essayistic
1
7.5
- adjective
- /ˌɛseɪˈɪstɪk/
- Literature
- He described it as "simplistic, poor, weak, literary, and essayistic," and its characters as being flat.
- more essayistic
Examples
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Many contemporary writers utilize an essayistic style to blend personal reflection with rigorous argumentation.
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I reread Oakeshott's essay the same day I read Cynthia Haven's post about Notting Hill Editions, a new English publishing venture devoted to the best in essayistic nonfiction writing.
Blog text (24) -
These novels are quite essayistic, for sure.
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In this regard, her writing is more theatrical than essayistic.
Academic text (2003) -
As someone who reads academic texts daily, I've realized I really prefer the more essayistic style.
Blog text (28) -
Mrai is, as Roth and Robert Musil were before him, what might be called an essayistic novelist.
Academic text (2009) -
The journal came out quarterly and consisted of unsigned essayistic book reviews, arranged in no predetermined thematic order.
Academic text (1996) -
For all its essayistic charms, interesting observations, and arresting sentences, it fails to offer a sustained, coherent engagement with its own central concept.
Academic text (2016) -
His new book features an essayistic approach that explores complex themes in a relatable manner.
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The author's essayistic tone invites readers to ponder deep questions while enjoying a narrative format.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Essayistic comes from essay, which comes from the old French word essai meaning 'attempt'. An essay was originally a short 'attempt' to explore an idea, so essayistic describes a personal, exploring style of writing that feels like trying out ideas.