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Review and practice recognizing the main kinds of expository text.
Building an Hypothesis
Author uses patterns of facts to make predictions and test an hypothesis.
Explore the notion that some of Shakespeare’s plays were not actually written by Shakespeare.
Classification
Author groups items into organized categories.
Illustrate how female literary characters can be divided into three categories: heroines, victims, or villains.
Definition
Author defines a term using facts, examples, and anecdotes.
Define the term prejudice as used in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Expository writing can take many forms and can be written for very different purposes. By recognizing these forms, you can begin to evaluate the presented material more effectively.
What is Descriptive Writing?
Another type of nonfiction writing is descriptive writing, which is used to describe a person, place, object, or event in a visual way for the reader.
Good descriptive writing can be characterized by the following:
For a better idea of descriptive writing, read the following excerpt from a letter written by Abigail Adams to her daughter about the new and unfinished White House:
| The river, which runs up to Alexandria, is in full view of my window, and I see the vessels as they pass and repass. The house is upon a grand and superb scale, requiring about thirty servants to attend and keep the apartments in proper order, and perform the ordinary business of the house and stables; an establishment very well proportioned to the President’s salary. The lighting of the apartments, from the kitchen to parlors and chambers, is a tax indeed; and the fires we are obliged to keep to secure us from daily agues is another very cheering comfort. |
Mrs. Adams uses sensory details in her letter to give her daughter a clear picture of what her new home is like. In a few descriptive sentences, Mrs. Adams successfully provides an impression of a large, busy home with warm fires and amazing views.
What is Narrative Writing?
Narrative writing, which can be factual or fictional, tells a story or recounts a personal experience. The details in narrative writing should come together to create a central theme.
Narrative writing is usually characterized by the following:
In order to get a better idea of what narrative writing looks like, read the following passage from The Histories by Herodotus:
| The Persian rider approached the camp and took a thorough survey of all he could see—which was not, however, the whole Greek army; for the men on the further side of the wall which, after its reconstruction, was now guarded, were out of sight. He did, nonetheless, carefully observe the troops who were stationed on the outside of the wall. At that moment these happened to be the Spartans, and some of them were stripped for exercise, while others were combing their hair. The Persian spy watched them in astonishment; nevertheless he made sure of their numbers, and of everything else he needed to know, as accurately as he could, and then rode quietly off. No one attempted to catch him, or took the least notice of him. |
Herodotus’ Histories exemplifies narrative writing because it is a nonfictional story written in chronological order, relaying important historical events involving conflict.
What is Persuasive Writing?
Persuasive writing is another category of nonfiction writing. Persuasive text attempts to change the opinion of the reader and to encourage the reader to take action. Successful persuasive writing occurs when the topic is clearly defined, meaningful to the author and audience, and readily debatable.
Persuasive writing is characterized by the following:
A classic example of persuasive writing can be found in Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience”. In it, Thoreau establishes the argument that men must be true to themselves and their belief in doing right over any governmental obligation.
| Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?—in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right. |
Given the time period and historical setting, Thoreau presents a persuasive argument to an audience unaccustomed to new and radical ideas.
How should the following paragraph be categorized?
House-training a dog does not have to be difficult as long as you follow a few simple steps. First, obtain a cage or crate that will be the puppy’s place to stay when no one is home. Next, take the puppy outside frequently and praise it for any success. Finally, whenever the puppy heads to the door, take the dog outside and praise it. Doing this will help the puppy connect the two actions.