Expository Texts and Science Fiction: A Guide
I. Expository Texts
Definition
Expository texts are a form of communication that aims to inform and explain a specific topic to the reader or listener. They present factual information objectively and neutrally.
Purpose
The primary purpose of expository texts is to inform. This aligns with the referential function of language, which focuses on conveying information.
Expository texts can also be considered explanatory texts as they serve both informative and educational purposes. They answer the questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ regarding a particular event or issue.
Factors Influencing Explanation
The effectiveness of an expository text depends on two factors:
- Type of Information: The author must consider the information being communicated and choose the best way to transmit it. This includes selecting appropriate vocabulary.
- Audience Characteristics: The author must tailor the exposition to the specific audience. An explanation presented to a group of scientists would differ significantly from one presented to students.
Basic Characteristics
Effective expository texts share several fundamental characteristics:
- Clarity: The text should be free of ambiguities and avoid unnecessary technical jargon.
- Accuracy: The text should provide essential information and relevant details while avoiding unnecessary or ambiguous details. Only necessary techniques should be used.
- Order: Expository texts must be well-organized. This is achieved through coherence (logical flow of ideas) and cohesion (proper use of language elements like pronouns and connectors).
- Objectivity: The text should avoid subjective opinions or biases and focus on providing objective information.
Note: In expository texts, the author is assumed to have more knowledge about the subject than the reader.
Types of Expository Texts
There are two main types of expository texts:
- Educational or Informational: These texts target a general audience and use accessible language and avoid overly specific or technical information.
Features: They present information clearly and objectively on a topic of general interest. They are intended for a broad audience and are easy to understand, using standard language and maintaining objectivity.
Examples: Notes, textbooks, encyclopedias, reviews, lectures, and collections. - Specialized or Argumentative: These texts target a specific audience within a particular field of knowledge. They often use specialized vocabulary and technical information.
Features: They address a very specific subject matter and are intended for specialists or experts in the field. They can be difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the topic. They use specific terminology and maintain a high level of objectivity.
Examples: Reports, legislation, research articles.
Basic Forms of Expository Discourse
Expository discourse can take various forms, each with its own characteristics:
- Narrative: Relates events or situations that occur in a sequence.
- Description: Presents objective properties, features, or aspects of an object or entity.
- Characterization: Describes the traits or features that identify people, characters, or entities.
- Definition: Explains the essential properties or features of objects.
- Comment: Presents opinions, explanations, judgments, evaluations, or views on a topic.
Basic Structure
Expository texts typically follow a linear structure consisting of an introduction, development, and conclusion. However, some texts may only have a development section.
- Introduction: The introduction serves two purposes: to introduce the topic and to engage the reader’s interest. It may use techniques like anecdotes or quotes to capture the reader’s attention.
- Development: The development section is structured using paragraphs that organize information in various ways, such as problem/solution, cause/consequence, comparison/contrast, temporal sequence, or descriptive lists.
- Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points of the text and provides a sense of closure. It may also leave the reader with a call to action or further reflection.
Language of Expository Texts
Expository texts utilize specific language resources:
- Present Tense: The present tense is favored over the past tense to create a sense of objectivity.
- Impersonal and Passive Sentences: These sentence structures de-emphasize the agent and contribute to objectivity.
- Coordination and Subordination: Sentences are often structured using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to show relationships between ideas.
- Technical Language: Specialized vocabulary may be used depending on the target audience.
- Connectors: Connectors are used to link ideas and create a smooth flow of information.
II. Science Fiction: Characteristics and Representatives
Definition
Science fiction is a narrative literary genre that explores events in a future or imaginary world, often based on projections of scientific and technological advancements.
Characteristics
- Future-Oriented: Science fiction presents hypotheses about the future of humanity, the planet, and the universe, regardless of how improbable they may seem.
- Scientific Language: It uses language, concepts, and arguments consistent with contemporary science.
- Diverse Themes: Common themes include time travel, space exploration, parallel worlds, utopian or dystopian societies, post-apocalyptic scenarios, and the future of civilization.
- Accessible Style: Science fiction often employs various structures and styles while remaining accessible to a wide audience.
- Social Critique and Ecological Awareness: Many science fiction works explore social and environmental issues.
Representatives
Notable science fiction authors include Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and H.G. Wells, among others.
III. The Oral Presentation
Definition
An oral presentation involves presenting a researched topic to an audience, either individually or as a group. The goal is to share valuable information or explain a subject clearly.
Preparation
Before the presentation, it’s crucial to establish clear objectives and summarize the main points to be conveyed.
Delivery
Effective oral presentations consider factors such as body posture, hand gestures, visual aids (posters, slides, presentations, computer programs), maintaining eye contact with the audience, and using an appropriate tone of voice.
Characteristics
Oral presentations differ from written communication in several ways:
- Audience Interaction: The audience is present during the presentation and can influence it through their attitude and reactions. They may ask questions or make comments.
- Error Correction: Mistakes made during the presentation can be corrected but not erased.
Successful oral presentations take these unique aspects of oral communication into account.