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Expository text

Expository text. Paola Catenaccio Lingua inglese 1 LIN a.a. 2009-2010.

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Expository text

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  1. Expository text Paola Catenaccio Lingua inglese 1 LIN a.a. 2009-2010

  2. Society or human society is the manner or condition in which the members of a community live together for their mutual benefit. By extension, society denotes the people of a region or country, sometimes even the world, taken as a whole Used in the sense of an associaton, a society is a body of individuals outlined by the bounds of functional interdependence, possibly comprising characteristics such as national or cultural identity, social solidarity, language or hierarchical organization. Human societies are characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals sharing a distinctive culture and institutions. Like other communities or groups, a society allows its members to achieve needs or wishes they could not fulfill alone. (source: wikipedia)

  3. LISA membership is divided between two broad categories: vendors and clients. Vendors are those organizations that derive a significant proportion of their revenues from the provision of globalization- and localization-related services or tools. Clients are those organizations that create content and purchase globalization services from other organizations. Other members come from academia, government, NGOs, and research institutions. As of late 2007, 53% of LISA’s corporate members came from the client and “other” category, and since 2006, 51% of organizations represented at LISA events have come from the client and “other” category. Full membership is LISA is reserved for Sponsor and Corporate members. LISA also offers a lower-priced Introductory membership for new members and smaller organizations: this membership category has some limitations. Special provision is made for non-profit and educational associations to join LISA at reduced costs. The list of member categories may be viewed here. http://www.lisa.org/LISA-Structure.83.0.html

  4. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, one of the most famous economists was Alfred Marshall. His work on Principles of Economics was published in 1890. This book was viewed as an epoch-making work in the field of western economics. In the fourth series of this work, Marshall discussed the agents of production. He wrote 'The agents of production are commonly classed as Land, Labour and Capital. By Land is meant the material and the forces which Nature gives freely for man's aid, in land and water, in air and light and heat. By Labour is meant the economic work of man, whether with the hand or the head. By Capital is meant all stored-up provision for the production of material goods, and for the attainment of those benefits which are commonly reckoned as part of income. It is the main stock of wealth regarded as an agent of production rather than as a direct source of gratification (Marshall, 1983)'. At the same time, Marshall thought that Capital consisted of a great part of knowledge and organization because the distinction between public and private property in knowledge and organization is of great and growing importance. Sometimes it seems best to reckon organization apart as a distinct agent of production. From here, Marshall opinioned that organization should be an independent factor of production and be considered as the fourth factor.

  5. Exposition • The texts in the previous slides are examples of the expository text type • What is their function? • What cognitive function is it associated with? • How are they organised? Can you identify any distinguishing features? What verbs are used in the texts?

  6. Function: transmit comprehension of concepts • Cognitive process: comprehension • Verbs: non-change

  7. Soil is a three phase system comprised of various combinations of naturally-derived solids including fine to coarse-grained rocks and minerals, organic matter, ice, […], liquids […] and gases The blood vessels are part of the cardiovascular system and function to transport blood throughout the body.

  8. Point of view

  9. Phenomenon-identifying sentence (synthetic exposition) One part of the brain is the cortex Phenomenon linking sentence (analytic exposition) The brain has ten million neurons

  10. Topic giving introduction: general topical initiator (usually in subject slot position) for the specific text. Reference to a conceptual whole to which individual aspects will then be related Like the digital computer, the brain also consists of a network of switches - the nerve-cells or neurones

  11. Listing introduction: (unnumbered) list of specific topical initiators. The encoder thus gives a survey of elements which he later interrelates to form some conceptual whole. It allows for expansion in additive listing and structural listing. The term ‘ethnic’ is part of a family of terms of similar or related meaning, such as ‘minority group’, ‘race’ and ‘nation’

  12. Numerical introduction: summative numerical initiators (several…), or exact numerical initiators What do we mean when we say we ‘know’ somebody? Possibly one of several things Cancer cells have two characteristic traits

  13. Sequence forms • Explicatory Exemplification such as Particularization mainly Reformulation that is transition as for • Additive adverbs and prepositional groups with a relationship of similarity moreover, in the same way,also, likewise (additive sequence forms may be replaced by topical sequence forms which appear as synonymous or antonymous sequence forms)

  14. Composition

  15. Definitions • A formal definition is based upon a concise, logical pattern that includes as much information as it can within a minimum amount of space. The primary reason to include definitions in your writing is to avoid misunderstanding with your audience. A formal definition consists of three parts. • The term (word or phrase) to be defined • The class of object or concept to which the term belongs. • The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all others of its class • For example: • Water (term) is a liquid (class) made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2 to 1 (differentiating characteristics). • Comic books (term) are sequential and narrative publications (class) consisting of illustrations, captions, dialogue balloons, and often focus on super-powered heroes (differentiating characteristics). • Astronomy (term) is a branch of scientific study (class) primarily concerned with celestial objects inside and outside of the earth's atmosphere (differentiating characteristics).

  16. Additional tips • Avoid defining with "X is when" and "X is where" statements. These introductory adverb phrases should be avoided. Define a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, and so forth. • Do not define a word by mere repetition or merely restating the word. • "Rhyming poetry consists of lines that contain end rhymes." Better: • "Rhyming poetry is an artform consisting of lines whose final words consistantly contain identical, final stressed vowel sounds." • Define a word in simple and familiar terms. Your definition of an unfamiliar word should not lead your audience towards looking up more words in order to understand your definition. • Keep the class portion of your definition small but adequate. It should be large enough to include all members of the term you are defining but no larger. (source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/622/01/)

  17. Task • Provide a definition of the term “master’s degree” • Provide a definition of “cohesion”

  18. Master’s degree • A master’s degree is a second level university degree. It is divided into different kinds of specialisations and it usually lasts two years. • A master’s degree is a second-level academic qualification. It is generally obtained at the end of a 2-year university programme following the completion of a first-level degree (BA).

  19. cohesion • Cohesion is the surface structure of a text whose organisation is based on the grammar dependencies of its elements. • Cohesion is a feature of textuality which refers to the syntactic connectivity among the different components of the surface text and helps organising it properly.

  20. Expository paragraph (as preliminary to an expository essay) The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, exempla, the analysis of cause and effect, etc. Please note: This genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various exam formats. The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following: • A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay. (source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/02/)

  21. How to write an expository paragraph • You need a topic sentence. • The topic sentence will be your thematic text base and will be included in an introduction. • You will then need to provide a few (usually three) supporting sentences, which will make up the body of your text. • Finally, you need a conclusion (remember the feature of completion?) • To build cohesion, you will need to use the appropriate sequence forms

  22. Types of expository writing Source: http://www.stanford.edu/~arnetha/expowrite/info.html

  23. “Descriptive” expository texts • The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples  • Sequence forms: for example, characteristics are … • Example: • The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. The rings represent the five continents - Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America - from which athletes come to compete in the games. The rings are colored black blue, green, red, and yellow. At least one of these colors is found in the flag of every country sending athletes to compete in the Olympic games.

  24. Sequential • The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order. • Sequence forms: first, second, third; next; then; finally • Example: • The Olympic games began as athletic festivals to honor the Greek gods. The most important festival was held in the valley of Olympia to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. It was this festival that became the Olympic games in 776 B.C. These games were ended in A.D. 394 by the Roman Emperor who ruled Greece. No Olympic games were held for more than 1,500 years. Then the modern Olympics began in 1896. Almost 300 male athletes competed in the first modern Olympics In the games held in 1900, female athletes were allowed to compete. The games have continued every four years since 1896 except during World War II, and they will most likely continue for many years to come. • Expository or narrative? DIFFICULT to decide. You have to focus on the main FUNCTION

  25. Example of sequentially-organised expository text • How is Italian Parmesan cheese made? • The process for making Parmesan cheese is lengthy and arduous. Firstly, Parmesan cheese is made with a special blend of two different types of cow’s milk. The full cream milk that is taken from the cows in the morning is mixed with the skimmed milk taken from the same cows on the previous evening. Those cows whose milk is used to produce Parmesan cheese are fed only on grass and hay.  This gives the milk with which Parmesan cheese is made a unique consistency that shows in the texture of the cheese later on. The milk is then heated and stirred in huge copper vats which are used specifically because they heat up and cool down so quickly.  The curd is then lumped into cheese cloths and made into the shape of a wheel using a metal brace.

  26. Comparison • The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. • Sequence forms: different; in contrast; alike; same as; on the other hand • Example: • The modern Olympics is very unlike the ancient Olympic games. Individual events are different. While there were no swimming races in the ancient games, for example, there were chariot races. There were no female contestants and all athletes competed in the nude. Of course, the ancient and modern Olympics are also alike in many ways. Some events, such as the javelin and discus throws, are the same. Some people say that cheating, professionalism, and nationalism in the modern games are a disgrace to the Olympic tradition. But according to the ancient Greek writers, there were many cases of cheating, nationalism, and professionalism in their Olympics too.

  27. Cause-effect • The author lists one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects. reasons why; • Sequence forms: if...then; as a result; therefore; because • Example • There are several reasons why so many people attend the Olympic games or watch them on television. One reason is tradition. The name Olympics and the torch and flame remind people of the ancient games. People can escape the ordinariness of daily life by attending or watching the Olympics. They like to identify with someone else's individual sacrifice and accomplishment. National pride is another reason, and an athlete's or a team's hard earned victory becomes a nation's victory. There are national medal counts and people keep track of how many medals their country's athletes have won.

  28. Problem-solution • The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern is the question- and-answer format in which the author poses a question and then answers it. • problem is; dilemma is; puzzle is solved; question... Answer • Example: • One problem with the modern Olympics is that it has become very big and expensive to operate. The city or country that hosts the games often loses a lot of money. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes who come from around the world. And all of these facilities are used for only 2 weeks! In 1984, Los Angeles solved these problems by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies like McDonald's paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. Many buildings that were already built in the Los Angeles area were also used. The Coliseum where the 1932 games were held was used again and many colleges and universities in the area became playing and living sites.

  29. Task • Write an expository paragraph on one of the following topics: • Freedom • Success

  30. Freedom Freedom is an abstract concept, but it is possible to identify a number of basic features which pertain to the condition of being free. One of these features is the opportunity of doing whatever one wishes; another one is the liberty of saying everything one wants without any kind of impediment; and a third one is freedom of thought, which means that a person is free to hold any beliefs they deem right. Besides these rights, freedom entails also some duties, the most important of which is respecting other people’s will without interfering with them.

  31. Success is the achievement of a goal after a long process of steady engagement. We can distinguish between two different conceptualisations/types of success: the first one consists in economic wealth, meaning that a person gets to a very important social position which involves power, authority, fame and prestige. The second refers to a more personal and subjective realisation of one’s aspirations, in the sense that it is not ecessarily bound to material wealth. To sum up, success is the achievement of one’s satisfaction, whether economic or of a more inner kind.

  32. Brainstorming exercise • What type of text types would you rely on in order to obtain funding for a project?

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