WRITING AN EXPOSITION OR
DISCUSSION ON A FAMILIAR
ISSUE TO INCLUDE KEY
STRUCTURE ELEMENTS AND
LANGUAGE FEATURES
The features and key structure elements of
an expository writing explore on all angles of
particular topic in an effort to teach the
reader something he might not know. The
language needs to be appropriate for
intended audience or readers. Language and
style depend on form and purpose.
Look at the two illustrations. Spot the difference.
How do they differ? Which room could stimulate
comprehension and learning?
Exposition is a type or kind of writing that
defines, interprets, explains, and exposes. To
distinguish it from the other forms,
exposition is all writing that does not tell a
story of fiction and poetry or maintain a
position. Expository writings are writings
from textbooks, news, magazines, articles or
any other type of publication. Writing an
essay test is also an example of expository
writing.
5 types of exposition
2. Cause and Effect is about how the
1. Descriptive essay describes a important issue happens and what
person, place or some interesting, the ensuing result is.
and unusual experiences.
• Example: One of the most common
reasons for a decreased feeling of
• Example: A person who has self- worth as an adult is bullying
influenced me most is my that occurred in the person’s past.
When a child experienced a wide
grandmother. My grandmother range of negative physical and
raised me to be sensitive, cheerful, emotional influences it will lead to
and compassionate. She is low self- esteem.
someone I deeply love and cherish.
5 types of exposition
4. Problem and Solution talks
3. Compare and Contrast takes about a relevant problem and
comparison between two subjects analyzes the solution for it.
explaining their similarities and
differences.
• Example: There has been a surge
in teen pregnancies these days.
• Example: Computers can be used to Teen pregnancies make it hard
communicate easily likewise with a for mothers to pursue their
mobile phone. However, mobile dreams. However, this can be
phones can be operated from prevented through abstinence.
anywhere but in computer, you can’t.
5 types of exposition
5. Sequence or Process answers the question
“How to….?” It teaches and explains the
process.
Example: To make a paper airplane, the first
thing you need to do is to take out a plain
sheet of paper. Next fold the paper down the
center. Then, fold the top corners down to
meet the center line…
• An expository writing, regardless of its purpose, should have at
least 5 paragraphs: the first paragraph is the introduction; the next
three paragraphs is the body; and the last paragraph is the
conclusion.
• The introduction should state the topic of the essay. This is the
substance of the entire writing which points the main idea. It
should give a brief sign posts of what the information the essay will
include.
• The body section should focus on main points, supported by
evidences. These supporting evidences may include reasons, facts,
statistics, quotations, examples or a mix of these. Transitional
markers or connectives are used in these paragraphs to connect
one idea to the next.
• The concluding paragraph gives a concise summary of the body
paragraph. It should tie the ideas, transitions and examples
together to give the reader something to think about.
Connectives are also used in essay. These are words or phrases that show
the logical relationship between the points. They help to achieve a smooth
essay flow. They are carefully assembled and creatively applied to ensure
that sentences in the paragraph make sense. Here are some connectives
used in essay:
1. Connectives showing cause and effect; as a result, thus, hence, due to,
consequently
2. Connectives adding information; also, for example, such as, besides,
further, moreover
3. Connectives for succession; first, second, third, after that, finally
4. Connectives showing comparison and contrast; but, however, although,
on the other hand, instead
5. Connectives summarizing essay; to sum up, in conclusion, in short
6. Pronouns also act as connectives. (he, she, it, they, etc.)
Steps in writing an expository essay
1. Choose a topic: The topic should meet the writer’s level of interest. It
should give an ease in finding sources. The writer should have the ability
to explain the issues to the readers.
2. Do research: After choosing the topic, it’s time to do a research. Read
broadly a variety of articles about the topic. Take notes on the possible
point that could be covered in the essay.
3. Choose examples: The best way to choose examples is to mix the most
common issues discussed about the topic along with some rarely
discussed.
4. Write an outline: It may start with an interesting introduction by telling
a story or citing a statistic. The succeeding paragraphs should cite
examples based on the topic. The last paragraph is the conclusion which
drives home the significance of the topic.
5. Craft thesis statement: It should lean on what the writer
is going to convey to the readers.
6. Write the essay: After the outline, put the research into
writing the essay. Use transitional words to reinforce
supporting facts.
7. Proofread and edit.
Check your work for any grammatical and spelling
mistakes and check if the information is presented in a
proper logical sequence.
Writing several drafts and editing your essay as many
times as possible and as required to make sure that it is
free from any lapses or errors is advisable.
Activity
Look for an appropriate idea in the parenthesis to complete the
meaning expressed in the indicated connective. Do this in your
answer sheet (1/2 crosswise).
1. Some of the social impacts of COVID-19 are cancellation or
postponement of large- scale sports and tournaments and (slowing
of the manufacturing of essential goods/ social distancing with our
peers and family members).
2. The newly–hired employee rarely produced a day’s work;
consequently, (he lost his job/ he got promoted).
3. First, boil the water; then, (put the pasta/ strain the pasta).
4. The electric transformer has crashed; eventually (the power will
go off/ linemen will fix the problem).
5. The speaker had a monotonous voice; furthermore, (the audience
obviously lost interest/ he jumped from one idea to another).
A good expository essay follows a logical sequence of ideas and is properly structured in
order to convey the message it wants to deliver.
Below is an example of a cause and effect essay. Read it carefully then, write all the
transition signals/connectives you can find. Lastly, answer all the questions below which
are about the structure of an expository essay.
History shows that human beings have come a long way from where they started.
They have developed new technologies, which mean that everybody can enjoy luxuries
they never previously imagined. However, the technologies that are temporarily making
this world a better place to live could well prove to be an ultimate disaster due to, among
other things, the creation of nuclear weapons, increasing pollution and loss of animal
species.
The biggest threat to the earth caused by modern human activity comes from the
creation of nuclear weapons. Although it cannot be denied that countries have to defend
themselves, the kind of weapons that some of them currently possess are far in excess of
what is needed for defense. If these weapons were used, they could lead to the
destruction of the entire planet.
Another harm caused by human activity to this earth is pollution. People
have become reliant on modern technology, which can have adverse effects on
the environment. For example, reliance on cars causes air and noise pollution.
Even seemingly innocent devices, such as computers and mobile phones, use
electricity, most of which is produced from coal-burning power stations, which
further adds to environmental pollution. If we do not curb the use of fossil fuels,
the harm to the environment maybe catastrophic. Animals have reached
extinction on a considerable number of species. This is the consequence of
human encroachment on wildlife habitats, for example deforestation to expand
human cities. Some may argue that such loss of species is natural and has
occurred throughout earth's history.
However, the current rate of species loss far exceeds normal levels, and is
threatening to become a mass extinction event.
In summary, there is no doubt that current human activities such as the
creation of nuclear weapons, pollution, and destruction of wildlife, are harmful to
the earth. It is important for us to see not only the short-term effects of our
actions, but their long-term effects as
well. Otherwise, human activities will be just another step towards destruction.
Answer the following:
1. The first paragraph contains the introduction of the essay. What is the essay
about then? A. Human activities have led to the development of human
technologies.
B. Human activities have made our world a better place to live in spite of the
much destruction we face.
C. Human activities led to advancement in technology but it also caused the
destruction of the planet.
2. The body section of the essay focuses on the main points and the evidences
supporting them. Which paragraphs contain the body section of the given essay?
A. 1, 2, 3 B. 2, 3, 4 C. 3, 4, 5
3. The following are the harmful effects of the advancement of technology except
one. Which is it?
A. Earth has been polluted.
B. Nuclear weapons were created.
C. Some animals have reached extinction.
D. Man gets to enjoy luxuries that were not present before.
4. The conclusion of the essay is reflected on the last paragraph. How do
you conclude an expository essay? A. by presenting the important idea
B. through a good reflection of the idea
C. by restating and summarizing the essay’s body and leaving with a final
impression
5. It is evident that the essay has used many transitional signals or
connectives. Why are transitional signals/connectives used in an
expository writing? Choose the best answer. A. They link words together.
B. They assist in achieving a good paragraph.
C. They show the logical relationship between ideas and points.
For November 8. Use 1 whole.
From the given outline, write an expository essay observing the use of appropriate connectives
or transitional markers. Follow the correct paragraph structure as well (introduction,
body/development, and conclusion).
Why the School Year Should Be Shorter in this Pandemic
I. Introduction
Introduce the main point of the essay
II. Shorter school year in this pandemic will benefit both students and teachers A. Supporting
detail
B. Supporting detail
III. Shorter school year in this pandemic will help the government reallocate millions of
pesos from education to health and industry agencies.
A. Supporting detail
B. Supporting detail
IV. Shortening the school year may provide benefits for the parents
A. Supporting detail
B. Supporting detail
V. Conclusion
