Which type of literary work provides a brief examination of a subject, expressing a personal viewpoint?

The correct answer is an essay because essays are designed to present a writer's personal viewpoint on a particular subject. In an essay, the author explores a topic in a concise manner, organizing their thoughts and arguments in a way that allows them to express their opinion effectively. This form of writing typically includes an introduction that outlines the main argument, body paragraphs that develop the argument with supporting details, and a conclusion that summarizes the insights presented.

While articles and reviews also convey viewpoints, they usually do so in different formats and with different purposes. Articles often aim to inform or report on a subject rather than to explore the writer's personal thoughts in depth. Reviews focus specifically on evaluating and critiquing works such as books, movies, or performances, rather than examining a broader subject. Stories, on the other hand, primarily aim to entertain or convey a narrative rather than comment on a specific topic from a personal perspective. Therefore, the essay stands out as the most appropriate choice for providing a brief examination of a subject while expressing personal viewpoints.