What is a profile essay?

A profile essay is a type of writing that describes an idea, person or place. Profile or expository essays are a type of academic writing.

Profile essays teach writers to investigate and describe or explain a subject. Investigation involves researching or interviewing a subject. Next, the writer organizes her research into a paper that includes an introduction, three to four body paragraphs and a conclusion.

An introduction gives the thesis or main topic of the paper. Body paragraphs provide supporting evidence for the thesis statement. Finally, the conclusion summarizes the paper. The conclusion ties information presented in the body with the thesis statement.