Types of Writing Styles

TYPES OF WRITING STYLES
There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and

narrative. Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose. A single text may
include more than one writing style.
EXPOSITORY
Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing. When an author
writes in an expository style, all they are trying to do is explain a concept, imparting
information from themselves to a wider audience. Expository writing does not include
the author’s opinions, but focuses on accepted facts about a topic, including statistics
or other evidence.
Examples of Expository Writing
 Textbooks
 How-to articles
 Recipes
 News stories (not editorials or Op-Eds)
 Business, technical, or scientific writing
DESCRIPTIVE
Descriptive writing is often found in fiction, though it can make an appearance in

nonfiction as well (for example, memoirs, first-hand accounts of events, or travel
guides). When an author writes in a descriptive style, they are painting a picture in
words of a person, place, or thing for their audience. The author might
employ metaphor or other literary devices in order to describe the author’s
impressions via their five senses (what they hear, see, smell, taste, or touch). But the
author is not trying to convince the audience of anything or explain the scene – merely
describe things as they are.
Examples of Descriptive Writing
 Poetry
 Journal/diary writing
 Descriptions of Nature
 Fictional novels or plays
PERSUASIVE
Persuasive writing is the main style of writing you will use in academic papers. When
an author writes in a persuasive style, they are trying to convince the audience of a
position or belief. Persuasive writing contains the author’s opinions and biases, as
well as justifications and reasons given by the author as evidence of the correctness of
their position. Any “argumentative” essay you write in school should be in the
persuasive style of writing.
Examples of Persuasive Writing
 Cover letters
 Op-Eds and Editorial newspaper articles
 Reviews of items
 Letters of complaint
 Advertisements
 Letters of recommendation
NARRATIVE
Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of writing, whether fiction or
nonfiction. When an author writes in a narrative style, they are not just trying to
impart information, they are trying to construct and communicate a story, complete
with characters, conflict, and settings.
Examples of Narrative Writing
 Oral histories
 Novels/Novellas
 Poetry (especially epic sagas or poems)
 Short Stories
 Anecdotes
Different types of writing – text
types
Writing is done for a number of different purposes and for different audiences. These
different forms of writing are often known as text types at school.
Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information.
Literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create

mental images.
Students are often asked to present an assignment or project which may be one of
these text types.
Below are lists of different text types, purposes and features that are included in the
English K-6 syllabus. This list may provide hints to help with your child’s written task.
Always refer to the actual task requirements sent home with your child and remember
the type of text used by a writer should suit the purpose and the audience.
Factual texts
Factual description
Describes a place or thing using facts.
Features:
 begins with an introductory statement

 systematically describes different aspects of the subject
 may end with a concluding statement.
Examples:
 landscape descriptions
Factual recount
Gives instructions on how to make or do something.
Features:
 begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)

 lists materials needed in order of use
 gives a series of steps (instructions) in order
 each instruction begins with a verb in the present tense.
Examples:
 recipes
 instructions
 manual.
Information report
Classifies, describes and gives factual information about people, animals, things or
phenomena.
Features:
 begins with a general classifi cation or defi nition

 lists a sequence of related information about the topic
 ends with a concluding comment.
Examples:
 facts about whales

Procedure
Gives instructions on how to make or do something.
Features:
 begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)

 lists materials needed in order of use
 gives a series of steps (instructions) in order
 each instruction begins with a verb in the present tense.
Examples:
 recipes
 instruction
 manual.
Procedural recount
Tells how something was made or done in time order and with accuracy.
Features:
 begins with a statement of what was made or done

 tells what was made in order
 written in the past tense.
Examples:
 documentaries
 retelling
 a science experiment and its results.
Explanation
Explains how or why something happens.
Features:
 starts by naming the topic

 describes items related to the topic in their right order
 explains how the items relate to each other and to the topic
 may end with a concluding statement
 may include visual images, e.g. flowcharts and diagrams, which support what is
written in words
 written in the present tense.
Examples:
 the life cycle of a butterfly

 how gears work
 labelled diagrams
 flowcharts.
Exposition
Gives reasons for a point of view to try and convince others of it.
Features:
 begins with a sentence that gives a point of view on a topic

 lists the arguments giving reasons and evidence for them
 uses convincing language e.g. ‘will damage’ instead of ‘may damage’.
Example:
 A team’s argument for a debate.

Discussion
Gives different points of view in order to make an informed decision.
Features:
 begins with some background information leading to the issue

 lists arguments for and against, giving evidence for different points of view
 conclusion might sum up both sides or recommend one point of view.
Example:
 Should cars be banned from the inner city?
Literary texts
Literary description
Describes people, characters, places, events and things in an imaginative way.
Features:
 describes characteristic features of the subject, e.g. physical appearance,

behaviour
 often forms part of other pieces of writing.
Examples:
 description of a character
 setting within a story.
Literary recount
Retells events from novels, plays, films and personal experiences to entertain others.
Features:
 begins with background information, e.g. character, time, place

 describes the events in time order
 may end with a personal comment about the characters or events.
Examples:
 A recount of a traditional story, e.g. The Gingerbread Man.

 A humorous and creatively interpreted recount of an ordinary incident that
actually took place.
Personal response
Gives a personal opinion on a novel, play or film, referring to parts within the passage.
Features:
 describes how you feel about a novel, film, book or play

 lists what did and did not appeal to you
 may comment on some of the features of the writing.
Examples:
 What did you like about that artwork and why?

 Describe why you do or do not like this story/poem.
Review
Summarises, analyses and assesses the appeal of a novel, play or film, to a broader
audience.
Features:
 describes how features (e.g. characters, plot, language features, humour etc)
may or may not appeal
Examples:
 commentary on a film, play, book etc.

Narrative
Tells a story using a series of events.
Features:
 the scene is set in a time and place and characters are introduced
 usually has a problem that is addressed
 may contain a message for the reader.
Examples:
 picture books
 cartoons
 mystery
 fantasy
 adventure
 science fiction
 historical fiction
 fairy tales
 myths
 legends
 fables
 plays.

Types of Writing Styles

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Types of Writing Styles

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What are the four main types of writing styles?

What are the four main types of writing styles?

What is expository writing used for?

What is expository writing used for?

TYPES OF WRITING STYLES

There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and

Examples of Expository Writing

Descriptive writing is often found in fiction, though it can make an appearance in

Examples of Descriptive Writing

Examples of Persuasive Writing

Examples of Narrative Writing

Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information.

Literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create

 begins with an introductory statement

 begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)

 begins with a general classifi cation or defi nition

 facts about whales

 begins with a statement of goal (could be the title)

 begins with a statement of what was made or done

 starts by naming the topic

 the life cycle of a butterfly

 begins with a sentence that gives a point of view on a topic

 A team’s argument for a debate.

 begins with some background information leading to the issue

 Should cars be banned from the inner city?

 describes characteristic features of the subject, e.g. physical appearance,

 begins with background information, e.g. character, time, place

 A recount of a traditional story, e.g. The Gingerbread Man.

 describes how you feel about a novel, film, book or play

 What did you like about that artwork and why?

 commentary on a film, play, book etc.

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