Familiarize students with the vocabulary associated with expository writing. This includes words like analyze, evaluate, discuss, define, explore, classify and compare. These terms should be used frequently and incorporated into writing assignments. Students can learn how to define, spell and recognize these words.
Review the definition and elements of expository writing. Children need to clearly understand expository writing and its intended purpose. Unlike older children, these concepts may need to be reviewed often to ensure that they soak in. Things to explore include that expository writing communicates information and ideas with a point of view that is validated by facts, gives directions or explains something in steps and compares, contrasts, evaluates and analyzes both new and old information.
Practice expository writing with particular assignments, including summaries, book reports, show and tell or any assignment that gives directions and explains how to do something in steps. The more your students practice expository writing, the easier it will be for them.
Integrate expository writing into all subjects, so that your students are constantly exposed to it. Students can give a written explanation of a science experiment for science class, write an essay on an era or event for history class, give steps to a math problem for math class, explain how to do a certain dance for music class and label parts of a diagram or report on a famous artist for art class.