Types of Writing
Types of Writing
Types of Writing
Descriptive writing provides an illustration of people ,events, situations,places, thoughts and feelings.
Description provides sensory information that makes writing come alive. It expresses an experience that
the reader can actively participate in by using imagination.
It provides literary texture to a story. A writer shows the reader through the sense of sight, hearing,
smell, taste and touch, as well as through emotional feelings.
Select a subject
If one is writing about a place, he/she should go there and take notes on the sights and sounds.This will
enable the reader to paint a picture of the place by using their senses.
Introduction
The thesis statement explains why the object, place or event is important to the writer.
Body
Comparisons, such as similes, make the writing more familiar and expressive.
Conclusion
EXPOSITORY WRITING
It teaches, reveals, informs or amplifies the reader's understanding through a carefully crafted mix of
key points and critical support.
It describes, explains or investigate an idea, reason or steps in order to inform or illuminate a particular
subject for the reader.
They have a clear logical organization that supports the thesis statement.
They provide details about similarities and differences between two or more aspects of a topic.
Eg; If you are asked to write an essay asking if E-learning is better than classroom leaning, you can
identify the similar aspects between the two and then discuss and elucidate the differences.
Problem-solution essays
They identify a problem and explain one or more ways to solve it.
Persuasion Essays
They convince the readers to agree with the writer's opinion eg;Dress codes are a good idea for
universities
They trace the results of an event and the reasons why the event occurred.
Eg;The causes of World War Three and how the world changed after the event
Body
Conclusion
REPORT WRITING
Types of Reports
A)FORMAL REPORT
It is the collection and interpretation of data and information . It is complex and used at an official level .
It is often a written account of a major project.
Eg;new technologies, the advisability of launching a new project line, results of a study or an
experiment.
Informational reports -They present results so that readers can understand a particular problem or
situation
They may present results on the status of current research on a project , or present the results of a
questionnaire or research.
Analytical reports- They present results, analyse those results and draw conclusions based on those
results.
Recommendation reports -They present the results and conclusions that support the recommendations.
B)INFORMAL REPORT
Their functions is to inform, analyse and recommend.
It is more controversial in tone and deals with everyday problems and issues inside the organization.
Progress report
Literature review
C) ACCIDENT REPORT
It defines complete description of an accident.It describes the location and the loss occurred.
D) NARRATIVE REPORT
Format of a report
Title Page-It includes the title of the report . It should give a clear indication of the subject matter, the
author's name, module and date.
Acknowledgements- Recognize any help received while collecting information for the report eg: fellow
students, staff
Contents page - It is a clear and well-formated list of all the sections and subsections of the report.
Abstract -A summary of the major points, conclusions, recommendations should be written to give an
overview of the report.
Introduction- Explain the problem and show the reader why the report is being made.
Body -Analyse and interpret your results drawing from the information collected, explaining it's
significance. Outline any problems encountered.
Conclusions and recommendations -This draws together the main issues. The significance and relevance
of study is discussed in this section.
References -Give full details of all the sources to which you have made reference within the text.
PERSUASIVE WRITING
Persuasive writing is a type of writing that aims to convince the reader to take a specific action or to
adopt a particular point of view. The writer’s goal is to present an argument in a compelling and
persuasive way that will make the reader see things from their perspective.
It uses logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than the other
Choose your position -Decide which issue or problem you will write about. Clearly define the issue and
offer the solutions.
Analyze your audience- Consider who your intended readers will be and what views they may hold on
the issue.
Research your topic - One may interview experts on the topic or go to the library.
Introduction
It contains the title, an eye-catching opening, the topic sentence and a thesis statement.
Body
Conclusion
Many people are not inclined to participate in physical fitness.They live a lifestyle where they are not
physically fit . I believe that physical fitness is essential for human beings as it improves both their
physical and mental well-being.
NARRATIVE WRITING
NARRATIVE WRITING
Narrative writing is a type of writing that tells a story. The writer’s goal is to engage the reader and to
create an emotional connection with the characters and events being described. Narrative writing is
commonly found in fiction, memoirs, and personal essays.
Develop a thesis statement - this contains the claim and supporting details that sustain it.
Write the body of the essay -This is the most detailed part. It involves addressing each supporting detail
in a separate fully-developed paragraph.
Write the conclusion -It allows one to reiterate and summarize the main points of the essay.
INFORMATIONAL WRITING
In informational writing, the writer accurately shares information with the reader. The writer's purpose
is to increase the reader's knowledge, to better understand a procedure or process or a concept.
The writer selects and uses relevant examples , facts and details from their own knowledge and from the
sources provided.
Conclude effectively.
Introduction
Provide short background information on alcoholism eg;how people adopt this addiction to alcohol and
the reasons to become addicted eg: environment factors, stress, peer pressure, anger or frustration.
Create a thesis statement eg:the effects of alcoholism on an individual and the community at large.
Body
Identify the health risks of heavy drinking eg:liver cirrhosis, heart diseases, brain and nerve damage.
Conclusion
Reiterate the thesis statement. Eg the relationship between health risks and alcoholism.
Provide a warning to the future generations if they continue with alcoholism.eg;If the youth does not
quit excessive drinking in the near future, it might result in...
ACADEMIC WRITING
Title Page- It includes the essay's title, the name of the student and the instructor's name . It also
includes the date
Body Paragraphs -Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, which introduces the paragraph's main
idea.
Conclusion -Bring together your essay's main points and emphasize the strength of the thesis
statement.
Janka (24) bought a pregnancy test and now is waiting for the results, which makes
her nervous. One second may change her whole life, and she could become the mother of an
unwanted child. To avoid this stressful situation, it was only necessary to have used a 43-
year-old method of birth control – the birth control pill – once a day. It has been taken by
approximately 80% of American women today (Okie, 2002), and its effectiveness is over
99% if used correctly (Planned Parenthood, 2003). However, some women still fear that
taking the birth control pill could harm their health. In fact, the pill’s composition provides
advantages to women, including prevention of ovarian cancer. There is also no connection
between the pill and breast cancer, and its usage is possible while breastfeeding too. Although
there are a few disadvantages to its use, the birth control pill is safe for women.
Birth control pills contain nothing harmful to women’s health. This oral contraception
is divided into two groups. First are combination pills including estrogen and progestin
(synthetic progesterone), and second are progestin-only-pills. Women’s ovaries produce both
estrogen and progesterone (Planned Parenthood, 2003). The pill thus contains the same
hormones that women’s bodies already have. According to the National Cancer Institute
(2003), estrogen is a hormone which makes the uterus more active when a women’s body
becomes sexually mature. It also makes the endometrium (the uterus walls) thicker at the
beginning of the menstrual cycle. Then, the endometrium is ready to accept a fertilized egg
with the help of progesterone, which is made in the second part of the menstrual cycle. The
pill, however, gives women the right amount of these hormones so that they cannot get
pregnant. Planned Parenthood (2003) explained that estrogen in combination pills stops the
ovaries from producing eggs, while progestin-only pills “thicken cervical mucus” to stop the
fertilization of eggs (Basics section, para. 2). These supplemental hormones “fool the body
into acting as if it's pregnant” (Alice! Health Promotion Program, 1998). They do not damage
the body; they just make it act in a different way. So, the contents of this oral contraceptive may be seen
as safe
References
Alice! Health Promotion Program. (1998, July 14). How do birth control pills work?
Retrieved August 20, 2004, from Health Services at Columbia University Web site:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0663.html
Greenfield, M. (2004a, August 18). Myths and truths about birth control pills. Retrieved
August 20, 2004, from Dr. Spock Web site: http://www.drspock.com/article
/0,1510,5324,00.html
Greenfield, M. (2004b, August 19). Postpartum birth control options. Retrieved August 20,
2004, from Dr. Spock Web site: http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5696,00.html
National Cancer Institute. (2003, November 3). Cancer facts: Oral contraceptives and cancer
risk [fact sheet]. Retrieved August 15, 2004, from http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact
/3_13.htm
Okie, S. (2002, June 27). Study: Birth control pills not linked to breast cancer. The
WORKS CITED
Carroll, Lee Ann. Rehearsing New Roles: How College Students Develop as
Writers. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 2002. Print.
Thaiss, Chris and Terry Zawacki. Engaged Writers & Dynamic Disciplines:
Research on the Academic Writing Life. Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 2006.