WR2 - Expository Writing Lesson
Expository Writing
The Purpose of Expository Writing
Writers who need to convey information or explain something will use expository writing. Expository writing often appears in the academic world when doctors reveal a new medical technique, when a writer creates an instruction manual, when a textbook explains a concept, or when an article exposes an event among other forms of writing that focus on explaining. Expository writing is an essay genre that explains or informs; an expository essay is often academic and might describe certain processes or pieces of information.
Organizing an Expository Writing
As a piece of academic writing, expository writing requires more structure in regards to organization and development. Recall the writing template used in the Writing 101 module to aid crafting an essay.
Links to an external site. Use this template as a guide for organizing an expository essay: Writing Template.
Links to an external site.
Expository Writing Elements
- The introduction paragraph reveal to the reader context about historical event that related to the topic.
- The thesis statement is generally a one sentence summary of the main idea located at the end of the introduction and does not need to be an opinion.
- The body paragraphs break down the thesis into smaller aspects, contains topIc sentences, move from broad to specific and may be linear.
- Expository writing requires evidence, including quotes, facts or statistics from a primary or secondary source.
- The conclusion paragraph should provide the reader with an overarching view of why the points in the essay are important and points the reader to research further
points. - 1st and 2nd person should not be used. 3rd person pronouns are acceptable to use.
- Any verb tense can be used, but historical events should be written about in the
past tense.
RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.