California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

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What is a key characteristic an expository essay must exhibit?

  1. Emotional appeal

  2. Personal opinion

  3. Neutral and objective tone

  4. Creative storytelling

The correct answer is: Neutral and objective tone

In an expository essay, a key characteristic is its neutral and objective tone. This type of writing aims to inform, explain, or clarify a topic to the reader without inserting the writer's personal feelings, emotions, or opinions. The use of an objective tone allows for clarity and credibility, as the writer presents facts, evidence, and logical reasoning to support the information being conveyed. This approach ensures that the writing is focused on providing a balanced view of the subject matter, which is essential for effective exposition. In contrast, emotional appeal is more suited to persuasive writing, where the intention is to sway the reader's feelings. Personal opinion is also inappropriate for expository essays, which strive for impartiality rather than subjective viewpoints. Lastly, creative storytelling is a hallmark of narrative writing, which differs significantly from the structured and fact-driven nature of expository essays.