descriptive writing is factual and neutral writing that is informative or explantory

it involves describing events, processes, articles, books, or other subjects without bias

a personal opinion or side to an argument or issue is not taken in descriptive writing

answering factual questions in essay form, summarizing arguments, books, or other people's work is descriptive

expository writing involves research, investigative work, contemplation, and presentation of the work

it contains descriptive, informative and/or explanatory writing, summaries of factual information

it presents and organizes research usually from multiple sources

it contains a thesis with supporting evidence

analytical writing contains descriptive and expository writing as well as analysis

it synthesizes, examines, re-organizes, and interprets relationships, arguments, and evidence.

it contains an original thesis and conclusion unique to the combination of sources/research of the author

critical writing must contain two or more points of view, each of which must be described, analyzed, and compared for their strengths and weaknesses

it contains original ideas of the author in the analysis, not merely repeating other scholar's ideas

critical writing involves an original critique of an original work or of other authors' works

persuasive writing involves taking a side on an issue or argument

it is not merely an opinion piece

a persuasive argument must include convincing logic and/or evidence to support the reasoning and conclusions and to instill credibility and trust in the position taken

comparative writing requires one to consider the characteristics of two different subjects, issues, or things

one must find the differences and the similarities between or among the things being considered

analyzing categories, finding overlaps, and resolving or concluding are involved

writing about the cause and effect of a subject involves describing and connecting relationships between different factors

it involves description and chronology but might also require persuasion or analyzing other points of view

writing about problems and solutions involves descriptive writing and cause and effect

comparing and contrasting and persuasive arguments might all come into play

it is usually chronological in setting up the problem first and then considering the possible solutions and outcomes

describes the process used to write a paper, conduct research or an experiment

it is chronological, describing why and how something was done, and in what in order

it can be analytical or reflective in its conclusions

a chronological account of readings, assignments, research or other assignments

an academic journal is not informal like a personal diary

it documents actions taken such as research or reading

it includes reactions to and reflections on the readings or class experience

an informative narrative is not a fictional story

it recounts a real, personal story from the 'I' perspective

it is usually biographical or observational

it has a degree of chronology

it can be analytical and personal in its conclusions

reflecting righting is personal and from the 'I' perspective

it involves critically thinking about a topic or about a course and assessing what one has learned and how one has learned

it is about personal opinions as much as about the skills and knowledge attained