Understanding Expository Texts: Characteristics and Structure

Exhibition: A Form of Discourse

Exhibition as a form of discourse presents scientific, technical, historical, or literary information to inform the intended audience. The defining characteristics of exhibition are clarity and objectivity, with a predominantly referential function.

Depending on the target audience, two types of exposition can be differentiated: informative and specialized.

• Informative: The author reports as clearly and objectively as possible on a topic of general interest. It targets non-specialists in that area and often uses media channels. The speech must be easily understood, and any specific lexicon must be explained.
• Specialized: The author addresses an audience that already possesses knowledge of a given science or technique. The channels used are typically monographs and journals. Although clarity remains the primary objective, specific terms known to the receiver are used.

Linguistic Characteristics of Expository Texts

• Verb Forms: The present tense is used almost exclusively, as it provides a timeless value for the exposition of content.
• Syntactic Structures: To achieve the clarity inherent in this kind of writing, sentences should be short, avoiding unnecessary complexity. The logical order of sentences facilitates the efficient transmission of content. Furthermore, nuclear supplements should be complemented to clarify concepts and actions. Hence, the use of specific adjectives, explanatory sentences, and accessories that express different circumstances of the verbal action is common.
• Lexicon: A specific lexicon relevant to the text's theme and the receiver's level of understanding is employed. Specific terms, scientific and technical jargon are used, and they are highly denotative in character.
• Connectors and Discourse Markers: These are used to explain the result, cause, purpose, explanation, or order of information.

Structure of Expository Texts

General Idea -> Specific Cases or Examples -> Conclusion

1. A general idea or subject is introduced.
2. Data or examples are presented to confirm the general idea.
3. The exposition reinforces the expressed idea.

Types of Expository Structures

• Deductive or Analytical: The main idea is discussed at the beginning of the text, followed by explanations and demonstrations with examples or particular data.
• Inductive or Synthesizing: The text begins with the exposition of data or specific examples to arrive at the main idea.
• Parallel: A topic is presented and broken down into sections, each with its own distinct focus.