Expository Writing - Identifying Structures

Expository writing aims to inform, clarify, or explain a topic. It's factual, organized, and devoid of personal opinion. It often employs examples, evidence, and logical reasoning to convey information clearly to the reader.

In this chapter, we will be discussing the below-mentioned aspects in detail:

• Identifying structure
• What is a discursive essay?
• Relevant examples
• Topic of Discussion
  • Advantages and disadvantages of being an only child

Identifying Structure

Identifying structures in expository writing involves recognizing how authors organize their ideas. This includes understanding patterns like chronological order, cause and effect, compare and contrast, or problem-solution structures. These structures help readers follow the logic and flow of the text, enhancing comprehension.

Argumentative vs Expository

At the secondary level, you will be exposed to genres other than the narrative (personal recount, descriptive), specifically discursive (also commonly known as expository) and argumentative essays.

• Discursive/Expository: Seeks to present facts in a fair and unbiased manner, with no sides taken. The objective is to expose and discuss a certain issue or topic.
• Argumentative: Presents a strong argument supporting an explicitly stated stance or position. It includes points supporting the thesis statement as well as opposing viewpoints that are then rebutted to weaken their validity.

Let’s understand this with the help of some examples:

Example 1:

Study the flow of the essay outline below.

The structure is an outline of a/an __________ essay.

1. Narrative
2. Personal Recount
3. Discursive/Expository
4. Argumentative

Answer:

D) Argumentative

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No D i.e. argumentative because in this case Points No 2, 3 & 5 are my views but Point No 4 is the point of view of others to which I disagree. Hence, because of consistency in thought, it is an Argumentative essay. Questions that include ‘Do you agree?’ are Argumentative. In an Argumentative Essay, you are required to present an absolute stance (no sitting on the fence or saying you agree to a certain extent). You should either agree or disagree with the given statement.

Example 2:

Study the flow of the essay outline below.

The structure is an outline of a/an __________ essay.

1. Narrative
2. Personal Recount
3. Discursive/Expository
4. Argumentative

Answer:

C) Discursive/ Expository

Explanation:

In the above structure, we have not made any decision like whether tea or coffee is good. The structure shows only what is beneficial about tea and coffee. There is no argument being made.
There is only a discussion about Coffee vs. tea.
Hence, the correct answer is Option No C i.e. Discursive 

Example 3:

Study the flow of the essay outline.

The structure is an outline of a/an __________ essay.

1. Expository
2. Argumentative

Answer:

A) Expository

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option A i.e. Expository because both the good and bad points about hydropower are being discussed objectively. 

Example 4:

Study the flow of the essay outline.

The structure is an outline of a/ an __________ essay.

1. Expository
2. Argumentative

Answer:

B) Argumentative

Explanation:

It is an argumentative essay because it depicts only good points. Hence, because of consistency in thought, it is an Argumentative essay. The stance presented is consistent and absolute, with Paragraph 4 serving as a counter-argument, which is then rebutted in Paragraph 5.

What is a discursive essay?

A discursive essay presents and discusses issues, situations or problems surrounding a particular topic. A good discursive essay must include a thorough discussion of both sides of the topic. Points in favour of, as well as points against, or the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic, must be developed distinctively in each paragraph and supported by justifications, examples, and/or reasons. It is unnecessary to take a stance, though students can choose to lean towards one side of the argument more than the other.

Paragraph Development

One common way to develop a paragraph is to use the following structure:

• Topic Sentence – the main idea of the paragraph
• Elaboration – explain in greater detail your understanding of the topic 
• Example / Evidence – supports your point
• Link – sums up the paragraph by linking it to the topic

Example 5:

Topic Sentence - One advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.
With the hectic work schedules and the higher financial pressure, one advantage of being an only child is that parents are able to focus on his or her emotional and material needs, as opposed to couples who have more than one child. As parents can focus their time and energy on their only child, the child would probably feel more valued. As a result, an only child is more likely to bond more with his or her parents, as compared to children with siblings.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Counter-argument
2. Elaboration
3. Rebuttal
4. Example

Answer:

B) Elaboration

Explanation:

Rebuttal is the same thing as a counter-argument and this is not a counter-argument. It’s either an elaboration or an example.
As there are no specific names or numbers, it is an elaboration.
Hence, the correct answer is Option B i.e. Elaboration.

Example 6:

Topic Sentence - One advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.
Thus, the benefit of being an only child is that one is likely to enjoy more undivided attention from his or her parents, which also makes the bond stronger.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Link to Topic 
2. Elaboration
3. Rebuttal
4. Example

Answer:

A) Link to Topic

Explanation:

Elaboration is like unpacking your luggage. The second paragraph is very similar to the topic sentence which shows it is nothing else but a link to the topic.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Example 7:

Topic Sentence - Being the only child in the family may often lead to too much attention that can spoil them and make them self-centred.
For example, it is often observed that China’s one-child policy has created the ‘Little Emperor’ effect where the child is often indulged by his parents to the extent that he grows up spoiled and self-centred.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Counter-Argument 
2. Elaboration
3. Example
4. Link to Topic

Answer:

C) Example

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option C i.e. Example because the above statements use a specific name like “Little Emperor”, a specific name of a country like “China”, specific name of a policy i.e. “one-child policy”.
Hence, the answer is Example.

Example 8:

For example, clinical psychologist, Linda Blair, author of the book Birth Order, noted that an only child enjoys more attention and resources that are critical for his or her development, and it also leaves the parents with the room to enjoy their lives. Research done by sociologist Dr Susan Newman in 2012 suggests that an only child tends to grow closer to his or her parents as they visit their parents more when they become adults, as compared to children who have siblings.

Which topic sentence does the above example fall under?

1. Another disadvantage of being a single child is the lack of companionship in the familial home that can make them feel lonely or lacking in social skills.
2. However, being the only child in the family may often lead to too much attention that can spoil them and make them self-centred.
3. In addition, single child has been found to be more imaginative and flexible in their thinking.
4. One advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.

Answer: 

D) One advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option D as we can see in the above paragraph that an only child tends to grow closer to his or her parents as they visit their parents more when they become adults, as compared to children who have siblings.Hence, one advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.

Test Your Concepts

Answer the following questions based on the concepts we’ve covered in this article. If you get stuck, revisit the relevant section to revise the concepts.

Question 1:

Study the flow of the essay outline.

The structure is an outline of a/ an __________ essay.

1. Expository
2. Argumentative

Question 2:

Topic Sentence - One advantage that only children of single-child families can benefit from is the undivided attention they can get from their parents.
For example, clinical psychologist, Linda Blair, author of the book Birth Order, noted that an only child enjoys more attention and resources that are critical for his or her development, and it also leaves the parents with the room to enjoy their lives.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Counter-argument
2. Elaboration
3. Thesis Statement
4. Example

Question 3:

Topic Sentence - Being the only child in the family may often lead to too much attention that can spoil them and make them self-centred.
Thus, one disadvantage could be how the excessive attention on the only child may breed self-centredness and turn them into spoilt brats.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Counter-argument
2. Elaboration
3. Thesis Statement
4. Link to Topic

Question 4:

Topic Sentence - Being the only child in the family may often lead to too much attention that can spoil them and make them self-centred.
Only children are often thought to be spoilt and egocentric, as they do not learn how to share their toys with a sibling and are too used to getting their parents’ undivided attention. They may also lack the opportunities to learn how to adjust to the presence of another sibling and cultivate the virtue of cooperation and tolerance. Being the only apple of the parents’ eyes, the only child may also be over-protected by their parents from risks and dangers to the extent that they do not learn how to be independent.

The excerpt in the box above is a/an __________.

1. Counter-argument
2. Elaboration
3. Thesis Statement
4. Link to Topic