Writing: Expository Writing (Explaining/Informing) (B2) - Lesson 2: Structuring Informative Texts Logically

B2 Lesson 2: Structuring Informative Texts Logically

In our last lesson, you learned the principles of writing a clear explanatory paragraph. Today, we will learn how to organize those paragraphs into a complete, multi-paragraph informative text¹.

Choosing a logical² organizational pattern is the key to making complex information easy for your reader to understand. We will focus on two common patterns.

Pattern 1: Chronological Order

Use chronological³ order when the topic involves time, history, or a process. You organize the information based on when it happened, from oldest to newest.

This pattern is best for topics like:

• The history of a place (e.g., The history of Phnom Penh).
• The life story of a person (a biography).
• Explaining a step-by-step process (e.g., How silk is made).

Structure: Body Paragraph 1 discusses the earliest events, Body Paragraph 2 discusses what happened next, and so on.

Pattern 2: Topical / Categorical Order

Use topical⁴ order when you are explaining a large subject by breaking it down into smaller topics or categories. This is one of the most common structures for informative essays.

Deconstructing a Topical Text

Let's look at a short text explaining the key components of Cambodian cuisine. Notice how the thesis statement introduces three topics, and each body paragraph discusses one of them.

Introduction

Cambodian cuisine is renowned for its fresh ingredients and delicate balance of flavors. The unique taste of Khmer cooking is defined by three essential components: the foundational use of prahok, the central role of rice, and the aromatic quality of fresh herbs and spices.

Body Paragraph 1

First, prahok, a type of fermented fish paste, provides a distinctly salty and umami depth that is fundamental to many traditional dishes. It is used as a base for soups and dips, providing a flavor that is uniquely Cambodian.

Body Paragraph 2

In addition to this key ingredient, rice is the undeniable centerpiece of every Khmer meal. It is served steamed with most main dishes, but it is also used to make countless varieties of noodles, porridges, and desserts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is the sophisticated combination of the salty depth from prahok, the staple presence of rice, and the bright notes from fresh herbs that gives Cambodian cuisine its celebrated and delicious character.

✍️ B2 Informative Text Checklist

• ✔️ Does my introduction clearly state the main topics my text will explain?
• ✔️ Have I chosen a logical organizational pattern (Chronological or Topical) for my body paragraphs?
• ✔️ Does each body paragraph focus on only ONE of my main topics?
• ✔️ Does my conclusion summarize the information I presented?

🧠 Practice Quiz: Which Pattern is Best?

For each essay topic, which organizational pattern would be more logical?

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1. Topic: An essay explaining the major events of the Khmer Empire.

Answer: Chronological order, because the events happened over a period of time.

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2. Topic: A report explaining the different types of traditional musical instruments in Cambodia.

Answer: Topical order, because you can create a category for each type of instrument (e.g., stringed, percussion, wind).

📝 Homework: Outline an Informative Text

Your homework is to plan a short informative text by creating a structured outline.

Choose ONE topic below and its suggested organizational pattern:

• The history of your hometown (Use Chronological Order).
• The different kinds of transportation available in your city (Use Topical Order).

In your notebook, create an outline for a 4-paragraph text. Your outline must include:

1. A clear thesis statement that previews your main points.
2. A topic sentence for each of your two body paragraphs.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Text (academic): (Noun) - អត្ថបទ - Any piece of formal or academic writing. ↩
2. Logical: (Adjective) - មានហេតុផល - Characterized by clear, sensible reasoning. ↩
3. Chronological: (Adjective) - តាមកាលប្បវត្តិ - Arranged in the order of time. ↩
4. Topical / Categorical: (Adjective) - តាមប្រធានបទ / តាមប្រភេទ - Arranged by subject matter or categories. ↩
5. Renowned: (Adjective) - ល្បីល្បាញ - Known or talked about by many people; famous.