The 5 Main Types of University Essays (And How to Write Each One)

The main types of university essays are argumentative (persuasive), compare and contrast, expository, descriptive and narrative. During your undergraduate, you will more likely need to write an argumentative or narrative essay rather than any other type. However, all essays have the same purpose, which is to persuade the reader, whether it’s through evidence, emotion, creativity, or storytelling.

In fact, most university essays follow a similar structure, they all have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. But not all essays are written the same way. The real difference lies in how you structure the body paragraphs, and that depends on what type of essay you’re writing.

Here’s a breakdown of the five most common types of university essays (and two bonus ones), including how to recognise them, how to structure them, and how to approach the body paragraphs. I’ve included helpful sentence starters for the body paragraphs of each essay type, as well as example introductions (including thesis statements). You can read more about how to write an essay outline and structure your essay here.

You can also watch my video on the main types of essays here:

Essay Type	What It Does	How to Identify It	Key Features
Argumentative	Takes a position and supports it with evidence	“Argue,” “justify,” “defend,” “to what extent…”	Clear thesis, persuasive tone, one argument per paragraph
Compare & Contrast	Compares similarities and differences between two or more things	“Compare,” “contrast,” “differences and similarities,” “evaluate two…”	One comparison per paragraph, equal treatment of topics
Expository	Explains or informs with facts (no opinion)	“Explain,” “describe,” “analyse,” “discuss the impact…”	Objective tone, logical structure, evidence-based
→ Definition	Defines a concept or term	“Define,” “what is…”	Focused explanation, clear examples
→ Process	Describes how something works or how to do something	“How to,” “process,” “steps to…”	Step-by-step structure, chronological order
→ Cause & Effect	Explores reasons and consequences	“Causes of…,” “effects of…,” “why/how…”	Cause in one paragraph, effect in another
Descriptive	Describes a person, place, object, or scene in vivid detail	“Describe,” “depict,” “paint a picture,” “literary analysis”	Creative language, imagery, sensory detail
Narrative	Tells a story (usually personal or reflective)	“Narrate,” “tell a story,” “reflect on,” “share your experience…”	Chronological structure, first-person, emotional tone
Reflective	Reflects on a personal experience and its meaning	“Reflect,” “what you learned,” “how you developed…”	Narrative + analysis, self-awareness, academic tie-ins

1. Argumentative (a.k.a. Persuasive Essays)

This is the most common type of university essay, especially in humanities, law, and social sciences.

What it is:

You’re asked to take a position and defend it using arguments and evidence. The goal is to persuade the reader that your view is valid.

Structure:

Each body paragraph should present one argument supporting your overall position. Don’t mix multiple arguments into one paragraph.

If your essay has three body paragraphs, a useful structure is:

• Paragraph 1: Strongest argument
• Paragraph 2: A more neutral or informative point
• Paragraph 3: Another strong argument

Think of it like a relay race: Your strongest points go at the beginning and end — the ones most likely to stick with the reader (and the marker).

Useful Phrases for Argumentative Essays

Here’s some prompts to help you get started. Use these to start your sentence when you want to persuade your reader:

• “This essay argues that…”
• “A key reason for this is…”
• “Critics may argue that… however…”
• “Evidence suggests…”
• “This supports the view that…”
• “Therefore, it can be concluded that…”

Example Introduction (argumentative)

Topic: The use of AI tools like ChatGPT in university assessments
Essay Type: Argumentative

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT in university settings has sparked widespread debate about their place in higher education. Concerns have been raised about plagiarism, over-reliance on automation, and how these tools might change the way students learn, while others argue they’re simply the latest in a long line of technological shifts. AI tools like ChatGPT should not be banned from university assessments because they can enhance critical thinking, be effectively regulated to maintain academic standards, and support equity among students. First, this essay will examine how AI tools can enhance the development of higher-order thinking skills. It will then explore how appropriate regulation can maintain academic integrity. Finally, it will consider how banning these tools could disadvantage certain students and widen existing inequities.

This introduction follows the essay outline structure covered here.

2. Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays are also common in humanities, especially in literature, history, and philosophy courses.

What it is:

You’re comparing two or more topics, highlighting both similarities and differences. This could be concepts, theories, case studies, or even authors.

Structure:

Each body paragraph should focus on one key similarity or difference, and compare both topics side by side within that paragraph.

For example, if you’re comparing butterflies and moths:

• Paragraph 1: Similarity (e.g. both undergo metamorphosis)
• Paragraph 2: Difference (e.g. butterflies are diurnal, moths are nocturnal)
• Paragraph 3: Another difference (e.g. antennae shape)

👎 Don’t mix too many points into one paragraph
👍 Stick to one comparison per paragraph

Useful Phrases for Compare and Contrast Essays

These sentence starters will help keep your structure balanced, with analytical comparisons:

• “Both X and Y…”
• “While X focuses on…, Y emphasises…”
• “One key similarity between X and Y is…”
• “In contrast to X, Y…”
• “A major difference lies in…”
• “This distinction is significant because…”

Example Introduction (compare and contrast)

Topic: Similarities and differences between butterflies and moths
Essay Type: Compare and contrast

Butterflies and moths are two closely related types of insects that share many physical and biological traits.
While they both belong to the order Lepidoptera and undergo complete metamorphosis, they differ in behaviour, appearance, and sensory structures. Butterflies and moths can be compared based on their metamorphic life cycles, their patterns of activity (diurnal vs. nocturnal), and the physical structure of their antennae. First, this essay will explore their shared process of metamorphosis. It will then examine differences in their activity cycles, and finally, compare their physical traits such as antennae and resting posture.

(The bold sentence is the thesis statement)

3. Expository Essays

This is the essay type you’ll see in more factual or scientific disciplines, such as education, health, or environmental science.

What it is:

You’re explaining something in an expository essay, not arguing, not storytelling. Your goal is to present information in a clear, neutral, and logical way.

Structure:

The body paragraphs should be organised by logic, not by opinion. A common structure is chronological, categorical, or cause-effect, depending on your topic. If you’re not quite sure which structure would suit you better, here are some examples for the topic of “The impact of fast food on type 2 diabetes over the past 50 years”:

• Chronological: ordered over time (e.g. tracing changes from the 1970s to today)
• Categorical: grouped by type or theme (e.g. economic, social, and health impacts)
• Cause and Effect: explaining why something happens and what results (e.g. increased fast food → higher obesity rates → rise in type 2 diabetes)

For example, your body paragraphs could follow a chronological structure:

• Paragraph 1: Trends in the 1970s–1990s
• Paragraph 2: Acceleration in the 2000s
• Paragraph 3: Current public health implications

Subtypes of Expository Essays:

• Definition essays — Explain what a term or concept means
  e.g. “What is educational equity?”
• Process essays — Explain how something works or how to do something
  e.g. “How renewable energy is generated from wind”
• Cause and Effect Essays — Explain the reasons something happens and what results from it
  e.g. “Causes and consequences of declining bee populations”

The expository type of essay is more about clarity than persuasion. Think clear, logical, and evidence-based.

Useful Phrases for Expository Essays

Here are some sentence starters to help you expose the information or evidence in your essay:

• “Recent data shows…”
• “This process begins with…”
• “One contributing factor is…”
• “Over time, this has led to…”
• “This term refers to…”
• “The following steps outline…”
• “This highlights the relationship between…”

Example Introduction (expository)

Topic: The impact of fast food on type 2 diabetes over time
Essay Type: Expository (cause and effect + chronological structure)

The global rise in type 2 diabetes has been linked to major lifestyle and dietary changes over the past five decades. One of the most significant contributors to this trend is the increased consumption of fast food, which has transformed eating habits across generations. Fast food has played a role in the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes by encouraging high-calorie, low-nutrient diets, contributing to widespread obesity, and placing long-term strain on public health systems. This essay will first examine fast food trends in the late 20th century, then explore changes in dietary behaviour in the early 2000s, and finally assess the current implications for global health.

(The bold sentence is the thesis statement)

4. Descriptive Essays (Including Literary Analysis)

Descriptive essays are often used in creative writing, fine arts, or literature. This category also includes literary analysis essays, where you’re describing key elements of a text.

What it is:

You’re painting a picture for the reader. This might be a person, place, object, or scene, or it could be the emotional landscape of a novel or poem.

Structure:

Each paragraph should describe one element or theme in detail. Use creative, vivid language and sensory details to bring it to life.

In a literary analysis, each paragraph may focus on:

• A literary device (e.g. metaphor, symbolism)
• A key theme (e.g. identity, freedom)
• A character or relationship

This is still an academic essay, so link your descriptions to analysis and evidence from the text (if it’s a literary analysis). Don’t just describe in your essay, instead explain why that description matters.

Useful Phrases for Descriptive or Literary Analysis Essays

Use these helpful prompts to start the sentences in your body paragraphs:

• “The imagery evokes…”
• “This setting creates a sense of…”
• “The character’s reaction reveals…”
• “Symbolically, this represents…”
• “This detail highlights…”
• “Fitzgerald uses ___ to convey…”
• “Through this device, the author suggests…”

Example Introduction (descriptive)

Topic: Visual and emotional atmosphere of an abandoned train station
Essay Type: Descriptive (non-narrative / setting-focused)

The old train station stood at the edge of the city, quiet and forgotten. Cracked concrete stretched beneath rusted tracks, while wild grass pushed up through the gravel like nature reclaiming its space.
This setting, once bustling with life, now sat in eerie stillness, a perfect study in the contrast between human ambition and time’s slow decay. The physical environment of the abandoned station reveals how space, silence, and disrepair evoke a mood of nostalgia and isolation. This essay will describe the station’s structure and surroundings, the sounds and silences that define it, and the emotional atmosphere it creates.

Example Introduction (literary analysis)

Topic: Literary analysis of The Great Gatsby
Essay Type: Descriptive (literary analysis focus)

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby explores the glamour and decay of the American Dream through richly symbolic characters and settings. Key symbols such as the green light, the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, and Gatsby’s mansion represent the ideals and illusions of 1920s American society. Fitzgerald uses symbolism to critique the American Dream, showing that wealth, status, and desire ultimately lead to isolation and disillusionment. This essay will first analyse the green light as a symbol of unreachable aspiration, then examine the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg as a symbol of moral decay, and finally explore how Gatsby’s mansion reflects his pursuit of an unattainable ideal.

(The bold sentences are the thesis statements)

5. Narrative Essays

Narrative essays are more common in education, psychology, or reflective writing assignments.

What it is:

You’re telling a true story, usually from your own life. This might be a reflection on a learning experience, a key moment in your development, or an event that shaped your perspective.

Structure:

The essay usually follows a chronological structure. Each paragraph continues the story from the last, typically showing some kind of progression or change.

For example:

• Paragraph 1: Where it started (your first exposure to a subject or challenge)
• Paragraph 2: What changed (the key experience, turning point, or lesson)
• Paragraph 3: Where you are now (how it impacted your thinking or growth)

Don’t jump around in time or start at the end. It’s easier for the reader (and the marker) if the story flows naturally from beginning to end.

Helpful Sentence Starters

These sentences startes can help you tell a story while still keeping an academic tone.

• “It all began when…”
• “At the time, I didn’t realise…”
• “The moment I stepped into…”
• “Looking back, I can see that…”
• “This experience taught me…”

Example Introduction (narrative)

Topic: Overcoming a fear of public speaking in high school
Essay Type: Narrative

Everyone remembers the first time they had to speak in front of a crowd. For me, it happened in Year 10 when I was unexpectedly asked to present our group’s science project to the entire class. I had always considered myself quiet, even shy — and nothing terrified me more than public speaking. But what started as a panic-inducing moment turned into a defining experience that changed the way I saw myself. This experience helped me overcome my fear of speaking, build confidence, and develop communication skills that I now use every day. This essay will describe the moment I was asked to speak, the strategies I used to manage my anxiety, and how that day became a turning point in my personal and academic development.

(The bold sentence is the thesis statement)

Other Essay Types

There are other essay types, though these five are the most comon ones you will have to write at university (and at high school too). But here are some bonus ones…just in case you ever have to write one.

Reflective Essays

These are most common in education, health, psychology, and professional development subjects, especially in placement-based or “learning journal” assignments.

What it is:

You’re reflecting on a personal experience and connecting it to academic theory or learning. It’s not just storytelling, it’s analysing what you’ve learned and why it matters in your field. That’s the difference between a narrative and reflective essay – the analysis.

Reflective essays are often written in first person (“I”), but they’re still academic. You’ll usually need to reference concepts, frameworks, or readings alongside your personal reflections.

Structure:

Reflective essays typically follow a structure like this:

• Paragraph 1: The situation or experience
• Paragraph 2: What you learned (including links to theory or readings)
• Paragraph 3: How this learning will inform your future practice or thinking

This structure is often guided by models like Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle or Kolb’s Learning Cycle, but even if your task doesn’t specify one, this “past–present–future” model usually works.

Helpful Sentence Starters

Use these to get your sentences rolling:

• “At the time, I thought…”
• “In hindsight, I realised…”
• “This experience helped me understand…”
• “This aligns with the concept of…”
• “In the future, I will…”

Example Introduction (reflective essay)

During my first teaching placement, I was asked to run a short lesson with a Year 4 class on fractions — a topic I felt confident with. But just five minutes in, I realised I had completely misjudged the students’ prior knowledge. I hadn’t anticipated their confusion, and my rushed explanations only made it worse. That moment forced me to reflect on my assumptions about student readiness, and how critical it is to scaffold content effectively. This experience taught me the importance of diagnostic questioning, differentiated instruction, and staying calm under pressure. This essay will describe the incident, connect it to educational theory, and reflect on how it has shaped my approach to lesson planning and classroom awareness.

Critical Response Essays

These are often used in philosophy, film studies, media, education, or cultural studies subjects, especially when you’re responding to a reading, event, or creative work.

What it is:

You’re responding to a specific source, usually an article, video, film, artwork, or reading, and offering your own interpretation or evaluation of it. The goal is to show both understanding and critical thinking.

A good critical response is not just your opinion. It analyses the original work’s purpose, effectiveness, or impact, and supports your claims with evidence (often from both the original text and outside sources).

Structure:

There are two common ways to structure a critical response essay:

• Option 1: Integrated
  Each paragraph includes a bit of summary, then your analysis and response.
• Option 2: Divided
  Paragraph 1: Summary of the text or reading
  Paragraph 2+: Your response, critique, and supporting evidence

Either way, aim to focus each paragraph on one key idea or aspect of the work you’re responding to (e.g., its assumptions, strengths, biases, or relevance).

Helpful Sentence Starters

Here are some prompts to help your body paragraphs sentences stand out:

• “The author argues that…”
• “This perspective assumes…”
• “A limitation of this argument is…”
• “This idea connects to…”
• “I agree/disagree with this point because…”

Example Introduction (critical response)

In her article on digital activism, Jaya Rao (2022) argues that social media empowers marginalised voices and fosters collective action. While her examples are compelling, I believe the article underestimates the risks of performative engagement and the power imbalances still present online. This essay will summarise Rao’s main arguments, then critique her position by drawing on current literature about algorithmic bias and digital inequality. Ultimately, I argue that while social media can be a tool for activism, its effectiveness depends heavily on platform design, access, and user intention.

So Which Essay Type Should You Write?

It depends on the subject and the assignment. Most university essays fall into one of these five categories — and in some cases, you might blend types (e.g. an argumentative essay with a brief narrative example). But regardless of the type, every essay is trying to persuade the reader, whether it’s through logic, emotion, creativity, or storytelling.

And the best way to do that?

Structure your body paragraphs properly. One clear point per paragraph. One clear job for each paragraph. No waffle. No fluff.