Expository Non-fiction writing notes

Non-Fiction Writing

(a)    Structures for non-fiction writing. 

The structure of the essay depends on the question being asked of you. So depending on the
question, the essay could be in the form of:
1. Causes and consequences
2. 5Ws and 1H (Who, what,where, when,why, how) 
3. Pros and Cons/Advantages and Disadvantages
4. Compare and Contrast
5. Straightforward explanations

Note: If you are writing a single word essay e.g. "Power" as an argumentative or expository essay, you can actually choose any of the above structures. 

(b)   Example: Tell me about your ideal home OR Given the limited land available in Singapore, is it wise to set aside some areas as nature reserves? 

General Structure for writing an exposition
NB: The topic sentence is linked to the thesis statement as the topic sentence is an extension of the idea or statement in the thesis statement. You should target about 5 paragraphs for your essay.

Part of essay	What goes in	Remarks
Introduction	Thesis statement/Stand Definition of key terms Hook: Startling fact or statistic
The body paragraphs 2-3 paragraphs	Topic sentence Elaboration Examples that support the elaboration	Topic sentence is always linked to the Thesis statement.
	Topic sentence Elaboration Examples that support the elaboration
	Topic sentence Elaboration Examples that support the elaboration
Conclusion	Restate thesis statement Proverb/rhetorical question that leaves people thinking

b) Anatomy of a non-fiction essay  

1. Introduction

• Provide an attention grabber

-          Give a startling fact

-          A statistic

-          A rhetorical question

-          An “imagine this” scenario

• Thesis Statement. The thesis statement can come in different formats:

(1) State you stand or viewpoint on the given statement or topic being asked

(2) State in summary what the rest of your essay will be elaborating on.

Question: Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions to be made in life. What factors will affect your choice? 

Stand: The factors which will affect my choice for a career would be whether it can earn me a decent living and whether I have an interest and passion for the career. 

• Link sentence
  E.g. Allow me to explain.

2. Body of the essay can be written in the following structures

What you write in the body of the essay depends on the question. Some questions will ask you for:

-          Pros and cons

-          5Ws and 1H (Usually focusing on reasons – Why and How)

-          Classification

-          Causes and Consequences

-          Compare and contrast

Again, if you are faced with a single word essay, your essay can be written in any of the above format.
For example:
"Marriage" ( O Level 2005)

-          Pros and cons (of marriage)

-          5Ws and 1H (Usually focusing on reasons – Why and How) - (Why people get married. How people get married. Where and when do people get married.) 

-          Classification - Types of marriages ( You may even want to say that some people are "married" to their jobs or "married" to their cars. There are also arranged marriages between people and marriages or convenience)

-          Causes and Consequences - (The causes(why) of marriage and the consequences(outcome) of marriage.)

-          Compare and contrast - (Compare the marriage ceremonies and customs of the different races or religions)

How to elaborate
To elaborate logically, practice some self-questioning with regards to the topic sentence. For instance: How does canoeing open up a whole new world to you? What are some of the activities you will indulge in as a direct result of canoeing? What are the benefits of such outdoor activities? How will the person be feeling when he engages in such outdoor activities? Why will the person feel different after engaging in such activities? 

3. Conclusion

-          Begin your last paragraph with either: In conclusion…. or to conclude…..

-          Restate your stand/thesis statement/choice made

-          Leave the audience thinking about your writing/speech. End off with a saying/idiom or a point to ponder that is connected to the issue. [ Where applicable]

o   Use a proverb that is connected to the issue being discussed

o   Use a thought-provoking question.

o   A though provoking statement.

Examples
Example 1: In conclusion, teenagers can make take steps to save the environment and there are many initiatives which they can undertake to save Mother Earth. If we as the future generation do not take up this responsibility to save the world as we know it, then who will?

Example 2: In conclusion, power is indeed both a boon and a bane – when used wisely it can bring great benefit to mankind but when misused it can bring great pain and suffering. Someone once said that with great power comes great responsibility, I cannot be wholeheartedly agree with this statement. 

3. Model of an expository essay

Question: Think of a sporting activity which you greatly enjoy. Explain how you took up the sport and what are some of it benefits.

Introduction Para 1 .	A sporting activity that I enjoy very much is canoeing. A canoe appears to be nothing more than a small boat made of fiberglass with a deceptively simple design and appearance. However, the Canadian film maker, Bill Manson, described it as the simplest most functional, yet aesthetically pleasing object ever created. I soon discovered that a canoe is more than a means of getting from point to point. Who would ever have thought that such basic technology was capable of carrying a person from the modern world of stress to places of astonishing physical, mental and spiritual freedom? I have had many good experiences with the sport of canoeing and I have personally experienced the benefits it can bring in terms of spiritual renewal, the life skills it has taught me, its ability to relieve mental stress and how it can help turn the outdoors into a living classroom.	Thesis statement Definition of key issue Starling/Surprising fact or information. Thought-provoking question. Thesis statement (States all the key points that you will cover in the body of your essay/or your viewpoint on an issue)
Body Para 2	Like everyone else, I had to go through the learning curve at first: that is to say, I started off thinking canoeing was easy – just sit in the canoe and paddle, nothing to it – only to discover that my canoe banged the banks of the placid steams and zig-zagged across the lake in a most frustrating manner. I had to learn the basic strokes that enable the canoeists to keep a straight line – and in the required direction. Once I had learnt these basics, my canoe responded swiftly to the merest flick of the paddle.	Topic Sentence( Must be in line with thesis statement) Elaboration Examples that support the Thesis Statement.
Para 3	On my first canoeing holiday, I discovered that canoeing is more than a means of getting from place to place: it is a healthy, harmonious way of life. The Chinese poet and philosopher, Lao-Tzu, write about attaining a state of grace by “going with the flow” and that is literally what a canoeist does. When a finely crafted canoe is under way, it slices through the water with little or no resistance, supported by the very medium through which it travels. Before long, the canoeist feels connected to his boat, that it is part of him, like an extension of his body. The rhythmic canoe stroke, repeated thousands of times during a long day of canoeing induces a relaxed almost trance kike state. When performed correctly using the large back, shoulder and stomach muscles, the canoe stoke is not only a healthy exercise but is can be done hour after hour, day after day. The cadence induces steady, measured breathing, which in turn relaxes the body and releases the mind, freeing it to wander at will. In calm weather, the canoe seems to fly across the water. On bright days, the surface mirrors the sky, and it feels as if you are flying through the heavens. When the water either very shallow or very clear, you feel the elation of being suspended between earth and sky.	Topic Sentence( Must be in line with thesis statement) Elaboration and explanation with examples that support the Thesis Statement.
Para 4	Not all days are like this, though, and every canoeist has to face his share of headwinds and storms. On blustery days, an experienced paddlers uses mind and muscle to outwit the elements. He seeks out and takes advantage of whatever shelter he can find, altering his course to paddle in the less of islands and points that block the wind. Canoeing on stormy days requires sharp strategy, good planning and solid execution. Ironically paddling in inclement weather may offer the greatest relief from everyday cares, for when thrusting and parrying the wind and waves, fighting for every metre, you are immersed in the here and now. There is no room for thought save for the task at hand.	Topic Sentence( Must be in line with thesis statement) Elaboration and explanation with examples that support the Thesis Statement.
Para 5	Rapids also provide detachment form tension, since the sensation of quick, light motion on swift-moving water is exhilarating; You feel weightlessness, free fall and flight. Time seems to stand still as the canoeist focuses on negotiating one tricky manoeuvre after another. Just as important as the physical and mental benefits of canoeing are the spiritual benefit of being free to wander and explore wherever your imagination leads you. Using only essential and timeless paddling and camping skills, canoeist has unlimited freedom and range. Following ancient wilderness waterways leading away from the stresses of modern life, the canoeist enters a natural realm where time is measured not by the clock but by the sun’s slow transit across the sky. Where the slow pace of human-powered motion makes the world seem larger and more astonishing, where communication is face-to-face rather than by email or text massage.	Topic Sentence( Must be in line with thesis statement) Elaboration and explanation with examples that support the TS.
Para 6	In addition, canoeing can open up whole new worlds of activity for people, such as water-color painting, wolf-howling, canoeing building, wilderness first aid, forest identification, nature photography and white-water rodeo. The outdoors becomes the classroom for the canoeist willing to set of the search of exciting, unique and enriching outdoor experiences, seeing the world in a different light. Canoeists can travel the world in search of new experiences. Those used to lazily watching white-tailed tropic birds soar overhead might go to Canada to rivers and lily-filled bays of the flat-water lakes as they watch out for majestic Canadian Mammals. Families can enjoy family adventure packages, led by the most experienced wilderness guides, which combine family fun, safety and incredible beauty. A world of family adventure can be opened up by a canoeing holiday.	Topic Sentence( Must be in line with thesis statement) Elaboration and explanation with examples that support the TS.
Conclusion Para 7	In conclusion, the benefits of canoeing are boundless. I myself have discovered the many joys which canoeing can bring. So why not pick up that paddle and start launching a canoe too?	A simple conclusion that invites the readers to take up the challenge.