2-Part Expository Text Structures

Type

Function

Key Words

Example Passage

Cause/Effect

 gives reason(s) why something happens because, since, reasons, then, therefore, results,

for this reason, effects, consequently, so, thus,

in order to

 Soccer — or football (or foosball or futbol), as it is called by the rest of the world outside the United States — is surely the most popular sport in the world. Every four years, the world championship of soccer, the World Cup, is watched by literally billions all over the world, beating out the United States professional football's Superbowl by far. It is estimated that 1.7 billion television viewers watched the World Cup final between France and Brazil in July of 1998. And it is also a genuine world championship, involving teams from 32 countries in the final rounds, unlike the much more parochial and misnamed World Series in American baseball (that doesn't even involve Japan or Cuba, two baseball hotbeds). But although soccer has become an important sport in the American sports scene, it will never make inroads into the hearts and markets of American sports the way that football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and even tennis and golf have done. There are many reasons for this.
----introduction by Dewey Cheatham
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm

Compare/Contrast

 shows how two different things are the same or different different, same, alike, similar, although, however, on the other hand, but, yet, still, rather than, instead of Sample outline of an essay comparing universities and colleges:

I. Introduction

II. Similarities

1.both post-secondary

2.both geared at same age group

3. common course content

4. can get a degree at both

5. both government subsidized

III. Differences

1. cost

2. class sizes

3. types of degrees offered

4. variety of programs

5.atmosphere

IV. Conclusion

Problem/Solution

a problem is stated with one or more solutions

a problem is, a solution is,

solve, problems

 There are numerous health problems in shanty towns. Firstly, because the sites are illegal the government does not provide piped water. As a result, drinking and bathing water are usually dirty and this causes diseases such as dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis, as well as skin and eye diseases. Secondly, houses are often overcrowded and have poor air circulation. This makes it easier to catch diseases like flu, TB and diphtheria where infection enters through the throat. Thirdly, there are no drains, sewers or rubbish collection services. The resulting pools of stagnant water and heaps of household waste attract rats and insects, which can pass on diseases.

---introduction by Frankie Meehan http://www.geocities.com/frankie_meehan/ProblemSolution.htm

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