Modes of expository writing How to explain

What is expository writing? Expository writing informs and explains Examples of Expository Writing Analysis of a crime scene Comparison-Contrast of a book or movie Examination of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere List of steps and directions how-to do something What is expository writing?

Modes of expository writing Narrative – tells a story Classification and Division – groups by category or type Descriptive – describes using imagery Definition – defines a term or a feature Comparison-Contrast – Shows similarities and differences Analytical – explains how things work Cause-Effect – shows how things happened and their results Problem Solution – presents a problem and a solution Process Analysis – shows how to do something in clearly defined steps Exemplification/Illustration – uses examples to explain meaning Modes of expository writing

The Narrative What? Why? Purpose: The narrative tells a story Key Features: Has characters, has dialogue, can use imagery and figurative language Diagram: Organizational Strategy Chronological, but can be non-linear when foreshadowing and flashback are applied Examples Short story, feature article The Narrative

Classification and division What? Why? Purpose: A classification paragraph sorts things by category or type Key Features: Has categories and subcategories, items are divided by type or characteristics Diagram: Organizational Strategy List, by type Examples Science papers on animal species, box of rocks essay General Category Subcategory Classification and division

description What? Why? Purpose: The a descriptive paper describes something Key Features: Has imagery, uses figurative language, lists characteristics and features Diagram: Organizational Strategy Most important to least important Examples Descriptive narrative Words that describe (one per line) Term description

DEFINITION What? Why? Purpose: Definition Key Features: Gives meaning, description, or explanation of a key term or concept. Diagram: Organizational Strategy Most important to least important Examples: Extended definition Definition Term Definition Definition DEFINITION

Comparison contrast What? Why? Purpose: To show similarities and differences Key Features: Words of comparison, Points, Features Diagram: Organizational Structure: Block or Point by Point Examples: English papers comparing two characters, history papers comparing two events Comparison contrast

Analytical What? Why? Purpose: Explain how something works or what the parts are Key Features: Main idea and supporting details, explain a subject and its parts, show connections of ideas through transitional words and phrases Diagram: Organizational Strategy: Main idea, supporting detail, explain Examples: Literary analysis, research reports Analytical

Cause-Effect What? Why? Purpose: Explains why something happened, why certain conditions exist, or what results from an action or condition Key Features: Shows connections between causes and effects, if-then statements, logical order, transitions, facts, details, examples Diagram: Organizational Structure: List the cause first and then explain the effect or tell the cause and explain the circumstances that lead to the cause Examples: Police report, accident report, lab report, Cause Effect Cause-Effect

Problem-solution What? Why? Purpose: To show the solutions to questions or quandaries Key Features: Facts, statistics, data Diagram: Organizational Structure: Chronological Order Examples: After-incident reports Problem-solution

PROCESS ANALYSIS What? Why? Purpose: To show steps of a process Key Features: Order, steps, clear language Diagram: Organizational Structure: First to last - chronological Examples: Cookbooks, instruction mauals PROCESS ANALYSIS

Exemplification What? Why? Purpose: To use examples to prove a topic or thesis Key Features: Examples Diagram: Organizational Structure: Most important to least important Examples: Biology papers, history papers Exemplification