How To Bring Expository Style To Your Writings

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The expository writing style uses facts gathered through detailed investigation or research to explain an idea, topic,  concept or situation.  It can assume a compare or contrast form, where two different ideas are juxtaposed. It can also use a causal effect analysis, multiple ideas and examples, etc.

Using this style demands objectivity and relies primarily on proven data and statistical evidence. The structure of expository writing permits detailed, clear and logical explanations and should not include the writer’s personal opinion about the subject. This style is used in academic, business, journalistic, scientific writing, among others.

Employing expository writing requires that your work should have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

The common number of paragraphs in a short expository work structure is about five: one for introduction, three for the body, and the last for conclusion. However, the scope of your exposition determines the number of paragraphs to be employed.

Here are a few things to consider when embarking on expository writing:

  1. Research and outline the writing structure

The first step to expository writing is gathering relevant information about your topic through research. It is important to brainstorm the topic and outline details to be explained and included in each paragraph. Always remember that expository writing uses third-person pronouns, such as he, she, they, etc. Objectivity cannot be overemphasised, so ensure you document the information and data obtained and not your subjective opinion.

  • A clear and defined introduction

The introduction is the section where the topic under discussion is unveiled. It should clearly define the topic and the purpose of your writing. A clear and concise introduction enhances readers’ understanding and interest in the work.

  • Seamless connection between sentences, paragraphs and structures

It is important to ensure a logical transition between sentences and structure while using the expository writing style. For instance, each idea discussed in a paragraph should connect to the next idea in the following paragraph and the general topic.

  • Paragraphing

The body entails a breakdown of the general idea. Therefore, each paragraph in the body of the work should be restricted to discussing an idea. In other words, the number of paragraphs in the body should equate to the number of ideas under discussion. Paragraphing this way builds your argument or point, idea by idea, until the concluding evidence or closing statements. Consequently, the readers can easily detect your point in each paragraph without confusion.

  • A simple and clear conclusion

The conclusion in expository writing is not necessarily a summary of the work. Instead, it is a simple and clear evidence of support on the topic being written. Therefore, a conclusion should be logical and precise, based on all the facts and ideas provided.

While the things to consider may be inexhaustive, it is critical to follow the standard structure and ensure that all facts are presented accurately, coherently and objectively with a precise conclusion. That is the hallmark of expository writing.

How to Use the Descriptive Style Of Writing

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Is there any form of meaningful writing that doesn’t require a touch of description?

No?

Well, we didn’t think so, either.

In nearly everything you write, whether it’s a fictional project or otherwise, you will need to paint pictures in your readers’ minds. It could be in the scenes of your story, your personal experience with someone/something, explaining a point or the character you’re depicting.

Descriptive writing connects your writing with the senses of sight, smell, feeling, and taste. Therefore, before you even begin writing, you need to answer questions like, ‘What do I want my readers to see? How do I want them to feel?’

You can paint a vivid picture in the minds of your readers to hold their attention and keep them glued to your content. For example, ‘How do I make my readers see that the food is uninviting without using the word “uninviting?”’ In this scenario, the colour and presentation could be a turn-off.

The aim of using descriptions in your writing is for your readers to feel and experience the events portrayed in your writing. This can be a little difficult, which is why we decided to share a few tips on how to use the descriptive style of writing.

Here goes:

1. Leave out obvious descriptions: You may find that you are using predictable descriptions and unnecessary adjectives, which could make your writing look clichéd or lazy.

2. Take a break from the norm: Now that you have taken out the obvious descriptions, you want to bring a twist into your story or content. Throw in some interesting and surprising words to create your story. It will keep your writing fresh and memorable to your readers.

You can use phrases like ‘weeping cloud’ to portray a unique scenario.

This leads us to the final tip.

3. Use sensory details: To follow the common rule of storytelling that says ‘show, don’t tell’, you need to use sensory details in your writing. Let your writing come alive by making it appealing to the senses of your readers.

These sensory details use the five human senses to show what you say to your readers. For example, ‘The pale chicken slice floated in murky fat’. (The chicken was uninviting.)

‘He stumbled into the classroom breathless, just before the bell clanged’. (He ran into the class just before the bell rang.)

However, be careful to not become too descriptive that you forget its essence and the picture you are trying to paint.

There you go, three tips and examples to get you started in descriptive writing.

Remember, Sabi Writers is always here to assist you when the going gets tough.

How to Write Your First Draft

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The thought of writing a story can be overwhelming.

Questions like, ‘How do I start? How do I express this idea? What style of writing should I use?’ will run through your mind. These questions are pointers that it’s time to begin your first draft. 

The first draft is also called a rough draft, in that it doesn’t have to be error-free. You are allowed to make mistakes because you have other drafts and opportunities to refine the work. 

It is advisable to have an outline to guide your writing before beginning your rough draft. Once your outline is ready, you’ll need to create a strategy for a seamless writing process.

Here are three tips to adopt as you write your first draft.

1. Follow your outline but be flexible:

Remember when we said a rough draft allows you to get your ideas out of your head? The first draft is an expanded form of your outline. At this stage, you are trying to expand your outline into something meaningful using what you have read and learnt from researching.

Stick to your outline but keep in mind that you may need to change the direction of your writing as you progress. If that happens, be willing to accept the change.

2. Don’t be stopped by mistakes:

Give room for mistakes and errors. Allow your mind to travel far and wide. Turn off your perfectionist button, because trying to verify your spellings or grammar while writing the first draft can become boring, and may kill your flow. You can flesh out and refine your idea to fit your style later.

3. Pace yourself:

Set deadlines that are attainable, and give yourself time to relax while writing. Make a schedule that does not put you under pressure. You can work with a daily timestamp. For example, dedicate 30 minutes to an hour daily to completing your first draft. To achieve the best result, do this in the most productive time of your day.

Most of the works you appreciate now all began with an outline and a rough draft. Allow yourself to explore stories and ideas without the pressure of getting it right with your first draft.

Now that you know how to write your first draft, what are you waiting for? It’s time to write.

Good luck!

How to Use Persuasive Writing

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Persuasive writing is powerful enough to influence your reader’s belief or sway their interest to your point of view. You don’t have to be a writer or copywriter to know how to use the persuasive writing style. Do you want your reader (customers) to take action sooner than they ordinarily would? Then take your time to digest this article as we proceed.

Persuasive writing goes beyond putting an idea on paper. To write persuasively, you need to carry out thorough research on the idea. You need to pick appealing words and relevant keywords to create well-structured sentences that present your idea strongly. This writing style can be used in articles, songs, speeches, thought pieces and other marketing methods to get your readers to buy a product or use a service. Also, it will help you present facts in a way that clearly communicates your argument.

Here are a few ways you can make your writing more persuasive.

1. Know your audience:

You have to know your target audience before deciding how best to approach them. What do they find interesting? What are their pain points? What solutions do they need? You can use trending phrases or expressions to pass your message or idea. For example, a Nigerian publishing company can switch between a formal persuasive style and an informal one, using trending phrases like ‘Soro soke’ and ‘E choke’ to grab the reader’s attention and sell their point of view. However, if you are promoting a business book internationally, you would need to be more formal than informal.

2. Repeat yourself but be strategic about it:

Strategically repeating yourself is an effective way to persuade your readers. Do this by presenting your idea in different ways, with synonymous words and relatable examples.

3. Ask your readers questions:

You can be persuasive in your writing when you ask your readers questions. Your aim is to subtly force them to answer critical personal questions because it gives them clarity as to why they should swing your way.

4. Research every side of your argument:

To persuade your readers to follow you, you must give facts that show how your idea, product, or service is better than others. Presenting these facts in declarative statements will rightly express your idea and hook your reader’s attention.

In the marketing space, persuasive writing is crucial, but how can you effectively persuade your customers to choose you if you don’t have facts that you can leverage? For example, most paints grow mould after a short time due to inadequate bacterial shield. A paint production company can include the name or quantity of bacterial shield their paint embodies in their marketing copy.

The use of persuasive writing will convince your readers and win them over. So, learn the art to improve your writing ability and make your writing more influential.

However, if you don’t have the time to master this art, we have a team of professionals that understands the techniques in persuasive writing and can get your readers to follow your point of view within a short period.

The Importance of a Rough Draft

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A rough draft is a document that has the idea you want to portray but lacks quality and accuracy. There is a reason why it is called a rough draft, and you will find out more as you read this article to the end.

If you must write your book, for example, then you must be patient to bring your ideas to life.

You can do this by first getting them out of your head and on paper the basic ingredients of the work. Your book at its basic form could be called a rough draft.

Rough draft is what it is, rough.

In agreement with this, John Dufresne, an American author, said, ‘The purpose of the first draft is not to get it right but to get it written’.

The ideas you put down may be disorganised or lack the professionalism you desire at first, but be patient; it will all make sense soon. You will have the time to fill in more details and restructure every sentence to reflect quality.

A rough draft is an integral part of writing, and the following are a few reasons why:

1. You start your writing process:

Like they say, starting is the most essential yet challenging aspect of any project – including writing. After doing your research, the thought of writing may seem scary or confusing at first. However, writing down everything that comes to your mind creates a pattern you can follow as you proceed. The ideas you pen down may lack quality in punctuation, grammar or presentation, but by penning them down, you can say that your writing process has begun.

2. It lets your creativity express itself. 

When you know your writing is allowed to look its worst as a rough draft, you become willing to give your creativity free rein. You become free to explore characters and writing styles because you understand that the planned out book or content can take a different turn in the course of the writing refinement. As a writer with a rough draft, it is okay to make mistake.

3. You can feel and touch your ideas.

With a rough draft in your hands, you have a better understanding of your ideas: what to add or remove, how to proceed, if you should follow the structured outline or create a new one. The story may even change totally because you are now more aware of better ways to present your idea. Creating drafts will help you visualise your book or article and gauge how much more work you still need to do.

However, if you are in haste to get it over and done with, you can always contact us. We have talented writers who can write long and short-form content with an impressive turnaround time.

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