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

What is a common aim of both expository and argumentative essays?

1. To entertain the reader

2. To inform or educate the audience

3. To narrate personal stories

4. To provide emotional experiences

The correct answer is: To inform or educate the audience

Both expository and argumentative essays share the common aim of informing or educating the audience. Expository essays focus on explaining a topic, presenting information in a clear and straightforward manner to help the reader understand a subject without expressing personal opinions. On the other hand, argumentative essays aim to persuade the audience to accept a particular viewpoint by providing reasoning, supporting evidence, and discussing counterarguments, which also serves to inform readers about the topic at hand. The emphasis on information transfer is crucial in both types of essays, regardless of their different approaches—one being more about explanation and clarity while the other involves persuasion based on established facts and logical reasoning. This alignment highlights the educational purpose that underlies both forms of writing. In contrast, the other options—entertaining the reader, narrating personal stories, and providing emotional experiences—are characteristics more aligned with narrative or descriptive writing, rather than the informative and educative focus found in expository and argumentative essays.