Expository text: characteristics, functions and types

A summary of the characteristics of expository text and its functions.

The expository text is a type of discourse that expresses, as objectively and accurately as possible, a wide variety of topics.. They can be about practically anything, such as medicine, chemistry, or ornithology.

In the following we will see more in depth its main characteristics, the form in how they are structured and the two main types of expository texts.

What is an expository text?

Expository text is the type of discourse in which concepts, ideas or facts are expressed as objectively and accurately as possible.. It focuses mainly on explicitly informing about the most important points of a topic, situation or fact. The author must leave aside any personal opinion, which is why in these texts the third person singular is used as a textual resource.

Generally, these texts are used in popularization, especially to make ideas or concepts known to a wide audience. Likewise, there are also more specialized expository texts, in which topics belonging to various fields are presented, such as scientific, legal, academic, historical, and many more.

As expository texts can be found in an endless number of subjects and fields, there is no minimum length for this type of text. It all depends on the subject matter, ranging from a simple paragraph to a whole book..

It is very important to understand that expository texts and argumentative texts are very different things. In the second case, an opinion is presented, with the intention of convincing the reader, in addition to disseminating the author's ideas.

Characteristics of expository texts

There are several characteristics that define expository texts.

1. Structure and language

Expository texts can present a wide variety of topics, such as historical events, description of Biological processes, social phenomena, gardening, etc.such as historical events, description of biological processes, social phenomena, gardening...

Whatever the topic, the information is presented with a clear structure, the text being organized in several sections.

The type of language is precise, appropriate to the subject matter. The use of ambiguous terms is avoided, although it is not intended to go too deeply into topics other than the main one.

They are considered formal texts, since they do not use a colloquial language, but a more polite one.They are considered formal texts, since they do not use colloquial language, but a more polite one that does not depend on the context to be understood.

2. Content

The purpose of the expository text is to expose an idea and help the reader learn about a specific topic.

This is why the content does not come only in the form of written text, but can also be accompanied by indexes, tables of contents, glossaries, appendices and other resources, can be accompanied by indexes, tables of contents, glossaries, appendices and other resources, depending on the relevance of the text.depending on how relevant it is to the topic presented in the text itself.

Also, as a mnemonic and organizational support, the text is accompanied by photographs, captions, illustrations, graphs, diagrams, tables and chronograms.

3. Objectivity

The expository text tries to be objective. That is why no personal opinion on the topic presented should be presented.. During the writing of a text of this type, the aim is to collect all the appropriate information and facts that are relevant.

When writing about a topic, it should be assumed that the reader does not know anything about the subject being discussed, so you should write in detail, even things that may seem obvious.

4. Focused on the main topic

It is very important that in an expository text the direction of the text is not lost.. That is to say, you must remain focused on the subject you are exposing, without wandering into other matters.

You should also avoid explaining information that is not relevant in order to make the main topic more understandable.

5. Contrasting information

One of the methods used in expository writing is the discussion of similarities and differences. the discussion of similarities and differences between the exposed topic and a related one, without going into too much detail about the main topic.without going into too much detail about the latter.

It is not necessary to list all the similarities and divergent characteristics, but to choose some of the most important ones to highlight how different they are and to help the reader differentiate between them.

6. Cause and effect

In expository text, especially if the subject matter has to do with the social and natural sciences, explain how things influence each other, i.e. cause and effect relationships.. You can begin, for example, by introducing an event and then name and analyze the causes that brought about that particular event.

Structure

Although the structure of the text varies according to the subject matter, in essence the following patterns can be highlighted.

Basic structure

This structure is shared with narrative and argumentative texts, only that the facts presented are not of a literary nature, nor is a personal opinion presented, unlike in these texts.Unlike in these two texts, the basic structure is the same as in narrative and argumentative texts.

1. Introduction

This is the first part and it describes the points that will be explained throughout the text. The introduction should be explanatory and striking, in order to capture the reader's attention and give him/her an idea of what he/she is going to read..

2. Development

This is the expository body of the text. In this part the most relevant points of the topic in question are explained in detail.. The development must be organized, coherent and logical, without leaving aside objectivity and precision.

3. Conclusion

The main function of the conclusion is to make a compilation of the information presented throughout the text, and to highlight the most important features of the subject that has been addressed.and to highlight the most important features of the subject that has been dealt with.

Logical structures

The logical structure refers to the coherent development of the topic presented. We have, mainly, four types of logical structures.

1. Synthesizing or inductive

The ideas are explained in a reduced form at the beginning but, progressively, exposing them in more detail at larger points of the topic..

2. Analyzing or deductive

First, general ideas are explained before moving on to more specific ones.

3. Framed

In the framed structure, the topic is exposed in the development to pass, in the conclusion, to a change of the main idea.

4. Parallel

In the parallel structure all the ideas of the text have the same relevance.. That is why no special organization is required.

Types of expository texts

Mainly, expository texts can be presented in two forms.

1. Informative

Informative texts are those whose purpose is to explain a topic of general interest, aimed at broad sectors of the population..

This kind of discourse does not require very specialized language, nor is the reader expected to have a deep knowledge of the subject matter.

Some examples of informative texts that we can find are school textbooks, newspaper articles and encyclopedias or, without going any further, this article itself.

2. Specialized

Unlike informative texts, specialized texts are those based on explaining, explaining, explaining, explaining and explaining. are those that are based on explaining a complex subject in detail.. They are aimed at an audience with knowledge in the area of the subject developed.

The language used is more technical and deep, being necessary to know the specific vocabulary to be able to understand the text in its entirety. Commonly, these texts are those developed in fields such as medicine, chemistry, mechanics, law...

Some examples of specialized texts are articles in scientific journals, final degree and master's theses, doctoral theses...final degree and master's theses, doctoral dissertations...

Bibliographical references:

• Smith, C. S. (2003). Modes of Discourse: The Local Structure of Texts. Cambridge University Press. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-521-78169-5.