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Types of Writing

This document discusses four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Expository writing sets forth facts without opinion to inform readers. Descriptive writing uses vivid details to help readers visualize a scene. Persuasive writing aims to influence readers by expressing the author's opinions and evidence. Narrative writing tells a story through characters, events, and sometimes dialogue. Understanding the purpose of each type can help writers communicate more effectively.

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Razik Shariff
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260 views4 pages

Types of Writing

This document discusses four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Expository writing sets forth facts without opinion to inform readers. Descriptive writing uses vivid details to help readers visualize a scene. Persuasive writing aims to influence readers by expressing the author's opinions and evidence. Narrative writing tells a story through characters, events, and sometimes dialogue. Understanding the purpose of each type can help writers communicate more effectively.

Uploaded by

Razik Shariff
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Expository Writing

The word expository contains the word expose, so the reason expository is
an apt descriptor for this type of writing is that it exposes, or sets forth,
facts. It is probably the most common writing genre you will come across
throughout your day. In an expository piece, a topic will be introduced and
laid out in a logical order without reference to the author’s personal
opinions.

Expository writing can be found in:

Textbooks Journalism (except for opinion and editorial articles) Business


writing Technical writing Essays Instructions

All of these kinds of writing are expository because they aim to explain and
inform.

The municipal government of Happyville unanimously approved the construction of


sixty-two miles of bike trails in 2017. Made possible by a new tax levy, the bike trails
are expected to help the city reach its sustainability and clean air goals while
reducing traffic and congestion. Eighteen trailheads with restrooms and picnic areas
have been planned at a variety of access points. The city expects construction to be
complete in April 2021.

Because this paragraph supplies the reader with facts and figures about its
topic, the new bike trails, without offering the author’s opinion on it, it is
expository.

Descriptive Writing
The aim of descriptive writing is to help the reader visualize, in detail, a
character, event, place, or all of these things at once. The author might
describe the scene in terms of all five senses. Descriptive writing allows the
writer a great deal more artistic freedom than expository writing does.

Descriptive writing can be found in:

Fiction Poetry Advertising Journal and diary writing

The children pedaled leisurely down the Happyville Bike Trail, their giggles and
whoops reverberating through the warm spring air. Sweet-scented wildflowers
brought an array of color to the gently undulating landscape, tempting the children to
dismount now and then so they could lay down in the springy, soft grass.

Through description, this passage paints a vivid picture of a scene on the


new bike trail.

Persuasive Writing

The aim of persuasive writing, or argumentation, is to influence the reader


to assume the author’s point of view. The author will express personal
opinions in the piece and arm him- or herself with evidence so that the
reader will agree with him or her.

Persuasive writing can be found in:

Advertising Opinion and editorial pieces Reviews Job applications

The bike trail is the glittering gem of Happyville’s new infrastructure. It winds through
sixty-two miles of lush landscape, dotted by clean and convenient facilities. If you
haven’t experienced the Happyville Bike Trail yet, ditch your car and head outside!
Could life in Happyville get any more idyllic?
A number of statements in this paragraph are opinion rather than fact: that
the bike trail is a glittering gem, that the facilities are clean and convenient,
and that life in Happyville is idyllic. Clearly, the author’s aim here is to use
these depictions to persuade readers to use the bike trail.

Narrative Writing

The purpose of narrative writing is to tell a story, whether that story is real
or imaginary. Pieces in a narrative style will have characters, and through
the narrative, the reader learns what happens to them. Narrative writing
can also include dialogue.

Narrative writing can be found in:

All types of fiction (e.g., novels, short stories, novellas) Poetry Biographies
Human interest stories Anecdotes

As I cycled down the trail, I heard children giggling and whooping just around the
bend. I crested a small hill and coasted down the curving path until I found the
source of the noise. Three little girls sat in the grass by a big oak tree. They were
startled to see me, and I smiled kindly to put them at ease.
“Whatcha doing?” I asked.

“Nothing,” they chirped in unison.

In this passage, the author sets the scene on the bike trail from his or her
own point of view (which is referred to as narrating in the first person).
Using both description and dialogue, the story that takes place is laid out in
chronological order.
Understanding Your Purpose Empowers Your
Writing

Simply puzzling out which of these four types of writing best suits your
purpose and adhering to it can help you write more efficiently and
effectively.

To summarize:

 Expository writing sets forth facts. You can find it in textbooks, journalism
(except opinion or editorial articles), business writing, technical writing,
essays, and instructions.

 Descriptive writing evokes images through rich description. You can find
it in fiction, poetry, journal writing, and advertising.

 Persuasive writing aims to sway the reader toward the author’s point of
view. It is used heavily in advertising, and can also be found in opinion and
editorial pieces, reviews, and job applications.

 Narrative writing tells a story. It can be found in fiction, poetry,


biographies, human interest stories, and anecdotes.

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