Information about Expository Writing

What is Expository Writing?
Exposition is a type of oral or written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give information or inform. The creator of an expository text can not assume that the reader or listener has prior knowledge or prior understanding of the topic that is being discussed. One important point to keep in mind for the author is to try to use words that clearly show what they are talking about rather then blatantly telling the reader what is being discussed. Since clarity requires strong organization, one of the most important mechanisms that can be used to improve our skills in exposition is to provide directions to improve the organization of the text. Expository writing is the process of writing to communicate information to an audience. It is often an explanation or a process, and tends to emphasize well-organized and concise information. Expository writing is very different from either fictional stories, emphasizing the use of imagination and creative powers, or persuasive writing, which depends upon a well-formed argument to convince a reader of an argument.

What are some Expository Organizational Patterns?
In order to give you more information about oral and written exposition we have provided you with eight different examples of expository organizational patterns. You will find that most of these organizational patterns are very familiar to you. You may have never really considered them to be "kind" of organizational patterns. As you read through the different types of organizational patterns that are presented below, try to figure out how many of these organizational patterns do you already find yourself writing or speaking on a daily basis?

Pattern
Description
Circumlocution
Depicts a pattern in which the speaker discusses a topic, then diverts to discuss a related but different topic.
Narrative Interspersion
A pattern or a sub-pattern imbedded in other patterns in which the speaker or writer intersperses a narrative within the expository text for specific purposes, including to clarify, or elaborate on a point or to link the subject matter to a personal experience.
Recursion
When the speaker discusses a topic, then restates it using different words or symbolism. It is used to drive home a point and to give special emphasis to the text.
(Ball, 1991, "Organizational Patterns in the Oral and Written Language of African American Adolescents", adapted from dissertation submitted to Stanford University.)

Pattern
Description
Cue Words
Description
The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples

for example, char- acteristics are
Sequence
The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order.
first, second, third; next; then; finally
Comparison
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
different; in contrast; alike; same as; on the other hand
Cause and Effect
The author lists one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects.
reasons why; if...then; as a result; therefore; because
Problem and Solution
The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern is the question- and-answer format in which the author poses a question and then answers it.
problem is; dilemma is; puzzle is solved; question... answer

Why teach exposition?
Let's think about the type of writing that most of us encounter in our daily lives. When you pick up and read a non-fiction book, magazines, or newspaper article the author uses expository writing to inform you, the reader, about the topic. At school, students are required to submit school exams and research papers as a means for their teachers to grade their progress. Finally, at work, people are required to produce business reports and memorandums to inform their superiors and co-workers about the occurrences that take place at other levels of the company. In addition, oral exposition is primarily observed in oral academic presentations, business talks, and speeches that are delivered to a group of people. As each of these different cases illustrate, expository writing and speech surround us in our everyday lives. The primary intent of the Expository Writing Program contained at this web site will be to help move students closer to mastering the hows, whens, and wheres to select different oral and written expository styles for a variety of real world contexts.
Students will greatly benefit from understanding the varying types of oral and writing styles they can use for academic and workplace activities. The following information discusses the different types of writing that can be used and provides you with examples of some expository writing prompts that you may expect to encounter.
Paragraph #1
This is your introduction. Begin with a good "grabber."
Restate the topic and define it.
State three explanations or examples.
Conclude with a transition sentence that leads into the next paragraph.
Paragraph #2, Paragraph #3, and Paragraph #4
These paragraphs are the body of your essay.
Use a transition at the beginning of each paragraph. Try to be different.
In each paragraph you develop one of your arguments, points, or explanations as fully as you can, restating the explanation and then expanding on it with examples or evidence that supports it.
These are the most important paragraphs in the grading of the State Assessment Test. The judges are looking at how you support the broad statements you make.
Each of these paragraphs (as well as the body of the essay) needs an introductory sentence and a concluding sentence.
These are the paragraphs where it is important to use spectacular vocabulary to show a good knowledge of words.
A little well placed humor and creativity definitely add to the quality of the paper.
Paragraph #5
This is your conclusion.
Restate your topic in words that are different from those in paragraph 1.
Summarize paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.
Draw a one sentence conclusion.
End with a "zinger" that makes the reader think or smile.
Expository Tips!
Keep to the topic. Do not stray or go off on a tangent.
Use great vocabulary. You want to show that you have a good command of words that is above and beyond what the average student your age knows.
Organize yourself well. Never make a statement that you do not back up or support. Develop that support well.
Use transitions such as first, second, third, next, before or after, and finally.
Goal:
The goal for expository writing is to give information such as an explanation or directions. It seeks to inform, explain, clarify, define or instruct.
Examples:
Expository writing appears in and is not limited to letters, newsletters, definitions, instructions, guidebooks, catalogues, newspaper articles, magazine articles, how-to writing, pamphlets, reports and research papers.
Characteristics:
The general characteristics of an expository writing include:
1. state the main idea
this must be narrow enough to be supported in the writing
2. supporting ideas using quotes, statistics, examples, and/or facts
use any available resource to instruct the reader including published books, television, Internet, etc.
3. information is logically organized
depending on the type of expository that is being written, the information could be organized chronologically, from least important to most important or from most important to least
4. show commitment to the topic
supporting details do not deviate from the topic
5. conclusion
restate the topic and main supporting ideas

STEP ONE: SELECTING A TOPIC
If your professor assigns you a specific topic to write about, then this step is completed before you even begin. However, often the teacher will allow students to choose their own essay topic, so it is important to be able to choose effectively. This is also true is the professor proposed a broad topic, but demands that you write about a particular facet of that larger subject.
Whenever choosing an expository essay topic, it is important to narrow down your choice so that it is appropriate to the essay length requirements. For example, if the professor has assigned a two-page essay, it is not a good idea to choose an expansive topic such as "The History of the Civil War." There would simply not be enough room within two pages to adequately cover the topic. Conversely, if the professor wants an especially lengthy essay, do not choose too narrow of a topic so that it becomes difficult to fill up the pages with information.

STEP TWO: CHOOSE A DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERN
There are a variety of ways to develop a custom expository essay, just as there is a variety of ways to convey information. The following are just a few examples of the developmental patterns you can adopt for your own essay:
Definition - This may be the most straightforward of the developmental patterns. As its name suggests, you will simply use the expository essay to thoroughly define a topic.
Example - In this developmental pattern, you will provide and describe an example of a particular subject or group.
Cause and Effect - With this developmental pattern, you will illustrate the relationship between to variables, one dependent on the other. Describe the many ways in which this particular variable affects the other, and explain why it does so.
Classification - This developmental pattern is used to categorize multiple subjects into separate or distinct groups by certain criteria.
Compare and Contrast - With this developmental pattern, the writer will examine both the similarities and the differences between two or more distinct subjects.

STEP THREE: CHOOSE AN ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN
The choice of organizational pattern really depends upon the length of the essay. For shorter essays, teachers often espouse the "five paragraph" organizational pattern, in which there is one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Of course, this is not feasible if the essay is of longer length, but it is important to provide both an introduction and a conclusion, regardless of length.

STEP FOUR: PERFORM ADEQUATE RESEARCH ON YOUR TOPIC
Too often students begin writing expository essays without first having learned about their subject. If the teacher requires you to write the essay with knowledge from the top of your head, then obviously you will not have to perform research. However, if this is not the case then it is vital that you take some time to learn about your topic before beginning to write. Doing so will only lead to a much stronger essay.