Expository Writing - Language Notes
Expository writing is a type of writing that requires the writer to explain, describe, give information or inform the reader about a topic or issue. In other words, you are exposing a reader, or listener, to a topic. Therefore, it should never be assumed that the reader has prior knowledge of the information that you are giving, but it should be assumed that you are educating an audience.
There are several approaches that you can take when writing an expository piece, all of which can be used in isolation, or a variety of them can be utilized in a single essay or speech. The approaches are as follows:
1. Describe - When you list features, characteristics, and examples of a topic. When you describe, you are giving details about how something looks, feels, smells, sounds and, if relevant, tastes.
2. Sequence - When you use chronological or numerical order to list an item(s) that relates to your topic.
3. Comparison - When the writer explains how two or more things, that are related to your topic, are alike or different.
4. Cause and Effect - This approach to expository writing looks at why something has happened, and what happens after that something has happened. Please note that this is in relation to the topic that you are given. Also, it is possible to simply explore the cause and leave out the effect, and vice versa.
5. Problem and solutions - The writer identifies a problem and lists one or more solutions to the problem.
Example: Write an expository piece explaining the difficulties that one encounters with school cafeteria food.
There are several approaches that you can take when writing an expository piece, all of which can be used in isolation, or a variety of them can be utilized in a single essay or speech. The approaches are as follows:
- describe
- sequence
- comparison
- cause and effect
- problem and solution
1. Describe - When you list features, characteristics, and examples of a topic. When you describe, you are giving details about how something looks, feels, smells, sounds and, if relevant, tastes.
2. Sequence - When you use chronological or numerical order to list an item(s) that relates to your topic.
3. Comparison - When the writer explains how two or more things, that are related to your topic, are alike or different.
4. Cause and Effect - This approach to expository writing looks at why something has happened, and what happens after that something has happened. Please note that this is in relation to the topic that you are given. Also, it is possible to simply explore the cause and leave out the effect, and vice versa.
5. Problem and solutions - The writer identifies a problem and lists one or more solutions to the problem.
Example: Write an expository piece explaining the difficulties that one encounters with school cafeteria food.
TIPS:
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Be careful to write facts, hold back on your opinions.
3. Avoid using the word 'I'.
Contributor: L. Samuels-Thomas
http://web.gccaz.edu/~mdinchak/ENG101/expository_writing.htm
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