As an expert in the field of linguistics and composition, I'm often asked to clarify the distinction between an essay and a composition. The delineation between these two forms of writing is nuanced and can be approached from various perspectives, including structure, purpose, and style. Let's delve into the details to understand the subtleties that set them apart.
Step 1: English Explanation
### Structure
Essays are typically structured around a central argument or thesis. They follow a clear and logical progression of ideas, often beginning with an introduction that presents the thesis statement, followed by a body where various points are discussed to support, refute, or qualify the thesis, and concluding with a summary that reinforces the argument's validity.

Compositions, on the other hand, can encompass a wide range of structures. They are not necessarily bound by the need to present a singular argument. Compositions may include narratives, descriptive passages, or a mix of styles, and they can be more fluid in their organization, focusing on the development of characters, settings, or themes rather than a central argument.

### Purpose
The purpose of an essay is often to analyze, critique, or explain a particular topic. Essays are used in academic settings to assess a student's understanding of a subject and their ability to synthesize information from various sources. They are also common in professional and public discourse, where they serve to inform, persuade, or provide commentary on current issues.

Compositions serve a broader array of purposes. They can be creative expressions, such as poetry or short stories, or they can be more functional, like a piece of journalism or a blog post. The goal of a composition is not always to persuade or inform but can also be to entertain, evoke emotion, or create an aesthetic experience.

### Style
In terms of style, essays are characterized by their formal tone and objective language. They employ a structured and disciplined approach to language, with a focus on clarity and precision. Essays often use evidence and citations to support their claims and maintain a level of detachment to ensure objectivity.

Compositions can vary widely in style. They may be written in a formal tone, similar to essays, but they can also be informal, conversational, or highly stylized. The language in compositions can be more varied and expressive, with a greater emphasis on figurative language, imagery, and personal voice. The style is often tailored to the piece's content and the intended audience.

### Examples
To further illustrate the differences, consider the following examples:

- An essay on the impact of social media on society would present a thesis and systematically explore the topic through various arguments, supported by evidence and citations from academic research.

- A composition could be a short story that explores the same theme but does so through the experiences of a character, using narrative techniques, dialogue, and descriptive language to engage the reader emotionally.

### Conclusion
In summary, while both essays and compositions are forms of written expression, they are distinguished by their structure, purpose, and style. Essays are more rigid in their approach, focusing on a central argument and adhering to a formal, analytical style. Compositions offer more flexibility, allowing for a range of structures and styles that can serve various creative and communicative goals.

**read more >>

This is the main difference between essay and composition. Composition is the way in which any given language is used and applied in the formation of a literary piece such as poetry, prose, drama, short story, novel and free verse to mention a few. Each one of the forms mentioned above is a kind of composition.read more >>