What is an Expository Text & How to Read

Them!

WHAT IS EXPOSITORY (NON-FICTION) TEXT?

Non-fiction (True!)InformativeAnalytical- A big word that means you analyze things!Descriptive

Sometimes, it can be…

Boring!

Expository text makes up the bulk of (most of) what adults read.

teachers read text books policemen read reports and records lawyers read legal papers veterinarians read medical booksIn school, after 2nd or 3rd grade, this is

also true for students! (Often the only exception is reading

fiction books during SSR time).

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

Expository text can be found in many different informational resources including:

Academic websites

Textbooks

Non-fiction section of the library

WHERE IS IT FOUND? (CONTINUED)

Encyclopedias

Newspapers

Biographies

As well as any other non fiction text. If you are learning, it’s probably expository!

HOW TO READ EXPOSITORY TEXT

Look for expository text features, or “clues,” that will help you to understand the reading material. Some features are:

Photographs

Headlines and titles

Footnotes1

1

A footnote appears at the bottom of a text beside a number (in order), and tends to provide background information on a subject, or provides references as to where material was gathered from.

Captions (Often appear below pictures)

FEATURES (CONTINUED)

Graphs and tables

Maps

Table of Contents

CONTINUED…

Bolded words

• Bullets or symbols

Glossary

FEATURES EXPLAINED

Each of these helpful features can be a useful tool in allowing the reader to understand the information

in the text. For the most part, anything on the

page that JUMPS OUT AT YOU or catches your eye is a feature designed to make the

expository text easier to read.

PRACTICE! IDENTIFY THE FEATURES IN THIS SAMPLE TEXT

Source for all text and the picture of Jefferson material, and to see more examples of expository text features: http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biojeff1.cfm

1

1

PRACTICE! IDENTIFY THE FEATURES IN THIS SAMPLE TEXT1

Source for text, map, and photograph regarding ancient Rome, and for further examples if expository text/historical information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/the_roman_army/

1

REVIEW

Explain why the Thomas Jefferson biography excerpt and the historical information on the Romans is expository

text.

Because it’s non-fiction informational text. (It’s true!)

Now let’s talk about Text Structures found in Expository texts….

There are certain elements found in expository text, each type of element makes its own demands on the reader: Informational (description) sequence or chronological (means time order)

compare & contrast cause & effect, problem & solution.

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT: 1. Informational

(description) – The author lists characteristics, features, and examples to describe a subject. Clue words for description include for example & characteristics.

 

Bats

Have wings

They fly

sleep in daytime

hang

upsid

e dow

n

diffe

rent

k

inds

they a

re mam

malsuse soundwaves

eat insects

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT:

2. sequence – The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order. Clue words include first, second, third, next, then and finally.

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

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT:

3. comparison – The author explains how two or more things are alike or different. Clue words include different, in contrast, alike, same as, or on the other hand.

Summ

er and Winter

seasons – sun shines sports are played

no snowwarmer temperaturesflowersbaby animals Easter & 4th of July

snowcolder temperaturesno flowers bloomingbears hibernateChristmas & New Years

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT:4. cause & effect – The author

explains one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects. Clue words are reasons why, if, then, as a result, therefore, and because.

ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT:

5. problem & solution – The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. Clue words are problem is, dilemma is, puzzle is, solve, question, and answer.

SO TO SUMMARIZE….

Expository Non-fiction is...