expository writing introduction

Credits

  • Expository Writing

  • UGE Policy V 1.1 General Education Course

  • Pre-Requisite: Functional English

  • Offering: Undergraduate Degrees (including Associate Degrees)

  • Placement: 2-4 Semesters

  • Type: General Education

  • Fields: All

DESCRIPTION

  • Objective: Expository Writing is a sequential undergraduate course aimed at refining writing skills across various contexts.

  • Foundation: Builds upon the pre-requisite course, Functional English.

  • Skills Enhancement:

    • Producing clear, concise, and coherent written texts in English.

    • Dissecting intricate ideas and amalgamating information.

    • Expressing views and opinions through well-organized essays.

    • Refining analytical skills to substantiate viewpoints using credible sources.

    • Adhering to established ethical writing norms.

    • Emphasizing critical thinking to produce original and engaging written texts.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the essentials of the writing process, including integrating pre-writing, drafting, editing, and proofreading to produce well-structured essays.

  2. Demonstrate mastery of diverse expository types to address different purposes and audiences.

  3. Uphold ethical practices to maintain originality in expository writing.

SYLLABUS

1. Introduction to Expository Writing:

  • Understanding Expository Writing:

    • Definition, types, purpose, and applications.

  • Characteristics of Effective Expository Writing:

    • Clarity

    • Coherence

    • Organization

  • Introduction to Paragraph Writing: Understanding the fundamental building blocks of essays.

2. The Writing Process:

  • Pre-Writing Techniques:

    • Brainstorming

    • Free-writing

    • Mind-mapping

    • Listing

    • Questioning

    • Outlining

  • Drafting:

    • Understanding the three-stage process of drafting techniques.

  • Revising and Editing:

    • Ensuring correct grammar, clarity, coherence, and conciseness.

  • Proofreading:

    • Fine-tuning of the draft for final presentation.

  • Peer Review and Feedback:

    • Providing and receiving critique to improve writing.

3. Essay Organization and Structure:

  • Introduction and Hook:

    • Engaging readers and introducing the topic.

  • Thesis Statement:

    • Crafting a clear and focused central idea.

  • Body Paragraphs:

    • Topic sentences, supporting evidence, and transitional devices.

  • Conclusion:

    • Types of concluding paragraphs and strategies for leaving an impactful final thought.

  • Ensuring Cohesion and Coherence:

    • Creating seamless connections between paragraphs to enhance flow.

4. Different Types of Expository Writing:

  • Description:

  • Illustration:

  • Classification:

  • Cause and Effect:

    • Exploring causal relationships and outcomes.

  • Process Analysis:

    • Explaining step-by-step procedures.

  • Comparative Analysis:

    • Analyzing similarities and differences.

5. Writing for Specific Purposes and Audiences:

  • Different Types of Purposes:

    • To inform

    • To analyze

    • To persuade

    • To entertain

  • Writing for Academic Audiences:

    • Emphasis on formality, objectivity, and adherence to academic conventions.

  • Writing for Public Audiences:

    • Employing engaging, informative, and persuasive language.

  • Different Tones and Styles:

    • Adapting writing to suit specific purposes and audiences.

6. Ethical Considerations:

  • Ensuring Original Writing:

    • Finding credible sources and evaluating information.

  • Proper Citation and Referencing:

    • Understanding citation styles such as APA, MLA, or others.

  • Integrating Quotes and Evidence:

    • Skills in quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

  • Avoiding Plagiarism:

    • Understanding ethical considerations and best practices in writing.

SUGGESTED PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL)

  • Building a writing portfolio featuring a variety of expository texts, to be presented at the end of the course showcasing proficiency in expository writing.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL/READING MATERIALS

  1. "The St. Martin's Guide to Writing" by Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper.

  2. "They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing" by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein.

  3. "Writing Analytically" by David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen.

  4. "Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace" by Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup.

  5. "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.

  6. "Good Reasons with Contemporary Arguments" by Lester Faigley and Jack Selzer.

  7. "Writing to Learn: How to Write - and Think - Clearly About Any Subject at All" by William Zinsser.

  8. "The Norton Field Guide to Writing" by Richard Bullock, Maureen Daly Goggin, and Francine Weinberg.

  9. "The Art of Styling Sentences" by Ann Longknife and K.D. Sullivan.

  10. "Writing Today" by Richard Johnson-Sheehan and Charles Paine.