Reading Expository Texts

What is expository writing?

Expository writing is a type of writing that is used to explain, describe, give information, or inform.

Often uses informational text features

Expository texts include:

textbooks newspaper & magazine articles essays speeches

Organizational patterns of expository texts:

• Organizational pattern: • the pattern an author constructs

as he or she organizes his or her ideas and provides supporting details varies.

Descriptive

The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples

It provides details about how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds

BatsThey fly

sleep in daytime

diff

ere

nt

ki

nds

hang

ups

ide

down

eat insects

use soundwaves

Have wings

they

are

mam

mal

s

How to know if you’re reading a descriptive text:

Signal words:Such as, for example,

for instance, most important, in front, beside, near

Signal to readerA list of

characteristics will follow,

Sequence or process

The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order.

Helps the reader understand how events are related

Olympics began in 276 B.C.

Olympics ended in 394 A.D.

Modern Olympics began in 1896

Almost 300 males competed in the 1896 Olympics

How to know if you’re reading a sequential text:

Signal words: First, second, third,

before, on (date), not long after, after that, at the same time, finally, then

Signal to reader: A sequence of events or

steps in a process is being described

Cause and Effect

The author explains one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects.

How to know if you’re reading a cause & effect text:

Signal words: Therefore, so, this led

to, as a result, because, if…then…, consequently, cause, effect, in order

to, since

Signal to reader: Evidence of causes and

effects will be given

Problem/Solution

The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem

How to know if you’re reading a problem/solution text:

Signal words: Solution, solve, effect,

hopeful, concern, challenge, resolve

Signal to reader: Problems AND solutions

will be discussed. With problem and solution there is ALWAYS a solution

Compare/Contrast:

The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.

How to know if you’re reading a compare/contrast text:

Signal words: Like, unlike, but, in

contrast, on the other hand, however, also, too, as well as

Signal to reader: Likenesses and

differences are being presented and/or discussed

Steps to effectively read expository texts:

Identify the controlling idea & supporting details

Identify the organizational pattern

Identify substantiated and unsubstantiated opinions

Step 1: Identify the controlling idea & supporting details

Controlling idea: the main point or

underlying direction of a piece of writing

Step 2: Identify organizational pattern

Is it: Descriptive Sequential Cause/Effect Problem/Solution Compare/Contrast

Step 3: Identify substantiated and unsubstantiated opinions

Substantiated claim: verified , proven,

confirmed

Unsubstantiated claim: has not been verified,

proven, or confirmed

Example of a substantiated opinion:

Opinion: Americans need to get

more exercise

Evidence: 30 % of American adults do

not exercise regularly despite proven health benefits such as weight loss and prevention of diseases. The CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise daily to improve health.

How do writers substantiate opinions?

They use evidence such as: Verifiable facts Examples Statistics Expert opinions Anecdotes

If an opinion is not backed up with this evidence, it is unsubstantiated.

Watch the following video:

Which of the following opinions is substantiated by the video?

A. Pregnant women cannot sit the way Beyonce did in her interview

B. Beyonce’s need to maintain her “perfect” body led her to fake her interview.

C. Different camera angles and oversized dresses can provide different perceptions of reality.

Now, let’s apply this to the article, “What’s in a name.”

Now, let’s look at the article: