different types of taxes essay

Taxation: What It Is, How It Works, Types, and Examples

Last updated 08/28/2024 by

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Introduction to taxation

Historical roots of taxation, the purpose of taxation.

• Redistribution of wealth: Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes, helps reduce income inequality.
• Behavioral influence: Taxes on certain goods, like tobacco and alcohol, are imposed to discourage consumption and promote public health.
• Public goods: Taxes fund public goods and services, such as parks, libraries, and national defense, that may not be adequately provided by the private sector.

Types of taxes

Corporate tax, capital gains tax, property tax, inheritance tax.

• Funding public services: Taxes enable governments to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
• Income redistribution: Progressive taxation helps reduce income inequality by taxing higher earners at a higher rate.
• Economic stability: Tax revenue stabilizes government finances and supports counter-cyclical policies during economic downturns.
• Economic distortion: High taxes on specific goods can lead to market distortions and unintended consequences.
• Compliance costs: Individuals and businesses incur costs in complying with tax regulations and reporting requirements.
• Tax evasion: Some individuals and entities may attempt to evade taxes, leading to revenue loss for governments.

Global perspectives on taxation

High-income tax countries, zero income tax countries, frequently asked questions, are there countries with no taxes at all, how do governments ensure tax compliance, can taxation reduce income inequality, how does taxation impact the economy, why is taxation considered compulsory, key takeaways.

• Taxation is a crucial mechanism through which governments fund public services and promote income equality.
• Various types of taxes exist, including income, corporate, capital gains, property, inheritance, and sales taxes.
• Taxation has historical roots and serves purposes such as funding public goods and promoting economic equality.
• Some countries have high income tax rates, while a few have no income tax at all.

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What are Taxes?

How it works

What are taxes, and why do people have to pay? Taxes are financial charges from our government in order to pay for our public needs, and in 2016 the government collected 3.9 trillion dollars in taxes to spend. There are many different types of taxes like income tax, federal income tax, sales tax, property tax, estate tax, and more. Twenty percent of households pay around seventy percent, and the top one percent has to pay a quarter of taxes. The government has great reasons to tax the state because the tax money goes into many public needs, for example, education, military, public roads, Medicare, public defense, and more.

Tax is a way for the government to receive money from their people. There are plenty types of tax in different categories that many people do not know about. The most important types of tax are income, sales, sin, and hotel tax. A person pays tax differently depending on the situation. For example, income tax is when the government collects some money depending on the citizens income, so not everyone will be the same. Sales tax is a tax everyone pays after buying a product from a retail store or other business. Sin tax is a tax for those who enjoy alcohol and cigarettes. Sin tax is also more expensive than sales tax because it will hopefully discourage people from buying products unnecessary like alcohol and cigarettes. Another tax that charges at a high number is the hotel tax. Hotel tax can charge around up to twenty five percent of the buyers total bill. Although tax can be expensive it does help our state.

If people do not pay taxes we would not have what we have now, and society would be lost. The government rarely keeps any of the tax money we give them because they use everything they collect for the public. Our government uses the tax money to provide public defense like police officers, firefighters, and more. The government also helps us pay most of our education for students who need help paying for classes or even books. The government even provide Medicare, and resources for the military in order to help us defend the United States, but in order for the government to pay for everything the people must be taxed. Many people complain about paying taxes every year, or every day, and a lot of them don’t realize where it is going. People just assume it’s for the government to keep for themselves, but, the government uses the money we give them to help us instead. Even though people get annoyed of almost everything having tax, the government will spend the money received usefully.

• 1 Departments of Government
• 2 United States HealthCare
• 3 The Current Healthcare System

Departments of Government

Three government has many different functions to keep order in our society, and one of those functions are the three branches of government. Government is divided into three different branches so no individual group will have too much power. These three branches of government are known as legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch is Congress, house of representatives, and the Senate. The executive branch is the president, vice president, and cabinet. The judicial branch is the supreme court, and other courts. The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch carries out laws, and the judicial branch evaluates them. Since the three branches were created to make sure no one is in power of everything, each branch of government can change the acts of other branches. The legislative branch (Congress) can reject or confirm the president’s nominees and for a good cause, the branch can remove the president from office. Executive branch (the president) has a choice to veto something created from Congress. Judicial branch ( supreme court) can overturn laws and are nominated by the president.

The government has many different departments to keep us from crumbling and one of those departments are the “department of defense,” also known as the military. When most people think about the military they usually only imagine the navy or army, but it’s much more than that. The military is a group of different departments and those departments are, The United States Marine Corps, United States Army, United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, United States Air force, and The United States National Guard. All of these different departments fall under the military which fall under the Department Of Defense (DOD). The United States Army is special as it is one of three different military departments who respond immediately to the (DOD), they also have missions around the world. The Marine Corps is a small part of the Navy who protects our shores and sea, while the Navy responds directly to the (DOD) and is ready to battle at the ocean around the world. The Coast Guard watches our oceans in ports to keep people safe. Our sky is constantly being watched by the Air Force, and are always ready for battle since they also connect directly to the (DOD).  Lastly, the National Guard is our oldest military operation as it supports our community and country by doing combat missions, emergencies, and much more.

United States HealthCare

Everyone needs health insurance, but what is it? Health insurance is when someone gets covered fully or some of their medical expenses. Around the 1800’s the U.S. did not have any type of health insurance.  Healthcare is important to our society because when a person gets in an accident without health insurance there is a possibility that person would try to take care of the wound themselves and will probably make it worse. Even though the U.S. did not have health insurance in the late 1800’s, we had a president during our Progressive Era 1901 who supported healthcare, and that president was Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt was in power during the Progressive Era, and he stated to the people that no country could be strong with sick and poor people. Although he was our president, Theodore Roosevelt was ignored, and healthcare was pushed away. Eventually after being postponed for a while in 1906 the American Association of Labor Legalization (AALL) finally decided to lead campaigns for health insurance. Im 1912 (AALL) created a community that had their first national conference for social welfare on 1913, and created a bill around the year 1915 for health insurance. Citizens who work and those who make less than 1200 dollars a year benefit from the insurance plan. The new system would allow most people to get benefits like hospital care, sick pay, funeral expenses already being paid for, and more. Even though the (AALL) were supported by many people, and physicists, the bill was not passed.

President of the American Federation of Labor union(AFL) was against the bill that (AALL) and others hoped to achieve. (AFL) did not come to any agreement with (AALL) because (AFL) assumed if the bill was passed and a government health insurance system was created, then their unions would become weak and useless for providing social benefits, and all the (AFL) want is to contain its union power. Although (AALL’s) bill was not passed Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to create another type of healthcare system. Roosevelt attempted twice to create a type of health insurance during the time of World War One, and The Great Depression, but was denied both times. Throughout time Roosevelt passed away and Truman became president. Unlike Roosevelt, Truman’s idea of health insurance was planned to be a universal healthcare system. Truman wanted everyone to have healthcare no matter what class they are in. Everyone was afraid of Truman’s universal healthcare system because people say it is a socialists idea. Like all the others Truman’s healthcare system eventually came to s failure. After many failed attempts in creating a new healthcare system a congressman named Aime Forand suggested and idea in 1958. Forand’s idea was to cover all of the elderly’s medical bills. Since the subject of healthcare was now being focused on the elderly many people thought about it being a great idea. Other companies attempted to copy the idea and call it “eldercare plan.” The government finally took action and added more to the healthcare plan and eventually called it Medicare and Medicaid which is still existing today.

The Current Healthcare System

Healthcare has always been an issue in the United States. There have been many problems with health insurance like, expenses, benefits, plans, and more. Health insurance is when a person gets their hospital bill covered or medical needs covered by the insurance company they are paying. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a new law that was passed in 2010 and changed the way many insurance companies work. The (ACA) is mostly known as Obamacare, and was first signed by our president Barack Obama in twenty third of march 2010. The (ACA) is a new law that will give more americans access to healthcare, make healthcare more affordable to many people who are struggling with money, provide more private and public health insurance, and much more. Also the Affordable Care Act will reward hospitals for their quality and not their quantity. The (ACA) will make health insurance more affordable by charging people based on the person’s income, so everyone will be able to apply and pay for Obamacare. People will also stop getting rejected from healthcare because the (ACA) will cover those who had any type of medical condition before they applied into the insurance company, unlike older insurance companies who would not want to help those who have had a pre existing medical condition. Although, Obamacare sounds like nothing but benefits to our society there are problems. One major problem with Obamacare is those who do not apply and pay for it will have a tax penalty to pay. Obamacare is trying to make more people apply for it, but many Americans dislike the way they are being forced into health insurance. Nevertheless, thanks to the (ACA) people can now afford healthcare, receive better care from hospitals, and will not get denied healthcare if a pre existing health condition was seen before applying to an insurance company.

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Types of tax

A tax is a charge levied by a government to raise revenue. The main types of taxes include

• Income tax – a percentage of income.
• Corporation tax – a percentage of a firm’s profit.
• Sales tax/VAT – an indirect tax on the sale of goods.
• Excise duties – taxes on alcohol, tobacco, petrol.
• Production taxes – taxes on particular goods/services, e.g. gambling tax, airlines, insurance.
• Environmental taxes – taxes on carbon, airports e.t.c.
• Stamp duty – tax on buying a house or shares.
• Tariff – this is a charge levied on the import of particular goods.
• Inheritance tax – a tax levied on the estate of a deceased person.
• Wealth tax – a tax levied on wealth, rather than income.
• Capital gains tax – a tax levied on an increase in the value of assets/wealth.
• Poll Tax – a tax on individuals. Introduced in UK as the “Community Charge”
• Windfall taxes – These are a type of corporation tax levied on companies making ‘excess’ profit. The UK introduced windfall tax on privatised industries. Also levelled on particular industries like north sea oil
• Council taxes – taxes collected by local government, could be a tax on property or local sales/income tax

Direct and indirect taxes

• A direct tax is a tax that a person or company pays directly. For example, income tax is taken out of your salary.
• An indirect tax is paid by a third party. For example, when you buy a TV, there is a VAT charge which is included in the price, the consumer does not pay, but the firm who sells the good is responsible for paying the tax to the government on your behalf.

Progressive, proportional and regressive taxes

• A progressive tax takes a higher percentage of tax from people with higher incomes.
• A proportional tax means different income levels pay the same % of income in tax.
• A regressive tax takes a higher percentage of tax from people with low income.

Advalorem vs specific tax

• An ad valorem tax is a certain percentage of the price of the good. VAT is levied at 20% so the more expensive the good is the more VAT that is paid.
• A specific tax is a fixed levy whatever the price of the good. For example, a £20 passenger levy on long-haul flights. This

Pigovian tax (or sin tax)

This is a tax that attempts to place a charge equal to the external cost of the tax. A Pigovian tax aims to make consumers pay the full social cost of the good. It was named after the economist Arthur Pigou, who contributed to the theory of externalities and social efficiency.

Diagram of Pigovian tax

• For example, if a flight costs £200, but the external cost of flying is estimated at £150, then the tax will also be £150. So the final price will be £350.
• Examples of Pigovian taxes include alcohol tax, tobacco tax and tax on sugar. For this reason, in popular terminology, they are often referred to as a ‘sin’ tax because they refer to goods that we often feel guilty for consuming. Though the principle of Pigovian taxes is not morality but social efficiency.

Income tax is a common form of tax which takes a percentage of income. Income tax makes use of the concept of marginal tax rates

For example, if the income tax threshold is £5,000 – this means you don’t pay any income tax on the first £5,000. If the basic rate of income tax is 20%. It means someone earning £6,000 only pays tax on the £1,000 above the threshold. They will pay £200 or 3.3% of their income in tax

• Income tax rates explained.

Different Types of Tax

• Carbon Tax – taxing the emission of carbon
• Cigarette Tax – tax on tobacco
• Death Tax – tax on the deceased.
• Fat Tax – tax on unhealthy food
• Petrol tax – tax on petrol
• Plastic bag – tax on plastic bags
• Poll Tax – tax on individuals
• Rubbish tax – tax on rubbish
• Tobin Tax – a specific tax placed on currency transactions.

Examples of taxes in the UK

NICs is national insurance contributions. This is effectively a form of income tax.

How tax revenue can change

Tax on production in UK

The UK publishes data on particular production taxes. Some of the tax revenue raised is very small.

• Aggregates levy
• Air passenger duty
• Apprenticeship Levy
• Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL)
• Betting, gaming & lottery
• British Transport Police
• Climate change levy
• Camelot payments to National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF)
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) new car registration fees
• Environmental levies
• EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction receipts
• Immigration skills charge
• Insurance premium tax
• Landfill tax
• Levy funded bodies receipts
• Lighthouse dues (tax on ships in UK waters to pay for lighthouses)
• Rail franchise premia
• Companies House – Registration Tax
• Land Registry – Registration of Title tax
• Pension Protection Fund Levy
• Soft drinks industry levy
• From: UK Public sector accounts Dec 2019

(I never knew there was a tax on ships to pay for lighthouses)

Proposed taxes

• Progressive consumption taxes – making VAT more progressive by setting higher rates on big, expensive luxury items
• Tobin tax is the name given to a specific tax placed on currency transactions.
• Turnover tax – tax on multinational companies who have high turnover but profit is kept in tax havens.

Obscure taxes through history

• Beard tax In 1705, Russian Emperor Peter the Great placed a tax on beards. He hoped Russian men to become clean-shaven like western Europe.
• Scutage – a tax that allowed English knights to avoid fighting – just pay a tax to the king.
• Playing card tax – In the UK there was specific tax on playing cards from 1710 until 1960.
• Window tax. In the UK, a tax was imposed in 1696 on the number of windows in a house. It led to houses being built without windows – which led to health problems.
• Tax on the aromatic powders put on wigs.  In 1795 this tax was imposed and it led to a decline in use of wigs. They fell out of fashion.

Concepts related to tax

• Tax avoidance and tax evasion
• Tax cuts – essay on pros and cons of tax cuts
• Deadweight weflare loss of tax
• Tax tolerance
• Tax rates by country
• Tax and wealth
• Fiscal drag
• Hidden taxes

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What Is Income Tax?

• How It Works

History of Income Tax

Types of income tax, the bottom line, what is income tax and how are different types calculated.

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia.

Income tax is a type of tax governments impose on the income that businesses and individuals generate. By law, taxpayers must file an income tax return annually to determine their tax obligations.

Income taxes are a source of revenue for governments. They are used to fund public services and pay government obligations. In addition to the federal government, many states and local jurisdictions also levy income taxes.

Certain investments, like housing authority bonds , are exempt from income taxes in some cases.

Key Takeaways

• Income tax is a type of tax governments impose on income generated by businesses and individuals within their jurisdiction.
• Income tax is used to fund public services, pay government obligations, and provide goods for citizens.
• The federal government and many states, as well as local jurisdictions, levy their own income taxes.
• Personal income tax is a type of income tax levied on an individual’s wages, salaries, and other types of income.
• Business income taxes apply to corporations, partnerships, small businesses, and the self-employed.

Mira Norian / Investopedia

How Income Tax Works

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects taxes and enforces tax laws in the United States. The IRS employs a complex set of rules and regulations regarding reportable and taxable income, deductions, credits, etc. The agency collects taxes on all forms of income, such as wages, salaries, commissions, investments, and business earnings.

The personal income tax that the government collects can help fund government programs and services, such as Social Security, national security, schools, and roads.

The United States imposed the nation’s first income tax in 1862 to help finance the Civil War. After the war, the tax was repealed, but it was reinstated after the passage of the Revenue Act of 1913. That same year, Form 1040 was introduced.

Most countries, including the U.S., employ a progressive income tax system in which higher-income earners pay a higher tax rate compared with their lower-income counterparts. The idea behind progressive tax is that those who earn high incomes can afford to pay more tax. For 2023 and 2024, federal income tax rates range from 10% to 37%.

Individual Income Tax

Individual income tax is also referred to as personal income tax. This type of income tax is levied on an individual’s wages, salaries, and other types of income. This tax is usually a tax that the state imposes. Because of exemptions, deductions, and credits , most individuals do not pay taxes on all of their income.

The IRS offers a series of income tax deductions and tax credits taxpayers can use to reduce their taxable income. While a deduction can lower your taxable income and the tax rate used to calculate your tax, a tax credit reduces your income tax obligation.

The IRS offers tax deductions for healthcare expenses, investments, and certain education expenses. For example, if a taxpayer earns $100,000 in income and qualifies for $20,000 in deductions, the taxable income reduces to $80,000 ($100,000 - $20,000 = $80,000).

Tax credits help reduce the taxpayer’s tax obligation or amount owed. They were created primarily for middle-income and lower-income households. To illustrate, if an individual owes $20,000 in taxes but qualifies for $4,500 in credits, their tax obligation reduces to $15,500 ($20,000 - $4,500 = $15,500).

Taxable income is your adjusted gross income (AGI) minus any itemized deductions or your standard deduction .

Business Income Tax

Businesses also pay income taxes on their earnings; the IRS taxes income from corporations, partnerships, self-employed contractors, and small businesses.

Depending on the business structure, the corporation, its owners, or shareholders report their business income and then deduct their operating and capital expenses. Generally, the difference between their business income and their operating and capital expenses is considered their taxable business income.

State and Local Income Tax

All but nine U.S. states impose personal income taxes on their residents. The ones that don't are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Keep in mind, though, that it may not necessarily be cheaper to live in a state that does not levy income taxes. This is because states often make up the lost revenue with other taxes or reduced services.

What's more, other factors determine the affordability of living in a state, including healthcare, cost of living, and job opportunities. For instance, Florida residents pay a 6% sales tax on goods and services, while the state sales tax in Tennessee is 7%.

If you don’t have a complicated tax situation, a tax calculator can give you an idea of how much income tax you might owe.

To further complicate matters, states continually adjust their tax systems in ways both large and small, making it impossible to predict what sort of tax burden their residents will face in the years to come.

What Percent of Income Is Taxed?

The percent of your income that is taxed depends on how much you earn and your filing status . In theory, the more you earn, the more you pay. The federal income tax rate ranges from 10% to 37%.

How Can I Calculate Income Tax?

To calculate income tax, you’ll need to add up all sources of taxable income earned in a tax year. The next step is calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI) . Once you have done this, subtract any deductions for which you are eligible from your AGI.

Which States Have No Income Tax?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not collect state income taxes .

All taxpayers pay federal income tax. Depending on where you live, you may have to pay state and local income taxes, too. The U.S. has a progressive income tax system, which means that higher-income earners pay a higher tax rate than those with lower incomes. Most taxpayers do not pay taxes on all of their income, thanks to exemptions and deductions.

Internal Revenue Service. “ Historical Highlights of the IRS .”

Internal Revenue Service. " IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2024 ."

Internal Revenue Service. " Federal Income Tax Rates and Brackets ."

Internal Revenue Service. “ Credits and Deductions for Individuals .”

Internal Revenue Service. " Definition of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ."

Internal Revenue Service. “ Topic No. 407 Business Income .”

Internal Revenue Service. “ What Is Taxable and Nontaxable Income? ”

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 535, Business Expenses ." Pages 3-6.

Tax Foundation. " State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2024 ."

Tax Foundation. “ Taxes in Tennessee .”

Tax Foundation. “ Taxes in Florida .”

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Different Types Of Taxes We Pay In The US [Infographic, 2019 Updated]

January 1, 2019 by Tax Relief Center

If you want to know what types of taxes Americans have to pay, scroll down the list.

In this article:

Every American Citizen’s Duty

• Capital Gains Tax
• Inheritance/Estate Tax
• Value-Added Tax
• Payroll Tax
• Property Tax

9 Types of Taxes | A Comprehensive List

Click here to jump to the infographic.

Part of every American’s civic duty involves the proper declaration and payment of different types of taxes.

Taxpayers usually owe their taxes either to the federal or state government. In some cases, the businesses collect them as part of the purchase of goods or services.

There are many different kinds of taxes levied in the country, and nine of them are the most common.

1. Sales Tax

Sales tax is a consumption tax. This means it takes effect upon the purchase of goods and services.

One of the key elements here is identifying who is responsible for paying it. When it comes to sales tax, the duty is on the buyer or the consumer, but the business collects and remits it to the government.

To be able to do that, however, the companies part of the supply chain need to provide the proper documentation to the IRS. An example is the resale certificate.

Each U.S. state collects sales taxes. In computing sales tax, you multiply the amount of the purchase with the tax rate applicable to each state. Use these sales tax calculators to make it easier to figure out the numbers.

Most states impose a statewide sales tax rate. At least five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) leave it to cities and municipalities to determine their respective local tax rates.

It’s also possible for sales taxes to overlap. It happens when the state and their cities or counties have different tax rates.

Sales tax is also different from the use tax, which can be complicated. In its tax definition, it is a type of sales tax imposed on goods and services the person wants to use in the state. These items come from outside the state’s jurisdiction that didn’t levy the same tax.

An indirect tax means the responsibility of paying the tax liability lies on the manufacturer or wholesaler, but these entities often pass the tax burden to the consumers by including it in the product’s price.

An excise tax, meanwhile, is a type of tax levied on specific goods. It can be ad valorem taxes or specific or fixed taxes:

• Ad valorem taxes mean the actual excise tax can vary since it’s according to a percentage.
• Fixed or specific taxes are flat fees added to the cost of the goods.

Both the federal and state governments subject the purchase of “vice” items like tobacco and alcohol to an additional sin tax. They can also levy a tax on the same item such as cigarettes and gambling winnings.

Ideally, the collection of sin tax should discourage most people from patronizing these products considered dangerous to health. This tax accounts for large revenues in some U.S. states, such as Nevada, Rhode Island, and Delaware.

3. Travel Tax

Travel taxes can come in different forms. One of the common types of travel taxes is lodging.

It is in addition to the sales tax the state collects. This tax can also be a fixed amount or a percentage.

For example, Georgia charges extra $5 per room as lodging tax. Idaho levies 2%.

There are also cases when the state can forgo sales tax but charges users with a lodging tax. An example is Delaware.

Those who like to use car rentals should also consider the applicable taxes.

Like lodging taxes, it can be a percentage or a fixed or flat fee. In Minnesota’s case, it levies both types.

So far, there are 22 states that impose a tax for lodging accommodations and 38 states that collect tax on rented vehicles.

4. Capital Gains Tax

The capital gains tax rate depends on the investors’ tax bracket and the duration of the investment.

In the United States, the government imposes taxes on short-term capital gains at the same rate as income tax and on long-term capital gains at a lower rate.

5. Inheritance/Estate Tax

Estate taxes can be a significant tax burden to the bereaved. That’s why the government also introduces an exemption amount.

It is now about $10 million per person throughout their lifetime. They can also use it to claim exclusions for the gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes.

In other words, unless the deceased has vast wealth, there’s a good chance the heirs don’t need to pay any estate tax at all.

RELATED:  10 Weirdest US Taxes

6. Income Tax

The amount depends on the taxpayer’s income status and amount of taxable income. At the federal level, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) identified seven income tax brackets .

Almost all states have provisions for separate state income tax declarations. The exceptions are Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska.

They also dictate different sets of income tax rates (depending on their local tax laws).

7. Value-Added Tax

A lot of people tend to confuse it with sales tax. The significant difference is the point of collection.

In sales tax, a consumer pays it only at the end of the supply chain. The government collects VAT in every stage of the production or supply chain.

In other words, the manufacturer down to the retailer may have to pay it. In many cases, though, these entities can also pass the costs they paid to the consumers.

VAT may be one of the most common types of taxes. More than a hundred countries have it as well ( except Macau ).

It is also the most difficult to understand. In hindsight, the user pays VAT on the product cost less the raw materials that already paid tax.

It is not according to the income of the manufacturer or retailer. It is also levied on stages where the user added value into the product.

Not all states implement VAT. In fact, among the states, only Michigan taxed a form of VAT called the single business tax. It later replaced this with the Michigan business tax.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico has been imposing a 10.5% VAT since 2006.

8. Payroll Tax

Some of the types of taxes under payroll are FICA taxes . These are taxes levied on both the employer and the employee to cover insurance taxes. These include Medicare taxes, which are 1.45%, and Social Security taxes at 6.2%.

Payroll taxes may also include contributions to disability, survivor, and unemployment benefits. Failure to remit payroll taxes on time and accurately can result in a penalty ranging from 2% to 10%.

9. Property Tax

In computing property taxes, the government multiplies the fair market value of the property with the tax rate applicable to a certain city or municipality. Property taxes imposed by local governments range from 0.70% to 3.6%.

A non-payment of the property tax may result in a lien, which can decrease a person’s chances of selling the home or land fast. Taxpayers, though, can also negotiate the rate as well as dispute it.

They can also claim property tax as part of their itemized deductions, which can then reduce their federal income tax.

To be eligible, they need to meet certain requirements . For example, their itemized deductions should be more than their standard deductions.

There’s also a combined tax limit of $10,000 for both property and income taxes, according to the new law.

Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy infographic for reference:

It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the different types of taxes as mandated by the IRS. There are already many sources of information, including Tax Relief Center. Otherwise, people can end up facing severe penalties for missing out on or delaying tax declarations and payments.

Are there other types of taxes you usually pay or declare to the government? Share them with us in the comments below.

Up Next: How To Get Free Tax Help | Tax Relief Center

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on March 2, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

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Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Home — Essay Samples — Economics — Political Economy — Taxation

Essays on Taxation

Taxation is a crucial aspect of society that affects everyone, making it an important topic to explore in an essay. Whether you're writing for a class assignment or just want to delve into the world of taxation, there are plenty of interesting and relevant topics to choose from.

When choosing a topic for your taxation essay, consider the different types of essays you can write. For an argumentative essay, you'll want to choose a topic that allows for debate and discussion, such as the impact of taxation on small businesses or the effectiveness of different tax policies. If you're interested in cause and effect, consider topics like the relationship between taxation and income inequality or the environmental impact of tax policies. For an opinion essay, you could explore your own thoughts on taxation reform or the fairness of different tax systems. And for an informative essay, there are plenty of topics to explore, from the history of taxation to the different types of taxes and how they work.

To help you get started, here are some example topics for each type of essay: - Argumentative essay: The impact of taxation on economic growth, the fairness of progressive taxation, the role of taxation in reducing income inequality, the effectiveness of tax incentives for businesses, the impact of taxation on consumer behavior. - Cause and effect essay: The relationship between taxation and government spending, the impact of taxation on investment and savings, the effects of taxation on income distribution, the environmental consequences of different tax policies, the relationship between taxation and social welfare programs. - Opinion essay: My thoughts on taxation reform, the fairness of property taxation, the role of taxation in addressing social issues, the impact of taxation on personal finance, the importance of tax compliance. - Informative essay: The history of taxation, the different types of taxes and how they work, the impact of taxation on different industries, the process of tax collection and enforcement, the role of taxation in funding government services.

Now that you have some ideas for your taxation essay, let's take a look at some examples of thesis statements, s, and s to help you structure your essay effectively.

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Tax Structure: Tax Base, Tax Rate, Proportional, Regressive, and Progressive Taxation

The tax structure of an economy depends on its tax base, tax rate, and how the tax rate varies. The tax base is the amount to which a tax rate is applied. The tax rate is the percentage of the tax base that must be paid in taxes. To calculate most taxes, it is necessary to know the tax base and the tax rate. So if the tax base equals $100 and the tax rate is 9%, then the tax will be $9 (=100 × 0.09). Proportional taxes (aka flat-rate taxes ) apply the same tax rate to any income level, or for any size tax base. So if Bill earns $50,000 and Jane earns $100,000, and the tax rate is 10%, then Bill will owe $5,000 in taxes while Jane will owe $10,000. Many state income taxes and most sales taxes are proportional taxes. Social Security and Medicare taxes are also proportional since the same tax rate is applied to any earned income up to the Social Security wage base limit , which, for 2021, is $142,800. The Medicare tax is a proportional tax that applies to all earned income, = 2.9%. Flat taxes are a fixed amount and do not depend on income or transaction values, such as a $10 per capita tax.

A regressive tax is higher at lower incomes. The most prominent regressive tax is the Social Security tax, because the tax drops to 0, when earned income exceeds the Social Security wage base limit . Regressive taxes especially hurt the poor. The inequitable effects of regressive or proportional taxes are often mitigated by payments to the poor and by exempting essential products and services, such as food, from regressive and proportional taxes.

A tax can also be regressive if it places a greater burden on poorer people. Flat taxes, for instance, place a greater burden on poor people because, even though the tax is the same for everyone, the tax is a greater proportion of income for a poor person than for a rich person. Even proportional taxes can be regressive. For instance, if the tax rate was 10% for everyone, that 10% of income represents a greater burden for poor people because they need all their money to live. Taking 10% from a rich person probably would not lower their standard living at all because they have so much more than what they need to live well. The marginal utility of money declines with increasing wealth, so much so that taking 10% from someone who makes $10,000 annually is much more burdensome than taking 10% from someone who earns $1 million annually, even though the tax revenue from the wealthy person is $100,000 while the tax revenue from the poor person is only $1000. This is why some rich people pay many millions of dollars for a painting or other collectibles because they cannot use it to improve their quality of life, so they invest it.

A progressive tax applies a higher tax rate to higher incomes. So if the tax rate on $50,000 is 10% and 20% for $100,000, then, continuing the above example, Bill still owes $5,000 in taxes while Jane must pay $20,000 in taxes. However, most progressive taxes are structured as a marginal tax , meaning that the progressive tax rate only applies to that part of the income exceeding a certain amount. The portion of the tax base subject to a particular tax rate, called a tax bracket , always has lower and upper limits, except for the top tax bracket, which has no upper limit. To see the current rates published by the IRS, scroll down to the bottom of the current tax table from the instructions for Form 1040 .

Continuing the above example, if the 20% tax rate is only applied to that portion of the income between $50,000 and $100,000, then Jane would owe $5000 on the first $50,000 of income and $10,000 on the 2 nd $50,000 of income, a total tax liability of $15,000.

Without marginal tax rates , a progressive tax would skew economic decisions and would be viewed as unfair. For instance, if the 20% tax rate was applied to all earned income and Jane only earned $60,000, then she must pay $12,000 in taxes, 2.4 times more than Bill's taxes, even though she only made 1.2 times more than Bill. A more extreme example, consider what happens if Jane makes $50,001. Then she must pay $10,000, $5000 more than what Bill must pay, even though he earned only $1 less. Hence, without marginal tax rates, a pay increase could decrease disposable income.

A progressive, marginal tax rate also makes economic sense, since money, like everything else, has a declining marginal utility . In other words, $1 is worth a lot more to someone who earns $10,000 per year than to someone who makes $10 million per year. Poor people need the money to buy essentials, whereas rich people spend their money for luxuries, so the wealthy can pay higher taxes without seriously lowering their standard of living .

The new Republican tax policy, passed at the end of 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , has changed the tax brackets for 2018 and afterwards. Congruent to the Republicans' tax objective to benefit the wealthy, most of the benefits in the change to tax brackets go to those earning more than $200,000. The marriage penalty has also been eliminated for all tax brackets, except the top 2.

Note that tax rates and tax brackets apply only to taxable income . In the United States, people can claim the standard deduction or itemized deductions and other deductions, which lowers taxable income. Therefore, marginal tax rates apply only to income exceeding that amount. Tax bracket limits also only apply to taxable income, not gross income . For instance, if a single taxpayer had $20,000 of deductions, then that $20,000 is not taxed at all. If this taxpayer earned a total $30,000 in 2022, then only $10,000 of that income is subject to the 10% bracket. Without the deductions, the 1 st $10,275 would be in the 10% bracket and the remaining income would in the 12% bracket, resulting in a much higher tax.

Some nontaxable income, such as the home sale exclusion and inheritances, are excluded from income , so not only do tax rates not apply to that income, but their exclusion could allow taxpayers to claim tax credits designed for low-income people, such as the earned income credit , that cannot be achieved with deductions, since many tax credits depend on modified adjusted gross income, which adds back some deductible items.

Because of marginal tax rates and nontaxable income, the tax rate that one actually pays is not knowable just from their tax bracket, so another rate, called the effective tax rate (aka average tax rate ), is calculated by dividing the actual taxes paid by the gross income of the taxpayer. If all income is taxable, then the total tax calculated by multiplying earned income times the effective tax rate will equal the same tax calculated by multiplying the income amount in each tax bracket by the respective marginal tax rate and summing them all up. So in example 2, since Jane earned $100,000 and paid $15,000 in taxes, her effective tax rate is 15% (= $15,000 ÷ $100,000) .

The federal income tax and many state taxes are progressive. Although the federal income tax itself is progressive, the effective tax rate based on all taxes collected by the federal government is progressive only until the Social Security limit is reached. Thereafter, the effective tax rate either declines or levels off with increasing income, since people who make more than the Social Security limit do not have to pay the 12.4% tax on any income exceeding the limit, as can be seen from the following table for a single person who is not a head of the household (Note: For a self-employed person, the tax code allows the deduction of the employer's half of the payroll tax, which results in a net self-employment tax of 14.13% . The tax code also allows the deduction of the employer's portion of the tax, whose value depends on the taxpayer's marginal tax bracket, but since this does not change the effective tax rate very much, it is ignored in the table below. The following table assumes that a single person with no dependents pays the entire payroll tax, which is true for the self-employed, but also applies to employees. Even though employees technically only pay ½ of the payroll tax, most economists agree that most employees pay the other half through lower wages or through higher unemployment. For more info, see Tax Incidence: How The Tax Burden Is Shared Between Buyers And Sellers ) :

The 2021 standard deduction of $12,550 for a single taxpayer was deducted from the earned income to calculate the income tax in the above table. However, payroll taxes applies to all earned income. As you can see from the chart below, the federal tax on earned income is not nearly as progressive as it might seem by just looking at marginal tax rates. It is also obvious that work is the most highly taxed form of income. Investment income subject only to the short-term capital gains rate is subject only to the marginal tax rate, which is also listed in 1 of the columns above; employment taxes do not apply. Investors receiving all their income as long-term capital gains or from qualified dividends pay a much lower tax rate. These rates also do not include the many deductions that higher income taxpayers can take advantage of, so these are the maximum rates that would apply, based on income.

The Wealthy Really Have It Better

The above table suggests that the wealthy pay a higher effective tax rate on their income than poorer people. However, because of favorable tax treatment for investment income and, especially for capital gains , and because large amounts of wealth can be transferred through gifts and inheritance (collectively, gratuitous transfers ) tax-free, the wealthy actually pay a far lower effective tax rate if the taxes that they paid is divided by all their income, including investment income and inherited wealth.

For instance, IRS statistics frequently show that the top 400 taxpayers of the United States pay about 18% of their income in taxes, including payroll taxes that they may have paid. If you look at the above table again, you will note that a self-employed person who makes a mere $20,000 per year pays an effective tax rate of almost 18% — even after subtracting the standard deduction ! Furthermore, hedge fund managers, some who make more than $1 billion per year, are exempted from paying any payroll taxes on their performance fee, which is most of their compensation if they are profitable, thanks to their Republican friends in Congress.

The largest single factor creating this inequity in taxation is the fact that earned income is the most highly taxed income, even though, for maximum economic growth, earned income should be the least taxed, because the higher price of wages due to these income taxes decreases the demand for labor while the lower amount received by the suppliers of this labor reduces supply — reducing economic growth through the deadweight loss of taxation . Indeed, only work increases the economic wealth of any society. Even investments cannot create true economic wealth unless it is used to put people to work, and transferred wealth actually reduces economic wealth because the recipients have a reduced incentive to work. Hence, the prudent economic policy of any government should be to tax work the least and gratuitous transfers the most.

267 Interesting Tax Topics to Write about & Examples

Welcome to our list of the most interesting tax topics! Here, you will find trending corporate tax research paper topics, taxes essay ideas, and bonus examples. Check them out!

🔝 Top 10 Tax Topics to Write about in 2024

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• The Basics of Income Tax: Brackets and Deductions
• The Impact of Tax Policies on Business and Investment
• Sales Tax vs. Value-Added Tax
• Property Taxes: Pros and Cons
• Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Tax Evasion
• Challenges and Opportunities of International Taxation
• How Tax Incentives Promote Social Objectives
• The History of Taxation
• Equity and Efficiency in Taxation
• Tax Reform Proposals and Their Implications
• Property Taxes for Owners of Habitat for Humanity Houses The second argument for establishing a tax break for the owners of the Habitat for Humanity houses is the patent unfairness of the current system of determining the tax rate for this category of property […]
• The Benefits of Lowering Taxes There will be prosperity in the country and the same will motivate the people to work very hard, this will again work in the benefit of the economy. This will make a nation prosper and […]
• The Double Taxation Agreement Between Kenya and the UK 5 Stefan, who is responsible for the daily activities of the company, will receive management fees arising from the operations in Kenya will be taxed in Kenya inline with Article 14 of the agreement that […]
• The Importance of Tax in Our Life A critical view of the tax reveals that its intention was not to boost health outcomes for the citizens of Cook County, but to help the administration in raising about $1.
• Tax Exemption of Churches From Tax Payments It is unfair for the government to exempt religious groups from paying taxes because this marginalizes some other groups, including LGBTQ and atheists.
• History of Tax Morality Theory At the beginning of the 1990s, tax morale drew widespread interest and has since become a fundamental problem in the scholarly investigation of tax compliance.
• Should Tax Laws Be Reformed to Encourage Saving? Because of the lack of honesty by taxpayers, there is always a shortfall of about 300 billion dollars compared with the amount of tax owed to the federal government.
• Australia’s Car Fringe Car Tax Benefits In May 2011, the federal government implemented some changes to the income tax laws and one of the areas that was affected was the car fringe benefit calculations and the take home pay of employees.
• Australian Goods and Services Tax System The GST system provides a lot of revenue for the Australian government due to the fact that most of the goods normally consumed in the due course of everyday life have to be charged GST.
• Business and Economics: The Income Tax Citizens started to shift their opinions about the president’s strength and what the national government should do as the presidency changed during the Progressive Era. Between 1901 and 1921, Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson served as […]
• Addressing Tax Challenges by Introducing a Reform A major obstacle to the growth of the economy and the sharing of revenues is tax avoidance or evasion by big businesses.
• “Windfall Taxes on Energy Are All the Rage They Shouldn’t Be” by Mintz As such, the editors expound that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to governments from Europe to the United States grappling with energy alternatives due to its scarcity.
• Aspects of Tax Research Problem According to the Internal Revenue Commissioner’s decision, the installments made throughout the years to the Kellogg Company, deductions from regular earnings, and basic expenses did not happen.
• Tax, Lease and Gross Income Problem If this were the case, it would be subject to the gross income requirements of Section 109 or the taxable amount corresponding to the amount obtained through the sale.
• Poor Segments of Population: Tax Cuts Effects In this context, the reduction of after-tax incomes of low-income families tends to be much more profound, which contributes to the disparities in income and overall wealth inequality.
• Autoethnography: “Black” Taxes in South Africa My brief analysis of the academic literature reveals the significance of the black tax problem, the consequence of which is the compulsion to work harder and a marked decline in the quality of life for […]
• Blockchain and Alteryx Technologies for Tax Administration Alteryx can be considered a comprehensive platform because it is neutral in its data outputs and covers most aspects of the analytics process.
• The Tax Transformation Technology Roadmap The use of outdated programs and tools can lead to several problems related to both the effectiveness of the work and the processes themselves.
• Corporate Sustainability Worldview and Tax Avoidance This proposal introduces the plan of a research project devoted to the association between a company’s adherence to corporate sustainability reporting and tax avoidance trends. Define and research the concept of corporate sustainability reporting within […]
• Transferring Tax Losses to the Future In addition, due to the availability of an estimated reserve, many people may risk opening a company and then abandoning this business.
• Pros and Cons of Consumption Tax Over Income Tax Unlike the income tax, where the target population is low, focusing on the consumption tax gives the government access to all people, increasing revenues. With the elimination of the income tax system, people are encouraged […]
• Value-Added Tax and Tax Morality: Legal Framework In order for the concept of tax morality to be determined, it is essential to identify the legal framework for the flat tax that consumers pay once they purchase an item.
• The Federal Unemployment Tax Some percent of wages is retained by the employer from the employee’s pay, who then remits the funds to the government on the worker’s behalf.
• Global vs. India Tax and Remuneration Policies Some MNCs use a standard compensation rate, while others depend on the market forces of the host country to determine the compensation of the employees.
• The Food Tax in Oklahoma Articles This article is about the food tax in Oklahoma, one of the few states where this measure exists. In the news about the passage of the food tax ban bill, there is a brief interview […]
• Systems of Taxes During the Era of Colonialism As a result, the history of taxes is inextricably linked to the nation’s progress and influence since the colonial period. Individuals in the UAE are not subject to income tax.
• The US Tax Planning Strategy and Reporting Standards The move will require the government to analyze tax implications and determine whether making the tax approach conforms to the method allowed by the standards.
• Exports and Excise Taxes as Critical Powers of the U.S. Congress To summarize, it should be recalled that the powers of the U.S. Among these powers, one of the most important is the administration of excise taxes and the country’s import policy.
• Privatization, Public-Private Partnerships, and Tax Policy in San Diego In the end, the San Diego Administration Government took control of the project and has been able to operate it successfully as a component of the open road system in the County.
• The Laffer Curve: Tax Revenue History & Reforms In the practical sense, the Laffer Curve is a simple graph, which is demonstrated below: In the chart, the far left point on the X-axis represents the 0% tax rate which would result in the […]
• Case Study on Tax Crimes: Distributional Implications of Joint Tax Thus, the above action amounted to tax avoidance since the firm failed to pay the full amount of tax to the United States government.
• Biden’s Push to Increase Tax on the Rich From New York Times The major reason for this news is Biden’s will to increase taxes for the rich to fund his plan of reshaping the economy.
• The Child Tax Credit Program’s Analysis According to the creators of this bill and the research conducted, the CTC reflects the ideological idea of providing as many citizens of the country as possible with the same living standards.
• Article Review on Carbon Tax Policy Whereas the article points out the financial implication of the Canadian government policy on climate change, it failed to appreciate the general ethical benefits that the world will gain if Canada commits to climate change […]
• Tax Effect of Salary Dividends & Cash Withdrawal If Bob chooses to structure his venture as a corporation, it is recommended for him to receive salaries up to the IRS’s highest level.
• Business Charitable Contributions for Tax Purposes For instance, the way a tax is imposed for a sole proprietor is different for a partner in a partnership business.
• The Pink Tax Issue: Economic Discrimination Against Women Opponents of the Pink Tax argue that it denies women of agency and choice by implying that women are susceptible to a marketing strategy that prevents them from selecting cheaper products.
• The Impact of the New Tax Law on Executive Compensation The latter point connects executive compensation and the issue of the new tax law, which affects several aspects of the former.
• Taxes, Public Utilities, and Impact on Households However, despite the direct impact of the levies on the household budgets, taxes are critical in supporting governmental expenditure, including offsetting costs of delivery of public utilities and services, such as road construction and healthcare.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 The 2017 tax reform ended up in the first significant changes in the field since the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
• Researching Worldwide Tax Avoidance According to Prosser & Murray, “tax avoidance” is the legitimate use of the taxation system to decrease the amount of tax payable within a regulatory framework.
• The Concept of Interperiod Tax Allocation Under this method, the current income tax of a specific period is considered as the income tax expense of that period.
• Tax Consequences Advice Sue of the Above Transactions The information provided is not sufficient for one to tell if Sue has been receiving rent and if yes, she has been paying her tax.
• Tax Research Problem: Mr. Smith Medical Case Study He also incurs maintenance expenses of the pool and other medical expenses, while the existence of the pool increases the value of the home to some extent.
• The Supreme Court’s Internet Sales Tax Decision The added input leads to an increase in products’ prices, making it hard for e-commerce startups to compete with other large-scale retailers and wholesalers.
• The Sale Tax Legislation of Hong Kong This study also explained the provisions of the IRD that relate to the Goods and Services Tax in Hong Kong. Tax administration of a particular country is a significant concern as the issue of development […]
• The Border Security Tax and Violation of the U.S. Constitution One of them is known as “taxation without representation,” and its applicability to the case is conditional upon the attempts of the president to make Mexico pay for the prospective wall construction.
• Estate and Ownership Transfer Tax Policy and Regulations in Connecticut Fairfield Therefore, estate owners should considerably reduce their property taxes according to the tax laws to ensure that those who inherit the estates remain comfortable in the future.
• Specific Tax Measures to Digitalized Economy The formation of the digital economy determines the need for appropriate development and improvement of the processes and mechanisms of state regulation.
• Analysis of Federal Tax Policy According to Page, “Implications of Federal tax policies of significance to farmers are particularly notable in tax burdens, land prices and the ownership of capital assets, the cost of capital relative to labor, the size […]
• Taxation: CPA Tax Software The implementations of the income tax law require the political and legal willpower of those who are in the leadership positions.
• Tax Return Process Analysis Form 1040 is the form of the US Individual Income Tax Return. The next section of form 1040 gives the amount of tax and credits.
• Taxation Law: UK Inheritance Tax For example, in the UK inheritance tax is a tax levied on the assets of the dead and therefore estate tax and inheritance tax are more of the same.
• Tax Research: Ed and Whitney case The taxability of the elemental document that was discovered by use of CCH remedies will be dependent on manifold concerns, encompassing: whether there is a taxable income that is associated with this document and if […]
• Accounting: The Payment of Taxes The payment of taxes for both Rigas and Adelphia with one Adelphia check and the outrageous spending of the company could also be used as a recommendation for the discovery of the case.
• Working Income Tax Benefit in Canada Several measures have been enacted to address the issues of income inequality in the tax system, including the changes in the treatment of capital income, changes in unemployment and the structure of the labor market, […]
• Property Taxes Herb Construction Company This is because the taxes of the property are directly due to the development of the property. Therefore, Herb Construction Company should capitalize interest and property taxes of the hotel under construction.
• Tax Consequences: Result of Selling The tax implication on the shares that Amy intents to dispose depends on two issues: First, whether Amy sells her shares to Beth and Meg or to either Beth or Meg, and secondly, whether she […]
• Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities This paper seeks to examine whether deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities satisfy the definition and recognition criteria for assets and liabilities according to the AASB framework for the preparation and presentation of Financial […]
• Bylaw No. 8370: Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption The council of the City of Prince George is charged with the mandate of providing a variety of services to residents and inhabitants of the area.
• Australian Income Tax Law Reform on Education Expenses Under the prevailing Australian federal income tax law, stipulated in the provisions of the income tax law, section 8A of the Income Tax Assessment Tax 1936 refutes deductions exceeding $250 of expenses incurred on self-education.
• Progressive Consumption Tax A consumption tax is a duty on goods and services spent by a household. Third, consumption taxes have a wider base, easier to implement as all consumption levels are taxed and it is considered a […]
• Taxation: Income and Corporation Tax in UK In 2006 for example, the percentage of the national income absorbed by tax in the UK averaged those of the developed countries.
• The Role of Offshore Tax Havens This particular scenario was seen in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis wherein despite the bailouts provided by the government there was still a certain degree of hesitance on the part of banks to […]
• New Tax Proposals: Perry Tax Plans Indeed, one of the outstanding attributes of this tax plan is that it attempts to level down all major tax deductions. The good element in this tax plan is that it brings about total change […]
• Factors That Should Take Into Account When Designing a Tax System to Finance Public Expenditure The tax collected is principally used to finance the expenditure of the government, for instance, paying of government officials and provision of essential services to the residents of the country.
• Tax Treatment of Attorney Fees During the pendency of her appeal in the court of law, the Texas County changed the zoning law permitting two residences per acre as against the original law of only one residence per every two […]
• Legal Costs of Acquiring a Capital Asset: Tax Problem Analysis In 2010, she appealed the decision to the Texas County Board of Supervisors challenging the County’s zoning law. Is the attorney fee incurred in the process of challenging the appraisal of the land tax deductible?
• Taxable Events and Complexity of the Tax System Arguments in favor of corporate formations as taxable events: Taxable events refer to financial transactions that are likely to lead to tax consequences.
• Taxation Law: Tax and Fees Paid to the Attorney The tax of the $11,000 fees paid to the attorney by Sarah is a fixed amount hence no deductions will be made on the value.
• China Looks at Introducing Tax on Foreign Currency Transactions Even though the overall outflow of foreign capital slowed down, there is still the danger to the economic wellbeing of the country.
• Tax Eligibility and Disability Payment Another reason is that the injury he suffers occurred during his service in the army as an employee of the state.
• Individual Income Tax & Home Mortgage Interest Deduction To ease the burden of taxation on the citizens, the United States Congress included the deduction for home mortgage interest in the internal revenue code.
• Tax Research Memorandum for Lunar Corporation Further, Mo wants to write off the loans as a bad debt expense on the returns for the personal tax. Mo is a shareholder and an employee of the company.
• Taxpayers’ Reaction to Payment of Tax Thus, taxpayers’ reaction to payment of taxes should focus on tax compliance and tax evasion in order to understand underlying behaviours that influence tax payment and evasion and get insights on such reactions.
• Trade Groups Identifies Medical Device Makers Passing on Federal Tax If higher pricing is illegal in the context of the new taxation policy for all organizations and importers of medical devices, it implies that they need to look for alternative ways of recovering the costs.
• Offshore Tax Structures and Foreign Exchange Regulations In this paper, the researcher seeks to determine the offshore tax structures and foreign exchange regulations that will affect the decision to take the Venezuelan boulevards into the international market.
• American Tax Code Analysis Throughout the article, the authors revolve around the desire to push the conversation forward bearing in mind that it is long overdue. The energy sector is the latest target in the proposed White House budget […]
• Corporate Tax to Grind In an effort to eliminate the negative impacts associated with tax avoidance both to the corporation and the overall economy, the article highlights some of the efforts that countries are making.
• Taxation: The Australian Carbon Tax According to Bourdieu’s school of thought, economic capital is the total sum of material objects that a person possesses. Carbon taxes indicate these costs, and they have the capacity to minimise inequalities from forms of […]
• Financial Operation Within Tax-Exempt Country This means that the test results obtained cannot help to explain the capital structure of companies in tax-exempt countries that still developing.
• Tax Periods and Method. Organization and Summary The main source of income / revenue in this business will be offering of SEO services to website owners. Einstein Web Solutions is committed to provision of SEO services that will raise the online presence […]
• Tax-Deductible Losses in the United States After the end of the civil war, the need for federal revenue declined considerably, and the government officials thought that abolishing the income taxes would be a fair approach to relieve the citizens.
• Worldwide Tax versus Territorial Tax The main distinction between the United States’ tax system and that of most countries is the manner in which the earnings that are made in foreign countries are handled when they are repatriated back to […]
• Researching Tax in the United States The defensible strategy for the client is based on the six steps in the tax research process namely establishment of facts, identification of issues, location of the authority, evaluation of the authority, development of conclusions […]
• Tax Effects of Various Methods of Forming a Corporation The possible methods are the distribution of the assets to the partners who are expected to contribute the assets to the corporation; the method of transferring the assets to the corporation directly; and the method […]
• Individual Income Tax Gains due the cancellation or sale of a life insurance policy before the death of the insured are subject to taxation because the tax exemption on proceeds from life insurance applies upon the death of […]
• Taxation: Tax Compliance The approach is relevant for determining the undisclosed income since it involves assessing the tax accountability by examining the financial performance of a taxpayer from assortment of sources outside the declaration of the taxpayer and […]
• Federal Income Taxation: Tax File Memorandum It is within this layover moment that Mark takes a 4-hour nap in the ferryboat Is the cost of meals Mark purchased while on his usual rounds deductible?
• Ethical Standards for Tax Professionals She is entitled for tax deduction if the equipment purchased is for producing income for the business and in this case the equipment has to be capitalized in the year of purchase.
• Australia Corporate Tax on Income The rate on the income for the tax period 2009/2010 is 30%. Replacement value is the price to be paid in future for the stock.
• Canadian Income Tax Return For instance, if an employee uses a motor vehicle for both corporate and private purposes, he/she should distinguish between these issues and count only the kilometers passed on business while the total amount of kilometers […]
• Discriminatory Tax Provisions But the establishment of a uniform tax regime to implement the principle of freedom of movement of goods as one of the four fundamental freedoms for the entire region has not been smooth and the […]
• Stock Share: Tax on Transfer Gain It is important to note that according to the Special Law for the Promotion of Venture Business, the new technology investment company is not considered registered.
• Income Tax Deductions Issues According to Fishman, income tax is the tax levied on the incomes of businesses both corporations and other legal entities and on the income of individual citizens of a country.
• Business Ethics: Tax Scamming Of course, in viewing the problem ethically, small business whose incomes suffer from abusive taxations, as their main goal is to justify the inputs made by investors, to produce the outputs for the customers and […]
• Tax Planning for Low-Income Taxpayers The definition of family in the family trust selection regulations will be changed to restrict lineal successors to children or grandchildren of the test persons or the test someone’s spouse.
• Pros and Cons of Regressive Tax Policy in Texas Hence, the Texas case becomes exceptionally peculiar in the context of taxation, as it appears to be a part of a broader discussion.
• An Existing Obesity Crisis: A Sugar Tax? Tirado agrees that the problem of obesity and, particularly, the issue of excessive sugar consumption, exists but the current measures and methods do not address the root of it.
• COVID-19 Effect on Global Tax Collections The emergence of the digital economy has caused confusion concerning how tech companies should pay their corporate taxes. The Global Tax Project of 2013 seeks to address these issues to avoid a patchwork of national […]
• “Why Do Developing Countries Tax So Little?” by Besley and Persson The present paper offers a response to the article by discussing the major strengths and weaknesses of the arguments provided in the article and describing the implications of the findings.
• Strategies of Tax Avoidance This paper aims to dwell upon several issues, including previously mentioned problems along with the use of the Double Irish and the Dutch Sandwich by Google, Google’s negotiation with the Internal Revenue Service, and Microsoft’s […]
• Zero Personal Income Tax in the US Thus, the primary source of tax income for Saudi Arabia is the taxation of various types of businesses. The authors went on to theorize that the tax system in general and tax rates for both […]
• Opioid Epidemic and Budget Losses in Tax Revenue The authors provide the estimates of the budget losses in tax revenue associated with opioid use disorder. The authors also claim that the investment in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders can mitigate […]
• Border Tax Adjustment and Greenhouse Gas Emissions With regards to this, the short-term effect of the BTAs is that they will create equal competition conditions in the world market, while the long-term one is that the BTAs will contribute to the achievement […]
• Obama’s Tax Relief Plan Analysis The following graph outlines the proposed tax cut relief plan in detail and it would be analyzed in terms of the effect that it has had on the economy and it’s bearing on the American […]
• Efficacy of the Taxes Act 2003 This paper critically examines the efficacy of the Taxes Act 2003, passed by former President Bush by cutting personal taxes and depreciation rates, in order to create more incomes and thus increase consumer spending, leading […]
• President Bush’s Tax Cut Policies The impact of the tax cuts on the high-income households, the middle-income households and the low-income households have been assessed. Taylor argues that the tax cut policies of President Bush have minimized the amount of […]
• Accounting for Sales Tax Revenue in Florida State The Florida State Department of Revenue has the responsibility of administering revenue laws of the state to its citizens as well as the laws that are related to the inspection of the books of accounts […]
• Tax Law in Accounting Thus, it is not surprising to see that the higher the income of the individual the higher would be share in taxes. Similarly, difference in net income between financial accounting and tax accounting could be […]
• Carbon Tax in Norway & Denmark: Economic Analysis In the long term, carbon tax can make the use of alternative energy sources the new norm and set the standard in stone.
• Tax Authority’s Effectiveness and Implications Apply the provisions of tax treaties in a fair and consistent manner; promote the fair sharing of taxing rights in tax treaties and the development of domestic laws; not promote or facilitate tax evasion or […]
• Internal Revenue Service in Tax Administration This is an analytical as well as empirical study with a view to exploring the deficiencies and impediments in the way of effective operation and management of the Internal Revenue Service.
• Lomanno: Tax Law and Court Rulings Report The second fact is that the husband of a petitioner did not have the permission to sign her name to income tax in the years that are discussed and there was also no approval to […]
• The Provision of the Information on Tax Treatments The complexity of this framework might be confusing for people and presuppose some difficulties with the determination of various types of payments that are obliged to do.
• Property Taxes and Assessment System The government should consider not only the current value of the property in the area and state of the evaluated object but also the term of ownership to distribute taxes equitably.
• Microeconomics: Cigarette Taxes and Public Smoking Ban The problem of passive smoking will be minimized when the number of smokers decreases. It is agreeable that the meager incomes of such families will be used to purchase cigarettes.
• The Political Stream: New Tax on Sweetened Beverages We delegate our rights to the government, including the local government of San Francisco, so that they can perform the measures that are beneficial to us.
• Tobin Tax for the United Kingdom and United States The reason is that the commission has put it clear that the financial transaction tax will not only be implemented to financial institutions that are within the FTT region.
• Swobodaville City’s Tax Revenues Most of the tax rates are imposed by either the central government or the local authority. When the income tax rates are set locally, there is a tendency for the authority to offer lower tax […]
• International Tax Havens and Impact on Arizona and World The study will be focusing on examining the impact of international tax havens on Arizona and the world, specifically the international financial market, which in turn has the capacity to affect the agribusiness environment, its […]
• Income Tax Breaks and Housing for the Elderly This policy was formulated in 2002 to cater to the elderly as it had been found that the majority of them suffered from fall-related injuries.
• Corporate Tax Assignment in the UK and the US It is noteworthy that companies-residents of countries that have established income tax treaties with the US are only subjected to taxation “only to the extent the income is attributable to a permanent establishments in the […]
• New Tax Reform of 2017 in the United States The paper consists of two parts: the essence of the reform and its perception by various social and political stakeholders will be summarized, and then the reform will be investigated in the context of the […]
• Deferred Tax Assets and Future Payments Study The author also establishes the significance of the research question, explaining that determining the presence of a strong association between deferred taxes and future tax payments could be used to improve the current financial accounting […]
• Repealing Soda Tax: Pros and Cons The article titled “Chicago’s Soda Tax is Repealed,” published by The Economist on October 13th, 2017, celebrates the repeal of the infamous soda tax, which received large amounts of criticism from both the soft drink […]
• Republican Tax Rewrite: Helps Some, Hurts Others The purpose of the piece is to explore the consequences of the recent tax rewrite, pushed by the Republicans. An excellent alternative to the government’s actions, in this case, would be to involve the public, […]
• Tax Reform in the United States Furthermore, the adoption of the Consumption Tax as the foundation for the current fiscal system will encourage the residents of the United States to change their buying behavior.
• Corporate Tax Rates and Project Valuation In this paper, the influence of corporate tax rates and the importance of project valuation, cash flows, and risk analysis will be discussed.
• Legal Marijuana Market Analysis and Taxes Impact Consequently, the primary goal of this paper is to understand the impact of taxes on the financial stability of the market for legal marijuana with the help of the law of supply and demand and […]
• Tax Lien as a Car Purchasing Hindrance In case one is buying a house or a car and the tax lien is a hindrance to the purchasing process the Taxpayer Advocate service should be contacted for immediate action to be taken towards […]
• Personal Income Tax: Arguments For and Against In addition, there is a liability to a personal income tax and the responsible tax paying entity must compute, file and pay tax as per the rules of the state.
• US Corporate Taxes Improvement and Alternatives The repatriation process will also increase the total US income; since many companies will relocate, back home and their tax revenues will benefit the country.
• American Estate Tax, Laws and Ways of Minimization The fair market value of the estate is adjusted with the amount of related allowable deductions to obtain the value of the net value of the Estate.
• Drug Legalization: Increased Taxes v Health Issues A brief analysis of the problem shows that legalisation of drugs is an efficient and even necessary measure to address the problem.
• UAE Tax Policy Analysis Put back on the blue hat and make recommendations
• Effects of Taxes and Economic Incentives on Business In spite of the wide array of these elements, analysts argue that taxes play the most critical role in influencing the location choices. In this paper, the author will assess the impacts of taxes and […]
• The “Waist Banned” Article – Taxes on Junk Food On the other hand, the article describes the possibility of a failure in the projected effects of taxation on junk foods because of the likelihood of junk food addicts to forego expenditures of important foods […]
• Taxes on Alcohol and Cigarettes as a Healthcare Costs According to the Senate Committee mandated to oversee the department of finance, the cost of managing diseases related to liquor and cigarettes in the next ten years will be over $1.
• The Strategy of Toyota and H&R Tax Service As such, the key to success as well as prolonged existence in the market calls for the organizations to establish a tradition that ensures the development of modern initiatives, training and the application of new […]
• Tax Shelter and Offshore: Control and Investment From this point, the long-term investment can be discussed as the effective tax shelter method to reduce the taxable income and tax payments.
• Federal Tax Law: Implications of Replacement The integration of the federal tax rate would improve the government’s capacity to ensure equity in the administration of the tax law. Replacing the federal income tax rate would contribute to considerable promotion in the […]
• Increasing Sin Tax for Increasing Costs of Medical Care Should The United States Federal Government increase “sin taxes” on alcohol and tobacco to help pay for the increasing costs of medical care?
• VAT Versus Flat Tax Versus More Progressive Tax On the other hand, progressive tax is the form of tax where tax rate varies with income. In this case, the VAT tax may reduce the level of aggregate demand in the country.
• Need of Tax Cuts However, in the long term, a tax cut is speculated to have macro-economic benefits if the taxpayers use the supplementary income they get wisely, and at the same time, the governments adjust well to its […]
• University Students Should Not Pay Tax The government stepped in and tried to even out the disparities in university education that are as a direct result of income differences between students.
• Taxes and Education: A Cooperation That Went Awry By means of comparison, logical evaluations, social references, and a number of jeers in the text, the author chooses a kind of angry tone of writing to prove how irrational and unfair the attitude of […]
• Taxes Effects on Goods and Services On the other hand, if the elasticity of demand is higher than the elasticity of supply for a given commodity, suppliers will have to bear the burden of the tax alone or pay the higher […]
• Property Tax Role in a Developing Country In the light of this view, this paper discusses the role of property tax to in helping a developing nation to attain the goals of encouraging capital formation, increase the rates of savings of its […]
• Tax Law Sources: Substantial Authority and Courts This essay explores the primary and secondary sources of tax law, substantial authority and the roles of the courts and internal revenue service in interpreting and applying the sources of tax law.
• Organizational Change Project “Fat Tax” in Denmark Analyzing the effects of the reform in the context of a specific organization and taking a closer look at the changes that the Fat Tax has inflicted on it, one can possibly decide whether the […]
• Tax Equity in Countries Economy Therefore, a tax bracket should be created to cushion the poor from high income taxes. This is because the poor will be forced to spend a large portion of their pay on taxes.
• Best Tax Preparation Office in Tampa, Florida For example, the studies showed that the success of a given firm is determined by how well the management aligns the positive attributes of the firm to the factors significant in that industry.
• Mineral Resource Rent Tax Policy According to Golob, the MRRT policy was expected to expand the coverage of the present Petroleum Resource Rent Tax; in such a way that as from 2012 1st July the proposed tax policy would be […]
• Using Taxes to Address Traffic Safety Problems in Oman If this form of tax is properly applied it can generate money for the government which can be used to address traffic problems and eventually reduce the number of accidents in the country.
• Impacts of the Implementation of Australia’s “Carbon Tax” The focus of this paper is on the examination of the Australia’s Carbon Tax and its impacts on the strategies of firms within the country.
• Bush Tax Cuts Debate Calls to end the federal tax cuts are majorly spearheaded by the democrats because they are of the opinion that the tax cuts majorly favor the rich and consequently lead to the growth of the […]
• Taxes, Capitalism, and Democracy: Karl Marx vs. Plato The claims in the media belong to the camp of freedom and community. Marx argued that taxation is one of the reasons that will force workers to challenge the elites in society.
• Tax Cuts in Keynesian Economics Manipulating government’s spending leads to change in position of the aggregate demand because the government forms part of the aggregate demand.
• Carbon Taxes in Environmental Protection In addition, application of the strategy extends to the use of fuels and the amount of carbon emitted in the process of production.
• Income Taxation in Canada
• Putting Out the Fires: Will Higher Taxes Reduce the Onset of Youth Smoking?
• State Management of Taxes and Policies
• Inflation Tax – Printing More Money to Cover the War Expenses
• Australian Taxation: Minerals Resource Rent Tax
• Carbon Tax Advantages and Disadvantages in Australia
• The Mineral Resource Rent Tax in Australia
• Exempted From Paying Taxes: International Students Who Are Not Working
• Self Managed Super Fund: Superannuation and Tax
• Fraudulent Accounting and Tax Evasion
• Legal and Illegal Tax Shelters
• Roles of Property Tax
• Effect of tax on Vietnamese hangers
• Economic Effects of Tax Reform
• Tax Evasion in Egypt
• Tax Avoidance Legal and Illegal Ways
• The Debate About Tax Cuts
• The Evaluation of Tax Reform Strategies in the United States
• The Issue of Huge Taxes
• The Internal Revenue Service Uncovers Tax Fraud with a Data Warehouse
• Government Spending and Tax Legislation Signed by the President
• Welfare Expenditure Reduction: Obama’s Federal Worker “Tax”
• Relationship Between Budget Deficits and Tax Cutting
• Tax efficient financial planning
• Fair Tax and Laffer Curve
• How tax cuts help revive the economy
• Environmental Management: Green Taxes
• American Tendency of Rising Taxes
• The Fat Tax Concept
• Are Capital Taxes Racing to the Bottom in the European Union?
• Does Firm Heterogeneity Impact the Effectiveness of Carbon Taxes?
• Why Are Property Taxes Important for Local Communities?
• Can Border Carbon Taxes Fit Into the Global Trade Regime?
• How Do Taxes Affect Interstate Migration?
• Who Benefits Most From Property Assessment Taxes?
• Are Consumption Taxes Preferable to Income Taxes for Preventing Macroeconomic Instability?
• Does Social Trust Increase Willingness to Pay Taxes to Improve Public Healthcare?
• Can Green Taxes Save the Environment?
• How Do Tax Policies Affect Individuals and Businesses?
• Why Doesn’t the US Include Sales Tax in Prices?
• Should Euro Area Countries Cut Taxes on Labor or Capital in Order to Boost Their Growth?
• Are Differentiated Carbon Taxes Inefficient?
• How Do Capital Taxes Harm Economic Growth?
• Can Property Taxes Reduce House Price Volatility?
• Would People Rather Pay Taxes or Trade Taxes to Pay for Environmental Goods?
• Are Environmental Taxes Affected by Legislatures’ Ideological Positions?
• How Do Major Local Taxes Affect Private Employment?
• Can Redistributive State Taxes Reduce Inequality?
• Are Small Business Owners More Successful in Avoiding Taxes?
• What Is the Most Important Tax Used at the Local Level?
• Can Taxes Drive Agglomeration While Approaching the Global Economy?
• How Effective Are Environmental Taxes in the Petroleum Industry?
• Are Soft Drink Taxes an Effective Mechanism for Reducing Obesity?
• Should the Government Increase Taxes on Oil to Encourage More Public Transport Use?
• What Are the Ways to Save Income Tax in India?
• How Do the Wealthy Minimize Their Tax Burden in the U.S.?
• Are Taxes Credits Effective in Developing Countries?
• How Do Taxes Affect the Incentive to Invest in New Intangible Assets?
• Could Higher Taxes Increase the Long-Run Demand for Capital?
• The Impact of Taxation on Investment Rates
• Tax Havens: Strategies and Consequences of International Taxation Avoidance
• Evaluation of Profit Shifting in Corporate Taxation
• Use of Tax Incentives in Promoting Adoption of Renewable Energy
• How Tax Policy Affects Small Business Growth and Entrepreneurship
• Tax Compliance and Behavioral Economics
• Wealth Taxation’s Feasibility in Addressing Income Inequality
• Global Efforts to Tax Digital Economy Transactions
• The Laffer Curve and Optimal Tax Rates
• Tax Treaties, Double Taxation, and Taxation Rights Between Countries
• Green Taxation Policies and Environmental Sustainability
• Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Taxation
• Value-Added Tax and Consumption Taxes: Different Models
• Property Tax in Funding Local Services
• The Challenges of Tax Enforcement in Developing Countries
• Contract Law Research Ideas
• Business Structure Titles
• Corporate Finance Essay Ideas
• Economic Topics
• Cash Flow Paper Topics
• Macroeconomics Topics
• Cost Accounting Essay Topics
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Writing 101: The 8 Common Types of Essays

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 3 min read

Whether you’re a first-time high school essay writer or a professional writer about to tackle another research paper, you’ll need to understand the fundamentals of essay writing before you put pen to paper and write your first sentence.

Home > Blog > Expository Essay Examples: Top Tips To Improve Your Grade

Expository Essay Examples: Top Tips To Improve Your Grade

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: September 24, 2024
• General Guide About Content and Writing

Are you struggling to complete your expository essay and need help creating an outline? Then the expository essay tips in this article will help you overcome any problems you might have.

We’ll guide you on how to start your expository essay, discuss its structure, offer you expository essay examples, and include a section on the top mistakes you must avoid making so you can improve your writing flow . Let’s get started!

What Is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is a form of writing that aims to explain, inform, or clarify a specific topic or idea. Unlike persuasive essays, which seek to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint, expository essays are grounded in facts and objective analysis. The primary goal is to present information clearly and logically to enable the reader to understand the subject better.

Expository essays usually include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. They begin with a thesis statement that outlines the main topic or argument. Then each body paragraph develops a distinct aspect of the thesis.

Furthermore, there is a lot of supporting evidence evidence such as statistics, examples, or expert quotes. This is the core of the work that you’ll need to do during expository essay writing. Hence, the research phase is important to ensure that you have all the information you need.

Different Types of Expository Essays

Now let’s turn our attention to the various types of expository essays that you might come across. This will help you get ready for one of these assignments in your academic writing classes. Here’s a list of expository writing types:

• Descriptive essay: A descriptive essay vividly portrays a person, place, event, or object using sensory details. This is done by appealing to the reader’s senses, such as sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Hence, the writer creates a vivid image that engages emotions, so descriptive language is key to getting a passing grade.
• Cause and effect essays: This essay explores the reasons behind an event and its consequences. You’ll need to analyze a specific cause and its effects, and the writer clarifies complex relationships. Effective organization and supporting evidence help readers understand the connections between events.
• Process essay: A process essay outlines the steps needed to complete a specific task. It provides clear and chronological instructions, which often include details and explanations for each step. The goal is to guide readers through the process easily.
• Comparison and contrast essay: As the name suggests, this essay examines the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It can discuss each subject separately or address points of comparison and contrast in a structured manner.
• Definition essay: A definition essay explains the meaning of a term or concept and goes beyond a simple dictionary definition. Hence, it provides a comprehensive understanding through examples, anecdotes, and analysis of the term’s implications.

Structure of an Expository Essay: What To Consider First

An expository essay is one of the most common types of essays, according to MasterClass . Hence, looking at an expository essay example and learning how to start this type of essay makes it easier. After all, learning by example allows you to see the best practices to get top grades.

In the following sections, we’ll share the first few parts of an expository essay outline and include a few examples.

Choose a Clear Topic

The first step in writing an expository essay is selecting a clear and focused topic. The topic should be specific enough to allow for in-depth exploration but broad enough to provide ample information. For example, you might opt for “the role of bees in pollination.”

This topic allows you to delve into the specific contributions of bees, their impact on ecosystems, and their importance to agriculture. There’s enough depth here to provide a solid foundation for your essay. Furthermore, a clear topic guides your research and helps you develop a focused thesis statement.

Conduct Thorough Research

After selecting a topic, conduct thorough research to gather relevant information. You’ll need to utilize credible sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites to ensure the accuracy of your data.

For instance, if your topic is “the role of bees in pollination,” look for studies on bee populations, articles discussing their ecological significance, and statistics on agricultural reliance on pollinators. Make sure to take notes and organize the information into categories that align with your main points.

Furthermore, comprehensive research strengthens your argument and provides a wealth of evidence to support your claims to enhance the essay’s credibility.

Create an Outline

Creating an outline is crucial for organizing your ideas and structuring your expository essay. Begin with an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement. Then, outline the body paragraphs, where each one covers a specific aspect of your topic.

As an example, you might have one paragraph discussing the biology of bees, another on their pollination process, and a third on their economic importance. Finally, plan a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis.

Generally, an outline provides a clear roadmap for your writing and makes it easier to complete your work in the correct expository essay format.

Write a Strong Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should clearly express the main idea or argument of your essay. It typically appears at the end of your introduction and sets the tone for the entire piece. You can look at expository essay examples to get a better idea of how to write a winning thesis statement.

For instance, if your topic is “the role of bees in pollination,” your thesis might be: “Bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting agricultural production through their pollination activities, making their conservation vital for environmental health and food security.”

A strong thesis statement provides clarity and guides your research and writing. Consequently, you’ll ensure all your content aligns with this central argument.

Craft a Compelling Introduction

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on your topic. Start with a good essay hook , such as a surprising fact or a relevant quote. For example, you could begin with: “Did you know that one in every three bites of food we eat relies on pollinators like bees?”

Follow the hook with context about the importance of bees and their role in ecosystems. Finally, introduce your thesis statement, giving readers a clear overview of what to expect. Get it right, and the introduction will set the stage for your essay and engage your audience right from the start.

How To Start an Expository Essay: Examples for 3 Different Essay Types

In this section, we will discuss how to start an expository essay with examples of different thesis statements.

For each example, we’ll start with a thesis statement and then share how you would approach tackling the topic. Read these if you want to know how to write an expository essay and get top marks.

1. Descriptive Essay Example

Thesis statement: The vibrant atmosphere of a bustling farmer’s market showcases the richness of local culture and community.

In this descriptive essay about a farmer’s market, the writer should vividly portray the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. This captures the vibrant colors of fresh produce, the enticing aromas of baked goods, and the lively chatter of vendors and customers.

Furthermore, through detailed sensory descriptions, you can immerse the reader and illustrate the market’s unique atmosphere.

2. Cause and Effect Essay Example

Thesis statement: Human activities are the primary drivers of climate change, which leads to severe environmental consequences.

A cause and effect essay on climate change examines the factors leading to global warming and its impacts. You could discuss causes like industrial pollution and deforestation. Then explain how they contribute to rising temperatures.

Additionally, you can explore effects such as extreme weather patterns, melting ice caps, and biodiversity loss. Therefore, by highlighting these connections, the essay emphasizes the urgent need for environmental action and raises awareness about the consequences of human activities.

3. Definition Essay Example

Thesis statement: Success is a multifaceted concept that varies widely based on individual values, goals, and perspectives.

In a definition essay defining “success,” you can explore various interpretations of the term. The essay can discuss societal standards, such as wealth and career achievements. Furthermore, you can emphasize personal definitions that include happiness and fulfillment.

Additionally, by incorporating quotes from influential figures and personal anecdotes, you can illustrate the subjective nature of success. This encourages readers to reflect on their values and what success means in their own lives.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Expository Essays

Now let’s focus on the top things you need to avoid when working on your expository essay. This will help you steer clear of the mistakes that many other students have made before you. Furthermore, avoiding these common writing mistakes increases the chances of getting a top grade in your class.

Here are the top expository essay mistakes to avoid:

• Lack of a clear thesis statement: A weak or unclear thesis statement can confuse readers and undermine your essay’s purpose. therefore, the thesis should concisely express the main idea and guide the direction of your writing.
• Insufficient research: Failing to conduct thorough research can lead to inaccuracies and a lack of depth in your writing. Also, relying on limited or unreliable sources may weaken your argument and diminish your credibility. Hence, make sure to gather information from credible sources, such as academic journals and books.
• Weak organization: Poor organization can make your essay difficult to follow. Therefore, each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence and relate back to your thesis. Make sure to use a logical structure. This might be a chronological order or a cause-and-effect format.
• Overly complex language: Using overly complex language or jargon can alienate readers and obscure your message. While it’s essential to demonstrate knowledge of the topic, clarity should always come first. Therefore, strive for straightforward language that conveys your ideas effectively.
• Lack of evidence or examples: Failing to support your claims with evidence and examples can weaken your argument significantly. An expository essay relies on factual information to inform and educate the reader. Therefore, always include relevant data, statistics, and real-life examples to back up your points.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose a topic for an expository essay.

Choosing a topic for an expository essay involves selecting something specific, relevant, and engaging. Therefore, consider your interests and areas of knowledge. Additionally, ensure the topic allows for sufficient research and exploration.

Topics can range from scientific concepts to social issues. Try to stick with a topic that you find interesting since that will shine through in the end result.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an expository essay?

The thesis statement in an expository essay serves as the central argument or main idea. It guides the direction of the essay. Furthermore, it concisely summarizes the topic and sets the tone for the discussion.

Generally, a strong thesis helps readers understand what to expect and ensures that the content remains focused throughout the essay.

What are some common types of expository essays?

Common types of expository essays include descriptive essays, cause and effect essays, process essays, comparison and contrast essays, and definition essays. Each type has a unique focus so the approach and research will have a different format.

Get Top Marks in Your Expository Essay With Smodin AI

The expository essay samples in this article will help you with everything from writing the introductory paragraph to compiling the body paragraphs. An expository essay generally is all about the facts, so make sure to do extensive research.

Furthermore, you can learn from the countless number of expository essay examples in this article. They share the approach you need to take and how you should think about crafting each section of the essay.

Do you want help writing a high-quality expository essay? Then take advantage of Smodin AI. We offer extensive assistance for writing different types of essays, including expository essays to get you the grade you need. Our AI-based tool will help you come up with compelling titles and content that will captivate your readers.

Start using Smodin AI today and excel in your essays!

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.

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Essay Writing Guide

Types Of Essay

Common Types of Essays - Sub-types and Examples

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Ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of "essays" out there? Essays are fundamental tools in education and communication, designed to inform, persuade, and narrate experiences. 

Understanding the different types of essays is important in academics. There are four primary categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive and each type serves a distinct purpose. 

This guide will explore each type and its subtypes with examples providing clear examples to improve your writing skills.

Let’s get started!

• 1. 4 Main Types of Essays In Academic Writing
• 2. Argumentative Essay
• 3. Descriptive Essay
• 4. Expository Essay
• 5. Narrative Essay
• 6. Other Common Essay Types

4 Main Types of Essays In Academic Writing

In academic years, essay writing develops essential skills. At the university level, argumentative essays are most common, honing critical thinking and persuasive writing.           

In high school and college, textual analysis essays test close reading and interpretation, enhancing analytical thinking and clear articulation. Let's explore these essay types along with their descriptions and example prompts in the table below:

Please note that the length of these essays depends on academic level, assignment requirements, and topic complexity. University essays are usually longer due to deeper analysis, while high school essays are shorter and more focused on foundational skills. Argumentative essays often require more length than narrative or descriptive essays to support thorough argumentation. 

Let’s take a look at these types of essays in detail, along with examples to further your understanding.

An argumentative essay is an essay type that presents a well-structured argument supported by evidence and reasoning. The primary goal is to engage the reader in a discussion, provide evidence, and logically demonstrate why a particular viewpoint is more valid.

In simple terms, the writer must provide evidence and stay consistent with their viewpoint, focusing on a specific type of argument . While argumentative essays discuss both sides of an issue, they clearly advocate for one perspective.

Characteristics of Argumentative Essay

• Clear Thesis: It should have a clear thesis statement to state the writer's position.
• Balanced Presentation: An argumentative essay addresses opposing views.
• Evidence: It relies on credible and relevant evidence.
• Logical Reasoning: The essay presents arguments coherently and logically.

The argumentative essay outline follows the same basic structure as other essays but includes an additional section for the counterargument.

• Introduction: The introduction introduces the topic and thesis, engaging the reader's interest.
• Body: The body paragraphs present arguments with supporting evidence.
• Counterargument: It addresses opposing viewpoints and refutes them.
• Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes key points and reinforces the thesis, leaving a strong impression.

Argumentative Essay Example

Before beginning the writing process, it is better to go through some expertly crafted argumentative essay examples . 

Here is a sample argumentative essay example for you to get an idea. 

A descriptive essay is a form of writing that aims to immerse readers in a sensory-rich experience. Unlike informational or persuasive essays, its primary goal is to vividly depict a person, place, object, event, or experience.

The descriptive essay must stimulate the senses and emotions of the reader. To put it simply, the reader should see what you saw and feel what you felt. To make it better, you can use several literary devices like;

• Alliteration

All of them help in making the experience and your essay better.

Key Characteristics 

• Sensory Detail: Descriptive essays appeal to the five senses to create a multisensory experience.
• Vivid Imagery: They use figurative language and descriptive adjectives to bring the narrative to life.
• Emotional Connection: These essays often aim to establish an emotional bond between the reader and the subject.
• Structured Approach: They typically follow an introduction-body-conclusion structure.

A descriptive essay outline typically follows a 5-paragraph essay format, consisting of the following basic components:

• Introduction: Introduces the subject and purpose sometimes with a thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs: Focus on specific aspects or details using sensory language and vivid descriptions.
• Conclusion: Summarizes the central theme and leaves a lasting impression.

Descriptive Essay Example

Writing a perfect descriptive essay for an assignment is not difficult if you go through some expert descriptive essay examples first. 

Here, we have provided a well-written descriptive essay for you to get inspired from and start the writing process confidently. 

An expository essay is a type of writing that provides clear and objective explanations of a topic without expressing personal opinions. It aims to inform and educate by presenting factual information and analysis.

There are various types of expository writing :

• Cause and effect essays
• Process essays
• Analytical essays
• Compare and contrast essays

Key Characteristics

• Objective Presentation: Expository writing maintains an impartial tone, avoiding personal biases.
• Informativeness: They focus on explaining complex ideas or processes in a straightforward manner.
• Structured: These essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Use of Evidence: They rely on credible evidence, facts, and examples to support the topic.

Like other types of essays, an expository essay outline also follows the standard essay format :

• Introduction: Introduces the topic and often includes a thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect and provides explanations and evidence.
• Conclusion: Restates the main idea and summarizes key points.

Expository Essay Example

Here is an expository essay example from one of our expert writers to understand the basics. For more samples visit our dedicated blog on Expository Essay Examples !

A narrative essay is a type of academic writing that tells a story or recounts a personal experience. Unlike other essays, its primary purpose is to engage and entertain the reader through storytelling.

• Narrative Structure: Follows a chronological sequence with an introduction, body, climax, and conclusion.
• First-Person Perspective: Typically written from the first-person point of view (e.g., "I" and "we") , sharing personal experiences and emotions.
• Vivid Description: Relies on descriptive language and imagery to create a clear picture of events, characters, and settings.
• Emotional Connection: Aims to establish an emotional bond with the reader by conveying the writer's thoughts and feelings.
• Introduction: Sets the stage and introduces the central theme or problem.
• Body: Presents events or experiences in chronological order with sensory details.
• Climax: Often includes a central event or turning point.
• Conclusion: Reflects on the narrative, offering insights, lessons, or resolution.

Narrative Essay Example

Wondering how to get your story into an interesting narrative? Learn the best way to write a perfect narrative essay with the help of narrative essay examples . 

Other Common Essay Types

Besides the main types of essays, there are other specialized types for specific audiences. These essays offer various ways for writers to communicate their ideas.

We will go through these essay types here.

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay is another type of academic essay. In this essay type, the writer utilizes logic and reasoning to show one’s idea is more convincing than another idea. 

In writing a persuasive essay, the main aim is to persuade the reader to accept a certain point of view. The presented argument or claim must use solid evidence and sound reasoning by stating facts, examples, and quotes.  It uses persuasive techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience.

Persuasive Essay Example

Since persuasive essays are the most common type of essay, it is essential to get familiar with their writing style. For that, make sure to read the persuasive essay examples for better understanding. 

Here is a sample in PDF format: 

Analytical Essay

An analytical essay is a type of academic essay in which the writer analyzes a topic bit by bit. Writing an analytical essay is not about convincing readers of your point of view. But wanting readers to agree with what you have written. 

So, there is no need to use strong persuasive language in an analytical essay. Rather you should aim to provide enough analysis to make sure your argument is clear to the readers. 

Analytical Essay Example

Let’s take a look at a sample analytical essay: 

Read our analytical essay examples blog if you are looking for more sample essays!

A reflective essay requires you to examine your personal experiences through self-reflection. In the process of writing a reflective essay, you provide insight into what you have gained from those experiences. 

What makes reflective essays different from other essay types is the fact that they examine the past experience from the present. Reflective essays take the reader through a journey of self-growth. 

Reflective Essay Example

The following reflective essay example will help you get a clear idea of how to structure your analytical essay. 

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

It is a form of a textual analysis essay in which the student examines and analyzes a persuasive text. It is like an essay, speech, or visual art and analyzes the rhetorical devices used in it. Writing a rhetorical analysis essay is different from writing other essays because it will be more than adding facts only.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example

Here is a rhetorical analysis essay example that will help you learn better. For more examples check out our rhetorical analysis essay examples blog for more samples!

Literary Analysis Essay

A literary analysis essay is based on close reading and analysis of a work of literature like poetry and novel. It identifies different literary factors like themes, setting,  characters, setting, and the kind of language used in it. A literary analysis essay has the same 5 paragraphs as any other essay but the main subject and topic are different.

Literary Analysis Essay Example

Need help with your literary analysis essay? Below is a sample essay to help you understand better.

Summing it Up! Now you know the different types of essays in academic writing that you're most likely to get assigned. However, if you still find it challenging to compose your essay, why not ask, "Can someone do my essay for me ?" and leave your writing to our experts.

Whether you need an argumentative essay, narrative essay, descriptive essay, or expository essay, we are here to help. Our expertise extends to all types of essays, ensuring that your academic writing needs are met with precision and excellence.

Request essay help today and let our experts assist you in writing A+ grade essays within your specified timeline!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important element in any essay.

The most important element in any essay is its thesis statement. The thesis statement presents the main idea or argument of the essay and sets the direction for the entire piece. It provides a clear, concise summary of what the essay will cover, helping to guide the reader and ensure that the content remains focused and coherent.

What type of essay is most common at university?

The most common type of essay at university is the argumentative essay Other common types include:

• Expository essay
• Persuasive essay
• Narrative essay
• Descriptive essay
• Cause and effect essay
• Compare and contrast essay
• Process essay
• Definition essay
• Classification essay
• Critical essay
• Analytical essay
• Argumentative essay
• Reflective essay
• Research paper
• Literature review

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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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