Welcome to the Expository
Writing Page!
FAQ1: What
is Expository Writing?
Main Entry: ex·pos·i·to·ry
Pronunciation: -z&-"tOr-E, -"tor-
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or containing
exposition <expository writing>
writ
/'rit/; or dialect wrote;
writ·ing
/'rI-ti[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wrItan to scratch, draw,
inscribe; akin to Old High German rIzan to tear and perhaps to Greek
rhinE file, rasp
transitive senses
1 a : to form (as characters or symbols) on a surface with an
instrument (as a pen) b : to form (as words) by inscribing the
characters or symbols of on a surface c : to spell in
writing <words written alike but pronounced differently> d
: to cover, fill, or fill in by
writing <wrote ten pages> <write a check>
2 : to set down in
writing : as a :
DRAW UP,
DRAFT <write a will> b (1) :
to be the author of :
COMPOSE <writes poems and essays> (2) :
to compose in musical form <write a string quartet> c : to
express in literary form <if I could write the beauty of your eyes --
Shakespeare> d : to communicate by letter <writes that they
are coming> e : to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or
literary form or style) in
writing <write Braille> <writes French with ease> f
: to write contracts or orders for; especially :
UNDERWRITE <write life insurance>
3 : to make a permanent impression of
4 : to communicate with in
writing <we'll write you when we get there>
5 :
ORDAIN,
FATE <so be it, it is written -- D. C.
Peattie>
6 : to make evident or obvious <guilt written on his face>
7 : to force, effect, introduce, or remove by
writing <write oneself into fame and fortune -- Charles Lee>
8 : to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)
9 a : to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium
of a computer b : to transfer (information) from the main memory
of a computer to a storage or output device
10 :
SELL <write a stock option>
intransitive senses
1 a : to make significant characters or inscriptions; also
: to permit or be adapted to
writing b : to form or produce
written letters, words, or sentences
2 : to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
3 a : to produce a
written work b : to compose music
- write one's own ticket : to select a course of action or
position entirely according to one's wishes
- writ large : on a larger scale or in a more prominent manner
<the problems of modern totalitarianism are only our own problems writ large
-- Times Literary Supplement>
- writ small : on a smaller scale
