Genres of Writing

 The Power of Reading Books From Different Genres

Welcome Back, Readers! I hope you’ve had a great holiday break! And as we are vastly approaching the finish line of another great semester, as a college student like me, have you often wondered about the types of writing? Or why you struggled with your academic writing assignments? Look no further; the School of English Studies is here to assist.

Believe it or not, I recently discovered that Grammarly Blog has good insight into this topic by Blogger Catherine Traffis. According to Grammarly Blog, whether you write essays, business materials, fiction, articles, letters, or even just notes in your journal, your writing will be at its best if you stay focused on your purpose. While there are many reasons why you might be putting pen to paper or tapping away on the keyboard, there are only four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative.

Each of these four writing genres has a distinct aim, and they all require different types of writing skills. You may also have heard them referred to in an academic setting as modes of discourse or rhetoric. Institutions of higher learning teach nine traditional rhetorical methods, but most pieces we are called upon to write will have one of these four primary purposes: for example,

Expository Writing

The word expository contains the word expose, so expository is an apt descriptor for this type of writing because it tells, or sets forth, facts. It is the most common writing genre you will encounter throughout your day. An expository piece introduces a topic and lays it out logically without referencing the author’s personal opinions.

Writers can find expository writing in textbooks, journalism (except for opinion and editorial articles), business writing, technical writing, and essay instructions. These kinds of writing are expository because they aim to explain and inform.

Sample: The municipal government of Happyville unanimously approved the construction of sixty-two miles of bike trails in 2017. Made possible by a new tax levy, the bike trails are expected to help the city reach its sustainability and clean air goals while reducing traffic and congestion. Eighteen trailheads with restrooms and picnic areas have been planned at various access points. The city expected construction to be complete in April 2021. (Traffis, 2022).

Because this paragraph supplies the reader with facts and figures about its topic, the new bike trails, without offering the author’s opinion, it is expository.

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing aims to help the reader visualize, in detail, a character, event, place, or all these things at once. The author might describe the scene in terms of all five senses. Descriptive writing gives the writer much more artistic freedom than expository writing.

Writers can also find descriptive writing in Fiction Poetry Advertising Journal and diary writing.

Sample: The children pedaled leisurely down the Happyville Bike Trail, their giggles and whoops reverberating through the warm spring air. Sweet-scented wildflowers brought an array of colors to the gently undulating landscape, tempting the children to dismount now and then so they could lay down in the spring, soft grass.  (Traffis, 2022).

Through description, this passage paints a vivid picture of a scene on the new bike trail.

Persuasive Writing

The aim of persuasive writing, or argumentation, is to influence the reader to assume the author’s point of view. The author will express personal opinions in the piece and arm themselves with evidence so the reader will agree.

Writers can find persuasive writing in Advertising Opinions, editorial pieces, and Review Job applications.

Sample: The bike trail is the glittering gem of Happyville’s new infrastructure. It winds through sixty-two miles of lush landscape dotted by clean and convenient facilities. If you haven’t experienced the Happyville Bike Trail, ditch your car and head outside! Could life in Happyville get any more idyllic?  (Traffis, 2022).

Several statements in this paragraph are opinions rather than facts: that the bike trail is a glittering gem, that the facilities are clean and convenient, and that life in Happyville is idyllic. The author aims to use these depictions to persuade readers to use the bike trail.

Narrative Writing

The purpose of narrative writing is to tell a story, whether that story is real or imaginary. Pieces in a narrative style will have characters, and the reader learns what happens to them through the narrative. Narrative writing can also include dialogue.

Writers can also find narrative writing in all types of fiction (e.g., novels, short stories, novellas), Poetry, Biographies, Human interest stories, and anecdotes.

Sample: As I cycled down the trail, I heard children giggling and whooping around the bend. I crested a small hill and coasted down the curving path until I found the noise source. Three little girls sat in the grass by a big oak tree. They were startled to see me, and I smiled kindly to put them at ease. I crested a small hill and coasted down the curving path until I found the noise source.  (Traffis, 2022).

“Whatcha doing?” I asked.

“Nothing,” they chirped in unison.

In this passage, the author sets the scene on the bike trail from their point of view (which is referred to as narrating in the first person). The story is laid out in chronological order using description and dialogue.

Understanding Your Purpose Empowers Your Writing

Simply puzzling out which of these four types of writing best suits your purpose and adhering to it can help you write more efficiently and effectively.

To summarize,

Expository writing sets forth facts. You can find it in textbooks, journalism (except opinion or editorial articles), business writing, technical writing, essays, and instructions.

Descriptive writing evokes images through detailed descriptions. You can find it in fiction, poetry, journal writing, and advertising.

Persuasive writing aims to sway the reader toward the author’s point of view. It is used heavily in advertising and can also be found in opinion and editorial pieces, reviews, and job applications.

Narrative writing tells a story and can be found in fiction, poetry, biographies, human interest stories, and anecdotes.

These are just a few genres students familiarize themselves with and utilize in the Kean University School of English Studies Program.

As a reminder, Kean University School of English Studies Department is also calling all Alumni, Faculty, Adjunct, and Students; please remember to take a moment to complete the forms as requested for publication:

Alumni Stories Submissions Form, Adjunct Professional Updates Submission Form, Faculty Professional Updates Submission Form, or Student Achievements and Accomplishments Submission Form.

To learn more about how to apply to the School of English Studies and remain in constant contact, email english@kean.edu and connect with us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/KeanEnglish, and https://twitter.com/KeanEnglish. 😊