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Expository Writing

Expository writing is writing that EXPLORES and EXPLAINS things. It gives the writer the freedom to investigate a topic in such a way that the writer can show the reader various aspects that are interesting, challenging and thought provoking about a topic/prompt. This type of writing/essay allows for exploration of the topic while still being able to express a viewpoint. Such an essay should give a balanced discussion of different views and should consider the pros and cons of the prompt and related themes/issues. The essay may lead the expression of a particular point of view on the prompt as the piece comes to a conclusion (a ‘yes’ but ‘no’ response). This essay allows the writer to discuss themes and issues in a general, philosophical or global manner.

The prompt is not a topic – instead you should approach it as being an invitation to write. The focus of this style of writing is on the ideas in the prompt and how these are being explored, drawing on examples from a variety of sources: contemporary life, personal experience, history, stories, quotes, sayings, evidence from literature, etc. Examples from the core text studied must be used (and be the dominant text referred to) as well as a variety of supplementary texts/sources.

Your response will be assessed based on the interrelationship between (1) the quality of the ideas presented (2) the quality of the writing and (3) how the prompt has been handled.

When you write in the expository form, you are required to expose or explain a detailed view of the Context. In other words, this form allows you to discuss an interpretation of the Context by using the set text(s) as a springboard for your ideas. This response is an open discussion of how the Context operates not only in the world(s) of the text(s) studied, but also in the external world that we live in.

There are many forms of writing that can be considered expository, so it is important that you select a form that best...