Expository Writing:
Definition
Expository writing informs, explains, or defines. It may be developed with facts and statistics,
with examples, by means of cause and effect, by definition, or by a combination of these
methods. It should be direct and unemotional in tone, avoiding vague words and emotional
appeals, and it should be objective rather than subjective—the writer’s personality should not
intrude.
The definition of an object or idea first identifies, usually in the topic sentence, the general class
to which the item belongs. The supporting sentences provide details that show how the item is
different from all other members of that class. This two-stage method—general class and
distinguishing characteristics—is also used to define abstract terms, such as love, happiness, or
success. Since an abstract term does not have physical features, examples, incidents, and
quotations from authorities are often used to clarify what the term means to the writer. In the
following example, the writers first define romance fiction in a general way. Then they give
many facts and examples to clarify the phrase “escape from reality.”
Romance fiction is primarily the kind which offers the reader an escape from
reality. It often deals with distant lands and times. The things that happen in it are more
exciting or mysterious or adventurous or strange than the things that happen in real life.
Often it deals with such things as tournaments and besieged castles and perilous journeys
through hostile country. Sometimes its characters have long journeys to go alone through
forests, […] and are besieged in lonely old houses, or are shut up on islands in the midst
of faraway lakes, or lie in hushed hiding while a mortal foe treads close by. Sometimes
there are pirates, hidden treasures, shipwrecks, thrilling flights from a close-pursuing
enemy, last-minute rescues, ominous prophecies, missing heirs, disguised princes,
intrigue, murder, breathless suspense. Again, romance is often pervaded by an
atmosphere of strange things about to be revealed; often it deals with places and people
now changed or forgotten or long since passed away. In short, romance shows life not
just as it is, but as we like to imagine it to be.
RALPH P. BOAS AND EDWIN SMITH
Write an expository paragraph developed by definition. Select a term to define. Identify the
general class to which the term belongs and include its distinguishing characteristics. You may
use one of the following terms or choose another term that fits the categories below.
 Historical time period: the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment
 Literary genres: Science fiction, fantasy novels, parables or fables, tall tales
 Animals: bald eagle, polar bear, German shepherd (Be specific when choosing an animal.
Don’t just choose “dogs.”)
 Classical education
 The American dream
 Virtue
 Or, propose another topic. Check with me before you begin. You might want to
choose something you’re studying in another class right now to help review that material
and avoid doing even minimal outside research.
Prewriting: Begin by naming the general class to which the term belongs. Then begin listing
qualities of this term that make it different from other things belonging to that general class. For
example, if you chose German shepherds as your topic, you would note that it is a dog. Then
you would begin listing characteristics such as average size, coloring, temperament, etc. List as
many qualities as you can. You may need to do a small bit of research, though you can avoid
this by choosing a topic with which you are very familiar or which you are studying in another
class. Then make a rough outline by selecting the most important features of the term and
arranging them in an easy-to-follow order. Begin the paragraph with a topic sentence and
develop it with the details you selected.
Writing: As you write your first draft, keep your purpose—to inform—in mind. Be sure to
include enough supporting information to make each example clear and interesting. For this
assignment, your paragraph should be approximately 90-100 words long.
Style Devices: Use each of the dress-ups and 4 different sentence openers (not including
subject), highlighting and labeling as directed on the style device reference sheet.
Evaluating and Revising: Ask yourself: Have I included enough features of the term to
distinguish it from similar things? Have I described this features with precise, detailed
language? Did I remain objective (for example, by avoiding the use of the first person)?
Proofreading and Making a Final Copy: Proofread your paragraph carefully for spelling and
punctuation errors. Check to see that you have included the style devices. Make a final copy,
typing and double-spacing. Please highlight and label by hand. Make sure you have titled your
paragraph.