THE MODES OF WRITING:
HOW TO WRITE FOR DIFFERENT
PURPOSESCreated forEdmond Public Schools©
The Purpose of Narrative Writing:
To tell a storyTo recreate an
experience (real or imagined)
To give an account(fiction or nonfiction)
Use the following strategies to write
narrative text:
Plan your story with conflict and resolution
in mind.Think of the conflict as a problem, a mystery, a question, or a lesson
to be learned.
Include all important elements:
characterssetting
events or plotconflict
resolution
Grab the reader’s attention with an
exciting or unexpected
lead!
Set the stage; time and place are
important. Setting creates a mood or
tone.
Make complex characters who “grow” or learn
something.
Tell how someone
struggled, changed, or
made something
happen.
Use dialogue and action to
present characterization; in other words,
let the character’s words and
deeds show what he/she is
like.
Use foreshadowing to make the events
believable.
Solve a mystery or build up to a
discovery.
Make the reader wonder
what will happen.
Use chronological sequence:beginning,middle,end.
Once you resolve the conflict, end your story before you become boring.
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
Purpose:To tell about the
characteristics of a person, place, or thing
To tell about the features of a subject,
event, or process
To create a picture in the mind of the
reader
To give the reader a
strong sense of
“being there” or
“seeing it”
Use the following strategies to write descriptive text:
Appeal to the
reader’s senses (sights, sounds,
feelings...).
Close your eyes and try to “be
there.”Look for and listen to the little things other
people miss.
Pay attention to the unusual.
Practice observing people, actions, and situations carefully;
take notes in a journal.
Use figurative language to develop images.
Choose words that double as images rather
than using mere descriptive words.
Use strong action
verbs to bring the piece to
life.
Make the reader able to
picture it through
word choice.
Vary your sentence structure.
Details become the “icing on the cake” as you describe.
Find vivid, exciting adjectives and adverbs.
Compare and contrast things that seem similar or
different.
Let your own personality
(your “voice”) shine through!
EXPOSITORY WRITING
Purpose:
To informTo explain an issue, a
situation, or point of viewTo share facts about a
particular subjectTo guide the reader to a clear understanding of
the subject
Use the following strategies to write
expository text:
Know your topic!Research carefully to find all appropriate facts on your topic.Select only the best
information from your research.
Organize points by order of importance or
degree.
Make sure that each fact clearly
relates to the topic.Be choosy! You can’t tell everything!
Be picky!
Supporting Details:
Use statistics.Use examples.
Use reasons.
Liven it up by using a good story (anecdote)
to make a point.
Use figurative language; without it,
your writing is
like a clock
without a battery!
Use a variety of sentence
structures or your reader
will fall asleep.
Use clear language by paying attention
to your word
choice.
Tell about the causes of something.
Tell about how to do something.
Tell about the different kinds of something.
Turn a little-known subject into a familiar
subject.
Read your paper from another person’s point
of view. Have your anticipated
the reader’s questions? Have you addressed
them before they were even asked?
PERSUASIVE WRITING
Purpose:To change the reader’s
mind or attitude
To influence the reader’s thinking
To prompt the reader to do something
To convince the reader to accept the writer’s
position or opinion
To take a clear stand on something and
stick with it
Use the following strategies to write persuasive text:
Dig up all of the facts first!
Make sure that the evidence does not lack
credibility.
Sort through all available information to choose the strongest, most convincing points.
Leave out weak,
unconvincing, or
misleading information.
Consider all sides, but argue in favor of
only one;don’t be wishy-washy.
Make your opinion strong by backing it up with strong facts.
Impress the reader with your knowledge
of the facts.
Make your position obvious through
clear word choice.
Revise, revise, revise!
Use a variety of sentence structures to
keep the reader’s interest.
Use transitional language
for a smooth,
fluent flow of ideas.
Use figurative language;
the mighty
metaphor is a
powerful tool in
persuasive writing.
Ask others to read your
paper to judge
whether you have
constructed your
argument clearly
enough.
Never lose
sight of your main
point or thesis
statement!