Overview

Expository writing is used to explain processes, to analyze cause-and-effect relationships, to compare and contrast, and to analyze problems and explore solutions. Expository writing that explains a process is used, for example, in directions for making something. Writing that describes a cause-and-effect relationship may be used to explain the connection between one event and another. Comparison-and-contrast writing points out the similarities and differences between people, items, or events. A problem-and-solution essay can be useful in explaining how a problem affects people and proposing realistic solutions to it.

When developing a hypothesis, the expository writer needs to identify the issue to be explored, collect data and consult with experts, look for patterns or trends in the data, decide on a reasonable hypothesis, and finally test the hypothesis before accepting, modifying, or rejecting it.