reading expository texts. what is expository writing? expository writing is a type of writing that...
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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: