informal essay
Relaxed written reflection
An informal essay is a short piece of nonfiction writing that takes a personal, conversational approach to its subject.
Unlike formal academic essays, informal essays prioritize the writer's voice and perspective over rigid structure or exhaustive argumentation.
The tone is relaxed, often humorous or reflective: Her informal essay on childhood summers read like a letter to a friend.
The form traces to Montaigne's "essais"—attempts or trials—and remains popular in magazines and personal blogs.
- personalRelating to one's self
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- casualRelaxed and informal
- ramblingLong-winded and unfocused
- stream of consciousnessNarrative mimicking uninterrupted thought
opinion · think piece · voice · first person narrative · anecdote · slice of life · musings · reflections · diary · column · blog · intimate · witty · candid · first-person · meandering · lighthearted · chatty
informal essayformal essay
Structured argumentative prose piece
academic essay · scholarly article · research paper · thesis · dissertation
informal essayscholarly writing
Formal research-based text
technical writing · official report · legal document · scientific paper
informal essaypersuasive essay
Writing that advocates viewpoints
expository writing · argumentative essay · analytical essay · empirical study · technical writing
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