Writing with Style Writing and Style Manual 
Poway Unified School District  

Writing with Style | Elements of Written Communication | The Writing Process |
  Forms of Writing | Organizing Your Writing  |
 Formal and Informal Style
The Basic Structure of an Academic Essay | Writing on Demand
The Research Process | MLA Format

General Writing Modes

Expository Writing

Expository writing presents factual information about a subject. Its main purpose is to inform. Because expository writing is concerned with presenting facts to the audience, it should be objective and unbiased.  Expository writing is often used in the sciences, and it is the primary mode used by journalists.  Within academic essays, we use expository writing when we present factual information, such as background or research findings.

We use expository writing to

  • report facts
  • summarize ideas
  • define terms
  • explain a process
  • give instructions

 

Descriptive Writing

 

Descriptive writing paints a picture of a subject through the use of vivid imagery and specific detail. Descriptive writing tries to convey a particular impression of a person, place, or thing.  Because descriptive writing uses strong “word pictures”, it is a great way to convey emotion and attitude. Vivid descriptions can be great tools for persuasion, and often add interest to introductions or conclusions.

 

We use descriptive writing in many different writing tasks, including

 

  • Narratives or stories
  • Reports
  • Personal experiences
  • Character sketches
  • Advertising
  • Poetry

 

Narrative Writing

 

Narrative writing is used to tell a story. Narration presents a series of events in order to inform or entertain the audience. Narrative writing can be both fiction and non-fiction.  The primary goal of narration is to relate a series of events that occurred to particular characters.  However, narrative writing will often incorporate the descriptive mode (when describing setting and characters) as well as the expository mode (when stating background or other information directly to the reader).  Within academic essays, narrative writing can be used to relate an anecdote, particularly in an introduction or as part of an example.

 

We use narrative writing for

  • anecdotes and illustrative examples
  • personal writing
  • creative writing
  • fiction

 

 

Persuasive Writing

 

Persuasive writing is used to convince the audience to believe or agree with the writer’s argument or interpretation. Most advanced academic writing is done in the persuasive mode. Persuasive writing relies primarily on logic and specific supporting examples, but it often incorporates expository, descriptive, and occasionally narrative modes as well.


Persuasive writing takes many forms, including

·        literary analysis

·        historical analysis

·        debates

·        research papers

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updated 01/07/03 D.Hogan