Expositive

Expositive is an adjective describing discourse or writing that aims to inform by explaining, describing, or clarifying a topic. In rhetoric and composition, expository or expositive writing presents facts and ideas in a straightforward manner without deliberate persuasion or emotional appeal.

Etymology: from Latin exponere, "to set forth." The form expositive is used in English to refer to modes of discourse that prioritize explanation and information over argument, narrative, or description.

Key features include a clear, logical structure; definitions and explanations; processes, causes, or effects; examples and evidence; and an objective or neutral tone. Expositive writing often uses signposts and conventional organization such as cause-effect, problem-solution, or compare-and-contrast, with emphasis on accuracy and verifiability.

Common contexts are textbooks, manuals, encyclopedias, scientific articles, and instructional essays, as well as journalistic explanations of phenomena. It contrasts with descriptive writing, which emphasizes sensory detail; narrative writing, which tells a story; and persuasive writing, which argues for a point of view.

In education, expositive writing helps convey information and train readers to understand processes or concepts, while in research, it underpins the presentation of methods, results, and interpretations in a clear, replicable form.