Elements and Features of Expository Texts

Elements and Features of Expository Texts

By the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

• identify what is an "exposition" and its types

• identify the language features of expositions

• understand the requirements of exposition writing

• work out and write an exposition

What is an exposition?

What do you do when you have to persuade someone to consider your point of view?

• Make a stand about an issue

• Support your point of view (POV) with evidence

• Conclude by stating the benefits of your approach

"An exposition is a text that presents one side of the issue. The purpose is to persuade the reader or listener by presenting one side of an argument, that is, the case for or against..."

Longmans, 2008: p.41

Types of Expositions

• debates

• expository essays

• editorials

• speeches (situational writing)

• spoken arguments

• legal defenses (in court)

• reviews of books, movies, online games, blogs, etc.

Language Features

• Uses simple present tense

• Gives a more "up-to-date" feel to your writing

• e.g. "...some people disagree with..."

• "...The latest statistics prove that...."

• "...The present situation is not satisfactory."

Language Features

• Uses words that express attitude

• Gives a more convincing/sincere tone

• e.g. "...the people must be given the benefit of....."

• "...These things rarely occur more than once ..."

Language Features

• Uses verbs of belief

• e.g. "I can convince you that..."

• "I can prove to you that..."

Language Features

• Uses connectors to do with reason and choice

• e.g. "You will fail unless you follow my suggestion..."

• "Because of our failure to deal with these issues, this state of affairs has become worse..."

Language Features

• Uses emotive words and phrases

• e.g. "We all love our country and we are all proud of our achievements..."

• "...It is distressing to see her suffer at this time..."

Language Features

• Uses adverbs that show time sequence and link the arguments such as first, next, previously and finally

• e.g. "We must resolve our difficulties before they become worse. First we need to...Then we must...After this we have to..."

Language Features

• Uses rhetorical questions

  e.g. "Can our country afford this?..."

• "...Do you really want this to happen?...

Essay Planning

Step 1

Choose your topic & decide your stand

Are you for or against?

Step 2

List 4 or 5 points to argue your POV

Brainstorm- no particular order

Arrange them in a coherent sequence that brings out your stand

Step 3

Collect all the evidence you will need for each point

Quote statistics

Give examples

Quote statements from authorities

Include a moral statement

Tell a "real life" story that illustrates your point

Open Ended

What is an exposition?

How is it different from a discussion?

Open Ended

What are the language features of expositions?

Open Ended

What are the steps to writing expositions?

Open Ended

The structure of an exposition is ______________________________

Are you ready to write your own exposition essay on Friday?