CHAPTER 2

Exploring Expository Techniques

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Chapter, you should be able to:

1. differentiate the forms of technical writing;
2. explain principles involved in writing classification, process, definition, and
3. apply the principles learned by applying them in writing.

INTRODUCTION
Exposition is a writing technique used by a writer when his/her intention is to explain
something, to analyze an idea, to classify a thing, to give the correct definition of a term, to make
others follow directions, to point out similarities or differences, to clarify causes and effects, to
present data, to interpret research work, and others.

Therefore, many textbooks and other printed or electronic material make use of this type of
writing. It is probably the most utilized form of writing.

This Chapter shall be divided into four lessons which will explain the nature and use of the
following expository techniques as they are applied in technical writing: classification, definition,
description of a process, and description of a mechanism.

LESSON 1: CLASSIFICATION
"In the old days, you would have one lawyer to handle everything: speeding tickets, buying a house contracts litigation,
real estate, copyrights, leasing, entertainment, intellectual property forensic accounting, criminal offenses the list goes
on. Now, you have to have a separate lawyer for each one of those categories!”

- James Belushi

Discussion
Classification is dividing something into groups, classes, categories, etc. This is normally done
in accordance with several criteria (standards or principles on which judgments are based).

Classification is done by the writer when he/she believes that there are shared qualities or
characteristics about a subject matter. Take for example the passage below:
 GENDERED POWER PATTERNS
Research (Helgessen, 1990; in Wood, 2001) reveals general differences in how women and
men define and use power. Men tend to see power as finite and as something to guard closely
Women are more likely to regard power as unlimited and to share it freely Another difference is how
the sexes see the ends of power. In general, men see power as something an individual has and uses
to enhance individual status. The tendency among women is to perceive power as a resource for
empowering others and building strong collaborative teams. Differences in orientations toward
power are consistent with gender communication cultures and the divergent rules of
communication they teach men and women.

Activity
Let us answer the following comprehension questions:

1. What two classes are being compared/contrasted in the passage?

2. How is gender classified?

3. What descriptions are based on the similarities and differences?

How to Classify

One way of classifying objects or ideas is to look for relationships among them and to
organize them into groups. It may either be on the basis of their similarities or differences.

Try to find the similarities or differences of the words listed below by classifying them into
identifiable categories. Be ready to explain why you grouped the words in those categories.

Ignition Vietnam Conjunction Car seat

Noun Wiring harness Albert Bandura Cambodia

Philippines Gloria Arroyo Break system Verb

Rodrigo Duterte Jean Piaget Engine Oil System Fidel Ramos

John Dewey Adjective Benigno Aquino, III Singapore

The passage on "Gendered Power Patterns" illustrates a simple form of classification. Let us
try and analyze the next passage on "Education in the Philippines" an article which is published in
Wikipedia.
 Education in the Philippines

Education in the Philippines is provided by public and private schools, colleges, universities,
and technical and vocational institutions Funding for public education comes from the national
government.

At the basic education level, the Department of Education (DepEd) sets overall educational
standards and mandates standardized tests for the K-12 basic education system although private
schools are generally free to determine their own curriculum in accordance with existing laws and
Department regulations.

On the other hand, at the higher education level the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
supervises and regulates colleges and universities, while the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) for technical and vocational institutions regulates and accredits
technical and vocational education programs and institutions.

For the academic year 2017-2018, about 83% of K-12 students attended public schools and
about 17% either attended private schools or were home schooled.

By law, education is compulsory for thirteen years (kindergarten and grades 1-12). These are
grouped into three levels elementary school (kindergarten grade 6). junior high school (grades 7-10)
and senior high school (grades 11-12). they may also be grouped into four key stages Ist key stage
(kindergarten-grade 3). 2nd key stage (grades 4-6), 3rd key stage (grades 7-10) and 4th key stage
(grades 11-12). Children enter kindergarten at age 5.

Institutions of higher education may be classified as either public or private college or

university, and public institutions of higher education may further be subdivided into two types, state
universities and colleges and local colleges and universities.

Reinforcement
Make a diagram of the classification of education system in the Philippines. Read the text
again and complete the diagram writing on the blanks the words that are missing.

Next, write a brief description of the information contained in the diagram. Begin it this way:

The education system in the Philippines is classified into three main

categories________________ (Continue)

Technical-
Basic Tertiary
Vocational
 (Supply the ideas which should be connected by the arrows)

DIAGRAM 1: EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Evaluation
Each family is unique. In the Philippines, is of prime importance to us. Apply what you have
learned about classification and make your “Family Tree”. You need to submit a creative output in
class to be evaluated in this activity.

Rubric for a Description of a Process

5 4 3 2 1 Score
The family is The family tree The family The family The family tree
categorized has one or two tree has three tree has four has no clear
clearly defects in defects in defects in categorization
Category showing categorization categorization categorization of
similarities of of of groups/ideas.
and groups/ideas. groups/ideas. groups/ideas.
differences.

The The creativity The creativity The creativity The student

Creativity creativity of of the student of the student of the student needs to
the student is evident with is evident with is evident with improve on his
is evident in three of the two of the one of the creativity.
the use of criteria under criteria under criteria under
materials, creativity. creativity. creativity.
colors,
theme, and
expression
of ideas.

The The The The There is no

explanation explanation explanation explanation explanation of
Explanation of the family bears three of bears two of bears one of the family
is clear, the criteria. the criteria. the criteria. tree.
informative,
entertaining
and
relevant.

Total
LESSON 2: DEFINITION
“Without words, without writing and without books there would be no history there could be no concept of
Humaity.”

-Herman Hesse

Discussion
There are times when we are asked by people around to us define or give meaning to an
unfamiliar word. How do you reply? Do you find yourself saying "it is like this "it resembles that it is
similar to…?”

When we define words or unfamiliar terms, we give concise but exact meanings of
unfamiliar words and special meanings of familiar words For people of all ages, definition is a useful
technique in oral or written communication It is particularly a must for a technical writer to be able
to define the terms with multiple meanings and those that are unfamiliar to the reader.

Methods of Defining Terms

There are two methods of defining terms simple and extended definition.

A simple definition could be formulated by bearing in mind its three parts the species, genus
and differentia. This method of definition is commonly used in technical writing whether formally,
semi-formally, or non-formally.

When using simple definition, note that a species or the term to be defined may be
introduced by a determiner, a genus or the class category where the term belongs is always
connected to the species by a linking verb Both species and genus can be introduced by a
determiner. To make the definition complete, a differentia is written to give the characteristics of
the term that make it different from other terms belonging to the same genus.

Species (term to be defined) Genus (the class where the Differentia (a characteristic of
term belongs) the term)

Language is a form of communication.

An architect is a professional who designs buildings.
Communication is a process of giving and receiving
information.

Another method of defining a term is by expanded definition. This is done by stipulation,

operation, explication, cause and effect, classification, example, and other rhetorical functions.
 species genus

Communication is a systematic
process in which people interact
with and through symbols to Differentia (containing
create adnd interpret meanings. explication and example)

Informal definition on the other hand does not follow a pattern. The only objective is to give
meaning to a word that is unfamiliar or explain the special meaning of a familiar word. Word
meanings enter informal definition by means of providing denotative or connotative meaning
Denotation is the basic literal meaning or the dictionary meaning of words while connotation is the
additional shade of meaning that words imply aside from its dictionary meaning Connotation is the
positive or negative associations a word naturally carries.

Activity
Supply the meanings of terms in the table below:

Term Denotation Connotation

(positive or negative)
A school is an institution where children _______________________
are educated.
A star ____________________ Famous person

A dove is a type of bird. _____________________

Orange is a fruit. _____________________

A dog _______________________ Is man’s best friend.

Pointers when Defining Terms

1. Never give definitions of a term that include any of its derivatives. For example: definition is the
act of defining.

2. Do not use "is where" or "is when" to define a term Don't say "Christmas is when Jesus Christ is
born" or "A classroom is where you will find students."

3. Use the simple present tense (active and passive voice).

Consider the following examples:

Documentation is the process of acknowledging the sources used in developing a research

paper (active)

The process of acknowledging sources is called documentation. (passive)

4. Often we use relative clauses to give additional information. For example,

"Documentation is the process of acknowledging the sources used in developing a research paper
This is also another way of helping researchers who may be later on reading your work to do further
research themselves."

Reinforcement
Apply the concepts you have learned in Lesson 2. Answer this activity by providing the
formal definition of the terms. Choose the appropriate definition. Make the sentences correct by
supplying the correct word to link or connect ideas.

Term Definition
A botanist is a person He designs building, machines or public works.
A square is a geometric figure Investigates the psychology of crime and te
criminal.
An engineer is a person Deals with the composition and behavior o
substances.
An economist is a person He studies plants.
Chemistry He studies the way in which industry and trade
produce and use wealth.
Criminal psychology It has four equal sides, four right angles.
Sociology Is a person who is engaged in commercial or
industrial activities.
An accountant Studies the development and principles of
social organization
A businessman Is a person whose business is to keep or
examine books of a mercantile or banking
house.

Evaluation
In your chosen field, list down fie terms and define each term using formal definition. List
another five terms and define each term using informal definition. Write your answer on clean sheet
of paper.

LESSON 3: DESCRIPTION OF A PROCESS

“Writing the perfect paper is a lot like a military operation. It takes discipline, foresight, research, strategy
and if done right, ends in total victory.”
 -Ryan Holiday

Discussion

There are writing tasks that entail an explanation of how something works, how something
is done, or how something is made That is why knowing how to describe a process will enable a
technical writer and his/her reader to perform or do something.

In describing a process, a writer explains the arrangement of a sequence in chronological

order. As it is used in technical writing the process is akin to mechanism description Here process
description includes sequence, instructions, and procedure

There are two separate concepts which we must briefly explain here "How to do something"
and "How something occurs.” The first calls for instructions of procedure; the second, for sequence.

In like manner, process is also a description of equipment, materials, and procedures.

Graphic materials are used for detailed presentation of the process. The writer makes use of
sequence markers to follow the natural or mechanical system.

When we describe a process or procedure, we often use the present passive tense is/are + v
+ ed. For example: is manufactured, is controlled, etc.

When describing a process, we use sequence markers to link sentences like first, second,
then, next, subsequently, finally, at last.

Now, let us read the passage on "How do you make paper from a tree It is an article written
by Stacy Wonders published in wonderpolis.org.

How Do You Make Paper from a Tree?

If you look at a tree, you might have a hard time imagining how something so tall and strong
could be turned into something as thin and weak as a sheet of paper. The process begins with the
raw wood, which is made up of fibers called "cellulose."

The cellulose fibers are stuck together with natural glue called "lignin." When the lignin is
removed and the cellulose fibers are separated and reorganized, paper can be made

It's also possible to make paper from a variety of other types of plant fibers such as cotton,
flax, bamboo, and hemp. For example, cotton fibers are often used to make the paper that money is
printed on. The overwhelming majority (about 95 percent) of the raw material used to make paper,
though, comes from trees.

To make paper from trees, the raw wood must first be turned to "pulp." Wood pulp is a
watery "soup of cellulose wood fibers. lignin, water, and the chemicals used during the pulping
process.
 Wood can be turned to pulp in a couple of different ways. Mechanical pulping involves using
machines to grind wood chips into pulp.

The resulting pulp retains most of its lignin, though. The short fibers created by grinding
leads to weak paper most suitable for newsprint, phone books, or other types of low- strength
papers.

The more commonly used method is chemical pulping. also known as "kraft." Chemicals are
used to separate lignin from the cellulose fibers, leaving pulp mixture that can make stronger
papers.

Depending on what type of paper is desired, the pulp mixture might need to be bleached to
create whiter paper. Paper makers use a variety of chemicals to bleach pulp to the color they want.

Once the pulp is ready, it is then used to make paper in a process that is quite similar (in the
basic actions) to the process first used by the ancient Chinese more than 1,900 years ago. Because
the pulp mixture is so watery (sometimes as much as 99 percent water!), the cellulose fibers need to
be separated from the watery mixture.

Huge machines spray the pulp mixture onto moving mesh screens to make layered mat. The
mat of pulp then goes through several processes to remove water and dry it out.

Finally, the mat is run through heated rollers to squeeze out the any remaining water and
compress it into one continuous roll of paper that can be up to 30 feet wide.

When the paper has the desired thickness, it may be colored or coated with special chemical
to give it a special texture, extra strength, or water resistance. As a last step, the paper rolls are cut
to size and packaged for shipping to other facilities for additional processing to turn it into all sorts of
specialized papers.
Activity
Let us answer the following comprehension questions:

1. What is the passage about?

2. Where does paper come from?
3. Pick the sentences that show present passive tense.
4. How is paper made? Describe it by using sequence markers.
5. Draw the process of making paper.

Reinforcement
Have you ever dreamed of driving your own automatic car? What if you can drive it today?
Below are steps in starting an automatic car. Imagine that you are starting your own automatic car!
Write the number of the sequence to this process:

______ Push the brake pedal and insert the key to the ignition to turn it on.

______ Gently shift the gear to the D.

______ Then, release the pressure on the brake pedal slowly.

______ The vehicle will start slowly.

______ And, if you want the car to move faster, press the gas pedal.

______ First, make sure that the lever should be at “P” before starting the car.

Evaluation
How about writing your own description of a process? This time, think of a process related
to your field. Come up with a minimum of four sentences and a maximum of seven sentences. Use at
least three sequence markers and observe correct sentence structure.
 Rubric for a Description of a Process

5 4 3 2 1 Score

The essay The essay The essay The essay The essay did
contains the contains the mentioned contains one not mention a
purpose, purpose, with some of the purpose and purpose; any
information three or four purpose, with one information
Content
and information one or two information or elaboration
elaboration and information but no about the
of the elaboration of and few elaboration chosen topic
chosen the chosen elaboration of the chosen is not evident.
topic. All topic. of the chosen topic.
these are topic.
discussed
completely.

The ideas There is an One or two More ideas There is no

flow freely. effort for ideas ideas flow seem to be free flow of
The ideas o flow smoothly but disconnected ideas. Ideas
are smoothly. there are two and thee re are not
connected There are one or three more than connected by
Organization
correctly by or two errors errors in the three errors sequence
sequence in the use of use of in the use of markers.
markers. sequence sequence sequence
markers. markers. markers.

Punctuation One or two Three to four Five to six Too many

marks, errors in errors in errors in errors in
spelling, punctuation punctuation punctuation punctuation,
and margins marks and marks, marks, spelling and
are perfect. misspelled misspelled misspelled margin.
words. Margin word. Margin words. Error
is correct. is correct. in margins.
Mechanics
Total

LESSON 4: DESCRIPTION OF MECHANISM

"If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement
of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water.”

-Ernest Hemmingway

Discussion
We may belong to different fields and disciplines but there are certain machines or
apparatuses that we use to make our work easier Description of a mechanism is an explanation of a
system or parts of an apparatus This includes the characteristics and functions of a piece of the
device and the totality of the mechanism.

It also explains the arrangement and shape of an object in space in writing a description of a
mechanism, the writer may be guided by the following questions:

 What is it (equipment, machine, device, apparatus)?

 What is its function?
 What does it look like?
 How does it work?
 What are its principal parts?

Below are examples of machines and how they work Read the passages and perform the
activities that follow.
 How the Refrigerator Works

A refrigerator is really nothing more than a box in which articles can be kept at a cool
temperature. The temperature inside the box is regulated by means of a thermostat Apart
from the thermostat, the refrigerator mechanism includes a motor driven compressor, a
condenser and a set of thin, metal evaporated coils, into which is pumped a liquid refrigerant
called freon.
When a liquid evaporates, it absorbs heat. The refrigerant used in a refrigerator has a very low
boiling point and it evaporates in the metal coils. As this happens, it absorbs heat and as a
result, the evaporator coils cool down.

As soon as the temperature inside the refrigerator rises from above a predetermined
level, the thermostat causes the motor to start Freon vapor is drawn from the evaporator coils
by the compressor reducing the pressure and allowing liquid refrigerated to move into them.
The liquid in its turn evaporates, absorbing heat and cooling the refrigerator. The cool
refrigerant passes through the condenser, where it is changed back into a liquid form and is
eventually forced back into the evaporator coils.

The process continues until a preset temperature is reached at this point the thermostat
cuts out the compressor and the refrigerator remain idle When the temperature rises above
the pre- determined level, the thermostat triggers the compressor into action once more and
the cooling cycle recommences. (Thorn and Badrick, 1990)

How Rice Cookers Work

(Jessica Toothman)

Rice needs two things to evolve from a hard, little grain to big, fluffy morsels-lots of water and lots
of heat. For this reason, cooking rice happens in four phases sitting in water boiling, absorbing water
(steaming) and resting.
Rice cookers automatically guide rice through these four stages. The appliance consists primarily
of a main body an inner cooking pan, an electric heating plate a thermal- sensing device and some
buttons.
Water and rice sit inside the cooking pan while it's inserted into the rice cooker's shell The pan's
weight depresses the thermal-sensing device and the heating plate quickly brings the water to a boil.
The sensing device is a small, spring-loaded thermometer that gauges the temperature of the pan's
contents It's set into the bottom of the rice cooker's main body.
Simple rice cookers usually warm their contents by transferring heat from the heating plate to the
cooking pan, and the type of metal used can improve that transfer Some metals copper and aluminum
for example are highly conductive In other words, they transfer their heat easily. A wide range of
materials can be used for the cooking pan, and each type may affect the overall time it takes to cook
the food.
The process for cooking the rice is simple. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees
Celsius), and once it reaches a steady boil, it won't get hotter As long as there is water in the pan, the
temperature should be stable. Once the rice absorbs all the water in the pan, the temperature will start
to rise. The rice cooker senses this change and will either switch off or switch to a warming cycle. At this
point, the rice.
Activity
There are among us visual and imaginative learners. Based on the description of How the
Refrigerator Works and How Rice Cookers Work, draw a diagram to illustrate how the mechanism
work. Use lines and arrows, if necessary. Add short descriptions or captions to make each part of the
diagram understandable.

Reinforcement
Overall, when we employ techniques in expository writing, we make use of
discourse markers that identify a particular technique. For the purpose of describing a mechanism,
the following discourse markers can be used: then, apart from, as soon as, as a result, where, at
this point, once more, and as.

Use the discourse markers (those set in bold face) to fill the blanks in the following
paragraph:
 How to Start a Manual Car
_________ a driver gets into the car; he has to make sure that the car is in neutral position.
__________ the battery, a car also includes accessories like gasoline, lights, oil, water and air.

_________ the driver has started the engine, he puts the car into first gear _______ he
releases the clutch and changes to second gear, then to third gear __________ of which the car
will glide on smoothly along the road. He presses the clutch and moves on to fourth gear in order
that the car will become faster as it moves along the highway.

Reflection:
1. In your field of specialization, what types of tasks would entail the use of classification,
definition, description of a process, and description of mechanism?
2. Which of the above-mentioned expository techniques are particularly useful in your field of
specialization? Why?
3. Which of the expository techniques do you think are less likely to be used? Why?
4. Aside from discourse markers, what other knowledge did you gain from this chapter?
5. What do you need to strengthen as a future professional in order to become a good or
better expository writer?

Evaluation
Write a 300-word description of a mechanism. Choose an apparatus, device, machine that is
used in your field of specialization. Make use of discourse markers and observe correct sentence
structure and paragraph form. Your teacher will grade you in this activity using a scoring rubric.

Rubric for a Description of a Process

5 4 3 2 1 Score

The essay The essay The essay The essay The essay did
contains the contains the mentioned contains one not mention a
purpose, purpose, with some of the purpose and purpose; any
information three or four purpose, with one information
Content
and information one or two information or elaboration
elaboration and information but no about the
of the elaboration of and few elaboration chosen topic
chosen the chosen elaboration of the chosen is not evident.
topic. All topic. of the chosen topic.
these are topic.
discussed
completely.
 The ideas There is an One or two More ideas There is no
flow freely. effort for ideas ideas flow seem to be free flow of
The ideas o flow smoothly but disconnected ideas. Ideas
are smoothly. there are two and thee re are not
connected There are one or three more than connected by
Organization
correctly by or two errors errors in the three errors sequence
sequence in the use of use of in the use of markers.
markers. sequence sequence sequence
markers. markers. markers.

Punctuation One or two Three to four Five to six Too many

marks, errors in errors in errors in errors in
spelling, punctuation punctuation punctuation punctuation,
and margins marks and marks, marks, spelling and
are perfect. misspelled misspelled misspelled margin.
words. Margin word. Margin words. Error
is correct. is correct. in margins.
Mechanics

Total

Chapter Highlights

 Exposition is a writing technique used by a writer when his/her intention is to explain

something, to analyze an idea, to classify a thing, to give the correct definition of a term, to
make others follow directions, to point out similarities of differences, to clarify causes and
effects, to present data, to interpret research work, and others.

 Classification is dividing something into groups, classes, categories, etc. One way of
classifying objects or ideas is to look for relationships among them and organize them into
groups. It may either be on the basis of their similarities of differences.

 Definition is giving meaning to an unfamiliar word.

 Simple definition is commonly used in technical writing whether the term being defined calls
for formal, semi- formal of non-formal definition. It is a definition that bears three parts,
specie, genus, and differentia.

 Word meanings may be defined informally. This happens when a term is defined
connotatively or denotatively.

 In description of a process, a writer explains the arrangement of a sequence in chronological

order. This type of writing is similar to description of a mechanism. Therefore, it includes
sequence, instructions, and procedure.

 Description of a mechanism is an explanation of a system or parts of an apparatus. This

includes the characteristics and functions of a piece of the device and the totality of the
mechanism.