Expository Text

EXPOSITORY TEXT
Why expository?
Let's think about the type of writing that most of us encounter in our daily lives. When
you pick up and read a non-fiction book, magazines, or newspaper article the author uses
expository writing to inform you, the reader, about the topic. At school, students are required to
submit school exams and research papers as a means for their teachers to grade their progress.
Finally, at work, people are required to produce business reports and memorandums to inform
their superiors and co-workers about the occurrences that take place at other levels of the
company. In addition, oral exposition is primarily observed in oral academic presentations,
business talks, and speeches that are delivered to a group of people. As each of these different
cases illustrate, expository writing and speech surround us in our everyday lives. The primary
intent of the Expository Writing Program contained at this web site will be to help move students
closer to mastering the hows, whens, and wheres to select different oral and written expository
styles for a variety of real world contexts.
DEFINITION
Expository writing is writing that seeks to explain, illuminate or 'expose' (which is where
the word 'expository' comes from). This type of writing can include essays, newspaper and
magazine articles, instruction manuals, textbooks, encyclopedia articles and other forms of
writing, so long as they seek to explain. Expository writing differs from other forms of writing,
such as fiction and poetry. In fact, this lesson itself is an example of expository writing.
The expository essay is a tool that is often used in the academic world. If you've attended
school, it's highly likely you've written one. Most expository essays have an introductory
paragraph in which a thesis or objective is stated, several main body paragraphs that prove or
explain what is in the introduction, and a concluding paragraph in which everything is summed
up.
When writing an expository essay, it's important to write with the assumption that your
audience has little to no background knowledge about the main topic. Your duty as the writer is
to provide the reader with as much information as you can. The reader should feel as if he or she
has learned something after reading your essay. What Is the Purpose of Expository Writing?
An expository essay is a form of structured academic writing that uses factual evidence to
explain or investigate a specific topic. Unlike an argumentative essay, which requires that the
writer form an opinion on a topic, expository essays have a neutral point of view and are only
focused on providing a factual analysis.
PURPOSE
The purpose of expository writing is to present a balanced, objective description of a topic.
The format of an expository essay allows for the clear and logical explanation of complex
information instead of proving a point or providing the writer's personal opinion on a subject.
Expository writing is a valuable skill in many fields of work, including journalism, business,
science.
5 Types of Expository Essays

When tasked with writing an expository essay, you'll most likely be given a writing prompt
that makes it clear what type of essay you should write. The main types of expository essays are:
1. Cause and effect essay: This essay type requires the writer to explain why something
occurred and what happened as a result.
2. Compare and contrast essay: For a comparison essay, the writer takes two subjects or
ideas and analyzes their similarities and differences.
3. Descriptive essay: This essay type is simply a detailed description or explanation of a
topic. The topic may be an event, place, person, object, or experience. The writer has
considerable creative freedom in this essay type.
4. Problem and solution essay: In this type of expository essay, the writer must shed light on
a specific problem and write a thorough breakdown of valid potential solutions.
5. Process essay: Also called a how-to essay, this essay type breaks down a step-by-step
procedure in order to teach the reader how to do something.
HOW TO WRITE AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY

1. Prewrite and Outline.
To write a well-organized five-paragraph essay, it's important to take some time to jot
down pertinent notes and perform research about your expository essay topic. Once
you’ve had time to brainstorm, create a basic expository essay outline that details what
information you plan to include in each paragraph. Before moving on to your first draft,
remind yourself to write in the third person to ensure that you don't accidentally state
your own personal opinions.
2. Write an Introductory Paragraph.
Your first paragraph should include a topic sentence that clearly states your thesis or
main point of the essay. A good thesis should be simple enough that you can capably
support it with three body paragraphs.
3. Write Three Body Paragraphs.
Each paragraph in the body of the essay should focus on its own distinct issue that helps
develop and support the thesis statement in your topic sentence. Make sure you're using
factual information to support your thesis and are maintaining an objective point of view.
4. Write a Concluding Paragraph.
This paragraph should only contain information you’ve already presented earlier in the
essay. Use this space to restate your thesis, summarize your supporting points from each
body paragraph, and wrap up your essay.
5. Revise and Proofread.
Reread your essay and double check that your thesis is clear and supported with evidence
from credible sources. Make sure you present all information in a completely unbiased
way. Work to create paragraph transitions that are fluid and logical. Lastly, proofread to
fix grammatical errors and poor word choices.
Pattern Description Cue Words
Description The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, for example,

features, and examples characteristics are
Sequence The author lists items or events in numerical or first, second, third; next;
chronological order. then; finally
Comparison The author explains how two or more things are alike different; in contrast;
and/or how they are different. alike; same as; on the
other hand
Cause and The author lists one or more causes and the resulting reasons why; if...then;
Effect effect or effects. as a result; therefore;
because
Problem and The author states a problem and lists one or more problem is; dilemma is;
Solution solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern puzzle is solved;
is the question- and-answer format in which the question... answer
author poses a question and then answers it.
(permissions pending, Tompkins)

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-expository-essay#what-is-an-
expository-essay
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-expository-writing-definition-
examples.html
http://www.umich.edu/~exppro/info.html

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EXPOSITORY TEXT

5 Types of Expository Essays

HOW TO WRITE AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY

Pattern Description Cue Words

Description The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, for example,

(permissions pending, Tompkins)

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