Scott raises another issue which I have never really understood . . . although I have taught writing for more than 30 years.  What do people mean by expository writing?  Is it different from argument?  I used to think I understood.  Argument has a thesis, proves a point.  Expository writing simply informs.  But then does it have a thesis too?  And if it does, doesn't that make it an argument?  How is esposiition different from argument?  Does it try to prove a point, a thesis, but in a less argumentative way?  Is it an argument that is more balanced?  Or, as Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz put it, is "everthing an argument"?

Peter


On Jun 8, 2009, at 10:24 PM, Scott wrote:

Expository writing uses a thesis; descriptive writing, a motif.
In Senior English the mid-term examination included a descriptive
writing assignment.  I started, “Once a man passed by and saw a
field of weeds, then I passed by and said, ‘Yesterday’s flowers
am I’, for what is a weed but a flower that no one loves.”  I
continued in the same motif.  It may sound silly today but it was
genuine when I wrote it.  No thesis needed. 
 
N. Scott Catledge
P.S.  The longest string of garbage in the posting to which I am replying
was my previous post—-almost 20 pages.
I wonder about dropping digest and getting them one at a time.
                   
*************************************************************************
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/


= To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/