What is exposition?

What is exposition?

The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is not to primarily to amuse, but to enlighten and instruct. The objective is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. Its essential quality is clarity. Most of the writing that you are required to do at school is expository (reports, tests, essays etc..) Similarly most of the writing you will do after school will be of this sort.
Examples of expository writing include:

• Reports
• Scientific reports
• Term papers
• Encyclopedia articles

Features of expository writing

The main features include:

• Informative
  Expository text is meant to deposit information
• Clarity.
  Using words that clearly show what the author is talking about.
• Organization of the text.
  A well-written exposition remains focused on its topic and lists events in chronological order
• Impersonal
  Second-person instructions with "you." However, the use of first-person pronouns should be avoided.
• Unbiased
  Expository essays will not overtly reveal the opinion of the writer.