Understanding Expository Text: Structure and Linguistic Features

Understanding Expository Text

Expository text presents information in a clear and orderly way. It often addresses topics suitable for informative essays or specialized fields, focusing predominantly on pragmatic aspects of reference with objectivity. The author typically remains neutral, writing in the third person with a didactic intent. While aiming for precision, the text avoids the severity of highly specialized works, catering to an audience interested in the subject but not necessarily expert.

Structural Aspects

Expository text often follows a structure that moves from general to specific (deductive) or specific to general (inductive). It's commonly divided into three parts: introduction, development, and synthesis.

Ideas are organized using logical connections such as:

• Problem-solution
• Cause-effect
• Claim-proof

Definitions are frequently included. Technical descriptions define the nature, constitution, or purpose of objects or phenomena. Enumeration of properties, qualities, or parts is also common. To illustrate and clarify ideas, authors use examples, concrete data, and comparisons to familiar concepts. Short arguments may also be included to support an idea.

Linguistic Aspects

Expository text emphasizes objectivity and clarity. Key features include:

• Referential function
• Declarative mode
• Third-person perspective
• Limited use of personal pronouns
• Passive voice constructions
• Nominal and adjectival emphasis
• Abstract terms

Compared to literary texts, evaluative adjectives are less common. The lexicon avoids double denotation. Expository texts clearly present information, often including historical context with state and action verbs, and predominantly use the present tense. Syntax is often attributive and predicative, with subordination or coordination, and adjectival or adverbial connectors.