This form of writing is used to express an explanation or set of procedures to others. The language in this form of writing follows a very logical approach. When crafting the language that you are communicating with your readers with you must presume that the reader has zero prior knowledge of task you are preparing them for. Your students will be provided sheets that examine the uses of expository writing-such as in compare and contrast essays, how-to essays, and informative essays-and be given several worksheets to complete a similar task. "Tip" sheets are included in each packet for ease of reference. You use this writing format when you are trying to explain a process of some kind. It is one of most fundamental forms of communication and should be a paramount writing format. This series of worksheets will help you work up a good academic sweat, if that is what it could be called.
Printable Expository Writing Worksheets
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Brief Overview of This Form of Writing
Expository writing is similar to reporting and informative essays; however, its main goal is not only to present information, but to also explain and show connections within that information.
Compare-Contrast Essay
The comparison-contrast essay is a popular assignment for many teachers, regardless of their discipline. Because this essay is not generally asking for obvious similarities (comparisons) or obvious differences (contrasts), it requires the writer to look closely for key elements, make connections, and in some cases, evaluate and argue that one is better.
Example of Compare-Contrast Essay
The following example of a compare-contrast essay is an excerpt from Denise Noe's "Parallel Worlds: The Surprising Similarities (and Differences) of Country-andWestern and Rap."
Tips and Checklist for Compare-Contrast Essay
Make sure your thesis establishes the points you want to compare and contrast and moves beyond obvious aspects. It is also a good idea to use your thesis as an essay map to establish the order of the points you will be discussing.
Prompts and Practice Exercises for Compare-Contrast Essay
Consider the following topics for a compare-contrast essay.
How-to Essay
Writing a how-to paper (also called a process analysis) explains how something should be, is, or was done. It can also address how something usually happens as in photosynthesis or metabolism.
Example of How-to Essay
This is a fully fleshed out example of a How to for you. The following process analysis is Bud Herron's "Cat Bathing as a Martial Art."
Tips and Checklist for How-to Essay
This are the things you are going to want to make sure that you include all of these things. Choose a topic that you know so that you can show you're knowledgeable about the topic.
Prompt Exercise #1 for How-to Essay
Choose a process you know well (one that requires items/equipment), and write a how-to essay explaining that process.
Prompt Exercise #2 for How-to Essay
Select a something you enjoy creating and explain the process so that your reader can make it.
Prompt Exercise #3 for How-to Essay
Think about some aspect of your job or daily activities. Choose one and write a process analysis for someone who is not familiar with your topic.
Informative Essay
To some degree, all writing is informative writing; however, when focusing solely on this purpose, the writer's main goal is to transfer information.
Example of Informative Essay
The following example of informative writing is an excerpt from Caryn James' obituary of Audrey Hepburn.
A Wild-Eyed Doe
This is an example for you using this format. Billy Wilder once recalled directing her in the 1957 film "Love in the Afternoon". We examine it further.
Spotted by Colette
This can be helpful to understand the nature of a shorter piece. But when she returned to London after the war, her life took the glamorous turn she would maintain for the rest of her life.
Tips and Checklist for Informative Essay
Make sure to thoroughly research your topic, including interviews, databases, books, and periodicals.
Prompt #1 for Informative Essay
Use what you have learned and write an informative essay about your favorite vacation destination.
Prompt #2 for Informative Essay
Choose person you admire that has passed away, and write a detailed obituary for that person.
Prompt #3 for Informative Essay
Interview a friend, co-worker, teacher, or family member. Write an informative essay based on what you learned.
Prompt #4 for Informative Essay
Think about a topic that intrigues you, one that you would like to know more about. Research the topic and write a documented informative essay on what you discovered.
What is Expository Writing?
Writing that aims to explain, illuminate, or 'expose' (from whence the word 'expository' derives) is known as expository writing. Essays, newspaper and magazine pieces, instruction manuals, textbooks, encyclopedia entries, and other types of writing that strive to explain are all examples of this sort of writing. Expository writing is distinct from other types of writing like fiction and poetry. This lecture is an excellent example of expository writing.
This means that you need to provide them with every minuscule detail. Not only does it need to be detailed, but it has to be easy to read and clear. In fact, when technology product companies create instruction manuals for their customers, they try their best to have the directions written in a manner that is at a third-grade reading level. The main concern that you should have when writing these types of pieces is that it will be concise and understandable for your audience. Expository writing not only presents a topic, but also explains and demonstrates connections within that topic. It is used in all forms of writing, but chiefly in informative pieces.
In academia, the expository essay is a popular technique. If you've been to school, you've almost certainly written one. Most expository essays comprise an opening paragraph that states the thesis or purpose, multiple main body paragraphs that prove or clarify what is said in the introduction, and a conclusion.
When writing an expository essay, assume that your audience has little to no prior understanding of the significant issue. As the writer, it is your responsibility to offer the reader as much information as possible. After reading your article, the reader should feel as if they have gained knowledge.
When to Use This Form of Writing?
You may be required to write expository essays as in-class exercises, test questions, or coursework projects at school and university if you are entrusted with explaining anything. Although it isn't often mentioned explicitly that the assignment is an expository essay, some terms hint that expository writing is expected.
The clue is in the word "explain": An essay in response to this prompt should explain this historical process rather than make a new argument. You may be asked to define a phrase or idea on occasion. This entails more than simply writing down the dictionary definition; as this challenge underlines, you'll be needed to investigate several concepts around the phrase.
Expository Writing
When it comes to expository writing, there are a few things that you need to take into account, such as researching the facts, being creative with your answer, and working on a clear transition from the introduction to the body and, ultimately, the conclusion.
Research the Facts
It's all about the facts. When doing research, you may come across sources that contradict each other. If this happens, look into the contradicting facts to figure out what's going on. You may accomplish this by looking up what other academic sources say about a certain piece of information and looking into who published the two contradictory sources. If the first is a personal blog and the second is an article from a website, the latter is more likely to be objective.
Brainstorm
Each paragraph should be confined to the presentation of a single broad concept. This will ensure that the essay is clear and focused throughout. Furthermore, such concision facilitates reading for one's audience. It's worth noting that each paragraph in the essay's body must have a logical relationship to the thesis statement in the first paragraph.
Transitions are the cement that keeps the essay's foundation together. The reader will be unable to follow the essay's thesis if there is no logical sequence of thinking, and the structure will collapse.
Be Creative
Although creativity isn't typically connected with essay writing, it is an art form. Avoid getting caught up in the formulaic structure of expository writing at the price of producing anything engaging. Remember that, even if you aren't writing the next great masterpiece, you are striving to make an impact on the individuals who will be grading your essay.