This document discusses four main types of writing: expository, narrative, argumentative, and informative. Expository writing aims to explain, inform, or describe through examples like reports, textbooks, and encyclopedia articles. Narrative writing tells a story or event through genres like memoirs, fiction, and oral histories. Argumentative writing proves an idea or point of view through persuasion and sound reasoning in formats like editorials, job applications, and letters. Informative writing conveys information accurately by summarizing or providing instructions.

1. Writing Types
EDSS 620
Summer 2013

2. Expository Writing
• Expository writing is a type of writing where the
purpose is to explain, inform, or even describe.
• It is considered to be one of the four most
common rhetorical modes.
• The purpose of exposition (or expository writing)
is to explain and analyze information by
presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and
appropriate discussion.
• Use the Expository Writing Rubrics in EngageNY

3. Expository Writing
• Examples include:
• Business letters
• How-to essays, such as recipes and other instructions
• News stories
• Personal letters
• Press releases
• Reports
• Scientific reports
• Term papers
• Textbooks
• Wills
• Encyclopedia articles
• Cuisines

4. Narrative Writing
• The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an
event or series of events.
• This writing mode frequently uses the tools of
descriptive writing.
• Narrative writing coveys an experience, either real or
imaginary and uses time as its deep structure.
• Narration is an especially useful tool for sequencing or
putting details and information into some kind of
logical order, usually chronological.
• The purpose of a narrative may be to entertain,
instruct, or inform.
• Use the CCSS Narrative Writing Rubrics

5. Narrative Writing
• Examples include:
• Anecdotes
• Autobiography
• Biography
• Memoir
• Fictional Stories
• Novels
• Oral history
• Short story

6. Argumentative Writing
• The purpose of argumentation (also called persuasive
writing) is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of
view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and
argument that thoroughly convince the reader.
• Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation with the
additional aim to urge the reader to take some form of
action.
• An argument is a reasoned, logical way of demonstrating
the writer’s position, belief, or conclusion.
• Argument takes the form of opinion in the elementary
grades and evolves into argument in the middle and high
school grades.
• Use the CCSS Argumentative Writing Rubric

7. Argumentative Writing
• “While all three text types are important, the
Standards put particular emphasis on
students’ ability to write sound arguments on
substantive topics and issues, as this ability is
critical to college and career readiness.” (From
Appendix A, page 24 of the Common Core
State Standards for English Language Arts.)

8. Argumentative Writing
• Examples include:
• Advertising copy
• Critical review
• Editorials
• Job evaluation
• Job application letter
• Letter of recommendation
• Letters to the editor
• Résumés

9. Informative Writing
• Informational/ explanatory writing conveys
information accurately
• Writers draw information from what they
already know and from primary and
secondary sources.
• Writings that exemplify this text type include
summaries and instructions.

10. Writing Across the Curriculum
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/writing/secondary/writingtypes.html#

11. Scholastic “Write-It”
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writeit/