An essay is a type of what:

A. personal nonfiction.

B. technical material.

C. figurative language.

D. fictional short story.

An essay is a type of B. technical material. Essays are used for many purposes, but most look to present the author's own argument. Essays are not a personal nonfiction, but their definition overlaps with that of an article, pamphlet or short story. Essays may either be formal or informal and are not a type of figurative language, which includes similies and metaphors.