Essay vs. Composition: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on December 25, 2023
An essay is a structured, argumentative piece of writing, while a composition is a broader term for any written work including essays, poems, and stories.
Key Differences
An essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an argument or narrative based on evidence, analysis, and interpretation. Composition encompasses a wider range of writing forms, including essays, but also stories, poems, and reports.
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Dec 25, 2023
Essays are typically structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. They are often used in academic settings. A composition can take various forms and structures, not limited to the conventional introduction-body-conclusion format.
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Dec 25, 2023
The purpose of an essay is often to explore a specific topic, present an argument, and provide evidence to support it. Compositions can serve a variety of purposes such as storytelling, personal expression, or information dissemination.
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Dec 25, 2023
Essays require critical thinking and are typically more formal, using a formal tone and style. Compositions can be formal or informal, depending on their purpose and audience.
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Dec 25, 2023
In essays, the writer's voice and viewpoint are prominent, aiming to persuade or inform the reader. In composition, the focus can be more on artistic expression, narrative technique, or descriptive language.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Structured, argumentative writing
Broad term for any written work
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Purpose
Argumentation, exploration of a topic
Diverse, including storytelling, expression
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Essay and Composition Definitions
Essay
An essay can be a personal reflection or opinion piece.
His personal essay on his hiking experience was very moving.
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Composition
In academic settings, compositions include essays and reports.
The student submitted a well-written composition on environmental policy.
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Essay
An academic essay includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
She structured her essay on Shakespearean comedy effectively.
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Composition
Composition involves the arrangement of words and ideas.
Good composition skills are essential for clear communication.
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Essay
An essay is a short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Her essay on climate change won the school competition.
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Composition
Composition can also refer to musical or artistic creation.
His latest composition was performed by the city orchestra.
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Essay
A short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.
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Essay
A testing or trial of the value or nature of a thing
An essay of the students' capabilities.
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Essay
(authorship) A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
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Composition
A work of music, literature, or art, or its structure or organization.
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Composition
(Law) A settlement whereby the creditors of a debtor about to enter bankruptcy agree, in return for some financial consideration, usually proffered immediately, to the discharge of their respective claims on receipt of payment which is in a lesser amount than that actually owed on the claim.
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Essay
An effort made, or exertion of body or mind, for the performance of anything; a trial; attempt; as, to make an essay to benefit a friend.
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Essay
A composition treating of any particular subject; - usually shorter and less methodical than a formal, finished treatise; as, an essay on the life and writings of Homer; an essay on fossils, or on commerce.
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Essay
To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or trial of; to try.
What marvel if I thus essay to sing?
Essaying nothing she can not perform.
A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should essay the impossible.
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Composition
(obsolete) An agreement or treaty used to settle differences; later especially, an agreement to stop hostilities; a truce.
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Composition
(obsolete) A payment of money in order to clear a liability or obligation; a settling or fine.
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Composition
A payment of fine in order to settle a (usually minor) criminal charge.
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Essay
Make an effort or attempt;
He tried to shake off his fears
The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
The police attempted to stop the thief
He sought to improve himself
She always seeks to do good in the world
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Composition
(legal) an agreement or compromise by which a creditor or group of creditors accepts partial payment from a debtor.
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Essay
Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to;
This approach has been tried with good results
Test this recipe
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Essay
Essays are often used to present an argument or viewpoint.
His essay argued for the need for renewable energy sources.
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Composition
(linguistics) The formation of compound words from separate words.
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Essay
Essays require research and analysis of a topic.
The student's essay on World War II was well-researched.
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Composition
(physics) The compounding of two velocities or forces into a single equivalent velocity or force.
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Composition
(object-oriented programming) Way to combine simple objects or data types into more complex ones.
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Composition
The act or art of composing, or forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts, or ingredients.
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Composition
The state of being put together or composed; conjunction; combination; adjustment.
View them in composition with other things.
The elementary composition of bodies.
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Composition
A mass or body formed by combining two or more substances; as, a chemical composition.
A composition that looks . . . like marble.
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Composition
A literary, musical, or artistic production, especially one showing study and care in arrangement; - often used of an elementary essay or translation done as an educational exercise.
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
Consistency; accord; congruity.
There is no composition in these newsThat gives them credit.
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Composition
Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy; also, the terms or conditions of settlement; agreement.
Thus we are agreed:I crave our composition may be written.
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
The adjustment of a debt, or avoidance of an obligation, by some form of compensation agreed on between the parties; also, the sum or amount of compensation agreed upon in the adjustment.
Compositions for not taking the order of knighthood.
Cleared by composition with their creditors.
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
Synthesis as opposed to analysis.
The investigation of difficult things by the method of analysis ought ever to precede the method of composition.
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
The spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole;
Harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art
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Composition
A musical work that has been created;
The composition is written in four movements
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Composition
The act of creating written works;
Writing was a form of therapy for him
It was a matter of disputed authorship
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
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Dec 13, 2023
Composition
Something that is created by arranging several things to form a unified whole;
He envied the composition of their faculty
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Composition
Composition refers to the act of writing or the piece of writing itself.
The music teacher assigned a composition exercise for homework.
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Composition
Composition can include creative writing like poetry or stories.
Her short story composition won the local writing contest.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does composition mean in writing?
Any written work or the act of creating written work.
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Dec 25, 2023
Are all essays formal?
Most academic essays are, but personal essays can be less formal.
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How long is a typical essay?
Varies, but often 500-2000 words in academic contexts.
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Dec 25, 2023
What's the difference in tone between essays and compositions?
Essays are often more formal; compositions vary in tone.
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Dec 25, 2023
Are research papers considered essays?
Yes, they are a type of academic essay.
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Dec 25, 2023
What is an essay?
A written piece presenting an argument or viewpoint on a topic.
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Dec 25, 2023
What skills are important for composition writing?
Organizational, grammatical, and creative skills.
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Dec 25, 2023
Can an essay be part of a composition assignment?
Yes, it can be one form of composition.
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Dec 25, 2023
What makes a good essay introduction?
Clarity, a hook, and a thesis statement.
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Dec 25, 2023
What's the role of evidence in essays?
To support arguments and provide credibility.
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Dec 25, 2023
Do essays have to be argumentative?
Most have a viewpoint, but not all are argumentative.
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Dec 25, 2023
Is journaling a form of composition?
Yes, it's a personal, reflective composition.
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Dec 25, 2023
Are compositions always lengthy?
No, they can range from a few words to many pages.
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Dec 25, 2023
How important is the conclusion in an essay?
Very; it summarizes and restates the main points.
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Dec 25, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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