INGL 3231-001: Expository Writing I Prof. Cristal Heffelfinger Writing basics INGL 3231-001: Expository Writing I Prof. Cristal Heffelfinger

Outline Expository writing: A definition Planning your work Basic structure Style

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Expository writing: A definition (Curl, 1919) Goal: To make clear, to explain Components: Definition – sets boundaries Analysis – provides further details; identifies, classifies, and explains relationships between ideas (parts of a whole) It should have a purpose: “What am I trying to accomplish?” (loc. 248)

Before writing, consider… (Curl, 1919) What’s my personality or style? What’s my attitude towards the subject? How can I relate to it? How do I make it my own? How broad is it? What are the main perspectives/ideas surrounding it? What are the possibilities for its interpretation? What/who is my audience? What do I want my readers to remember? What message do I wish to convey? How do I make my work relatable/engaging? Topic, Subject Writer Reader

Basic structure (Strauch, 2005) Introduction Contains the main idea or thesis (topic + comment) Should be general (from general to specific) May add supporting comments Body Largest part Provides details, supporting arguments Conclusion Ties composition together May be: restatement, summary, future alternative/goal, related thought, combination

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Keep sentences short, varied, and to one main idea Average length: ~ 20 words Avoid complex sentences (e.g., numbers, parehteses). Combine longer and shorter sentences. Vary sentence type. Avoid fuzzy syntax. It should be easily readable. Do not lose your point!

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Avoid pretensions, euphemisms, and wordiness Elaborated language ≠ intelligence: “[O]ne hallmark of intellect is the ability to simplify, to make the complex easy to understand. Anyone can be unclear.” (loc. 301) Simplicity = clarity, credibility, authenticity Use short, simple, and precise words instead. Less is more. Stop trying to impress!

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Be wary of jargon and cliché “Translate” technical terms; bring specialized knowledge to the non- specialized world. The problem with clichés: lack of originality, predictability, risk of falling into disuse over time

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Prefer active voice and active verbs This makes sentences clearer and shorter. The subject is easily identifiable. The text comes across as more dynamic.

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Avoid beginning with long dependent phrases This is not our natural way of communicating. Follow SVO pattern instead. “Backing in” works only for stylistic purposes. Know when and why to do it.

“A dozen guidelines to good writing” (LaRocque, 2003) Get right to the point. And stay there. State the main idea/topic ASAP! (This does not mean that your work should be boring or uncreative.) If included, anecdotes, should be short and pertinent. Avoid vagueness and drifting out of topic.

Cooperative Principle (Grice, 1975) Quantity Quality Relation Manner Maxim of Quantity: Say no more and no less than required. Maxim of Quality: Be genuine/honest. Maxim of Relation: Be appropriate. Maxim of Manner: Be clear, not ambiguous.

References Curl, M. J. (1919). Expository writing [Kindle Fire edition]. Cambridge, MA: The Riverside Press. Grice, H. P. (1975). Logic and conversation. In P. Cole & J. Morgan (Eds.), Syntax and semantics 3: Speech acts (pp. 41-58). New York, NY: Academic Press. LaRocque, P. (2003). The book on writing [Kindle Fire edition]. Arlington, TX: Grey and Guvnor Press. Strauch, A. O. (2005). Writers at work. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.