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Expository writing is a mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to ‘expose’ information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. A well-written exposition remains focused on its topic and provides facts in order to inform its reader. It should be unbiased, accurate, and use a scholarly third person tone. Examples of expository writing can be found in magazine and newspaper articles, non-fiction books, travel brochures, business reports, memorandums, professional journal, oral presentations and encyclopedia articles and many other types of informative writing. One of the most familiar and basic forms of expository writing is the five-paragraph essay, which features an introduction with a clear thesis statement, three main body paragraphs and a conclusion.

This structure is also known as ‘process or collection’ and is a form of expository writing that is used if the author intends to inform his or her readers by listing the order of steps in a process or listing events in chronological order. Examples of this type of writing are cooking instructions, driving directions, and instructions on performing a task. Key words such as first, after, next, then and last usually signal sequential writing.

A descriptive essay is a type of expository writing that enables the reader to feel whatever you are describing. One should write using all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. One should also think about what makes the place you are describing important. Where are all the other objects compared to the one you are describing? What do you want the reader to feel? Is your essay descriptive enough to allow the reader to create a mental image in their mind? What does the setting remind you of? Also you have to explain to the reader what your writing about.

Classification is an organizational strategy in which authors arrange groups of objects or ideas according to a common topic in detail.^[1] Placing different objects or ideas in categories is a type of classification.

Comparative text shows how two or more subjects are similar or contrasting. This type of structure is often used in determining which is the better of two or more choices.

Cause and effect writing identifies the reason for something occurring and lists what occurs because of that reason. This is also known as analysis

In fiction writing, particularly in plays or screenplays without a narrator, expository dialog refers to information conveyed by one character to another, with the additional (and sometimes main) purpose of informing the reader or audience of some information. Writing natural-sounding expository dialog is a major challenge of good playwriting. Sometimes a character is introduced who "doesn't know what's going on," specifically so that the situation may be explained to that character, and in the process, explained to the audience.