Exposition by Process

Ignatius Harjanto

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The Thesis
• An expository essay always has a thesis, which is the attitude or
opinion about your topic and is the main point.
• It contains a topic with a controlling idea.
• It must be stated in a complete sentence.
• It is usually found in the last sentence of the first paragraph.

• Thesis Example: Registration was very simple this semester.

• The topic: Registration
• The controlling idea: very simple
Watch your thesis
• The THESIS is the main point you are trying to make.
• The CONTROLLING IDEA controls how the paper is going to
develop.

• So, in your essay, you want to make sure you are backing up
this point with examples, illustrations, facts and details. Do
not wander from your topic!
Types of exposition by process
• How-to paragraph and explanation paragraph.

• The how-to paragraph gives the reader directions on how he or she

can do something: how to decorate a room, how to get to the
airport, or how to plant a garden.
• The goals: to do something.

• The explanation paragraph tells the reader how a particular goal was
reached or how something works.
• The goals: explain how something happens works.
Exposition by Process: Outline of how-to paragraph
• TS: A little work and care can transform an old bookcase into a lovely piece of
furniture.
• Step 1: Remove old wax: with turpentine or paint thinner
• Step 2: Sand the bookcase: smooth away rough spots and sharp edges
• Step 3: Dust: remove particles left by sanding
• Step 4: Stir the paint: correct consistency
• Step 5: Apply paint
• - a thin first coat
• - work on small area
• - let dry
• - apply second coat
• - let dry
 The complete How-to paragraph
• A little work and care can turn an old bookcase into a lovely piece of
furniture. The first step is to remove all the old wax with either turpentine or
paint thinner. Next, using fine sandpaper, sand the bookcase, making sure to
smooth away rough spots and sharp edges. After you have finished sanding,
dust the bookcase, this dusting will remove all the particles left by the
sanding. Stir the paint thoroughly until it is the correct consistency. Brushing
on as thin a first coat as possible, paint only a small area at a time and then
move on to the next portion. After you have finished the entire b o o kc a s e
in this manner, let the first coat dry completely. Finally, apply the second
coat. Be sure that the paint is thoroughly dry before you place books on the
shelves.
 Explanation paragraph, tells how something
works or how it came to be
Although most people know that the success of a television show is
measured by its ratings, few know exactly how shows are rated.
First, a rating company installs meters in a few thousand
representative homes in a particular area. When the television set in
one of these homes is turned on, the meter records the day, time,
and the channel. The meter then electronically sends this
information to the rating company's headquarters. A computer at
the headquarters tallies all of the information from all the homes in
the area. Finally, the computer prints a rating sheet that shows how
many homes watched each show and which shows are the most
popular.
Incorporate the supports!
• Do not simply list supports.
• Incorporate these as supports into your body paragraphs to back up
your position, but at the same time make your point as clearly and as
concisely possible.
• First, identify the parts; then, go
go to the steps.
• Details/components are required
for a process

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 NON-Examples

• “I am going to present bicycle.”

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• This is a topic, but doesn’t explain how it will be developed.

• Also, in an essay, NEVER say, “I am going to discuss…” because this is
THROWAWAY writing!
• Let’s add a controlling idea to the topic to create a good thesis
statement and drop the “I” because this is not a personal narrative.
Assembling bicycle is not difficult if you follow the steps.
• NOW the thesis statement contains a clearly worded opinion!
 The Outline
The Introduction
• After shipping your bike with BikeFlights, you will need to reassemble it -
It's easy!
The Body:
• 1. Gather your tools.
• 2. Open Your Bike Box, Bike Bag, Or Bike Case.
• 3. Remove Your Lid
• 4. Detach Your Bike
• 5. Disconnect All Secured Parts
• 6. Remove All Padding From Your Bike
• 7. Install Your Seatpost
• 8. Secure Your Bike In A Bike Stand
• 9. Align And Tighten Your Derailleur This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA
The Outline… The Body…. Cont.
The Body:
• 10. Install Your Handle Bar
• 11. Install Your Handle Bar
• 12. Install Your Accessories
• 13. Install Your Disc Brake Rotors
• 14. Install Your Wheels
• 15. Install Your Pedals
• 16. Check Your Gears
• 17. Check Your Brakes
• 18. Check Your Assembled Bike
• 19. Test Ride Your Completed Bike
• 20. Gather Your Packing Materials
The Conclusion
 Use transition signals
• Transition words improve the organization and
flow of your essay, allowing the reader to move
smoothly from point to point with ease. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

• Examples:
• Order: first, second, also, finally, in addition, equally important, and
more or less importantly
• Time: after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier,
immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously,
subsequently, then.
Write a good conclusion
• Do not simply restate the thesis as your conclusion.
• After providing evidence, you should be able to “come to a
conclusion” based on it and write about that to wrap up your essay.
• Use transition words in your conclusion.
• In summary, To conclude, All things considered