How to Compare Expository vs.

Persuasive
Writing
Yoon KimUpdated July 21, 2017

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To compare identical Ford and Toyota pickups, you must first establish a set of criteria to measure them both against, such as price,
gas mileage, safety, comfort, maintenance cost and resale value. To compare expository writing with persuasive writing, you must
also establish criteria to see how they differ in introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and supporting details, among
others. Expository writing aims to inform or explain while persuasive writing aims to persuade and convince others. (See Reference
1).

How the Two Differ in Introduction

The overall thrust of the introduction in expository writing is to inform and explain whereas the introduction of persuasive writing
aims to convince and persuade the reader. The openings of both expository and persuasive writings are similar: you describe the
background information as to why this given topic is important to you or why you have chosen this particular topic over others. You
then identify the target audience—people who will benefit most by reading your writing. For example, in a descriptive essay, one
example of expository writing, you can explain or inform why you have decided to write about the grandeur and beauty of the Grand
Canyon. In a persuasive writing, you can explain why the legalization of marijuana is important to you; say, you are suffering from
terminal cancer and you need marijuana to alleviate your pain. In the expository essay about the Grand Canyon, your audience will
be those people who want to visit the national park, based on your factual information, whereas in the persuasive essay your
audience could be your state legislators or those who oppose the legalization.

Thesis Statements in Both

The thesis in an expository essay is more fact-based as it aims to inform or explain something to the reader whereas the thesis in a
persuasive writing aims to convince and persuade the reader with an argument, based on personal opinion. (See Reference 1). In
the above descriptive essay on the Grand Canyon, your thesis may read like this: “My favorite park is the Grand Canyon for the
following reasons: the majestic beauty, the Colorado River, and horseback riding through the gorges,” for example. Here the thesis
aims to inform the readers with facts rather than persuade them with an agenda. In the persuasive writing about the legalization of
marijuana, your thesis may read like this: “I believe we should legalize marijuana for the following reasons: to reduce the prison
population, increase state tax revenue, and supplement medicinal usage.” Here the thesis aims not to merely inform the readers but
argue and convince them.

Differences in Body Paragraphs

Both rhetorical modes require well-defined topic sentences in the body paragraphs as they must support the overall thesis of the
paper. In the expository writing, your supporting details will be based on your personal experience, observation and facts. For
example, in the expository writing, your first topic sentence may read, “I love the Grand Canyon for its majestic beauty.” You then
need to describe the majestic beauty of the Grand Canyon, using sensory images and details: smell, sight, sound, touch and feel. In
the persuasive writing, your topic sentence may read, “The first reason we need to legalize marijuana is to reduce the prison
population,” for example. To support this topic sentence, you will be supporting how the prison population will be reduced by
legalizing marijuana, a fact-based argument relying on research and statistics. Persuasive writing demands supporting facts and
figures—outside sources—which need to be documented according to the specific guideline in the assignment..
 Usage
Persuasive writing can be classified as part of expository writing since argumentative writing is part of expository writing. Expository
writing aims to describe, inform, clarify, analyze, instruct, explain or describe its subject matter based on personal subjective
experience and observations. The tone of expository writing is formal, wanting to remain factual, whereas the tone of persuasive
writing is informal and personal, wanting to appeal to both emotion and reason. (See Reference 1). Persuasive writing aims to
influence views or change behaviors of others, pro or con, usually according to its claim, the thesis; as a result, persuasive writing
invariably includes prejudgment and the bias of the writer. (See Reference 3).

Kim, Yoon. (2020, November 9). How to Compare Expository vs. Persuasive Writing. penandthepad.com.
Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/compare-expository-vs-persuasive-writing-3532.html

Difference Between Expository And Persuasive Writing

As much as we write essays not all essays are the same. Different essays
require different approaches. iWriteEssays.com will give you the difference
between expository and persuasive essays. The main difference between
them is that an expository essay explains about something while a
persuasive essay argues about something.  
We will go ahead and explain further what both a persuasive and expository
essay entail separately:
 An expository essay is a writer’s explanation of a short theme
idea or issue. The main thing here is explaining an idea theme or issue to
an intended audience. When writing an expository essay your aim should
be to attract your reader’s attention to the fullest. In order for that to
happen, you should:
 Have a well-defined thesis. Start with a thesis statement or
statement of intent. Make sure you answer your question and do what you
say you set out to do. Do not move away from yo0ur topic.
 Provide evidence to back up what you are saying. Support your
arguments with facts and reasoning. Do not simply list facts, incorporate
these as examples supporting your position, but at the same time make
your point as brief as possible.
 The essay should be concise. Make your point and conclude your
essay. Do not make the mistake of believing that repetition and over-stating
your case will score point with your readers.
A persuasive essay is an essay where you try to convince the reader to adopt
your position on an issue or point of view. The most important qualities of a
persuasive essay are:
a. Have a definite point of view.
b. Maintain the reader’s interest.
c. Use sound reading.
d. Use solid evidence.
e. Be aware of your intended audience and how to win them over.
f. Research your topic so that your evidence is convincing.

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