Novels, short stories, novellas, poetry, and biographies can all fall in the narrative writing style. A narrative composition is when the writer tells a story about a real-life experience. This appears to be an easy task, but the narrative composition challenges students to think and write about themselves which can be difficult for some. One of the goals of a narrative composition is to involve the reader by making the story as vivid as possible. Because narrative compositions are usually written in the first person, it helps engage the reader. “I” sentences give readers a feeling of being part of the story. Moreover, a well-crafted narrative composition will answer the question "What happens next" and build towards drawing a conclusion or making a personal statement such as teaching a lesson.
Key Points:
Examples of When You Would Use Persuasive Writing:
Example:
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Jaelyn.
“You never used to be such a girl!” retorted Orin, pushing open the door.
Reluctantly, Jaelyn followed.
This is a narrative because it’s telling a story. There are different characters conversing, and a plot is unravelling.
Sources:
https://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/types-of-essays/
A cousin of the narrative composition, a descriptive composition paints a picture with words. A writer might describe with vivid, concrete, and precise words a person, place, object, or a even memory of special significance. However, this type of composition is not description for description’s sake. The descriptive composition strives to communicate a deeper meaning through the description such as proving a thesis or claim. In a descriptive composition, general guideline is that the writer should show, not tell, through the use of colorful words and sensory details. The best descriptive compositions appeal to the reader’s five senses, with a result that is highly expressive.
Key Points:
When You Would Use Descriptive Writing:
Example:
The old car slowly chugged down the street like the caboose of a steam engine train. The car goes up the hill it goes Ka boom , kachunk. The car is old and weathered with rust covering the entire body like cancer consuming its victim. Wheels and tires wobble like a drunk bum on his way home from the bar. Hub caps are gone along with all the mirrors and extras on the car. Black smoke flows out the rotten tail pips like the smoke out of and old cobb pipe. ~© Jace Oeleis 2005~ (Source: English 120-Descriptive Paragraph)
This is descriptive writing because the paragraph uses vivid and descriptive words and phrases such as adjectives, adverbs, action verbs, figures of speech, etc. to describe an old car.
Sources:
https://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/types-of-essays/
Expository writing's main purpose is to explain. The expository composition is an informative piece of writing that presents a balanced analysis of a topic. In an expository composition, the writer explains or defines a topic, using facts, statistics, and examples. Expository writing encompasses a wide range of essay variations, such as the comparison and contrast essay, the cause and effect essay, and the “how to” or process essay. An expository composition is one of the most common types of writing. You always see it in textbooks and how-to articles. Because expository compositions are based on facts and not personal feelings, writers avoid imparting their emotions or using the first person point-of-view.
Key Points:
When You Would Use Expository Writing:
Example:
Many people associate the taste of pumpkins with fall. In October, companies from Starbucks to McDonalds roll out their pumpkin-flavored lattes and desserts. Here is how to make an easy pumpkin pie using only five ingredients. First, make sure you have all of the ingredients.
This writing is expository because it is explaining how to make a pumpkin pie.
Sources:
https://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/types-of-essays/