Writing: Expository Writing (Explaining/Informing) (B2) - Lesson 2: Structuring Informative Texts Logically
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Hello B2 Organizers! 👋
When you write to inform or explain, simply presenting facts or ideas isn't enough. Your reader needs to understand how these ideas connect and build upon each other. This is where logical structure comes in.
Today, we'll explore common organizational patterns like classification, cause-effect, and comparison-contrast to help you structure your informative texts clearly and effectively.
In this lesson, you will:
- Understand why logical structure is vital for informative writing.
- Learn about classification, cause-effect, and comparison-contrast patterns.
- Identify signal words associated with these patterns.
- Practice recognizing and planning texts using these structures.
Why is Logical Structure Important?
In expository writing, your goal is to make information clear and understandable for your reader. A logical structure acts as a framework for your ideas.
A clear structure helps your reader to:
- Follow your explanation without confusion.
- See the relationships between different pieces of information.
- Understand complex topics more easily.
- Remember the information better.
Choosing an appropriate organizational pattern depends on your topic and what you want to explain about it.
Organizational Pattern 1: Classification
Purpose: To explain a topic by dividing it into smaller groups or categories based on shared characteristics. This helps to organize complex information into more manageable parts.
Typical Structure:
- Introduction: Introduce the main topic that will be classified. State the basis for classification (how you will group things).
- Body Paragraphs: Dedicate one or more paragraphs to each category or type. Describe its specific characteristics and provide examples.
- Conclusion (Optional for B2 simple texts): May summarize the categories or offer a final thought.
Signal Words for Classification:
types of, kinds of, can be divided into, categories include, groups are, classes, another type is, one kind is.
Example Topic: Types of Renewable Energy
Introduction: Renewable energy sources are vital for a sustainable future and can be divided into several main types based on their origin.
Body Paragraph 1 (Solar): One major type is solar energy, which harnesses sunlight using photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems...
Body Paragraph 2 (Wind): Another significant category is wind power, generated by turbines that convert wind's kinetic energy into electricity...
Body Paragraph 3 (Hydro): Finally, hydropower involves using the energy of moving water, such as rivers or tides, to produce electricity...
Organizational Pattern 2: Cause and Effect
Purpose: To explain why something happens (causes) and/or what happens as a result (effects).
Typical Structures:
- Focus on Causes: Discuss several causes that lead to one effect.
- Focus on Effects: Discuss several effects that result from one cause.
- Chain Reaction: Show how one cause leads to an effect, which then becomes the cause of another effect, and so on.
Signal Words:
For Causes: because (of), due to, since, as, the reason for, is caused by, results from.
For Effects: therefore, as a result, consequently, so, thus, leads to, results in, the effect is, hence.
Example Topic: The Effects of Deforestation
Introduction: Deforestation, the clearing of forests, has numerous significant impacts on the environment.
Body Paragraph 1 (Effect 1 - Soil Erosion): One major effect of deforestation is increased soil erosion. Tree roots help hold soil together; without them, rain can easily wash away the topsoil...
Body Paragraph 2 (Effect 2 - Loss of Biodiversity): Another serious consequence is the loss of biodiversity. Forests are home to countless species of plants and animals, and when their habitat is destroyed, many cannot survive...
Body Paragraph 3 (Effect 3 - Climate Change): Furthermore, deforestation contributes to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. When forests are cut down or burned, this stored carbon is released into the atmosphere...
Organizational Pattern 3: Comparison and Contrast
Purpose: To explain how two or more subjects (people, places, things, ideas) are similar (comparison) and/or how they are different (contrast).
Typical Structures:
- Point-by-Point (or Alternating): Discuss one point of comparison or contrast for Subject A, then immediately discuss the same point for Subject B. Repeat for each point. (e.g., Cost of A, Cost of B; then Size of A, Size of B).
- Block (or Subject-by-Subject): Discuss all the features of Subject A in one section (or paragraph/s). Then, discuss all the features of Subject B in another section, often relating them back to Subject A.
Signal Words:
For Comparison (Similarities): similarly, likewise, also, both...and..., in the same way, just as, like, similar to.
For Contrast (Differences): however, on the other hand, but, yet, while, whereas, in contrast, although, unlike, different from.
Example Topic: Comparing City Life and Country Life (Point-by-Point Snippet)
Introduction: City life and country life offer very different lifestyles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Body Paragraph 1 (Focus on Pace of Life): The pace of life in the city is generally very fast. There are always things happening, and people often seem to be in a hurry. In contrast, life in the countryside tends to be much slower and more relaxed...
Body Paragraph 2 (Focus on Environment): Cities often have more pollution and less green space. On the other hand, the countryside typically offers cleaner air and more access to nature...
Practice Structuring Informative Texts!
Activity 1: Identify the Organizational Pattern
Read the short paragraph or text description. What is the main organizational pattern used?
Activity 2: Plan an Informative Paragraph
Choose a topic and an organizational pattern. Then, list 2-3 key points you would include in a paragraph based on that pattern.
✨ Tips for Logical Structuring ✨
- Understand Your Purpose: What do you want to explain? This will help you choose the best pattern. (e.g., If you want to explain *why* something happened, use cause-effect.)
- Outline First: Before writing, create a simple outline using your chosen pattern. This will keep you organized.
- Use Topic Sentences: Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that relates to the overall structure.
- Use Signal/Transition Words: These words guide your reader and show the relationships between your ideas (e.g., firstly, because, however, similarly).
- Stay Consistent: Once you choose a primary pattern for a section or text, try to follow it consistently.
Building Clear and Organized Texts! 🎉
By learning to use these logical structures, you can write informative texts that are much easier for your readers to understand, follow, and learn from!