EXPOSITORY WRITING
Resource person:
Amir Hussain Qureshi
WHAT IS EXPOSITORY WRITING?
 Expository writing is a genre of writing that is used to explain, describe,
inform, or clarify a particular topic to the reader.
 Some common examples of expository writing include academic essays,
textbooks, instructional guides, and news reports.
Good expository writing should be factual, objective, and clear.
 To better understand what this term means, think about the difference
between a scientific article, a short story, and an advertisement.
An expository essay should:
 Teach the reader about a
particular topic
 Focus on the facts
 Follow a clearly organized
structure
Present information and details
from credible sources
An expository essay should not:
 Try to change the reader’s mind
about something
 Present the author’s personal
opinions (Subjective)
Include made-up narratives or stories
Follow experimental or nonlinear
structures
TYPES OF EXPOSITORY WRITING
 Compare and Contrast Essay
 Cause and Effect Essay
 Problem and Solution Essay
 Process Essay
 Definition Essay
 Classification Essay
 Descriptive Writing
 Exploratory Writing
 Sequential Writing
COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY
The compare and contrast essay is a type of essay in which the writer compares and
contrasts two things. The writer compares the similarities between the two selected
subjects and contrasts the differences in those subjects. The subjects should belong to
the same category.
For example:
Compare and contrast two oranges or two apples, rather than comparing and
contrasting an apple with an orange. You can compare and contrast the color of apples,
the shape, the size, etc. You cannot compare the color of an apple with an orange. It
doesn’t make sense as they don’t belong to the same category.
CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY
In the cause and effect essay, the writer tries to find the cause of something;
why did something happen? and what effects it might have.
There are two ways to structure a cause and effect essay:
Block structure: All the causes are presented first, and then all of their effects.
Chain structure: Each of the causes is followed by its effect straight away.
This essay could be based on assumptions or could be based on facts, but either
way, they should be validated.
CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY
For example:
Modern technology has transformed how we communicate. This essay explores the causes behind
this shift and its effects.
Cause - Rise of Social Media: Global connectivity through social media has reshaped
communication patterns.
Cause - Mobile Technology: The ubiquity of smartphones has made constant connectivity the norm.
Effect - Decreased Face-to-Face Interaction: Direct communication has dwindled in favor of
screen-based interaction.
Effect - Altered Communication Dynamics: Social norms now embrace brevity and emojis,
changing the nature of conversations.
In conclusion, the rise of social media and mobile technology has led to a decline in face-to-face
interaction and introduced new communication norms. Technology's impact on interpersonal
communication is profound, shaping our social interactions in unprecedented ways.
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY
In the problem solution essay, the writer identifies a problem and then proposes its
solution. The writer examines the particular subject from various aspects and
perspectives prior to providing a solution.
For example:
You choose to write about the coronavirus. You’ll examine the problem thoroughly, i.e.,
how the virus came into existence? How is it spreading? What problems has it caused for
society? Etc.
After examining the problem, you’ll suggest its possible solutions; how to overcome this
situation? What preventive measures do we need to take to protect ourselves from the
virus? Etc.
PROCESS ESSAY
The process essay refers to the process of something, i.e., how to make an apple pie.
This type of writing includes a step-by-step process of making or doing something.
For example:
You are writing about how to bake a cake. You’ll provide the complete recipe in a proper
sequence, i.e.,
Preheat the oven for half an hour at 180 degree
Mix the baking powder, cocoa powder, flour, and sugar
Beat the eggs
Add the beaten eggs into the mixture
Melt the butter and chocolate and add them into the mixture
Pour the batter into the pan and bake
DEFINITION ESSAY
The definition essay is a type of expository essay that gives a complete
description of the topic. It explains what the term or the topic of the essay
exactly means.
The definition essay revolves around explaining the purpose, what, why, and
how aspects of the topic of the essay.
This essay could start with the dictionary definition and ultimately provide the
extended definition.
DEFINITION ESSAY
For example:
Resilience, often defined as the ability to bounce back from difficulties, goes beyond mere
toughness. This essay explores its purpose, key traits, and practical ways to cultivate this essential
quality.
What - Dictionary Definition: Resilience is the quick recovery from challenges, embodying
toughness and elasticity.
Why - Overcoming Challenges: It serves to empower individuals in overcoming personal,
professional, or societal challenges, fostering growth.
How - Key Characteristics: Resilience is characterized by adaptability, perseverance, and a
positive mindset, essential for navigating life's ups and downs.
Cultivation - Practical Strategies: Practical strategies, such as building a support network and
embracing change, are crucial for cultivating resilience.
In essence, resilience is more than a dictionary entry; it's about overcoming challenges with
adaptability, perseverance, and a positive mindset. Understanding and cultivating resilience
empowers individuals to thrive in the face of adversity.
CLASSIFICATION ESSAY
Classification essay is a type of expository writing that categorizes and organizes
objects, people, ideas, or concepts into distinct groups based on shared
characteristics, features, or criteria.
The goal is to help readers better understand the relationships and differences
between these categories.
For example:
In a classification essay on movie genres, you might categorize films into different genres based
on their themes, styles, and audience appeal. Each category would have its defining
characteristics, such as plot elements, tone, and typical audience demographics.
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
Descriptive writing is a type of expository writing that aims to paint a vivid picture of
a person, place, object, event, or concept in the reader's mind.
It uses sensory details and vivid language to create a sensory experience for the
audience.
For example:
The golden leaves crunched beneath my feet as I ventured deeper into the autumn woods. The air
was crisp and carried the earthy scent of fallen leaves.
Tall oak trees loomed overhead, their branches adorned with a tapestry of red, orange, and
yellow leaves, as if nature herself had decided to decorate the forest for a grand celebration.
EXPLORATORY WRITING
Exploratory writing aims to investigate a topic or question from multiple angles, often
without taking a definitive stance. It allows the writer and reader to explore various
viewpoints and ideas.
For example:
The impact of social media on society is a complex and multifaceted issue. On one hand, it has
brought people closer, allowing for instant communication across the globe. On the other hand,
concerns about privacy, mental health, and the spread of misinformation have arisen.
Exploring this topic from various perspectives, we can see that while social media has its
advantages, it also raises important questions about the future of human interaction and
information dissemination.
SEQUENTIAL WRITING
Sequential writing, also known as chronological writing, involves organizing
information or events in a clear, time-based order. This approach is often used when
presenting a series of actions, or events in a logical sequence, making it easier for
readers to understand a process.
For example:
When writing a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, you would use sequential writing to ensure that
the steps are presented in the order they should be followed.
It might start with listing the ingredients, then proceed with the step-by-step instructions, such as
mixing the wet and dry ingredients, shaping the dough, baking, and cooling.
Sequential writing is essential for clarity in recipes, technical manuals, how-to guides, and any
content that requires a clear, logical progression of actions or events.
TIPS FOR EXPOSITORY WRITING
 Write your introduction in the most interesting way possible. Start with a hook,
thesis statement, or exciting detail to make readers want more.
 Make your essay clear and concise so that it doesn't confuse readers.
 There are many ways to support your topic. You can use facts, data, and authentic
sources.
 It is important to consider the audience of your paper before you start writing.
 Use authoritative sources to gather data for your paper.
 To avoid any errors in the essay, proofread and edit it before submitting it.
ANY QUESTIONS!
Thank you for
your attention!