SOUTH EASTERN KENYA UNIVERSITY

UNIT NAME: WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH

UNIT CODE: CLE204

NAME REG NO SIGN

1. SHARON NDUNGE E121/2034/2020

2. ROSELINE NGUGI E121/0623/2020
3. KIPTOO KIRUI ISAAC E121/0864/2020
4. BRIAN MOENGA E121/1956/2020
5. ZIPPORAH KWAMBOKA E121/2012/2020
6. JOAN KASIVA E121/2004/2020
7. EMMANUEL OGERO E121/0942/2020
8. MUTUNE JUDY E121/0768/2020
9. CLIFFORD NYAMU E121/0608/2020
10. SOPHY ALFONCE E121/0974/2020

TASK; EXPOSITORY WRITING

EXPOSITORY WRITING

This is a type of an essay or writing that exposes facts which aim at educating and explaining to
its readers these facts rather than entertaining or attempting to persuade them.

Some of the writing that exposes facts include;

 Textbook pages.
 News report.
 Magazines.

Expository writing is logical and fact based and does not have to be boring.

Features of expository writing

Some of the features of expository writing includes the following;

i). Clarity

The writer`s idea should be clearly depicted in the essay. This enables the reader to get the idea
they put across in the essay easily.

ii). Illustrative

The writer should use relevant or directly related illustrations because they are of great
importance in such writings.

iii). The organization

The writing or the essay should be well organized. This means that the ideas and the thoughts of
the writer should be presented in a chronological order.

iv). Informative

The essay should familiarize and provide the reader with information contained in the subject
matter.

v). Impersonal

The essay should not be personal, that is, the writer should inform their readers of their thoughts
by use of the second person point of view.
Types of expository writing

There are many ways of writing expository essays. Some of the types or ways include the
following;

(a) Problem and solution

This type involves identifying an issue, providing details about it and suggesting possible
solutions or taking one solution, which is seen to be the best from the numerous solutions
suggested. For example, if in the current world the issue of HIV infection has increased among
the youths, then the best solution is suggested, that is, abstinence.

(b) Definitions and classification

This is a type of expository writing that explains what something is and how many types of the
thing can be there. For instance, in the term reading it is is defined and the categories contained
are stated.

Reading – the process of interpreting written language

Types of reading- scanning, skimming, light reading and active reading

(c) Cause and effect

This type of expository writing explains why something took place and how its outcomes affect
the future. For example, what brought about World War I and II and the consequences of the two
wars, i.e., cause- availability of firearms and superior weapons.

Effect- massive loss of lives and property.

(d) How to/process

This essay type explains or tells about a task and how to go about the particular task. For
example;

How to pay the tuition fees via M-pesa app

 Go to M-pesa menu and choose lip ana M-pesa option.

 Select paybill option.
 Key in the SEKU M-pesa business number- 339228
  Key in the amount you wish to pay.
 Key in your M-pesa pin.
 Check again to ensure you put the correct information.
 Wait for M-pesa confirmation message.
(e) Compare and contrast

This type of expository writing has two parts, comparison which works with similarities of the
two contents and the other part is contrast which works with differences of the two contents.

For example; Compare and contrast written and spoken communication.

Contrast; written language cannot be interrupted while spoken language can be interrupted for
clarification.

Compare; both spoken and written language have one aim of to the reader and the listener.

Key words that imply the writing of expository essay

(i) Analyze

In expository writing, analyzing means breaking down information into its various elements and
giving reasons for conclusion. For example, in giving report concerning the outbreak of COVID-
19, the information is broken down into various elements;

 What is COVID-19?
 The causes.
 Signs of infection.
 The effects.
 Preventive measures.
(ii) Explain

It involves giving reasons for writing or stating why a particular essay was written. For example,
the purpose of giving the report about COVID-19 was to keep the citizens aware and for them to
take precaution measures.

The format of expository writing

Like any other writing, the expository writing has an introduction, the body and the conclusion.
 (i) Introduction

This should give a brief background information and should always be captivating so as to attract
the attention of the reader.

(ii) Body

The body has three paragraphs, the first paragraph should consist of a topic sentence, the
supporting ideas and should also have a smooth flow to the second paragraph. The second
paragraph should be interconnected with the first one. The third paragraph also contains
supporting ideas and changes towards the conclusion.

(iii) Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main points highlighted in the body and it should always provide
a good message to inform the reader that the essay is coming to an end.

How to do expository writing effectively

Before beginning to write an expository essay, it is important to brainstorm or to investigate on

what you are supposed to write. The process involves:

i) Choosing an essay structure

The structure of an expository essay should generally begin with an introduction, the body and a
conclusion.

ii) Start with an outline

After choosing the structure of the essay, the writer should brief an outline before they begin
writing. The items of discussion are listed down and discussed.

iii) Point of view

The third person point of view should be used. Attention should always be there because
sometimes the first person or the second person point of view is accepted.
 iv) Clarity

This kind of writing requires a clear language which can be easily understood by the reader.
Figurative language such as use of metaphors or similes should be avoided.

v) Preparing he topic sentence

When the outline is briefly written the writer should develop a topic sentence which carries the
main idea and summarizes the arguments you going to make.

vi) Appealing introduction

The topic sentence is placed here. The introduction should capture the attention of readers and
state clearly what should be expected.

vii) Body paragraphs

Only one idea should be argued in each paragraph by giving more information about the idea.

viii) Transition between paragraphs

However, in addition to that, moreover, are e transitional words which are used so as to transit
from one paragraph to the next and makes flow of essay smooth.

ix) Supporting information

Most information should be given on the ideas stated and this can be achieved by doing more
research concerning them and citing the sources where the information was acquired.

x) Conclusion

The conclusion simply includes a complete summary of arguments which are clearly stated.

References

1. Graham, S. (1990) the role of productive factors in learning.

2. Baker. S. (2001) teaching expressive writing in learning (journal of writing 2001)
3. Allan M.E (2002), Step up writing (2nd Ed.)
4. Brown, A.L, &Captain, J. C (1990) Teaching of science and interactive learning.