A brief introduction to expository writing and how you can use it to

1. Expressing an
DISCURSIVE AND ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
WRITING FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1
(O’ LEVEL)

2. By the end of the lesson
You should be able to
Identify what is an “exposition” and its types
Identify the language features of expositions
Work out & write an exposition
Understand the requirements of exposition writing

3. What is an Exposition?
What do you do when you have to persuade someone to consider
your point of view?
Make a stand about an issue
Support your point of view (POV) with evidence
Conclude by stating the benefits of your approach

4. “An exposition is a text that presents
one side of the issue. The purpose is to
persuade the reader or listener by
presenting one side of an argument,
that is, the case for or against…”
Longmans, 2008: p.41

5. Types of Expositions
Debates
Expository essays
Editorials
Speeches (Situational Writing)
Spoken arguments
Legal defences (in court)
Reviews of books, movies, online games, blogs etc.

6. Discussion vs. Exposition
DISCUSSION
Do not immediately take a
stand.
Present various possibilities,
review the arguments and
…then make a considered
judgement
EXPOSITION
Take a stand immediately
Present only one side of the
issue
Attempt to persuade the
audience (listeners or
readers) to accept the
author’s POV

7. Language Features
Use simple present tense
Gives a more “up-to-date” feel to your writing
E.g. - “…some people disagree with…”
- “ …The latest statistics prove that…”
- “…The present situation is not satisfactory”

8. Language Features
Use words that express attitude
Gives a more convincing/sincere tone
E.g. - “…the people must be given the benefit of”
- “…These things rarely occur more than once”

9. Language Features
Use verbs of belief
“I can convince you that…”
“I can prove to you that…”

10. Language Features
Use connectors to do with reason and choice
“…You will fail unless you follow my suggestion…”
“Because of our failure to deal with these issues, this
state of affairs has become worse…”

11. Language Features
Use emotive words and phrases
“…we all love our country and we are all proud of
our achievements…”
“…It is distressing to see her suffer at this time…”

12. Language Features
Use adverbs that show time sequence and
link the arguments such as first, next,
previously and finally
“…we must resolve our difficulties before they become
worse. First we need to…Then we must. After this we
have to…”

13. Language Features
Use rhetorical questions
“…Can our country afford this?...”
“…Do you really want this to happen?…”

14. Planning

15. Step 1
Choose your topic & decide your stand
Are you for or against?

16. Step 2
List 4 or 5 points to argue your POV
Brainstorm – no particular order
Arrange them in a coherent sequence that brings out
your stand

17. Step 3
Collect all the evidence you will need for each
point
Quote statistics
Give examples
Quote statements from authorities
Include a moral statement
Tell a “real life” story that illustrates your point

18. Structure of an Exposition
An Introductory
Statement
A Series of Arguments
A Conclusion

19. Sample of
Expository
(Adapted from pg. 46, Longman’s Complete Guide to upper Secondary composition)

21. What is an exposition?
How is it different from a discussion?

22. What are the language features of expositions?
S_____ P_____ Tense
Words that express a_______
Words that are e_________
Verbs of be_____
Connectors that show r_____ & c______
Adverbs that show seq_______
R_________ questions.
imple resent
ttitude
motive
lief
uence
hetorical
eason hoice

23. Steps to writing expositions
Step 1: _____________________
Step 2: _____________________
Step 3: _____________________
List 4 or 5 points to argue your POV
Collect all the evidence you will need for each point
Choose your topic & decide your stand

24. Structure of an exposition
Introductory _________________
A __________ of arguments
A _______________.
statement
series
conclusion

25. Walkthrough
O’ Level English Paper One, Nov 2010
“…Some people say that the Internet does more
harm than good. What is your view?...”

26. Further notes on Discussion Essays
Discussion essays are written to:
…present a balanced argument giving points for or
against a topic.
…arrive at your opinion after careful analysis based on
facts.

27. Further notes on Discussion Essays
Additional Language Features:
Expressions showing contrasts
a) “…however”, “but”
b) “…on the other hand”
c) “…whereas…”

28. Further notes on Discussion Essays
Additional Language Features:
Expressions showing analysis
a) It can be seen that…
b) based on our review
c) Therefore

29. Comparison
EXPOSITORY ESSAYS
1. “…Singapore has too many laws”
Do you agree?
2. “There is too much traffic on the
streets of Kuala Lumpur”. Do you
agree?
3. It is said that school uniforms give
pupils a sense of identity and
encourages good discipline. Would
you agree with this?
DISCUSSION ESSAYS
1. Some people believe that getting a
university degree is the best route
to a successful career, while others
think that it may be better to start
work after school. Discuss
2. Should girls and boys be given
exactly the same type of
education?

30. References
1. Longman’s Complete Guide to Upper Secondary
Composition