ADVANCED EXPOSITORY WRITING

ENGL367/447

SECOND SEMESTER

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

INTRODUCTIONFamiliarisation/personal

presentationsDos and don’ts/ rules: course rep,

punctuality, sanctions, full participation

On preparation pre/post class sessions

Objectives Purpose

Objectives aimsBy the end of the course we expect

you to confidently:Develop good paragraphs,Develop viable/ attractive titlesCompose essays which incorporate

various expository styles: Examples, Narration, Definition, Classification, Description, Analogy, Cause and effect, Process Analysis

Purpose To develop in you the skill of writing which

you will need both in school and after school (long essays, exams, term papers, graduate programs, professional life)

Consequently, to equip you for the job market since all of you will require it, but some of you will land communication related jobs

To kill in you the fear of putting pen on paper (writing mania), and cause you to develop fluidity on paper/PC

The purpose of speaking/writing (communication)Seven basic functions:

◦To interact◦To inform◦To find out◦To influence◦To regulate◦To entertain◦To recordThe important first step to take when planning to write is to determine the purpose/audience which to a large extent will gauge the written product

Expository writing, what it is Expository (expose) is a type of

writing which is aimed at explaining, unveiling a topic/issue.

It deals with facts, ideas and beliefs.Expo writing:Explains analysesdefines

compares illustratesAs a result of these functions, the

following paragraphs are explored/mastered in expo writing:

Types of expositionExemplification (examples) NarrationDefinition Classification Description Analogy Cause and effectProcess Analysis

Evaluation Quiz

The Paragraph Since this is a writing course and

writing depends on the paragraph, we will whetting our paragraph skills first, before we continue with expository writing

What you will do before next week’s class is get the following information:

Assignment The structure of an essay, paragraph structure, topic sentence, DevelopmentParagraph unity: coherence,

transitions

Quiz 1. Identify the structure of the essay:2. How many parts has the paragraph?

Name them3. What elements combine to achieve

coherence in a paragraph (transitional devices, pronouns, repetition, synonyms,)

4. The topic sentence is invariably initially placed. True/False

5. Topic sentence is the same as thesis statement. True/False

The structure of the essay: intro, body, conclusion

Each of these units has a unique behaviour

THE BODYThe body explains/supports the thesis in

the introThe body comprises several paragraphsEach paragraph has the ff elements,

structured in the author’s own unique way:

Paragraph ELEMENTS:1. The topic sentence

i. states the main ideaii. limits the main idea to one

aspect of the subject that can be covered in one paragraph

iii. controls all the other sentences in the paragraph

iv. Is more general than the sentences that develop it

Elements of the paragraph2. The supporting sentences:

explaindevelop, orprove the topic sentence with specific details,

events, facts, examples, reasons, comparisons and contrasts, etc

3. The concluding sentence adds a strong ending by restating, re-emphasising, or summarising the main idea.

NB: each paragraph constitutes a complete thought on its own

Development Inadequate development: too generalSome years ago, child labour practices led to a gruelling life for many Ghanaian children. Many children worked instead of going to school, and they had hard jobs. They also worked long hours for little pay. Since their families often needed the money, these children had little choice but to work hard. Eventually, some laws were passed that put an end to some of the child labour practices.

Paragraph unityAll supporting sentences shd

relate directly to the topic sentence

Coherence All ideas in a paragraph should

be smoothly and logically related.Hinges on:1. logical organisation, and 2. effective transitional devices.

Logical organisation

Ff methods may be used:1. Chronological order2. Spatial order3. Order of importance4. Developmental order