informal opinion essay

How to Write an Informal Essay

During their college years, students write dozens of papers, which, when stacked together, can occupy an entire room. These pieces, including articles, reports, or just final papers for the specific course in their nature, are formal writings. So, this guide is devoted to introducing you to the formal side of informal essays.

By this time, you may catch yourself being happy about the chance to say whatever you like about anything that concerns you in the most suitable form. However, this is still an academic assignment, and there is a list of distinctive features of an informal essay you should follow.

What is an informal essay?

● The characteristics of an informal writing style allow the covering of controversial topics, such as a women rights essay , for example.

● Another peculiar feature of informal essays, which also flows out of a personalized writing style, is a similarity with conversation. ● In the end, your personality is the first aspect that the reader should see , like in a point of view essay .

In the case of informal essay writing, you can pretty much ignore strict requirements.

While writing an informal essay, you are supposed to put great emphasis on creating a connection with your audience rather than just proving your opinion or telling a story.

How to write an informal essay: video guide

We know that some people understand information better in video format. That’s why we invite you to watch and hear informal essay writing instructions on YouTube below.

Difference between formal vs informal essay

What are the major differences between a formal and informal essay? There are several peculiarities about the structure of informal essays you should know before you start writing:

1) Informal types of papers do not have a specific format and can be determined by the author personally. You can now forget the “introduction, body, and conclusion” structure most write my research paper or write my term paper documents should follow. When it comes to an informal essay, you are even allowed to use fiction to interest your readers. 2) There is no conventional way of organizing the thoughts, judgments, and presentation to readers, as well as there is no agreement about the length of informal essays. Of course, your writing should follow general writing rules, such as being logical and concise. Still, you don’t need to place the topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph and follow other strict rules of academic writing. 3) There are no requirements for informal essays to contain strong theses or even thesis statements as such. The desire to create friendly relationships between the writer and future readers together with the primary objective (the pleasure from the reading process), dictates the situation when structure gives way to a more exciting presentation of thoughts.

How to write an informal essay in 5 steps

The good thing about informal essay writing is that you don’t have a strict plan to follow. Think of it as if it’s your write my personal statement assignment where you come up with a narrative and stick to the structure of your own. We will provide you with the main guidelines on topic choice and completing your essay to help you lead your creativeness in the right direction:

1. Determine the purpose of the future essay. 2. List as many subjects in the focus of your interest as possible. 3. Evaluate each of the topics in the list. 4. Develop a topic of choice using any paper structure you like. 5. Double-check and proofread the completed paper.

How to choose informal essay topics

The key to a well-written essay is choosing a good topic to write about. Writing about something you are sincerely interested in will drive your creativity and writing process.

For example, a teacher has asked you to write about a person or event that has determined your decision to pursue a degree in a particular sphere. How to understand that moment? You will need to dig into your memories. Maybe it was a specific moment in a movie, or your aunt has become a role model you wish to follow. Think about what you have felt and the touching points.

Another case is when your teacher didn’t give you a research question, so you must pick a topic yourself. Then the best way is to brainstorm about the topics that interest you the most or look through the news to discuss the most topical issues.  The alternative option could be to ask our expert writers to assist with write my assignment or write my college essay tasks: They’ll help find topics that would fit your needs best.

So, here’s the deal:

If you suffer with finding a good topic for your informal essay, you can always ask us to write my essay anytime. Our writers will find a good topic and explore reliable sources to write a unique informal essay for you.

Informal essay topics list

Here is a list of various topi ideas you can use as a basis for your paper. Pick one and use brainstorming techniques to find the ideal topic for the informal essay.

• Traditions in my family and their importance.
• Why I choose religion as my life path.
• How celebrities and influencers affect our choices.
• My view on femininity and feminism.
• The moments of my life that I wish I could have changed.
• Best location in your hometown or elsewhere.
• How advertising uses sexuality for more attraction.
• The best memories from my childhood.
• What is wrong with sex education in schools?
• The worst disappointment I ever had.
• Event or person that influenced your academic interests.
• Describe the event when you have experienced discrimination personally or witnessed discrimination against other people.
• Why do people procrastinate?

How to create an informal essay outline

Use Mind Map to develop your topic and make your structure clear. Write the issue in the center, then start adding new boxes around it with ideas you wish to include in your paper. The more boxes you create, the better. Subsequently, you will choose the best ideas and readily see the structure of your future writing. Add details near boxes to expand your thoughts. You can use just paper and pencil, use online services like Canva, or create a mind map in Word.

While informal essays don’t have strict recommendations for the structure, like write my coursework or write my dissertation tasks do, you can follow a typical three-part outline:

• Introduction
• Conclusions

Introduction. You may be seriously puzzled by a question on how to start an informal essay. The answer is: imagination. Informal writing gives you an unlimited version to create your text.

For example, you can use the following starting points:

• Highlight the topic you are going to discuss.
• Tell why the subject matters.
• Ask a question.
• Take a confident position to cause tension.
• Start with a quote.

Main body. While there is no need to follow an ordinary essay structure, the text of your essay should still be logical. If you are writing on a topic that specifically relates to your personal experience or thoughts, don’t be shy to add a vivid description of what you feel and think. Make your readers feel the scene or how you feel about the subject. You can choose several points of the issue and cover them with descriptions, your personal experience, and facts.

Conclusion. You can’t just leave the text without closing words. Write a brief summary in one or two sentences to point out the main ideas you have covered in the essay.

Tips to write a good informal essay

Before you start writing, check out these short but valuable tips, and check the list of free essay writing tools from EssayShark to create a fantastic informal essay that will leave your readers in speechless awe:

● End the whole paper with a sentence that stimulates the readers to think further about the raised issues, or at least to think outside the box. ● Use more lyrics! It is well-known that lyrics capture the reader, so do not forget to use as many epithets, metaphors, and comparisons as possible. ● The bigger the introductory part, the better the reaction presented by readers. Remember that you are writing to tell a story, not to prove a point. ● Do not give any concrete ideas about the central issue of the essay because you need to stimulate your readers to think and form their own opinions and feelings.

Informal essay writing checklist

When you complete your essay, follow this list of questions to help you improve your writing.

– Does the whole essay reveal the topic that was carefully chosen for your informal essay writing task? – Is the essay’s style in a less formal tone than traditional academic papers?

(For more traditional essays and other academic documents, feel free to address our writers with “ write my APA paper ” and “ write my paper for cheap ” requests.)

– Did you use everyday words, slang, and colloquialisms, and “you” and “I”? – Did you check whether you used the first-person perspective to address the reader directly? – Does the essay stimulate readers to raise questions in their minds with the information you have provided? – Does the essay fit into the framework of the standard five-paragraph type of structure? – Is the subject described in an entertaining manner? – Did you use examples, quotes, diagrams, anecdotes, narratives, and other types of testimony?

Example of informal essay

Below, you can read an informal essay example written by one of the EssayShark writers. Read it carefully to understand the structure and tone of this type of essay. Also, notice how the author addresses the topic of the most embarrassing memory and uses touching points to describe the situation better.

The Most Embarrassing Memory

Each summer as a child, my parents would surprise the family with a week-long trip. Many summers we would be surprised with a beautiful beach trip or tent camping in a remote forest. I can remember one summer more prominently than others because of how memorable the vacation was. Not because it was one of our best trips, nor because we went on our first long road trip. This trip is burned into my memory primarily due to the fact I had never been more embarrassed as a kid than what happened on this family vacation.

Like most children, I experienced embarrassing moments. I would not say I was more sensitive to experiencing them, but even when I try to forget, my parents still bring it up to this day. The morning of our trip started early. I stared out the window for what seemed like hours. After I finished listening to a few CDs and drank my entire water bottle, I was thrilled to find that we were pulling into a rest stop. The rest stop was full of vehicles and visitors looking at the different historic maps and pictures that had decorated the place. My mom said to be quick, and without skipping a beat, cd player in hand, I headed to the restroom. It was nice to finally stretch out, use the restroom, and get away from the vehicle for a few moments.

Once I was finished, I ran back to the car, got in my seat, and buckled up. As I was staring out the window, I could see my mother off in the distance. She seemed to be worried, but I didn’t pay any mind, as it always felt like she was worried or in a hurry. The car was getting hot and I wondered when my family would make it back to the car, especially since they said to be quick. Seconds turned into minutes, and I was getting bored of waiting. I then heard my mother and father calling my name. I had suspected they knew I was in the car, but from that moment, I knew they hadn’t seen me.

I opened the car door, and with a puzzled look, an older lady was staring at me. She stated, “Are you lost, dear?” I was puzzled, thinking, no, I am just getting out of the car. It was then my mother came running up to me, yelling, “What are you doing!?” As I turned to point to the car, I realized I had gotten into someone else’s car. My father laughed, my mother shook her head, and the older lady joined in, and the laughter seemed to rumble to my core. I felt so embarrassed to not have only climbed into the wrong vehicle, but people I didn’t even know were laughing at my poor decision and lack of awareness.

The road trip to the big red tree forest that year was a great one, though the drive couldn’t have felt longer due to the constant chatter of what I had done. This trip was not memorable for the mountain high trees, the flowing rivers, or even the cave exploration. No, this trip was memorable because a young kid couldn’t look up and notice that he hopped into the wrong car, and everyone, including strangers, laughed.

FAQ about writing informal essays

Q: What is the first stage in writing a short informal essay?

A: First of all, you need to read the assignment carefully, as teachers frequently ask you to do something in the essay or consider several important points. Only then can you start brainstorming about the topic and start writing the text.

Q: How to end an informal essay?

A: An informal essay is an exceptional academic paper, since it allows you to end it as you wish. Think about how books usually end or how authors conclude a long blog post or a write my PowerPoint presentation . You can use a question to finish the essay, restate the idea you have covered in the text, call for action, or create a vivid image.

Q: How to identify an informal essay?

A: The main things that distinguish an informal essay are a highly personal tone and the absence of specific structure. Blogs, personal reflections, and magazine articles are great examples of informal texts.

Q: Is an expository essay formal or informal?

A: Usually, this kind of essay explains or describes something. It is typically written with formal language in the third person perspective, but it may be informal depending on your assignment requirements.  You may want to check our guide on how to write a progress report to get a better idea of expository writing in the third-person perspective.

Q: Is an argumentative essay formal or informal?

A: It’s mostly an academic type of writing that should follow a formal writing style. In certain cases, the teacher may ask you to write an informal essay on an arguable topic. We also recommend checking teachers’ recommendations.

Order an informal essay from EssayShark

If you still can’t get how to write this type of essay, you can use our informal essay help . We know all the peculiarities of informative writing and can assist you with any essay type. We know that picking a really impressive topic and following an informal tone may be particularly challenging, especially when you face such an essay type for the first time. That’s why we are here to cover your back! Please submit an order on our webpage, and our experts will start working on it promptly.

Except writing, you can count on us with calculations and lab reports. For example, you can request do my math homework for me help and our experts will meet your expectations.

Photo by JJ Ying from Unsplash

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What our customers say

Our website uses secure cookies. More details

Get professional help from best writers right from your phone

Grab our 3 e-books bundle for $27 FREE

In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

How to write an informal essay

• April 6, 2022

An informal essay is quite different from other types of essays . In an informal essay, you’re writing as if you are talking to a friend. You do not need to engage in a strict  academic writing process , but you should still avoid sloppiness.

• In a formal essay, you expresses your ideas quietly behind the words.
• In an informal essay, you talk to the reader in a conversational manner.

Formal and informal essays

In order to understand the difference between a formal and informal essay more clearly, let’s look at the table below.

Now that we know the general rules and definitions of an informal essay, let’s continue with the steps to write a great one.

Choose an informal essay topic

This is generally the first step of any essay writing process unless you are pre-assigned a topic already. An informal essay gives you a great opportunity in this step; you can write an informal essay on almost any topic . Here are some tips for you.

Informal essay topic tips

• Choose a topic you have knowledge and are excited about.
• Find inspiration from your own personal experiences.​
• Just think about what you like to talk about the most, and you have your topic. ​

When choosing a topic:

Put the list away for an hour after you’ve created it. Return to it later. Most probably, one topic will stand out to you more. Then, you can write about that topic. For this how-to guide, we are choosing the topic “ why I stopped eating meat ”.

Create an outline

An informal essay does not need to follow a strict structure . However, it should still be coherent. Therefore, your outline does not need to be strict either. Just create one to help organize your thoughts.

Example of an informal essay outline

• Thesis statement
• Referring to reader
• Address to the reader
• Concluding sentence

Informal essay outline best practices

• Remember you still need to do research while writing an informal essay.
• Put together your research results in your outline so that your writing process becomes way easier. ​
• Make sure to detail each part of the essay before writing, so you can write much faster.​

Write an introduction

Now, you start the actual writing process. In the introduction of an informal essay, you can basically follow the traditional introduction guide . 

Informal essay introduction example

Informal essay introduction best practices.

Before writing an introduction, you must first create an idea, identify a purpose, and collect information for the project.  The introduction also should contain a thesis statement .

Remember this type of essay is characterized by the inclusion of the writer’s viewpoint on the chosen topic , so be sure to declare your stance clearly.

Write the body paragraphs

Informal essay paragraphs example, tips for informal essay paragraphs.

• You can write the main body of your essay using cliches, idioms, and even jargon. Don't forget every paragraph needs a topic sentence .
• This is not a particularly academic type of paper; therefore, avoid sentences that are too long and complicated.​
• To create a connection with the reader, it’s important to use a relaxed tone, transition words , and transition sentences . ​
• Simple, quick, readable sentences and the use of various intonations will provide the essay with the necessary emotional context.​
• This is a basic rule: write in a language that your professor can comprehend. That is to say, even if this is an informal assignment, it should still be readable.​

Important tip

Write a conclusion.

In the conclusion paragraph , you will need to summarize your main points and make a clear final comment.

Informal essay conclusion example

Informal essay conclusion tips.

• Don’t make your conclusion repetitive.
• Just quickly list the key points of conversation to leave a lasting impact on the reader. ​
• You want them to remember and think about what you’re saying. ​

5-Paragraph Informal Essay Example

Game of Thrones: A World of Fantasy and Intrigue

Introduction

Body paragraphs, key takeaways.

• An informal essay is a type of essay that is written in a conversational style and often includes personal anecdotes and opinions.
• To write an informal essay, you should choose a topic that you are passionate about and write in a voice that is natural and engaging.
• Begin your essay with a clear introduction that hooks the reader and provides context for your topic.
• Use personal anecdotes, humor, and other storytelling techniques to illustrate your points and engage the reader.
• End your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and provides a final reflection on your topic.

Recently on Tamara Blog

How to write a discussion essay (with steps & examples), writing a great poetry essay (steps & examples), how to write a process essay (steps & examples), writing a common app essay (steps & examples), how to write a synthesis essay (steps & examples), how to write a horror story.

• UK Office: +44 2081 447946
• US Office: +1 (253) 235 4136

Custom Writing

Essay writers for hire, essay writing help online, write my essay, other essay services, how to place an order:.

• Select your academic level and the number of pages and pick a desired deadline
• Then press “Order Now”
• Add your instructions
• Choose writer’s category
• Make a payment
• Get your paper before the deadline

Assignment services

Online assignment writing service, assignment help, coursework paper writing, assignment writing services, buy assignment online, coursework writing service, research paper services, research proposal writing service, term papers writing services, research paper help, pay for research papers, academic research paper service, research papers writing services, buy a research paper, college papers for sale, annotated bibliography help, thesis services, thesis report writing services, thesis editing services, thesis writing services, phd services, phd writing services, phd proposal writing service, buy phd thesis, phd research and literature review, phd thesis editing, dissertation services, dissertation writing services, buy dissertation online, custom dissertation writing help service, dissertation proposal services, write my dissertation, dissertation editing services, dissertation literature review writing, dissertation consultation services, dissertation survey help, mba dissertation writing services, mba essay writing, mba dissertation editing, mba assignment help, mba thesis writing help, mba personal statement writing, law services, law dissertation writing services, law coursework writing services, bvc/bptc writing service – bvc/bptc opinion & drafting writing, law essay writing services, law assignment writing services, law report writing service, all subjects, university application help, college admission writing service, cover letter writing, college application help service, personal statement writing help service, resume writing help, bursary and scholarships application help, ucas application help, buy essay papers canada, buy essay papers uae, buy essay papers saudi arabia, buy essay papers new zealand, buy essay papers usa, buy essay papers uk, buy essay papers qatar, buy essay papers australia, buy essay papers ireland.

• Sample Essays
• Our Guarantee

Free Writing Tools

• AI Essay Writer

It’s so easy to contact us

Just send us an email, give us a phone call or you can visit our professional and friendly UK team for an excellent level of service delivery. An easier way is just to drop us a message on our Live ChatBox on the bottom right of the page 

• +44 20 8144 7946
• +1 (253) 235 4136
• 24/7 Live Support

How to place an order

If you have any questions and want to find more about our services, kindly check our information 

How to Write an Informal Essay – Complete Guide

• peachyessay
• February 5, 2021
• Blogs , Essay Writing Guideline

Although an informal essay may have a casual style, it has a simple structure than the formal one. An informal essay tends to be more personal, but you can still use it to communicate objective opinions. In a formal essay , an essayist is quietly introducing their contemplations behind the words; however, in an informal paper, the writer is associated with the reader in a conversational style.

What Is an Informal Essay?

An informal essay can be about a broad scope of subjects, from the profoundly close to personal to the ostensibly political. “Informal” doesn’t imply that it can’t likewise be instructive or convincing. It just alludes to the style wherein the article is composed – in first-person and without essentially holding fast to the conventional five-passage structure .

Your composing style in your informal article ought to likewise be “casual”. Utilizing slang and expressions is for the most part allowed in this sort of paper (however ensure you utilize decision-making ability and cease from hostile or unequivocal language). A conversational tone, like you were disclosing something to a companion, is about the correct tone for a casual exposition. Truth be told, in this sort of exposition, it’s the best way of avoiding excessive scholarly composition. You need to make the subject as open to the normal individual as could really be expected.

Steps for Writing an Informal Essay

Here are the steps for writing an informal essay.

• Select the topic : You have an extraordinary chance to choose any subject for your paper. A casual method of composing gives an incredible opportunity to expound on anything you desire. Pick a theme that will be truly intriguing to you. If there is no rundown of casual composing subjects among which you can pick one, and just an overall heading is given, then you need to consider which audience the paper is composed for. Variations can be extraordinary: your cohorts and an instructor, the commission, the local scholarly area, the business. If the paper is composed for giving to the educator, then it is important to consider what characteristics will be assessed.
• Compose an informal outline for a paper : This piece of paper is significant in light of the fact that, with a casual article layout, your composing will be a lot simpler. An outline resembles a plan with which you won’t neglect to remember all the central matters for your paper. It frequently happens that an individual who has enough expert articulation and the capacity to communicate his/her musings on paper experiences issues in beginning the article. Pondering the presentation can take a seriously long time, which enormously obscures the process of imaginative work. Before you begin composing a presentation, you need to form a thought, characterize an objective, and discover sources of data for the work. It is significant not to zero in on the introductory part excessively long. Compose an introduction, including a thesis statement. Recall that the exposition is recognized unequivocally by the presence of the author’s perspective on the current issue, their connection to the world, discourse, and thinking.
• Compose the principal body of your exposition : utilizing banalities, idioms, and even language, as the configuration of this paper permits you to write thusly. It is important to evade muddled details or too long sentences. It is critical to follow a laid-back style to build up contact with the reader. It is significant not to try too hard, in any case, transforming the paper into an unsatisfactory book brimming with slang. The right passionate shade of the content will be given by short, straightforward, reasonable sentences, and the utilization of various sounds in sentences. Incorporate a nitty-gritty examination of the issue. Your own perspective should be contended based on authentic material.
• Compose a conclusion : Sum up all that you have said before in your paper. Recall the relative brevity of composing. There are no limitations on the number of pages; however, the informal paper is normally little in volume. The casual article has a method of introduction that doesn’t fit into any definite structure. The development complies with its own rationale, which the creator clings to, attempting to think about the issue from various points.
• Edit a lot your paper : Request that your companion do it to discover and address more slip-ups

Informal Essay Writing Format

Here is the format of an informal essay.

Introduction

The start of any article ought to be with a presentation. Give a concise setting for your readers about the subject of your article here. You can make it profoundly imaginative with the utilization of humor or mockery. In any case, it might be ideal if you kept them at the limit since, after all, they will be perused by your instructors and educators.

You can share the data, yet it is best not to be excessively formal about it. Mention to your readers what your goal is for composing the article. Despite the fact that it is casual, don’t utilize any slang. Close to the furthest limit of the presentation, you should add a thesis statement .

A thesis statement is utilized to give the readers an outline of the whole paper in a couple of lines. Because you don’t have to be formal, there is no requirement for avoiding the real issue. You can go to the principal subject in your body passages.

Body Paragraphs

In the body passages, you need to portray your interests in your subject. The framework you have drawn will manage you with the content of the article. The paragraphs ought to be efficient and focused. You can depend on feelings and opinions in an informal essay.

They should, in any case, contain realities that can back up your cases. Utilize theoretical and clear language in a casual paper. There is a ton of territory for individualistic undertakings here. You can illustrate your subject by speaking to the readers’ feelings and faculties. Your character should radiate through in these expositions. Act naturally and expound on what you feel and why you feel them.

The realities which have moved you will likewise move the readers. Utilize conspicuous transition terms like despite the fact that, comparably, then again, and so forth. You should complete a paragraph by introducing the next. The utilization of this method makes your article smooth. Ensure you give insights regarding how your issue looks or how it advances to you. Your perspective is the most pivotal setting for an informal paper.

Conclusion 

Toward the finish of the conversation, you need to compose the conclusion. You can restore the thesis statement here. You can add, taking everything into account, to make it impressive. Re-feature the essential points again to invigorate the memory of your readers.

You can add a clinching statement here, so the setting of the article stays with your readers for a long length subsequent to understanding it. Eventually, add personal and interesting stories to help the readers’ understanding

How to Write a Body Paragraph for an Informal Essay

In the body of the casual exposition, you should communicate your perspective. In spite of the fact that it’s casual, the paper actually must be persuading. Consider the subject a forum thread. You’re an individual from the discussion and you need to guard your perspective against opposing opinions. You’ll likely depend on persuading realities, correct? That is actually what you ought to do when composing a casual paper: discover realities and reference them, so you’ll add structure to your contention.

Keep these tips to mind when you’re building up the body of the paper:

You should utilize casual language, yet not slang that your educator can’t comprehend.

Use shorter paragraphs in your paper, so it will be simpler to peruse. Ensure you structure the sections as per the thoughts you express. There should be a cohesive flow between them.

Compose short, clear sentences. Excessively long definitions are not adequate for a casual task.

Give your exposition a legitimate passionate vibe. Express your own character, much the same as you would do if you were composing this for an online discussion.

Be conscious! Albeit this kind of task doesn’t set caps for the thoughts you can communicate, the exact opposite thing you need is to compose an exposition that would be hostile to somebody.

Read more: How to Write Satirical Essay

How to End an Informal Essay

At long last, you boiled down to the end. Since you’ve accomplished such a lot of work at this point, this ought to be generally simple. In the end, you’ll sum up all that you’ve written in the paper. However, don’t make it dull. Just momentarily allude to your primary concerns of conversation, so you’ll have the readers with positive impressions. You need them to recall and think about your message.

You’re not finished with the paper when you’re finished with the conclusion! You have two post-composing stages to experience:

Proficient authors move some space away from their work before they get back to it with the goal to edit. Do you know why they do that? They are so connected to their own work that it’s difficult to detect all missteps in it. When they permit a couple of days to pass by, they can get back to the content while keeping a reader’s perspective. This methodology permits them to recognize the irregularities, repetition, and gaps in rationale.

If there is time to deadline, let at least one day pass by before you begin editing. Peruse the whole paper. Check whether your message clear, the content is coherent, or the flow is immaculate? Those are the perspectives you’ll need to improve during the editing stage.

Proofreading

At last, you can do the last perusing to ensure the punctuation and spellings are okay.

Typical Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Informal Essay

Here are the typical mistakes you need to avoid when writing an informal essay.

The nonappearance of connections between the considerable pieces of the exposition, such as the introduction and conclusion.

The essay parts of the article ought not to be equivalent long. The introduction and conclusion in the total ought to be close to 33% of the whole work. The body part should 66%.

Failure to carefully follow the topic of writing throughout.

Failure to compositionally structure an exposition as per the subject and the principal thought.

Immense measures of pointless data in the introduction and conclusion. However, the too short a conclusion is additionally wrong. It should truly sum up and summarize all the work. The conclusion should be important as per the introduction, topic, and principle body of the essay.

Nonappearance of an issue in the introduction and the definition of a key theory, which will be demonstrated there.

Poor formulation of theses, making it hard to incorporate them into the consistent construction of the work:  In the event that there are a few theses, then there ought not to be a logical inconsistency between the theses detailed in various pieces of the paper.

Weak arguments: Contentions are weak if they don’t prove or confirm the thesis.

Outlandish reiterations of similar ideas

Mistakes in the division of the content into sections and even the total nonappearance of paragraphs.

The non-differentiation between the ideas “model” and “contention,” and inability to figure a miniature yield, based on a model, associated with the thesis set forward.

Useful Tips for Informal Essay Writing

Here are the tips for informal essay writing.

Remember that an informal essay can be written in the first person, so utilizing “I imagine that” And “As I would see.” are welcome.

Sentences of your paper ought not to be too long, particularly on account of run-on sentences. Simultaneously – they ought not to be excessively short. Fluctuating your sentence lengths is a decent practice.

Rehash your article toward the finish of your writing cycle. Find out if the tone is excessively formal or excessively casual. Roll out every single essential improvement if necessary.

Add character to your article! Don’t have the foggiest idea of what it implies? Indeed, a casual article allows you to customize your composition, utilizing words and expressions which are utilized exclusively by you. Thusly, you will have a special piece of composing on a specific subject. Be inventive!

All explanations that you remember for your paper ought to be clear and sensible.

Notwithstanding the free organization, the informal essay should have interior solidarity, with the consistency of the creator’s assertions communicating their assessment.

The writer doesn’t demand his/her perspective however utilizes a strategy as though welcoming the reader to consider and examine it.

Informal tasks give you some space for jokes, yet you mustn’t transform them into a situation for stand-up comedy. If you are handling a serious subject, specifically, the humor will be ineffective.  That is the principal thing you should recall when composing informal articles.

This is a standard: write in a language your educator can comprehend. That implies that albeit this is a casual task, it should, in any case, be comprehensible.

Mockery is adequate just if you realize how to deal with it. In its definition, mockery is saying something inverse of what you mean, believing that wise individuals ought to comprehend it. In composing, it’s occasionally hard to recognize the sarcastic tone. In case you’re an expert in mockery, you can make it work. Yet, just in little portions!

In informal composition, you ought to make direct contact among you and the reader. That is the principle contrast between this task and any sort of formal paper. You’re permitted to utilize “I” and “you.”

You don’t have a clue what a decent casual paper ought to resemble? Peruse not many great individual web journals. Incredible bloggers realize how to make that association among themselves and the readers. This composing style will give you hints on the most proficient method to deal with a casual composing task.

Casual articles are significantly more personal when contrasted with argumentative, descriptive, or some other sort of formal exposition. If, for instance, the subject is abortion, you’re permitted to communicate your sincere belief. You may in any case incorporate a few realities, yet you’ll be discussing the manner in which you see the subject. The paper should feel like a discussion between you and the teacher.

You need to show some personality in the thoughts, style, and type of articulation!

Causal Essay Topics

Here are some of the casual essay topics you can choose from.

Why there is a right way to hang the toilet roll

Why I’m a nurse

What happened when I started going to school

How I learned to respect my step-father

Why I love soccer (or some other game or action)

What I learned from traveling abroad

Why I voted for y candidate

Exercises from my father

Why I abstain from drinking alcohol

Reasons Why I believe in the resurrection

What I learned from my first job

How I plan to save the planet

Useful Links:

Essay services, assignment services, mba services, by subjects, give your grades a boost, top academic writers ready, to help with your research proposal, connect with us.

Just ask our team to write your assignment and then sit back and relax. We’ll get it done.

Safe & Trusted

Your Peachy Essay purchase is secure and we're rated 4.5/5

All work is written to order. No plagiarism, guaranteed!

We're here to answer any questions you have about our services

Quick Links

Peachy Essay provides model essays for tutoring and learning purposes only. At the end of the day, it’s the students responsibility to do their own research and work. And therefore, submit their own work. We are a strong believer in academic integrity and have a “zero tolerance policy” on plagiarism. Therefore, all our works will be submitted with a FREE Turnitin plagiarism report.

© 2007 — 2024 Peachy Essay. All Rights Reserved. 

How to Write an Informal Essay: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Experienced

An essay is one of the most popular assignments at educational institutions and pieces of writing around the world. What makes it so trendy? First, it is the best paper to express personal opinion. Second, it can be of different sizes, structures, and types, so it satisfies the demands of everyone, except for final written assignments like dissertations or thesis papers because these papers require a deep investigation of the topic and many pages to provide the required details. 

Generally, an essay is a piece of writing that helps a writer describe something or introduce a personal viewpoint, depending on the requirements. For example, an admission essay lets candidates surpass rivals and win the attention of the employer through unique idea, expression, and professional goals. What about the informal essay definition and examples? Let’s go deeper into details to clear everything out. 

Table of Contents

What Is an Informal Essay and Why Do We Need It?

Informal writing serves informal purposes. As a rule, a person writes it to express oneself without the need to follow some rules that usually don’t let people concentrate and be sincere in their feelings and emotions. Traditionally, educators assign it to learn more about their students or their attitude to a personality, some notion, or an event. The only thing you should be careful about is your writing style. It mustn’t be sloppy; otherwise, it won’t be impressive.  A person who neglects grammar and simple rules cannot inspire or make the target reader believe in what he is saying.

What is the best way to learn more about informal essays? Definitely, the best method is to read informal essay examples to find out more about the ways you can express your opinion and yourself. Is an informal essay difficult? Everything depends on several factors:

• academic level
• language complexity
• purpose of an assignment
• genre of writing
• directions of an instructor

First, junior students regard informal writing as a very difficult assignment because it provides them with new requirements, and they don’t have related experiences. However, the more advanced a learner is, the more an educator or a reader expects to find in the paper.

Second, academic writing involves language of a higher complexity. Beginners usually use simple language, while school leavers are expected to utilize words and grammar of a higher complexity.

Third, the purpose of the assignment is significant. If it is for a simple self-expression, one can use any words to hit the goal. If it is a task of a college professor, students should break their heads and spend enough time composing decent writing to meet the supervisor’s expectations. 

Fourth, genres of writing can be different. It can be fiction and non-fiction. Depending on the purpose, writers can either be straightforward or use various stylistic devices to express personal opinions.

Fifth, if a person decides to write an informal personal essay independently, there will be no need to worry about instructions. If it is an educator’s task, it will be necessary to follow simple rules your teacher can ask to realize. 

To conclude, informal writing can be easy or difficult, depending on several factors. However, it usually serves as a channel between a writer and a reader. It conveys a writer’s emotions, feelings, or viewpoints because words are the best servants. Only the best writers can find matching words to express the idea and let the reader feel the same and agree on the point. 

What Is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Writing?

Formal writing is usually official. It has official requirements for a paper, including its formatting, structuring, lexical peculiarities, and language style. If a student is assigned to write a formal piece of writing, he or she will need to read carefully college requirements and follow them. Moreover, most students have to research the topic to be able to create a paper of the required length and depth. 

What is an informal essay as the opposite side of formal writing? Informality does not put pressure on a writer. As a rule, students are afraid of or just dislike the following requirements of formal writing.

• Formatting style

Formatting is a nightmare for most students. It has so many things to care for, such as font (size and type), spacing, margins, word order, and other details. Except for that, there are several formatting styles that differ in small details, such as punctuation marks, spaces, font sizes, and other peculiarities. So, one should be attentive to literally everything to format a paper correctly. One of the hardest parts is the bibliography section, which all professors check from top to bottom.

Another terrifying thing is topic research. The problem is not only in a pile of documents and books a student needs to read to finish writing but also in the trustability of sources. Many sources, especially online ones, are not credible. For example, everyone uses Wikipedia, but everyone can add its articles, which impacts its reliability. So, students have to bend over backward trying to verify the information they need to present in their formal papers. 

• Emotions and subjectivity

Formal writing usually deletes all suppositions, predictions, and personal points of view. As a result, students feel uncomfortable when writing an essay on something. They have to read a lot or experiment to have a chance to sound neutral. Besides, most papers demand 100% objectivity, which is hard to achieve. Things become harder when students need to avoid 1st and 2nd person singular when presenting their topics. 

However, many students might be misled when getting an assignment to write an informal essay. 78% of students perform this task anyhow because the word “informal” is a common pitfall. This assignment does not mean “no rules at all,” and a student must keep in mind the following requirements.

• Grammar is significant.
• Spelling is vital.
• One can write it as fiction, so creativity is expected.
• Language should correspond to college requirements and the demands for the desired grades.
• The length can be different, but traditionally, it is medium or short. However, students must read college requirements attentively to avoid silly mistakes.
• Students should concentrate on the assigned topic or idea and develop it deliberately. 

Planning an Informal Essay Writing

Even though informal writing does not have some concrete requirements like formal writing, it is necessary to plan it properly to manage it successfully. How should you plan informal essay writing? Let’s figure it out.

• Idea search

Nobody can feel inspired without a good idea for writing. Every person should write about things he or she is interested in or fascinated about. So, one should spend some time on searches. The better the topic is, the better the essay will be.

• Study requirements

Informal writing fits many purposes. Traditionally, people write it to get a job or as a home assignment. Employers want to learn more about their candidates through unbiased and uncontrolled admission essays. Teachers assign informal papers to let students feel free and express their feelings and emotions without excessive pressure. 

• Outline creation

Most experts recommend creating an informal outline for essay to provide the required information and not miss essential details. Even though not everyone needs outlines and planning, sometimes it helps to concentrate on things you want to say and neglect things you want to avoid. This technique is especially important for students who are limited in words. Outlining is the best assistant for students who have problems with too long phrases and overuse of long sentences. Plans let people exclude unnecessary information and introduce only valuable things.

When a plan is ready, one can proceed to writing. It is better not to stop on the first variant of writing. If a person is in a bad mood, one should delay writing, take a rest, and write later. Exhaustion complicates things and turns writing into a very complex task. When a person is relaxed, task management becomes easier. Moreover, a rested brain makes fewer mistakes, so writing is more productive.

Nobody should hand in an essay without a double-check. It does not matter what the purpose is because checking allows people to create good-quality texts without mistakes. Some students like sending papers without checking because this step takes too much effort, but a student risks getting a lower grade for poor-quality text full of grammar and spelling errors. 

A Good Structure for a High-Quality Essay

Except for the good informal essay topics, one should think about proper paper structuring. You should not listen to those who say that informal writing does not require proper structuring. Indeed, good writing is easier to understand when the text is well-structured. What is a good structure for informal essay writing? Actually, it includes three structural components – an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.  Let’s talk about it in detail.

The Best Introduction for Informative Writing

The beginning is always significant because it opens the door to the world of the story you are going to tell. Eventually, you should start brightly and impress the target reader. The main goal of an introduction is:

• to attract your reader to make him or her concentrate and read the paper from the very beginning till the very end
• to explain the choice of the topic and provide a background for the chosen subject
• to introduce a thesis statement whose purpose is to show your attitude to the described topic and idea

An informal essay definition does not tell you how to write an introduction, so we decided to provide more details here to help you start your essay properly. 

• You should start your essay with a hook

The first sentence is like your clothes and face. People look at you and judge your behavior regarding the way you look. That is why it is essential to make the first sentence impressive. There are several rules for the first sentence.

First, it must not be long and confusing. The best thing is to make it to the point and factual. 

Second, it must evoke a reader’s curiosity and make a person read it. 

Third, a sentence must lead a person and welcome it to read the text.

For example, “ Inventions for disabled people make our life simpler ” sounds unconvincing compared to “ The first toothbrush was created for people with poor motor skills in 1954, but it helped thousands of people keep their teeth healthier ”. 

The first sentence does not include details and cannot impress the target reader. The second sentence provides facts that can intrigue the target reader and make them read everything that comes after the first sentence. 

How to start an informal essay catchy? You should definitely avoid bookish and dictionary expressions because they kill the desire to read as it reminds a person of school textbooks. Compare the two following samples.

“Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is a book about hedonism”.

“Beauty makes people go crazy and sacrifice the most important things to stay young and beautiful, like in Oscar Wilde’s book “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.

Instead of a traditional factual presentation, you should highlight the key point but make it without telling everything in advance.

• Provide background 

Afterward, an informal essay introduction cannot be impressive without proper explanations. The beginning must slowly help a reader get to the point of your writing. Depending on the topic and purpose of writing, you should provide the context of the following character:

• theoretical
• geographical
• key term definition

Depending on the target audience, you should either explain the terms or give more details that are relevant to your topic. However, one should be careful and avoid giving too many details that will kill the desire to read the body of the essay and its final part. In other words, if you are dealing with a historical event, personality, or book, you should clear out the background. If you speak about the cuisine of some country, you should investigate its geographical position to understand why local people prefer this or that food to others. 

• Creation of a thesis statement

A thesis statement is a core sentence of the text because it conveys the idea of the paper. It is a brief conclusion of everything you are going to say in your essay. As a rule, it consists of one sentence or less than 40 words. Some students fail to create a thesis statement, so they use thesis generators to make it precise and convincing.

• Provide mapping

This part suits only those who need to write a long essay. In this case, a reader needs to know what to expect from writing. Mapping must be catchy as well to involve readers in your story.

• Use One of the Hook Types

If you want to be catchy, it is better to use one of the following hooks that always work when used properly.

• a funny story or an anecdote
• a citation or a quote
• a life story
• a catchy fact
• a shocking statistic

All these tricks work great because they help a person feel everything the same way as a reader. If a person uses facts with a link to a trustworthy source, a reader believes in the written information faster because it sounds verified. Besides, it can let you create a stunning thesis statement with a factual pre-story. 

BUT!! Never make your introduction too long and overexplained because nobody will be interested in the continuation. 

Body: How to Create and Other Tips

The informal essay format is impossible without this essay part. The body is the largest part because its purpose is to explain everything you did not manage to say in the introduction. As been said, the introduction keeps the intrigue, and the body works as a guide that recalls historical events and facts about the place in the smallest details. 

If an essay is small, it might have only one paragraph. If its length is more than 500 words, it is recommended to divide it into several meaningful paragraphs. Each paragraph must introduce a certain idea or part of a general topic. The main thing is to make it related to the introductory part and a thesis statement in particular. Professionals have several rules for a perfect body creation.

• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. If a person hesitates about whether to read your essay or set it aside, topic sentences work as summarizers that help you express your key points briefly. The rest part of the paragraph just develops the idea.
• By unpacking your topic sentence, it is necessary to use facts, statistics, personal life stories, or information that echoes the main idea of writing and helps you convey it convincingly. 
• Always analyze the provided evidence or story. Not all readers can draw conclusions from what you say. Some of them need support and even piece-to-piece explanations to get the idea. If you use a story, you should complete the puzzle and unwind complicated passages. This step is significant if you use parables that always have hidden content and ideas.
• Prove your argument. As a rule, students and job candidates give an argument in the introduction to win the audience’s attention. However, they have to provide objectives to convince the target reader that the chosen opinion is right. 
• Transitions are great logic chain helpers. Sometimes, a story becomes too long, and a reader gets confused. In this case, you should use transitions to provide a logical flaw in the story. The most popular words are “first/ second/ third,” “to begin with/ then/ finally,” etc. They help a reader understand where the end of the previous thought is and get ready for the next one. 

Professionals recommend using a language and writing style that fits the purpose. For example, if you write an admission essay, it must be written officially. If you write for other students, your language must be simple. You can use metaphors to create a fairy-tale style and sound friendly to the target audience. 

You should avoid long, complex sentences to avoid misunderstandings. You should speak to the point if you are limited in words. Otherwise, your writing will sound watery, and you will not manage to convey the message. 

Another tip is to avoid repetitions that bother readers to death. For example, “Robinson Crusoe” is a masterpiece, but constant repetitions usually bother readers who are already aware of Robinson’s actions, so they are reluctant to read the same information he describes in his diary.

Informal writing usually allows one to use the style he or she likes. It means you can juggle words to manipulate your reader’s attention. You are not bound by too many rules like in official essays. So, it lets you utilize the manner of writing you like, but it must be without grammar and lexical mistakes. 

How to Write a Winning Conclusion 

The final part of your writing is a conclusion. Its job resembles the function of a period at the end of a sentence. There are three types of a conclusion:

The first one is a mere retelling of what has been already said. The second one aims to give more ideas that are not discussed in the essay but give a topic for further consideration. The third one is connected with a person’s viewpoint and feelings. 

A winning ending is one of the most significant parts of an informal essay structure. Its job is to highlight the significance of the idea. With its help, you can restate a thesis statement and help a writer leave a pleasant aftertaste in a reader. 

To create a striking conclusion, one should inform about a research topic once again, restate a thesis statement, and sum up the key points of an essay. One should not include or introduce new information in this section because an introduction fits this purpose or the body. The conclusion is a full stop, not a comma. 

Professionals recommend avoiding several things when creating a conclusion.

• It is better to avoid such phrases like “to conclude” and “to sum up.” They sound standard and cliche-like, and one should omit them.
• New information is only for an introduction or a body.
• Do not introduce your thesis statement in the introduction.
• Biased thoughts are the worst tools in the creation of a conclusion.
• Do not shift from one written style to another one, each essay part should be written in one style.

Title and Other Tips with Tricks

Professionals use several tricks to create striking, informative writing and win the attention of the target reader. Here are some of them. 

Besides a good structure, an essay should have an impressive title. It is like a name for the book that a writer wants to sell. Sometimes, people are reluctant to read a story because its name is not inspiring. If it is possible, you should keep a mystery in your title. 

For example, compare  “My Day Off” vs. “The Routine I Can Hardly Change”. Your paper can be interesting and informative, but the title can be misleading and even boring. So, you should devote a little time to creating a convincing title.

Compare your essay to a receipt

An essay writing reminds us of a receipt on YouTube channels. First, you see the ready dish, but you have no idea how to make it. Your introduction is like a list of ingredients on a receipt. A body is like the steps a cook needs to complete to prepare the desired dish. A conclusion is a summarising of what you managed to prepare using the above-given ingredients and how you can serve it to impress your guests or family.

Experiment with a structure

You may start your informal essay about education with a climax (the most interesting part) and stop writing at the most interesting place. You will intrigue a reader and then proceed to a standard beginning and conclusion.

The Best Topics for Informal Essays

The topic selection may be time-consuming when a student has to do that independently. Sometimes, it is easier to get a detailed assignment from a teacher and complete it. However, free writing also involves free choice of topics. According to the interviews made at colleges and universities, the best informal essay topics are:

• Informal essay about success

A person should answer some questions like “Is it possible to be successful having social phobias?”, “Is it always necessary to leave a comfort zone to become successful?” or “How to become successful while sitting at home?”

• Feminism or patriarchy

Is it OK to have patriarchic and feministic relationships in the XXI century in Europe and America?

• Racism and nationalism today

We do not need Adolf Hitler to know that some people regard their nation or race as a supreme one. What are they? Is there any influence and chance to stop it?

• Personal identity

How do you understand the meaning of the word “identity,” and what is your self-identification?

• Free adult videos with easy access for children

What is your attitude to porn videos with free access?

• Social media impact on youth

Are children safe and psychologically stable when spending hours on social media?

• Loneliness on overcrowded Facebook and Twitter

Do you feel lonely on social media platforms?

• Motivation for studies in the youngest generation

Where do you search for inspiration to study?

• What is happiness for you?
• Pros and cons of bilingual families

Have you ever seen problems with self-identity among children who grow up in bilingual families?

• Is it bad to be a part of a poor family?

Society usually neglects poor families. Are all poor people that bad? Is it possible to become successful when being grown up by poor parents?

• Is adulthood better than childhood?

Are you afraid of making decisions? Would you like to become a child again?

• Are all school subjects important?

Is there any subject you think you could manage without being a school student?

• Organic products vs. natural goods

What is the difference between organic and natural goods, and do you prefer natural products to conventional alternatives?

• Is reading and book printing still actual?

Do you like reading? Is it important to read books today?

Which is not a subject for an informal essay? It is better not to discuss your pranks, good behavior, religion, politics, and great accomplishments. The topic must relate to something that can echo a reader’s emotions, feelings, and expectations. The above-given topics are good to reflect on, but do not research a lot because it is not formal writing. Informal writing aims to show your attitude to something or the way you can speak about vital things without being too formal and science-based.

Where to Find a Good Idea for Informal Essays

Sometimes, it is a problem to find a catchy idea for writing, especially when a student is free to choose the topic. Students start doubting about the idea selection when they really want to impress their tutors. As a rule, they start looking for ideas on the Internet and plagiarize the exciting essays. Consequently, a person should research independently to be unique.

To begin with, a student should understand the informal essay meaning to find a matching topic. This essay type is about personal experiences, feelings, and emotions. One can reflect on something that has changed in the lives of students or their relatives and friends. Some students have nothing to write about, while others have too many ideas and cannot select the best one to identify a worthy subject. That is why students should regard some basic rules for the topic choice.

• Investigate the environment and try to find something that interests others.
• Investigate your life and try to find something that can intrigue others.
• Read interesting and trustworthy literature to get some unique facts and statistics to support your opinion and make it more vivid and trustable.
• Talk to your friends, relatives, and teachers to decide what topic can really impress others. 
• Be sincere, but do not talk too much about personal information because you can become vulnerable and reveal information you might not be willing to share with the world.

Sometimes, the best option is to read great samples of informal writing, especially the papers you are going to write. For example, if your task is to write an essay, you should read examples of informal essays. It is better to ask a tutor or a custom writing service to introduce a sample. A good-quality paper is a mirror that reflects the required structure, language peculiarities, and the idea presentation a student can follow. 

The best examples of informal writing are the yellow press, instructions, comics, posts on social media platforms, funny stores, anecdotes, SMS messages, personal blogs, and postcards. You can look through them to see what informal language sounds or informal writing looks like.

How to Improve the Quality of Informal Writing

Finally, how to differentiate between a formal and informal essay? This table will give you a hand if you still misunderstand the notions.

Some writing tools might help you create an informal essay without mistakes or you can buy college essays from professional writers . They let students create papers of high readability because clear and concise sentences serve as the best idea transfer. These are some great tools to use to improve the quality of your writing.

This tool is based on artificial intelligence. It scans the text and marks words or punctuation marks that are wrong. The program highlights problematic extracts and shows the solution to the existing problem. It is up to a student to correct a mistake or not. Sometimes, a machine cannot clearly understand the purpose of writing and the selected language or stylistic device. The tool is great and very helpful, but a student should be careful with autocorrections. 

The tool has four sections – correctness, clarity, engagement, and delivery. The first one is red and underlines grammatical or lexical mistakes. The second section is blue and shows whether the idea is properly expressed.  The third section is green and manifests the text’s correctness regarding the reader’s involvement in the idea presentation. The final part is to help people provide a proper impression of a person. 

Except for these sections, Grammarly offers a plagiarism detector that shows the used sources that were not altered for the sake of text uniqueness.

This tool is a great assistant for those who have problems with precise idea presentation. Many students overuse words when trying to say something important. They repeat themselves and write long sentences full of adverbs and complex constructions. As a result, a student cannot understand the text properly or has to read some paragraphs twice to get the idea. 

Hemingway scans the text and colors it using blue, purple, lilac, beige, and light green colors. Blue words are adverbs that a student can delete to make a text more readable. Green sentences contain passive voice that misleads a reader, so students should use active voice instead. Lilac phrases have simpler alternatives, and the other two colors stand for hard and too hard for reading sentences. Students can either divide long constructions to make two or three simple sentences or rewrite a passage.

Finally, the app shows the total number of words and the readability grade. The lower the grade is, the harder your text is to read and comprehend.

Cliche Finder

When the text is packed with cliche phrases, the text becomes monotonous. It means a writer has a poor vocabulary level, so he or she cannot be a good candidate for a communication-related position or a student for the same-kind profession. Due to this writing tool, students have a chance to identify trivial phrases and expressions and replace them with more actual and catchy phrases. The tool also helps to find stale and overused words that a writer can easily replace.

This tool is an excellent paraphraser that most students need when they see numerous repetitions in their texts. It is not a good idea to use this tool for essays found online. Some students have surely done it before you, so a tutor or an employer will definitely find out that you have cheated to perform the task. The purpose of this tool is to teach students to paraphrase words and sentences and avoid repetitions and self-plagiarism within one text. For example, it can provide possible sentence or word changes that a person can use to restate a thesis statement in a conclusion. 

AI detector

It is not a secret that many students use Chat GPT to create essays and presentations and do different types of homework. Sometimes, it is hard to identify its job, especially when it comes to testing and short answers to questions that might sound the same when being created by human beings. AI detector scans the text and colors it using green, orange, yellow, and red colors. Green means 100% human-made, and red means the text was 100% written by AI. 

Unfortunately, the machine can be mistaken as it is also based on AI, but it can show a general picture to help tutors understand they are reading a human-written text.

Google Docs

This tool is just good because it helps a person write online and be sure everything will be saved at once. Moreover, the tool highlights mistakes and can be synchronized with Grammarly, Hemingway, vocabularies, Reverso, and other assistants. One just needs a Google account to get access to Google Docs and other Google services.

← How to Write a Research Paper in MLA format The Importance of One’s Name Essay →

• 275 words/page
• 12 point Arial/Times New Roman font
• Free bibliography & reference
• Double spacing
• Free formatting (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard and others)
• Free title page

Extended Essay: Formal vs. Informal Writing

• Extended Essay- The Basics
• Step 1. Choose a Subject
• Step 2. Educate yourself!
• Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
• Identify Keywords
• Do Background Reading
• Define Your Topic
• Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
• Step 5. Draft a Research Question
• Step 6. Create a Timeline
• Find Articles
• Find Primary Sources
• Get Help from Experts
• Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
• Databases and Websites by Subject Area
• Create an Annotated Bibliography
• Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
• Chicago Citation Syle
• MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
• Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
• Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
• Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
• Conducting Secondary Research
• Conducting Primary Research
• Formal vs. Informal Writing
• Presentation Requirements
• Evaluating Your Work

Differences Between Informal and Formal Essays

When writing your extended essay you should use language that is formal and academic in tone.  The chart below gives you some idea of the differences between informal and formal essays. See the box below for examples of the differences in tone in informal and formal essays written on identical topics. A PDF of this chart, and the examples below, is in the box to the right , along with a list of tips for avoiding colloquial writing.

Examples of Informal and Formal Tone in Essay Writing

The following examples highlight the differences between formal and informal tone.

Language B - English

• Formal vs. Informal Writing A chart giving the differences between informal and formal essays in seven areas (author's viewpoint; subject/content (sources of evidence); tone; structure; location of the research question; vocabulary; and purpose. Also included are examples comparing informal and formal writing for essays in English, biology, and psychology.
• How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing While it may be acceptable in friendly e-mails and chat rooms, excessive colloquialism is a major pitfall that lowers the quality of formal written text. Here are some steps/tips that you can follow to help improve your overall writing.
• << Previous: Plagiarism
• Next: Presentation Requirements >>
• Last Updated: Jul 27, 2024 6:09 PM
• URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee

How to Write an Informal Essay With a Perfect Plan

Today, we are going to talk about the type of essay that differs greatly from other types of papers. It may be a surprise for you, but an informal essay is written usually for enjoyment. This doesn’t mean that this type of essay cannot be informative or persuasive, but it is less formal than a relaxed expression of the opinion, observation, or research. A good informal essay may have a relaxed style, but it has a strong structure, though this structure can be less strict than a formal essay has. An informal essay has a tendency to be more personal than a formal one, though both can express subjective opinions. In a formal essay, a writer is silently presenting his or her thoughts behind the words; at the same time, in an informal essay, the author is connected with the reader in a conversational style.

How to Write an Informal Essay to Interest Readers

Before we are talking about how to write this type of paper, we should understand what is informal writing. Don’t worry if you are not sure what is an informal essay, as many students try to find the answer to this question. Informal writing is writing where you should reveal your ability to write informally and express your own point of view on an issue. If you write informally, try to express your own personality in the essay. Don’t worry about writing in academic style, but avoid sloppiness. Find an example of informal essay below and look through it to get a more detailed understanding of the requirements this assignment has. Our experienced team of writers is ready to assist you with academic tasks – just say, “ write my college essays “, and we’ll deliver exceptional results.

Many students may ask, “what is the difference between formal and informal essay?” The difference is in the style of writing or in how we use words to say what we want to say. Different situations require different ways of using words. The way we write in the academic or scientific purposes differs a lot from the way we write to a friend or a close person. Proper writing of the informal essay is to understand the features of the genre. Observance of the basic principles and recommendations on writing will create an interesting essay.

Get to know how to start an informal essay and what are the main stages of writing.

Steps for Writing an Informal Essay

• Select the topic. You have a great opportunity to select any topic for your paper. An informal way of writing provides a great chance to write about whatever you want. Choose a topic that will be really interesting to you. The presence of a certain narrow topic that contains the problem and prompts the reader to thinking is a great choice. If there is no list of informal writing topics among which you can choose one, and only a general direction is given, then you need to take into account which audience the essay is written for. Variants can be different: your classmates and a teacher, the commission, the literary community, the employer. If the essay is written for handing in to the teacher, then it is necessary to consider what qualities will be evaluated. Proceeding from this, the topic should be chosen in such a way that it would be possible to show those abilities that the examiner is waiting for from the author: originality, the ability to logically construct sentences, literacy, professional qualities, etc. When choosing the topic for writing an essay from the proposed list, you should choose one which you have particular knowledge in.
• Write an informal outline for essay. This part of a paper is important, because with an informal essay outline, your writing will be much easier. An outline is like a plan with which you will not forget to include all main points in your paper. It often happens that a person who has enough eloquence and the ability to express his/her thoughts on paper, has difficulty in starting the essay. Thinking about the introduction can take quite a long time, which greatly darkens the process of creative work. If you don’t know how to start an informal essay, ensure that you know what idea you want to communicate. Before you start writing an introduction, you need to formulate an idea, define a goal, and find sources of information for the work. It is important not to focus on the introductory part too long. Write an introduction including a thesis statement. Remember that the essay is distinguished precisely by the presence of the author’s view of the existing problem, his or her relation to the world, speech , and thinking.
• Write the main body of your essay using cliches, colloquialisms, and even jargon, as the format of this paper allows you to write in this way. It is necessary to avoid complicated formulations or too long sentences. It is important to follow a laid-back style to establish contact with the reader. It is important not to overdo it, however, turning the essay into a substandard text full of slang. The correct emotional color of the text will be given by short, simple, understandable sentences, and the use of different intonations in sentences. Include a detailed analysis of the problem. Your own point of view needs to be argued on the basis of factual material.
• Write a conclusion. Summarize everything that you have said before in your paper.
• Remember relative brevity of writing. There are no restrictions on the number of pages, but the informal essay is usually small in volume. An informal paper has a free construction. The informal essay has a way of presentation that does not fit into any definite framework. The construction obeys its own logic, which the author adheres to, trying to consider the problem from different angles.
• Proofread and edit your paper. Ask your friend to do it in order to find and correct more mistakes.

Informal Essay Sample

The following example of informal essay writing was created by dissertation writing services to help you handle your own paper. As this type of paper is not formal, you can find personal observations, opinions, or points of view. Use this informal essay sample as a collection of guidelines. The main thing is that this example is written in a relaxed manner, but it adheres to a particular structure. Short informal essay examples usually include the personal contact, and not the academic writing flow. You can find a subjective opinion in this type of paper, so you should write in this way as well. Our example of informal essay will help you understand how to write your own informal paper in order to get a high grade.

Click the images to see their full size.

Useful Tips for Informal Essay Writing

• Keep in mind that informal essays can be written in the first person, so using “I think that…” “In my opinion…” and “I believe…” are welcome.
• Sentences of your essay should not be too long, especially in the case of run-on sentences. At the same time – they should not be too short. Varying your sentence lengths is a good practice.
• Reread your essay at the end of your writing process. Ask yourself whether the tone is too formal or too informal. Make all necessary changes if needed.
• Add personality to your essay! Don’t know what it means? Well, an informal essay gives you a chance to personalize your writing, using words and phrases which are used only by you. In this way, you will have a unique piece of writing on a particular topic. Be creative!
• All statements that you include in your paper should be clear and realistic.
• Despite the free composition, the informal essay must have internal unity, with consistency of the author’s statements expressing his or her opinion.
• The author does not insist on his/her point of view, but uses a method as if inviting the reader to think about and discuss it.

Typical Mistakes for Writing an Informal Essay

• The absence of links between the substantive parts of the essay: introduction and conclusion, and the main part of the essay with the conclusion.
• Having proportionality of parts of the essay which should not be equal in length. The introduction and conclusion in the aggregate should be no more than one-third of the entire work. The main part is two-thirds.
• Inability to strictly follow the theme of writing in the course of reasoning.
• Inability to compositionally structure an essay in accordance with the theme and the main idea.
• Vast amounts of unnecessary information in the introduction and conclusion. However, too short and too unreasonable a conclusion is also inappropriate. It must really summarize and sum up all the work. The absence of a conclusion is a serious logical mistake. The conclusion must be meaningful in accordance with the introduction, topic, and main body of the essay.
• Absence of a problem in the introduction (this is the topic itself) and the formulation of a key thesis, which will be proved there.
• Indistinct formulation of theses, making it difficult to integrate them into the logical structure of the work. If there are several theses, then there should not be a contradiction between the theses formulated in different parts of the paper.
• Weak arguments. They are such if they do not prove or confirm, unconvincingly or superficially, the thesis.
• Unreasonable repetitions of the same thoughts.
• Errors in the division of the text into paragraphs and even the complete absence of paragraphs.
• Inability to operate with abstract concepts.
• The non-distinction between the concepts “example” and “argument,” and inability to formulate a micro-output, on the basis of an example, correlated with the thesis put forward.

Now you know what is an informative essay and how to write it correctly. You may also be interested in our guide about gender-sensitive language or informal report topics to complete your perfect paper.

You will also find more informative essay samples below.

Give your grades a boost

Original papers by high quality experts

Free preview and unlimited revisions

Flexible prices

• Retirement Farewell Speech Example
• Farewell Speech Example
• Business Owner Farewell Speech Sample
• Receiving a Twenty Year Service Award
• Princeton Graduation Speech
• Never Giving up on a Dream
• Medical Student Graduation Speech

Semi-formal

• Tribute Presentation Sample
• Greenpeace Organization
• Treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Marketing Manager Speech Sample
• Demographic Policy and Abortion in China
• Causes of Teenage Drug Addiction
• Positive Effects of Classical Music
• Developing of Professional Skills of the Employees
• College Psychologist Speech
• How to Plan an International Trip Essay
• Demonstrating a Marketing Plan for New Product Line
• Destructive Effects of GMO on Children
• Child Adoption Speech
• Become a Volunteer
• Why Videos Go Viral
• Party Planning for Children’s Birthday Parties
• Modern Relationship Problems Presentation Sample
• The Advantages of Jogging
• Let’s Become Vegetarians
• Killing Routines

Fiction review

Non-fiction review, creative review, business letters, academic letters, personal letters, essay writing, business writing, creative writing, research papers, writing tips.

•    
• Informal Essay

The informal essay is written mainly for enjoyment. This is not to say that it cannot be informative or persuasive; however, it is less a formal statement than a relaxed expression of opinion, observation, humor or pleasure. A good informal essay has a relaxed style but retains a strong structure, though that structure may be less rigid than in a formal paper.

The informal essay tends to be more personal than the formal, even though both may express subjective opinions. In a formal essay the writer is a silent presence behind the words, while in an informal essay the writer is speaking directly to the reader in a conversational style. If you are writing informally, try to maintain a sense of your own personality. Do not worry about sounding academic, but avoid sloppiness.

The essay, which follows is an opinion piece that was written for The Globe and Mail. The style is therefore journalistic but aimed at a fairly sophisticated readership. Paragraphs are short, as is normal in a newspaper with its narrow columns, and the tone is more conversational than would be appropriate for a formal essay. Notice the clear statement of the thesis, the concrete illustrations in the body of the essay, and the way the conclusion leads to a more general statement of what is perhaps to come in the future. It is included here both because it is a good example of the essay form and because it explores the kind of problem you will come up against as you try to punctuate your essays correctly.

The essay topics of the informal essay type are not limited to any specific subject, you can write your informal essay on any topic. For example, here are some popular essay topics to give you an idea:

• The Best Journey of My Life
• The Point in My Life Where I Would Start Over
• The Perfect Woman, Marriage and Divorce
• My Religion
• The Celebrities Give Us Bad Examples
• Reincarnation
• The “Delights” of Our School Cafeteria

You should be well familiar with the informal essay topic you choose. Also, you have to consider the interests of your readers. You should show your personality and the attitude in your informal essay.

Useful links

• 5-paragraph Essay
• Admission Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay
• Classification Essay
• Comparison Essay
• Critical Essay
• Deductive Essay
• Definition Essay
• Exploratory Essay
• Expository Essay
• Literature Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Personal Essay
• Persuasive Essay
• Research Essay
• Response Essay
• Scholarship Essay

© 2004-2018 EssayInfo.com - Essay writing guides and tips. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

YOUR FINAL GRADE - GUARANTEED UK Essay Experts

Disclaimer: This work was produced by one of our academic writers to help university students with their studies.

View full disclaimer

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com.

Writing an Informal Essay

Info: 396 words (2 pages) Study Guide Published: 13th May 2020

Reference this

Definition:

However, the professional essayists, whilst often having other purposes in mind as well as entertainment, such as informing or persuading, will nevertheless conform to the basic premise that the reader has to be interested in order to continue reading. This is true of essays by scholars and academics, like T.S. Eliot and Oscar Wilde, and newspaper columnists, like Clive James and Keith Waterhouse. The newspaper columns are really short essays, usually humorous.

The informal essay can be much less restricted by structural conformities and much more personal in both approach and expression. Allow your personal opinions and mode of expression to show through in an informal essay, rather than trying to sound ‘academic’. Your own ‘voice’ should be clearly audible in the informal essay and you should not be afraid to use humour where appropriate. Despite this, the informal essay should still maintain direction and clarity.

You will find examples of the work of famous essayists in collections and anthologies but it is, perhaps, more useful to look back over your own compositions; you will see clearly that the style is quite different from formal academic essays.

It is also worth glancing through features pages in newspapers as they display the style with great ease. Without exception, journalists with a ‘by line’ will adopt their personal style, whatever they are writing about, because they want their work to be recognisable and memorable. The structure will usually adapt the style of a formal essay so that the reader’s attention is grabbed by short, punchy, entertaining paragraphs. This is especially true of the opening, as it will follow on from a punning, alliterative and/or amusing headline which will persuade the reader who is skimming through the paper that it is worth pausing to read their piece over others.

The key points to remember when writing informal essays are to write personally and coherently whilst maintaining the aim to entertain, persuade and inform your reader.

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:

Related Services

• Essay Writing Service

• Dissertation Writing Service

• Assignment Writing Service

Our academic writing and marking services can help you!

• Undergraduate 2:2
• 7 day delivery
• Marking Service
• Samples of our Service
• Full Service Portfolio

Humanity University

Dedicated to your worth and value as a human being!

Related Lectures

Study for free with our range of university lectures!

• All Available Lectures

Freelance Writing Jobs

Looking for a flexible role? Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher?

Study Resources

Free resources to assist you with your university studies!

• Dissertation Resources at UKDiss.com
• How to Write an Essay
• Essay Buyers Guide
• Referencing Tools
• Essay Writing Guides
• Masters Writing Guides

Change Region / Country

Here you can choose which regional hub you wish to view, providing you with the most relevant information we have for your specific region. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors.

United Kingdom

United States

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia

• Place order

How to Write an Informal Essay: A Beginners' Guide

A typical academic essay is serious writing. It is serious because it is often well-researched and written formally. The typical informal essay is the exact opposite of this.

It is often not researched at all and is written in a casual tone. Furthermore, it is commonly written for enjoyment rather than serious discourse. And for that reason, it is a non-fiction essay that does not follow the writing conventions and is purely based on the author's reasons, reflections, and ideas.

In this guide, you will discover everything crucial you need to know to write a brilliant informal essay.

What is an informal essay?

An informal essay is an essay that is written for enjoyment rather than to argue or support a thesis with scholarly evidence. The essay is usually personal in nature and based on memory. A good example of an informal essay is – The happiest day of my life.

To write this essay, you simply need to recall the happiest day of your life and then write about it chronologically. As you can see, you don’t have to do much research to write an informal essay.

The fact that an informal essay is written for enjoyment does not mean that it does not have a set structure. The typical informal essay is a five-paragraph essay with three key parts – introduction, body, and conclusion. In terms of word count, the essay is often between 700 and 1,000 words long. The only thing informal about it is the fact that it does not need serious research. Moreover, unlike most essays, the informal can be written in a casual or conversational tone. This means that it can be written in the first and second person.

In most cases, informal essays are written for consumption by the author – to show their creativity, journal an experience, or release emotions through writing pieces.

Structure of an Informal Essay

Like most college students, you are probably used to following the five-paragraph essay structure that most professors recommend for formal essays . While using this structure to write your informal essay is okay, it is not necessary. The rationale for this is that the informal essay is informal and doesn’t follow any rigid structure.

Informal essays involve subjective opinions or ideas through prose. Some common examples of informal essays include impromptu speeches, diary entries, journals, social media posts, personal essays, and personal notes.

While the informal essay does not have a rigid structure or format, it must include four elements – topic, introduction, body, and conclusion.

The informal essay must have a title. It might be informal and without a structure, but it must have a title, and the title must be specific. By giving your informal essay a title, you are basically creating a compass that you can always refer to when writing your essay to ensure you are in the right direction. If, for example, you want to argue a point but are unsure whether it deserves to be in your essay, you can refer to your title to evaluate its importance. If the point helps to contribute to your title, you should include it in your essay. If it doesn’t, you should quickly ignore it.

2. Introduction

The informal essay must have an introduction . In other words, it must simply have a paragraph presenting what you will discuss in the body section. When writing the introduction of an informal essay, there is no specific formula to follow. The only thing that you must do is to make the introduction as interesting as possible. You can do this using a relevant quote, an interesting fact, or a related statistic.

In the body of your informal essay, you must go all out to tell the story you set out to tell in the introduction. You must do the title justice; you must make sure that anyone who reads your essay will agree that what you discuss or talk about in the body section is exactly what they expected. While there is no specific structure to follow when writing the body paragraphs of your informal essay, the best way to write them is chronological. This is because chronologically written paragraphs are easy to follow.

4. Conclusion

After writing your essay, you must write the conclusion part of your essay. The conclusion is usually the easiest part to write when writing an essay. This is because all you need to do is to summarize what you have written in the body section or body paragraphs. After doing this, you simply need to end your essay with a powerful closing sentence to complete it.

The Steps to Take to Write an Informal Essay

An informal essay is written in a conversational tone, which is laid-back, entails breaking academic writing rules, and sounds like everyday communication. You can use informal transition words, short sentences, contractions, common and cliché words, adages, expressions, and personal examples.

Here are the steps to take if assigned to write an informal essay.

1. Choose a topic

When you are asked to write an informal essay, you are normally allowed to choose your own topic. If this is the case, you should choose a topic that is very interesting to you. Because by doing so, the fact that the topic is interesting to you will result in you naturally writing an interesting essay. And interesting is what you want your informal essay to be to get a top grade.

Below the informal essay sample that follows this guide is a list of exciting informal essay topics. This list should inspire you to develop your own exciting informal essay topic; a topic that will make your essay interesting.

2. Create an outline for your informal essay

After choosing an interesting or exciting topic, you should create an outline for your informal essay . An essay outline is an essay writing plan. It highlights what you will include in the introduction section, the body section, and the conclusion section of your essay. To create an outline, provide a short summary of what you will include in your introduction paragraph, your three body paragraphs, and your conclusion paragraph.

But how do you know what you will include in your informal essay paragraphs? Well, it depends. If you are writing an informal essay based on a personal experience topic, you must recall as many details as possible about the experience to plan your essay. If you are writing an informal essay based on an academic topic, you will need thorough research to find as many details as possible about the topic to plan your essay.

3. Write the first draft of your essay

After creating a comprehensive outline for your informal essay, you should write the first draft of your essay. Do this by first writing your essay introduction. After writing your essay introduction, you should write its body paragraphs and the conclusion.

Writing the first draft of your informal essay after creating an outline for it should be a relatively straightforward job. You need to follow the outline like a map and use information from it to begin and structure your paragraphs.

The body paragraphs of an informal essay should each express your main message, perspective, or point of view. You can use persuasive writing skills to convince your readers. It would help to think of the topic as a forum thread where you defend your personal views against opposing opinions. Therefore, you must develop resilient supportive facts to defend your stance.

When developing the body paragraphs, you are allowed to use informal language. You should write short, clear, concise sentences, as long formulations are boring and misleading. You should center your discussions around some emotional vibe, express your personality, and write with vigor and respect.

Following your outline will make your informal essay well-organized and structured. However, it won’t guarantee flow in your essay. You will have to create a flow with your writing and transition words. Also, it won’t automatically give your essay a conversational and laid-back tone. You have to do this on your own using conversational words and writing.

Related Articles:

• Using I in an essay.
• How to format paragraphs for better readership.
• Steps to come up with a great thesis statement.

4. Edit your essay

After writing the first draft of your essay, you should edit it thoroughly. Do this by reading it to eliminate ambiguous and unclear words and statements. After reading it to eliminate unclear words, you should read it to remove all types of grammatical and punctuation errors.

The next thing you need to do with regard to editing your essay is to review it one more time using Grammarly.com or similar software. This will help you to catch the errors you may have missed and to correct them.

After proofreading your essay using Grammarly.com, it will be ready for submission.

Informal Essay Example

Title: Benefits of living in a remote location They say no man is an island. While living in a community surrounded by friends and neighbors is a good thing with many benefits, living alone in a remote location also has its benefits. I have been living alone in a remote Pacific island for the last eight months, and the experience has been bliss. The island has a single cabin research station with basic amenities and a satellite connection. The nearest settled island is over 500 kilometers away. I had doubts when I first stepped on the island. I thought I wouldn’t last long. However, this has obviously not been the case. My stay on this island has been quite amazing. I have enjoyed many benefits, including improved mental health, improved safety, and a low cost of living. When I was living in Sydney, Australia, I was in a bad place mentally because I felt a lot of pressure to succeed. I also felt depressed and was frequently on depression medication. Living in a remote location has changed all this. I no longer feel any pressure. I no longer feel depressed or miserable. Just about every day is a good day nowadays. I wake up, check equipment, spend hours on the beach, and eat fresh food I grow in the station’s garden. I feel amazing mentally. I feel like a new person because life is so slow-paced on this island and devoid of the pressures of city life. Regarding safety, I believe living alone on a remote island is much safer than living in a big town or city. I feel safer on this island because there is literally no one around to cause me harm. I do not have to look over my shoulder when walking, sleeping, or doing anything on this isolated island. I also have no reason to watch the news, so I am not exposed to the constant reports of insecurity that city dwellers are exposed to. Not being exposed to constant reports of insecurity makes me feel even safer. Furthermore, in case of any emergency, there is an emergency number I can call at any time of the day to request urgent help. Lastly, regarding the cost of living, living isolated on a remote island is much cheaper than city or town living. I literally do not pay any rent on this island. I also grow much of my own food, and supplies are brought to me biweekly. Furthermore, I do not pay taxes and am not exposed to constant adverts that force city dwellers to make impulse purchases. And even if I want to purchase something, I wouldn’t because it probably wouldn’t have much use on a remote, isolated island. In conclusion, living in a remote location is very beneficial. If you choose to do this, you will be happier, safer, and less stressed financially. I can only equate it to living in paradise.

Informal Essay Topics

Below are some informal essay topics you can use as inspiration to come up with your own informal essay topic if asked to choose your own topic by your professor.

• The best meals in our college cafeteria
• Celebrities who are excellent role models
• My religion and why I love it
• My thoughts on marriage and divorce
• The best day in my college life
• The most embarrassing incident in my life
• How parents can understand their children better
• Why my mother is the most important person to me
• The most famous African American inventors
• Entrepreneurs who changed the world
• Alcoholism among teenagers
• Why home education is bad
• Elon Musk and life on Mars
• The Illuminati and other conspiracy theories
• Legal migration and its benefits
• Mental health in the USA
• Communism and its benefits
• The United Nations and its failures
• Gender violence in California
• Freedom of speech around the world
• The effects of sanctions on Cuba
• Education during the peak of the pandemic
• East African culture
• Why the death penalty should be abolished everywhere
• Abortion and the right to life
• What would I do if I became a millionaire overnight?
• Why soccer is the most popular sport in the world
• The pros and cons of video gaming
• The Second Amendment and its protections
• Why I would like to become a doctor
• Why I love intermittent fasting
• How I won a half marathon when undergoing chemotherapy
• Lessons from my close friend who betrayed me
• How I plan to win the next marathon
• The car I love most
• My dream job
• Places I would like to visit
• Why I love my step-dad
• The last day at my first job

Dos and don’ts when writing an informal essay

• Do write your essay in the first person. This will make it clearly informal and casual. It will also make it read much better.
• Do write short sentences. Long sentences will make your essay difficult to read. In contrast, short sentences will make your writing easier to read and more casual (which is something you want when writing an informal essay).
• Do rewrite your essay. After writing your informal essay, you should read through it to make it flawless. Do this by editing or rewriting anything that appears out of place in your essay.
• Do proofread your essay. After you are done improving the flow of your essay, you should read it one more time to ensure it has zero grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors.
• Do ensure your essay is chronological. While it is unnecessary to make your informal essay chronological, making it chronological will make it easy to read and understand.
• Do use humor. It is okay to use humor in an informal essay. But you should only do it sparingly to avoid making your essay sound like a comedy script.
• Do use conversational language. Using conversational language will make your article to read like a blog, which is a good thing when writing an informal essay. But do not go overboard with conversational language. It could make your essay difficult to understand.
• Do read any informal essay examples. Before you write your informal essay, you should try to find and read informal essay examples online. This will help to make it easy for you to write your essay because it shows you the pattern you need to follow.
• Do let your personality show. If you have a way of expressing your ideas, arguments, and so on, you should let your personality show in your writing. Let your writing be as unique as it can be. Do not try to make your essay look or even feel academic. Just write it as you would write a blog to be read by a friend. This will help make your essay delightfully informal.                                                                                                                     
• Don’t forget to ensure a good flow throughout. While an informal essay doesn’t have a set structure, it must have a good flow. Therefore, you should ensure your essay is understandable throughout.
• Don’t forget to edit your essay. The best informal essays are flawless ones. So after writing your essay, you should read it severally to edit it and ensure it is flawless.
• Don’t make it formal. When writing informal essays, many students usually use the conventional academic language they use in formal essays. This is not right. You should try hard to make your essay as flawless as possible.
• Don’t forget to include a thesis . At the end of your introduction, you should have a thesis statement, and your entire essay should be centered on this statement. A thesis is what distinguishes an informal essay from a blog article.
• Don’t include weak arguments. It is important to ensure that your essay only contains strong arguments. Doing this will ensure you get a top grade. If you include weak arguments, you risk getting an average grade.

Parting Words!

Writing a good informal essay is not an easy job. It will require you to know the structure and style you must follow when writing an informal essay. Fortunately, you now know these two things. You also know exactly how to go about writing an informal essay. So go ahead and write yours. If you get stuck at any point, hire us to help you.

• The Ideal number of paragraphs in a comprehensive essay
• Reasons to buy essay help online

You can hire professional writers to write excellent informal essays for you. Therefore, you should never hesitate to hire the best creative/composition writers to help you complete your informal essay assignment or to write it from scratch. Try our essay writing services today; you will not regret it.

Through the years, even during the hype of AI essay writers, EssayManiacs has stood the test of time. We offer human-centered assignment help , meaning our writers write all the papers from scratch. You can also access the writers and coordinate the paper writing process for the best outcomes. 

Need a Discount to Order?

15% off first order, what you get from us.

Plagiarism-free papers

Our papers are 100% original and unique to pass online plagiarism checkers.

Well-researched academic papers

Even when we say essays for sale, they meet academic writing conventions.

24/7 online support

Hit us up on live chat or Messenger for continuous help with your essays.

Easy communication with writers

Order essays and begin communicating with your writer directly and anonymously.

Opinion Writing: a Guide to Writing a Successful Essay Easily

An opinion essay requires students to write their thoughts regarding a subject matter. Relevant examples and explanations back their point of view. Before starting an opinion paper, it is important to study the definition, topics, requirements, and structure. Referring to examples is also highly useful. Perhaps you need help with our admission essay writing service ? Take a look at this guide from our dissertation writing service to learn how to write an opinion essay like an expert.

What Is an Opinion Essay

A common question among students is: ‘What is an Opinion Essay?' It is an assignment that contains questions that allow students to share their point-of-view on a subject matter. Students should express their thoughts precisely while providing opinions on the issue related to the field within reasonable logic. Some opinion essays type require references to back the writer's claims.

Opinion writing involves using a student's personal point-of-view, which is segregated into a point. It is backed by examples and explanations. The paper addresses the audience directly by stating ‘Dear Readers' or the equivalent. The introduction involves a reference to a speech, book, or play. This is normally followed by a rhetorical question like ‘is the pope Catholic?' or something along those lines.

What Kind of Student Faces an Opinion Essay

Non-native English-speaking students enrolled in the International English Language Testing System by the British Council & Cambridge Assessment English are tasked with learning how to write the opinion essays. This can be high-school or college students. It is designed to enhance the level of English among students. It enables them to express their thoughts and opinions while writing good opinion essay in English.

Get Your Opinion ESSAY READY TODAY!

We will write you a plagiarism-free opinion essay, with a title page, unlimited revisions, and bunch of other cool features included!

What Are the Requirements of an Opinion Essay?

Avoid Going Off-Topic: Always write an opinion essay within relevance to answer the assigned question. This is also known as ‘beating around the bush' and should not be included in any opinion paragraph as it may lower your grade.

Indent the First Paragraph: With most academic papers, opinion writing is not different. Therefore, it contains the rule of indenting the first line of the introduction.

A Well-Thought Thesis: The full thesis statement is a brief description of the opinion essay. It determines the rest of the paper. Include all the information that you wish to include in the body paragraphs

The Use of Formal Languages: Although it is okay to write informally, keep a wide range of professional and formal words. This includes: ‘Furthermore,' ‘As Stated By,' ‘However', & ‘Thus'.

Avoid Internet Slang: In the opinion paper, avoid writing using slang words. Don'tDon't include words like ‘LOL', ‘OMG', ‘LMAO', etc.

The Use of First Person Language (Optional): For the reason of providing personal thought, it is acceptable to write your personal opinion essay in the first person.

Avoid Informal Punctuation: Although the requirements allow custom essay for the first-person language, they do not permit informal punctuation. This includes dashes, exclamation marks, and emojis.

Avoid Including Contradictions: Always make sure all spelling and grammar is correct.

We also recommend reading about types of sentences with examples .

Opinion Essay Topics

Before learning about the structure, choosing from a wide range of opinion essay topics is important. Picking an essay theme is something that can be done very simply. Choosing an excellent opinion essay topic that you are interested in or have a passion for is advisable. Otherwise, you may find the writing process boring. This also ensures that your paper will be both effective and well-written.

• Do sports differ from ordinary board games?
• Is using animals in circus performances immoral?
• Why should we be honest with our peers?
• Should all humans be entitled to a 4-day workweek?
• Should all humans become vegetarians?
• Does a CEO earn too much?
• Should teens be barred from having sleepovers?
• Should everyone vote for their leader?
• The Pros & Cons of Day-Light Saving Hours.
• What are the most energy-efficient and safest cars of X year?

Opinion Essay Structure

When it comes to opinion paragraphs, students may struggle with the opinion essay format. The standard five-paragraph-essay structure usually works well for opinion essays. Figuring out what one is supposed to include in each section may be difficult for beginners. This is why following the opinion essay structure is something all beginners should do, for their own revision before writing the entire essay.

You might also be interested in getting more information about: 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

Opinion essay introduction

• Address the audience directly, and state the subject matter.
• Reference a speech, poem, book, or play.
• Include the author's name and date of publication in brackets.
• 1 or 2 sentences to make up a short description.
• 1 or 2 summarizing sentences of the entire paper.
• 1 sentence that links to the first body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 1

• Supporting arguments
• Explanation
• A linking sentence to the second body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 2

• Supporting argument
• A linking sentence to the third body paragraph.

Body Paragraph 3

• A linking sentence to the conclusion.

Conclusion paragraph

• Summary of the entire paper
• A conclusive sentence (the bigger picture in conclusion)

If you need some help, leave us a message ' write my essay cheap ' and we'll help.

Opinion Essay Examples

Do you need something for reference? Reading opinion essay examples can expand your knowledge of this style of writing, as you get to see exactly how this form of an essay is written. Take a look at our samples to get an insight into this form of academic writing.

Over the past, American popular culture has been strong in creating racial stereotypes. Images displayed through television, music, and the internet have an impact on how individuals behave and what individuals believe. People find their identities and belief systems from popular culture. Evidently, I believe that American pop culture has created racial stereotypes that predominantly affect other ethnic minorities. Analyzing the history of America reveals that African Americans have always had a problem defining themselves as Americans ever since the era of slavery. AfricanAmericans have always had a hard time being integrated into American culture. The result is that African Americans have been subjected to ridicule and shame. American pop culture has compounded the problem by enhancing the negative stereotypes ofAfrican American. In theatre, film, and music, African Americans have been associated with vices such as murder, theft, and violence.

The family systems theory has a significant revelation on family relations. I firmly agree that to understand a particular family or a member, they should be around other family members. The emotional connection among different family members may create functional or dysfunctional coexistence, which is not easy to identify when an individual is further from the other members. Taking an example of the extended family, the relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law may be tense, but once they are outside the family, they can pretend to have a good relationship. Therefore, I agree with the theory that the existing emotional attachment and developed culture in the family is distinctively understood when the family is together.

Opinion writing is a form of academic paper that asks students to include their thoughts on a particular topic. This is then backed by a logical explanation and examples. Becoming more knowledgeable is a practical way to successfully learn how to write an opinion paper. Before writing anything, it is essential to refer to important information. That includes the definition, topics, opinion writing examples, and requirements. This is what turns amateur writers into master writers.

Feeling like you need some assistance with your essay? No matter what kind of writer you need, opinion or persuasive essay writing service online , our team consists of experts in all fields. Our college essay writing service helps those students who need an extra push when it comes to their assignments.

Need Qualified Essay Help?

Are you struggling with your opinion paper? Hit the button below to get writer's help. All your requests are processed fast.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

How to Write an Informal Essay

An informal essay can be about a wide range of topics, from the deeply personal to the outwardly political. “Informal” doesn’t mean that it can’t also be informative or persuasive. It merely refers to the style in which the essay is written: in first-person and without necessarily having to adhere to the traditional five-paragraph structure.

Your writing style in your informal essay should also be “informal”. Using slang and colloquialisms is generally permitted in this type of essay (though make sure you use good judgement and refrain from offensive or explicit language). A conversational tone, as though you were explaining something to a friend, is about the right tone for an informal essay. In fact, in this type of essay, it’s generally best to steer clear of overly academic writing. You want to make the subject as accessible to the average person as possible.

If your teacher has assigned you to write an informal essay, they may not give you very many guidelines besides a word count. In case you’re lost on how to write this type of essay, here are some tips on how to choose a topic, how to structure your essay and other ways to write your informal essay successfully.

Buy Informal essay

Think about subjects that are important to you or that you generally have a lot to say about. Are you always getting into arguments about politics? Do you constantly chastise your younger sister for putting the toilet roll on “the wrong way”? Think about anything you have a relatively strong opinion about and make a list:

• Why There Is a RIGHT Way to Hang the Toilet Roll
• Why I’m a Vegan
• What Happened When I Started Going to Church
• How I Learned to Respect My Step-Mother
• Why I Love Soccer (or any other sport or activity)
• What I Learned From Traveling Abroad
• Why I Voted for X Candidate
• Lessons From My Grandmother
• Why I Abstain From Drinking
• Why I Believe in Reincarnation
• What I Learned From My First Job
• How I Plan to Save the Planet

You should also make a list of reasons why you are vegan and think about certain things that you face as a vegan such as difficulty finding vegan options in restaurants or supermarkets, stigma from your family and/or friends, etc.

• Introduction – Share some of the difficulties of being a vegan but that you still choose to be one.
• First Supporting Paragraph – Strongest reason why you’re a vegan (health reasons) and some statistics or research on it.
• Second Supporting Paragraph – Second strongest reasons why you’re a vegan (against animal cruelty)- and how that extends to things beyond just not eating animal products but also not using cosmetics tested on animals and not wearing clothing made from animal products
• Third Supporting Paragraph – How being a vegan affects your lifestyle, your relationships with friends, family and significant others. What are the challenges you face?
• Conclusion – Why you still choose to be vegan and how you see more and more people opting for a vegan lifestyle (quote some statistics) making it easier for vegans to choose veganism.

This above is merely a suggested outline. Your informal essay might have more or less paragraphs, depending on how you choose to structure it.

Writing an informal essay still requires the reader to follow the logic of your thoughts, so help them along by using transition words. Transition words are like sign posts that tell the reader what to expect next. Word like “similarly”, “additionally” and “furthermore” signal that you’re about to present more evidence to support an idea. Words like “on the other hand”, “unlike…” and “conversely” signal that you’re about to present evidence to the contrary. Words like “first”, “second” or “next” give order to your thoughts.

Too formal The digestive peptides required to process meat can cause free radicals to reproduce in the human body, a phenomena that fails to occur when digesting vegetables.

• Peer edit – It would be great if you could show your essay to a friend and ask them how easy your essay was to understand, if it sounds conversational or if it’s too academic.
• Be flexible – Think about if you need to add something or take something away. Remember that informal essays don’t need to follow the five-paragraph essay structure so if your essay would be made better by adding another paragraph or taking one away, then by all means, do it.

Anyone can write a successful informal essay. Things like reading other informal essays, making lists for possible topics, choosing the best topic for you, making an outline, writing using informal language and the occasional transition word and editing for tone and structure can help earn you a top score on your informal essay. Good luck and Happy Writing!

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• 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.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

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.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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.

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!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

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.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-types/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write an argumentative essay | examples & tips, how to write an expository essay, how to write an essay outline | guidelines & examples, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

Get corrections on your written English:

You might also like...

24 Examples of Adjective + Preposition Combinations

Relative Clauses + Exercises

Advanced English Prepositions Quiz

Hi, I’m Shayna. I create courses helping English as a Second Language learners become more fluent in just a few minutes a day – so they can speak English naturally and confidently in work and daily life.

Essay guide

Essay examples, what are informal essays.

Informal essays are a type of written composition that typically express the author's thoughts, opinions, and experiences on a particular topic in a relaxed and conversational style. Unlike formal essays, which adhere to strict academic conventions and often follow a rigid structure, papers allow for a more flexible and personal approach to writing.

In an informal essay, the writer can use a first-person perspective and employ a casual tone as if they were having a conversation with the reader. This type of paper often incorporates anecdotes, humor, and personal reflections to engage the reader and convey the author's unique voice and perspective.

Remember, that you can read tens of thousands of examples of essays on any type on StudyMoose

How to Write a Informal Essay

Writing an informal essay allows you to express your thoughts, opinions, and experiences in a relaxed and conversational manner. It provides a platform to connect with readers on a personal level, showcasing your unique voice and perspective. Whether you're writing a personal blog post, a reflective journal entry, or an opinion piece, here are some tips to help you craft an engaging and effective paper.

Choose an Engaging Topic

Select a topic that you feel passionate about or have personal experience with. It could be an interesting anecdote, a reflection on a recent event, or a social issue that matters to you. The key is to choose a topic that will captivate your readers and encourage them to connect with your narrative.

Embrace a Conversational Tone

Write in a conversational style that mimics a casual conversation with your readers. Use first-person perspective and adopt a tone that reflects your personality. This creates a sense of intimacy and allows your readers to connect with you on a personal level.

Start with a Compelling Introduction

Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that grabs the reader's attention. You can use an interesting anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description to draw them in. The introduction should set the stage for your essay and provide a glimpse into what you'll be discussing.

Incorporate Personal Reflections and Anecdotes

Infuse your essay with personal reflections and anecdotes that add depth and authenticity to your writing. Share your experiences, emotions, and insights to connect with your readers on an emotional level. This helps create a relatable and engaging narrative that keeps your audience hooked.

Organize Your Thoughts

When you write informal essays it's still important to organize your thoughts in a logical manner. Consider creating a rough outline or a mental map of your main points. This helps ensure a coherent flow of ideas and prevents your paper from becoming disjointed or confusing.

Use Vivid Language and Descriptive Details

Make your essay come alive by using vivid language and descriptive details. Paint a picture with your words, allowing your readers to visualize the scenes and experiences you're describing. This enhances the reader's engagement and makes your essay more memorable.

Include Humor and Personal Touches

Inject humor, wit, or personal touches into your writing to add an extra layer of interest and entertainment. A well-placed joke or a relatable quirk can make your paper more enjoyable to read. However, be mindful of your audience and ensure that the humor aligns with the overall tone and topic of your essay.

Conclude with a Meaningful Ending

Reflect on the main ideas discussed in your essay and leave your readers with a lasting impression or a call to action. Your conclusion should provide a sense of closure while leaving room for further contemplation or discussion.

Remember, the beauty of informal essays lies in their freedom and personal expression. Don't be afraid to take risks, share your unique perspective, and experiment with your writing style. By embracing a conversational tone, incorporating personal reflections, and engaging your readers, you can create an paper that resonates and leaves a lasting impact.

Informal Essay Writing Prompts

• Prompt - "A Turning Point": Write about a significant event or moment in your life that brought about a major change or transformation.
• Prompt - "Lessons from Nature": Reflect on a memorable experience you had in nature and discuss the lessons or insights you gained from it.
• Prompt - "My Favorite Childhood Memory": Share a cherished memory from your childhood and explain why it holds a special place in your heart.
• Prompt - "In Pursuit of Happiness": Explore your personal definition of happiness and discuss the strategies you employ to cultivate happiness in your life.
• Prompt - "The Power of Music": Describe how music has influenced your life, shaped your emotions, or served as a source of inspiration.

Informal Essays Topic Ideas

• The Value of Kindness in Daily Life
• My Favorite Book and Why I Love It
• The Influence of Social Media on Relationships
• Embracing Imperfections: Learning to Love Yourself
• Lessons Learned from a Personal Failure
• The Magic of a Starry Night Sky
• The Impact of Music on Mood and Emotions
• Exploring the Joys of Gardening
• Finding Inspiration in Everyday Moments
• The Importance of Self-Reflection
• My Most Memorable Birthday Celebration
• Overcoming a Fear and Gaining Confidence
• The Beauty of a Handwritten Letter in the Digital Age
• A Childhood Lesson that Shaped My Values
• The Power of Random Acts of Kindness
• Discovering the Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation
• My Role Model and Their Impact on My Life
• The Joy of Exploring New Places and Cultures
• The Art of Storytelling: A Family Tradition
• The Lessons I've Learned from Traveling Alone
• The Impact of Nature on Well-being
• Navigating the Ups and Downs of Friendship
• Finding Comfort and Solace in Art and Creativity
• The Joy of Disconnecting from Technology
• Celebrating Small Victories: Embracing Life's Achievements
• The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
• Lessons Learned from a Personal Hero
• The Beauty of a Simple Life
• The Power of a Hug: Connection and Healing
• Reflections on the Meaning of Success

Save to my list

Remove from my list

Instantly enhance your writing in real-time while you type. With LanguageTool

Get started for free

In Our Opinion, These Alternatives Are Better

Whether you’re speaking or writing, it’s always a good idea to vary your vocabulary. Below, we’ll go over eleven other ways to say “in my opinion.”

In My Opinion: Alternative Phrases

• In my opinion is a phrase people use in speech and writing before expressing something that is their belief or viewpoint and not necessarily a fact.
• A few alternatives you can use instead are:

In My Opinion: What’s Its Use?

In my opinion is often used as a precursor when writing about personal views or thoughts on a given subject. There’s nothing wrong with using it, but good writers know to vary their vocabulary to keep readers engaged. Word choice should also match the audience and setting, which is why we’re going to give you formal and informal alternatives you can use in place of in my opinion.

In My Opinion: Formal Alternatives

A common rule of thumb when writing academic texts is to avoid using first-person pronouns. Of course, this rule is flexible and depends on the subject which is being written about.

If you’re writing an academic text, you may want to avoid using the phrase in my opinion , as it is considered a more casual expression.

One thing you may notice about the formal alternatives listed below is that for most of them, you’ll need supporting arguments to back up your opinion.

1. It could be argued that

This phrase requires that you support your opinion with evidence or reasoning.

It could be argued that working from home results in higher productivity rates.

2. One could postulate

As a verb, postulate means “to claim as true.” This alternative is extremely formal.

One could postulate that politics are becoming increasingly polarized.

3. According to

Similarly, use according to when you have arguments that can back up your opinion.

According to recent research, playtime is essential for young children’s development.

4. It would seem that

Like the others, this phrase also works best if you have arguments or evidence that can uphold your opinion.

It would seem that going to the grocery store on an empty stomach leads you to buy more food than you normally would.

5. From my personal standpoint

Sometimes supporting your opinion in formal writing requires your personal perspective, and in that case, using first-person pronouns is necessary.

From my personal standpoint , more funding should be allotted to schools in underprivileged and high-risk communities.

Besides having a varied vocabulary, you’ll also want your writing to be free from spelling and grammar errors. LanguageTool—a multilingual text editor—can check for all types of errors.

Additionally, LanguageTool can improve your style and tone, and can help rephrase your sentences to be more formal.

In My Opinion: Informal Alternatives

If you’re writing in a more casual setting, you can use the following phrases in place of in my opinion.

6. From my point of view

Use this alternative when you want to convey your personal standpoint on something.

From my point of view , Marvel is way better than DC.

7. The way I see it

This phrase is another way of saying from my point of view.

The way I see it , students should be better prepared for real-life situations.

8. From my perspective

Perspective is a noun that is synonymous to point of view.

From my perspective , Romeo and Juliet were two bratty kids.

9. To my mind

Unlike the formal options listed at the beginning of this post, use this phrase when you want to express something that is just a personal thought and can’t necessarily be supported with evidence.

To my mind , chocolate can be combined with any food to enhance it.

10. I think

I think is commonly used in place of in my opinion. Be cautious when using this one though, especially in work emails, as it can come off as unconfident.

I think the current public school system is failing our children.

11. I believe

I believe sometimes connotes a more heartfelt argument, whereas I think sometimes leans toward being more logical.

I believe every company should provide paid parental leave.

Comma or No Comma?

In my opinion requires a comma after it.

• In my opinion, Mexican food is the best.

Occasionally, it is used at the end of the sentence, in which case it is usually preceded by a comma.

• Mexican food is the best, in my opinion .

Unleash the Professional Writer in You With LanguageTool

Go well beyond grammar and spell checking. Impress with clear, precise, and stylistically flawless writing instead.

Works on All Your Favorite Services

• Thunderbird
• Google Docs
• Microsoft Word
• Open Office
• Libre Office

We Value Your Feedback

We’ve made a mistake, forgotten about an important detail, or haven’t managed to get the point across? Let’s help each other to perfect our writing.