Analysis includes a detailed description of the important characteristics of a topic. For example, for a topic such as "state elections," an analysis might include how state elections are governed by specific rules, take place on certain dates, have a long history and serve a purpose. By exposing students to analytical texts, you can help them understand what analysis is all about and how writers include diverse information in one text.
Expository texts are based on hard facts and not personal opinions. Personal beliefs acting as the basis of a text can be misleading, as not all people have the same opinion. For example, a person may like oranges while another one may despise them, but nobody can argue against the fact that oranges contain vitamin C. By studying and writing expository texts, students learn to distinguish between opinions and facts.
Expository texts are based on credible sources of information, such as experts, official publications or government agencies. By examining an expository text's bibliography or works cited list, students can learn about different types of sources. In addition, students can learn the importance of revealing sources in case readers need to check the reliability of information or seek more details.
Using expository texts in class serves the purpose of showing students how to write expository texts of their own. Using plain language, writing concise sentences and citing facts are difficult skills for students to implement when they don't have an example in mind. Even if students have the required writing skills and evidence in hand, they must also understand how to structure their texts to present information. Using expository texts as models can help students learn these skills.