Expository/Informational Writing Expository writing is a kind of writing that aims to inform or explain. Explanations provide the reader with information about the meaning of something or how something is performed, organized or used. Expository writing differs from creative and personal writing (journals, personal essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, poetry, drama and fiction) in that the diction is very concise and clear. Only necessary words and information are included in order to keep the reader focused. Informational essays are developed using a variety of organizational methods.

An informational essay is a form of expository writing whose goal is to inform the reader of something or explain something to the reader. Magazines often contain these kinds of writing, explaining anything from where to find the best antique stores to information on balancing your life. Informational essays try to answer as many questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? How?

Most informational essays contain the following elements: A clearly stated or implied thesis that expresses the main idea of the essay—This usually appears in the first two or three paragraphs but it can appear in the middle or at the end of the essay. Well-chosen examples that support the main idea— Examples are necessary because they allow the reader to visualize the object, process or idea that the writer is explaining. Paragraphs that use a variety of organizational strategies—Informational essay paragraphs can be organized in a variety of ways. For example, an informational essay about buying skis may contain a paragraph that narrates a skiing story, another one which compares and contrasts kinds of skis and another paragraph which may classify types of skis. Also, a writer may choose to write the entire essay by comparing and contrasting different kinds of skis.

Illustrative material that helps to explain the essay or article—Many writers and magazine editors use sidebars, charts, tables, cartoons, photographs and drawings to help illustrate/explain the writer's thesis. These also add to the visual appeal of the reader.