Whether you are here to be a better writer or to figure out how to start your latest expository writing essay assignment, you have come to the right place. This guide will be your reliable narrator through the process. From understanding to producing, remember: knowledge is key.
What is Expository Writing?
Expository writing is a type of informative writing that presents facts and information. It expounds and explains a theory or idea systematically and in detail. This kind of writing aims to provide knowledge.
There are four types of writing: expository, narrative, descriptive, and argumentative. Narrative writing tells a story. Descriptive writing aims to capture the details of an event or experience. Argumentative writing attempts to persuade readers to consider an alternative point of view.
The main difference between expository and argumentative writing is intent. Writers include more opinion in argumentative pieces, actively trying to sway readers to their perspective. Informative pieces remain a factual and unbiased presentation of information. While this information could persuade someone, that is not the intent.
Informative writing is commonly found throughout everyday, ordinary life. Textbooks, newspapers, manuals, guides, reports, cookbooks – any piece of writing that presents unbiased information fits the description. The goal is to inform and explain by presenting facts.
Types of Expository Writing
Informative writing can be subdivided depending on the subject matter and content. From encyclopedia articles to wikiHow entries- there are a variety of informative texts out there. How a writer presents that information will determine its type:
Cause and Effect
Why did something happen, and what impact did it have? Whether factual or hypothetical, reasoning should be supported and validated with information. An example is a blog that details the effects of using a new shampoo or face cream with before and after photos.
Compare and Contrast
How are two (or more) things alike, and how are they different? This format creates a comprehensive overview of a topic. An article covering the advantages and disadvantages of buying or leasing a new vehicle is an example of informative compare and contrast writing.
Problem and Solution
What is the issue, and how can it be fixed? Remember- Expository texts have no opinion, only facts and information. A website’s ‘Troubleshooting’ section or the back of a manual fits the problem and solution format.
Classification
How can we break this down into groups? Dividing a topic into categories can help provide a complete overview. This section of the article, ‘Types of Expository Writing,’ is an example of classification.
Definition
How can a subject be described? Comprehensively defining the characteristics of a subject is another form of informative writing. An Encyclopedia entry on William Shakespeare that overviews his life and works is an example of definition writing.
Process
What are the steps that need to be taken? Writing that provides a step-by-step process on how to do something and explains a procedure. A ‘How-To’ manual or a cookbook are examples of process writing. They provide a sequential process of steps to accomplish a task or goal.
Examples of Expository Texts
There are many examples of expository texts. Any writing that provides unbiased information fits the category. Textbooks, recipes, instructions- they all provide information.
The following example is a news article:
Fake Township supervisors have approved a request from ABC Paving for an installment payment for road work. The $200,000 installment represents 25 percent of the more than $800,000 the township will spend on road projects this year. According to officials, the payment was for work on Faketown Road.
Every line in this example provides information. No added opinion or bias attempts to sway the reader to a particular point of view. The included data is sourced from Fake Township from a report on a municipal meeting. Readers are free to take in this information and use it however they want.
Why is Expository Writing Important?
Human beings are curious, and learning is not restricted to the inside of a classroom. Informative texts help facilitate and promote learning. A guide can help an amateur change their car oil. A flyer might warn of drought conditions and how to prevent a fire. Learning new things should be a lifelong endeavor. Reading informative texts fuels that drive.
Reading informative texts is only half the benefit. Verbalizing your thoughts in an informational format is also an advantageous ability to hone. Writing practice strengthens writing ability and the ability to formulate and communicate ideas.
Ideas like thoughts, instructions, and emotions are all communicated. Ideas are being communicated when you explain why you are late for work or give directions to an Uber driver. Practicing your ability to communicate through exercises like writing can help develop those talents.
3 Tips for Writing Expositorily
Writing is filled with tips and tricks that all promise aspiring writers a quickly finished project. While no single tip will work for everyone, fundamental elements in writing advice appear repeatedly. In their simplest form, the three main tips for writing in this format are:
Plot the Plan
The first step in any writing process should be the planning stage. Too many writers start writing without a plan or a clear direction. This can make the process tedious and stressful, a bad experience for any writer.
Writing does not have to be a struggle. Creating a plan of action can help writers organize their thoughts into a concise piece of writing. An outline for your next text or essay could go a long way in creating a foundation to start writing.
Check the Facts
Information is the most vital component of expository writing. Including weak facts, irrelevant data, and misinformation can weaken your writing. Opinions can also have a similar, detrimental effect on the authority of your text.
Assure that the facts you are including are well-sourced and supported by data. Information provided by a Pro-Dairy group would be slanted for an essay about the benefits of milk. That organization will have a bias in the information they provide, which will align with their interests. Check that the facts are objective.
Remember the Reader
Writers should always look at their writing from the perspective of a reader. Does the text make sense? Can the reader follow what is being presented? Is there a more concise way to communicate a point? Writers can sometimes get lost in their work- it is important to take a step back.
While an informative piece of writing does not allow for too much creativity, that does not mean it has to be boring. Writers should try to add elements of expression and originality within the confines of the format. Think of documentaries- they can be very informative, but they are not dull dictations of textbook information. Creative elements engage with the audience, keeping them interested.
Writing can seem intimidating or pointless to many, but it does not have to be a tedious and challenging process. Proper planning and execution can help make any task more manageable, and writing is no different. By breaking informative writing into its components and taking an in-depth look at each, it does not have to be intimidating. In summation, expository writing should be:
- Clear
- Objective
- Factual
With thorough knowledge and a well-planned strategy, no writing assignment can stand in your way.
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