What distinguishes a narrative essay from an expository essay in academic writing?

• A. Narrative emphasizes story and personal experience; expository explains information or ideas with evidence and analysis.
• B. Narrative is always fictional; expository is always about opinions.
• C. Narrative requires citations; expository never uses quotes.
• D. Expository should include plot and characters; narrative should present data.

Answer: (B)

Narrative writing centers on story and personal experience, while expository writing aims to explain information or ideas with evidence and analysis. In a narrative, you follow characters, events, and a plot, often sharing a particular perspective. Expository writing, on the other hand, is organized to inform or explain—using facts, definitions, examples, and reasoning to help readers understand a concept or process without focusing on storytelling.

This distinction is what the correct choice captures. The other options mix features that aren’t exclusive or accurate: narrative isn’t limited to fiction ( nonfiction narratives exist), expository writing can involve quotes and citations depending on the assignment, and expository writing doesn’t include plot and characters—that’s the realm of narrative.