The practice of writing, irrespective of language, is fundamental to the cerebral development of any individual. It helps us to sort, establish, and clarify ideas and opens up a chance for dialogue to flow.
It also helps one to think critically about the material they are reading and question the ideas and the information laid out to them.
Two major and most popular types of composition writing, or journaling as some might call it, are essay writing and blogs.
Essay writing has been around, for perhaps centuries now, especially as a part of academia; young pupils are required to write an essay on any given topic as an exercise.
Blogs, however, are a bit modern and can be called a subtype of journaling. With the rise of technology, blogging has become a career path for many individuals.
Key Takeaways
- A blog is a type of online publication that is informal, conversational, and written in the first person. At the same time, an essay is formal writing that is structured, analytical, and written in the third person.
- A blog is shorter than an essay. It may contain multimedia content such as images, videos, and links, while an essay is longer and focuses on a single topic or argument.
- A blog is written for a specific audience. It may be updated frequently, while an essay is written for a broader audience and needs to be updated once published.
Blog vs Essay
A blog is a more informal platform for sharing personal experiences, reflections, and commentary on various topics, featuring multimedia content such as images and videos. An essay is a formal piece of writing that presents a clear and concise argument supported by evidence and research.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Blog | Essay |
|---|---|---|
| What is it | Writing incorporated humour, sarcasm, and pictures. | A block of text to convey information. |
| Audience | It is targeted at the masses. | Generally used by professionals to convey their messages well-structured and well-versed. |
| Style of writing | Informal, personal. | Formal, academically sound. |
| Mostly used by | Anyone can write a blog. | Anyone can write an essay too, but it should be fact-checked as it is mostly fact and information-based. |
| Purpose | It can be both for entertainment and pass on information. | It is used to pass on any information on a certain topic. |
What is a Blog?
A blog is more hands-on and personal writing. Furthermore, it is informal in tone, like a conversation with an old friend.
It is more than just writing; one can incorporate images, GIFS, and even humour, or an overall sarcastic tone is enjoyed and applauded.
Blogging started as more of an online diary or journal maintained and shared by people with their close ones; however, now though it is still personal to some, it is also a business tool to many.
Especially with the rise of affordable internet and better technology, the average person gets on the internet to look for an old recipe or review about anything under the sky than going through a book.
So blogs come in all shapes and sizes about fashion, education, politics, cooking, fitness, literally anything one can think of. There probably is a blogger out there sharing their experience.
There are many ways to create a perfect blog, the most common being finding an interesting and on-trend topic and making it relatable to the people.
Given the circumstances when people are more connected through technology than in person, sharing personal and funny anecdotes will be way better than all the information on a given topic.
What is an Essay?
An essay is more about getting out ideas and information to the public from a professional point of view. It is on a single topic, well-structured, formal, and grammatically correct.
For students, however, essay writing is about developing critical thinking and expressing ideas about certain things.
An essay consists of three parts: the introduction, which is basically about introducing the reader to your ideas; the body, which is the major portion of it; and finally, the conclusion, to show how the suggested idea is developed through the body.
The four most common types of essays include expository essays, which include explaining or describing issues; descriptive essays, which, as the name suggests, are more about describing a certain topic, its aspects and characteristics; and argumentative essays, which are structured much like a debate.
Main Differences Between Blog and Essay
- The first and foremost difference is the purpose they serve; an essay is more about passing on information or ideas, while a blog is more about an experience of an individual, and in general, a blog is more about entertainment than serious business.
- A blogging forum has a designated area for feedback from the reader/audience. The blogger takes suggestions from the readers about what they want to know about or just questions in general. There is no such feedback format in essay writing.
- The topics for a blog are not strict; there are no rules where the writer cannot deviate from the main point. A Food blogger may talk about education or the latest technology, but there is no such relaxation while dealing with a topic in an essay.
- The overall structure of an essay consists of the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. At the same time, a blog consists of text, images, GIFs, etc.
- Blogs can be used for business purposes, promotional or otherwise, while an essay is more academic writing.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/lic3.12012
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jcal.1211
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Which is better for online visibility – a blog or an essay? Does SEO favor one over the other?
Blogs are generally more SEO-friendly due to their frequent updates and use of keywords. Essays may require additional optimization efforts.
When it comes to conveying information, do you think essays are more educational, while blogs are more informal?
That’s a good point. Essays are associated with formal education, while blogs have a more accessible, informal tone.
Are blogs more flexible in terms of structure compared to essays?
Definitely! Blogs allow for a flexible and adaptable structure. You can experiment with different formats, like lists or narratives.
Do you think a blog allows for more personal expression compared to an essay?
Absolutely! Blogs encourage a personal voice, sharing experiences and opinions. Essays may be more formal, focusing on analysis and evidence.
I’m wondering about the ideal length for each. Blogs seem shorter, but can they convey the depth found in essays?
While blogs are shorter, they can still convey depth through well-crafted content. Essays, however, provide a platform for more in-depth exploration.
In terms of writing style, do you find blogs to be more engaging than essays?
Blogs are more conversational, making them engaging for a broader audience. Essays, on the other hand, may be more structured and formal.
What do you think is more effective in communicating ideas – a blog or an essay? Does it depend on the audience?
I believe blogs are more casual and suited for a wider audience, while essays are more formal and targeted. It depends on the message and who you’re reaching.