Types of Papers: Essential Insights for Students and Researchers

High School

• Length: 1-5 pages
• Word Count: 250-1,250 words

College (Undergraduate)

• Length: 2-6 pages
• Word Count: 500-1,500 words

University (Bachelor’s Degree)

• Length: 3-7+ pages (for research papers, theses, and other types of works)
• Word Count: 750-1,750+ words

Master’s Degree (Program)

• Length: 4-8+ pages (for theses, dissertations, or other types of works)
• Word Count: 1,000-2,000+ words

Ph.D. (Doctoral Degree)

• Length: 8-20+ pages (for dissertations)
• Word Count: 2,000-5,000+ words

Lengthy Types of Research Papers

A first one is usually associated with a lengthy essay structure that uses sources and is correctly formatted. For example, the 8 types of research papers include analytical, argumentative, expository, experimental, survey, case study, comparative, and descriptive compositions (Bailey, 2022). In writing, these compositions are usually seen in high schools, early college years, and sometimes in higher educational facilities that use this type of work instead of a regular essay. However, in such work, students are mostly asked to search the web for a potential answer to specific questions, learn how to take a side in discussions, how to present a personal position on a specific subject, and more.

Hence, a standard research paper is the most common type of writing that students deal with, and sometimes such a composition is even called an “essay” anyway because it is too common. For example, the different types of research papers include analytical, argumentative, expository, experimental, survey, case study, comparative, and descriptive papers, each serving unique purposes in an entire writing process (Heard, 2022). However, students usually do not know how to classify this type of paper and choose to write a standard essay to describe their topics because the main task here is to use outside sources and write a plagiarism-free composition that answers a specific question using those materials. 

Serious Types of Research Papers or Dissertations

A second one is a serious research work that is associated with an expanded research paper, which can be in a form of a long dissertation. For example, such a type of document includes an abstract, outline, introduction, literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion, recommendations, limitations, conclusion, references, and appendix sections (Bailey, 2022). In writing, an experimental research paper reports on an investigation that tests a hypothesis through controlled experiments, detailing the methodology, data collected, results, and conclusions drawn from the findings. On the other hand, an analytical research paper examines a topic or issue by breaking a chosen subject down into its components, providing a detailed analysis of various aspects, and drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning.

Characteristics

A literature review type of work represents an entire evaluation of the information researched, particularly for a current investigation. For example, such evaluation relies on summary and interpretation of information (Heard, 2022). Additionally, a description of scientific works should give background information about a topic chosen and present a synthesis of the information in a chosen body of knowledge. However, a literature review might also talk about a specific period in history or might cover specific gaps, topics, and subjects, among other purposes of its writing.

Style

A literature review summarizes and synthesizes central arguments and ideas of others without adding new contributions. However, this type of work is organized around ideas, not academic sources themselves. Finally, it is not like an annotated bibliography would be organized.

Structure

Usually, a literature review is a part of a research paper, but it can be in a separate essay form. For example, literature reviews are written occasionally in the humanities but mostly in the sciences and social sciences (Bailey, 2022). In experiment and lab types of reports, they constitute a section of an entire paper. Furthermore, an overall structure of a literature review might vary from case to case because this type of work might be a simple summary of sources, represent a synthesis and additional research on an entire interpretation of literature, or be a part of a huge report.

However, when not a part of a research paper, such a section has an introduction, body, and conclusion. For example, an introduction is a quick recap of an overall theme of a paper that ends up with a thesis statement (Heard, 2022). A body of a literature review represents an entire discussion of sources in a chronological or thematic manner, while methodological patterns are also seen in some cases. Finally, conclusions and recommendations usually represent a direct answer to a “so what” question of why a literature review was conducted, whether a researcher achieved what was needed, and whether a researcher fulfilled expectations or not (Bailey, 2022). In turn, a conclusion must provide a recap of a literature review and restate a thesis.

Characteristics

Creativity is a must because such type of work expresses something of importance and highlights specific aspects that influence one’s perception of reality or life in general.

Style

Narratives follow a first-person use and may include an appeal to reader’s emotions.

Characteristics

A descriptive paper paints a picture with words. Basically, such a composition might describe a place, an object, a person, an experience or something else and communicate a deeper meaning through a description. On the other hand, readers must have a clear impression of what a person describes.

Style

People need to use colorful words and sensory details and appeal to reader’s emotions and senses. This type of work also uses vivid language (tempestuous instead of violent, miserly instead of cheap).

Characteristics

An expository type of paper represents facts and auhtor’s explanation/definition of a short theme, idea or issue. It is also classified as informative writing.

Style

This type of paper is based on evidence and facts and never on personal feelings. For example, a definition paper explains a specific meaning of a chosen term or concept by providing a clear and concise description, often supported by examples, context, and analysis to enhance understanding. It represents concise points (Mentan, 2022). In writing, such a composition does not wander from a topic. Hence, students should never write in a first-person language or reveal personal emotions in this work.

Characteristics

The main goal is to do everything it takes to convince a reader of an author’s point of view, using facts and logic, examples, expert opinion, and sound reasoning. In turn, an author should represent all sides of an argument. However, such a type of paper must be able to communicate clearly why a certain position is right.

Style

In an argumentative type of essay, students are arguing for their opinion as opposed to others. In a persuasive essay, they are directly trying to persuade someone to adopt their point of view. Moreover, a good transition between paragraphs is important to make ideas clear (Mentan, 2022). In writing, people never overuse personal pronouns, even if it is not a mistake to use them here. As a result, they always try to remain impersonal in their writing.

Characteristics

These types of papers are usually referred to as application essays for students to an educational facility of choice. For example, such papers must include a generic autobiographical statement that usually portrays important information about a candidate (Mentan, 2022). However, life experiences, goals, and everything that makes a student special have to be identified in an essay. Additionally, a student, through an essay, speaks to a committee. By demonstrating specific skills and abilities that he or she might present to their community, it is for a student to win their attention and make sure they realize that he or she is the best candidate for a position of choice.

Students must identify a specific scope of interest, a background of how he or she got to it, and why an entire application to this education facility will accomplish a dream of a person to develop in this particular area of investigation. Finally, prospects might be mentioned at the end of such an application essay as it might be important for a committee to see if students want to pursue their path further or will stop by accomplishing a minor goal.

Style

Personal types of papers must capture a reader’s (committee’s) attention and show how an applicant stands out from other masses. In writing, a particular use of a first-person language will be a matter of choice in such an essay. Additionally, an author can appeal to a reader’s emotions, and that might be the best way to accomplish a dream of a successful application to a chosen university. Hence, such an application essay must be concise, honest, individual, coherent, accurate, vivid, and smart.

Characteristics

This type of essay represents a person’s thoughts and opinions about something (movie, book, incident). It should be mostly about personal insights and observations.

Style

Such work uses a first-person language, own words, and explains how a person exactly perceive things.

Characteristics

A book or movie review represents an entire plot and its details and, at the same time, attract people’s attention to an item.

Style

These types of papers can provide personal points of view. Basically, a central task is not to prove something but to do a reasoned book/movie review, giving causes for reflections.

Characteristics

An annotated bibliography is usually all about an entire list of sources with a summary and evaluation of each source, and such type of work is used for researching a topic. Depending on a chosen project, this type of work may contain one or more of the following: summary, assessment, comparison, and reflection (Bailey, 2022). Hence, a summary of a source includes main ideas, arguments, and key points. Additionally, an assessment relies on an overall evaluation of usefulness. In comparison with other sources, it also deals with a reliability of information and its objectiveness. However, reflection is all about how sources fit into a research project.

Style

These types of papers are usually written in a third-person langauge. However, a first-person language might be used in writing for evaluation-based annotations. As a result, author’s ideas have to be properly acknowledged, while an overall review has to be based on author’s implications and terms.

Characteristics

An article summary is a brief representation of main ideas of an observed source. Hence, this type of work identifies a source of an original text. Moreover, an entire writing always demonstrates an understanding of a text’s subject matter and focuses exclusively on a presentation of author’s main ideas. Finally, a summary never includes any interpretations or opinions.

Style

A summary type of writing is neutral, without any personal opinion, ideas, illustrations, metaphors, or interpretation. Besides, summaries are normally written in people’s own words. As a result, they do not contain extended quotes or paraphrases, and they rely on a particular use of standard signal phrases that include but are not limited to “The author believes … ,” “according to the author … ,”  and many more.

Characteristics

Any review relies on both a summary and an evaluation of some articles, artworks, events, or videos. Firstly, students must summarize their subjects. Secondly, the important information, claims, and points have to be highlighted. Moreover, any type of review discusses some positive aspects of the information presented (Heard, 2022). Then, students have to think about what an author does well. However, within an essay, they have to identify contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies in an observed subject. Finally, it is important to state how well an author defends his or her viewpoints, evaluating if there is enough data to say that. In turn, a review may highlight any gaps and limitations of a specific piece under analysis.

Style

During a writing process, it is important to remain impersonal and critical in any type of review. As a result, personal reflection is allowed.

Characteristics

A rhetorical analysis provides an overview of strategies an author uses to achieve his or her purpose of writing a piece. For example, a primary purpose may be different, which is: to inform, persuade, or criticize (Mentan, 2022). However, an entire analysis has to clearly understand a target audience. Further on, rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos, or kairos), style (diction or tone), and other literary strategies must be explained and discussed in an essay of this type. On the other hand, students have to identify whether author’s strategies are successfully applied. In turn, a rhetorical analysis might talk about rhetorical fallacies and possible biases.

Style

A rhetorical type of analysis incorporates strong verbs, such as praises, implies, lists, denigrates,  defines, admonishes, contrasts, trivializes, warns, expounds, supports, and establishes among others) instead of weak verbs (tells, explains, states, says, or shows, for example).

Characteristics

A memo type of paper is an internal business letter used to communicate in an organization. Basically, such a text is often written in a business setting and aims for a specific purpose. Moreover, memos are written to inform colleagues and employees of specific facts that concern everyone within a given organization.

Style

An entire writing has to be concise, formal, thorough, and clear.