Expository Writing: The “Not So Dull” Approach

Posted on Jan 14 2010 at 3:45 PM


By Mollie Dickson

First, I’d like to thank Stephen King for proving to my students that “expository” writing need not be dull, dry, nor void of personal opinion. Quite the contrary. Entertainment Weekly’s article, “Stephen King’s Guide to Movie Snacks,” is filled with wit, humor, charm, and a bold, opinionated voice. So in an attempt to rid my students of their negative preconceptions about expository essays, I introduced the unit like this:

The question: “What do you think about expository writing? Now, no need to raise your hand and recite the definition. I want your gut reactions—be honest; don’t hold back—let’s hear it.” Groans, ewww, boring, blah, huh?, disgusting, and even sick echoed around the room. And I think most of my students were surprised to see a smile gleaming across my face in reaction to their painful expressions.

The answer: “Yes. Exactly what I thought you would say. But guess what? It’s not true. Often in school we get this idea put into our heads that expository writing = a dictionary-like explanation—straightforward; no smiles; no living, breathing person behind the words. Boring? Painful? Yes, I would have to agree. But this isn’t what expository writing looks and sounds like in the real world… otherwise, who would read it?”

Now that I had their full attention, I passed around the article. And to my delight, not only did students soak up Stephen King’s humor, they also recognized the elements of expository writing and organization we have been learning in class (an inviting lead to capture interest, sticking to a central idea and supporting it with interesting details, and a conclusion that leaves readers pondering the bigger picture—a personal connection, thought-provoking question, challenge to take action, etc.). Yes, they get it: expository writing is not isolated and bound to exist solely within school walls. And having witnessed a real-world example, they were ready to delve into their own version—Angela’s Guide to Surviving a Middle School Dance; Brian’s Guide to Acing Procrastination; John’s Guide to Turning Mom’s “No” into “Yes”—pencils raced across the pages of their writer’s notebooks. And I couldn’t even bring myself to quiet them, as whispers and laughter spilled out, breaking the silence, because today, they were dying to share.

*****

(Not So) Expository Writing Take Two:

“Try This”: Imagine that you have been asked to give the graduation speech for your senior class of 2015. Write a speech in which you give your fellow classmates advice for their future. Tip: Mix it up (long, short; general, specific; funny, wise; insightful, random). Keep your pencils moving—GO!

Fifteen minutes felt like two, as I joined my 7th graders in scribbling out words of wisdom for the future. When I announced it was time to find a stopping place, I turned on the song, “Everybody’s Free (to wear sunscreen)” —a personal favorite. After, I challenged students to write down all the lines they could remember, spurring a great discussion about what makes writing memorable, and again proving that expository writing can be worth our while.

“In fact,” I told my students, “this song was originally a newspaper article. Classic expository. But far from the dry, dull, voiceless prose we have falsely accused this mode of in school. The truth is, expository (like all writing) has the power to inspire us, shock us, make us question, make us personally connect. So do it. No more boring explanations that people don’t care to read. I invite you to breathe life, energy, and passion into your words. Be bold. Say it like you mean it, because guess what, we do want to hear your voice.”
 

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