Mastering Expository Writing: Purpose, Audience, and Tone

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This engaging video lesson introduces high school students to the fundamentals of expository writing by analyzing a mock nature documentary about giant squids. The lesson begins with an immersive, professionally produced segment about the mysterious deep-sea creature to demonstrate how informational texts function. The host then breaks down the "documentary" to explain core writing concepts, distinguishing between simple information delivery and the nuanced rhetorical choices authors make to influence their readers. The content covers essential elements of rhetorical analysis including purpose, audience, and the subtle arguments often embedded within expository texts. A significant portion of the lesson focuses on 'tone,' using musical analogies and specific text comparisons to teach the difference between denotation (dictionary definition) and connotation (emotional charge). Students learn how word choice—such as describing a character as 'curious' versus 'nosy'—shapes the reader's perception. For educators, this video serves as an excellent bridge between reading comprehension and essay writing. It provides a concrete model for students to analyze before they attempt their own writing. The video sets the stage for a broader unit on expository essays, helping students understand that even 'objective' writing involves subjective choices about which facts to include and which words to use to convey a specific attitude.