what is composition or essay

What Are the Different Types and Characteristics of Essays?

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The term essay comes from the French for "trial" or "attempt." French author Michel de Montaigne coined the term when he assigned the title Essais to his first publication in 1580. In "Montaigne: A Biography" (1984), Donald Frame notes that Montaigne "often used the verb essayer (in modern French, normally to try ) in ways close to his project, related to experience, with the sense of trying out or testing."

An essay is a short work of nonfiction , while a writer of essays is called an essayist. In writing instruction, essay is often used as another word for composition . In an essay, an authorial voice  (or narrator ) typically invites an implied reader  (the audience ) to accept as authentic a certain textual mode of experience. 

Definitions and Observations

• "[An essay is a] composition , usually in prose .., which may be of only a few hundred words (like Bacon's "Essays") or of book length (like Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding") and which discusses, formally or informally, a topic or a variety of topics." (J.A. Cuddon, "Dictionary of Literary Terms". Basil, 1991)
• " Essays are how we speak to one another in print — caroming thoughts not merely in order to convey a certain packet of information, but with a special edge or bounce of personal character in a kind of public letter." (Edward Hoagland, Introduction, "The Best American Essays : 1999". Houghton, 1999)
• "[T]he essay traffics in fact and tells the truth, yet it seems to feel free to enliven, to shape, to embellish, to make use as necessary of elements of the imaginative and the fictive — thus its inclusion in that rather unfortunate current designation ' creative nonfiction .'" (G. Douglas Atkins, "Reading Essays: An Invitation". University of Georgia Press, 2007)

Montaigne's Autobiographical Essays "Although Michel de Montaigne, who fathered the modern essay in the 16th century, wrote autobiographically (like the essayists who claim to be his followers today), his autobiography was always in the service of larger existential discoveries. He was forever on the lookout for life lessons. If he recounted the sauces he had for dinner and the stones that weighted his kidney, it was to find an element of truth that we could put in our pockets and carry away, that he could put in his own pocket. After all, Philosophy — which is what he thought he practiced in his essays, as had his idols, Seneca and Cicero, before him — is about 'learning to live.' And here lies the problem with essayists today: not that they speak of themselves, but that they do so with no effort to make their experience relevant or useful to anyone else, with no effort to extract from it any generalizable insight into the human condition." (Cristina Nehring, "What’s Wrong With the American Essay." Truthdig, Nov. 29, 2007)

The Artful Formlessness of the Essay "[G]ood essays are works of literary art. Their supposed formlessness is more a strategy to disarm the reader with the appearance of unstudied spontaneity than a reality of composition. . . . "The essay form as a whole has long been associated with an experimental method. This idea goes back to Montaigne and his endlessly suggestive use of the term essai for his writing. To essay is to attempt, to test, to make a run at something without knowing whether you are going to succeed. The experimental association also derives from the other fountain-head of the essay, Francis Bacon , and his stress on the empirical inductive method, so useful in the development of the social sciences." (Phillip Lopate, "The Art of the Personal Essay". Anchor, 1994)

Articles vs. Essays "[W]hat finally distinguishes an essay from an article may just be the author's gumption, the extent to which personal voice, vision, and style are the prime movers and shapers, even though the authorial 'I' may be only a remote energy, nowhere visible but everywhere present." (Justin Kaplan, ed. "The Best American Essays: 1990". Ticknor & Fields, 1990) "I am predisposed to the essay with knowledge to impart — but, unlike journalism, which exists primarily to present facts, the essays transcend their data, or transmute it into personal meaning. The memorable essay, unlike the article, is not place or time-bound; it survives the occasion of its original composition. Indeed, in the most brilliant essays, language is not merely the medium of communication ; it is communication." (Joyce Carol Oates, quoted by Robert Atwan in "The Best American Essays, College Edition", 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 1998) "I speak of a 'genuine' essay because fakes abound. Here the old-fashioned term poetaster may apply, if only obliquely. As the poetaster is to the poet — a lesser aspirant — so the average article is to the essay: a look-alike knockoff guaranteed not to wear well. An article is often gossip. An essay is reflection and insight. An article often has the temporary advantage of social heat — what's hot out there right now. An essay's heat is interior. An article can be timely, topical, engaged in the issues and personalities of the moment; it is likely to be stale within the month. In five years it may have acquired the quaint aura of a rotary phone. An article is usually Siamese-twinned to its date of birth. An essay defies its date of birth — and ours, too. (A necessary caveat: some genuine essays are popularly called 'articles' — but this is no more than an idle, though persistent, habit of speech. What's in a name? The ephemeral is the ephemeral. The enduring is the enduring.)" (Cynthia Ozick, "SHE: Portrait of the Essay as a Warm Body." The Atlantic Monthly, September 1998)

The Status of the Essay "Though the essay has been a popular form of writing in British and American periodicals since the 18th century, until recently its status in the literary canon has been, at best, uncertain. Relegated to the composition class, frequently dismissed as mere journalism, and generally ignored as an object for serious academic study, the essay has sat, in James Thurber's phrase, ' on the edge of the chair of Literature.' "In recent years, however, prompted by both a renewed interest in rhetoric and by poststructuralist redefinitions of literature itself, the essay — as well as such related forms of 'literary nonfiction' as biography , autobiography , and travel and nature writing — has begun to attract increasing critical attention and respect." (Richard Nordquist, "Essay," in "Encylopedia of American Literature", ed. S. R. Serafin. Continuum, 1999)

The Contemporary Essay "At present, the American magazine essay , both the long feature piece and the critical essay, is flourishing, in unlikely circumstances... "There are plenty of reasons for this. One is that magazines, big and small, are taking over some of the cultural and literary ground vacated by newspapers in their seemingly unstoppable evaporation. Another is that the contemporary essay has for some time now been gaining energy as an escape from, or rival to, the perceived conservatism of much mainstream fiction... "So the contemporary essay is often to be seen engaged in acts of apparent anti-novelization: in place of plot , there is drift or the fracture of numbered paragraphs; in place of a frozen verisimilitude, there may be a sly and knowing movement between reality and fictionality; in place of the impersonal author of standard-issue third-person realism, the authorial self pops in and out of the picture, with a liberty hard to pull off in fiction." (James Wood, "Reality Effects." The New Yorker, Dec. 19 & 26, 2011)

The Lighter Side of Essays: "The Breakfast Club" Essay Assignment "All right people, we're going to try something a little different today. We are going to write an essay of not less than a thousand words describing to me who you think you are. And when I say 'essay,' I mean 'essay,' not one word repeated a thousand times. Is that clear, Mr. Bender?" (Paul Gleason as Mr. Vernon) Saturday, March 24, 1984 Shermer High School Shermer, Illinois 60062 Dear Mr. Vernon, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us — in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed... But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain and an athlete and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, The Breakfast Club (Anthony Michael Hall as Brian Johnson, "The Breakfast Club", 1985)

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Composition vs. Essay

What's the difference.

Composition and essay are both forms of written expression, but they differ in their purpose and structure. A composition is a broader term that encompasses various types of writing, including essays. It refers to the act of creating a piece of writing that conveys a message or idea. On the other hand, an essay is a specific type of composition that presents an argument or analysis on a particular topic. Essays typically have a clear structure, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, while compositions can be more flexible in their organization. Additionally, essays often require research and evidence to support the writer's claims, while compositions can be more personal and creative in nature.

Further Detail

Introduction.

When it comes to academic writing, two common forms that students often encounter are composition and essay. While both serve as means of expressing thoughts and ideas, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of composition and essay writing, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Definition and Purpose

Composition and essay are both forms of written expression, but they differ in their definitions and purposes. A composition is a broader term that encompasses various types of writing, including essays. It refers to the act of creating a piece of writing that conveys a message or explores a topic. On the other hand, an essay is a specific type of composition that presents a focused argument or analysis on a particular subject.

When it comes to structure, compositions and essays also exhibit some differences. Compositions often have a more flexible structure, allowing writers to experiment with different formats and styles. They may include narrative elements, descriptive passages, or even dialogues. On the other hand, essays typically follow a more rigid structure, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction presents the thesis statement, the body paragraphs provide supporting evidence, and the conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the thesis.

Content and Focus

Another distinction between compositions and essays lies in their content and focus. Compositions can cover a wide range of topics, from personal experiences to fictional stories or even technical subjects. They allow for more creativity and exploration of different themes. In contrast, essays are more focused and analytical. They require a clear thesis statement and demand the writer to provide evidence and logical reasoning to support their argument or analysis. Essays often require extensive research and critical thinking to present a well-supported viewpoint.

Tone and Style

The tone and style of compositions and essays can also differ. Compositions often allow for a more personal and subjective tone, depending on the purpose and audience. Writers can use a variety of styles, such as formal, informal, persuasive, or descriptive, to convey their message effectively. In contrast, essays generally adopt a more formal and objective tone. They require a logical and coherent presentation of ideas, relying on evidence and analysis rather than personal opinions or emotions.

Length is another factor that sets compositions and essays apart. Compositions can vary significantly in length, depending on the purpose and requirements. They can be as short as a paragraph or extend to multiple pages. The length of a composition often depends on the writer's intention and the context in which it is written. On the other hand, essays typically have a specific word count or page limit. They are usually more structured and concise, aiming to present a well-developed argument within a defined space.

The intended audience also plays a role in distinguishing compositions from essays. Compositions can target a broader audience, including both academic and non-academic readers. They can be written for personal enjoyment, entertainment, or educational purposes. In contrast, essays are primarily aimed at an academic audience. They are commonly assigned as part of coursework or academic assessments, requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of a subject and their ability to present a coherent argument.

In conclusion, while composition and essay share the common goal of written expression, they differ in various aspects. Compositions encompass a broader range of writing styles and formats, allowing for more creativity and exploration. On the other hand, essays are more focused, structured, and analytical, demanding a clear argument and supporting evidence. Understanding the attributes of both composition and essay writing can help students effectively adapt their writing style to different contexts and requirements.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

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essay , an analytic , interpretative, or critical literary composition usually much shorter and less systematic and formal than a dissertation or thesis and usually dealing with its subject from a limited and often personal point of view.

Some early treatises—such as those of Cicero on the pleasantness of old age or on the art of “divination,” Seneca on anger or clemency , and Plutarch on the passing of oracles—presage to a certain degree the form and tone of the essay, but not until the late 16th century was the flexible and deliberately nonchalant and versatile form of the essay perfected by the French writer Michel de Montaigne . Choosing the name essai to emphasize that his compositions were attempts or endeavours, a groping toward the expression of his personal thoughts and experiences, Montaigne used the essay as a means of self-discovery. His Essais , published in their final form in 1588, are still considered among the finest of their kind. Later writers who most nearly recall the charm of Montaigne include, in England, Robert Burton , though his whimsicality is more erudite , Sir Thomas Browne , and Laurence Sterne , and in France, with more self-consciousness and pose, André Gide and Jean Cocteau .

At the beginning of the 17th century, social manners, the cultivation of politeness, and the training of an accomplished gentleman became the theme of many essayists. This theme was first exploited by the Italian Baldassare Castiglione in his Il libro del cortegiano (1528; The Book of the Courtier ). The influence of the essay and of genres allied to it, such as maxims, portraits, and sketches, proved second to none in molding the behavior of the cultured classes, first in Italy, then in France, and, through French influence, in most of Europe in the 17th century. Among those who pursued this theme was the 17th-century Spanish Jesuit Baltasar Gracián in his essays on the art of worldly wisdom.

Keener political awareness in the 18th century, the age of Enlightenment , made the essay an all-important vehicle for the criticism of society and religion. Because of its flexibility, its brevity , and its potential both for ambiguity and for allusions to current events and conditions, it was an ideal tool for philosophical reformers. The Federalist Papers in America and the tracts of the French Revolutionaries are among the countless examples of attempts during this period to improve the human condition through the essay.

The genre also became the favoured tool of traditionalists of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Edmund Burke and Samuel Taylor Coleridge , who looked to the short, provocative essay as the most potent means of educating the masses. Essays such as Paul Elmer More’s long series of Shelburne Essays (published between 1904 and 1935), T.S. Eliot ’s After Strange Gods (1934) and Notes Towards the Definition of Culture (1948), and others that attempted to reinterpret and redefine culture , established the genre as the most fitting to express the genteel tradition at odds with the democracy of the new world.

Whereas in several countries the essay became the chosen vehicle of literary and social criticism, in other countries the genre became semipolitical, earnestly nationalistic, and often polemical, playful, or bitter. Essayists such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Willa Cather wrote with grace on several lighter subjects, and many writers—including Virginia Woolf , Edmund Wilson , and Charles du Bos —mastered the essay as a form of literary criticism .

The Difference between an Essay and a Composition

In a few cases, an essay and a composition can mean the same thing. However, your composition for a music class will look much different than your composition for a history class.

What is an Essay?

An essay is an informative piece of writing that includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The purpose of an essay is to present a specific point that a writer has chosen to make on a topic and to lay out the reasoning for why the writer reached that conclusion. When the writer has completed their essay, they have in their hands a literary composition. Essays can only be completed using the written word.

What is A Composition?

A composition is any creative work, and creativity does not always come in the form of the written word. Written compositions can be essays, but there are many other forms of writing that fall under the definition of a composition. In fact, all original pieces of writing are defined as written compositions, including all the writing forms that are not essays. Compositions can also include many other forms other than writing, as well.

Essays come in four basic types: expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative. Expository essays present facts about a topic, persuasive essays argue a point and try to convince readers to agree on that point, a descriptive essay paints a story using words, and a narrative essay tells a true story from a writer's personal experience. Each type of essay has its own structure to be followed but all should analyze, present, or describe a specific topic.

Compositions come in many forms: plays, short stories, musical scores, art, novels, and poems. Each has their own requirements for structure and allowances for creativity. Any original creative work is a composition, whether it's written, performed, sculpted, or drawn. Both modern American author Stephen King and 16th Century music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are known for famous compositions like the novel The Stand and the opera The Marriage of Figaro.

While you don't need to be a great writer to publish a composition that will make you famous someday, you won't be able to take any shortcuts on learning an art form and honing it through years of practice. Whether your practice includes a pencil, word processing software, a paintbrush, or a piano, the original and creative results of that practice will all be compositions.

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How to Write a Composition

Last Updated: December 6, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 816,803 times.

You don't have to be a good writer to write well. Writing is a process. By learning to treat writing as a series of small steps instead of a big all-at-once magic trick you have to pull off will make writing a composition much easier and much more fun. You can learn to brainstorm main ideas before you start writing, organize a draft of those main ideas, and revise your composition into a polished essay. See Step 1 for more information.

Composition Template

Pre-Writing

• What is the purpose of the composition?
• What is the topic of the composition?
• What are the length requirements?
• What is the appropriate tone or voice for the composition?
• Is research required? These questions are good for you to ask.
• Pre-writing: gathering your thoughts or research, brainstorming, and planning the compositions
• Writing: actively writing your composition
• Editing: re-reading your paper, adding sentences, cutting unnecessary parts, and proofreading

• Try a timed writing by keeping your pen moving for 10 minutes without stopping. Don't shy away from including your opinions about a particular topic, even if your teacher has warned you from including personal opinions in your paper. This isn't the final draft!

• Write the topic in the center of the paper and draw a circle around it. Say your topic is "Romeo & Juliet" or "The Civil War". Write the phrase on your paper and circle it.
• Around the center circle, write your main ideas or interests about the topic. You might be interested in "Juliet's death," "Mercutio's anger," or "family strife." Write as many main ideas as you're interested in.
• Around each main idea, write more specific points or observations about each more specific topic. Start looking for connections. Are you repeating language or ideas?
• Connect the bubbles with lines where you see related connections. A good composition is organized by main ideas, not organized chronologically or by plot. Use these connections to form your main ideas.
• Don’t worry about coming up with a polished thesis statement or final argument now; that can come later in the process.

• Your thesis statement needs to be debatable. In fact, many thesis statements are structured as the answer to a well-formulated question about the topic. "Romeo & Juliet is an interesting play written by Shakespeare in the 1500s" isn't a thesis statement, because that's not a debatable issue. We don't need you to prove that to us. "Romeo & Juliet features Shakespeare's most tragic character in Juliet" is a lot closer to a debatable point, and could be an answer to a question like, “Who is Shakespeare’s most tragic character?” [4] X Research source
• Your thesis statement needs to be specific. "Romeo & Juliet is a play about making bad choices" isn't as strong a thesis statement as "Shakespeare makes the argument that the inexperience of teenage love is comic and tragic at the same time" is much stronger.
• A good thesis guides the essay. In your thesis, you can sometimes preview the points you'll make in your paper, guiding yourself and the reader: "Shakespeare uses Juliet's death, Mercutio's rage, and the petty arguments of the two principal families to illustrate that the heart and the head are forever disconnected."

Writing a Rough Draft

• Introduction, in which the topic is described, the issue or problem is summarized, and your argument is presented
• Main point paragraph 1, in which you make and support your first supporting argument
• Main point paragraph 2, in which you make and support your second supporting argument
• Main point paragraph 3, in which you make and support your final supporting argument
• Conclusion paragraph, in which you summarize your argument

• Proof includes specific quotes from the book you're writing about, or specific facts about the topic. If you want to talk about Mercutio's temperamental character, you'll need to quote from him, set the scene, and describe him in detail. This is proof that you'll also need to unpack with logic.
• Logic refers to your rationale and your reasoning. Why is Mercutio like this? What are we supposed to notice about the way he talks? Explain your proof to the reader by using logic and you'll have a solid argument with strong evidence.

• Ask how. How is Juliet's death presented to us? How do the other characters react? How is the reader supposed to feel?
• Ask why. Why does Shakespeare kill her? Why not let her live? Why does she have to die? Why would the story not work without her death?

• Only use words and phrases that you have a good command over. Academic vocabulary might sound impressive, but if you don’t fully grasp its meaning, you might muddle the effect of your paper.

• Try writing a rough draft the weekend before it's due, and giving it to your teacher for comments several days before the due date. Take the feedback into consideration and make the necessary changes.

• Moving paragraphs around to get the best possible organization of points, the best "flow"
• Delete whole sentences that are repetitive or that don't work
• Removing any points that don't support your argument

• Think of each main point you're making like a mountain in a mountain range that you're flying over in a helicopter. You can stay above them and fly over them quickly, pointing out their features from far away and giving us a quick flyover tour, or you can drop us down in between them and show us up close, so we see the mountain goats and the rocks and the waterfalls. Which would be a better tour?

Expert Q&A

• Write a point, and expand 2 lines on that particular point. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 2
• Open source software called Free Mind can help with the pre-writing process. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
• You can always add more circles to your guiding diagram if you think the much you have is not sufficient. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

Tips from our Readers

• Remember to always proofread your composition after you have finished! Small typos like a missed comma or a misspelled word are easy to miss the first time around.
• If you want to outline your composition, try using a mini white board. This makes it easier to erase things and restructure your outline if you need to.
• It's hard to write with distractions, so try to pick a quiet place where you won't be disturbed to work on your assignment.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/writing-your-essay
• ↑ https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/study-support/academic-skills/essay-writing
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/05/
• ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/essay-structure
• ↑ https://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/writing-well/essay.html
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/grammarpunct/commonerrors/

About This Article

To write a composition, start with a brainstorming session to get your thoughts down on paper. You can create a formal outline during this time, or experiment with bubble exercises and free-writing. Next, create a clear thesis statement to base your composition around. Then, write an introduction, 3 main paragraphs, and a conclusion that summarizes your argument. Read through and revise your content, and don't forget to proofread thoroughly! To learn more about the "rule of 5" and how to back up your statements in a composition, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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What Is Composition? Definition, Types, and Examples

A composition, which derives from the Latin “to bring together,” refers to how a writer puts words and phrases together to produce a text that is both cohesive and meaningful. The composition may also refer to the writing process, the subject matter of writing, the writing itself, or the name of a college course a student must take. This article focuses on writing exercises.

Key Takeaways

• Composition in writing refers to the way a writer organizes a text.
• Description, narration, exposition, and argumentation are the four types of writing defined in the late 19th century.
• Multimodal compositional features may be found in good literature.

Composition Definition

A writer, like a musician or an artist, determines the tone of a composition according to its intended purpose, making choices about what that tone should be to create a structure. Anything may be expressed via writing, from ardent rage to the use of cold rationality. A piece of writing could use clear, concise language, floral descriptions, or analytical terminology.

English authors and educators have been debating how to categorize forms and styles of writing since the 19th century so that beginning writers would have a place to start. Description, Narration, Exposition, and Argumentation are the four literary genres that rhetoricians settled on after decades of debate. These genres still dominate Composition 101 college courses.

Types of Composition Writing 

Description, narration, exposition, and argumentation are the four traditional writing styles; they are not always categories. They are best regarded as writing modes or individual styles that may be merged and used to make a whole since they would seldom stand alone in a piece of writing. In other words, they may provide information for a piece of writing and serve as solid foundations for learning how to organize a piece of writing.

The famous line “A rose is a rose” from the American poet Gertrude Stein’s 1913 poem “Sacred Emily” is the basis for examples of each of the composition styles listed below.

Description

A description, also known as descriptive writing, is a claim or narrative that gives a reader a verbal portrait of something or someone by enumerating distinguishing qualities and essential details. As a depiction of a person, place, or thing in time, descriptions are grounded in the tangible, realism, or solidity of an item. They give you as many details as you want while giving them the appearance and feel of actual objects.

The color of the petals, the scent of the rose’s perfume, the location of the rose in your garden, and whether it is in a simple clay pot or a hothouse in the city are all ways to describe a rose.

A description of “Sacred Emily” can discuss the poem’s length, composition, and publication dates. It can list Stein’s illustrations or discuss how she employs alliteration and repetition.

A narration, also known as narrative writing , is a personal tale the author tells the reader. It may explain a set of facts or events presented in chronological order and make connections between the various phases. It may even be theatrical, allowing you to depict each scenario with dialogue and movements. You might insert flashbacks or follow the sequence strictly.

A rose’s story can include how you first saw it, how it ended up in your garden, or why you went to the greenhouse that particular day.

A “Sacred Emily” narrative might describe how you came across the poem, such as in a class or a friend’s loaned book, or you could describe how you looked into the origin of the phrase “a rose is a rose” online.

A person, place, object, or event is expounded upon or explained in an exposition, also known as expository writing. Instead of merely describing something, your goal should be to give it a reality, an interpretation, or your beliefs about what it means. In some ways, you are formulating a proposal to clarify your topic’s overarching idea or abstract concept.

An explanation of a rose could include its classification, scientific and colloquial names, who created it, the results of its public release, and how it was spread.

An explanation of “Sacred Emily” may include the setting in which Stein wrote her residence, her influences, and the book’s effect on critics.

Argumentation 

An argumentation, also known as argumentative writing, tests one’s ability to compare and contrast. It is the logical or formal presentation of opposing arguments utilizing a methodical approach. The conclusion is constructed to justify why item A is superior to object B. The substance of your arguments is what you mean by “better.”

A rose could be the subject of an argument over why one rose is superior to another, why you choose roses over daisies or vice versa.

Arguments against “Sacred Emily” could compare it to other poems by Stein or poems that deal with the same subject matter.

The Value of Composition

In the 1970s and 1980s, there was much discussion in college theoretical rhetoric as academics sought to escape what they saw as the constricting conventions of these four writing forms. They continue to be a staple of several collegiate writing courses.

These four traditional forms provide beginner writers with a basis for building a concept and a technique to intentionally influence their writing. They could, however, also be restrictive. Use the conventional forms of composition as a guide to help you improve your writing, but keep in mind that they should only be seen as beginning points rather than strict guidelines.

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composition

Definition of composition

Examples of composition in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'composition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English composicioun , from Anglo-French composicion , from Latin composition-, compositio , from componere — see compose

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Articles Related to composition

16 Terms of 'Agreement'

These are the ABC's (literally).

Dictionary Entries Near composition

composite sailing

compositionist

Cite this Entry

“Composition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composition. Accessed 1 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of composition, legal definition, legal definition of composition, more from merriam-webster on composition.

Nglish: Translation of composition for Spanish Speakers

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about composition

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Essay vs. Composition: What's the Difference?

Key Differences

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• How to write an expository essay

How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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Table of contents

When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

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.

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The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

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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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

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.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/expository-essay/

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Home » Education » Difference Between Essay and Composition

Difference Between Essay and Composition

Main difference – essay vs composition.

Many students think that the two words Essay and Composition mean the same and can be used interchangeably. While it is true that essay is an essay a type of composition, not all compositions are essays. Let us first look at the meaning of composition. A composition can refer to any creative work, be it a short story, poem, essay, research paper or a piece of music. Therefore, the main difference between essay and composition is that essay is a type of composition whereas composition refers to any creative work .

What is an Essay

An essay is a literary composition that describes, analyzes, and evaluates a certain topic or an issue . It typically contains a combination of facts and figures and personal opinions, ideas of the writer. Essays are a type of commonly used academic writing in the field of education.  In fact, the essay can be introduced as the main type of literary composition written in school level.

An essay typically consists of a brief introduction, a body that consists of supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the structure, content and the purpose of an essay can depend on the type of the essay. An essay can be classified into various types depending on the given essay title, or the style of the essay writer. Narrative , Descriptive , Argumentative , Expository , Persuasive , etc. are some of these essay types. The content , structure and style of the essay also depend on the nature of the essay. The complexity of the essay also depends on the type of the essay. For example, narrative and descriptive essays can be written even by primary school students whereas argumentative and persuasive essays are usually being written by older students.

What is a Composition

The term composition can refer to any creative work . A composition can be a piece of music, art of literature. For example, Symphony No. 40 in G minor is a composition by Mozart.

The term literary composition can refer a poem, short story, essay, drama , novel or even a research paper. It refers to an original and creative literary work.

Essay is a relatively short piece of writing on a particular topic.

Composition is a creative work.

Interconnection

Essay is a type of composition.

Not all compositions are essays.

Essay can be categorized as narrative, descriptive, persuasive, argumentative, expository, etc.

A composition can be a short story, novel, poem, essay, drama, painting, piece of music, etc.

Prose vs verse

Essay is always written in prose.

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Essay vs. Composition — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Essay and Composition

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Composition.

Other forms: compositions

Composition is another word for writing — the act of writing or the piece of writing that results. It also refers to what something is made of.

The word composition comes from the Latin componere , meaning "put together" and its meaning remains close to this. Writing classes are often called composition classes, and writing music is also called composition. This can also describe things besides writing that are "put together." You could say an abstract painting has an interesting composition. Any mixture of ingredients can be called a composition. Geologists study the composition of the earth: what it's made of and how it formed.

• noun the way in which someone or something is composed synonyms: constitution , make-up , makeup , physical composition see more see less types: show 9 types... hide 9 types... structure the manner of construction of something and the arrangement of its parts phenotype what an organism looks like as a consequence of the interaction of its genotype and the environment genetic constitution , genotype the particular alleles at specified loci present in an organism grain , texture the physical composition of something (especially with respect to the size and shape of the small constituents of a substance) karyotype the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes) infrastructure , substructure the basic structure or features of a system or organization architecture , computer architecture (computer science) the structure and organization of a computer's hardware or system software cytoarchitectonics , cytoarchitecture the cellular composition of a bodily structure fabric , framework the underlying structure type of: property a basic or essential attribute shared by all members of a class
• noun a mixture of ingredients see more see less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... paste any mixture of a soft and malleable consistency ambrosia , beebread a mixture of nectar and pollen prepared by worker bees and fed to larvae compost a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure; used as a fertilizer soup any composition having a consistency suggestive of soup type of: mixture (chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
• noun the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole “harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art” synonyms: composing see more see less type of: arrangement , placement the spatial property of the way in which something is placed
• noun something that is created by arranging several things to form a unified whole “he envied the composition of their faculty” see more see less types: paste-up a composition of flat objects pasted on a board or other backing collage , montage a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image type of: creation an artifact that has been brought into existence by someone
• noun art and technique of printing with movable type synonyms: typography see more see less type of: printing , printing process reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication
• noun musical creation synonyms: composing see more see less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... arrangement , arranging , transcription the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music realisation , realization the completion or enrichment of a piece of music left sparsely notated by a composer recapitulation (music) the repetition of themes introduced earlier (especially when one is composing the final part of a movement) rearrangement changing an arrangement instrumentation , orchestration the act of arranging a piece of music for an orchestra and assigning parts to the different musical instruments orchestration an arrangement of events that attempts to achieve a maximum effect type of: creating by mental acts the act of creating something by thinking
• noun a musical work that has been created “the composition is written in four movements” synonyms: musical composition , opus , piece , piece of music see more see less types: show 83 types... hide 83 types... morceau a short literary or musical composition sheet music a musical composition in printed or written form arrangement , musical arrangement a piece of music that has been adapted for performance by a particular set of voices or instruments realisation , realization a musical composition that has been completed or enriched by someone other than the composer intermezzo a short piece of instrumental music composed for performance between acts of a drama or opera allegro a musical composition or musical passage to be performed quickly in a brisk lively manner allegretto a musical composition or musical passage to be performed at a somewhat quicker tempo than andante but not as fast as allegro andante a musical composition or musical passage to be performed moderately slow introit a composition of vocal music that is appropriate for opening church services solo a musical composition for one voice or instrument (with or without accompaniment) duet , duette , duo a musical composition for two performers trio a musical composition for three performers quartet , quartette a musical composition for four performers quintet , quintette a musical composition for five performers sestet , sextet , sextette a musical composition written for six performers septet , septette a musical composition written for seven performers octet , octette a musical composition written for eight performers bagatelle a light piece of music for piano divertimento , serenade a musical composition in several movements; has no fixed form canon a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts etude a short composition for a solo instrument; intended as an exercise or to demonstrate technical virtuosity idyl , idyll , pastoral , pastorale a musical composition that evokes rural life toccata a baroque musical composition (usually for a keyboard instrument) with full chords and rapid elaborate runs in a rhythmically free style fantasia a musical composition of a free form usually incorporating several familiar themes musical passage , passage a short section of a musical composition movement a major self-contained part of a symphony or sonata largo (music) a composition or passage that is to be performed in a slow and dignified manner larghetto (music) a composition or passage played in a slow tempo slightly faster than largo but slower than adagio suite a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected symphonic poem , tone poem an orchestral composition based on literature or folk tales medley , pastiche , potpourri a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources nocturne , notturno a pensive lyrical piece of music (especially for the piano) adagio (music) a composition played in adagio tempo (slowly and gracefully) song , vocal a short musical composition with words study a composition intended to develop one aspect of the performer's technique capriccio an instrumental composition that doesn't adhere to rules for any specific musical form and is played with improvisation motet an unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century program music , programme music musical compositions intended to evoke images or remind the listener of events incidental music music composed to accompany the action of a drama or to fill intervals between scenes rhapsody an improvisational and emotional musical composition with an irregular form lead sheet a sheet containing the words and melody for a song (and some indication of harmony) written in simple form piano music sheet music to be played on a piano musical score , score a written form of a musical composition; parts for different instruments appear on separate staves on large pages religious song religious music for singing orchestration an arrangement of a piece of music for performance by an orchestra or band instrumentation the instruments called for in a musical score or arrangement for a band or orchestra allegro a musical composition or musical passage to be performed quickly in a brisk lively manner allegretto a musical composition or musical passage to be performed at a somewhat quicker tempo than andante but not as fast as allegro andante a musical composition or musical passage to be performed moderately slow intermezzo a short movement coming between the major sections of a symphony voluntary composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance enigma canon , enigmatic canon , enigmatical canon , riddle canon a canon in which the entrances of successive parts were indicated by cryptic symbols and devices (popular in the 15th and 16th centuries) intro a brief introductory passage to a piece of popular music musical phrase , phrase a short musical passage cadence the close of a musical section cadenza a brilliant solo passage occurring near the end of a piece of music largo (music) a composition or passage that is to be performed in a slow and dignified manner scherzo a fast movement (usually in triple time) partita (music) an instrumental suite common in the 18th century adagio (music) a composition played in adagio tempo (slowly and gracefully) anthem a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school) aria an elaborate song for solo voice ballad , lay a narrative song with a recurrent refrain barcarole , barcarolle a boating song sung by Venetian gondoliers ditty a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung) coronach , dirge , lament , requiem , threnody a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person drinking song a song celebrating the joys of drinking; sung at drinking parties folk ballad , folk song , folksong a song that is traditionally sung by the common people of a region and forms part of their culture lied a German art song of the 19th century for voice and piano love song , love-song a song about love or expressing love for another person berceuse , cradlesong , lullaby a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep golden oldie , oldie a song that was formerly popular partsong a song with two or more voice parts prothalamion , prothalamium a song in celebration of a marriage roundelay a song in which a line or phrase is repeated as the refrain banquet song , scolion a song (sometimes improvised) sung by guests at a banquet serenade a song characteristically played outside the house of a love interest torch song a popular song concerned with disappointment in love work song a usually rhythmical song to accompany repetitious work recitative a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speech modulation , transition a musical passage moving from one key to another impromptu a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation reprise a repetition of a short musical passage type of: music an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
• noun the act of creating written works synonyms: authorship , penning , writing see more see less types: show 10 types... hide 10 types... adoxography fine writing in praise of trivial or base subjects drafting writing a first version to be filled out and polished later dramatisation , dramatization conversion into dramatic form fabrication , fictionalisation , fictionalization writing in a fictional form historiography the writing of history metrification writing a metrical composition (or the metrical structure of a composition) novelisation , novelization converting something into the form of a novel redaction the act of putting something in writing lexicography the act of writing dictionaries versification the art or practice of writing verse type of: verbal creation creating something by the use of speech and language
• noun an essay (especially one written as an assignment) “he got an A on his composition ” synonyms: paper , report , theme see more see less types: term paper a composition intended to indicate a student's progress during a school term type of: essay an analytic or interpretive literary composition

Vocabulary lists containing composition

A thorough survey of various textbooks, assignments, content area standards, and examinations yields the following list of words compiled by Jim Burke . You cannot expect to succeed on assignments if you do not understand the directions.

To improve your fluency in English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR), learn this academic vocabulary list that includes words selected from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) state standards.

In J.D. Salinger's classic novel, Holden Caulfield leaves his prep school and experiences disillusionment and alienation while wandering around New York City.

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