Let’s start by taking a look at some of the most common styles of writing and what we achieve to aim when we use those styles. These styles can blend together. A fictional novel about a hero would be a creative writing and a narrative writing. An advertisement is a persuasive writing but could also be a descriptive writing. Understanding what we use these styles for can help us focus on our goals as a writer.
Expository writing
Instructions, reports, research papers
The goal of an expository writing is to explain something to the reader. There are many types of expository writing like instructions or explaining events that have happened in a news report.
Narrative writing
Biographies, autobiographies, Novels
A narrative writing tells the reader a story by narrating it. Autobiographies and biographies are examples of narrative writings that tell the non-fictional story of it’s subjects life. Creative writings can also be a narrative writing and tell the reader a fictional story.
Persuasive writing
Advertising, opinion essays
A persuasive writing is when the writer wants to persuade the reader of something. In advertising the writer wants to persuade the reader to purchase a product. In an opinion essay the writer is trying to change the readers opinion.
Descriptive writing
Fictional stories, poems, advertising
A writer uses descriptive writing when they want their reader to visualize or imagine part of the writing. Descriptive writing is often used with creative writing.
Creative writing
Fictional stories, poems, songs
Creative writing can come in many forms including other types of writing styles. There are also many reasons we might use creative writing but the most common reason is simply for enjoyment.
Academic writing
Essays, dissertations
An academic writing is one done for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for school. These often have very specific requirements that must be met such as following MLA format.