Expository Writing ENGL 111G Spring 2008

Expository Writing Explains Describes Informs

Expository Writing Expository Writing is a broad grouping of modes of writing that includes Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast Description Proposing a Solution Definition Classification Exemplification Process Analysis

Expository Writing If you look at the Table of Contents of your textbook you will notice the essays are organized several ways. The first is by courses of study: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. The second is by topic or theme: The Reflective Life and Languages and Literature for example. The third is by Rhetorical Mode.

Expository Writing You might think that writing involves writing in a particular rhetorical mode and is done solely in that mode. If you look at the essays sorted by Rhetorical Mode you will notice that many essays appear in several modes. For example: Langston Hughes’ essay Salvation is listed under Narrative and Description. Most of these essay can also be placed in the Argumentative Rhetorical Mode.

Expository Writing You might ask the question – why are all these essays listed in more than one Rhetorical Mode? As a writer, you decide what you are writing about, who your audience is, and the purpose of your writing. You then chose the appropriate rhetorical mode. If, as you progress in your writing, it is necessary to use a different rhetorical strategy then that is appropriate to bring in a different rhetorical strategy.

Expository Writing As we move through this module, we will examine the characteristics of the various rhetorical modes that are a part of Expository Writing.