Expository Writing
How is it different from narrative
writing?
Goal of Expository Writing
 Expository writing is different from
narrative writing in that it is factual
and requires careful organization and
thought.
 Expository writing seeks to inform,
explain, clarify, define or instruct.
Places you find expository
writing
 Expository writing appears in letters,
newsletters, definitions, instructions,
guidebooks, catalogues, newspaper
articles, magazine articles, manuals,
pamphlets, reports and research
papers.
 Can you think of anywhere else?
Types of Expository Writing
1.
2.
3.
4.
Description
Explanation
Compare/Contrast
Problem/Solution
1. Descriptive Writing
 Descriptive Writing is writing that
vividly describes a person, place, or
thing in such detail that the reader
can visualize the topic.
Descriptive Writing Example
 The Big Teacher
 By: Andria T.
Afghanistan, Age 12
 I peek into a classroom. There’s a teacher sitting a a
desk. He’s large, with yellowy white skin. His big
hands are wrinkly, like crumpled paper. His voice is
deep, and booming, like a big base drum. He’s
wearing a sky blue shirt, with a faded brown necktie.
He’s bald, and the light reflects off his shiny head.
There’s tufts of hair sprouting out of his pointy ears.
His eyes are stormy grey, and his glasses sit on the
very end of his long, pointy nose. His nose looked like
it would break any second. His mouth was twisted in a
frown as he bent over his work.
Possible Descriptive Topics
 Think of a teacher that stands out in
your memory. Write a description of
that teacher.
 Describe the perfect classroom.
 Describe your favorite place in the
world. If you do not have a favorite
place, please write what it would be
like.
More Descriptive Writing Topics
 Describe your favorite room in your
house.
 Imagine you have just been given
the name and address of a penpal.
Describe yourself to that person.
 Describe your favorite park or
playground.
2. Explanation Writing
Explanation Writing tells why or how
something works the way it does.
Explanation Writing Example
 How to Make a Simple Birthday
Cake
Possible Explanation Topics
 How to stay in bed as late as possible
but still get to school on time
 How to make the best TV snack (or
meal)
 How to make________
 *How to get along with ________
(all will do this last one)
Possible Explanation Topics
 Think of something you know how to
do really well. Explain how to do it in
an essay. (how to)
 In an essay, explain how
disappointments can have a good
side.
 Write an essay explaining why
someone you care about is important
to you.
3. Compare/Contrast Writing
 Compare/Contrast Writing is
writing that gives the similarities and
differences between two things
 http://www.readwritethink.org/files/r
esources/interactives/compcontrast/
Examples of Compare/Contrast
Writing
 http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/med
ia/hh/pdfs/samplepapers/comparecon
trast_sample.pdf
Possible Compare/Contrast
Topics
 The person you are and the person
you would like to be
 Two sports or two seasons
 A movie and the book it was based on
4. Problem/Solution Writing
 Problem/Solution writing is
writing that describes a problem and
explains ways to solve the problem.
Examples of Problem/Solution
Writing
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on=Rv5x4rnYlw3voleYCkv53Va01zMU
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Possible Topics for
Problem/Solution Writing
 Problem: Bullying
 Bullying has become a problem in your school. It
happens in the bathroom, hallways and the gym.
Think about what this person is like and what he has
done to bother and perhaps frighten others. Think
about what you can do to solve the problem to keep
the bully from bothering people. Write an essay for
your teacher about how the problem of bullying is
affecting your class. First, you will need to explain
what the bully does to frighten and annoy others.
Then explain what needs to be done to stop the
bullying of your classmates. Include details and
descriptions of what to do and explain why your ideas
are good ones.
Problem: New students feeling
unwelcome
 New students who enroll in your school often feel left
out because they do not have any friends and it is not
easy for them to make new friends. Think of some
ways to solve this problem for new students to make
them feel better about their new school. Write a
letter to the editor of the school newspaper describing
ways you cold make a new student feel welcome at
your school. First, describe the problem of being a
new student, and then explain what you would do to
help solve the problem. Tell why your solution would
work and why it is a good idea.