The expository text

The Expository Text

A. What is it? When is it used? - What is it structure? - What are its genres?

ê Expository writing is a mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform,explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. Examples of expository texts are textbooks, encyclopedias, scientific books/journals, atlases, directions, guides, biographies,newspapers.
ê The information is organized in a logical and interesting manner using various expository text structures. The most common expository text structures include description, enumerative orlisting, sequence, comparison and contrast, cause and effect and problem and solution.

P Description: The author describes a topic or the main idea of a subject by listing characteristics, features,attributes, and examples. Cue words: for example, characteristics, for instance, such as, is like, including, to illustrate.
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P Enumerative or listing: This includes listingconnected information, outlining a series of steps, or placing ideas in a hierarchy. Cue words: the following, then, addition, another, well, furthermore, finally, few, likewise, besides, several, some, many,a, also, in, as.
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P Sequence: This includes a series of events leading up to a conclusion, or the sequence of occurrences related to a particular happening. Note that the events can beseparated in years as in a historical time line; or in a series of actions taking only a few seconds, hours, days. The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological sequence, eitherexplicit or implied. Cue words: first, second, third, later, next, before, then, finally, after, when, last, since, now, previously, actual use of dates, immediately, during, at the time, next, until,while, soon, after.

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P Comparison and contrast: the information is presented by detailing how two or more events, concepts, theories, or things are alike and/or different. Cue words:...