A Guide to the Different Types of Writing for 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Knowing proper grammar is only half the equation in writing well. Authors must also be well-versed in different forms of writing. In writing, style is a literary element that influences how an author puts together words to depict meaning and imagery in a piece of text. Writing style is also important because it plays a role in how readers interpret a text. Different types of writing styles also help authors refine their writing skills, improving how he or she communicates ideas and concepts to readers.

To help you out, this introduction to writing and types of writing will detail the different kinds of writing that you can use as well as the different categories of writing that you should consider. By the end of this guide, readers should be able to understand when to leverage each type of writing. There are also some tips on how to improve writing that should serve as a good resource for budding writers.

Different Types of Writing Table of Contents

1. Narrative Writing
2. Descriptive Writing
3. Persuasive Writing
4. Expository Writing

Writing is a complex cognitive activity. It can be viewed somehow narrowly, as a particular kind of verbal production skill where text is manufactured to meet a discourse demand, or more broadly as a complex, integrated performance that cannot be understood apart from the social and cognitive purposes it serves (Deane et al., 2008). Thus, writing is integrated into various aspects of our everyday lives. Learning to write properly is also crucial for students who plan to pursue communication degrees and similar programs.

Expert writers often develop elaborate goals, particularly content and rhetorical goals, which require sophisticated problem-solving. In contrast, novice writers typically take a simpler, natural approach to composing and adopting a knowledge-telling approach in which content is generated through association, with one idea prompting the next (Bereiter & Scardamalia, 1987 cited in Deane et al., 2008). However, regardless of whether a writer is an expert or a novice, the ability to write well itself is more likely a sign of clear thinking, better communication skills, understanding others’ situations, and more.

Impressive writing skills are also a great tool to have in a career. Even if the position being considered is not exactly for a technical or creative writing job, 80% of employers still want candidates with good written communication skills. This is because a lot of work involves using this skill such as answering an email, communicating with clients, and interacting with team members. Writing is today’s currency for good ideas (Fried & Hansson, 2010).

Main Types of Writing

What are the types of writing? There are many writing forms and each has its own objective, tone, style, content, etc. However, there are four main categories into which every writing types fall, namely, narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is basically storytelling in written form with the intent of motivating, educating, or simply entertaining the audience. Regardless of whether the story being told is real or fictional, narrative writing can be one of the easiest for the readers and the most difficult for the writers. That is because readers will be prodded by their imagination and understanding in order to get the narrative. Writers, on the other hand, will have to pen it in a way that will bring readers to the world in their story while keeping them engaged and captivated.

In order to convey a story, five basic elements need to be present: plot, character, theme, conflict, and setting. Stories also need a beginning, interval, and an ending, which can be either open or definite. Definite endings clearly conclude the story while open ending gives room for interpretation and can either be left to the imagination of readers or resolved in a sequel.

Another important element of narrative writing is the point of view of the person telling the story. This could be a character in the story whose knowledge of the plot is limited to his/her part in the story. Authors can also use the perspective of a narrator who carries the story through an all-seeing eye that knows the motives, thoughts, and reactions of characters.

Narrative writing is a highly diverse genre that includes adventure, fantasy, mystery, tragedy, comedy, fairy tale, myth, drama, fable, legend, science fiction, love story, biography, autobiography, historical account, epic poems, memoirs, jokes, novels, anecdotes, and screenplays.

Examples:

• Biography. A detailed account or description of the life of a person, which typically includes basic facts such as childhood, education, relationships, family, career, and death. If the biography narrates the life of a person written by another person, it is called an autobiography.
• Fable. A narrative that usually features animals that speak and behave like human beings that carries a moral usually formulated at the end (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). It also typically uses animal characters to highlight human weaknesses and follies.
• Myth. A symbolic narrative that tells specific accounts of superhuman beings or gods at an unspecified time, which involves extraordinary circumstances and events. While the events being narrated in a myth are clearly in variance with the order of natural law, it does not attempt to explain or justify them and presents such extraordinary events with authority (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020).

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is akin to painting a picture with words that attempt to provide readers with a firsthand and detailed impression of places, characters, events, etc. Apart from describing what something looks like, the author also appeals to the other senses of the readers such as smell, hearing, and touch. As such, authors must be familiar with imagery definition as literary devices.

The use of precise language is important in descriptive writing as general adjectives, adverbs, verbs, etc. make it harder for readers to picture in their minds what is being described. Therefore, the more vivid the details being presented are, the more relatable the story is to the readers. And while authors can use descriptive words with positive or negative connotations, their intent is merely to describe something and not convince the audience of anything.

Descriptive writing is also typically injected into other types of writing because the need to describe a place or event commonly arises in most types of literature. Adjectives and adverbs are the most common elements used in descriptive writing. However, from time to time, authors also utilize literary devices. As such, writers hoping to master this writing style must also become familiar with simile and metaphor examples and other figures of speech.

A lot of fictional pieces fall under descriptive writing such as poems, proses, lyrics, and plays. However, this type of writing also appears a lot in nonfiction materials such as journals, travel diaries, and memoirs.

Examples:

• Poems. A literary piece based on rhythm and interplay of words typically follows a set of rules which dictate the arrangement and number of syllables per line. Modern poetry, however, sometimes does away with the rules where the lines do not rhyme and syllables do not use any meter.
• Memoir. Memoir, which comes from the French word for memory, is a piece of literature about the author’s memory that can go all the way back to his/her childhood. While it is more common for celebrities, world leaders, and other prominent people to write a memoir, this is something that anyone can create.
• Diary. A diary is commonly used to record personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, providing a chronology of emotions linked to events (Snowden, 2015). Today, however, it has also become an important tool for organizing people’s personal and professional lives.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing, as the term suggests, is a type of literature whose objective is persuading the audience in aligning their thoughts and actions with the author’s own goals. The writer takes a definitive stance about something, be it pro or against, and asks his/her audience to do the same. It is basically influencing someone to take the author’s side in order to have the audience believe or do something favorable to him/her.

Since the end goal is to convince someone of something, the writing is typically backed by research, analysis, logical inferences, and studies. This means that even though the piece heavily contains the authors’ biases and personal opinions, it still includes reasons, justifications, and arguments to exude an objective tone.

With that said, however, it is equally important to appeal to the readers’ emotions just as much. That is because a strong connection is not just formed through facts and figures alone but through the readers’ sympathy as well. When the target audience’s emotions are swayed in favor of the writer, it is easier to appeal for a call to action about the situation at hand.

The most common example of persuasive writing is the editorial section of newspapers. Others include reviews of books, places, products, movies, music, etc. Cover letters, argumentative essays, letters of complaint, letters of recommendation, and advertisements are also part of this genre.

Example:

• Argumentative Essay. This persuasive writing piece is written in a way that develops and evaluates arguments to initiate, embody, or simulate different kinds of textual and interpersonal interaction for reader consideration (Wu & Allison, 2003 cited in Fung & Mei, 2015).
• Cover Letter. A written document that is typically submitted with a job application. It outlines the credentials and interests of the applicants in the open position. Well-written cover letters complement the resume by explaining why the candidate is the ideal person for the job.
• Editorial. A section in a newspaper or magazine where writers share their opinion about ongoing issues that may or may not reflect the opinion of the entire publishing house. If the case is the latter, a disclaimer is shared. This is one of the few articles in the newspaper that does not fall into the expository writing category.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is written in a style that explains a concept or shares information with the audience as well as provides instructions and insights regarding a particular subject. It is one of the most common types of writing and is typically present in other writing styles as well. Because it lays information to readers, it is sometimes referred to as information writing.

Unlike persuasive writing, expository style is devoid of the authors’ opinions. If writing comprises facts and provides information about a subject but is written in a way that persuades the readers, it does not fall into the expository writing category. For example, an article titled “Five Reasons why Studying Abroad is a Bad Idea" might contain factual data and statistics but it does connote a negative stance that rather makes it a persuasive piece.

Furthermore, because it can also be used to describe things, it is sometimes confused with descriptive writing. However, there are several key differences between the two. For instance, descriptive writing is used for explaining the point of view of someone about a certain subject at a given time while expository writing is used for explaining external processes, situations, and things. Expository style is also carried with a matter-of-fact, neutral tone.

Non-editorial articles in newspapers and magazines, manuals, textbooks, instructional guides, and nonfiction books are the most common examples of expository writing. Others include how-to books, cookbooks, recipes, self-help books, scientific research, educational resources, business books, technical write-ups, medical journals, research, and others.

Examples:

• How-to Articles. This is a nonfiction article that provides the audience with a series of steps to accomplish something. This is a popular type of article in online media, thanks to the rise of the internet, leading to people wanting to share instructions on doing something for a wider audience.
• News Articles. Typically published in papers or online news sites, a news article is a recount of a true event that occurred. It typically answers  Who? What? When? Where? and Why? questions. Some blogs and papers also account for news articles.
• Scientific Research. These are types of research that should be planned systematically before its actual performance. The main purpose of scientific research is to contribute towards the development of science through systematic collection, analysis, and evaluation of data.

Categories of Writing

Aside from the four main categories of writing discussed in the previous section, there are a few more types of English writing worth mentioning.

Objective

Objective writing is a type of writing that is driven by facts and evidence. It is generally used to present unbiased information to the audience. So the writer needs to remain as neutral as possible. Personal feelings should be taken aside when writing objectively.

To write objectively, it is important to not make any value judgments by using words such as appalling or wonderful. It is also recommended to consider both sides of an argument.

Subjective

Subjective writing is opinion-driven. The author writes based on his point of view and has no concern with right or wrong. It can present biased information and even something that is far from the truth. The author may also consider his feelings, opinions, assumptions.

Generally, subjective writing enables readers to get an insight into the writer’s mind and interpret the content based on their perspective. Some examples of this type of writing include newspaper editorial, blogs, and even the comments you will find on the Internet.

Creative

This type of writing goes outside the bounds of normal technical, journalistic, academic, and professional forms of writing. The purpose is to express emotions, thoughts, and feelings imaginatively rather than simply conveying information.

There are many types of creative writing and these include movie and television scripts, poetry, songs, plays, memoirs, and fiction (short stories, novels, and novella).

Review

This type of writing is all about making a critical appraisal of something such as a product, a book, a place, a service, or a film. In business, reviews help customers in making purchasing decisions. Some companies even pay people to review their items.

How does audience awareness impact writing effectiveness?

Understanding the target audience is a crucial factor that greatly influences the effectiveness of any piece of writing. Writers who are aware of their audience can craft their message in a way that resonates better with readers and achieves its intended purpose.

• Tailoring tone and style: Writers should adjust their tone, language, and style based on who will be reading their work. A formal tone might be necessary for academic or business writing, while a conversational or engaging tone could work better for blog posts or social media content.
• Choosing appropriate vocabulary: Knowing the audience's education level, industry background, or familiarity with a topic helps in selecting vocabulary. Writers should avoid overly technical terms if writing for a general audience, but using industry-specific jargon may be essential when addressing professionals.
• Meeting the audience's needs: Successful writing anticipates what the reader wants to learn or understand. By addressing their questions, concerns, or desires, the content becomes more engaging and relevant to the audience.
• Adapting structure and format: The structure of the piece should also consider audience preferences. Some audiences prefer straightforward, fact-based writing, while others may appreciate a narrative or storytelling approach.
• Providing value: Writing that offers value to the audience—whether through new information, actionable tips, or insightful perspectives—keeps readers engaged and enhances the effectiveness of the message.

Tips on Improving Writing Style

Good writing and communication skills are just two of the most essential types of writing skills, regardless of what industry you’re in. It is what will allow you to collaborate with colleagues, persuade investors or customers, as well as get your point across clearly in research. In fact, 37% of Americans deem it as an extremely important trait in building a successful career (Statista, 2016).  As such, one must continually work on improving this skill. While each writer has his/her own unique style, there are still some common principles that, when practiced consciously, can help you achieve this. So whether you are writing fiction, a novel, a biography, or an online article, the following simple but powerful tips will help develop your writing style.

1. Understand your concept. Your readers will not understand what you are trying to say if you do not understand it yourself. So before you start writing, figure out the overall point as well as the structure of your book. Putting together a solid outline would be of great help.
2. Use straightforward words. Complicated words may make various kinds of writing sound smarter. However, since they usually have a more specific meaning, the margin of error increases. To avoid it, use a readily understandable word instead of a less familiar one.
3. Avoid redundancies or fillers. Refrain from using words that add nothing but unnecessary length to your sentences. It is easier to read a more concise written piece.
4. Favor active voice. It is more direct and cuts down on the number of required words, making your writing more efficient and concise. For example, the sentence “Sally was loved by me" is in the passive voice and contains five words. If you use the active voice, it will be “I love Sally" which contains only three words.
5. Be consistent. Pay attention to details in your writing such as capitalization, hyphenation, word choice, and numbers. Inconsistencies in the aforementioned components can make your content harder to understand, least irritating to read.
6. Ditch the adverb. Instead, find and use a stronger verb. If the adverb adds nothing but complexity to your sentence, it would be better to remove it.
7. Keep your paragraphs short. This is the norm in less formal writing. A paragraph should consist of sentences that support similar ideas. Short paragraphs make a more visually appealing layout on a page and are easier to digest.
8. Use qualifiers occasionally. Excessive qualifications can weaken your writing. But occasional use of qualifiers such as “sometimes," “always," “very," “somewhat," and the like can help readers better understand the message you are trying to convey. For instance, instead of saying “my friend doesn’t like running," one can say “my friend somewhat dislikes running" to better express the extent of the thought.
9. Proofread your draft. By doing thorough proofreading of your work, you will get an opportunity to fix any errors that may cloud your intended meaning and check your word choice. Make sure your sentences are constructed properly, especially the complex sentences you use. Proofreading your work will help you find ways to improve your writing style.
10. Keep on writing! This is the ultimate way of improving your writing skill. But do not just write every day. Take time to discover your weaknesses and find ways to overcome them.

How to Identify Your Writing Style

Understanding your writing style is key to developing a distinctive voice and creating impactful content. Your style reflects your personality, purpose, and audience preferences. Here’s how you can discover and refine your writing style:

• Analyze Your Preferences
  • What to Do: Reflect on the types of writing you enjoy reading or creating, such as creative storytelling, analytical essays, or persuasive pieces.
  • Why It Matters: Your preferences often indicate your natural inclination toward a specific style or genre.
• Experiment with Different Genres
  • What to Do: Try writing in various formats, such as fiction, technical documentation, or blog posts.
  • Why It Matters: Experimenting reveals which genres feel comfortable and which challenge your creativity, helping you define your strengths.
• Pay Attention to Feedback
  • What to Do: Share your work with peers, mentors, or online communities and seek constructive criticism.
  • Why It Matters: Feedback can highlight recurring themes, tones, or techniques that characterize your style.
• Assess Your Language Choices
  • What to Do: Review your vocabulary, sentence structures, and tone across different pieces.
  • Why It Matters: Identifying patterns, like using vivid descriptions or concise phrases, helps pinpoint your stylistic tendencies.
• Align Style with Purpose
  • What to Do: Consider the purpose of your writing—whether it’s to inform, entertain, or persuade—and adapt accordingly.
  • Why It Matters: A successful style is one that achieves its goal while reflecting your personal touch.

Final Tips

• Keep a Journal: Regular freewriting can uncover consistent themes and tones.
• Read Widely: Exposure to diverse authors inspires experimentation and growth.
• Evolve Your Style: Writing styles develop over time, so revisit and refine your approach as you gain experience.

Why Build a Foundation for Effective Writing?

A strong foundation is indispensable for improving your writing skills and establishing a distinctive style. While practice is essential, it's equally crucial to invest in targeted education and resources that nurture your growth as a writer. Enrolling in a creative writing degree online can be a strategic step for those seeking structured guidance and tailored support.

Such programs offer a range of benefits, from deep dives into narrative techniques to mastering persuasive and expository writing styles. Additionally, these online programs provide a flexible learning environment, making it easier to balance learning with personal and professional commitments. By choosing a reputable program, writers can hone their craft, learn the intricacies of audience engagement, and build competencies in varied genres of writing.

If formal education isn't an option for you, consider creating a structured self-study plan. This might include setting writing goals, exploring diverse genres, and using tools or platforms that facilitate peer feedback and collaboration. Remember, fostering creativity and cultivating a coherent writing process are equally vital components of becoming a skilled writer.

Practice Makes Perfect

You don’t need to have a creative writing major to create impressive pieces because practice makes perfect. Understanding the main types and categories of writing is useful if you want to study more on which style to use for which purpose. Each of them has its own tone and delivery as well, which makes them distinct from each other. This is why the proper selection of writing styles is an important aspect of the writing process.

However, knowing about the different types and styles of writing will not, by itself, make you a great writer. Writing, as the other three language skills, is an intellectual, creative, and methodological process that implies the investment of time and practice to develop it to the fullest in order to achieve clarity and effectiveness (Balderas et al., 2018). Therefore, if you are an aspiring writer or a veteran who yearns to be better at your craft, more practice is advised.

Could a Formal Creative Writing Education Expand Your Opportunities?

Formal creative writing education offers structured methodologies that refine genre versatility and foster critical feedback beyond self-study. It enhances academic credentials, providing a competitive edge in fields such as publishing, content creation, and communications by integrating collaborative learning and exposure to industry-standard practices. Evaluating program affordability alongside quality is key when considering advanced training, and many aspiring writers explore the cheapest online creative writing degree to balance cost with comprehensive skill development.

How Can Professional Revision Elevate Your Writing Quality?

Effective revision transforms a draft into a polished piece by refining structure, tone, and clarity. Professional editing not only enhances readability but also ensures that each sentence effectively supports the overall message. Strategic rewriting identifies redundancies and inconsistencies while optimizing the logical flow of ideas for diverse audiences. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of advanced writing techniques, exploring accredited programs—such as easy masters degrees online—can provide valuable insights into systematic revision and editing practices.

How Can Remote Work Open New Avenues for Writers?

The rising trend of remote work offers writers a unique chance to diversify their career paths and hone their digital communication skills. Many professionals now find that working remotely not only allows for flexible schedules but also opens doors to collaborative international projects and niche markets. Embracing this shift involves developing capabilities in self-management, digital collaboration, and online networking—skills that are increasingly valuable in today's evolving job landscape. Pursuing knowledge in modern work trends, such as exploring the best degrees for remote work, can further cement a writer's adaptability and competitive edge in the remote employment arena.

How Can Specializing in a Writing Niche Accelerate Career Growth?

Developing expertise in a specific writing niche can enhance your professional profile by establishing you as a subject matter expert in a targeted area. A focused specialization not only supports career differentiation but also aligns your skills with industry demand, thereby improving market positioning. An intentional approach to niche selection—whether that be technical, digital, health, or any emerging sector—can streamline the process of building a relevant portfolio and expanding your network. In some cases, considering academic options like the easiest majors may offer insights into achievable paths that complement your specialization strategy while maintaining a competitive edge in an evolving job market.

Can a Short-Term Online Degree Enhance Your Writing Competencies?

An accelerated online associate degree program offers focused training that complements a writer's practical experience by delivering concentrated curricula on communication, editing, and content strategy. This approach not only sharpens digital literacy and industry-relevant skills but also provides a structured learning environment that can support rapid career advancement. By integrating hands-on projects and up-to-date methodologies, such programs equip writers with advanced competencies and the adaptability needed to thrive in a competitive market. Explore what kind of degree can I get in 6 months to determine if a short-term online degree aligns with your professional development goals.

How Can Additional Academic Credentials Bolster Your Writing Career?

Focused academic programs and certifications provide writers with structured learning that complements practical experience while bolstering credibility. Advanced credentials offer targeted insights into writing techniques, critical analysis, and digital content strategy, thereby reinforcing a writer’s market presence. By integrating these academic achievements into their professional portfolio, writers ensure sustained adaptability and competitive advantage. For instance, many professionals turn to the best degrees to get online for swift, impactful qualification upgrades.

How Can Easy Degrees Online Complement Your Writing Education?

Academic flexibility provided by remote programs enables writers to integrate structured learning with ongoing professional pursuits. Online degree options cater specifically to professionals who seek to balance real-world writing challenges with academic enrichment, offering courses that focus on advanced narrative construction, digital content innovation, and contemporary editing techniques. Leveraging such programs helps writers stay current with industry trends, while offering opportunities to acquire specialized skills through accessible formats like easy degrees online.

Key Insights

• Importance of Writing Style: Writing style significantly influences how an author conveys meaning and imagery, impacting how readers interpret a text.
• Main Types of Writing: The four primary writing categories are narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository, each serving different purposes and requiring distinct approaches.
• Narrative Writing: Involves storytelling with essential elements like plot, character, theme, conflict, and setting. It's diverse and includes genres like fantasy, mystery, biography, and screenplays.
• Descriptive Writing: Focuses on painting vivid images using precise language and sensory details, common in both fiction (poems, plays) and nonfiction (journals, memoirs).
• Persuasive Writing: Aims to convince the audience to adopt the author's viewpoint, using logical arguments, research, and emotional appeal. Common examples include editorials, reviews, and cover letters.
• Expository Writing: Provides information or explains a concept in a neutral tone, seen in news articles, textbooks, and how-to guides.
• Additional Writing Categories: Include objective writing (fact-driven), subjective writing (opinion-based), creative writing (expressive), and review writing (critical appraisals).
• Improving Writing Skills: Key tips include understanding your concept, using straightforward language, avoiding redundancies, favoring active voice, being consistent, and proofreading.

FAQ

What is the significance of writing style in literature?

Writing style is crucial because it affects how an author conveys meaning and how readers interpret the text. It helps refine communication skills and enhances the clarity and effectiveness of the conveyed message.

What are the four main types of writing?

The four main types of writing are narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository. Each serves different purposes: narrative tells a story, descriptive paints a vivid picture, persuasive aims to convince, and expository explains or informs.

How does narrative writing differ from other types?

Narrative writing focuses on storytelling with elements like plot, character, and setting. Unlike descriptive writing, which aims to create vivid images, narrative writing engages readers through a structured story. Unlike persuasive writing, it doesn't aim to convince, and unlike expository writing, it isn't primarily informational.

Can descriptive writing be used in non-fiction?

Yes, descriptive writing can be used in non-fiction to provide detailed and sensory-rich descriptions of events, places, and characters. Examples include travel diaries, journals, and memoirs.

What is the main objective of persuasive writing?

The main objective of persuasive writing is to convince the audience to adopt the author's viewpoint or take a specific action. It combines logical arguments, research, and emotional appeal to influence readers.

How does expository writing differ from persuasive writing?

Expository writing aims to explain or inform without the author's personal opinions, maintaining a neutral tone. In contrast, persuasive writing seeks to convince readers of a particular viewpoint, often incorporating the author's biases and emotions.

What are some examples of creative writing?

Creative writing includes various expressive forms such as poetry, songs, plays, movie and television scripts, and fiction (short stories, novels, and novellas).

How can one improve their writing style?

Improving writing style involves understanding your concept, using clear and straightforward language, avoiding redundancies, favoring active voice, being consistent, proofreading, and continuous practice. Engaging in regular writing and addressing weaknesses also helps enhance writing skills.

References:

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• Deane, P. Odendahl, N., Quinlan, T., Fowles, M., Welsh, C. & Bivens-Tatum J. (2008). Cognitive models of writing: Writing proficiency as a complex integrated skill. ETS Research Reports, 88 (55), ETS.
• Folk literature & fable (2020). Encyclopaedia Britannica.
• Myth (2020). Encyclopaedia Britannica.
• Fried, J. & Hansson, D.H. (2010). Rework. Basecamp.
• Fung, Y.M., Mei, H.C. (2015). Improving undergraduates’ argumentative group essay writing through self-assessment. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 6 (5), 214-224.  https://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.6n.5p.214
• Gray, K. (November 2017). The key attributes employers seek on students’ resumes. NACE Center.
• Snowden, M. (2014). Use of diaries in research. Nursing Standard, 29 (44), 36-41. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.29.44.36.e9251
• Statista Research Department (2016, October 6). Traits perceived most important for a career in the U.S. in 2016, by importance. Statista.