10 Best Books on Essay Writing (You Should Read Today)

“I hate writing, I love having written.” – Dorothy Parker

Here are 10 Books That Will Help You With Essay Writing:

1. a professor’s guide to writing essays: the no-nonsense plan for better writing by dr. jacob neumann.

This is the highest-rated book on the subject available on the market right now. It’s written for students at any level of education. The author uses an unorthodox approach, claiming that breaking essays down into different formats is unnecessary. It doesn’t matter if it’s a persuasive or a narrative essay – the difference is not in how you write, but rather in how you build your case . Length: 118 pages Published: 2016

2. College Essay Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful College Admissions Essay – by Ethan Sawyer

3. the only grammar book you’ll ever need: a one-stop source for every writing assignment by susan thurman.

The institution of a grammar school is defunct, but it doesn’t mean you can ignore the basic rules that govern your language. If you’re writing an essay or a college paper , you better keep your grammar tight. Otherwise, your grades will drop dramatically because professors abhor simple grammar mistakes. By reading this little book , you’ll make sure your writing is pristine. Length: 192 pages Published: 2003

4. Escape Essay Hell!: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Narrative College Application Essays by Janine W. Robinson

A well-written essay has immense power. Not only that, it is the prerequisite to getting admitted to colleges and universities, but you also have to tackle a few essay questions in most, if not all exams you will ever take for career or academic advancement. For instance, when taking the LSAT to qualify for law school , the MCAT to get into med school , the DAT to pursue a degree in dentistry, or even the GRE or GMAT as the first step in earning a master’s degree. That is why this book is highly recommended to anyone navigating through the sea of higher learning. In this amusing book, Janine Robinson focuses mostly on writing narrative essays . She’s been helping college-bound students to tell unique stories for over a decade and you’ll benefit from her expert advice. The book contains 10 easy steps that you can follow as a blueprint for writing the best “slice of life” story ever told. Length: 76 pages Published: 2013

5. The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present by Phillip Lopate

This large volume is a necessary diversion from the subject of formal, highly constrained types of writing. It focuses only on the genre of the personal essay which is much more free-spirited, creative, and tongue-and-cheek-like. Phillip Lopate, himself an acclaimed essayist, gathers seventy of the best essays of this type and lets you draw timeless lessons from them. Length: 777 pages Published: 1995

6. The Best American Essays of the Century by Joyce Carol Oates

7. on writing well: the classic guide to writing nonfiction by william zinsser.

On Writing Well is a classic writing guide that will open your eyes to the art of producing clear-cut copy. Zinsser approached the subject of writing with a warm, cheerful attitude that seeps through the pages of his masterpiece. Whether you want to describe places, communicate with editors, self-edit your copy, or avoid verbosity, this book will have the right answer for you. Length: 336 pages Published: 2016 (reprint edition)

8. How To Write Any High School Essay: The Essential Guide by Jesse Liebman

The previous titles I mentioned were mostly for “grown-up” writers, but the list wouldn’t be complete without a book for ambitious high-school students. Its length is appropriate, making it possible even for the most ADHD among us to get through it. It contains expert advice, easy-to-implement essay outlines , and tips on finding the best topics and supporting them with strong arguments. Length: 124 pages Published: 2017

9. Essential Writing Skills for College and Beyond by C.M. Gill

On average, after finishing high school or college, Americans read only around twelve books per year. This is a pity because books contain a wealth of information. People at the top of the socio-economic ladder read between forty and sixty books per year – and you should too! But reading is just one skill that gets neglected after college. Writing is the other one. By reading the “Essential Writing Skills” you’ll be able to crush all of your college writing assignments and use them throughout your life to sharpen your prose. Length: 250 Published: 2014

10. The Hidden Machinery: Essays on Writing by Margot Livesey

Rafal reyzer.

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

Essay Papers Writing Online

The best books to improve your essay writing skills.

Essay writing books

Are you looking to enhance your essay writing abilities? Whether you are a student, professional writer, or simply striving to improve your writing skills, investing in the best books on essay writing can make a significant difference.

Discover expert tips, strategies, and techniques to craft compelling and impactful essays in various genres and styles. From mastering the art of brainstorming to refining your thesis statements, these recommended books will inspire and guide you on your writing journey.

Unlock your full potential as a writer with the help of these invaluable resources.

Explore the Best Books

Ready to take your essay writing skills to the next level? Dive into our curated selection of the best books for essay writing. These invaluable resources cover a wide range of topics and techniques to help you become a masterful essay writer.

  • The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White : A timeless classic that provides practical guidance on grammar, style, and composition.
  • On Writing Well by William Zinsser : Learn how to craft compelling essays with clarity and precision.
  • They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein : Master the art of engaging with academic sources and constructing persuasive arguments.
  • Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott : Gain insights on the creative process and overcome writer’s block.
  • Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg : Unleash your creativity and develop a daily writing practice to refine your skills.

Explore these essential books to enhance your essay writing abilities and stand out as a confident and articulate writer. Happy reading and happy writing!

Discover Top Writers

Looking to be inspired by some of the best writers in the world? Our collection of top writers includes renowned authors like J.K. Rowling, George Orwell, Jane Austen, and more. Dive into their works to explore different writing styles, techniques, and storytelling methods.

Find your favorite authors and study their essays to learn how they captivate readers with their words. Whether you’re a novice writer or seasoned professional, exploring the works of top writers can help enhance your own writing skills and ignite your creativity.

Discover the magic of storytelling through the eyes of these esteemed writers and unlock the secrets to crafting compelling essays. With the guidance of top writers, you’ll be able to elevate your writing to new heights and create essays that leave a lasting impact on your readers.

Enhance Your Skills

Are you looking to take your essay writing skills to the next level? Our selection of the best books for essay writing will help you enhance your writing techniques and improve your overall writing proficiency. Whether you are a student looking to boost your academic performance or a professional seeking to refine your communication skills, these books offer valuable insights and practical tips to help you become a more effective writer.

Develop Your Style: Discover how to develop a unique writing style that reflects your personality and engages your readers. Learn how to effectively use language, tone, and structure to make your writing stand out.

Master Essay Structures: Explore different essay structures and formats to enhance the organization and clarity of your writing. From persuasive essays to analytical pieces, these books provide guidelines to help you structure your arguments effectively.

Refine Your Research Skills: Improve your research skills and learn how to gather, analyze, and incorporate evidence into your essays. Enhance the credibility and depth of your writing by conducting thorough research and citing reputable sources.

Invest in your writing skills today with the best books for essay writing and see a significant improvement in your writing proficiency!

Master Your Techniques

Master Your Techniques

Enhance your essay writing skills with the best books curated just for you. Learn how to craft compelling introductions, develop strong arguments, and conclude with impact. These books will provide you with the tools and techniques you need to take your writing to the next level.

Explore different styles and approaches to essay writing, from analytical to persuasive, and discover how to adapt your voice to different audiences. With practical tips and exercises, these books will help you refine your writing process and express your ideas with clarity and confidence.

Whether you are a student looking to improve your academic writing or a professional seeking to enhance your communication skills, these recommended books will guide you on your journey to mastering the art of essay writing. Purchase your copy today and embark on a transformative learning experience!

Deep Dive into Essay Writing

Essay writing is an essential skill that can greatly enhance your academic and professional success. By mastering the art of essay writing, you can effectively communicate your ideas, opinions, and arguments in a clear and concise manner.

Here are some key tips to help you excel in essay writing:

Start by brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay flows logically.
Your thesis statement should clearly express the main point or argument of your essay. It sets the tone for the rest of your writing and guides your reader on what to expect.
Support your ideas with evidence from credible sources. This will strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.
Ensure that your essay is well-organized and easy to follow. Use clear and concise language, logical transitions, and proper paragraph structure.
Review your essay for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure your ideas are well-developed and coherent. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors for further improvement.

By implementing these strategies and practicing regularly, you can enhance your essay writing skills and become a more effective communicator. Explore the best books for essay writing to further refine your techniques and unlock your full potential.

Unlock Your Creativity

Unlock Your Creativity

Unleash your imagination and expand your creative horizons with the best books for essay writing. Dive into a world of inspiration and learn how to express your thoughts and ideas in new and innovative ways.

Discover the power of storytelling and the art of persuasion as you explore the depths of your creativity. With the guidance of expert writers and teachers, you will develop your unique voice and style that will set you apart from the rest.

  • Explore different writing techniques to enhance your essays
  • Learn how to structure your ideas effectively
  • Find inspiration in classic and contemporary works
  • Master the art of critical thinking and analysis

Whether you are a student looking to improve your academic writing or a professional seeking to enhance your communication skills, these books will help you unlock your creativity and become a more confident and persuasive writer.

Related Post

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

essay about paper books

100 Must-Read Essay Collections

' src=

Rebecca Hussey

Rebecca holds a PhD in English and is a professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. She teaches courses in composition, literature, and the arts. When she’s not reading or grading papers, she’s hanging out with her husband and son and/or riding her bike and/or buying books. She can't get enough of reading and writing about books, so she writes the bookish newsletter "Reading Indie," focusing on small press books and translations. Newsletter: Reading Indie Twitter: @ofbooksandbikes

View All posts by Rebecca Hussey

Notes Native Son cover

There’s something about a shiny new collection of essays that makes my heart beat a little faster. If you feel the same way, can we be friends? If not, might I suggest that perhaps you just haven’t found the right collection yet? I don’t expect everyone to love the thought of sitting down with a nice, juicy personal essay, but I also think the genre gets a bad rap because people associate it with the kind of thing they had to write in school.

Well, essays don’t have to be like the kind of thing you wrote in school. Essays can be anything, really. They can be personal, confessional, argumentative, informative, funny, sad, shocking, sexy, and all of the above. The best essayists can make any subject interesting. If I love an essayist, I’ll read whatever they write. I’ll follow their minds anywhere. Because that’s really what I want out of an essay — the sense that I’m spending time with an interesting mind. I want a companionable, challenging, smart, surprising voice in my head.

So below is my list, not of essay collections I think everybody “must read,” even if that’s what my title says, but collections I hope you will consider checking out if you want to.

1. Against Interpretation — Susan Sontag

2. Alibis: Essays on Elsewhere — André Aciman

3. American Romances — Rebecca Brown

4. Art & Ardor — Cynthia Ozick

5. The Art of the Personal Essay — anthology, edited by Phillip Lopate

6. Bad Feminist — Roxane Gay

7. The Best American Essays of the Century — anthology, edited by Joyce Carol Oates

8. The Best American Essays series — published every year, series edited by Robert Atwan

9. Book of Days — Emily Fox Gordon

Book cover of The Boys of My Youth by Jo Ann Beard

10. The Boys of My Youth — Jo Ann Beard

11. The Braindead Megaphone — George Saunders

12. Broken Republic: Three Essays — Arundhati Roy

13. Changing My Mind — Zadie Smith

14. A Collection of Essays — George Orwell

15. The Common Reader — Virginia Woolf

16. Consider the Lobster — David Foster Wallace

17. The Crack-up — F. Scott Fitzgerald

18. Discontent and its Civilizations — Mohsin Hamid

19. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely: An American Lyric — Claudia Rankine

20. Dreaming of Hitler — Daphne Merkin

21. Self-Reliance and Other Essays — Ralph Waldo Emerson

22. The Empathy Exams — Leslie Jameson

23. Essays After Eighty — Donald Hall

24. Essays in Idleness — Yoshida Kenko

Ex Libris cover

25. The Essays of Elia — Charles Lamb

26. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader — Anne Fadiman

27. A Field Guide to Getting Lost — Rebecca Solnit

28. Findings — Kathleen Jamie

29. The Fire Next Time — James Baldwin

30. The Folded Clock — Heidi Julavits

31. Forty-One False Starts — Janet Malcolm

32. How To Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America — Kiese Laymon

33. I Feel Bad About My Neck — Nora Ephron

34. I Just Lately Started Buying Wings — Kim Dana Kupperman

35. In Fact: The Best of Creative Nonfiction — anthology, edited by Lee Gutkind

36. In Praise of Shadows — Junichiro Tanizaki

37. In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens — Alice Walker

38. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? — Mindy Kaling

39. I Was Told There’d Be Cake — Sloane Crosley

40. Karaoke Culture — Dubravka Ugresic

41. Labyrinths — Jorge Luis Borges

42. Living, Thinking, Looking — Siri Hustvedt

43. Loitering — Charles D’Ambrosio

44. Lunch With a Bigot — Amitava Kumar

Book cover of Meaty by Samantha Irby

45. Madness, Rack, and Honey — Mary Ruefle

46. Magic Hours — Tom Bissell

47. Meatless Days — Sara Suleri

48. Meaty — Samantha Irby

49. Meditations from a Movable Chair — Andre Dubus

50. Memories of a Catholic Girlhood — Mary McCarthy

51. Me Talk Pretty One Day — David Sedaris

52. Multiply/Divide: On the American Real and Surreal — Wendy S. Walters

53. My 1980s and Other Essays — Wayne Koestenbaum

54. The Next American Essay, The Lost Origins of the Essay, and The Making of the American Essay — anthologies, edited by John D’Agata

55. The Norton Book of Personal Essays — anthology, edited by Joseph Epstein

56. Notes from No Man’s Land — Eula Biss

57. Notes of a Native Son — James Baldwin

58. Not That Kind of Girl — Lena Dunham

59. On Beauty and Being Just — Elaine Scarry

60. Once I Was Cool — Megan Stielstra

61. 100 Essays I Don’t Have Time to Write — Sarah Ruhl

62. On Kissing, Tickling, and Being Bored — Adam Phillips

63. On Lies, Secrets, and Silence — Adrienne Rich

64. The Opposite of Loneliness — Marina Keegan

65. Otherwise Known as the Human Condition — Geoff Dyer

66. Paris to the Moon — Adam Gopnik

67. Passions of the Mind — A.S. Byatt

68. The Pillow Book — Sei Shonagon

69. A Place to Live — Natalia Ginzburg

70. Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination — Toni Morrison

71. Pulphead — John Jeremiah Sullivan

72. Selected Essays — Michel de Montaigne

73. Shadow and Act — Ralph Ellison

74. Sidewalks — Valeria Luiselli

Slouching Towards Bethlehem

75. Sister Outsider — Audre Lorde

76. The Size of Thoughts — Nicholson Baker

77. Slouching Towards Bethlehem — Joan Didion

78. The Souls of Black Folk — W. E. B. Du Bois

79. The Story About the Story — anthology, edited by J.C. Hallman

80. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again — David Foster Wallace

81. Ten Years in the Tub — Nick Hornby

82. Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man — Henry Louis Gates

83. This Is Running for Your Life — Michelle Orange

84. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage — Ann Patchett

85. Tiny Beautiful Things — Cheryl Strayed

86. Tuxedo Junction: Essays on American Culture — Gerald Early

87. Twenty-eight Artists and Two Saints — Joan Acocella

88. The Unspeakable — Meghan Daum

89. Vermeer in Bosnia — Lawrence Weschler

90. The Wave in the Mind — Ursula K. Le Guin

91. We Need Silence to Find Out What We Think — Shirley Hazzard

92. We Should All Be Feminists — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi

93. What Are People For? — Wendell Berry

94. When I Was a Child I Read Books — Marilynne Robinson

95. The White Album — Joan Didion

96. White Girls — Hilton Als

97. The Woman Warrior — Maxine Hong Kinston

98. The Writing Life — Annie Dillard

99. Writing With Intent — Margaret Atwood

100. You Don’t Have to Like Me — Alida Nugent

If you have a favorite essay collection I’ve missed here, let me know in the comments!

essay about paper books

You Might Also Like

The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week

Essay on Books for Students and Children

Children's Books

500 Words Essay on Books

Books are referred to as a man’s best friend . They are very beneficial for mankind and have helped it evolve. There is a powerhouse of information and knowledge. Books offer us so many things without asking for anything in return. Books leave a deep impact on us and are responsible for uplifting our mood.

Essay on Books

This is why we suggest children read books from an early age to gain knowledge. The best part about books is that there are various types of books. One can read any type to gain different types of knowledge. Reading must be done by people of all ages. It not only widens our thinking but also enhances our vocabulary.

Different Genres of Books

There are different genres of books available for book readers. Every day, thousands of books are released in the market ranging from travel books to fictional books. We can pick any book of our interest to expand our knowledge and enjoy the reading experience.

Firstly, we have travel books, which tell us about the experience of various travelers. They introduce us to different places in the world without moving from our place. It gives us traveling tips which we can use in the future. Then, we have history books which state historical events. They teach about the eras and how people lived in times gone by.

Furthermore, we have technology books that teach us about technological developments and different equipment. You can also read fashion and lifestyle books to get up to date with the latest trends in the fashion industry.

Most importantly, there are self-help books and motivational books . These books help in the personality development of an individual. They inspire us to do well in life and also bring a positive change in ourselves. Finally, we have fictional books. They are based on the writer’s imagination and help us in enhancing our imagination too. They are very entertaining and keep us intrigued until the very end.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of Reading Books

There are not one but various advantages of reading books. To begin with, it improves our knowledge on a variety of subjects. Moreover, it makes us wiser. When we learn different things, we learn to deal with them differently too. Similarly, books also keep us entertained. They kill our boredom and give us great company when we are alone.

Furthermore, books help us to recognize our areas of interest. They also determine our career choice to a great extent. Most importantly, books improve our vocabulary . We learn new words from it and that widens our vocabulary. In addition, books boost our creativity. They help us discover a completely new side.

In other words, books make us more fluent in languages. They enhance our writing skills too. Plus, we become more confident after the knowledge of books. They help us in debating, public speaking , quizzes and more.

In short, books give us a newer perspective and gives us a deeper understanding of things. It impacts our personality positively as well. Thus, we see how books provide us with so many benefits. We should encourage everyone to read more books and useless phones.

FAQs on Books

Q.1 State the different genres of books.

A.1 Books come in different genres. Some of them are travel books, history books, technology books, fashion and lifestyle books, self-help books, motivational books, and fictional books.

Q.2 Why are books important?

A.2 Books are of great importance to mankind. They enhance our knowledge and vocabulary. They keep us entertained and also widen our perspective. This, in turn, makes us more confident and wise.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Download the App

Google Play

essay about paper books

  • Test Preparation
  • College & High School

Sorry, there was a problem.

Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Image Unavailable

The Complete College Essay Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Personal Statement and the Supplemental Essays

  • To view this video download Flash Player

essay about paper books

Follow the author

Brittany Maschal

The Complete College Essay Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Personal Statement and the Supplemental Essays Paperback – July 19, 2021

Want to write memorable college application essays in less time, with less stress? This book will guide you through the process, with hands-on activities, practical tips, and tons of real application essays—personal statements and supplemental essays—by real students!

Finally—the book you’ve been waiting for! The Complete College Essay Handbook demystifies the entire college essay writing process with easy-to-follow directions and hands-on activities that have worked for hundreds of students. Maschal, a former admissions officer, and Wood, a professional writer and writing teacher, draw on their combined expertise to help students craft a successful set of application essays for every school on their list. Supplemental essays in particular can seem overwhelming—some schools ask students to write as many as six essays in addition to the personal statement. Maschal and Wood identify four types of supplemental essays, walking students through how to write each one and then how to recycle these essays for other schools.

The Complete College Essay Handbook walks students through:

  • What makes an essay stand out, drawing on sample essays by real students to illustrate main points
  • Brainstorming activities to find the best topics for the personal statement and supplemental essays
  • How to write the two central components of every application essay: scene and reflection
  • Editing and revision—including techniques to cut down or expand an essay to hit the word limit
  • The four types of supplemental essays and how to decode the different essay prompts, using actual essay questions
  • The strategy behind a well-rounded set of application essays

The Complete College Essay Handbook is a no-frills, practical guide that will give students the confidence and know-how they need to craft the best essays for every single school on their list—in less time and with less stress.

This book is for students, high school teachers and counselors, parents, and anyone else who wants to help students through the college essay writing process.

  • Print length 212 pages
  • Language English
  • Publication date July 19, 2021
  • Dimensions 6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
  • ISBN-10 173731598X
  • ISBN-13 978-1737315988
  • See all details

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 1 (July 19, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 212 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 173731598X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737315988
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.48 x 9 inches
  • #247 in College Guides (Books)
  • #329 in College Entrance Test Guides (Books)

About the author

Brittany maschal.

Dr. Brittany Maschal is the founder of Brittany Maschal Consulting, LLC, an educational consulting firm that works with students applying to college and graduate school.

Brittany has held positions in admissions and student services at the University of Pennsylvania at Penn Law and The Wharton School; Princeton University (undergraduate) and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs; and the Johns Hopkins University-Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She has served on admissions committees with American Councils for International Education and International Research and Exchanges Board; as an invited speaker to numerous community programs in the US and abroad; and as an alumni interviewer and admissions representative for the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Brittany was also an Executive Board member and Membership Director of the Penn GSE Alumni Association.

Brittany received her doctorate in higher education from the George Washington University in 2012. Prior, she attended the University of Pennsylvania for her master’s, and the University of Vermont for her bachelor’s degree—a degree she obtained in three years. Brittany is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches.

Customer reviews

  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 74% 20% 0% 0% 6% 74%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 74% 20% 0% 0% 6% 20%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 74% 20% 0% 0% 6% 0%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 74% 20% 0% 0% 6% 0%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 74% 20% 0% 0% 6% 6%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the themes in the book comprehensive and personal. They also appreciate the writing style as clear, empathic, and gentle.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the themes in the book comprehensive, inspiring, and personal. They also say it's a gem of a book, chock full of real essays by real students. Customers also appreciate the brainstorming exercises and writing prompts.

"...was the emphasis on how students can find a meaningful and very personal story in seemingly small every day events, coupled with the very practical..." Read more

"...exercises, and writing prompts - all designed to be the perfect guided experience . It’s a gem of a book, chock full of real essays by real students!" Read more

"...This book really taught me how to write a concise, personal , meaningful college essay. So glad I found this book!" Read more

"...Not only does it help you write the common app essay , but it teaches you how to write a wide variety of supplemental essays which are just as..." Read more

Customers find the writing style clear, empathic, and gentle. They also say the book is chock full of real essays by real students.

"... It's written so clearly , and with great empathy and the right amount of gentle humor...." Read more

"...It’s a gem of a book, chock full of real essays by real students!" Read more

"... Love the clarity and concision too. I strongly recommend for students and teachers." Read more

"...The authors are very down to earth and give simple but important tips for writing a stand out essay...." Read more

Reviews with images

Customer Image

  • Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

essay about paper books

  • About Amazon
  • Investor Relations
  • Amazon Devices
  • Amazon Science
  • Sell products on Amazon
  • Sell on Amazon Business
  • Sell apps on Amazon
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Advertise Your Products
  • Self-Publish with Us
  • Host an Amazon Hub
  • › See More Make Money with Us
  • Amazon Business Card
  • Shop with Points
  • Reload Your Balance
  • Amazon Currency Converter
  • Amazon and COVID-19
  • Your Account
  • Your Orders
  • Shipping Rates & Policies
  • Returns & Replacements
  • Manage Your Content and Devices
 
 
 
   
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices

essay about paper books

  • Craft and Criticism
  • Fiction and Poetry
  • News and Culture
  • Lit Hub Radio
  • Reading Lists

essay about paper books

  • Literary Criticism
  • Craft and Advice
  • In Conversation
  • On Translation
  • Short Story
  • From the Novel
  • Bookstores and Libraries
  • Film and TV
  • Art and Photography
  • Freeman’s
  • The Virtual Book Channel
  • Behind the Mic
  • Beyond the Page
  • The Cosmic Library
  • The Critic and Her Publics
  • Emergence Magazine
  • Fiction/Non/Fiction
  • First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
  • The History of Literature
  • I’m a Writer But
  • Lit Century
  • Tor Presents: Voyage Into Genre
  • Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast
  • Write-minded
  • The Best of the Decade
  • Best Reviewed Books
  • BookMarks Daily Giveaway
  • The Daily Thrill
  • CrimeReads Daily Giveaway

essay about paper books

The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2022

Featuring bob dylan, elena ferrante, zora neale hurston, jhumpa lahiri, melissa febos, and more.

Book Marks logo

We’ve come to the end of another bountiful literary year, and for all of us review rabbits here at Book Marks, that can mean only one thing: basic math, and lots of it.

Yes, using reviews drawn from more than 150 publications, over the next two weeks we’ll be calculating and revealing the most critically-acclaimed books of 2022, in the categories of (deep breath): Fiction ; Nonfiction ; Memoir and Biography ; Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror ; Short Story Collections ; Essay Collections; Poetry; Mystery and Crime ; Graphic Literature ; and Literature in Translation .

Today’s installment: Essay Collections .

Brought to you by Book Marks , Lit Hub’s “Rotten Tomatoes for books.”

1. In the Margins: On the Pleasures of Reading and Writing  by Elena Ferrante (Europa)

12 Rave • 12 Positive • 4 Mixed

“The lucid, well-formed essays that make up In the Margins  are written in an equally captivating voice … Although a slim collection, there is more than enough meat here to nourish both the common reader and the Ferrante aficionado … Every essay here is a blend of deep thought, rigorous analysis and graceful prose. We occasionally get the odd glimpse of the author…but mainly the focus is on the nuts and bolts of writing and Ferrante’s practice of her craft. The essays are at their most rewarding when Ferrante discusses the origins of her books, in particular the celebrated Neapolitan Novels, and the multifaceted heroines that power them … These essays might not bring us any closer to finding out who Ferrante really is. Instead, though, they provide valuable insight into how she developed as a writer and how she works her magic.”

–Malcolm Forbes ( The Star Tribune )

2. Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri (Princeton University Press)

8 Rave • 14 Positive • 1 Mixed

“Lahiri mixes detailed explorations of craft with broader reflections on her own artistic life, as well as the ‘essential aesthetic and political mission’ of translation. She is excellent in all three modes—so excellent, in fact, that I, a translator myself, could barely read this book. I kept putting it aside, compelled by Lahiri’s writing to go sit at my desk and translate … One of Lahiri’s great gifts as an essayist is her ability to braid multiple ways of thinking together, often in startling ways … a reminder, no matter your relationship to translation, of how alive language itself can be. In her essays as in her fiction, Lahiri is a writer of great, quiet elegance; her sentences seem simple even when they’re complex. Their beauty and clarity alone would be enough to wake readers up. ‘Look,’ her essays seem to say: Look how much there is for us to wake up to.”

–Lily Meyer ( NPR )

3. The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan (Simon & Schuster)

10 Rave • 15 Positive • 7 Mixed • 4 Pan

“It is filled with songs and hyperbole and views on love and lust even darker than Blood on the Tracks … There are 66 songs discussed here … Only four are by women, which is ridiculous, but he never asked us … Nothing is proved, but everything is experienced—one really weird and brilliant person’s experience, someone who changed the world many times … Part of the pleasure of the book, even exceeding the delectable Chronicles: Volume One , is that you feel liberated from Being Bob Dylan. He’s not telling you what you got wrong about him. The prose is so vivid and fecund, it was useless to underline, because I just would have underlined the whole book. Dylan’s pulpy, noir imagination is not always for the squeamish. If your idea of art is affirmation of acceptable values, Bob Dylan doesn’t need you … The writing here is at turns vivid, hilarious, and will awaken you to songs you thought you knew … The prose brims everywhere you turn. It is almost disturbing. Bob Dylan got his Nobel and all the other accolades, and now he’s doing my job, and he’s so damn good at it.”

–David Yaffe ( AirMail )

4.  Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos (Catapult)

13 Rave • 2 Positive • 2 Mixed Read an excerpt from Body Work here

“In her new book, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative , memoirist Melissa Febos handily recuperates the art of writing the self from some of the most common biases against it: that the memoir is a lesser form than the novel. That trauma narratives should somehow be over—we’ve had our fill … Febos rejects these belittlements with eloquence … In its hybridity, this book formalizes one of Febos’s central tenets within it: that there is no disentangling craft from the personal, just as there is no disentangling the personal from the political. It’s a memoir of a life indelibly changed by literary practice and the rigorous integrity demanded of it …

Febos is an essayist of grace and terrific precision, her sentences meticulously sculpted, her paragraphs shapely and compressed … what’s fresh, of course, is Febos herself, remapping this terrain through her context, her life and writing, her unusual combinations of sources (William H. Gass meets Elissa Washuta, for example), her painstaking exactitude and unflappable sureness—and the new readers she will reach with all of this.”

–Megan Milks ( 4Columns )

5. You Don’t Know Us Negroes by Zora Neale Hurston (Amistad)

12 Rave • 3 Positive • 1 Mixed

“… a dazzling collection of her work … You Don’t Know Us Negroes reveals Hurston at the top of her game as an essayist, cultural critic, anthropologist and beat reporter … Hurston is, by turn, provocative, funny, bawdy, informative and outrageous … Hurston will make you laugh but also make you remember the bitter divide in Black America around performance, language, education and class … But the surprising page turner is at the back of the book, a compilation of Hurston’s coverage of the Ruby McCollom murder trial …

Some of Hurston’s writing is sensationalistic, to be sure, but it’s also a riveting take of gender and race relations at the time … Gates and West have put together a comprehensive collection that lets Hurston shine as a writer, a storyteller and an American iconoclast.”

–Lisa Page ( The Washington Post )

Strangers to Ourselves

6. Strangers to Ourselves: Unsettled Minds and the Stories That Make Us by Rachel Aviv (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

11 Rave • 4 Positive • 2 Mixed Listen to an interview with Rachel Aviv here

“… written with an astonishing amount of attention and care … Aviv’s triumphs in relating these journeys are many: her unerring narrative instinct, the breadth of context brought to each story, her meticulous reporting. Chief among these is her empathy, which never gives way to pity or sentimentality. She respects her subjects, and so centers their dignity without indulging in the geeky, condescending tone of fascination that can characterize psychologists’ accounts of their patients’ troubles. Though deeply curious about each subject, Aviv doesn’t treat them as anomalous or strange … Aviv’s daunted respect for uncertainty is what makes Strangers to Ourselves distinctive. She is hyperaware of just how sensitive the scale of the self can be.”

–Charlotte Shane ( Bookforum )

7. A Line in the World: A Year on the North Sea Coast by Dorthe Nors (Graywolf)

11 Rave • 1 Positive Read an excerpt from A Line in the World here

“Nors, known primarily as a fiction writer, here embarks on a languorous and evocative tour of her native Denmark … The dramas of the past are evoked not so much through individual characters as through their traces—buildings, ruins, shipwrecks—and this westerly Denmark is less the land of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and sleek Georg Jensen designs than a place of ancient landscapes steeped in myth … People aren’t wholly incidental to the narrative. Nors introduces us to a variety of colorful characters, and shares vivid memories of her family’s time in a cabin on the coast south of Thyborøn. But in a way that recalls the work of Barry Lopez, nature is at the heart of this beautiful book, framed in essay-like chapters, superbly translated by Caroline Waight.”

–Claire Messud ( Harper’s )

8. Raising Raffi: The First Five Years by Keith Gessen (Viking)

4 Rave • 10 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Raising Raffi here

“A wise, mild and enviably lucid book about a chaotic scene … Is it OK to out your kid like this? … Still, this memoir will seem like a better idea if, a few decades from now, Raffi is happy and healthy and can read it aloud to his own kids while chuckling at what a little miscreant he was … Gessen is a wily parser of children’s literature … He is just as good on parenting manuals … Raising Raffi offers glimpses of what it’s like to eke out literary lives at the intersection of the Trump and Biden administrations … Needing money for one’s children, throughout history, has made parents do desperate things — even write revealing parenthood memoirs … Gessen’s short book is absorbing not because it delivers answers … It’s absorbing because Gessen is a calm and observant writer…who raises, and struggles with, the right questions about himself and the world.”

–Dwight Garner ( The New York Times )

9. The Crane Wife by CJ Hauser (Doubleday)

8 Rave • 4 Positive • 2 Mixed • 1 Pan Watch an interview with CJ Hauser here

“17 brilliant pieces … This tumbling, in and out of love, structures the collection … Calling Hauser ‘honest’ and ‘vulnerable’ feels inadequate. She embraces and even celebrates her flaws, and she revels in being a provocateur … It is an irony that Hauser, a strong, smart, capable woman, relates to the crane wife’s contortions. She felt helpless in her own romantic relationship. I don’t have one female friend who has not felt some version of this, but putting it into words is risky … this collection is not about neat, happy endings. It’s a constant search for self-discovery … Much has been written on the themes Hauser excavates here, yet her perspective is singular, startlingly so. Many narratives still position finding the perfect match as a measure of whether we’ve led successful lives. The Crane Wife dispenses with that. For that reason, Hauser’s worldview feels fresh and even radical.”

–Hope Reese ( Oprah Daily )

10. How to Read Now by Elaine Castillo (Viking)

8 Rave • 2 Positive • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from How to Read Now here

“Elaine Castillo’s How to Read Now begins with a section called ‘Author’s Note, or a Virgo Clarifies Things.’ The title is a neat encapsulation of the book’s style: rigorous but still chatty, intellectual but not precious or academic about it … How to Read Now proceeds at a breakneck pace. Each of the book’s eight essays burns bright and hot from start to finish … How to Read Now is not for everybody, but if it is for you, it is clarifying and bracing. Castillo offers a full-throated critique of some of the literary world’s most insipid and self-serving ideas …

So how should we read now? Castillo offers suggestions but no resolution. She is less interested in capital-A Answers…and more excited by the opportunity to restore a multitude of voices and perspectives to the conversation … A book is nothing without a reader; this one is co-created by its recipients, re-created every time the page is turned anew. How to Read Now offers its audience the opportunity to look past the simplicity we’re all too often spoon-fed into order to restore ourselves to chaos and complexity—a way of seeing and reading that demands so much more of us but offers even more in return.”

–Zan Romanoff ( The Los Angeles Times )

Our System:

RAVE = 5 points • POSITIVE = 3 points • MIXED = 1 point • PAN = -5 points

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Book Marks

Previous Article

Next article, support lit hub..

Support Lit Hub

Join our community of readers.

to the Lithub Daily

Popular posts.

essay about paper books

Follow us on Twitter

essay about paper books

“I Didn’t Ask to Be Here.” Or: How Do We Find Value in This Life?

  • RSS - Posts

Literary Hub

Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature

Sign Up For Our Newsletters

How to Pitch Lit Hub

Advertisers: Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Support Lit Hub - Become A Member

Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books Matter

For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

essay about paper books

Become a member for as low as $5/month

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. 

Essay type Skills tested Example prompt
Has the rise of the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?
Explain how the invention of the printing press changed European society in the 15th century.
Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

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

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

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.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

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.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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 July 27, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-types/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

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

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books

one px

Essays on Books

A case study of "a million little pieces", treatment methods in addiction recovery in "a million little pieces", made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

The Thing Around Your Neck: Exploring Identity and Belonging

Amigo brothers: an argumentative sample, duality in "the life you save may be your own", what are the similarities between emily dickinson and edgar allan poe, let us write you an essay from scratch.

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Profound Meaning of The Scarlet Ibis as a Representation of Doodle

Transcendentalism vs romanticism, animal farm by george orwell summary sample, analysis of the seven commandments in animal farm, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Fall of The House of Usher: a Gloomy Tale of Psychological Decay

The scarlet ibis: a tale of love, pride, and redemption, the seven commandments of animal farm: a reflection of power and corruption, compare and contrast antigone and ismene, doodle's death analysis in "the scarlet ibis", the theme of death in antigone: the tragic consequences of loyalty, foreshadowing in "a good man is hard to find", conflict in "the yellow wallpaper" by charlotte perkins gilman, animal farm dystopia - why does george orwell's animal farm qualify as dystopian fiction, topics in this category.

  • The Right to Fail
  • Call of The Wild
  • Jasper Jones
  • The Swimmer
  • City of God
  • Ordinary People
  • The Jungle Book
  • Boys and Girls
  • Sense and Sensibility
  • The Martian
  • The Painted Door
  • Selfish Giant
  • Battle Royal
  • As I Lay Dying
  • The Drummer Boy of Shiloh
  • The Girls in Their Summer Dresses
  • Under The Influence
  • Just Walk on by
  • The Rattler
  • The Divine Comedy
  • The Flowers
  • Titus Andronicus
  • Angels in America
  • The Handmaid's Tale
  • Big Brother
  • Fast Food Nation
  • Fish Cheeks
  • Richard Iii
  • Nickel and Dimed
  • The Plastic Pink Flamingo: a Natural History
  • The World is Flat
  • Why Nations Fail
  • Infant Books
  • Pedagogy of The Oppressed
  • Greasy Lake
  • Thank You Ma Am
  • Survival in Auschwitz
  • Guns, Germs and Steel
  • Brave New World
  • Great Expectations
  • Things Fall Apart
  • Heart of Darkness
  • Of Mice and Men
  • Wuthering Heights
  • Frankenstein
  • Young Goodman Brown
  • Paradise Lost
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • A Tale of Two Cities
  • Animal Farm
  • Good Country People
  • Bartleby The Scrivener
  • The Red Badge of Courage
  • Macbeth Power
  • Slaughterhouse Five
  • A Worn Path
  • Ethan Frome
  • The Interlopers
  • Annabel Lee
  • Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
  • A Poison Tree
  • Blood Meridian
  • A Cup of Tea
  • A Jury of Her Peers
  • A White Heron
  • Looking for Alaska
  • Alone Together
  • America and I
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
  • Among The Hidden
  • Stone Angel
  • Parable of The Sower
  • Cry The Beloved Country
  • Boys in The Boat
  • Amigo Brothers
  • Cat in The Rain
  • Consider The Lobster
  • Desiree's Baby
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid
  • For Whom The Bell Tolls
  • Generals Die in Bed
  • How to Date a Browngirl Blackgirl Whitegirl Or Halfie
  • Interpreter of Maladies
  • Treasure Island
  • Kingdom of Matthias
  • Lamb to The Slaughter
  • Maniac Magee
  • Me Talk Pretty One Day
  • Montana 1948
  • No Longer At Ease
  • Out of This Furnace
  • The Hiding Place
  • Pudd Nhead Wilson
  • Raymonds Run
  • Rich Dad Poor Dad
  • Savage Inequalities
  • Sermon on The Mount
  • Silent Spring
  • The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
  • The Man Who Was Almost a Man
  • The Open Boat
  • The Red Pony
  • Touching The Void
  • Charlotte's Web
  • What They Fought For
  • Where The Red Fern Grows
  • White Like Me
  • Winnie The Pooh
  • War of The Worlds
  • Year of Wonders
  • The Scarlet Letter
  • The Great Gatsby
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The Crucible
  • Into The Wild
  • Hester Prynne
  • The Kite Runner
  • The Lottery
  • Fahrenheit 451
  • The Little Prince
  • Elizabeth Bennet
  • A Modest Proposal
  • A Christmas Carol
  • A Good Man Is Hard to Find
  • A Hunger Artist
  • A Lesson Before Dying
  • A Long Way Gone
  • A Man For All Seasons
  • A Million Little Pieces
  • A Passage to India
  • A Place to Stand
  • A Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man
  • A Prayer For Owen Meany
  • A Room of One's Own
  • A Rose For Emily
  • A Separate Peace
  • A Sound of Thunder
  • A Temporary Matter
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns
  • A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings
  • A Wall of Fire Rising
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • All My Sons
  • All Quiet on The Western Front
  • All Summer in a Day
  • Always Running
  • American Born Chinese
  • An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge
  • And Then There Were None
  • Angela's Ashes
  • Anna Karenina
  • Anne of Green Gables
  • Atlas Shrugged
  • Babylon Revisited
  • Barn Burning
  • Beauty and The Beast
  • Between The World and Me
  • Bhagavad Gita
  • Black Like Me
  • Bleak House
  • Burial Rites
  • Chronicle of a Death Foretold
  • Crime and Punishment
  • Da Vinci Code
  • Daisy Miller
  • Don Quixote
  • East of Eden
  • Ender's Game
  • Enduring Love
  • Enrique's Journey
  • Everyday Use
  • Fifth Business
  • Fifty Shades of Grey
  • Flowers For Algernon
  • Gone With The Wind
  • Gulliver's Travels
  • Harrison Bergeron
  • Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and The Sorcerer'S Stone
  • Hero's Journey
  • Hills Like White Elephants
  • House of The Scorpion
  • How It Feels to Be Colored Me
  • Howards End
  • I Am Legend
  • I Felt a Funeral in My Brain
  • I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
  • I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
  • In Cold Blood
  • In The Time of The Butterflies
  • Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl
  • Inside Out and Back Again
  • Into Thin Air
  • Invisible Man
  • Johnny Got His Gun
  • Kafka on The Shore
  • Lives of The Saints
  • Lord of The Flies
  • Love in The Time of Cholera
  • Madame Bovary
  • Mending Wall
  • Mere Christianity
  • Metamorphosis
  • Middlemarch
  • My Sister's Keeper
  • Nervous Conditions
  • Never Let Me Go
  • North and South
  • Nothing Gold Can Stay
  • Oliver Twist
  • On Seeing England For The First Time
  • One Hundred Years of Solitude
  • Pedro Paramo
  • Picking Cotton
  • Private Peaceful
  • Purple Hibiscus
  • Robinson Crusoe
  • Shooting An Elephant
  • Sister Carrie
  • Snow Falling on Cedars
  • So Long a Letter
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes
  • Song of Solomon
  • Sonny's Blues
  • Station Eleven
  • Still I Rise
  • Summer of My German Soldier
  • Superman and Me
  • The Adventure of The Speckled Band
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
  • The Alchemist
  • The Awakening
  • The Bell Jar
  • The Black Cat
  • The Bluest Eye
  • The Book Thief
  • The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
  • The Cask of Amontillado
  • The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
  • The Chrysalids
  • The Color Purple
  • The Death of Ivan Ilyich
  • The End of The Affair
  • The Fall of The House of Usher
  • The Fault in Our Stars
  • The Fire Next Time
  • The Glass Castle
  • The God of Small Things
  • The Haunting of Hill House
  • The House on Mango Street
  • The Killer Angels
  • The Lady With The Dog
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • The Martian Chronicles
  • The Masque of The Red Death
  • The Mayor of Casterbridge
  • The Minister's Black Veil
  • The Monkey'S Paw
  • The Most Dangerous Game
  • The Myth of Sisyphus
  • The Necklace
  • The Nightingale
  • The Notebook
  • The Old Man and The Sea
  • The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
  • The Outsiders
  • The Pardoner's Tale
  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower
  • The Pit and The Pendulum
  • The Poisonwood Bible
  • The Red Convertible
  • The Reluctant Fundamentalist
  • The Road Not Taken
  • The Scarlet Ibis
  • The Secret Life of Bees
  • The Snows of Kilimanjaro
  • The Sorrows of Young Werther
  • The Souls of Black Folk
  • The Sound and The Fury
  • The Stolen Party
  • The Story of An Hour
  • The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
  • The Stranger
  • The Sun Also Rises
  • The Thing Around Your Neck
  • The Things They Carried
  • The Time Machine
  • The Turn of The Screw
  • The White Tiger
  • The Woman Warrior
  • The Yellow Wallpaper
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God
  • This Is a Photograph of Me
  • Three Day Road
  • To An Athlete Dying Young
  • To Build a Fire
  • To His Coy Mistress
  • Tuesdays With Morrie
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin
  • Under The Feet of Jesus
  • War and Peace
  • We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
  • We Real Cool
  • What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
  • Who Moved My Cheese
  • Wide Sargasso Sea
  • Woman At Point Zero
  • Catcher in The Rye
  • Hamlet Revenge
  • Huckleberry Finn
  • Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass
  • Harry Potter
  • Grapes of Wrath
  • Wife of Bath
  • Death of a Salesman American Dream
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
  • Bless Me Ultima
  • Atticus Finch
  • A Farewell to Arms
  • I Stand Here Ironing
  • Man's Search For Meaning
  • The Great Gatsby Symbolism
  • Young Goodman Brown Symbolism
  • The Diary of Anne Frank
  • Grapes of Wrath Theme
  • Behind The Beautiful Forevers
  • Gimpel The Fool
  • Holden Caulfield
  • Rikki Tikki Tavi
  • The Hot Zone
  • The Tell Tale Heart
  • White Teeth
  • Wings of Fire
  • The Art of War
  • The Uncanny
  • The American Scholar
  • Female Masculinity
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Rip Van Winkle
  • Waiting For The Barbarians
  • Chris Mccandless
  • Fallen Angels
  • Vindication of The Rights of Women
  • The Singer Solution to World Poverty
  • The New Negro
  • Money and Class in America
  • Another Country
  • Absalom Absalom
  • All the Pretty Horses
  • Giovanni’s Room
  • House of Mirth
  • In Our Time
  • Le Morte d'Arthur
  • Light In August
  • Love Medicine
  • Mansfield Park
  • Mrs. Dalloway
  • Notes from Underground
  • One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
  • Oryx and Crake
  • Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
  • Return of the Native
  • Songs of Innocence and of Experience
  • Sons and Lovers
  • Tess of the D'Urbervilles
  • The Age of Innocence
  • The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
  • The Bloody Chamber
  • The Brothers Karamazov
  • The Canterbury Tales
  • The Crying of Lot 49
  • The Decameron
  • The Faerie Queene
  • The Fountainhead
  • The Garden Party
  • The Lais of Marie de France
  • The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
  • The Lord of the Rings
  • The Man Who Would Be King
  • The Waste Land
  • The Winter’s Tale
  • To the Lighthouse
  • White Noise
  • Winesburg Ohio
  • Mother Tongue
  • McDonaldization of Society
  • Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
  • The Other Wes Moore
  • The Namesake
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  • The Hate U Give
  • The Gift of the Magi
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
  • Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
  • Farewell to Manzanar
  • Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
  • A Child Called "It"
  • A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
  • Black Men And Public Space
  • Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
  • I Want a Wife
  • The Distance Between Us
  • All The Light We Cannot See
  • The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World
  • There Are No Children Here
  • When The Emperor Was Divine
  • Eleanor And Park
  • Silas Marner
  • Salvage the Bones
  • Touching Spirit Bear
  • Breath, Eyes, Memory
  • The Devil and Tom Walker
  • The Count of Monte Cristo
  • Saving Sourdi
  • How to Tame a Wild Tongue
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
  • Benito Cereno
  • Fire on the Mountain
  • Hillbilly Elegy
  • If Beale Street Could Talk
  • Little Women
  • A Pair Of Tickets
  • Woman Hollering Creek
  • Born a Crime
  • The Danish Girl
  • The Lab Girl
  • What of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?
  • The Marrow Thieves
  • Killers of the Flower Moon
  • One of Us Is Lying
  • House Taken Over
  • The Lady and The Tiger
  • The Seventh Man
  • A Little Life
  • My Shadow Is Purple
  • Soldier's Home
  • Indian Camp
  • Sweat by Zora Hurston
  • Warriors Don't Cry

Popular Categories

  • Greek Mythology
  • Literary Genres

clock-banner-side

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

essay about paper books

  • View on Facebook Page (Opens in a new tab)
  • View our Twitter Page (Opens in a new tab)
  • View our Instagram Page (Opens in a new tab)
  • View our Youtube Page (Opens in a new tab)

Ebooks or Paper Books: Your Best Arguments

With the advance of phones, tablets, and ereaders, ebooks have become a popular reading standard. Still, there's something about the feel of an old-fashioned paper book. We asked you which one is better and why, and here are some of the best arguments we heard.

There were a lot of great responses so let's see where you landed.

Ebooks are More Accessible

Ebooks can be read practically anywhere on anything, and MyklFuman points out how easy it is to have your library at hand for whenever there's some waiting to do:

I have a large screen phone (Galaxy S3) so I then always have my books with me. Waiting for the take away to be ready, I read a few pages. Waiting pretty much anywhere, I read. I have been doing so since the Palm Pilot Treo came out... Nice thing with Google books is I can read at my desk on the big monitor then pick up right where I left off on my cell, and visa versa.

CessTHEBest explains how location makes it hard to get certain books, so ebooks are by far the most accessible choice:

I LOVE paper books. But, living in Latin America, e-books have saved my life. The bookstores here have a very small English language selection, and I am just too lazy to read in Spanish. So, E-books have meant no postage, no heavy suitcases full of books, no waiting 4-5 weeks for books from amazon, or lost books.

And some had been dreaming of the accessibility that ebooks finally brought. TheLaughinKipper is one of them:

Ever since the eighties I had been dreaming of replacing those bulky, unwieldly stacks of paper with a thin, light slate that could contain all my library. It has rekindled (pun not intended) my passion for reading like you wouldn't believe.

dr_bombay agrees, and also cites the perks that come along with a lot of ebooks:

i can carry an entire library in my pocket; i can adjust type size, contrast, and color to my liking; i can look up unfamiliar words instantly with the built-in dictionary...

Different Situations Call for Different Things

Our own Whitson Gordon says ebooks all the way, but still makes a solid case for times when a paper book is ideal:

I'm an ebook guy through and through, but my fiancee has a pretty good argument for buying physical books—at least sometimes.
If you're going to the pool or the beach and want to bring a book, it's a lot easier to bring a physical book, since you can leave it alone (to go swimming or whatever) without worrying about it getting stolen. Can't do that with a $100 Kindle. You can also leave it in your car, in your backpack at school, etc.

Paper books are also necessary for certain things. TheRevanchrist mentions one particular situation—going to a book signing—and CaptainJack agrees:

You do have a point about the signed copy. My Wife and many of her author friends have had to resort to signing prints of covers for ebook fans. There really isn't a good way to deal with that without print copies being easily available.

Some of you were die hard paper book readers, but got nudged the other way because of your situation. Wittyname talks about how traveling changed everything:

I bought my Kindle saying that, at worst, I would just use it for flying home for Christmas when I didn't want to carry a bunch of books around but needed more than one to read for the flight and my time at home. But from there I've moved to almost exclusively reading on the Kindle.

It Depends on What You're Reading

Many of you buy certain types of ebooks, but still think paper is the way go for a lot of books. Our own Melanie Pinola has a couple of items on her list that help her determine which to buy:

For me, it depends on the book—how visual it is (graphic novels I like in paper format), whether I'm more likely to race through it (a good novel) or linger and bounce around (poetry), how big it is (I wish the gigantic Robert Moses book was in eBook form), and how well the text was translated to Kindle (I heard bad things about the Game of Thrones digital versions, so went with paper for that).

Sometimes you might not feel like sharing what you're reading with everyone around you. chancyrendezvous points out that ebooks can help prevent embarrassment or strange looks:

No one knows what I'm reading! I'm the Mikey of books, so when someone says, "Hey, CR, read this dinosaur erotica and tell me if it's as awful as it seems it would be," (surprisingly not) or "Someone has to read 50 Cent's book series and it's not going to be me," (it shouldn't be you either, even if the title is Thong on Fire ), I can read in public and no one gives me judgy eyebrows.

And SuperWittySmitty likes classic paper books, but just doesn't want to haul around War & Peace:

I have a Nook and have enjoyed using it- right now I am working my way through War & Peace and it's certainly easier to grab the Nook than carrying around the big fat book.

Some Prefer the Feel and Utility of Paper Books

I personally think the weight and feel of a paper book is hard to beat most of the time, and Charis agrees:

I am still a total paper book lover. It's just satisfying curling up with a book, the smell of the pages, the heft of the book. And there is the classic "Three B test" - bath, bus, bed.

Plus, chitheatergirl points out that it's easy to immediately see how far you really are in a book:

I was Switzerland in this discussion, but the ebook I was reading told me I was 84% finished with the book when the book ended. The remaining 16% was excerpts from the author's other books, an author interview, and a discussion guide. Paper books are far superior when it comes to letting you know your place in a book, and that's why I prefer them.

Others Think People are Just Being Nostalgic

I may be one of those weirdos that likes the smell of a book, but not everyone thinks the same way. DanYHKim is someone who does not think the same way:

People who love paper books will sometimes wax poetic about the unique smell of books. For me, that is the smell of dust mites and silverfish droppings.

Not everyone thinks the "feel" of a book is anything to write home about, either. Michael Bond sees paper books as nothing but a disadvantage:

I don't really get this... nothing about the "feel" of the book is an advantage to me. I used to read some big books, and having to balance that weight so that I don't have to crane my neck was a pain.

The Right Tool for the Right Job

When you boil it all down, you need the right type of book for the right job it seems, but everyone can at least agree that reading is definitely a job that's right. A good majority of you think there's a time and place for both ebooks and paper books. KnightTim isn't up for battle, just reading, despite what his name might suggest:

I'm going to have to say YES. I love them both, my wife and I have several bookshelves in our house and I would not get rid of my books. But I also have and love my kindle paperwhite.
So I think at this point my vote would be 55% e-book and 45% physical book. (I guess I'm not very good at the war part of this post...)

At the end of the day, James T Wood draws a comparison that I'm sure most of us can get on board with:

I think of the physical vs. electronic book as a both-and proposition.
I have both DVDs and a Netflix subscription.
I have both CDs and a Google Music subscription.
I have both physical books and ebooks.

Whatever you prefer to read on, it seems there's no better choice. As long as you get to read, that's a win.

  • Newsletters
  • Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

Gabfest Reads

Understanding the world through notebooks.

Roland Allen, author of  The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper  joins John Dickerson to talk about their shared favored pastime.

Listen & Subscribe

Choose your preferred player:

  • Apple Podcasts

Please enable javascript to get your Slate Plus feeds.

Get Your Slate Plus Podcast

If you can't access your feeds, please contact customer support.

Thanks! Check your phone for a link to finish setting up your feed.

Please enter a 10-digit phone number.

Listen on your phone: RECOMMENDED

Enter your phone number and we'll text you a link to set up the podcast in your app:

We'll only text you about setting up this podcast, no spam.

Listen on your computer:

Apple Podcasts will only work on MacOS operating systems since Catalina . We do not support Android apps on desktop at this time.

Listen on your device: RECOMMENDED

These links will only work if you're on the device you listen to podcasts on.

Set up manually:

How does this work?

We're sorry, but something went wrong while fetching your podcast feeds. Please contact us at [email protected] for help.

Episode Notes

John Dickerson talks with author Roland Allen about his new book,  The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper . They discuss the historical origins of notebooks, how to keep a notebook and their own personal journeys documenting their lives.

If you enjoyed this conversation, you’ll love an exploration into John Dickerson’s notebooks with his  podcast Navel Gazing . Season one is out now.

Tweet us your questions  @SlateGabfest  or email us at  [email protected] . (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

About the Show

John Dickerson is host of CBS News Prime Time With John Dickerson , co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest, host of the Whistlestop podcast, and author of The Hardest Job in the World .

comscore beacon

Kent State University logo

  • FlashLine Login
  • Phone Directory
  • Maps & Directions
  • About Us Overview
  • Organizational Chart
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Diversity Data
  • In The News
  • Photo Gallery
  • Employee Benefits Overview
  • Benefits Forms Library
  • Eligibility
  • Employee Discounts
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • New Hire Benefits Information
  • Optional Insurance Benefits
  • Prescription Coverage
  • Retirement & Separation
  • Engagement & Appreciation Overview
  • 20 Year Club
  • Employee Appreciation
  • Employee Resources Groups
  • Employee Wellness Programming
  • Faculty Staff News Now
  • Service Anniversaries
  • Equity Initiatives & Belonging Overview
  • Accessibility Matters at Kent State
  • Anti-Racism Efforts
  • Chosen Name & Pronouns
  • Climate Study
  • DEI Strategic Plan
  • Employee Accommodation Request
  • Flashes of DEI Podcast
  • Gender Neutral & Transgender Resources
  • Reimagining the Academy Conference
  • Report Discrimination or Harassment
  • Resources & Support
  • University Diversity Action Council (UDAC)
  • HR Services Overview
  • Academic Personnel (Faculty)
  • Collective Bargaining
  • Compensation/Pay
  • Compliance, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action (EOAA)
  • Employee & Labor Relations
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employment Verification
  • Flexible Work Arrangments
  • HR Records (Staff)
  • Leaves of Absense
  • Public Records Requests
  • Recognized Holidays
  • Telecommuting Work Arrangement
  • Tuition Waiver
  • University Policy Register
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Manager Toolkit Overview
  • Beyond Compliance Training
  • Department Reorganizations & Name Changes
  • Employee Assistance Program (Impact Solutions)
  • Employee/Labor Relations
  • Forms Library
  • Performance Evaluations
  • Recruiting/Hiring Tools
  • Strategic Hiring
  • Transitional Work Program
  • Workers Compensation
  • Training & Programming Overview
  • AAUW Work Smart
  • Center for Teaching & Learning
  • Diversity Education & Training Lab
  • Employee Training & Development
  • Equal Access Academy
  • Green Dot Training
  • IT Training
  • LinkedIn Learning

Professor Emeritus Presented With Book of Essays in His Honor

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • " class="social-sharing-google" title="Share on Google+"> Share on Google+
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Email

Recently, Professor Emeritus Steven R. Brown was presented with an advance copy of a book written in his honor, "Cultivating Q Methodology: Essays Honoring Steven R. Brown," during a surprise party at Bricco's Restaurant in downtown Kent. 

Authors from the U.S., Europe and New Zealand were in attendance, including Larry Baas, Bob Braswell, J. David Gillespie, Dennis Kinsey, Rob Logan, Susan Ramlo, Jim Rhoads, Dan Thomas and others. Brown's wife Casey, their daughters Robyn and Lexi, and close friends were also in attendance. Contributing authors not in attendance included Rachel Baker, James Good, Paul Stenner, Mike Stricklin, Job Van Exel, and Amanda Wolf.

A  brief video of the event  is available on YouTube.

Steven R. Brown is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science with a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He served in the Kent State Political Science Department from 1967 to 2011. After retiring, he taught as an adjunct instructor in the Research, Measurement and Statistics department in the School of Foundations, College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Brown also taught in the College of Education for 10 years, where he was involved in numerous dissertations.

Brown also holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Look for more information on the availability of "Cultivating Q Methodology: Essays Honoring Steven R. Brown" in the weeks to come.

Street Address

Mailing address.

  • 330-672-3000
  • [email protected]
  • DEI on Facebook
  • DEI on Twitter
  • Office of Global Education
  • Student Accessibility Services
  • Supplier Diversity
  • Kent State Kent Campus - linkedin
  • Kent State Kent Campus - snapchat
  • Kent State Kent Campus - pinterest
  • Kent State Kent Campus - facebook
  • Kent State Kent Campus - twitter
  • Kent State Kent Campus - youtube
  • Kent State Kent Campus - instagram
  • Accessibility
  • Annual Security Reports
  • Emergency Information
  • For Our Alumni
  • For the Media
  • Health Services
  • Jobs & Employment
  • Privacy Statement
  • HEERF CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Act Reporting and Disclosure
  • Website Feedback

Paperback Row

6 New Paperbacks to Read This Week

By Shreya Chattopadhyay July 19, 2024

  • Share full article

Shreya Chattopadhyay

Need something new to read? This week’s picks include a deep dive into the rise of Glossier, a speculative love story between a woman and a shark, a horror novel set during the war in Afghanistan and more.

Here are six paperbacks we recommend →

In the early aughts, the domestic life of the Wilcoxes, a Jewish family on the Upper West Side, was upended by a revelation and a tragic death. In 2018, Winter Wilcox demands that her father, mother and brother face one another at her wedding. The resulting dysfunction is a “richly imagined, reflexively neurotic and frequently quite dazzling” novel in which “the kids,” our reviewer writes, “are not all right.”

This edition of Meltzer’s best-selling deep dive into the popular makeup brand, from its start as the blog “Into the Gloss” to its billion-dollar valuation in 2019, has a new epilogue. Our reviewer found the book “dishy”: “I read it in a weekend.”

In a world where humans regularly mutate into animals, Lewis and Wren, a married couple, learn that Lewis will soon transform into a great white shark. Edan Lepucki called this speculative novel “much shaggier than its easy-to-imagine elevator pitch.” Wren’s “loss feels as vivid and painful as any marital tragedy,” she wrote in her review.

A psychologist who works with Alzheimer’s patients draws on her own experiences, the case studies of Oliver Sacks and world literature to take stock of the expectations and realities caregivers face while looking after loved ones with dementia disorders.

One day in 2010, Corporal Loyette and his U.S. Marine unit load cargo on and off helicopters on a base in Afghanistan. When an abandoned Soviet barracks beckons the bored troops, the encounters they have inside produce “the stark admissions of a mind bruised by war and its terrifying secrets,” our reviewer wrote, “encapsulated here by a classic horror device: the haunted house.”

A historian relays — “with precision, lucidity and, most of all, a heart inured to false hope,” according to our reviewer — the violent fallout from an August 1956 attempt by 12 Black students to enroll at the all-white Clinton High School in Clinton, Tenn.

Read more books news:

J.D. Vance onstage, waving, in front of a giant screen, American flats and a set mimicking the White House.

Advertisement

  • Live on Sky
  • Get Sky Sports
  • Sky Mobile App
  • Kick It Out
  • Black Lives Matter
  • British South Asians in Football

Transfer Centre

Kalvin Phillips has told Man City he wants permanent move away from club - Paper Talk

Plus: Man Utd close to signing Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui and could sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan again; Leicester City ponder bid for Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate; Celtic's Matt O'Riley "willing to wait" for Atalanta move; Liverpool reject £11.8m Marseille bid Wataru Endo

Monday 29 July 2024 08:00, UK

essay about paper books

The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday's newspapers...

EVENING STANDARD

Kalvin Phillips has told Manchester City he wants a permanent move away from the club.

Pep Guardiola Kalvin Phillips

Manchester United could look to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan again, according to reports

  • Transfer Centre LIVE! Calafiori, Smith Rowe, Duran latest
  • Olympics 2024, day three LIVE! Daley wins silver medal in diving
  • Man Utd favour new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than OT redevelopment
  • Hamilton's 'mixed feelings' at Belgian GP win after Russell 'heartbreak'
  • Man Utd transfer rumours: No plans to sign Toney
  • Papers: Phillips wants permanent move away from Man City
  • Man Utd's Mazraoui deal advancing as De Ligt talks remain open
  • Liverpool rumours: Reds reject Marseille bid for midfielder Endo
  • Russell's disqualification: How could Mercedes have got it wrong?
  • Arsenal transfers: Calafiori heading to USA to join Gunners squad
  • Latest News

Liverpool have rejected an £11.8m bid from French club Marseille for Japan midfielder Wataru Endo.

Liverpool's Wataru Endo during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, in Liverpool, England, Sunday March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Manchester United are edging closer to signing Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui if they can sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Stream Sky Sports on NOW

Download the Sky Sports app

  • In full: All the 2024/25 Premier League fixtures
  • Shop the new 2024/25 Premier League kits
  • Stream the Premier League with NOW | Get Sky Sports

Leicester City are weighing up a big-money offer for Celtic's Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate.

Reo Hatate celebrates after giving Celtic a second-half lead against St Mirren

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, continues to press motorsport's claims for Olympic inclusion.

Chelsea's latest young signing Renato Veiga says patience is needed amid their stumbling start to pre-season, with Saturday's 4-1 loss to Celtic sparking concern among some supporters.

Prince Cisse - the son of former Liverpool star Djibril Cisse - has signed a scholarship contract with the club.

Pep Guardiola claimed a proper preparation for Manchester City's latest title defence is impossible and expects to head into the campaign undercooked.

FIFA is in Paris - with president Gianni Infantino one of those under an umbrella on Friday night - to complete the formalities of the 2030 Spain, Portugal and Morocco World Cup bid.

DAILY MIRROR

Harvey Elliott believes Lee Carsley would be ready to step up and take the senior England job.

Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has admitted the £25m price tag put on his head is "majorly high" as he seeks to resolve his future at Anfield.

Liverpool will not be throwing their newest starlet Trey Nyoni straight into Premier League action - despite some sparkling pre-season performances.

Manchester United look ready to bring old boy Michael Appleton into their backroom staff. The 48-year-old was at United as a kid before moving to Preston, then becoming a manager.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Reddy on Hojlund Yoro

Tom Cannon will spark a three-club scrap if Leicester decide to let him go this summer. Sheffield United, West Brom and Stoke City are all eyeing a loan for Cannon.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Guy Porter, the former Leicester and England centre, has retired from all rugby at the age of 27 after suffering issues around concussion.

. THE ATHLETIC

Nick Pope claims he was never given an explanation for his England omission and is determined to reclaim a spot in the national squad.

Canada used a drone to monitor a Chile training session before their match at the men's Copa America last month.

Wolves winger Enso Gonzalez faces an extended period on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) injury during the men's football tournament at the Paris Olympics.

Christian Barmore, the standout defensive tackle who is one of the New England Patriots' best players, was diagnosed with blood clots over the weekend, the team announced in a statement.

THE GUARDIAN

Sport Canada is withholding funding relating to the country's women's football coach, Bev Priestman, and two other suspended team officials, calling the drone scandal that has engulfed the team a national embarrassment.

DAILY EXPRESS

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confessed 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli is his "first option" to fill the seat of Lewis Hamilton.

Slater F1

Federico Chiesa reportedly favours a transfer to Manchester United despite Arsenal commencing negotiations with Juventus.

DAILY RECORD

In-demand Matt O'Riley is reportedly "willing to wait" for a move to Atalanta with clubs across Europe chasing the Celtic midfielder.

Cyriel Dessers has shot down speculation he will be next to join the Rangers exodus.

Tanner Tessmann's agent Andrea D'Amico has conceded Venezia's asking price may scare off suitors amid interest from Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers admits Gustaf Lagerbielke is set for a Celtic exit in the summer window.

THE SCOTTISH SUN

Dundee are signing QPR left-back Ziyad Larkeche on a season-long loan.

Partick Thistle have been left stewing after a screenshot error by a Hampden administrator denied them the chance to make a late substitution against Motherwell in the League Cup.

Napoli will submit an improved £10m offer for Scotland star Billy Gilmour.

Win £2,000,000 with Super 6!

Win TWO MILLION POUNDS for free as Super 6 makes its return! Play for free.

IMAGES

  1. E-book vs. Paper Book: Advantages and Disadvantages

    essay about paper books

  2. E-Books vs. Paperback Books: Which is Better?

    essay about paper books

  3. Paper Books Are Better Than E-Books

    essay about paper books

  4. E-book vs. Paper Book: Advantages and Disadvantages

    essay about paper books

  5. Paper Books Vs. eBooks: Which Is Better?

    essay about paper books

  6. Essay EBooks

    essay about paper books

VIDEO

  1. (2024) EBOOKS and PAPER BOOKS

  2. Essay || Nibandh Ka Best Books ! UPSC / BPSC / UPPSC

  3. E-books and Paper books part-1| intro questions on E-books and Paper books-|Easy explanation|

  4. E-Book vs. Paper Book: Advantages and Disadvantages

  5. Paper Books, Ebooks, or Audiobooks: What’s the Best Reading Medium

  6. reading only e-books for a week to compare them to 'real books'

COMMENTS

  1. The 10 Best Essay Collections of the Decade ‹ Literary Hub

    Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass (2013) Of every essay in my relentlessly earmarked copy of Braiding Sweetgrass, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer's gorgeously rendered argument for why and how we should keep going, there's one that especially hits home: her account of professor-turned-forester Franz Dolp.When Dolp, several decades ago, revisited the farm that he had once shared with his ex ...

  2. 10 Best Books on Essay Writing (You Should Read Today)

    2. College Essay Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful College Admissions Essay - by Ethan Sawyer. Every year, millions of high-schoolers scramble to achieve above-average GPAs and score well on the SAT, or in some cases, the ACT, or both.They also have to write a 650-word essay and find their way to their dream college. If you're one of them, then make sure you read ...

  3. The Best Books to Improve Your Essay Writing Skills

    Unlock Success with a Comprehensive Business Research Paper Example Guide Unlock Your Writing Potential with Writers College - Transform Your Passion into Profession! "Unlocking the Secrets of Academic Success - Navigating the World of Research Papers in College" Master the Art of Sociological Expression - Elevate Your Writing Skills in Sociology Unlock Your Academic Success with ...

  4. College Essay Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful

    The #1 resource for writing an amazing college essay to help get into your dream school! Unlock the key to college admission success with College Essay Essentials, a comprehensive and invaluable resource designed to empower students in their essay-writing journey.Packed with expert guidance and practical tips, this must-have book is tailored specifically for high school seniors, transfer ...

  5. 100 Must-Read Essay Collections

    Well, essays don't have to be like the kind of thing you wrote in school. Essays can be anything, really. They can be personal, confessional, argumentative, informative, funny, sad, shocking, sexy, and all of the above.

  6. Essay on Books for Students and Children

    500 Words Essay on Books. Books are referred to as a man's best friend.They are very beneficial for mankind and have helped it evolve. There is a powerhouse of information and knowledge.

  7. #1 Amazon Best Seller: College Essay Essentials by Ethan Sawyer

    WHAT Other PEOPLE ARE SAYING. IT'S THE REASON WE GOT ACCEPTED SINCE OUR TEST SCORES WEREN'T THE BEST. | ★★★★★ -"I'm writing to you to thank you, specifically for your book, College Essay Essentials. My twin brother and I were just accepted to Dartmouth College Class of 2022 and it wouldn't have been possible without your help.

  8. Start Writing With These 10 Best College Essay Books

    Writing a personal statement for your college applications can be intimidating. In addition to the usual anxiety about choosing a good topic and writing a strong essay, crafting a personal statement that can help you stand out among other applicants can feel like a huge undertaking.. One way to get started is to pick up a book or two about writing the best college application essay.

  9. Essays Books

    An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author.

  10. A Professor's Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better

    This isn't a typical book on writing essays. First, it's for college students, graduate students, and even high school students - good writing is good writing; all that changes is the length and complexity of what you write.

  11. Are paper books really disappearing?

    When Peter James published his novel Host on two floppy disks in 1993, he was ill-prepared for the "venomous backlash" that would follow. Journalists and fellow writers berated and condemned ...

  12. The Complete College Essay Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing

    The Complete College Essay Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Personal Statement and the Supplemental Essays [Maschal, Brittany, Wood, Emma] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Complete College Essay Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Personal Statement and the Supplemental Essays

  13. PDF PAPER BOOKS AND E-BOOKS: COMPARE AND CONTRAST

    PAPER BOOKS AND E-BOOKS: COMPARE AND CONTRAST 28 June 2017 Despite the growing concerns that mass media and digital technologies decrease the time spent on reading, people all over the

  14. 20 Best Essay Writing Books of All Time

    The 20 best essay writing books recommended by Emma Watson, Roxane Gay, Chely Wright, Jon Krakauer, Mike Birbiglia and others.

  15. The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2021 ‹ Literary Hub

    -Alex Witchel (The New York Times Book Review). 2. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion (Knopf) 14 Rave • 12 Positive • 6 Mixed Read an excerpt from Let Me Tell You What I Mean here "In five decades' worth of essays, reportage and criticism, Didion has documented the charade implicit in how things are, in a first-person, observational style that is not sacrosanct but common ...

  16. The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay

    Essay writing process. The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay.. For example, if you've been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you'll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay, on the ...

  17. The Best Reviewed Essay Collections of 2022 ‹ Literary Hub

    -David Yaffe (). 4. Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos (Catapult) 13 Rave • 2 Positive • 2 Mixed Read an excerpt from Body Work here "In her new book, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, memoirist Melissa Febos handily recuperates the art of writing the self from some of the most common biases against it: that the memoir is a lesser form ...

  18. College Essay Guy

    College Essay Guy - Personal statement and college essay tips, guides, resources, consulting, and webinars for students, parents and counselors.

  19. The Four Main Types of Essay

    Argumentative 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.

  20. College Essays, Research Papers, Book Reports

    Access the most sought-after list of precisely written and well-researched essays, papers, and book reports. With IPL's gargantuan trove of essay samples and topics for reference, you're sure to come up with a coherent, detailed, and nuanced piece for college.

  21. Essays on Books. Examples of Research Paper Topics, Favorite Book

    Books are arguably the greatest invention made by humans. The appearance of the first books goes back thousands of years ago. Its evolution to thee-books of today have come a long way from clay tablets, scrolls, bamboo manuscripts and papyrus texts, by means of the later novelty of printing, and recent invention of typewriters and reading tablets.

  22. Ebooks or Paper Books: Your Best Arguments

    With the advance of phones, tablets, and ereaders, ebooks have become a popular reading standard. Still, there's something about the feel of an old-fa

  23. Books: Why keeping a notebook can change your life. Plus, the history

    Roland Allen, author of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper joins John Dickerson to talk about their shared favored pastime. If you can't access your feeds, please contact customer ...

  24. FirstCry set to file final papers for $3-3.5 billion IPO

    112089201. Strong anchor book. There will also be an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 54 million shares. The Premji Invest and SoftBank-backed startup was valued at $2.8 billion in its last private funding ...

  25. Book Review: The Queerness of Childhood: Essays From the Other Side of

    Alternatively, you can explore our Disciplines Hubs, including: Journal portfolios in each of our subject areas. Links to Books and Digital Library content from across Sage.

  26. Professor Emeritus Presented With Book of Essays in His Honor

    Recently, Professor Emeritus Steven R. Brown was presented with an advance copy of a book written in his honor, "Cultivating Q Methodology: Essays Honoring Steven R. Brown," during a surprise party at Bricco's Restaurant in downtown Kent.

  27. 20 Best-Selling Essay Writing Books of All Time

    A list of the best-selling essay writing books of all time, such as I Want a Dog, Essay Writing and College Essay Essentials.

  28. 6 New Paperbacks to Read This Week

    100 Best Books of the 21st Century: As voted on by 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics and other book lovers — with a little help from the staff of The New York Times Book Review ...

  29. Why don't straight men read novels?

    Generally speaking, reading is an indulgence that women permit themselves more than men. In 2022, Deloitte predicted boys and men would continue to spend less time reading books and read them less frequently than women and girls. They were right: in 2023, women made up 80 per cent of the book-buying market in the UK, US, and Canada, and accounted for 65 per cent of all fiction purchases in the ...

  30. Liverpool reject £11.8m Marseille bid for midfielder and Japan captain

    Liverpool reject £11.8m Marseille bid for midfielder and Japan captain Wataru Endo - Paper Talk. Plus: Man Utd close to signing Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui and could sign Sofyan Amrabat on ...