Understanding Expository and Argumentative Text Types

1. Expository and Argumentative Texts

1.1. The Expository Text

An expository text aims to transmit, orally or in writing, content on a specific topic.

Purpose:

• To inform the receiver about a topic, aiming for comprehensive understanding.
• To inform non-specialized receivers, where the texts have an informative and expository character.

The purpose of expository texts is to explain a topic, transmit knowledge, and inform, not to convince or persuade.

Examples of expository texts include class explanations, conferences, specialized articles, exams, and manuals. Expository texts often blend with argumentative ones.

1.2. Characteristics of Expository Texts:

Objectivity, clarity, and order.

• Objectivity: Presented from an impartial point of view. Uses third-person verbs.
• Clarity: Focuses on the content of the topic. Avoids mixing explanations. Uses a direct style, bullet points, etc.
• Order: The topic is presented in a logical sequence. Well-structured.

1.3. Presentation Procedures for Expository Texts:

1. Enumeration: Listing features, qualities, or examples.
2. Problem/Solution: Presents a problem or difficulty.
3. Comparison: Compares two entities to establish similarities or differences.
4. Cause/Effect.

2. Structure of Expository Texts:

The structure usually follows a rather fixed pattern:

1. Introduction: Presents the topic and the approach.
2. Body: Paragraphs where the ideas are developed, using a series of resources:
   • Examples: To make abstract concepts more concrete.
   • Analogy: Relates ideas to others through metaphors and comparisons.
   • Citations of Authority: Direct or indirect citations of authors, sources, etc., to lend prestige.
3. Conclusion: A summary or synthesis of what has been presented.

3. The Argumentative Text

A text that, in addition to transmitting information, aims to convince the reader.

Texts where the basic form is argumentation are called argumentative texts.

The purpose of argumentative texts is to persuade or convince people that the author's viewpoint is the correct one.

Key Elements:

• Thesis (Opinion): A personal viewpoint of the issuer, which is the main argument.
• Arguments: Various reasons or evidence provided by the author to support the thesis.

3.1. Structure of an Argumentative Text:

• Analytic Structure: Thesis followed by arguments.
• Synthetic Structure: Arguments leading to a thesis.

3.2. Types of Argumentative Texts:

Editorials, letters to the editor, articles, opinion columns, essays, etc. They also appear in surveys and discussions, and today, in forums and chats.

3.3. Developing Arguments:

The defense argument supports the view held by the author. There are different types of arguments:

Types of Arguments:

• Data: Numerical or factual information.
• Facts: Proven events that have a causal relationship.
• Examples: Specific and concrete cases.
• Arguments from Authority: Direct or indirect citations from prestigious individuals or institutions.

Arguments can also arise from the opposite view, called an antithesis, which is then refuted.

The process of counter-argumentation is where the issuer demonstrates that the opposing opinion is invalid.