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INTRODUCTION
Expository text exposes you to facts: plain and simple. In this lesson, you
will learn how to understand and identify expository text. You will be able to
distinguish between expository and narrative text and understand why this
distinction is important.

When we read fiction novels, we are taking in narrative text. This type of text tells
a story and generally uses a lot of emotion. The opposite of this is expository text,
which exists to provide facts in a way that is educational and purposeful. The text
is fact-based with the purpose of exposing the truth through a reliable source.
True and deliberate expository text will focus on educating its reader. Other
descriptors of exposition are clear, concise, and organized writing. Expository text
gets to the point quickly and efficiently.

Imagine a parent is exposing a child to the thrill of riding a bicycle. They would
speak in the form of expository text, providing directions that are fact-based and
focused: hands on the bars, one foot on the pedal, push off… and so forth. Most
likely, this would have to be done and repeated several times before a child could
be off biking alone, but the same phrases would be repeated and the child would
be learning.

If a parent tried to teach a child to ride a bike in narrative form, such as only
telling the story of when and how they themselves learned to ride or what the
weather was like that day, the bike-riding lesson would be less successful. The
child would get frustrated and not be exposed to necessary skills for riding a bike.
Emotions would take over through the narrative (story telling). The lesson and
facts would be a failed attempt.
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DEFINATION OF EXPOSITORY TEXT

Expository text differs greatly from narrative text in tone, style, structure,
and features.First, expository texts purvey a tone of authority, since the authors
possess authentic and accurate information on the subjects they write about
(Fisher &Frey, 2008). Second, these texts follow a style that is distinctly different
from that of narrative text. Expository text uses clear, focused language and
moves fromfacts that are general to specific and abstract to concrete.

Another aspect of expository texts is that they utilize specific structures to

present and explain information (Burke, 2000). And, it has long been known that
the ability to recognize text structure enhances the student's ability to
comprehend and recall the information read (Armbruster, Anderson, &
Ostertag,1989).The five most common structures utilized in informational text are
cause-effect, comparison-contrast, definition-example, problem-solution, and
proposition supportor sequential listing. To help students recognize and identify
these structures, teachers can acquaint them with the signal or cue words authors
utilize in writing each of the structures (See below). In addition, DougBuehl (2001)
has created a series of questions to help guide students in identifying each
specific structure. Finally, see the reproducible masters below for a set of graphic
organizers that students and teachers may use to facilitate structure
identification.
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OBJECTIVE
Students will analyze, make inferences, and draw conclusions about an expository text.

 Materials
Expository text
Elements and Features of Expository Text handout
Expository Text Activity handout

 Overview
Provide explicit instruction with modeling before having students practice
independently or in groups. This activity may be done over several days.

 Activity
Distribute the text and the handouts.
Discuss with students the information and examples on the Elements and
Features of Expository Text handout. Students need to know these terms to
complete the activity.
Explain the directions on the Expository Text Activity handout.
Have students complete the handout. Provide scaffolding as needed.
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ELEMENT OF EXPOSITORY TEXT

1. Description – The author lists characteristics, features and example to

describe a subject.
2. Sequence – The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological
order. Clue words include first, second, third, next, then and finally.
3. Comparison – The author explains how two or more things are alike or
different. Clue words include different, in contrast, alike, same as, or on the
other hand.
4. Cause & effect – The author explains one or more causes and the resulting
effect or effects.
5. Problem & Solution – The author states a problem and lists one or more
solutions for the problem.
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FEATURE OF EXPOSITORY TEXT

Feature Description
Heading A title at the beginning of a page, chapter,
or section of text

Subheading A title at the beginning of a subsection

within a main section

Bold text A word or phrase emphasized through

darkened text

Italics text A word or phrase emphasized through

italicized text

Table of contents A list of the parts in the text and where

they are located

Photo or illustration A picture

Caption A brief explanation of an illustration

Diagram Shows information in a graphic organizer

Chart or graph Shows data

Map Shows an area, such as land or sea, and its

features, such as roads, cities, or states

Glossary An alphabetical list of vocabulary terms

Index An alphabetical list of names, places, and

topics in a text with the page numbers
where they are located; usually at the end
of a text
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CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPOSITORY TEXT

Expository text is a type of informational text that provides factual information
about a topic using a clear, non-narrative organizational structure with a major
topic and supporting information.
 Expository texts can include topics such as historical, scientific or economic
information.

 Information is presented with a clear organizational text structure which

includes but is not limited to: description, chronology, comparison,
cause/effect, problem/solution.

 The language in expository text is precise, specific to the subject, and

includes domain specific vocabulary to explain concepts and information.

 Expository text often includes organizational tools such as table of

contents, headings, index, glossary, pronunciation guide, appendices.

 Includes text features that support or enhance the text such as

photographs, illustrations, captions, charts, diagrams, tables, graphs, and
timelines.

 Examples of expository text may include: trade books, articles, reports,

textbooks, interviews, and essays.
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CONCEPT OF EXPOSITORY TEXT

Expository Text
What are the characteristics of expository text?

Purpose Expository text is written to provide information

about a topic, including a historical or scientific
topic.

Language Precise, focused on the subject, uses domain

specific vocabulary, rather than figurative
language.

Format Expository text is often written in paragraphs.

Examples of expository text may include: trade
books, articles, reports, textbooks, interviews, and
essays.
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ANALYZING EXPOSITORY TEXT STRUCTURE

The sequential narrative framework—beginning, middle, end—and the literary
elements of setting, plot, character, problem, and resolution are recognizable to
anyone who has heard a fairy tale or seen a movie. Expository text is framed
around different structures, and these structures crop up both in trade books and
in textbooks. Understanding the expository text structures gives readers a better
shot at determining important information when reading nonfiction. These
structures are often signaled by particular words, phrases, and headings.
Structure aids coherence. A coherent text leads the reader to meaning.
At a nonfiction reading workshop led by Jan Dole, we explored some of the most
common expository text structures by building sentences around the term goose
bumps.
 Cause & Effect: (when, because, if…then, as a result, consequently, etc.)
Goose bumps make me shiver. When the temperature drops below 45 degrees, my skin crinkles
into goose bumps.
 Problem & Solution:
Goose bumps make me shiver. But they disappear as soon as I cover up with a jacket or sweater.
 Question & Answer: (Question…, answer to the question…, etc.)
What happens to people when they shiver? They get goose bumps.
 Comparison and contrast: (same as, similar, alike, different from, as
opposed to, etc.)
Some people get goose bumps from fear. Others get goose bumps when they are touched
emotionally.
 Description: (For instance, such as…, an example, characteristics, etc.)
Goose bumps make me shiver. I get little bumps on my skin. They look like sesame seeds.
 Sequence: (first, second, next, then, after, finally, now, soon, not long
after, etc.)
Goose bumps make me shiver. First I get cold. Then I shake all over.
These examples are typical of the way expository text is structured. The text in
standardized tests and traditional textbooks frequently falls into one or another
of these text structures. If students know what to look for in terms of text
structure, they grasp the meaning more easily.
Teachers and students can practice analyzing text structure, creating examples,
and identifying patterns. After we have talked about and worked with text
structures extensively, my colleagues and I encourage kids to identify expository
text structures while reading in small groups and pairs. Grappling with nonfiction
text structure and coming to understand it helps readers determine essential
ideas.
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EXPOSITORY TEXT IN READING POINT ELEMENT

Teachers need to teach students how to read each type of text as they encounter
it if they are to read them successfully.

A book on a fireman’s job is an expository text.

EXPOSITORY TEXT
Expository text makes up the bulk of (most of) what adults read.

 Teachers read text books

 Policeman read reports and records
 Lawyers read legal papers
 Veterinarians read medical books

In school, after 2nd or 3rd grade, this is also true.

Therefore, students need to know:

 How to identify text structure
 How this type of text structure works.
 How you should prepare to read it,
 & what to do once you begin reading expository texts.

EXPOSITORY TEXTS INCLUDE

 TEXT BOOK
 NON – FICTION (library)
 NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE ARTICLES
 DIRECTIONS
 ESSAYS
 SPEECHES
 USER MANUALS (how to guides)
 GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS (such as the driver’s license test booklet).
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CONCLUSION
A concluding paragraph must be a part of every essay you write. The length of
your concluding paragraph will vary with the length of your paper. An effective
conclusion reminds the reader of the central point of the thesis statement.

Expository text exposes you to facts: plain and simple. In this lesson, you will learn
how to understand and identify expository text. You will be able to distinguish
between expository and narrative text and understand why this distinction is
important.

When we read fiction novels, we are taking in narrative text. This type of text tells
a story and generally uses a lot of emotion. The opposite of this is expository text,
which exists to provide facts in a way that is educational and purposeful. The text
is fact-based with the purpose of exposing the truth through a reliable source.
True and deliberate expository text will focus on educating its reader. Other
descriptors of exposition are clear, concise, and organized writing. Expository text
gets to the point quickly and efficiently.

Imagine a parent is exposing a child to the thrill of riding a bicycle. They would
speak in the form of expository text, providing directions that are fact-based and
focused: hands on the bars, one foot on the pedal, push off… and so forth. Most
likely, this would have to be done and repeated several times before a child could
be off biking alone, but the same phrases would be repeated and the child would
be learning.