EXPOSITION

Lesson 6
We are exposed to different kinds of texts almost every minute.
Whether it is an update we see in social media, a news story we
encounter in daily broadsheets, or an article we browse on lifestyle
magazines, we are often compelled to read and make sense of various
texts we see. One of the key features that draws the boundaries
between and among these written materials is the purpose of the
author. A writer always has reasons and conventions for choosing to
write about a certain topic or issue, such as providing information,
telling a story, and sharing an opinion, among others.
➢ This lesson focuses on exploring and
understanding the key structural elements and
language features of an expository text.

➢ As you journey through this lesson, you will be

engaged in tasks that will ask you to write an
exposition or discussion on a familiar issue.
Read and examine the sample text provided below. Then, answer the questions
that follow.
UP is now offering Korean Drama as an elective
Published August 15, 2020 12:53pm

It's safe to say that K-dramas are so deeply embedded in Filipino

pop culture that there is a need to discuss it.
And this is exactly what a course offered by the University of the
Philippines hopes to do.
As seen in UP's enlistment website, a special elective called
"Analysis of K-drama Series" is being offered to students.
One of the requirements of the course is a Netflix subscription or
any access to the K-drama shows such as "Crash Landing on
You," "Chicago Typewriter," and "Misaeng."
The course is open to all colleges. —JCB, GMA News
Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/751468/ up-is-offering-korean-drama-as-an-elective/story/
1. What is the main idea expressed by
the text?

2. Did the author provide details to

support the main idea?

3. How would you describe the way the

author presented the ideas in the text?

4. How does this type of text differ from

an argumentative text?
Learning Task 1: In your notebook, copy and answer the items below. Put a check
(/) mark on the blank provided if the statement corresponds to expository writing,
and a cross (X) if it is not.
1. presents the pros and cons of an issue
2. presents information about a topic as its main goal
3. includes news stories
4. makes use of signal words to establish idea development
5. justifies a stand on given proposition
6. retells a story
7. involves the use of emotion in providing details
8. educates the readers by providing facts
9. convinces the reader to agree with one side of a given issue
10. includes fiction stories as examples
EXPOSITION
In writing, it is important to have a clear sense of purpose. This
purpose or reason for writing about a particular topic usually
serves as the basis of the structural elements, patterns of idea
development, and language features that a writer employs in
writing. In the previous lesson, you were introduced to the
concepts of argumentative writing where the author explains
and justifies his/her stand on a given proposition by presenting
evidences to support his/her claim. This is a characteristic you
will not observe in writing an exposition.
 An expository text merely presents or provides information
about a particular topic or issue. This is also sometimes called
informational writing where the writer provides facts on a given
topic in a way that is educational and purposeful. Besides merely
providing facts, expository writing may also include providing
descriptions, citing reasons, presenting explanations, and
enumerating steps of a specific process.
 Unlike in narrative writing, an
expository text does not tell a story
and does not make use of emotion in
presenting facts. It is fact-based and
seeks to educate the reader by
presenting facts based on reliable
sources. Expository texts are
generally clear, concise and
organized in terms of idea
development.
An expository text seeks to
inform; a narrative text
aims to entertain; and an
argumentative text’s goal is
to persuade readers.
Key Structural Elements in an Exposition
While the facts in expository writing may be presented in various ways
depending on a number of factors, most expository texts including
expository essays generally include common elements, such as follows:

1. A clear and concise thesis statement. Usually presented in the

initial paragraph, the thesis statement introduces the main topic or idea
and provides the overall direction for the text.
2. Clear transitions. The use of clear and proper transitions will
glue the introduction, the body, and the conclusion together. Without
effective use of transitions, the exposition may seem like a disjointed
collection of sentences.
3. A body that contains evidences and support.
While most people might think of an expository text
like an essay as something that can be written even
without due research and preparations, the use of
supporting evidences like examples and explanations
forms a huge part of a facts-based expository text.
4. An effective conclusion. It is essential to
remember that a conclusion is not only meant to
summarize the ideas presented from the introduction
to the body. Instead, a conclusion should tie the ideas
altogether while highlighting the true essence of the
main idea in the text.
While most expository essays typically follow the introduction-body- conclusion format, other forms and
examples of exposition can take other shapes and patterns depending on how the writer intends to present his
or her ideas. Expository texts typically follow one of the following structures or patterns of idea development:

a. Cause and Effect. Here, the writer presents the information by explaining how or why a certain event or
occurrence happened [cause] and what resulted from that particular cause or occurrence [effect].
b. Comparison and Contrast. The writer presents the information by providing details as to how things,
concepts, or ideas are alike or different.
c. Description. In this structure, the topic is presented by providing descriptions about its attributes,
features, and examples
d. Problem and Solution. The writer may present a problem and provide one or more solutions to the said
problem.
e. Sequence. In this structure, information may be presented in a way that follows numerical or
chronological sequence either explicitly or implicitly.
 Language Features of Exposition

In terms of language features commonly employed in exposition, the use of signal words always plays a crucial role as they make clear
transitions from one idea to another possible. It also helps greatly in giving the readers a hint of where a particular idea is leading to.
Through signal words, coherence in writing and smooth flow of ideas can be achieved.
because consequently therefore as a result for this reason this led to
Cause and Effect
since thus due to

Compare and Contrast but similar to different from in contrast although

on the other hand as well as however in the same way
Description for example for instance to illustrate such as including like
so that
Problem and Solution since a solution
consequently therefore
in order to

Sequence then next

first second third before after finally
previously
 Learning Task 3: Think of a familiar topic or issue you may use as a subject in
writing an expository essay. You may also choose from the given suggested topics below.
Then, use an appropriate graphic organizer to present the information you intend to
use in writing. Do this task in your notebook.

Suggested Topics:
1. Vlogging
2. Online Learning
3. Maintaining a Stress-Free Life
4. Being a ‘Plantito/Plantita’
5. Best Comfort Foods During the Rainy Season
 Learning Task 4: In your notebook, write an expository essay using the
graphic organizer you have produced in Learning Task 3.

Learning Task 5: Look for at least three (3) samples of expository texts
in books, newspapers, or magazines. Cut them out and paste them in your
notebook. Indicate the patterns of idea development used by the writers.
 Complete the organizer below. This will test how well you understood the concepts of
argumentation and exposition. Do this in your notebook, using the format provided.
New Concept: EXPOSITION Familiar Concept: ARGUMENTATION
Similarities Differences