Expository Writing Overview

Expository Writing

• The main purpose of expository writing is to inform, describe, or explain a topic.

Tone of Expository Writing

• A well-written exposition should use a neutral or objective tone.

Examples of Expository Writing

• Expository writing examples can be found in essays, articles, textbooks, and instructional materials.

Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions

• Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs to link equivalent sentence elements.
• A common example of a correlative conjunction is 'both...and'.

Subordinating Conjunctions

• The function of subordinating conjunctions is to introduce a dependent clause in a sentence.
• In the sentence 'Gerald had to begin his thesis over again when his computer crashed,' 'when' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces the dependent clause 'when his computer crashed'.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• The function of a coordinating conjunction is to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance in a sentence.
• Coordinating conjunctions are used to link elements of equal importance in compound sentences.
• A common example of a coordinating conjunction is 'and'.
• In the sentence 'The negotiations were successful, so the diplomats returned to their homes', 'so' is a coordinating conjunction that connects the two independent clauses.

Difference between Compound and Complex Sentences

• Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
• Complex sentences contain an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Prepositions

• In the sentence 'The spider crawled slowly along the banister', 'along' is a preposition that shows the relationship between the spider and the banister.