Hortatory Exposition

A Hortatory exposition is a type of spoken or written text that is intended to explain

the listeners or readers that something should or should not happen or be done. To
strengthen the explanation, the speaker or writer needs some arguments as the
fundamental reasons of the given idea. In other words, this kind of text can be called as
argumentation. Hortatory exposition text can be found in scientific books, journals,
magazines, newspaper articles, academic speech or lectures, research report etc. Hortatory
expositions are popular among science, academic community and educated people.

Example of hortatory exposition:

Fasten Your Seat Belt!!!

A seat belt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure
the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a
sudden stop. As part of an overall occupant restraint system, seat belts are intended to
reduce injuries by stopping the wearer from hitting hard interior elements of the vehicle or
other passengers (the so-called second impact) and by preventing the wearer from being
thrown from the vehicle.

During 2004, total accident in DKI Jakarta are 4.544 cases, with 1.146 death victims,
63% of that accident victims didn’t use seat belt (Source: tempo interactive). If we use seat
belt, we will be safe if an accident happening to us. Of course it will decrease the number of
death by fatal accident. This fact makes us realize that if we don’t use seat belt, we will
endanger our life. So it’s very important to use seat belt.

For some people, using seat belt makes journey uncomfortable, makes us can’t
move freely, etc. But if we used to wear it, it will be our habit. We will feel more and more
comfortable if we often use it. Regardless of whether it is comfortable or not, it is very
important for us to use seat belt, to save our life.

Government, especially police department, began enforcing us to use a seat belt to

decrease the number of death victim. It’s appropriated with polices’ slogan “Melindungi dan
Mengayomi Masyarakat Indonesia”. Because the number of death victim in Indonesia is so
high. And most of the death victims didn’t use seat belt.

A rule in our country about seat belt:

UNDANG-UNDANG LALU LINTAS DAN ANGKUTAN JALAN

Pasal 61
(2) Barangsiapa tidak menggunakan sabuk keselamatan pada waktu mengemudikan
kendaraan bermotor roda empat atau lebih, atau tidak menggunakan helm pada waktu
mengemudikan kendaraan bermotor roda dua atau pada waktu mengemudikan kendaraan
bermotor roda empat atau lebih yang tidak dilengkapi dengan rumah-rumah, sebagaimana
dimaksud dalam Pasal 23 ayat (1) huruf e, dipidana dengan pidana kurungan paling lama 1
(satu) bulan atau denda setinggi-tingginya Rp. 1.000.000,00 (satu juta rupiah).

This rule is good, but I think the sanction of this rule is so cruel; it’s very expensive
to pay for Indonesian people. Indonesia isn’t a rich country. This rule is susceptible to be
misused, the misuse of paying the sanction. It will be better if the sanction is below Rp
1.000.000,00.

How about a pregnant woman?

I think pregnant woman shouldn’t be free from the rule enforcing the use of a seat
belt. Her big stomach isn’t a reason to not use seat belt. Now, there is a special seat belt
which is designed for pregnant woman. For pregnant mothers, the fetus is protected by a
sac full of amniotic fluid. This sac is quite strong and the fluids inside acts like a cushion to
protect the fetus. The sac is pliable so it can change shape to a certain degree. The proper
use of a seat belt will divert the pressure points off the sac, and thus the fetus would only
be minimally affected. The lap belt should be worn low over the pelvic bones and not
against the soft stomach area. The shoulder belt should be worn across the chest. Both
should be worn snugly. So, the baby won’t be pressed by seat belt.

There is no reason for us to not use seat belt. There are so many advantages of
using seat belt. And there are so many disadvantages if you don’t use seat belt. I think we
have to rely on one thing: our safety. As wise men say:”Protection is better than curing”.
So, fasten your seat belt!

Generic Structure of Hortatory Exposition

1. Thesis : Statement or announcement of issue concern

2. Arguments : Reasons for concern that will lead to recommendation
3. Recommendation : Statement of what should or should not happen or be done
based on the given arguments

Generic Features of Hortatory Exposition

1. A Hortatory exposition focuses on generic human and non human participants, except for
speaker or writer referring to self.

2. Using abstract noun (policy, advantage, etc)

3. Using action verb (use, move, wear, etc)

4. Using thinking verb (think, seem, etc)

5. Using modal adverb (certainly, surely, etc)

6. Using temporal connective (firstly, secondly, etc)

7. Using evaluative words (important, valuable, trustworthy, etc)

8. Using passive voice

○ Seat belts are intended to reduce injuries.

○ The shoulder belt should be worn across the chest.
○ There is a special seat belt which is designed for pregnant woman.

9. Using simple present tense

○ The number of death victim in Indonesia is so high.

○ This rule is susceptible to be misused, the misuse of paying the sanction.
○ There is no reason for us to not use seat belt.