This document defines expository text structures and provides examples of common structures such as sequential, descriptive, compare/contrast, cause and effect, and proposition and support. It discusses key elements of each structure like keywords and discourse patterns. Examples are given for each structure from both news articles and other texts. The objectives are to define expository text, identify common structures through linguistic signals and discourse patterns, label structures in a news article, and read expository passages with comprehension.

3. EXPOSITORY AND NARRATIVE
STRUCTURES

4. OBJECTIVES
1. Define expository;
2. Identify the expository structures: elements,
linguistic signals, discourse patterns, & lexicon;
3. Label the discourse patterns in a news article;
and
4. Read expository passages with comprehension
and answer questions regarding them.

5. Exposition
• Type of writing that provides
information or an explanation

6. Expository text
• usually nonfiction, informational text
• not organized around a story-like
structure
• organized based on the purposes and
goals of the author or by content

12. Text structure / Text frames
• the way in which the text or reading ma
terial is organized
• the way an author organizes and
presents information

13. Common Expository Text
Structures

14. • Sequential
• Descriptive or Concept/Definition
• Compare/Contrast
• Cause & Effect
• Proposition & Support (Persuasive)
Common Expository Text Structures

15. Sequential
• description of key events in
chronological order
• a series of related steps in a process
Key words & phrases:
first, next, after, initially, finally, then,
meanwhile, preceding

31. Descriptive or Concept/Definition
• description and/or categorization of
something such as a concept
Key words & phrases:
looks like, belongs to, above, behind,
appears to be

32. Example
The Acer barbatum is a small to medium-sized,
deciduous tree usually ranging from 15 to 25 m. (50 to
80 ft.) tall when mature. Its bark is light gray and
smooth on younger trees, and it becomes ridged and
furrowed with age. Leaves are opposite and shallowly to
deeply palmately lobed, with a few blunt teeth but no
serrations. The leaf sinuses are rounded, unlike those of
red maple (Acer rubrum) which are sharply V-shaped.
Also, the sides of terminal leaf lobes are more or less
parallel, while those of red maple are widest at the
base, tapering to the tip.

33. Example
My mother had hair so dark that it
looked like a waterfall of ink. She
always kept it in a braid that fell to her
slim waist, and always tied with a plain
black band. The braid of black slung
over her shoulder, the plaits shining
like scales.

34. Example
Acetaminophen helps reduce fever
and/or mild to moderate pain such as
headache, backache, aches/pains due to
muscle strain, cold, or flu). The
antihistamine in this product may cause
drowsiness, therefore, it can also be used
as a nighttime sleep aid.

35. Example
Dogs are domesticated animals that have
been living with humans for generations. Dogs can
be classified in a number of different ways. For
example, they can be classified by breed. Examples
of different breeds include beagles, basset hounds,
poodles and countless others as defined by the
American Kennel Club (AKC).
Also, they can be classified by their role in the
lives of their masters and the work they do. For
example, a dog might be a family pet, a working
dog, a show dog, or a hunting dog. In many cases,
dogs are defined both by their breed and their role.
For example, a dog could be a beagle that is a
family pet.

40. Compare/Contrast
• ways in which concepts, ideas, events, or
objects, are alike and different
Key words & phrases:
compared with, although, as well as,
different from

41. Example
Although I raised Marcee and Obbie from puppies, they have
completely diverse personalities. Obbie is a six year old, male, toy
Pomeranian whereas Marcee is a one year old, female, Boston terrier.
Obbie is small and soft, unlike Marcee who has bristly hair and is much
bigger. Marcee insists on sleeping on the bed, under the covers every
night. On the other hand, Obbie will only sleep on the floor, under the bed.
Obbie is tremendously loyal and uptight; however, Marcee is hyper and
friendly to anyone she meets or sees. Around other dogs, Marcee cowers
to the larger dog, yet Obbie will always stand his ground, never giving up
until he is scolded. Given that they were both treated the same way all
their life, it is hard to believe that they are so different in everything they
do.

48. Cause & Effect
• problems or events and their results or
consequences
Key words & phrases:
as a result, accordingly, is caused by,
leads to, consequently

51. Example

52. Example

53. Example

54. Example

58. Problem-Solution
• Informs the reader of what is wrong and how
to fix it.

59. Example

65. Proposition & Support (Persuasive)
• persuade readers that a problem exists or an issue
exists and must be dealt with in a specific manner
• The author will generally state a hypothesis and
attempt to make a logical argument about what is to
be done.
Key words & phrases:
because of, the result would be, base
d on, the data shows

71. Predicting the consequence

72. Answering the opposition

74. OTHER EXPOSITORY
ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS

75. 1. Circumlocution
• Depicts a pattern in which the speaker discusses
a topic, then diverts to discuss a related but
different topic.

76. 2. Narrative Interspersion
• A pattern or a sub-pattern imbedded in other
patterns in which the speaker or writer
intersperses a narrative within the expository text
for specific purposes, including to clarify, or
elaborate on a point, or to link the subject
matter to a personal experience.

77. 3. Recursion
• When the speaker discusses a topic, then
restates it using different words or symbolism.
• It is used to drive home a point and to give
special emphasis on the text.

78. Individual activity
• Bring out your news article.
• Using highlighter or different colors of pens,
label the discourse patterns used in the text.
• Be able to locate 8 different organizational
patterns.

79. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!