Expository
Expository writing according to Nordquist (2017) is writing used to convey information. It is the language of learning and understanding the world around us. If you have ever read a magazine article, a newspaper or an encyclopedia article, then you have encountered expository writing. Expository writing is writing that seeks to explain, inform or describe. It may include elements of narration, description and argumentation, but it is not the same as persuasive or creative writing as it is merely about providing information to the reader about a particular topic.
An expository writing consists of three parts:
The introduction: the first paragraph where you get the reader’s attention and provide some follow up information with a few sentences on the topic you are about to discuss.
The body: the length depends on your topic, but each paragraph begins with a topic sentence followed by several sentences that provides support to your writing.
The conclusion: a concluding paragraph that not only summarizes your points, but perhaps puts your essay into a larger perspective.
Let me start by giving you an example:
Six months ago my adventure to New York began. I am a first-year graduate student in the MFA Communication Design program at Pratt Institute.
I am a digital media and design enthusiast. Having previously worked on implementing new interactive technologies to creative industries, my main competences lie within digital. Consequently, I studied a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media & Design at the IT University of Copenhagen. During my education, I spent a semester at Columbia University in New York focusing especially on design of the future. Here I became excited about coming up with new ideas. This was the moment I knew I wanted to pursue design.
Design plays a significant role in the innovative society. It is my ambition to ensure that design is used as a strategic tool to solve complex problems and improve the quality of life for people.
This example includes a brief introduction of myself and why I came to New York. The body paragraph explains more in-depth what lead me to come to New York, while the concluding paragraph zooms out and puts the essay into a larger context.
There are a few different methods for expository writing that are used for different purposes. Some of these include:
Descriptive essay: in this style of writing, the essay is used to describe the characteristics of a topic. As Andrew Sedillo states, “the objective of this essay is to paint a picture of whatever you’re writing about in your reader’s mind.” The reading for today, “Flux Type” is a great example of expository writing and of the descriptive essay structure, as it is loaded with details. In this type of writing the author seeks to explain and describe the characteristics of Flux Type:
“Fluxus artists wanted to erase the distinction between art and everyday life. Using the most basic of tools, they succeeded in fusing art and design in typographic experiments that still look fresh more than twenty years later.” Fluxus Type (n.d.).
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Process: in this type of writing the essay outlines a set of instructions needed to complete a task. It is well-structured, so that someone reading it can follow the directions. It is typically used in instruction manuals. An example of this is the well known IKEA assembly manual. Although we have probably all struggled with assembling IKEA furniture, the instructions are concise and well-structured with logical transitions and includes many visual examples.
Comparative and contrast: in this type of expository writing you can effectively demonstrate both the differences and similarities between two things. For example comparing and contrasting the two social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram.
Cause and effect: in this style of writing the essay describes how one step leads to another. An example of this could be a workout plan that you read in a magazine,
“4-week beginners workout routine.”
Problem and solution: this form of writing seeks to propose a solution to a problem or issue. For example, “How can social media bullying be prevented?”
Lastly I would like to compare this style of writing to public speaking. To captivate your audience and gain their attention, it is necessary to use vivid language. It is the same with the expository essay. Although it seeks to explain and inform it also allows for a lot of artistic freedom and you should therefore get creative with your language to capture the readers attention as argued by Sedillo (n.d.). In your writing you should aim to draw the most vivid picture to your reader. I experienced this during a guest lecture by Bob Gill, an American Illustrator and Designer. He would provide the most vivid pictures of his work through his storytelling. Without even showing us a picture of the logo he had created, he achieved to make a clear picture of his work simply through his explanation. Bob Gill tries to invent an image in people’s minds and he does so successfully,
“Now for a designer to make a living, they have to do more than just know how to set some type because the client can do that. So what’s left? Well the most wonderful part is left, which is to discover how you say new things. I often talk about design as idea; I am not interested in design as layout — obviously I have to lay things out in order for them to be read — but it’s very low down on my priorities. I spend the majority of my time having an opinion and trying to invent an image that says that opinion like nobody’s ever said it before. That’s the fun of it.” Bob Gill, 2015.
Bibliography
Nordquist, R. (n.d.). How to Write an Expository Essay. Retrieved February 01, 2018, from https://www.thoughtco.com/expository-writing-composition-1690624
Expository Writing Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved February 01, 2018, from http://www.softschools.com/examples/grammar/expository_writing_examples/395/
Inc, S. (n.d.). How to Write an Expository Essay. Retrieved February 02, 2018, from https://www.scribendi.com/advice/expository_writing.en.html
Sedillo, A. (n.d.). What is Expository Writing? — Definition & Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved February 03, 2018, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-expository-writing-definition-examples.html
Bob Gill: Design as Idea. (2015, August 20). Retrieved February 04, 2018, from http://www.casualoptimist.com/blog/2015/08/20/bob-gill-design-as-idea/
