The Modes of Writing: Creative, Narrative, Expository and Persuasive Dale M. Scott

Creative/Imaginative Writing “Here’s What I Imagine” The primary purpose of this mode of writing is to entertain the reader. Writers imagine, invent, explore. Ex: Novel, Short Story, Play, Poetry, Film Script, etc.

Narrative/Expressive/Personal Writing “Here’s What I Remember” This type of writing tells about an event and recounts a personal experience based on something which might or might not have really happened. All of the details work together to create a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. Expressive communication involved sharing personal experiences and insights. The writer/speaker addresses the reader/listener as a confidant, a friendly interested audiences. Ex: Autobiography, Memorial, Anecdotes, Journal Responses.

Expository/Explanatory Writing “Here’s What I Understand” This type of writing gives information, explains something, clarifies, or defines. The writing reveals the reader’s understanding through a mix of key points and critical support. The writer of an explanatory text is a knowledgeable teacher addressing a learner. Exposition uses language to inform readers/listeners, to explain or prove a topic, or to explore a topic. Ex: Types of writing include: Process/How-to, Cause & Effect, Problem/Solution, Comparison/Contrast, Definition, and Classification. Ex: Forms of writing include Essays, Summaries, Newspaper articles, Reflective papers.

Persuasive/Argumentative “Here’s What I Stand For” The primary purpose of persuasive writing is to give an opinion and try to influence the reader’s way of thinking with supportive evidence. Persuasive writing attempts to convince the reader that a point of view is valid or to persuade the reader to take a specific action. It is a debatable topic where there could be more than one point of view. Persuasive writing differs from expository writing in that it does more than explain, it also takes a stand and tries to persuade the reader to take that same stand. Uses the following to convince readers/listeners: LOGOS: Logic and Evidence ETHOS: Ethics (Morals/Values)/Authority PATHOS: Emotions *Controversial Issues: Death Penalty, Abortion, Gay Marriage, etc.

You May Have Even Heard of Descriptive Writing Basically, Descriptive writing is used to describe a person, place, thing, event, or idea using the five senses: SIGHT, SMELL, HEAR, TASTE, TOUCH