Expository text uses a clear and organized structure to inform the reader about a specific topic. It aims to explain, describe, or define a subject in a factual and objective way.
Common Text Structures in Expository Text:
Here are some common text structures used in expository writing:
- Description: This structure presents a detailed account of a subject, focusing on its characteristics, features, and attributes. It often uses descriptive language and sensory details to help the reader visualize the topic.
- Sequence: This structure presents information in a chronological order, outlining steps, stages, or events in a process. It often uses transition words like first, then, next, finally to guide the reader through the sequence.
- Compare and Contrast: This structure examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It often uses transition words like similarly, however, on the other hand, in contrast to highlight the comparisons and contrasts.
- Cause and Effect: This structure explores the relationship between events or actions and their consequences. It often uses transition words like because, therefore, as a result, consequently to show the cause-and-effect relationship.
- Problem and Solution: This structure presents a problem and then offers one or more solutions to address it. It often uses transition words like the problem is, a solution is, one way to solve this is to clearly identify the problem and solution.
Examples of Expository Text Structures:
- Description: An article explaining the life cycle of a butterfly would use a descriptive structure to detail each stage of the cycle, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
- Sequence: A recipe for baking a cake would use a sequence structure to guide the reader through each step of the process, from preparing the ingredients to baking and decorating the cake.
- Compare and Contrast: An essay comparing the benefits of owning a dog versus a cat would use a compare and contrast structure to highlight the similarities and differences between the two pets.
- Cause and Effect: An article explaining the effects of pollution on the environment would use a cause-and-effect structure to show how pollution leads to various environmental issues.
- Problem and Solution: An article discussing the issue of global warming and its solutions would use a problem and solution structure to present the problem of climate change and offer potential solutions to address it.
Conclusion:
Expository text relies on clear and organized structures to effectively convey information to the reader. Recognizing these structures can help readers understand the main points of the text and follow the author's line of reasoning.
