Types of Papers

Papers (and the assignments that ask you to write them) come in many, many types, from the research paper to the paper on ethical leadership to the compare-and-contrast assignment to the policy memo to the thesis. Knowing what type of paper you're being asked to write is crucial to producing a successful paper, so make sure you ask your professor when you have questions.

For assistance with understanding assignments and prompts, consider a GWC drop-in appointment, available on a first-come, first-served basis, Monday–Friday, 1300–1400—or watch our "Understanding Paper Types and Prompts" video.

For more information, see the following resources:

Types of papers links:

• Web page: "Specific Writing Assignments or Contexts," UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center
• Handout: "Comparing and Contrasting," UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center
• Video (2:33): "Comparing and Contrasting,"  UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center
• Web page: "How to Write a Comparative Analysis," Harvard University Writing Center