Definitions: Expository text: Usually nonfiction, informational text. This type of is not organized around a story‑like structure but is instead organized based on the purposes and goals of the author or by content. Examples include news articles, informational books, instruction manuals, or textbooks.

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.

Expository Text Structure. Expository texts typically follow one of five formats: cause and effect, compare and contrast, description, problem and solution, and sequence.

Though factual, the personal essay, sometimes called a narrative essay, can feel like a short story, with “characters” and a plot arc. A personal essay is a short work of nonfiction that is not academic (that is, not a dissertation or scholarly exploration of criticism, etc.).

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

The Different Types of Essays

• Narrative essays.
• Descriptive essays.
• Expository essays.
• Persuasive essays.

Here are the five most common types of writing styles, a quick exploration of each and some new strategies for teaching them.

1. Narrative Writing.
2. Analytical Writing.
3. Expository Writing.
4. Persuasive Writing.
5. Argumentative Writing.

Remember, Type One writing is a brainstorm, is usually timed, and has a quota. It can take the form of some number of written lines, a list, a drawing, or labeled diagram, and it can be modified for special education students. It is simple to evaluate (✓ or —) based on evidence of thoughtful effort.

An author’s writing style is defined by two elements:

1. Voice: Voice is the personality you take on in your writing. It is the point of view through which you’re telling a story.
2. Tone: Tone is identified by the attitude that a piece of writing conveys.

By Mark Nichol. The three types of essay most commonly assigned in school — the narrative essay, the persuasive essay, and the expository essay — conveniently correspond to those writing forms most frequently published online and in print.

The four main types of academic writing are descriptive, analytical, persuasive and critical. Each of these types of writing has specific language features and purposes. In many academic texts you will need to use more than one type.

• Features of academic writing. Using academic language. Establishing your position. Writing in your own ‘voice’ Using tentative language.
• Clear communication. Writing clear paragraphs. Writing clearly, concisely and precisely. Signposting.
• Paraphrasing, summarising and quoting.
• Editing and proof-reading your work.

Gordon Harvey’s Elements of the Academic Essay

• Thesis. “Your main insight or idea about a text or topic, and the main proposition that your essay demonstrates.
• Motive.
• Evidence.
• Analysis.
• Keyterms.
• Structure.
• Stitching.
• Sources.

Features of academic writing

• Complexity. Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language.
• Formality. Academic writing is relatively formal.
• Precision. In academic writing, facts and figures are given precisely.
• Objectivity. Written language is in general objective rather than personal.
• Explicitness.
• Accuracy.
• Hedging.
• Responsibility.