1. Reading Expository Texts

2. What is expository writing?  Expository writing is a type of writing that is used to explain, describe, give information, or inform.  Often uses informational text features

3. Expository texts include:  textbooks  newspaper & magazine articles  essays  speeches

4. Organizational patterns of expository texts: Organizational pattern: the pattern an author constructs as he or she organizes his or her ideas and provides supporting details varies.

5. Descriptive  The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples  It provides details about how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds Bats They fly sleep in daytime different kinds hang upside down eat insects use soundwaves Have wings they are mammals

6. How to know if you’re reading a descriptive text:  Signal words:  Such as, for example, for instance, most important, in front, beside, near  Signal to reader  A list of characteristics will follow,

7. Sequence or process  The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order.  Helps the reader understand how events are related Olympics began in 276 B.C. Olympics ended in 394 A.D. Modern Olympics began in 1896 Almost 300 males competed in the 1896 Olympics

8. How to know if you’re reading a sequential text:  Signal words:  First, second, third, before, on (date), not long after, after that, at the same time, finally, then  Signal to reader:  A sequence of events or steps in a process is being described

9. Cause and Effect  The author explains one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects.

10. How to know if you’re reading a cause & effect text:  Signal words:  Therefore, so, this led to, as a result, because, if…then…, consequently, cause, effect, in order to, since  Signal to reader:  Evidence of causes and effects will be given

11. Problem/Solution  The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem

12. How to know if you’re reading a problem/solution text:  Signal words:  Solution, solve, effect, hopeful, concern, challenge, resolve  Signal to reader:  Problems AND solutions will be discussed. With problem and solution there is ALWAYS a solution

13. Compare/Contrast:  The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.

14. How to know if you’re reading a compare/contrast text:  Signal words:  Like, unlike, but, in contrast, on the other hand, however, also, too, as well as  Signal to reader:  Likenesses and differences are being presented and/or discussed

15. Steps to effectively read expository texts:  Identify the controlling idea & supporting details  Identify the organizational pattern  Identify substantiated and unsubstantiated opinions

16. Step 1: Identify the controlling idea & supporting details  Controlling idea:  the main point or underlying direction of a piece of writing

17. Step 2: Identify organizational pattern  Is it:  Descriptive  Sequential  Cause/Effect  Problem/Solution  Compare/Contrast

18. Step 3: Identify substantiated and unsubstantiated opinions  Substantiated claim:  verified, proven, confirmed  Unsubstantiated claim:  has not been verified, proven, or confirmed

19. Example of a substantiated opinion:  Opinion:  Americans need to get more exercise  Evidence:  30 % of American adults do not exercise regularly despite proven health benefits such as weight loss and prevention of diseases. The CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise daily to improve health.

20. How do writers substantiate opinions?  They use evidence such as:  Verifiable facts  Examples  Statistics  Expert opinions  Anecdotes  If an opinion is not backed up with this evidence, it is unsubstantiated.

21. Watch the following video:

22. Which of the following opinions is substantiated by the video? A. Pregnant women cannot sit the way Beyonce did in her interview B. Beyonce’s need to maintain her “perfect” body led her to fake her interview. C. Different camera angles and oversized dresses can provide different perceptions of reality.

23. Now, let’s apply this to the article, “What’s in a name.”

24. Now, let’s look at the article: