What is expository discourse?

Definition
	Expository discourse is a discourse that explains or describes a topic.
	It does not primarily present contingent events or focus on a performer of actions, but rather tends to present the following kinds of propositions:
	Existential Stative Equative

Features
	Information is logically oriented around a theme. Third person pronoun forms are used. Texts are not oriented around a specific agent.

Parts
	Problem Solution Supporting argumentation Evaluation of the solution

Examples
	Explanations of cultural norms Explanations of legal matters Explanations of the teachings of the forefathers

Generic
	An expository discourse is a kind of
	What is a discourse?

Sources
	Longacre 1983 3, 5, 10, 39
	Longacre 1990 2
	Peck 1981 287
	Larson 1984 366, 372

Context for this page:

Concept module: expository discourse
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): E
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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