What Is Expository Writing?
Taught in US schools
Key Takeaways
- Expository writing explains or informs - it teaches the reader something.
- It is objective and factual, unlike persuasive or narrative writing.
- Common types include how-to writing, compare-and-contrast, cause-and-effect, and research reports.
- A strong expository piece has a clear topic, organized paragraphs, and a logical conclusion.
What Is Expository Writing?
Expository writing explains, informs, or describes. The goal is to teach the reader something - about a topic, a process, an event, or an idea - as clearly and accurately as possible.
Unlike narrative writing (which tells a story) or persuasive writing (which argues a position), expository writing is objective and factual. The writer's personal opinion usually stays out of it. What goes in: clear explanation, organized facts, relevant details, and logical structure.
Also called explanatory writing, expository writing is a core academic skill because it is the form most used in content-area learning - science reports, social studies research, how-to guides, encyclopedia entries, and most informational texts.
Types of Expository Writing
Descriptive - explains what something is by describing its characteristics in detail.
What is a rainforest? Describe its layers, animals, and climate.
Sequence / How-To - explains steps in chronological or logical order.
How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? How do you make a peanut butter sandwich?
Compare and Contrast - examines how two or more things are similar and different.
How are frogs and toads alike? How are they different?
Cause and Effect - explains why something happens (cause) and what results from it (effect).
Why do volcanoes erupt? What happens to a community after a major flood?
Problem and Solution - identifies a problem and explains how it is or could be solved.
What causes water pollution? What are scientists doing to fix it?
Structure of an Expository Essay
Introduction - introduce the topic and state what you will explain
Body Paragraphs - each paragraph covers one main idea with supporting details
Conclusion - restate the main idea and wrap up the explanation
Key features:
- Topic sentences that clearly state what each paragraph is about
- Transition words that show relationships (first, then, because, therefore, in contrast)
- Facts, statistics, and specific details (not opinions)
- Domain-specific vocabulary related to the topic
Practice Activities
- Have students write a "how-to" guide for something they know well - how to play their favorite game, how to make their favorite snack.
- Provide two related animals (shark and dolphin, frog and toad) and have students write a compare-and-contrast paragraph using a Venn diagram as a prewriting tool.
- After a science experiment, students write a cause-and-effect explanation: "We added vinegar to baking soda. The acid and base reacted and caused..."
- Give students a strong expository mentor text and ask them to identify: What type of expository writing is this? What text structure does the author use? What transition words appear?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is expository writing?
Expository writing explains or informs. The word 'expository' comes from 'expose' or 'explain' - the writer is exposing facts, explaining a process, or describing how something works. Examples include research reports, how-to guides, encyclopedia entries, compare-and-contrast essays, and cause-and-effect analyses. The goal is to teach the reader something, not to persuade them or tell a story.
What is the difference between expository and narrative writing?
Narrative writing tells a story with characters, setting, and plot. Expository writing explains or informs with facts and details. A narrative about a volcano might tell the story of a fictional eruption; an expository text about a volcano would explain how volcanoes form and why they erupt.
What are the types of expository writing?
Common types of expository writing include: (1) descriptive - describes something in detail; (2) sequence/how-to - explains steps in order; (3) compare and contrast - examines similarities and differences; (4) cause and effect - explains why something happens and what results from it; (5) problem and solution - identifies a problem and explains how it is solved. These structures also appear as text structures in nonfiction reading.
Free Expository Writing Worksheets
Curriculum-aligned printable worksheets for 2nd – 5th Grade. Download free.
Common Core Standards