How are a persuasive essay and an expository essay different? In a persuasive essay, the writer develops a story using a plot, characters, and a setting, while in an expository essay, the writer tells the story of a personal experience and comments on it. In a persuasive essay, the writer tries to convince the reader to agree with the point of view presented, while in an expository essay, the writer describes and explains all sides of a topic or issue. In a persuasive essay, the writer describes and explains all sides of a topic or issue, while in an expository essay, the writer tries to convince the reader to agree with the point of view presented. In a persuasive essay, the writer tries to convince the reader to agree with the point of view presented, while in an expository essay, the writer narrates a story using a plot, characters, and a setting.