An expository text is one that offers the reader detailed information regarding a specific topic in order to inform about particular facts, data or concepts.
Expository texts intend to inform; therefore, they are characterized by their objectivity, their circumscription to the subject they address, and their specific share of information without involving any author’s opinion and without the need to rely on arguments to convince the reader.
The expository text is explanatory since you must explain and develop the information.
Expository texts can be used in the scientific, educational, legal, social or journalistic fields.
Types of expository texts
Expository texts can be of two types, according to their audience:
- Informative. They are aimed at a broad audience and address topics of general interest from a simple and democratic perspective, which does not require prior knowledge of the subject from the reader.
- Specialized. They use technical language aimed at those knowledgeable in the matter, which implies a high degree of difficulty for non-specialized readers on the subject.
Expository text examples
- Instructions for use
They are designed to inform quickly and objectively, without possible debate, on how to use an artifact or service. For instance:
To connect to the Wireless Network follow these steps:
– Enable your device and select the network called University.
– Wait to be redirected to a web page. It will not require passwords.
– Accept the terms of service and enter your email.
– Browse freely.
- Biographical Reviews
Like those that appear in books or records, they contain a summarized extract of the author’s career, naming awards, publications, and career. For instance:
Gabriel Payares (London, 1982). Venezuelan writer with a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Latin American Literature and Creative Writing. He is the author of three books of stories: When the Waters Fell (Monte Ávila Editores, 2008), Hotel (PuntoCero Ediciones, 2012), and Lo Irreparable (PuntoCero Ediciones, 2016). He has been awarded nationally and internationally as a short story writer and resides in Buenos Aires.
- Pharmacological descriptions
The drug leaflets detail the content and how to use the drug. They do not give rise to interpretations but are clear, direct, and objective. For instance:
IBUPROFEN. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Indicated for treating painful conditions with significant inflammation, such as mild rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal ailments. Indicated for moderate pain in the postoperative period, dental pain, dysmenorrhea, and headaches.
- Certain scientific texts
Some of them, like encyclopedia entries, are limited to reporting the status of a subject, displaying or compiling results, checking references, and so on. For instance:
A quasar is an astronomical source of energies of an electromagnetic order, including radio frequencies and visible light. Its name is an acronym for “Quasi-Stellar Radio Source” in English.
- Market lists
Apart from being brief, they do not contain arguments but rather provide an objective list of products you want to buy. For instance:
– Potato, onion, tomato.
– Wheat pasta.
– Pear (or apple) juice
– Cloths for the kitchen
– Cleaner
– Savory biscuits
- Bibliographies
They establish the relationship of the texts consulted in an investigation according to an alphabetical criterion without establishing judgments regarding what is detailed. For instance:
– Hernández Guzmán, N. (2009). Educational implications in the instrumental didactics of the Puerto Rican cuatro: Life and musical experiences of outstanding virtuous performers (Doctoral dissertation). Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus.
– Sharp, T. (2004). Choral music and print-on-demand. Choral Journal, 44 (8), 19-23.
- Legal texts
They contain specific legal regulations and their procedures, but not the opinion of those who nominated them or those who must adhere to them. For instance:
Argentine National Constitution – Article 50.
The deputies will last in their position for four years, and they are re-eligible, but half of each biennium will renew the Chamber. For that purpose, those appointed for the first Legislature, after they meet, will draw lots for those who should leave in the first period.
- Information brochures
They usually contain health information, life advice, or social content that leaves no room for debate or point of view. They are typically delivered in public institutions and fulfill an educational and informative role for citizens. For instance:
How can we avoid dengue?
The best way to combat dengue, chikungunya fever, and the Zika virus is by preventing the reproduction of mosquitoes that transmit the disease, Aedes aegypti or “white feet,” eliminating wastewater and containers in which rain can stagnate since the insect requires still water for the growth of its larvae.
- Medical reports
They are objective reports of the patient’s medical process. They contain in detail the history of the patient and the procedures performed. They serve as input for medical decisions and opinions. For instance:
ANAMNESIS
Patient: José Antonio Ramos Sucre
Age: 39
Symptoms: Persistent insomnia with frequent but brief minor psychotic episodes. Resistance to most class I natural sedatives and anxiolytics.
Procedure: A complete neurological evaluation is requested, the chronic use of drugs is suspended.
- Textbooks
They offer their young readers specific, timely, and objective information regarding, for example, mathematics or physics or factual knowledge of reality. For instance:
Biology I – Sequence 16
Do they feed on light or other organisms?
A closer look at the vegetation growing in the swampy areas shows how unsuspecting insects are trapped by a series of ‘harmless’ plants. These plants are called ‘carnivorous’ although in reality they should be called insectivorous plants (…).
- Postal addresses
They contain the specific location of the recipient, and there are never opinions about them or evaluations about the content of the shipment. For instance:
CEMA University. Córdoba 400, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. CP.1428.
- Kitchen Recipes
They explain step by step how to prepare a culinary dish, focusing on the procedure rather than subjective aspects. For instance:
Tabbouleh
- The burghul (wheat semolina) is placed in a container with water and left to soak for about 10 minutes.
- The burghul is drained in a strainer and the remaining water is squeezed out with a spoon.
- The burghul is placed together with the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and mixed well.
- It is served as an aperitif, accompanied by fresh lettuce leaves, or as an accompaniment to a main dish
- Content descriptions
They can be attached to food containers and can detail their composition, nutrients, and mode of use without trying to convince the customer to buy them or not. For instance:
FRIED TOMATO HANDMADE RECIPE
Ingredients: Tomato, olive oil (15%), sugar, salt and garlic.
Nutritional information per 100 g
Energy value: 833 kJ / 201 kcal
- Transcripts of a speech
They reproduce what was said by a specific person in a given situation without taking sides for or against them or what was said. For instance:
Speech by Carlos Fuentes upon receiving the Rómulo Gallegos International Novel Prize
For ten years, Rómulo Gallegos lived in Mexico. It would be false to say that he lived in exile because Mexico is the land of Venezuelans, and Venezuela is the land of Mexicans.
Despots believe they get rid of free men through exile and sometimes murder. You only win witnesses who steal your sleep forever like Banquo’s specter (…)
- Contents of a menu
In a restaurant, for example, the content of the dishes and the way they are served are detailed to customers. For instance:
Green salad – $ 15
Lettuce salad with tomato, cheese, croutons, capers with house dressing.
Tropical salad – $ 25
Arugula and pineapple (pineapple) salad, corn kernels and apple pieces, garnished with olive oil and vinegar.