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Expository writing is a rhetorical mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to

inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to ‘expose’
information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. A
well-written exposition remains focused on its topic and listing events in chronological order.
Examples of this type of writing are cooking instructions, driving directions and instructions on
performing a task. Key words such as first, after, next, then and last usually signal sequential writing.
Personal pronouns may be used in such writing, if needed.

Contents

• 1 Types of expository writing


o 1.1 Sequence
o 1.2 Descriptive essay
o 1.3 Classification
o 1.4 Comparison
o 1.5 Cause and effect

This structure is also known as the appropriate ‘process or collection’ and is a form of expository
writing that is used if the author intends to inform his or her readers by listing the order of steps in a
process or listing events in chronological order. Examples of this type of writing are cooking
instructions, driving directions, and instructions on performing a task.

Descriptive essay

A descriptive essay is a type of expository writing that enables the reader to feel whatever you are
describing. One should write using all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. One should
also think about what makes the place you are describing important. Where are all the other objects
compared to the one you are describing? What do you want the reader to feel? Is your essay descriptive
enough to allow the reader to create a mental image in their mind? What does the setting remind you
of? Also you have to explain to the reader what you're writing about.

Classification

Classification is an organizational strategy in which authors arrange groups of objects or ideas


according to a common topic in detail. Placing different objects or ideas in categories is a type of
classification.

Comparison

Comparative text shows how two or more subjects are similar or contrasting. This type of structure is
often used in determining which is the better of two or more choices.

Cause and effect

Cause and effect writing identifies the reason for something occurring and lists what occurs because of
that reason. This is also known as analysis.

Or depicts a 'causal chain'. Several events (causes) leading up to another event. (effect)
Types of expository writing.

• Cause and Effect: shows the relationship between one and another.
• Compare and Contrast: compares the relevant similarities and differences between two
people, places, or objects. Compare and contrast essays can have a point-by-point or subject
by subject organization
• Descriptive: depicts the attributes of a person, place, or object.
• Process Narration: explains how an event unfolds using time or space sequencing
• Problem and Solution: describes a problem and relays potential solutions

Ideally, you should provide students with expository essay models. If your language arts textbook does
not provide such examples, you might use the grade appropriate examples from The Write Source.

Finally, explain to students that a thesis is a one-sentence unifying idea that guides any expository
essay. Help students to find thesis examples in the essay examples you have provided.

THE ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE EXPOSITORY WRITING

1. Quality of Content 7. Sentence Variety

2. Clarity of Thesis 8. Tone

3. Organization 9. Emphasis and Rhythm

4. Development 10. Grammar and Sentence Clarity

5. Unity and Coherence 11. Punctuation and Mechanics

6. Word Choice 12. Reader Adaptation

1. Quality of Content

The purpose of expository writing is to explain something, that is, to provide readers with

information worth knowing and thinking about. Thus, the phrase "quality of content" refers
to

the significance of the writer's topic, the depth of the writer’s knowledge and analysis of the

topic,* and the appropriateness of the writer’s discussion and treatment of the topic.

*Depth of analysis is also the main feature of strong development.

2. Clarity of Thesis

A thesis concisely states the central point of the essay. It is often called the controlling idea
or main idea because every subsequent part of the essay should support it. The thesis

usually appears in an essay's opening paragraphs so that the reader will know exactly what

point the essay will discuss. Often, professional writers state their topic and direction in the

introduction but reveal the full thesis as the essay progresses.

3. Organization

(1) Introductory Paragraph with Thesis Statement

Introductory paragraphs attempt to arouse reader interest by providing background

information on the topic, stressing the significance of the topic, or presenting one or more

startling facts. Introductory paragraphs should lead logically to the thesis, which usually

appears at the end of the introductory paragraph or paragraphs, though not always.

(2) Middle (Supporting) Paragraphs

Each middle paragraph has its own main point and supporting sentences that support

that point. Often the main point can be found in a topic sentence, which may appear

anywhere in the paragraph or be implied. Of course, all middle paragraphs must

ultimately support the essay’s thesis.

(3) Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph of an essay may draw a conclusion, make a prediction,

provide a summary, or use a combination of these strategies. 4.Development

A well-developed essay demonstrates depth of analysis and discussion. It includes a


sufficient

number of representative and accurate facts, examples, details, and explanations to


convince

readers that the thesis is significant and worth their consideration. The reasoning must be
clear,

logical, and free of error (no important information or assumptions are left out; compared
things

are comparable; generalizations are qualified and based on sufficient evidence).

5. Unity and Coherence

Unity: All sentences in a paragraph must relate to and support the point of the paragraph; all

paragraphs in an essay must relate to and support the thesis of the essay. Irrelevant
material disrupts the reader’s attention.

Coherence:

When paragraphs and essays have coherence, readers can easily understand the
relationship

between the ideas in one sentence and those in the next and between the ideas in one paragraph

and those in the next. In order to achieve coherence, writers should always place their

sentences and paragraphs in a logical order. In addition, writers should provide smooth

transitions between two sentences or paragraphs in one or both of the following ways: (1) by

using connective words and expressions, such as in addition to or in contrast and (2) by

repeating or referring to key words, phrases , events, or ideas that have already been

introduced.

6. Word Choice

Writers should choose words that are consistent with standard English usage and

appropriate for the context . They should also be sure that the words they choose convey the

meaning intended. Slang, clichés, vague words (nice, fine) and the overuse of any one term

should not appear in the writing.

7. Sentence Variety

Writers who use the same length and type of sentence to express each thought miss two

vital points: variety helps convey meaning and increases reader interest. In the paragraph

below, the writer uses a variety of sentence lengths and types to convey an important

message.

The best students are not always those who memorize every fact in their school books,

score well on multiple-choice tests, and raise their hands during every lecture to pin down each

definition. The best students are thinkers. These are the students who grasp the larger picture,

filling in details as they relate to the whole. They look for connections, differences, patterns,

and analogies among ideas. They ask about causes and effects, never consider any answer

complete or final, and never stop wondering. The best students combine logic and imagination

to propose, test, and refine ideas; they are constantly revising their picture of the world. The
best students understand that learning how to think is the most important thing to know.8. Tone

The tone of an essay conveys the writer's attitude toward the subject and the audience. The
tone

may be enthusiastic, optimistic, humorous, friendly, matter-of-fact, serious, sincere, concerned,

impassioned, cynical, pessimistic, or hostile, to name just a few possibilities. Tone results from
the

combined effect of word choice, sentence style, imagery, emphasis, and rhythm. It is
important for

writers to be aware of their tone because tone is often a deciding factor in how well
their ideas are

received.

9. Emphasis and Rhythm

Emphasis Writers emphasize their most important ideas by developing them well . They also

use the three rules below to their advantage.

1. The sentence or paragraph that contrasts most in length or structure usually receives

more emphasis than surrounding sentences or paragraphs.

2. When Ideas are arranged in climactic (ascending) order, the resulting contrast

underscores the importance of the final point. Notice the difference in the following two

sentences:

a. The hurricane ravaged the beaches, destroyed hundreds of homes, and took at least

fifty lives.

b. The hurricane took at least fifty lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and ravaged the

beaches.

3. Independent clauses receive more stress than dependent clauses. Notice the shift in

emphasis in the two sentences that follow.

a. The supporting actors, who seldom get the recognition or pay they deserve, received

excellent reviews from the critics.

b. The supporting actors, who received excellent reviews from the critics, seldom get

the recognition or pay they deserve.


Rhythm: A rhythmic essay reads smoothly. Its pace may vary from quick to slow, but at all
times

the writing should flow gracefully. In addition to strong coherence and appropriate
emphasis,

other factors that interact to produce a pleasing rhythm are variations in word and
sentence

length, variations in sentence structure, and parallelism.

Parallelism refers to the use of similar constructions to express equal or closely related
ideas.

Here are two examples:

The author is clear, creative, and enthusiastic.

Writing well involves understanding the audience, knowing the subject, and working

hard to bring the two together.

A Final Note: An essay should have a pleasing rhythm because readers are more likely to

respond favorably to a clearly written, rhythmic essay than to one whose sentences are
choppy

and whose thoughts seem disconnected.10.Grammar and Sentence Clarity

Grammatical errors, illogical constructions, and choppy sentences make writing difficult to

read and, therefore, unconvincing. During the revision process, writers should attempt to

make the intended meaning of each sentence clear by experimenting with a variety of

sentence structures until the best structure by which to express each idea is found. During

the proofreading process writers should look carefully for all of the errors listed below.

Beginning writers should look for only one or two of these errors at a time, a task
which

unquestionably takes patience but which must be done if the writer is a serious student
and

wants his or her work to be effective.

a. Sentence Fragments

b. Run-Together Sentences (Comma Splices and Fused Sentences)

c. Subject-Verb/Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Errors


d. Incorrect Verb Forms

e. Pronoun Usage Errors

f. Adjective and Adverb Errors

g. Lack of Sentence Variety

h. Wordiness

I. Awkward or Confusing Constructions

j. Parallelism Errors

k. Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

l. Omitted Words

11. Punctuation and Mechanics

The use of proper punctuation is important not because it reflects the writer’s sophistication,

but because it serves as a guide to the reader by conveying intended meaning. A period, for

example, tells a reader that a thought has been completed. Similarly, a semicolon (;) indicates

that two thoughts are closely related, and a colon (:) tells the reader that an explanation of the

previous thought is to follow. Commas are especially important in keeping thoughts from

becoming confusing. Notice the difference between the two following statements:

a. After everyone sang the song that won first place in the contest was announced.

b. After everyone sang, the song that won first place in the contest was announced.

Proofreading for correct punctuation and mechanics should include the items listed below.

Punctuation Mechanics

a. The Comma a. Capitalization

b. The Semicolon b. Abbreviations

c. The Colon c. Numbers

d. The Apostrophe d. Italics (Underlining)

e. Quotation Marks e. Spelling

f. The Dash, Parentheses, f. The Hyphen

Brackets, Ellipsis Marks g. Manuscript Form


12. Reader Adaptation

If a paper is well adapted to the reader, it provides all needed information and states that

information in a clear, convincing manner that is appropriate for the intended audience.

All too often beginning writers insist that what they have written is perfectly clear, not

realizing that they possess much more knowledge about what they intended to say than

their readers do. Remember this rule:

All good writers learn to look at their work from the reader’s point of view.

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