Understanding Types of Writing

In this lesson, students will learn about the following types of writing: narrative, expository, technical, persuasive, or descriptive writing. After they have learned the different types of writing, then they need to answer the questions on the worksheet that I have included in this lesson.

First, you will need to copy the worksheet for each student so they can work independently. After you have made the copies, you are ready to begin the lesson. You need to explain the main characteristics of narrative, expository, technical, persuasive, or descriptive writing. You can do this by using the study sheet I have included in this lesson. After the students have mastered the characteristics of each type of writing, you can give the students the worksheet. When the students have completed the worksheet, you will collect them so you can grade them.

Study Sheet on Writing Styles

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is telling a story about something that happened or explain a series of events that have occurred in your life. The events are written chronologically so readers will follow your message easier. Narrative essays are usually called personal essays where authors explain something that happened in their lives.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is writing where you provide information to readers by using facts, tables, or other methods that will help you to explain your essay.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is a type of writing where you will write about something you want to show people how to do such as "How to Take Care of Hamsters?" This type of paper will list specific steps that you should do.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is a type of writing where you have a specific opinion about something such as "Children need to progress at their own rate instead of being pushed to the next grade." You paper will be for or against that topic. You will choose which side they strongly believe and formulate their opinion and attempt to persuade others to believe your way.

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is writing where you will describe something. You could describe a place you visited, your neighborhood, your house, or any other place you would like to describe. Your writing needs to use descriptive adjectives and written in a realistic way so that readers can visualize your place.

Worksheet - Understanding Types of Writing

Part One:

Directions:Define each of the types of writing.

1. Persuasive Writing 2. Expository Writing 3. Narrative Writing 4. Technical Writing 5. Descriptive Writing Part Two - Write a short essay on each type of writing that is mentioned above. You will need to use a separate sheet of paper for each essay.

You can grade the students on the total number correct out of the total possible for the main part of the worksheet. On the last part of the worksheet, you can grade them on sentence and paragraph structure, spelling, grammar, and if they have written the correct type of writing such as narrative, expository, technical, persuasive, or descriptive.