Topci 12: Expository Texts

Definition

• Purpose = inform and describe (extend knowledge)
• Aim = clarify and provide information (needs research)
• Uses
• facts and details
• opinions and examples

Characteristics

• Language = precise, objective and focused on the subject
• Organisation = paragraphs
• thematic progression (introduction / development / conclusion)
• topic sentence
• Shared Knowledge - consider age, education and context
• Information offered - attention must be paid to
• vocabulary
• point of departure
• method of exposition - definition
• comparison
• example

Structure

• Description = list characteristics and features
• Sequence = list items or events
• numerical
• chronological
• Comparison and contrast = list similarities and differences
• Cause and effect = why something happened and results
• Problem and solution
• Pro-con = list positive and negative effects

Methods

• Definition
• Logical (A = B - C)
• Rhetorical (more elaborated and may include examples)
• Classification and division = arrangements of ideas
• Classification = several items into groups
• Division = one item into parts
• Example = Illustration (concrete detail / sense of participation)
• Comparison and contrast - analogy, simile, metaphor
• Cause and effect = Analysis - reasons and consequences
• Process analysis - answers how

Teaching strategies

• (Tompkins, 1998)
• Introduce organisational pattern
• Give students opportunities to work on texts
• Invite students to write paragraphs using the patterns