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DEFINITIONS/PURPOSES
FOR THE
MODES OF WRITING
Modes of writing, forms of writing, types of
writing, domains of writing. Whatever you want to call them, there are
different categories for writing. Each mode has a specific purpose. There
are four basic modes, descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive.
For the intent of this page, I have added a fifth mode for creative
writing. These basic modes can then be broken down into subcategories. I
have tried to list subcategories here as well, but I am still in the
process of collecting them. If you have some ideas or suggestions, please
send me an email message.
BASIC MODES:
Creative Writing
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The primary purpose of creative writing
is to entertain the reader. |
Descriptive Writing
|
The primary purpose of descriptive
writing is to describe a person, place, or event so that the topic
can be clearly seen in the reader's mind. The writer must use vivid
details that paint a picture for the reader. |
Expository Writing
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The primary purpose of expository writing
is to provide information such as an explanation or
directions. |
Narrative Writing
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The primary purpose of narrative writing
is to describe an experience, event, or sequence of events in the
form of a
story. |
Persuasive Writing
|
The primary purpose of persuasive writing
is to give an opinion and try to influence the reader's way of
thinking with supporting evidence. |
SUBCATEGORIES:
Argumentative Writing
|
This form of persuasive writing has a
primary purpose of making a statement that the reader will
disagree with, then supporting the statement with specific details
that will convince the reader of the truth of the
statement |
Business
Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of communicating with others in the work
place. |
Comparison and Contrast
Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of showing the similarities and differences
between two subjects. |
Expressive
Writing
|
This form of creative writing has a
primary purpose of sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings on the
topic. |
Informative
Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of providing information in a clear, concise
manner. |
Literary
Response
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of providing a personal reaction to a piece of
literature. |
Personal Narrative
Writing
|
This form of narrative writing has a
primary purpose of sharing an experience or event from the
author's own life. |
Poetry
|
This form of creative writing has a
primary purpose of imaginatively reflecting on a subject, idea, or
event. This is usually done in stanzas rather than
paragraphs. |
Process Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of explaining the steps or procedure of
something. |
Reaction
Writing
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This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of providing a personal response to
something. |
Research
Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of reporting new information that has been learned
by studying available resources. |
Technical
Writing
|
This form of expository writing has a
primary purpose of conveying technical information in a simple,
no-nonsense manner. |
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