What is the Difference Between Essay and Composition?

The main difference between an essay and a composition lies in their definitions and the scope of their meanings.

• Essay: An essay is a relatively short piece of writing on a particular topic. It is a specific type of composition that focuses on presenting and supporting an argument or discussing a particular topic. Essays can be categorized into various types, such as narrative, descriptive, persuasive, argumentative, and expository.
• Composition: A composition is a broader term that encompasses various forms of written expression. It refers to any creative work, including short stories, poems, essays, research papers, and pieces of music. Compositions can also include other forms beyond writing, such as plays, musical scores, and paintings.

In summary, while an essay is a specific type of composition that presents and supports an argument or discusses a topic, a composition is a more general term that covers a wider range of creative works in various forms.

Comparative Table: Essay vs Composition

Here is a table comparing the differences between an essay and a composition:

An essay is a self-expressive piece of writing where an author expresses their judgments on a topic. Essays typically follow a structured format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. They can have a formal or informal tone depending on the topic. Essays usually focus on a specific topic and are shorter in length.

On the other hand, a composition refers to any form of writing. The structure and format of a composition can vary depending on the writing format. Compositions can be formal or informal, and they can take various forms, including plays, short stories, musical scores, and more. Unlike essays, compositions are not limited to prose and can include other forms of writing.