from primary and/or secondary sources.

To write a successful critical essay, you must first read the text carefully and take notes on its main ideas and themes. You should also consider the author’s purpose and audience, as well as any historical or cultural context that may be relevant to the text.

When writing your critical essay, you should follow a clear and logical structure. Begin with an introduction that provides background information on the text and your thesis statement. In the body of your essay, you should provide evidence to support your thesis, using quotes and examples from the text as well as other sources.

It is important to be critical in your analysis, examining the text in detail and considering its strengths and weaknesses. You should also consider alternative interpretations and counterarguments, and address them in your essay.

Reflective Essay

A reflective essay is a type of academic essay that requires you to analyze and interpret an academic text, such as an essay, a book, or an article. Unlike a personal experience essay, a reflective essay involves critical thinking and evaluation of the material.

In a reflective essay, you are expected to reflect on your own learning and experiences related to the material. This type of essay requires you to think deeply about the material and analyze how it relates to your own experiences and knowledge.

To write a successful reflective essay, you should follow these steps:

• Choose a topic that is relevant to the material you are reflecting on.
• Analyze the material and identify key themes and concepts.
• Reflect on your own experiences and knowledge related to the material.
• Evaluate and analyze the material and your own experiences to draw conclusions and insights.
• Write a clear and concise essay that effectively communicates your reflections and insights.

Remember that a reflective essay is not just a summary of the material, but rather an analysis and evaluation of it. Use examples and evidence to support your reflections and insights, and be sure to use proper citation and referencing to acknowledge the sources of your information.

Personal Essay

A personal essay is a type of essay that involves telling a story about yourself, your experiences, or your feelings. It is often written in the first person point of view and can be a powerful way to share your unique perspective with others.

Personal essays can be used for a variety of purposes, such as college admissions, scholarship applications, or simply to share your thoughts and experiences with a wider audience. They can cover a wide range of topics, from personal struggles and triumphs to reflections on important life events.

When writing a personal essay, it is important to keep in mind that you are telling a story. This means that you should focus on creating a narrative that is engaging and compelling for your readers. You should also be honest and authentic in your writing, sharing your true thoughts and feelings with your audience.

To make your personal essay even more effective, consider incorporating descriptive language, vivid imagery, and sensory details. This can help bring your story to life and make it more memorable for your readers.

Synthesis Essay

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that requires you to combine information from multiple sources to create a cohesive argument. This type of essay is often used in academic writing and requires you to analyze, interpret, and evaluate information from various sources to support your thesis statement.

There are two main types of synthesis essays: explanatory and argumentative. An explanatory synthesis essay aims to explain a particular topic or issue by using different sources to provide a comprehensive overview. On the other hand, an argumentative synthesis essay requires you to take a stance on a particular issue and use evidence from multiple sources to support your argument.

When writing a synthesis essay, it is important to carefully analyze and interpret each source to ensure that the information you are using is relevant and accurate. You should also consider the credibility of each source and evaluate the author’s bias or perspective.

To effectively write a synthesis essay, you should follow a clear structure that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide background information on the topic and include a clear thesis statement. The body paragraphs should each focus on a specific aspect of the topic and provide evidence from multiple sources to support your argument. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement.

Review Essay

A review essay is a type of academic writing that involves analyzing and evaluating a piece of work, such as a book, movie, or article. This type of essay requires you to provide a critical assessment of the work, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. A successful review essay should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the work being reviewed and your opinion of it.

When writing a review essay, it is important to keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Length: A review essay should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. This length allows for a thorough analysis of the text without becoming bogged down in details. Of course, the specific length will vary depending on the nature of the text being reviewed and the desired focus of the essay.
• Structure: A review essay should follow a clear and logical structure. Start with an introduction that provides some background information on the work being reviewed and your thesis statement. The body of the essay should provide a summary of the work and a critical analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and provides your final thoughts on the work.
• Evidence: A successful review essay should be supported by evidence from the work being reviewed. This can include direct quotes or paraphrases, as well as examples that illustrate your points.
• Critical Thinking: A review essay requires you to engage in critical thinking. This means that you must evaluate the work being reviewed in a thoughtful and analytical manner, considering both its strengths and weaknesses.

Research Essay

When it comes to writing a research essay, you must conduct in-depth independent research and provide analysis, interpretation, and argument based on your findings. This type of essay requires extensive research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition.

To write a successful research essay, you must follow a specific structure. Here are some key components to include:

Introduction

The introduction should provide a brief overview of your research topic and state your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should clearly state your argument and the main points you will cover in your essay.

Literature Review

The literature review is a critical analysis of the existing research on your topic. It should provide a summary of the relevant literature, identify gaps in the research, and highlight the significance of your study.

Methodology

The methodology section should describe the methods you used to conduct your research. This may include data collection methods, sample size, and any limitations of your study.

The results section should present your findings in a clear and concise manner. You may use tables, graphs, or other visual aids to help convey your results.

The discussion section should interpret your results and provide a critical analysis of your findings. You should also discuss the implications of your research and how it contributes to the existing literature on your topic.

The conclusion should summarize your main findings and restate your thesis statement. You should also discuss the limitations of your study and suggest avenues for future research.

Report Essay

A report essay is a type of essay that presents and summarizes factual information about a particular topic, event, or issue. The purpose of a report essay is to provide readers with a clear and concise understanding of the subject matter. It is important to note that a report essay is not an opinion piece, but rather a neutral presentation of facts.

When writing a report essay, it is important to follow a structured format. The typical format includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should provide background information on the topic and state the purpose of the report. The body should present the facts in a logical and organized manner, using headings and subheadings to help readers navigate the information. The conclusion should summarize the key findings and provide any recommendations or conclusions.

One of the key elements of a report essay is research. It is essential to conduct thorough research on the topic to ensure that the information presented is accurate and reliable. This may involve reviewing academic articles, government reports, and other sources of information. It is also important to cite all sources used in the report essay using a recognized citation style, such as APA or MLA.

Informal Essay

An informal essay, also known as a familiar or personal essay, is a type of essay that is written in a personal tone and style. This type of essay is often written as a reflection or commentary on a personal experience, opinion, or observation. Informal essays are usually shorter than formal essays and are often written in a conversational style.

In an informal essay, you are free to use first-person pronouns and to express your personal opinions and feelings. However, you should still strive to maintain a clear and concise writing style and to support your arguments with evidence and examples.

Informal essays can take many forms, including personal narratives, anecdotes, and reflections on current events or social issues. They can also be humorous or satirical in nature, and may include elements of fiction or creative writing.

When writing an informal essay, it is important to keep your audience in mind and to use language and examples that will be familiar and relatable to them. You should also be aware of your tone and style, and strive to create a voice that is engaging and authentic.

Short Essay

When it comes to writing a short essay, it is essential to convey your thoughts and ideas in a concise and clear manner. Short essays are usually assigned in the range of 250-750 words, and occasionally up to 1,000 words. Therefore, it is important to focus on the most important elements of your topic.

To write a successful short essay, you should start by selecting a topic that is interesting and relevant. Once you have chosen your topic, you should conduct thorough research to gather evidence and support for your argument. This will help you to develop a clear and concise thesis statement.

When writing your short essay, it is important to structure your ideas in a logical and coherent manner. You should start with an introduction that provides background information and a clear thesis statement. The body of your essay should be structured around your main points, with each paragraph focusing on a specific idea or argument. Finally, you should conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis statement.

To make your short essay more engaging and impactful, you may want to consider using bullet points, tables, and other formatting techniques to convey your ideas more clearly. Additionally, you should use strong and clear language, avoiding jargon and unnecessary words.

When it comes to academic writing, a long essay is a common type of assignment that you may encounter. This type of essay typically requires you to conduct extensive research and analysis on a specific topic.

The length of a long essay can vary depending on the assignment requirements, but it is usually longer than a standard essay. In general, a long essay can range from 2,500 to 5,000 words or more.

To write a successful long essay, it is important to have a clear understanding of the topic and to conduct thorough research. This may involve reading academic articles, books, and other sources to gather information and support your arguments.

In addition to research, a long essay should also have a clear and well-structured argument. This may involve outlining your main points and supporting evidence, as well as addressing any counterarguments or potential weaknesses in your argument.

Overall, a long essay requires a significant amount of time and effort to complete. However, by following a clear structure and conducting thorough research, you can produce a well-written and persuasive essay that meets the requirements of your assignment.

Some tips for writing a successful long essay include:

• Start early to give yourself enough time to research and write
• Break down the assignment into manageable sections
• Use clear and concise language
• Provide sufficient evidence to support your arguments
• Use proper citation and referencing to avoid plagiarism

Five Paragraph Essay

If you are a student, you have likely been assigned a five-paragraph essay at some point. This type of essay is commonly used in high school and college writing classes. The five-paragraph essay is a structured format that consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The introduction paragraph is where you present your thesis statement, which is the main idea or argument that you will discuss in your essay. This paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and provide some background information about the topic. It should also include a clear thesis statement that outlines what you will be discussing in the essay.

The three body paragraphs are where you provide evidence to support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis. You should use specific examples and evidence to back up your claims. Each paragraph should also include a transition sentence that connects it to the next paragraph.

The conclusion paragraph is where you wrap up your essay and restate your thesis statement. This paragraph should summarize the main points of your essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your argument. You should avoid introducing any new information in the conclusion paragraph.

Scholarship Essay

A scholarship essay is a crucial document that can help you secure financial aid for your academic pursuits. It is a written statement that highlights your qualifications, accomplishments, and goals. Scholarship essays are typically required by organizations that offer scholarships to students. The essay is meant to help the organization understand why you are deserving of the scholarship and how it will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

To write an effective scholarship essay, it is important to understand the prompt and the organization offering the scholarship. Many scholarship essay prompts are open-ended, which means that you can write about any topic that is relevant to you. However, it is important to ensure that your essay is aligned with the values and goals of the scholarship organization.

When writing a scholarship essay, it is important to be concise and clear. Use simple language and avoid jargon or technical terms that the reader may not understand. Make sure that your essay is well-structured and organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Use headings and subheadings to make your essay easy to read and navigate.

To make your scholarship essay stand out, use specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate your qualifications and accomplishments. Use concrete details and avoid generalizations. Be honest and authentic, and avoid exaggerating or making false claims. Finally, proofread your essay carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and typos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of academic essays?

There are four main types of academic essays: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. Each type has its own unique purpose and structure, and it’s important to understand the differences between them in order to write effectively.

What are the parts of a standard essay?

A standard essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide background information on the topic and include a thesis statement that outlines the main argument of the essay. The body should present evidence and support for the thesis statement, and the conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a new way.

Can you provide examples of different types of essays?

Sure, here are some examples of each type of essay:

• Argumentative: An essay that presents a clear argument on a controversial topic, such as gun control or abortion.
• Expository: An essay that explains or describes a topic, such as how to bake a cake or the history of the Civil War.
• Narrative: An essay that tells a story, such as a personal experience or a fictional tale.
• Descriptive: An essay that uses sensory details to paint a picture of a person, place, or thing, such as a description of a sunset or a character in a novel.

How do you write a narrative essay?

To write a narrative essay, you should first choose a topic that is meaningful to you and has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Then, you should use descriptive language and sensory details to bring the story to life for the reader. Finally, you should reflect on the experience and what you learned from it.

What are the four main types of essays?

The four main types of essays are argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive. Each type has its own unique purpose and structure, and it’s important to understand the differences between them in order to write effectively.

What are the three parts of the essay format?

The three parts of the essay format are the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction should provide background information on the topic and include a thesis statement that outlines the main argument of the essay. The body should present evidence and support for the thesis statement, and the conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis in a new way.

Last Updated on August 31, 2023

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What this handout is about

This handout will help you determine and achieve the most effective writing style for the context in which you’re writing.

What do we mean by style?

Have you ever wondered what your instructors mean when they write “wordy” or “awk” in the margins of your paper? Do you sometimes sense that your sentences could be stronger, clearer, shorter, or more effective? Do you often feel that you know what you mean but do not know how to say it? If you sometimes get feedback from your instructors that you need to “tighten your prose” or “look at your word choice,” these can all be reactions to writing style.

Part of the problem with style is that it’s subjective. Different readers have different ideas about what constitutes good writing style, and so do different instructors and different academic departments. For example, passive voice may be used differently in the sciences than in the humanities. You may have an instructor who keeps circling items in your paper and noting “word choice” or “awkward” and another who comments only on content. Confusingly, some of what readers identify as writing problems may technically be grammatically correct. A sentence can be wordy and still pass all the rules in the grammar handbooks. This fact may make it harder for you to see where a reader’s reaction is coming from. Feedback on style can help you avoid distracting from your argument and learn to express your ideas more directly, elegantly, and persuasively in the eyes of an intended audience.

Say what you mean

First, remember that your goal in academic writing is not to sound intelligent, but to get your intelligent point across. You may be reading complicated textbooks and articles, and even when they don’t make sense to you, they all sound smart. So when you have to write a paper, you may try to imitate this type of writing. But sometimes when you imitate a complicated style, you sacrifice communicating and being understood.

Say it in the appropriate tone

You may also receive feedback on style if you write exactly like you speak to your friends over lunch at Lenoir. We’ve written this pamphlet in a chatty, friendly style, hoping that you’ll read it and think, “This isn’t such a painful way to learn about style.” This may not be the appropriate style for every academic paper. Some instructors may invite slang and colloquialisms in their assignments, but most won’t. When in doubt, aim for clear, broadly accessible language, and don’t assume that because a discipline is “artsy” or “out there” that instructors in that discipline want you to write creatively.

These cautions don’t mean you should write all your sentences in a choppy, obvious, “see Jane run” style. It just means that you should make sure that your instructor isn’t distracted from what you are trying to say by how you are saying it.

How to improve

If you learn how to recognize matters of style in your writing, you will have more control over your writing—the way someone reads your paper will be a result of choices you have made. If those choices are deliberate, you’ll have more control over how the reader reacts to your argument. So let’s look at what instructors often perceive as the biggest style “crimes.” You probably don’t have trouble with all of these, so focus your attention on those issues most relevant to your own writing. First we’ll explain some common, style-related writing problems, then we’ll show you some handy tips for finding them, and finally we’ll work on correcting them in your revision process. (That’s right: at first you may have to include a revision devoted entirely to style in your writing process, at least until you get used to recognizing and correcting these issues as you write.)

This term is used to cover a couple of style problems that involve using more words than you absolutely need to say something. Especially when we talk, we use a lot of little “filler” words that don’t actually have anything to add to the meaning of our sentences. (The previous sentence has several examples—see if you can take five words out of it without losing any of its meaning.) In writing, these filler words and phrases become more obvious and act as delays in getting the reader to your point. If you have enough delays in your sentence, your readers might get frustrated. They might even start skimming your paper, which seems a shame after all of your efforts to communicate with them.

Your wordiness may derive from a problem unrelated to your writing style: uncertainty about your topic, lack of a developed argument, or lack of evidence. If you’re not sure what you want or have to say, you may have trouble saying it. As you struggle to find what you mean or play with a vague idea or concept, you may write garbled or rambling sentences. If this happens to you, it doesn’t mean that you are a “bad” writer or that you have a “bad” writing style or “bad” ideas. It simply indicates that you are using writing as a way to think—to discover your point. It’s okay to let yourself think on the page and write to discover precisely what you mean. Taking thirty minutes (or more) to let yourself write and clarify your point for yourself may save you lots of time later. Write to yourself until you can quickly explain to a friend what you are writing about, why you believe it, and what evidence supports your position. Then, sit down to write your paper with your reader in mind. Note: Some writers, in an effort to make a page limit, will be wordy on purpose—this tactic will be obvious to the reader, and most instructors will be less than impressed. If you find yourself struggling to meet length requirements, see our handout on how to read an assignment for some tips. If you are still way off on page length and our handout hasn’t helped you, you may want to talk to your instructor. (If that seems too daunting a task, take a look at our handout about asking for feedback .)

Wordy constructions such as cliches, qualifiers, and redundant pairs are easy to fix once you recognize your tendency to use them. Read several of your old papers and see if you can locate any of these tendencies or consider whether they have become a habit for you in your writing:

• Problem : Clichés Example : France bit off more than it could chew in Vietnam, and America’s intervention was too little, too late. How to correct it : Clichés stand in for more precise descriptions of something. Slow down and write exactly, precisely what you mean. If you get stuck, ask yourself “why? or “how?” Better example : As the French faltered in Vietnam, even American intervention could not save the collapsing regime.
• Problem : Lots of qualifiers (very, often, hopefully, practically, basically, really, mostly) Example : Most people usually think that many puppies are generally pretty cute. How to correct it : Eliminate some of these qualifiers and you will have a stronger, more direct point. Some qualifiers are necessary, but you should use them carefully and thoughtfully. Better example : Most people think that puppies are cute.
• Problem : Using two words that mean the same thing. Example : Adrienne fulfilled all our hopes and dreams when she saved the whole entire planet. How to correct it : Choose the most precise term and delete the extra one. Better example : Adrienne fulfilled all our hopes when she saved the planet.

Some “wordy” constructions take a little more practice locating and correcting:

• Problem : Overuse of prepositional phrases (prepositions are little words such as in, over, of, for, at, etc.) Example : The reason for the failure of the economic system of the island was the inability of Gilligan in finding adequate resources without incurring expenses at the hands of the headhunters on the other side of the island. How to locate and correct this problem : Locate this problem by circling all of the prepositional phrases in your paper. A few are okay, but several in a sentence (as demonstrated here) make the reader struggle to find and follow your subject and point. Correct this problem by reading the sentence, looking away from it, and writing or saying out loud what you meant when you wrote the sentence. Try asking yourself “Who did what to whom?” Replace the first sentence with your new sentence. Better example : Gilligan hurt the economic system of the island because he couldn’t find adequate resources without angering the headhunters.

Verb trouble

Nouns (person, place, thing, or concept) and verbs (words that describe an action or state of being) are the hearts and souls of all sentences. These become the essential elements—what your grammar teacher may have called the “subject” and the “predicate” or the “actor” and “action” of every sentence. The reader should be able to clearly locate the main subject and verb of your sentences and, ideally, the subject and verb should be close together in the sentence. Some style “crimes” are varied symptoms of one problem: the subjects and verbs or the actor and action of your sentence are hiding from the reader.The reader has trouble following who is doing what to whom. Instructors may write comments like “passive voice” or “weak verbs” in your paper’s margins. While using passive voice or weak verbs is grammatically correct, it may make the reader work too hard to decipher your meaning. Use passive voice and weak verbs strategically once you get the hang of them. If you’re still struggling to figure out what they are, you need to aim for “active voice” and “strong verbs” to improve your writing.

• Problem : Passive voice. When you hide the actor by putting it somewhere after the action (not in the usual subject part of the sentence) and add a “to be” verb, you are using passive voice. For more detailed coverage, see our handout on the passive voice . Examples : Here’s a passive sentence with the actor at the end of the sentence (not at the beginning, where you would usually expect the subject): The alien remains were lost by the government. Some passive sentences omit actor entirely : The alien remains were lost. The car was wrecked. Better (active) examples : The government lost the alien remains. I wrecked the car. How to locate and correct this problem : Locate passive voice in your papers by circling every “to be” verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being ) in your paper. Not all of these verbs will indicate a passive construction or one you want to change, but if the “to be” verb is sitting next to another verb, especially one that ends in “ed,” (“was lost”, “was wrecked”) then you may be using passive voice. If you have trouble finding “to be” verbs, try finding the subject, verb, and object in each sentence. Can the reader tell who or what is doing the action in your sentence? Correct passive constructions by putting that actor back in the subject of the sentence and getting rid of the “to be” verb. Note that you may have to add information in the sentence; you have to specify who in your sentence and thereby keep the reader from guessing—that’s good.
• Problem : Nominalization—a fancy term for making verbs and adjectives into nouns. Again, sometimes you want to use nominalization and may do so purposefully. But too much nominalization in a paper can sound abstract and make the reader work to decipher your meaning. (Professional academic writing often has a lot of nominalization—that’s one reason why you may struggle with some of your assigned reading in your courses!) Examples : The discovery of the aliens was made by the government. The car wreck was a result of a lack of visual focus. How to locate and correct the problem: Locate nominalization in your papers by circling all of the nouns. Do you have several in a single sentence? You might be hiding the action (the verb) of your sentence inside of a noun. Correct nominalization by returning the abstract noun to its function as verb or adjective. This will take practice—focus on making the sentence simpler in structure (actor and action): The government discovered the aliens. My sister wrecked the car when she forgot to wear her glasses. Also, look for sentences that begin with the following phrases: there is, there are, this is, that is, it is. Sometimes you need these phrases to refer to an immediately preceding sentence without repeating yourself, but they may be hiding nominalizations. Example : There is a need for further study of aliens. How to locate and correct this problem: Circle these phrases in your paper and try omitting them from the sentence. Who is doing what to whom? Better example: We need to study aliens further.
• Problem: Weak verbs. If you have located and corrected passive voice and nominalization problems in your essay but your sentences still seem to lack meaning or directness, look for “weak” verbs. Verbs such as “to be” verbs and “have” verbs can often be replaced by “strong” verbs, verbs that carry specific meaning. Concentrate on what the subject of your sentence does and make that the verb in the sentence. Example : The aliens have a positive effect on our ecosystem. How to locate and correct this problem: Locate weak verbs by circling all of the “to be” and “have” verbs in your paper. Correct weak verbs by omitting them and replacing them with a more meaningful verb. Notice that you will need to add information as you specify the nature of the action. Answer the question: “What does the subject really do ?” Better example: The aliens improve our ecosystem.

Ostentatious erudition

You may be inclined to improve your style by sounding more “collegiate” or by using multi-syllabic words. Don’t ever do so without looking up those words to make sure you know exactly what they mean. And don’t blindly accept the recommendations of your word processing program’s thesaurus—these tools may be dangerous unless you double-check the meaning of the words in a dictionary. Many times, an inappropriate synonym will make you sound like you don’t know what you are talking about or, worse yet, give the impression that you are plagiarizing from a source you don’t understand. Never use a word you can’t clearly define. It’s okay to use big words if you know them well and they fit your overall tone—just make sure your tone is consistent. In other words, don’t say “That miscreant has a superlative aesthetic sense, but he’s dopey.”

You may use overly “erudite” words because you think it is wrong to use the same words over and over again in an essay. In fact, it’s often okay to repeat the same word(s) in your paper, particularly when they are significant or central terms. For example, if your paper discusses the significance of memory represented by the scent of wisteria in William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom, you are going to write the words “memory” and “wisteria” a lot. Don’t start saying “recollection,” “reminiscence,” “summoning up of past events,” and “climbing woody vine” just to get a little variation in there. A thesaurus might even lead you to say that the significance of nostalgia is represented by the odiferous output of parasitic flowering vegetation. Such sentences may cloud rather than clarify your point.

Now you are ready to edit

You are probably not guilty of every style “crime” in this handout. If you consistently struggle with one of these issues, focus your attention on that one. If you struggle with two or more, work on one at a time. If you try to fix all of them at once, you may find your approach too scattered or the task just plain overwhelming. You may also find that you use different styles for different assignments, with different responses from instructors. Whatever the case, the next time you finish a paper, take the issue you want to address and isolate it. Edit your paper using our “locate and correct” suggestions for that one issue. Ignore everything else (spelling, punctuation, content) and look for only that one issue. This strategy may sound time-consuming, but by isolating your style problems, you will find them easier to fix. As you become more proficient, you will include fewer and fewer style problems in your initial draft, and therefore your draft will need less editing. In the end, you will be a better writer—so what are a few minutes now?

If, after reading this handout and looking at your own writing, you are still struggling to understand style problems, bring a few of your old papers to an appointment at the Writing Center. Using already finished papers will help your tutor show you where your chronic style problems occur, why they occur, and how you can fix them.

By the way, a lot of students who come to the Writing Center almost immediately locate their own problem sentences when they read them aloud. Try this technique yourself, before you hand in your paper. Check out our handout on proofreading techniques for more tips.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Lanham, Richard A. 2007. Revising Prose , 7th ed. New York: Pearson Longman.

Strunk, William, and E. B. White. 2000. The Elements of Style , 4th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Williams, Joseph, and Joseph Bizup. 2017. Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace , 12th ed. Boston: Pearson.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Writing Styles

Your audience and writing purpose will determine your writing style. The four main types of writing styles are persuasive, narrative, expository, and descriptive.  In this blog post, we’ll briefly explore the defining features of these four writing styles. For more help using these writing styles, schedule an appointment at the GWC!

Persuasive:  For this writing style, the writer is trying to convince the reader of the validity of a certain position or argument. Persuasive writing includes the writers’ opinions, and provides justifications and evidence to support their claims.

Examples: Letters of recommendation; cover letters; Op-Eds and Editorial newspaper articles; argumentative essays for academic papers

Narrative:  Often seen in longer writing samples, the purpose of this writing style is to share information in the context of a story. Narratives should include characters, conflicts, and settings.

Examples: Short stories; novels; poetry; historical accounts 

Expository: This type of writing is used to explain a concept and share information to a broader audience. Expository writing provides evidence, statistics, or results and focuses on the facts of a certain topic. This type is not meant to express opinions.

Examples: How-to articles; textbooks; news stories (not editorials or Op-Eds); business, technical, or scientific writing

Descriptive: This type of writing is used to depict imagery to create a clear picture in the mind of the reader. This method helps the readers become more connected to the writing by appealing to their senses. Descriptive writing employs literary techniques such as similes, metaphors, allegory, etc to engage the audience.

Examples: Poetry; fictional novels or plays; memoirs or first-hand accounts of events

*This post was adapted from “Types of Writing Styles” by Robin Jeffrey.

Blog post prepared by Danielle Perry, GWC tutor. Published January 27, 2020.

Writing Prompts

Make Writing A Habit

4 Writing Styles to Help You Ace Every Essay

Writing styles are like fashion styles. How you dress helps others understand who you are, describes a particular sentiment to those who see you, and signals a subconscious message to be interpreted by others. How you write will give similar signals to others that help them understand what you’re trying to communicate. Also, like fashion styles, writing styles have particular times and places in which they should be employed or restrained. It’s inappropriate to wear white to a wedding if you’re not the bride; similarly, it’s inappropriate to use certain writing styles for specific types of writing.

Luckily, writing styles are a little more cut and dried than fashion styles. There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Each serves a specific purpose and differs from the others in particular ways. Knowing the difference between the writing styles is useful in essay writing because your essay must serve a precise purpose. By understanding the subtleties of the writing styles, it will be a lot easier to determine which style to employ based on the purpose of your essay.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is used when you want to explain or inform, making it a very popular writing style for essays. Generally, the writer must first formulate a topic, outline the evidence, and further explain the idea to demonstrate a particular point about the topic at hand. A thesis statement is utilized to outline the topic, followed by body paragraphs held together by transitions. Often, evidence is stated in the paragraphs, and an introduction and conclusion are provided.

Very simply, this style is employed in academic writing to outline the main points of a topic. The writer explains a specific subject from beginning to end. The writing should be clear, supported by facts and logical reasoning. A common form of expository writing is the compare-and-contrast essay, which outlines the similarities and differences between two subjects. The writer can either alternate explaining similarities and differences in separate paragraphs or explain all the similarities in several consecutive paragraphs, followed by all the differences.

Descriptive Writing

The main purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a subject to form a clear idea in the reader’s mind. This writing style draws attention to details to outline the topic. Writing a descriptive essay requires clear and vivid language to accurately describe the subject. The senses become very important in descriptive writing because they help to bring ordinary moments to life. The reader should be left with a vibrant understanding of the topic at hand.

Students are often required to write descriptive essays to explain a particular experience they may have had or an event that has taken place. This type of essay is a little bit more creative than the expository essay, allowing the writer to draw on lived experience and lively language rather than relying on dry facts. Here, the more specific and detailed the writing is, the better, and wordiness is not frowned upon as it is in expository writing.

Persuasive Writing

This type of writing allows the writer to take a stance. Rather than objectively explaining a topic or painting a picture for the reader, persuasive writing is used to demonstrate a very specific opinion on a topic. That means attention to word choice is imperative, as weak or incorrect word usage can make or break a persuasive essay. In this style, authors attempt to get the readers to side with them, share their particular opinion, and even sometimes take action on it.

Often, this type of writing is used for controversial topics that split people into groups based on their opinions. This allows writers to take a specific stance and outline their particular opinions. Even though the writing can and should be biased, the outlined arguments must all be logical and must be feasibly proven. Therefore, persuasive writing requires extensive research so that the writer can back up an opinion with reputable sources.

Narrative Writing

Generally, narrative writing is less common in the academic world because the narrative style exists to tell stories. Whether it’s a true story or not is irrelevant; fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry are all types of narrative writing. In reality, all types of writing exist to argue a specific point. So even though narrative writing is a more creative type of writing, it is still an argument and should be treated as such.

What do you want the reader to believe? That’s what you should ask when writing a narrative essay.

Narrative essays are generally used when writing anecdotal or personal essays. In the academic world, this usually takes the form of creative nonfiction. The writer should introduce the topic and lead the reader through the story by explaining what happened next until the story comes to a logical conclusion. That means it should have a clear structure. This type of writing is also used for book reports, outlining the story from beginning to end.

Really, the four types of writing are named aptly: expository writing explains, descriptive writing describes, persuasive writing persuades, and narrative writing narrates. All the different writing styles serve their own purposes and are thus useful for different types of essay writing. That means they never go out style (pun intended).

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EveryWriter

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Definitive Guide to Writing Styles

April 26, 2024 by Richard Leave a Comment

This is our Definitive Guide to Writing Styles: Throughout history, writers have employed various styles and techniques to convey their ideas, emotions, and stories effectively. Each writing style has its unique characteristics, purpose, and impact on the reader, making it essential for writers to understand and master these different approaches. Whether you are a novelist, journalist, poet, or simply someone who enjoys expressing yourself through the written word, having a deep understanding of the diverse writing styles can help you improve your craft and communicate your message more effectively.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the numerous writing styles that have evolved from the classical to the contemporary, from the artistic to the technical. By exploring these styles, you will understand how writers have used language, structure, and tone to create compelling and impactful works across various genres and mediums.

In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of each writing style, examining its key features, techniques, and examples from renowned authors who have mastered these approaches. We will also discuss the purposes and contexts in which each style is most effective, helping you choose the appropriate style for your writing projects and target audience.

Whether you seek to inform, persuade, entertain, or provoke thought, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to elevate your writing and leave a lasting impact on your readers. By understanding the nuances of each writing style, you can experiment with different approaches, develop your unique voice, and ultimately become a more versatile and accomplished writer.

So, let us embark on this journey through the fascinating world of writing styles, exploring the power of language to shape our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting this definitive guide will be invaluable in your quest to master the art of written expression.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Writing Style

Choosing the appropriate writing style is crucial for effectively communicating your message and engaging your target audience. The right style can make your writing more compelling, persuasive, and memorable, while the wrong style can confuse your readers, disinterested, or even offend. Here are some key reasons why selecting the proper writing style is so important:

• Clarity and Comprehension: Different writing styles are suited to different purposes and audiences. For example, technical writing aims to convey complex information clearly and concisely, while creative writing often employs figurative language and evocative imagery to engage the reader’s imagination. Choosing a style that matches your purpose and audience ensures that your intended readers understand and appreciate your message.
• Credibility and Authority: Your writing style can also impact your credibility and authority on a subject. For instance, academic writing requires a formal, objective tone and rigorous citation of sources to establish the writer’s expertise and trustworthiness. Similarly, journalistic writing must adhere to accuracy, fairness, and impartiality to maintain the reader’s trust. Adopting the appropriate style can demonstrate your knowledge and professionalism in your field.
• Emotional Impact and Resonance: The right writing style can also help you create an emotional connection with your readers. For example, a personal essay or memoir may use a confessional, reflective tone to invite the reader into the writer’s inner world and experiences. A persuasive essay, on the other hand, may employ rhetorical devices and a passionate, urgent tone to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular viewpoint. You can create a more robust and lasting impact by choosing a style that resonates with your readers’ emotions and values.
• Artistic Expression and Creativity: For creative writers, the choice of writing style is also an opportunity for artistic expression and innovation. Different styles, such as experimental, absurdist, or lyrical writing, allow writers to push the boundaries of language and form, creating unique and thought-provoking works that challenge and inspire readers. You can produce original and memorable pieces that showcase your talents and perspectives by selecting a style that aligns with your creative vision and voice.
• Professional Success and Marketability: Finally, the ability to adapt your writing style to different contexts and audiences can also contribute to your professional success and marketability as a writer. Whether you are crafting a grant proposal, a marketing campaign, or a legal brief, being able to write in the appropriate style can make your work more effective and persuasive. Moreover, demonstrating versatility and skill across multiple styles can open up new opportunities and markets for your writing, increasing your visibility and value as a professional writer.

In conclusion, choosing the right writing style is essential for creating compelling, engaging, and impactful works. By understanding each style’s unique characteristics and purposes and selecting the one that best fits your goals and audience, you can elevate your writing and achieve tremendous success in your personal and professional endeavors. So, take the time to study and practice different writing styles and develop the skills and flexibility to adapt your writing to any context or challenge that comes your way.

The Writing Styles

Academic writing: .

Academic writing follows a formal structure and style for scholarly research and discourse. This writing style is used in various academic disciplines, such as the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, and is characterized by its objectivity, precision, and use of discipline-specific terminology. Academic writing includes research papers, dissertations, conference papers, and scholarly articles, among other forms. Writers must demonstrate their knowledge of the subject matter, engage with existing literature, and contribute original ideas or findings to their field of study. Effective academic writing is well-organized, thoroughly researched, and properly cited, following the conventions and standards of the specific academic discipline.

Absurdist Writing: 

Absurdist writing presents irrational or meaningless situations, often to comment on the human condition. This writing style emphasizes life’s absurdity and pointlessness, using non-sequiturs, contradictions, and illogical plot developments to create a sense of disorientation and existential despair. Absurdist writers often use dark humor and satire to critique societal norms and expectations, exposing the inherent meaninglessness and chaos of the world. Effective absurdist writing requires a willingness to embrace the bizarre and the nonsensical, as well as the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of unease and discomfort in the reader.

Analytical Writing:

 Analytical writing examines and interprets a subject, often breaking it down into smaller parts to better understand the whole. This writing style involves critical thinking, research, and the ability to synthesize information from various sources. Analytical writing is commonly used in academic settings, such as research papers, literary analyses, and case studies, as well as in business reports and policy papers. The writer must present a clear thesis or argument, provide evidence to support their claims and draw meaningful conclusions based on their analysis. Effective analytical writing demonstrates the writer’s ability to think logically, interpret data, and communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely.

Apologetic Writing: 

Apologetic writing defends a belief, idea, or action, often in response to criticism. This writing style is used by religious leaders, politicians, and activists to justify and explain their positions on controversial issues. Apologetic writing may involve:

• Addressing counterarguments.
• Providing evidence and examples to support one’s position.
• Appealing to shared values and beliefs.

Effective apologetic writing is well-reasoned and persuasive and demonstrates a deep understanding of the issues at stake.

Argumentative Writing: 

Argumentative writing presents a clear position on an issue and uses evidence to support it. This writing style is used by essayists, journalists, and academics to persuade readers to accept a particular point of view or take a specific action. Argumentative writing involves presenting a thesis statement, providing supporting evidence and examples, and addressing counterarguments. Effective argumentative writing is logical, well-researched, and engages with multiple perspectives.

Biographical Writing: 

Based on extensive research and factual information, biographical writing tells the story of a natural person’s life. Biographers must gather data from various sources, such as interviews, letters, diaries, and historical records, to create a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of their subject’s life. This writing style requires a balance between presenting factual information and crafting a compelling narrative that captures the subject’s personality, achievements, and struggles. Effective biographical writing is well-researched, objective, and engaging, giving readers a deeper understanding of the subject’s life and legacy.

Blogging is a form of online writing that involves creating regularly updated content, usually conversational or personal. Bloggers write about various topics, from personal experiences and opinions to niche interests and professional expertise. This writing style often aims to inform, entertain, or persuade readers while fostering community and engagement through comments and social media sharing. Effective blogging requires a consistent voice, a clear focus, and the ability to connect with the target audience. Successful bloggers often develop a strong personal brand, cultivate a loyal following, and use their platform to influence, educate, or inspire their readers.

Business Writing: 

Business writing involves communicating professionally in business, such as through emails, reports, proposals, or presentations. This writing style aims to convey information, make requests, or persuade colleagues, clients, or stakeholders concisely and effectively. Business writers must adapt their tone and style to suit the specific purpose and audience while maintaining a professional and courteous approach. Effective business writing is well-organized, error-free, and achieves the desired outcome, whether securing a contract, resolving a conflict, or sharing important updates.

Children’s Writing: 

Children’s writing creates content suitable for young readers, often with educational or moral messages. This writing style may include picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, each with unique conventions and age-appropriate themes. Children’s writers use simple language, imaginative storytelling, and engaging illustrations to capture the attention and hearts of young readers. Effective children’s writing requires a deep understanding of child development and learning and the ability to create fun and memorable characters and stories that inspire a lifelong love of reading. You might also want to check out 100 Children’s Story Ideas to Inspire.

Comic Book Writing: 

Comic book writing involves creating stories and narratives through sequential art and text. This writing style is used by comic book writers, graphic novelists, and storyboard artists to craft engaging and visually compelling stories across various genres, such as superhero, fantasy, science  fict ion, and horror. Comic book writing requires a deep understanding of visual storytelling techniques, character development, and world-building. Compelling comic book writing seamlessly integrates text and images, using dialogue, captions, and sound effects to guide the reader through the story. Check out our 100 Superhero writing prompts to inspire your writing.

Comedy Writing:

Comedy writing involves creating humorous content, such as jokes, sketches, or satirical pieces. This writing style aims to entertain and amuse audiences using various techniques, such as irony, sarcasm, exaggeration, and absurdity. Comedy writers often draw inspiration from everyday life, current events, and social norms, using humor to comment on or critique these subjects. Effective comedy writing requires a keen understanding of timing, delivery, and audience preferences and the ability to craft memorable punchlines and characters.

Confessional Poetry: 

Confessional poetry expresses the poet’s experiences, often with intense emotions and vulnerability. This writing style emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, with poets such as Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and Robert Lowell using their own lives as subject matter for their work. Confessional poets often explore themes of mental illness, trauma, sexuality, and family dysfunction, using vivid and sometimes shocking imagery to convey their innermost thoughts and feelings. Compelling confessional poetry requires a willingness to be honest and open about one’s experiences and the ability to use language and poetic techniques to create a sense of intimacy and emotional resonance with the reader.

Cosmic Horror 

Writing Cosmic horror writing evokes fear of the unknown and humanity’s insignificance in the universe. This writing style, popularized by H.P. Lovecraft and other writers in the early 20th century, often features ancient, otherworldly entities that defy human comprehension and threaten to destroy or corrupt everything we know. Cosmic horror writers use vivid descriptions of alien landscapes, eldritch abominations, and sanity-shattering revelations to create a sense of existential dread and helplessness in the face of an uncaring cosmos. Effective cosmic horror writing requires a mastery of atmosphere and tone and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of mounting terror and despair.

Cyberpunk Writing 

Cyberpunk writing explores the relationship between technology and society in a dystopian future. This style of writing, which emerged in the 1980s with works such as William Gibson’s “Neuromancer,” often features a world where corporations have replaced governments, virtual reality has blurred the line between the real and the digital, and cybernetic enhancements have created new forms of social inequality. Cyberpunk writers use vivid descriptions of neon-lit cities, high-tech gadgets, and gritty, street-level characters to create a sense of a futuristic and troubled world. Effective cyberpunk writing requires a deep understanding of science fiction tropes and themes and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of immediacy and social commentary. If you love cyberpunk writing, you will love our 50 Cyberpunk writing prompts .

Diaspora Writing 

Diaspora writing reflects the experiences and identities of people displaced from their homeland. This style of writing often explores themes of exile, cultural identity, and the search for belonging, using the perspectives of immigrants, refugees, and other displaced people to create a sense of the complexity and diversity of the modern world. Diaspora writers may write in various genres, such as fiction, poetry, or memoir, using their experiences and communities to create deeply personal and broadly resonant works. Effective diaspora writing requires a deep understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of displacement and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of empathy and connection with the reader.

Dialectical Writing: 

Dialectical writing presents opposing viewpoints or arguments for a synthesis or resolution. This style of writing, which has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy, involves dialogue, debate, and logical reasoning to explore complex ideas and arrive at a deeper understanding of the truth. Dialectical writers often present two or more characters with conflicting viewpoints, using their arguments and counterarguments to gradually build towards a new perspective that incorporates elements of both sides. Effective dialectical writing requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to use language and rhetorical techniques to create a sense of intellectual engagement and discovery.

Dramatic Writing: 

Dramatic writing involves creating scripts for the stage, often exploring severe themes and human emotions. Playwrights use this style of writing to craft powerful and thought-provoking stories that actors can perform in front of a live audience. Dramatic writing often delves into complex characters, relationships, and conflicts, using dialogue, action, and symbolism to convey meaning and evoke emotional responses from the audience. Effective dramatic writing requires a deep understanding of human nature and the ability to create compelling and believable characters and story lines.

Dystopian Writing: 

Dystopian writing imagines a bleak future society characterized by totalitarianism or environmental collapse. This style of writing, which has its roots in works such as George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” often features a world where individual freedom has been sacrificed for the sake of social stability, where technology has been used to control and oppress rather than liberate, and where the natural world has been destroyed or depleted. Dystopian writers use vivid descriptions of oppressive regimes, conformist societies, and environmental devastation to create a sense of warning and critique about the dangers of unchecked power and human hubris. Effective dystopian writing requires a deep understanding of social and political issues and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of urgency and cautionary tale. If your story lines lean into the end of the world, you might want to check out our 100 Dystopian writing prompts .

Copywriting: 

Copywriting creates persuasive content for advertising and marketing purposes. This writing style promotes products, services, and ideas, primarily convincing the target audience to take a specific action, such as purchasing, signing up for a service, or supporting a cause. Copywriters must deeply understand the target audience’s needs, desires, and pain points and use this knowledge to craft compelling messages that resonate with them. Effective copywriting is creative, concise, and emotionally engaging, using persuasive techniques such as storytelling, humor, and social proof to capture the audience’s attention and motivate them to act.

Creative Writing: 

Creative writing encompasses imaginative and original writing, often in a literary context. This writing style includes various genres, such as fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction, and allows the writer to express their unique voice, style, and perspective. Creative writing often explores themes, emotions, and the human experience, using literary devices and techniques to create engaging and thought-provoking works. The primary goal of creative writing is to entertain, inspire, or provoke the reader while showcasing the writer’s artistic skills and imagination. Creative writing can be found in novels, short stories, poems, plays, and screenplays, among other forms. We have over 1000 Creative Writing prompts on our site!

Descriptive Writing: 

Descriptive writing uses vivid language to describe people, places, objects, or experiences in great detail, creating a transparent and evocative picture in the reader’s mind. This writing style often employs sensory details, figurative language, and precise word choice to capture the essence of the subject being described. Descriptive writing can be found in various forms of literature, such as poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction, as well as in travel writing, nature writing, and product descriptions. The primary goal of descriptive writing is to help the reader visualize and experience the subject as if they were there, evoking emotions and creating a lasting impression.

Editorial Writing:

 Editorial writing presents a publication’s or editorial board’s opinion on a current issue or topic of public interest. It aims to inform, persuade, or call readers to action, often taking a solid stance on a particular subject. This writing style requires a deep understanding of the issue and the ability to present a well-reasoned and compelling argument. Effective editorial writing is clear, concise, and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective or solution to the problem being addressed.

Environmental Writing: 

Environmental writing addresses ecological issues, nature, and the relationship between humans and the environment. This writing style is used by environmental journalists, activists, and nature writers to raise awareness about ecological problems, explore the beauty and complexity of the natural world, and advocate for conservation and sustainability. Environmental writing may include investigative reporting on issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, as well as personal essays and nature writing that celebrate the wonder and fragility of the earth. Effective environmental writing is informative and persuasive and inspires readers to take action to protect the planet.

Epistolary Writing: 

Epistolary writing tells a story or conveys information through letters, emails, or other forms of correspondence. This writing style allows the reader to experience the story through the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and interactions. Epistolary novels, such as “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker and “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, are famous examples of this style. Effective epistolary writing creates a sense of intimacy and authenticity as the reader becomes privy to the characters’ private lives and relationships.If you enjoy writing through letters you may enjoy 100 Epistolary Writing Prompts for Telling Stories Through Letters

Erotica Writing: 

Erotica’s writing depicts sexual experiences and desires in a literary or artistic manner. This style aims to arouse and engage readers by exploring sensuality, intimacy, and fantasy themes. Erotica writers often use descriptive language and imagery to create vivid and immersive scenes while developing compelling and relatable characters and relationships. Effective erotica writing requires a balance of explicitness and subtlety, as well as a deep understanding of human sexuality and desire.

Experimental Writing: 

Experimental writing pushes the boundaries of traditional forms and styles, often in an avant-garde manner. This writing style, which emerged in the early 20th century with movements such as Dadaism and Surrealism, usually uses unconventional or fragmented narrative structures, stream-of-consciousness techniques, and linguistic experimentation to create a sense of artistic innovation and challenge to the status quo. Experimental writers may write in various genres, such as poetry, fiction, or drama, using their creative vision and technical skills to create intellectually stimulating and emotionally provocative works. Effective experimental writing requires a willingness to take risks and break rules and the ability to use language and form in surprising and inventive ways.

Existential Writing

Existential writing grapples with questions of existence, meaning, and the human condition. This style of writing, which emerged in the 20th century with writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Simone de Beauvoir, often explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and the absurdity of life, using fiction, philosophy, and personal reflection to create a sense of the individual’s struggle to find purpose and authenticity in a seemingly meaningless world. Existential writers may write in various genres, such as novels, plays, or essays, using their experiences and insights to create deeply introspective and broadly relevant works. Effective existential writing requires a willingness to confront the big questions of life head-on and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of intellectual and emotional engagement with the reader.

Expository Writing: 

Expository writing is a type of writing that aims to explain, inform, or describe a topic, idea, or process to the reader. The primary goal of expository writing is to convey information clearly and concisely without expressing personal opinions or biases. This writing style is commonly used in academic settings, such as textbooks, research papers, and essays, as well as in journalism, technical writing, and instructional materials. Expository writing often follows a logical structure, presenting information in a systematic and organized manner and using facts, examples, and definitions to support the main ideas.

Fanfiction Writing: 

Fanfiction writing involves creating new stories based on existing characters or settings from popular media, such as books, movies, TV shows, or video games. This writing style allows fans to explore alternative storylines, relationships, and possibilities not addressed in the source material. Fanfiction writers often use their knowledge of the original work to create stories that are both faithful to the established canon and innovative in their own right. Effective fanfiction writing requires a deep understanding of the source material and the ability to capture the voices and personalities of the characters.

Fantasy Writing:

 Fantasy writing involves creating stories set in imaginary worlds that often include magic, mythical creatures, and heroic quests. This writing style allows authors to explore themes and ideas that may not be possible in realistic settings, using world-building and character development to create immersive and compelling narratives. Fantasy writers often draw inspiration from mythology, folklore, and history, using these elements to create rich and detailed worlds that feel both familiar and new. Effective fantasy writing requires a strong imagination and the ability to create believable and consistent magic systems and world-building elements. If you enjoy fantasy writing we have many fantasy writing prompts on our sites, 50 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Prompts , 100 dark fantasy writing prompts , 100 fantasy romance writing prompts , 100 fantasy romance writing prompts , 50 Fantasy Writing Prompts: Wizards and Dragons , and 50 fantasy writing prompts to inspire .

Fashion Writing: 

Fashion writing covers fashion trends, designers, and the fashion industry. This writing style is used by fashion journalists, bloggers, and critics to report on fashion shows, designer collections, and street style trends. Fashion writing may also include:

• Profiles of fashion icons.
• Opinion pieces on the cultural and social impact of fashion.
• Guides on personal style and fashion advice.

Effective fashion writing is engaging, visually descriptive, and captures the creativity and dynamism of the fashion world.

Flash Fiction: 

Flash fiction is a concise form of storytelling, often under 1,000 words, that still manages to convey a complete narrative with a beginning, middle, and end. This writing style requires concision, precision, and a strong understanding of story structure and character development. Flash fiction writers must be able to create a compelling story, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact on the reader in a limited amount of space. Compelling flash fiction is often surprising, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant, demonstrating the power of brevity in storytelling.

Food Writing: 

Food writing describes and critiques culinary experiences, recipes, and food culture. Food critics, bloggers, and culinary enthusiasts use this style of writing to explore the art and science of cooking, the history and cultural significance of various cuisines, and the personal and social aspects of food and dining. Food writing may include restaurant reviews, recipe guides, and essays on food-related topics such as sustainability, nutrition, and the food industry. Effective food writing is sensory and informative and conveys the joy and passion of culinary exploration.

Ghostwriting: 

Ghostwriting involves writing content officially credited to another person, often a public figure, celebrity, or expert in a particular field. Ghostwriters collaborate with their clients to capture their voices, ideas, and experiences and create written works that align with the client’s goals and intended audience. This writing style requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and maintaining confidentiality. Ghostwriters may work on various projects, such as memoirs, novels, articles, speeches, and social media content. Effective ghostwriting seamlessly blends the client’s vision with the writer’s skills, creating a final product that accurately represents the credited author.

Gothic Writing: 

Gothic writing is a style that evokes mystery, fear, and the supernatural in a dark, atmospheric setting. This type of writing often features eerie or haunted locations, dark family secrets, and characters grappling with internal conflicts or external threats. Gothic writers use descriptive language and imagery to create a sense of unease and foreboding, often exploring themes of death, decay, and the unknown. Effective Gothic writing requires a mastery of atmosphere and tone and the ability to create complex and psychologically compelling characters. If you like Gothic writing you might like our 100 gothic fiction writing prompts .

Grant Writing: 

Grant writing involves preparing proposals to secure funding for projects, programs, or organizations from government agencies, foundations, or other funding bodies. This writing style requires a clear understanding of the funding organization’s goals, priorities, and application requirements. Grant writers must effectively communicate the need for the proposed project, outline specific objectives and activities, and provide a compelling case for why the funding should be awarded. Effective grant writing is persuasive, well-organized, and strongly aligns with the proposed project and the funding organization’s mission.

Haiku is a Japanese poetic form consisting of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. This style of writing, which originated in the 17th century, often focuses on nature, seasons, and moments of epiphany or insight, using simple, concise language to create a sense of beauty, transience, and spiritual depth. Haiku writers use vivid sensory details and juxtaposition to create a sense of immediacy and connection with the natural world, often leaving room for the reader’s interpretation and reflection. Effective haiku requires a mastery of the form’s technical constraints and the ability to use language and imagery to create a sense of emotional resonance and universality.

Hard-Boiled Writing

Hard-boiled writing features tough, cynical characters in a gritty, crime-ridden setting. This style of writing, which emerged in the 1920s and 1930s with writers such as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, often features a world where corruption and violence are the norm, where the line between right and wrong is blurred, and where the protagonist must navigate a treacherous landscape of double-crosses and moral ambiguity. Hard-boiled writers use vivid descriptions of seedy underworlds, fast-paced action, and snappy dialogue to create a sense of danger and excitement, often using the detective story as a vehicle for social commentary and critique. Effective hard-boiled writing requires a deep understanding of the genre’s conventions and themes and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to create a sense of authenticity and raw, street-level realism.

Historical Writing: 

Historical writing investigates and interprets past events based on primary and secondary sources. Historians, scholars, and researchers use this writing style to analyze and explain the causes, consequences, and significance of historical events, figures, and movements. Historical writing may also involve exploring the social, cultural, and political contexts that shaped the past. Effective historical writing is well-researched, objective, and provides a compelling narrative that sheds new light on our understanding of history. If you like writing about history, you might find our 50 historical fiction writing prompts helpful.

Horror Writing: 

Horror writing aims to frighten and unsettle readers through suspenseful and disturbing content. This writing style often explores themes of fear, violence, and the supernatural, using vivid descriptions and plot twists to create a sense of dread and terror. Horror writers may draw inspiration from real-life fears and phobias and classic horror tropes and archetypes. Effective horror writing requires a deep understanding of what scares people and the ability to create believable and terrifying scenarios that linger in the reader’s mind long after the story ends. If you like horror you are in the right place, we have 100s of horror writing prompts to spark your creativity like: Daily horror writing prompts, 50 Lovecraftian horror writing prompts , 50 Horror Writing Prompts from Different Points of View , 365 Horrifying Horror Writing Prompts , 100 Vampire, Werewolf, Witch and Ghost Writing Prompts , 100 survival horror writing prompts, and 10 Horrifying Horror Story Prompts . We have many more articles and lists dealing with horror on our site.

Hypertext Writing

Hypertext writing uses hyperlinks to create non-linear, interactive narratives. This writing style, which emerged in the late 20th century with the rise of digital media, allows readers to navigate through a story or informational text non-sequentially, following links and pathways that reflect their interests and choices. Hypertext writers use branching storylines, multimedia elements, and user interactivity to create a sense of immersion and agency for the reader, often blurring the line between author and audience. Effective hypertext writing requires a deep understanding of digital storytelling techniques, user experience design, and creating compelling and coherent narratives that can be explored in multiple ways.

Invective Writing

Invective writing expresses strong criticism or verbal abuse towards a person or group. This style of writing, which has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman oratory, often uses harsh language, personal attacks, and rhetorical flourishes to denounce or discredit an opponent, often in a political or social context. Invective writers may use sarcasm, irony, and hyperbole to create a sense of moral outrage or righteous anger, usually appealing to the reader’s emotions and sense of justice. Effective invective writing requires a mastery of rhetorical techniques, a keen understanding of the audience’s values and beliefs, and the ability to use language and argument to create a sense of urgency and call to action.

Inspirational Writing: 

Inspirational writing aims to uplift, encourage, and motivate readers. This writing style is used by motivational speakers, religious leaders, and self-help authors to provide guidance and support for personal and spiritual growth. Inspirational writing may include stories of overcoming adversity, quotes and affirmations, and practical advice for living a more fulfilling life. Effective, inspirational writing is empowering and compassionate and helps readers find meaning and purpose.

Journalistic Writing: 

Journalistic writing reports on news, events, and issues objectively and truthfully. This writing style is used in newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets to inform the public about current affairs, politics, entertainment, sports, and other topics of interest. Journalistic writing follows a specific structure, often using the inverted pyramid format, which presents the most critical information first and gradually provides more details and background information. Journalists must adhere to ethical standards, such as accuracy, fairness, and impartiality, and verify their sources and facts before publishing their work. Effective journalistic writing is clear, concise, and engaging, capturing the reader’s attention and conveying the essential information quickly and efficiently.

Legal Writing: 

Legal writing involves drafting legal documents, such as contracts, briefs, or opinions, and presenting arguments precisely and persuasively. This writing style requires a deep understanding of legal principles, case law, and statutory requirements and the ability to analyze complex legal issues and communicate them effectively to legal professionals and lay audiences. Effective legal writing is well-structured, thoroughly researched, and adheres to the legal field’s conventions and formatting requirements.

Lyrical Writing: 

Lyrical writing employs poetic and melodic language to evoke emotions and imagery. This style of writing, which is often associated with poetry and songwriting, uses techniques such as rhyme, meter, and figurative language to create a sense of musicality and rhythm in the text. Lyrical writers often focus on themes of love, nature, and the human experience, using sensory details and symbolic imagery to create a sense of beauty, intimacy, and emotional depth. Effective lyrical writing requires a mastery of poetic techniques, a keen ear for language, and the ability to use words and phrases to create a sense of melody and harmony on the page.

Magical Realism Writing: 

Magical realism writing incorporates fantastical elements into an otherwise realistic setting. This style of writing, which emerged in Latin American literature in the mid-20th century, often features supernatural or mythical events and characters that are treated as a natural part of the everyday world, frequently used to explore themes of cultural identity, political oppression, and the blurring of boundaries between the real and the imaginary. Magical realist writers use vivid descriptions of the natural and the supernatural to create a sense of wonder and enchantment, often leaving the reader questioning the nature of reality. Effective magical realism writing requires a deep understanding of the genre’s conventions and themes and the ability to use language and storytelling techniques to integrate the mundane and the miraculous seamlessly. If you like magical realism you might want to check out our Spellbinding 100 Magical Realism Prompts .

Medical Writing: 

Medical writing involves communicating medical and health-related information to various audiences, such as healthcare professionals, patients, or the general public. This writing style covers multiple topics, from clinical research and drug development to patient education and health journalism. Medical writers must have a strong understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, and the latest advancements in healthcare. Effective medical writing is accurate, precise, and tailored to the target audience’s specific needs and knowledge level, ensuring that complex medical information is conveyed in an accessible and engaging manner.

Memoir Writing: 

Memoir writing is a form of autobiographical writing that recounts specific experiences, events, or periods in the author’s life. Unlike an autobiography, which typically covers the author’s life, a memoir focuses on a particular theme, relationship, or period of personal growth. Memoirists often reflect on their experiences, share lessons learned, and explore the broader implications of their individual stories. Effective memoir writing is honest, reflective, and emotionally engaging, allowing the reader to connect with the author’s experiences and gain new insights into the human condition.

Metafiction Writing: 

Metafiction writing self-consciously addresses the conventions and artificiality of storytelling. This writing style often breaks the fourth wall, directly acknowledging the reader and the fictional nature of the narrative. Metafictional works may include self-referential elements, such as characters who are aware they are in a story or plot devices that are openly discussed and manipulated. Metafiction challenges traditional narrative structures by exposing storytelling mechanics and encourages readers to reflect on the relationship between fiction and reality. Effective metafiction writing requires a deep understanding of literary conventions, a willingness to subvert them, and the ability to create engaging stories that operate on multiple levels of meaning.

Minimalist Writing: 

Minimalist writing uses simple, sparse language and focuses on the essential elements of the story. This writing style, which emerged in the mid-20th century with writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Raymond Carver, often features short sentences, limited descriptions, and a focus on action and dialogue rather than introspection or exposition. Minimalist writers aim to convey the most meaning with the fewest words possible, trusting the reader to fill in the gaps and interpret the subtext. Effective minimalist writing requires a mastery of concision and precision and the ability to create compelling characters and storylines using only the most essential details.

Motivational Writing: 

Motivational writing encourages readers to take action and pursue their goals. Life coaches, business leaders, and success experts use this writing style to provide strategies and techniques for overcoming obstacles, building confidence, and achieving success. Motivational writing may include case studies, personal anecdotes, and practical exercises for setting and achieving goals. Effective motivational writing is energizing and action-oriented and helps readers develop the mindset and skills needed to succeed.

Mystery Writing: 

Mystery writing revolves around a crime or puzzle that the protagonist must solve. This writing style often features a detective or amateur sleuth who uses observation and deduction skills to uncover clues and piece together the truth. Mystery writers use suspense, red herrings, and plot twists to keep readers guessing until the final reveal. Effective mystery writing requires careful plotting and pacing and creating complex, believable characters with hidden motives and secrets.We have lots of support for mystery writing on our site including 50 mystery whodunit writing prompts.

Narrative Writing: 

Narrative writing tells a story, usually with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This writing style often involves a plot, characters, and a setting and may be based on real-life events or entirely fictional. Narrative writing aims to engage the reader by creating an immersive experience, using descriptive language, dialogue, and sensory details to bring the story to life. Common examples of narrative writing include novels, short stories, memoirs, and personal essays. A well-crafted narrative often consists of a conflict or challenge the main character must overcome, leading to a resolution or change in the character’s life.

Noir Writing: 

Noir writing depicts a dark, morally ambiguous world, often in a detective or crime story. This writing style, which emerged in the mid-20th century with writers such as Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain, usually features cynical, world-weary protagonists who navigate a shadowy underworld of corruption, deceit, and violence. Noir writers use vivid descriptions of urban decay, complex plotlines, and snappy, often sarcastic dialogue to create a sense of atmosphere and moral ambiguity. Effective noir writing requires a deep understanding of the genre’s conventions and themes and the ability to create complex, flawed characters and intricate, suspenseful storylines. Noir is such a great writing style/genre, check out our 150 tech noir writing prompts .

Op-Ed Writing: 

Op-ed writing, short for “opposite the editorial page,” expresses a personal opinion on a current issue, often in a newspaper or magazine. Unlike editorials representing a publication’s official stance, op-eds are authored by individual writers, experts, or public figures. This writing style allows for diverse perspectives and often sparks public debate or discussion on important topics. Effective op-ed writing is persuasive, well-informed, and offers a fresh or provocative take.

Paranormal Writing:

 Paranormal writing features supernatural or inexplicable phenomena in a realistic setting. This writing style often explores themes of ghosts, psychic abilities, and otherworldly creatures, using a blend of horror, mystery, and fantasy elements to create eerie and atmospheric stories. Paranormal writers often use their stories to explore deeper themes of life, death, and the nature of reality. Effective paranormal writing requires a balance of realism and the supernatural and the ability to create compelling characters grappling with extraordinary circumstances.  We love the paranormal around here, and you might like our 50 paranormal romance story starters or 100 Paranormal Fantasy Writing Prompts .

Pastoral Writing: 

Pastoral writing celebrates rural life and landscapes, often in an idealized or nostalgic manner. This style of writing, which has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman literature, usually features descriptions of rural settings, such as rolling hills, babbling brooks, and peaceful meadows, as well as characters who live in harmony with nature. Pastoral writers often use their works to contrast the simplicity and beauty of rural life with the corruption and complexity of urban society, sometimes as a form of social commentary or critique. Effective pastoral writing requires a deep appreciation for the natural world and an ability to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere through vivid, sensory descriptions.

Persuasive Writing: 

Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. This writing style presents arguments, evidence, and reasoning to support a position or claim while addressing and refuting potential counterarguments. Persuasive writing is commonly used in opinion pieces, editorials, advertisements, and political speeches. Effective, compelling writing must be well-researched, logically structured, and emotionally appealing to the target audience. The writer may use rhetorical devices, such as ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic), to strengthen their arguments and persuade the reader.

Philosophical Writing: 

Philosophical writing examines fundamental questions and ideas about knowledge, reality, and existence. Philosophers and thinkers use this writing style to explore abstract concepts, challenge assumptions, and propose new ways of understanding the world. Philosophical writing often involves constructing logical arguments, analyzing existing theories, and engaging in critical thinking. Effective philosophical writing is clear, precise, rigorous, and open to multiple perspectives and interpretations.

Picaresque Writing: 

Picaresque’s writing follows a mischievous hero’s adventures in an episodic, often satirical narrative. This style of writing, which originated in 16th-century Spain with works such as “Lazarillo de Tormes,” usually features a low-born, morally ambiguous protagonist who moves from one adventure to another, often as a means of social critique or commentary. Picaresque writers use humor, irony, and a sense of the absurd to create an understanding of the protagonist’s outsider status and the inherent flaws and defects of the society they move through. Effective picaresque writing requires a mastery of episodic storytelling, a keen eye for social satire, and the ability to create a compelling if not always likable, central character.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses language artistically to evoke emotions, ideas, or experiences. Poets employ various literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, and rhyme, to create vivid imagery, convey deeper meanings, and explore universal themes. Poetry can take many forms, from traditional structures like sonnets and haikus to free verse and experimental styles. The primary goal of poetry is to express the poet’s unique perspective and evoke an emotional response from the reader. Compelling poetry is often concise yet powerful, using carefully chosen words and phrases to create a lasting impact. Please also see our 50 Poetry Writing Prompts Every Writer should try .

Political Writing: 

Political writing discusses political issues, policies, and events from various perspectives. Journalists, commentators, and political analysts use this writing style to report on elections, legislation, and international relations and provide opinions and analysis on political topics. Political writing may include speeches, manifestos, and policy papers by politicians and advocacy groups. Effective political writing is well-informed and objective and engages with the complexities and controversies of the political landscape.

Review Writing: 

Review writing involves evaluating and critically assessing a product, service, or work of art, such as a book, movie, restaurant, or consumer item. Reviewers provide their informed opinions, highlighting the subject’s strengths and weaknesses. This style of writing requires a deep understanding of the relevant industry or field and the ability to analyze and articulate the key aspects that contribute to the overall quality or value of the subject. Effective review writing is objective, well-reasoned, and provides valuable insights to help readers make informed decisions.

Romance Writing: 

Romance writing focuses on the development of a romantic relationship between characters. This writing style often explores themes of love, desire, and commitment, using obstacles and conflicts to test the strength of the central relationship. Romance writers may write in various subgenres, such as historical romance, contemporary romance, or paranormal romance, each with unique conventions and tropes. Effective romance writing requires a deep understanding of human relationships and emotions and the ability to create compelling and likable characters for which readers can root.

Satirical Writing: 

Satirical writing uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or comment on society, individuals, or institutions. This writing style aims to expose and ridicule human vices, follies, and absurdities, often to promote social or political change. Satirical writing can take many forms, such as essays, novels, plays, and cartoons, and usually requires a deep understanding of the subject matter being satirized. Effective satirical writing is witty, clever, and thought-provoking, using humor to highlight serious issues and encourage the audience to question the status quo.

Script writing: 

Script writing involves creating scripts for various forms of visual media, such as films, television shows, plays, and video games. This writing style requires a unique format that includes scene descriptions, character dialogues, and stage directions. Scriptwriters must have a strong understanding of storytelling techniques, character development, and visual storytelling. They collaborate with directors, producers, and other creative professionals to bring their scripts to life on screen or stage. Effective scriptwriting creates engaging and memorable stories, compelling characters, and vivid scenes that captivate the audience.

Science Fiction Writing: 

Science fiction writing speculates about future technologies, societies, and scientific discoveries. This writing style often explores themes of space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, and dystopian futures, using imaginative world-building and technical detail to create believable and thought-provoking stories. Science fiction writers may draw inspiration from current scientific research and theories and classic science fiction tropes and archetypes. Effective science fiction writing requires a balance of creativity and scientific plausibility and the ability to create compelling characters and storylines that explore the human condition in a futuristic setting.

Scientific Writing: 

Scientific writing presents research findings, hypotheses, and scientific information in a structured, technical style. This writing style is used in academic journals, research papers, and grant proposals and requires a clear understanding of the scientific method, data analysis, and the relevant field of study. Scientific writers must effectively communicate complex ideas, methods, and results, using precise language and visual aids, such as graphs and charts, to support their findings. Effective scientific writing is objective, well-organized, and contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Self-Help Writing: 

Self-help writing provides advice and guidance for personal growth and improvement. This writing style is used by self-help authors, life coaches, and mental health professionals to offer strategies and techniques for overcoming challenges, achieving goals, and improving overall well-being. Self-help writing may cover many topics, such as relationships, career development, stress management, and spiritual growth. Effective self-help writing is practical and empowering, offering readers concrete tools and insights for creating positive change in their lives.

Social Commentary Writing: 

Social commentary writing offers observations and opinions on social issues and cultural phenomena. Essayists, columnists, and cultural critics use this style of writing to analyze and critique various aspects of society, such as race, gender, class, and popular culture. Social commentary writing may include personal reflections and stories illuminating more significant social issues. Effective social commentary writing is insightful and thought-provoking, challenging readers to examine their beliefs and assumptions about the world.

Speech writing: 

Speech writing involves crafting speeches for public figures, such as politicians, business leaders, or activists, tailored to the specific speaker and audience. This writing style requires a deep understanding of the speaker’s voice, style, objectives, and the audience’s expectations and concerns. Speechwriters must effectively convey the speaker’s message, using rhetorical devices, storytelling, and persuasive arguments to engage and influence the audience. Effective speech writing is clear, concise, and memorable, leaving a lasting impact on the listeners.

Sports Writing: 

Sports writing reports on and analyzes sports events, athletes, and related issues. Journalists, bloggers, and commentators use this style of writing to cover a wide range of sports, from amateur leagues to professional competitions. Sports writing may include game recaps, player profiles, opinion pieces, and investigative reporting on doping, corruption, and social justice in sports. Effective sports writing is engaging and informative and captures the excitement and drama of athletic competition.

Stream of Consciousness Writing: 

Stream-of-consciousness writing presents a character’s continuous flow of thoughts, impressions, and experiences without traditional narrative structure or punctuation constraints. This writing style aims to capture the inner workings of a character’s mind, often in a non-linear or fragmented manner. Famous examples of stream-of-consciousness writing include James Joyce’s “Ulysses” and Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway.” Effective stream-of-consciousness writing creates a sense of immediacy and psychological depth, allowing the reader to experience the character’s thoughts and emotions raw and unfiltered.

Technical Writing:

 Technical writing communicates complex information clearly and concisely to a specific audience. This writing style is used in various industries, such as engineering, computer science, and healthcare, to create user manuals, product specifications, software documentation, and other instructional materials. Technical writers must have a deep understanding of the subject matter and be able to explain complex concepts and processes in a way that is accessible to the intended audience. Effective technical writing is well-structured, uses precise language and terminology, and often includes visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, and images, to support the text and enhance understanding.

Theological Writing: 

Theological writing explores religious beliefs, practices, and spiritual ideas in a scholarly or reflective manner. Theologians, religious scholars, and spiritual leaders often use this writing style to analyze and interpret religious texts, doctrines, and traditions. Theological writing may also include personal reflections on faith, spirituality, and the human experience. Effective theological writing is well-researched and thoughtful and engages with the complexities and nuances of religious thought while remaining accessible to the intended audience.

Travel Writing: 

Travel writing describes a traveler’s experiences, observations, and recommendations for visiting a particular destination or embarking on a journey. This writing style aims to transport the reader to the described location, providing vivid details about the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations encountered along the way. Travel writers often share their insights, historical and cultural context, and practical advice for other travelers. Effective travel writing is engaging, informative, and evocative, inspiring readers to explore new places and gain a deeper appreciation for the world around them.

Thriller Writing: 

Thriller writing creates intense suspense and excitement, often in a high-stakes plot. This writing style usually features a race against time, a dangerous villain, and a protagonist who must use their skills and cunning to survive. Thriller writers use fast pacing, plot twists, and cliffhangers to keep readers in their seats. Effective thriller writing requires a mastery of suspense and tension and the ability to create complex and morally ambiguous characters.

Western Writing: 

Western writing is set in the American Old West, often featuring cowboys, outlaws, and frontier life. This writing style frequently explores themes of honor, justice, and the struggle between civilization and wilderness. Western writers use vivid descriptions of the rugged landscape and colorful characters to create a sense of place and time. Effective Western writing requires a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context of the American West, as well as the ability to create compelling and archetypal characters.

Young Adult Writing: 

Young adult writing targets readers aged 12-18 and often deals with coming-of-age themes. This writing style usually features teenage protagonists grappling with issues of identity, relationships, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Young adult writers may write in genres such as fantasy, science fiction, or contemporary realism, using relatable characters and engaging storylines to connect with their audience. Effective young adult writing requires a deep understanding of the concerns and experiences of teenagers, as well as the ability to create authentic and compelling characters and story lines.

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide has provided a detailed exploration of the diverse and fascinating world of writing styles. From the classical to the contemporary, from the informative to the imaginative, each style represents a unique approach to the art of written expression, with its purpose, techniques, and impact on the reader.

Throughout this guide, we have examined the key characteristics and examples of dozens of writing styles, ranging from the concise and precise methods of technical and journalistic writing to the evocative and experimental forms of poetry and absurdist writing. We have also discussed the importance of choosing the appropriate style for your purpose and audience and how the right choice can enhance your work’s clarity, credibility, emotional resonance, and artistic merit.

However, it is essential to remember that mastering these writing styles is not simply memorizing rules and formulas. Instead, it is an ongoing exploration, experimentation, and growth process as you develop your unique voice and perspective as a writer. By studying the works of great authors and practitioners of each style and constantly challenging yourself to try new approaches and techniques, you can continue expanding your writing skills and creativity.

Moreover, in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the ability to adapt and innovate with different writing styles has become more critical than ever. With the proliferation of new media platforms and technologies, writers must be able to craft compelling content across a wide range of formats and channels, from social media posts and blog articles to interactive narratives and immersive storytelling experiences. By deeply understanding the various writing styles and their potential applications, you can position yourself at the forefront of this exciting and transformative era in written communication.

As we conclude this definitive guide to writing styles, we encourage you to embrace the richness and diversity of the written word and continue exploring and experimenting with different approaches and techniques in your writing. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a passionate amateur, a poet or a programmer, a journalist or a novelist, the power to express yourself effectively and creatively through writing is one of our greatest gifts and responsibilities as communicators and storytellers. By mastering the art of writing styles, you can enhance your skills and impact as a writer and contribute to the ongoing evolution and vitality of the written word as a medium for human understanding, imagination, and connection.

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About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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What Is Academic Writing? | Dos and Don’ts for Students

Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. You’ll encounter it in journal articles and books on academic topics, and you’ll be expected to write your essays , research papers , and dissertation in academic style.

Academic writing follows the same writing process as other types of texts, but it has specific conventions in terms of content, structure and style.

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Table of contents

Types of academic writing, academic writing is…, academic writing is not…, useful tools for academic writing, academic writing checklist.

Academics mostly write texts intended for publication, such as journal articles, reports, books, and chapters in edited collections. For students, the most common types of academic writing assignments are listed below.

Different fields of study have different priorities in terms of the writing they produce. For example, in scientific writing it’s crucial to clearly and accurately report methods and results; in the humanities, the focus is on constructing convincing arguments through the use of textual evidence. However, most academic writing shares certain key principles intended to help convey information as effectively as possible.

Whether your goal is to pass your degree, apply to graduate school , or build an academic career, effective writing is an essential skill.

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Formal and unbiased.

Academic writing aims to convey information in an impartial way. The goal is to base arguments on the evidence under consideration, not the author’s preconceptions. All claims should be supported with relevant evidence, not just asserted.

To avoid bias, it’s important to represent the work of other researchers and the results of your own research fairly and accurately. This means clearly outlining your methodology  and being honest about the limitations of your research.

The formal style used in academic writing ensures that research is presented consistently across different texts, so that studies can be objectively assessed and compared with other research.

Because of this, it’s important to strike the right tone with your language choices. Avoid informal language , including slang, contractions , clichés, and conversational phrases:

• Also , a lot of the findings are a little unreliable.
• Moreover , many of the findings are somewhat unreliable.

Clear and precise

It’s important to use clear and precise language to ensure that your reader knows exactly what you mean. This means being as specific as possible and avoiding vague language :

• People have been interested in this thing for a long time .
• Researchers have been interested in this phenomenon for at least 10 years .

Avoid hedging your claims with words like “perhaps,” as this can give the impression that you lack confidence in your arguments. Reflect on your word choice to ensure it accurately and directly conveys your meaning:

• This could perhaps suggest that…
• This suggests that…

Specialist language or jargon is common and often necessary in academic writing, which generally targets an audience of other academics in related fields.

However, jargon should be used to make your writing more concise and accurate, not to make it more complicated. A specialist term should be used when:

• It conveys information more precisely than a comparable non-specialist term.
• Your reader is likely to be familiar with the term.
• The term is commonly used by other researchers in your field.

The best way to familiarize yourself with the kind of jargon used in your field is to read papers by other researchers and pay attention to their language.

Focused and well structured

An academic text is not just a collection of ideas about a topic—it needs to have a clear purpose. Start with a relevant research question or thesis statement , and use it to develop a focused argument. Only include information that is relevant to your overall purpose.

A coherent structure is crucial to organize your ideas. Pay attention to structure at three levels: the structure of the whole text, paragraph structure, and sentence structure.

Well sourced

Academic writing uses sources to support its claims. Sources are other texts (or media objects like photographs or films) that the author analyzes or uses as evidence. Many of your sources will be written by other academics; academic writing is collaborative and builds on previous research.

It’s important to consider which sources are credible and appropriate to use in academic writing. For example, citing Wikipedia is typically discouraged. Don’t rely on websites for information; instead, use academic databases and your university library to find credible sources.

You must always cite your sources in academic writing. This means acknowledging whenever you quote or paraphrase someone else’s work by including a citation in the text and a reference list at the end.

There are many different citation styles with different rules. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago . Make sure to consistently follow whatever style your institution requires. If you don’t cite correctly, you may get in trouble for plagiarism . A good plagiarism checker can help you catch any issues before it’s too late.

You can easily create accurate citations in APA or MLA style using our Citation Generators.

APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator

Correct and consistent

As well as following the rules of grammar, punctuation, and citation, it’s important to consistently apply stylistic conventions regarding:

• How to write numbers
• Introducing abbreviations
• Using verb tenses in different sections
• Capitalization of terms and headings
• Spelling and punctuation differences between UK and US English

In some cases there are several acceptable approaches that you can choose between—the most important thing is to apply the same rules consistently and to carefully proofread your text before you submit. If you don’t feel confident in your own proofreading abilities, you can get help from Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or Grammar Checker .

Academic writing generally tries to avoid being too personal. Information about the author may come in at some points—for example in the acknowledgements or in a personal reflection—but for the most part the text should focus on the research itself.

Always avoid addressing the reader directly with the second-person pronoun “you.” Use the impersonal pronoun “one” or an alternate phrasing instead for generalizations:

• As a teacher, you must treat your students fairly.
• As a teacher, one must treat one’s students fairly.
• Teachers must treat their students fairly.

The use of the first-person pronoun “I” used to be similarly discouraged in academic writing, but it is increasingly accepted in many fields. If you’re unsure whether to use the first person, pay attention to conventions in your field or ask your instructor.

When you refer to yourself, it should be for good reason. You can position yourself and describe what you did during the research, but avoid arbitrarily inserting your personal thoughts and feelings:

• In my opinion…
• I think that…
• I like/dislike…
• I conducted interviews with…
• I argue that…
• I hope to achieve…

Long-winded

Many students think their writing isn’t academic unless it’s over-complicated and long-winded. This isn’t a good approach—instead, aim to be as concise and direct as possible.

If a term can be cut or replaced with a more straightforward one without affecting your meaning, it should be. Avoid redundant phrasings in your text, and try replacing phrasal verbs with their one-word equivalents where possible:

• Interest in this phenomenon carried on in the year 2018 .
• Interest in this phenomenon continued in 2018 .

Repetition is a part of academic writing—for example, summarizing earlier information in the conclusion—but it’s important to avoid unnecessary repetition. Make sure that none of your sentences are repeating a point you’ve already made in different words.

Emotive and grandiose

An academic text is not the same thing as a literary, journalistic, or marketing text. Though you’re still trying to be persuasive, a lot of techniques from these styles are not appropriate in an academic context. Specifically, you should avoid appeals to emotion and inflated claims.

Though you may be writing about a topic that’s sensitive or important to you, the point of academic writing is to clearly communicate ideas, information, and arguments, not to inspire an emotional response. Avoid using emotive or subjective language :

• This horrible tragedy was obviously one of the worst catastrophes in construction history.
• The injury and mortality rates of this accident were among the highest in construction history.

Students are sometimes tempted to make the case for their topic with exaggerated , unsupported claims and flowery language. Stick to specific, grounded arguments that you can support with evidence, and don’t overstate your point:

• Charles Dickens is the greatest writer of the Victorian period, and his influence on all subsequent literature is enormous.
• Charles Dickens is one of the best-known writers of the Victorian period and has had a significant influence on the development of the English novel.

There are a a lot of writing tools that will make your writing process faster and easier. We’ll highlight three of them below.

Paraphrasing tool

AI writing tools like ChatGPT and a paraphrasing tool can help you rewrite text so that your ideas are clearer, you don’t repeat yourself, and your writing has a consistent tone.

They can also help you write more clearly about sources without having to quote them directly. Be warned, though: it’s still crucial to give credit to all sources in the right way to prevent plagiarism .

Grammar checker

Writing tools that scan your text for punctuation, spelling, and grammar mistakes. When it detects a mistake the grammar checke r will give instant feedback and suggest corrections. Helping you write clearly and avoid common mistakes .

You can use a summarizer if you want to condense text into its most important and useful ideas. With a summarizer tool, you can make it easier to understand complicated sources. You can also use the tool to make your research question clearer and summarize your main argument.

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Use the checklist below to assess whether you have followed the rules of effective academic writing.

• Checklist: Academic writing

I avoid informal terms and contractions .

I avoid second-person pronouns (“you”).

I avoid emotive or exaggerated language.

I avoid redundant words and phrases.

I avoid unnecessary jargon and define terms where needed.

I present information as precisely and accurately as possible.

I use appropriate transitions to show the connections between my ideas.

My text is logically organized using paragraphs .

Each paragraph is focused on a single idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .

Every part of the text relates to my central thesis or research question .

I support my claims with evidence.

I use the appropriate verb tenses in each section.

I consistently use either UK or US English .

I format numbers consistently.

I cite my sources using a consistent citation style .

Your text follows the most important rules of academic style. Make sure it's perfect with the help of a Scribbr editor!

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How to Write a Paper in APA Format | For Students

When I was a student, I was told to submit my essays in APA format. At the time, I had no idea what that even meant or how to do it. If this sounds familiar to you, don’t worry—I’ve been there, too. In this guide, I’ll show you the easiest way to understand APA format and a simple hack to help you comfortably write your essays and then format them in APA style.

When is APA format used?

APA format is commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, and economics, as well as in fields like business and nursing. This standardized format is adopted by professionals, researchers, and students to structure and present research papers, essays, and other academic documents.

It ensures consistency and clarity in communication within these disciplines by providing specific guidelines for nearly all aspects of manuscript formatting, from font choice to margins and punctuation. By adhering to paper APA format 7th edition style, writers in these fields can effectively share their findings and ideas in a clear and organized manner.

General Guidelines/ Rules of APA Formatting

Understanding the guidelines is key when learning how to write a paper in APA format for students. However, there's one important point that is often missed by many: the APA 7th edition now has different guidelines for students and professionals. So, if you notice a few extra details that might be missing in the guidelines below, it is because we have skipped the APA 7th edition guidelines for professionals to avoid any confusion. Let's review the guidelines:

General Formatting:

Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides.

Font: Use a readable font such as Times New Roman (12 pt.).

Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the document, including the title page, abstract, references, and any other sections.

Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (use the tab key or the paragraph formatting function).

Alignment: Left-align all text except for headings, which follow specific formats.

Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the top right corner of every page, starting on the title page (which is considered page 1).

Title Page: Follow guidelines for the placement of the title, author information, affiliation (your school), course information, and instructor's name.

Abstract: Include a brief summary of your paper on a separate page after the title page.

Body Text: Write in clear and concise language, avoiding jargon. Use headings to organize your content.

In-text Citations: Cite your sources within the text using the author’s name and publication year in parentheses. There are specific formats for different types of sources.

Reference List: Start a new page for your references, listed alphabetically by the first author's last name. Follow specific formatting guidelines for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Here's what a title page of a reference paper template looks like in APA format:

How to Set up APA Format Paper [Step-by-Step]

After understanding the guidelines, the next step is to apply them effectively to format your paper in APA 7th edition style. To achieve this, we need an efficient writing tool that provides all the necessary formatting tools. Since we're just starting our journey to format essays in APA style, the tool should be easy to use. For these reasons, I'll be using a professional writing tool— WPS Office .

WPS Office not only provides all the necessary tools but also has a major benefit—it's completely free to use. I recommend downloading WPS Office on your system to ensure you can follow the steps smoothly. So, let's begin. I have an example paper that I will format in APA style using WPS Office.

1.Page Margins

Before you begin formatting your essay, let's set the page margins according to APA 7th edition guidelines, which require 1-inch margins on all sides.

Step 1: To set the page margins in WPS Writer, simply go to the Page Layout tab.

Step 2: In the Page Layout ribbon, locate the Margin fields on the left end of the ribbon.

Step 3: Here, set all margins—top, bottom, left, and right—to 1 inch.

Once you've adjusted the margins, we can proceed with formatting the rest of the document.

2.Font Settings and Line Spacing

Next, let's adjust the font and line spacing according to APA style requirements.

Step 1: Go to the Home tab in WPS Writer and change the font to “Times New Roman” in the “Fonts” field.

Step 2: To change the font size, enter "12" in the "Font size" field.

Step 3: For adjusting line spacing, simply click on the "Line spacing" icon in the Home ribbon and select "2.0" to apply double spacing in your essay.

Once we've completed setting the general formatting of our entire essay according to APA style, we now need to prepare the header.

Step 1: To set the header, double-click on the header area to enter the header in WPS Writer.

The header in APA style for students includes only the page number on the top right.

Step 2: To insert the page number, click on the "Page Number" button in the Header/Footer ribbon.

Step 3: From the Page Number drop-down menu, select the "Header right" option to insert the page number on the top right.

Step 4: Next, we need to set the header height to "0.5 in" in the "Header height" field.

 4.Title Page

Sure! Let's start formatting each page of your essay, beginning with the title page. The title page should include the title of your paper, your name (as the author), the professor's name, course details, university name, and the due date. Each of these headings should start on a new line with 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page. This formatting ensures that your essay's title page follows APA style guidelines accurately.

Step 1: Press the "Enter" key on the keyboard to leave 3-4 blank lines at the top of the page.

Step 2: Type the title of your essay and center align it by clicking on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon.

Step 3: Make the title bold by selecting the title text and clicking on the "Bold" icon in the Home ribbon.

Step 4: Press the "Enter" key twice to create a blank line between the title and the essay details. Then, enter the essay details in the following order, each on a separate line:

Your name (Author)

Department, University

Course Name, Course code

Professor's name

Step 5: After entering the essay details as described, ensure that each detail is centered on the page by selecting all the text with your mouse. Then, click on the "Center" icon in the Home ribbon to center-align the selected text.

Step 1: To insert a new blank page after the title page, place the cursor at the end of the due date on the title page and go to the Insert tab.

Step 2: In the Insert ribbon, click on "Breaks" and then select "Page Break" from the drop-down menu. This will create a new blank page where we will enter our abstract.

Step 3: Enter the heading "Abstract" in bold font style and center align it.

Step 4: Type the body of the abstract with no indentation. Simply start typing the abstract text.

After completing the abstract, insert another page break to start the next section of your essay.

6.Headings and Subheadings

To ensure your paper adheres to APA style guidelines for headings and paragraph indentation, here's how you can format them:

Step 1: On a new blank page, enter the Level 1 heading and ensure it is centered and in bold.

Step 2: For the body of the headings, indent the first line of each new paragraph by “0.5 in” by pressing the “Tab” key on your keyboard

Level 1 Heading: Centered and bold. It is used for main sections, like "Methods" or "Results".

Level 2 Heading: Left-aligned and bold. It is used to divide the main sections into subsections.

Level 3 Heading: Left-aligned, bold, and italicized. It further divides subsections into smaller parts.

Level 4 Heading: Indented, bold, and ends with a period. Text immediately follows this period, and it continues with lowercase text.

Level 5 Heading: Indented, bold, and in italics. Similar to Level 4, it also continues with lowercase text..

7.Table of contents

Essays can be lengthy, so including a table of contents can help make navigation easier. Let's take a look at how we can add a table of contents in WPS Writer.

Step 1: The Table of Contents is placed right after the title page, so the first step is to create a blank space after the title page using a Page Break.

Step 2: Now, on the blank page, go to the References tab and click on the Table of Contents button.

Step 3: From the Table of Contents drop-down menu, select any of the default templates available. I prefer using the 3rd template as it allows coverage of 3 levels of headings.

Step 4: Once the Table of Contents has been added, ensure that its heading is set to "Table of Contents", and it is formatted in bold and centered alignment.

Step 5: Additionally, ensure that the font settings of the Table of Contents are set to Times New Roman and 12-point font size.

8.Reference page

Before completing our essay, it's important to insert references that were helpful during the research process. For this, the end of your essay will include a separate References page.

Step 1: On a blank page at the end of your essay, enter the heading "References". Center align the heading and make it bold.

Step 2: List all the works cited in your essay. You can use the free Scribbr citation generator to generate APA 7th edition citations, which makes the process easier and ensures accuracy.

Step 3: Ensure the references are formatted with hanging indents using the Ruler in WPS Writer. To access the ruler, go to the View tab and check the "Ruler" checkbox in the ribbon.

Step 4: Drag the arrow on the ruler to half an inch to set the hanging indent .

Step 5: Then, drag the rectangle (below the ruler) back to 0 to reset the left indent for the subsequent lines of each reference.

And here is our APA 7th edition formatted essay from scratch. As you may have noticed, the whole process can be lengthy without an outline, but formatting your essay step by step makes the process clearer and easier to complete. I've used a few other writing tools for formatting, but I recommend WPS Writer because of its ease of navigation—all formatting tools are readily available in the tab, with no need to navigate through extra menus or open additional guides to learn additional steps. Try using WPS Writer for your essay assignments and experience the difference.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert Word to PDF without losing Format

WPS Office not only provides the necessary tools for students to efficiently format their essays according to APA 7th edition, but it also offers tools to easily convert these papers to PDF format within the WPS Writer application. Therefore, because submitting your work promptly is the next step after writing, ensure that your submission doesn't cost you any marks due to formatting issues after putting in so much effort.

To convert your essay documents to PDF using WPS PDF without quality loss, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Open your document in WPS Writer.

Step 2: Click on the Menu button at the top left corner of the screen.

Step 3: Select "Export to PDF" from the menu that appears.

Step 4: Adjust any settings, such as the output path, in the Export to PDF window.

Step 5: After configuring the settings, click on "Export to PDF" to save your essay document as a PDF.

FAQs about writing a paper in APA format

1. how should i format tables and figures in apa style.

To correctly format a table in APA style, follow these guidelines:

Boldly label the table number above the table.

Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case just below the table number.

Avoid using vertical lines in the table design.

Use horizontal lines sparingly, only where necessary for clarity.

Ensure column and row headings are clearly labeled and concise.

Maintain consistent number formatting, such as decimal places.

Include any necessary notes below the table to explain details or sources.

To correctly format a figure in APA style, follow these guidelines:

Place the figure number in bold above the figure.

Provide a brief, italicized title in the title case beneath the figure number.

Include clear labels and legends within the image if needed.

Add any pertinent notes below the figure.

2. How to cite a Journal article in APA Style?

An APA Style citation for a journal article includes the author's name(s), the year of publication (in round brackets), the title of the article, the name of the journal in italics, the volume (in italics) and issue number, the page range of the article, and a DOI (if available).

APA format:

Author's last name, First name initial. (Year of publication). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page range. DOI or URL

Johnson, M. (2023). Explore with us. Journal of random discoveries, 5(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2023.5.2.123

3. How to cite a website in APA style?

APA website citations include the author's name, publication date, the title of the page or article in italics, the website name, and the URL. If no author is known, begin with the title of the article. If updates to the content are possible, include a retrieval date.

Author's Last Name, First initial. (Year, Month Date of publication). Title of the page. Name of the Website. URL

Johnson, M. (2024, March 12). Explore with us. Random Discoveries. https://www.randomdiscoveries.com/explore-with-us

Master APA Format Easily with WPS Office

I personally find APA format to be the most complex of all formats, but doing it on WPS Office sure makes it easy. The fact that it’s so user-friendly, with every feature readily available, is a huge advantage. The best part is that WPS Office is completely free. As a student, finding a good office suite that is cost-effective can be a challenge, and I’ve been there. Download WPS Office and spare yourself the hassle of hunting for an office suite— WPS Office is the answer to all your problems.

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