Expository Writing

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Study Skill 15 Expository Writing

 

Introduction

man explaining computer to children

Image by Werner Knop Links to an external site. from Pixabay Links to an external site.

Let's take a look at the key elements of Expository writing:

Goal:  The goal of expository writing is to present information.  

How:  The word expository has the word "expose" in it, which explains what expository writing does. It tells, explains, and reveals information about a person, place, event, object, or process.

Where:  You can find expository writing in recipes, directions, articles, textbooks, essays, research papers, and instruction manuals.  There are many different places you can find expository writing and it is not limited to the examples listed here.

Watch

 Video: Hamburger Paragraph Writing

Source: Valerie Luzo via YouTube

 

 

Key Ideas

Key Features:  

  • It is informative.
  • It is unbiased - the writer does not let you know their opinion about the topic.
  • It uses facts, details, and explanations to present ideas. 
  • It has a logical, clear order.

Example

 University of Missouri columns 

Mizzou's Francis Quad and Columns https://pixabay.com/en/photos/missouri/ Links to an external site.

The traditional symbol of the University of Missouri is the row of six Ionic columns. The Columns once supported the portico of Academic Hall, the first building erected on campus. Academic Hall was built between 1840 and 1843 from plans drawn by A. Stephen Hills, designer of the Missouri State Capitol. It consisted of a domed central section of three stories with two wings and housed both educational and administrative facilities. Brick for the building was fired on campus. Limestone for the Columns was obtained from the nearby Hinkson Creek Valley and was hauled to the building by ox-drawn carts. On Jan. 9, 1892, Academic Hall was destroyed by fire and the Columns were all that remained.... Now the Columns stand as a part of MU's campus.

Reflection

After creating your expository writing piece, ask yourself these questions>

  • Is your process or information explained in an organized way?
  • Did you provide enough details to explain or reveal information to your reader?
  • Did you show any bias toward your topic?
  • What information do you hope your reader will get from your writing? 

  

Apply

Directions: Which part of the paragraph corresponds to the part of the hamburger?  Remember, you can have as many details as you need to explain your topic.  You should have at least three details, each written in a separate sentence. 

Note: If you have more than three details, you can combine them into compound and complex sentences Links to an external site..  

hamburger 

 

To learn more about paragraph structure you can visit Shelf 12 in the Learning Library.