English Language Exposition/ Expository Writing

1. 1. Expressing anDISCURSIVE AND ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYWRITING FOR ENGLISH

LANGUAGE PAPER 1(O’ LEVEL)
2. 2. By the end of the lessonYou should be able toIdentify what is an “exposition” and its types
Identify the language features of expositionsWork out & write an exposition Understand the
requirements of exposition writing
3. 3. What is an Exposition?What do you do when you have to persuade someone to
consideryour point of view?Make a stand about an issueSupport your point of view (POV)
with evidenceConclude by stating the benefits of your approach
4. 4. “An exposition is a text that presents one side of the issue. The purpose is topersuade the
reader or listener bypresenting one side of an argument,that is, the case for or
against…”Longmans, 2008: p.41
5. 5. Types of ExpositionsDebatesExpository essaysEditorialsSpeeches (Situational
Writing)Spoken argumentsLegal defences (in court)Reviews of books, movies, online
games, blogs etc.
6. 6. Discussion vs. ExpositionDISCUSSIONDo not immediately take astand.Present various
possibilities,review the arguments and…then make a
consideredjudgementEXPOSITIONTake a stand immediatelyPresent only one side of
theissueAttempt to persuade theaudience (listeners orreaders) to accept theauthor’s POV
7. 7. Language FeaturesUse simple present tenseGives a more “up-to-date” feel to your
writingE.g. - “…some people disagree with…”- “ …The latest statistics prove that…”- “…The
present situation is not satisfactory”
8. 8. Language FeaturesUse words that express attitudeGives a more convincing/sincere
toneE.g. - “…the people must be given the benefit of”- “…These things rarely occur more
than once”
9. 9. Language FeaturesUse verbs of belief“I can convince you that…”“I can prove to you
that…”
10. 10. Language Features Use connectors to do with reason and choice“…You will fail unless
you follow my suggestion…”“Because of our failure to deal with these issues, thisstate of
affairs has become worse…”
11. 11. Language Features Use emotive words and phrases“…we all love our country and we
are all proud of our achievements…”“…It is distressing to see her suffer at this time…”
12. 12. Language Features Use adverbs that show time sequence andlink the arguments such
as first, next,previously and finally“…we must resolve our difficulties before they
becomeworse. First we need to…Then we must. After this wehave to…”
13. 13. Language Features Use rhetorical questions“…Can our country afford this?...”“…Do you
really want this to happen?…”
14. 14. Planning
15. 15. Step 1Choose your topic & decide your standAre you for or against?
16. 16. Step 2List 4 or 5 points to argue your POVBrainstorm – no particular orderArrange them
in a coherent sequence that brings outyour stand
17. 17. Step 3Collect all the evidence you will need for eachpointQuote statisticsGive
examplesQuote statements from authoritiesInclude a moral statementTell a “real life” story
that illustrates your point
18. 18. Structure of an ExpositionAn IntroductoryStatementA Series of ArgumentsA Conclusion
19. 19. Sample ofExpository(Adapted from pg. 46, Longman’s Complete Guide to upper
Secondary composition)
20. 20. What is an exposition?How is it different from a discussion?
21. 21. What are the language features of expositions?S_____ P_____ TenseWords that
express a_______Words that are e_________Verbs of be_____Connectors that show
r_____ & c______Adverbs that show seq_______R_________ questions.imple
resentttitudemotiveliefuencehetoricaleason hoice
 22. 22. Steps to writing expositionsStep 1: _____________________Step 2:
_____________________Step 3: _____________________List 4 or 5 points to argue your
POVCollect all the evidence you will need for each pointChoose your topic & decide your
stand
23. 23. Structure of an expositionIntroductory _________________A __________ of
argumentsA _______________.statementseriesconclusion
24. 24. WalkthroughO’ Level English Paper One, Nov 2010“…Some people say that the Internet
does moreharm than good. What is your view?...”
25. 25. Further notes on Discussion EssaysDiscussion essays are written to:…present a
balanced argument giving points for oragainst a topic.…arrive at your opinion after careful
analysis based onfacts.
26. 26. Further notes on Discussion EssaysAdditional Language Features:Expressions showing
contrastsa) “…however”, “but”b) “…on the other hand”c) “…whereas…”
27. 27. Further notes on Discussion EssaysAdditional Language Features:Expressions showing
analysisa) It can be seen that…b) based on our reviewc) Therefore
28. 28. ComparisonEXPOSITORY ESSAYS1. “…Singapore has too many laws”Do you agree?2.
“There is too much traffic on thestreets of Kuala Lumpur”. Do youagree?3. It is said that
school uniforms givepupils a sense of identity andencourages good discipline. Wouldyou
agree with this?DISCUSSION ESSAYS1. Some people believe that getting auniversity
degree is the best routeto a successful career, while othersthink that it may be better to
startwork after school. Discuss2. Should girls and boys be givenexactly the same type
ofeducation?
29. 29. References1. Longman’s Complete Guide to Upper SecondaryComposition

CONSTRUCTING AN EXPOSITION
An exposition text usually has three sections. The first
section introduces the author’s point of view and can
preview arguments that may follow in the text. Next comes
a series of arguments that aim to convince the
audience. The final section is a conclusion that sum up the
arguments and reinforces the author’s point of view.
THE ARRANGEMENT of EXPOSITION

1. An introductory statement
1.1.The author’s point of view is called the thesis of the
argument and this is given in the introduction.
1.2. The introduction can include a previews of the
arguments that will follow in the next section of the text.

1.3. A question or emotional statement can be used to

capture the audience’’ attention.

2. A series of arguments to convince the audienve

2.1. A new paragraph is used for each new argument.

2.2. Each new paragraph begins with a topic sentensce that

introduces the argument.

2.3.Details supporting the argument follow the topic

sentence.

2. 4.Emotive words are used to persuade the audience to

believe the author.
3. A conclusion summing up the arguments
4. The author restates his or her thesis ( point of view)
5. A summary of what has been stated in the section above
may be included here.
EXAMPLE 1:
Why They Turn to the Sea
As the job opportunity is increasing limited on the land,
more and more young man are turning to the sea for a
living. Some of them choose to work on a ship only after
they have failed to get a job. However, many young
men actually would rather work on the sea than on
land. In my opinion, there are several reasons that
account for increasing interest in persuing maritime
professions.
Firstly,our country is made up of many lands. We are
surrounded by water. It is not surprising that many
people have growm to love the sea. In order to be able
to spend more time near the sea, they decide to work on
it. Many of them spend their whole lives on the water.
Secondly, the many school dropouts in the country as
well as those young men who have just finished their
education in school are looking for jobs at the same
time. Competition for jobs is therefore great. Many fail
to get work in offce or factories, so these people turn to
the sea as a last resort.
Thirdly, some young men face problem at home. They
want to get as far away from these problems as possible.
The sea becomes a popular means of escape.
Finally, young people are naturally advantageous. They
love to explore new places. They enjoy the excitement
that comes with this. By working on a ship, they are
able to travel far and wide. Besides, food and lodging on
board the ship are free. Thus , many young men are
attracted to maritime profession.
EXAMPLE 2:
Television is the most popular form of entertainment in
any household. But I think Television tends to have a
tremendous influence on its viewers.
Firstly, based on the recent research, people of all ages
use this medium to entertain themselves for an average
of five hours a day. Of course, constant exposure of TV
will influence the viewers’ thinking and attitude. This
can be seen from the fact that many criminals are
inspired from the scene on TV.
Secondly, people can be affected by constant watching
television. This is due to the fact that they less in
physical activities, spend less time reading and working
and see a work of violence that can affect their own
feelings of security.
Finally, comercial advertisement on TV can be a brain
washing. Psychologically, constant show of
advertisement will shape one’s image about one
product. No wonder people are easier to remember the
motto or slogan of one advertisement than to retrieve
information that they have learned.
In short, TV will be a kind of monster can conquer
one’s mind and attitude.

EXAMPLE 3
Cigarette smokers are said to have chance of getting
various fatal diseases. But I think that other people’s
tobacco smoke seems to increase the chances of non-
smokers getting a wide range of cancers.
First , although passive smokers inhale less tobacco
smoke, the researchers point out that the smoke they
breathe in is richer in many toxic chemicals. There is an
example, three times as much as benzo-apyrene, six
times as much loluene and more than 50 times as much
dimenthyl nitrosamine. Of course these substances will
harm our body in the long run.
Second , the recent research reported that the risk of
getting cancers not normally associated with smoking
also rose among passive smokers. The risk of leukaemia
rose 6 – 8 times and the risk of cervical cancer increased
3 – 4 times.
Third , past studies have found that by product of
cigarette smoke such as coinine and thiocynate, turn up
in the blood, urine and saliva of non –smoking adults,
children and fetuses that have been exposed to
smokers. These substances are the main causes of
various cancers.
In short , the effects of exposure to the cigarette
smoking of others are greater than has been previously
suspected. That is why passive smokers have more
chances of contracting cancer than people with no such
expose.
https://misriyantosma6.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/exposition-text/

1. LOOK!<br />The first thing you have to do is to observe your environment.<br /> This
includes the place, the people, the actions and the objects that are around you.<br
/>Remember although you are writing imagine that you are telling your friend about what you
have experienced. Give them all the details they need . <br />
2. 4. CREATE WORDPICTURES!<br />You already use adjectives in your writing but you want
to be even more creative. <br />You want to create pictures in their mind- Word pictures or
Imagery.<br />Imagery does not only include what you see it also includes what you hear,
smell, taste, touch and even feel.<br />
3. 5. Your reader must be able to close their eyes listen to your words and create a mental
image of what you are describing.<br />Imagination makes It happen but your words can
help<br />
4. 6. Some descriptive details to consider when describing an object<br />Examine:<br
/>Colours<br />Shapes<br />Sizes<br />Texture (how it feels)<br />
5. 7. Some descriptive details to consider when describing a person<br />Examine:<br
/>Physical Appearance<br />Facial Expressions<br />Attire<br />Gestures(body
movements)<br />
6. 8. Examine the location. Is it a<br />What you should consider when describing a place<br
/>Man-made World- buildings, objects, vehicles <br />Natural World- trees , animals,
mountains, beaches, weather<br />Even an imaginary world <br />
7. 9. Show not Tell<br />One the most important things to remember when you are creating a
description is to show not tell.<br />What does this mean?<br />
8. 10. Show not tell: Scenario 1<br />If you are writing about someone who is excited about
going to a party how would you describe this?<br /> A.<br />She was excited when her
parents gave her permission to go to the party.<br />B.<br />Her eyes widened with surprise
and her lips parted as she screamed with delight when her parents said “Yes”<br />
9. 11. Show not tell: Scenario 2<br />You are in the midst of a thunderstorm. How would you
describe this?<br />A.<br />The rain was falling heavily and everyone was afraid<br />.<br
/>B.<br />The raindrops attacked the galvanized roof and the windows rattled. We huddled
under the bed and held each other tightly<br />
10. 12. The descriptions in the first example (labeled A) tells you what is happening but it does
not create pictures in your mind<br />The descriptions in the second example (labeled B)
create images in the readers mind and allow them to experience it fully<br />Which one is
clearer