Argumentative (or persuasive) texts attempt to persuade the reader of the writer’s points of view. In other words, the writer takes a stance and provides arguments to support their thesis.
Conversely, the goal of expository texts is to solely inform the reader. That means it must be unbiased (written impartially). However, the writer may present somebody else’s points of view and the text will remain expository, provided they do not present them as their own.
Compare the paragraphs below:
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Testing medicines on animals
Expository paragraph:
It is a well-acknowledged fact that animals are broadly utilized to undergo tests to ensure a determined medicine is safe for human use. That has thus saved countless lives, since numerous treatments are developed having animal research as a starting point. On the other hand, some may argue that animal testing is an atrocity, owing to the inhuman conditions to which the aforementioned are submitted. Furthermore, they reason there are alternative testing methods, whereas those in favor opine that those are not as effective because they do not present a complete view of what could happen, such as side effects.
Argumentative paragraph:
Undoubtedly, animal testing is a barbarity and should be abolished. Animals are subjected to cruel conditions, namely force-feeding and the side effects of the remedies being tested. Moreover, unlike animals, who do not have the ability to choose whether to endure the testing, several people give consent to participating in the aforesaid. That alternative is extremely advantageous as they are aware of possible side effects and even lethal outcomes. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for cruelty-free products. Beckner says: “The demand for vegan and cruelty-free products is growing as people become more organically aware of what they are putting on and in their bodies.” Ergo, an enlarging amount of people would agree that animal testing must be discontinued forthwith.
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Focus solely on the expository paragraph. Its principal purpose is to provide factual information about animal testing and the debate surrounding it. The paragraph does not have a definitive opinion, but instead explains all sides of the issue. The writer is simply explaining the subject to the reader, instead of trying to persuade them that a certain position is correct. To put it another way, the text must be neutral. Thereby, the paragraph educates the reader by presenting an impartial view.
Now, focus solely on the argumentative paragraph. Notice that the topic sentence contains the thesis statement: "Animal testing is a barbarity and should be abolished." The thesis is the writer’s opinion on the subject being dealt with. They must write a well-wrought text with convincing arguments in order to persuade the reader. In the paragraph’s development (2-5), the thesis is supported with relevant evidence. The conclusion is a final attempt to get the reader to agree with the writer’s opinion.
So, to summarize:
Expository texts ⟶ information
Argumentative texts ⟶ information + defense of point of view