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

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

3. Retrieved from http://3. bp. blogspot

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. “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!

8. “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!

9. “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

10. “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.

11. “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.

12. “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.

13. 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.

14. 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 ). 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.