5.

The Concept of Analytical Exposition Paragraph

a. The Definition of Analytical Exposition Paragraph
Analytical exposition is one of the expository paragraphs. According to Kane,
analytical Exposition is a type of paragraph that belongs to the type of Argumentation
paragraph where the paragraph contains detailed author's thinking about a
phenomenon that is around.16
It means that analytical exposition is one of the paragraphs that has some arguments
in order to explain, define, compare, or even illustrate. In addition, the social function
of the Analytical Exposition paragraph is to convince the reader that the topic is
presented as an important topic for discussion or attention by way of the arguments or
the opinions that support the idea or topic.
15 Thomas S. Kane, The Oxford Essential Guided to Writing (New York: Oxford
University, 1988), p. 89
16Th. M. Sudarwati and Eudia Grace, An English Course for Senior High School
Students
Year XI Science and Social Program (Jakarta: Erlangga, 2007), p. 109
28
b. The Generic Structure of Analytical Exposition Paragraph
An analytical exposition paragraph is a type of written form that is intended to
persuade the readers that something is the case. To make the persuasion stronger, the
writer gives some arguments as the fundamental reasons why something is the case.
This type of paragraph is popular among science, academic community and educated
people. The generic structure of analytical exposition usually has three components
that have been mentioned by Sudarwati and Grace,17 they are:
1. Thesis
This stage usually includes a ‘preview of arguments’. It means that it includes topic
and brief statements of the writer’s position related to the topic in responding hot
position.
2. Argument
This stage consists of a ‘point and elaboration’ sequence. These should be supported
by discussion and evidence. It also consists of explanation of arguments or opinions
that are based on the fact that have been admitted to the truth by policy.
17Ibid.29
3. Reiteration
This last stage restates the position more forcefully in the light of the arguments
presented. It means that this stage involves a conclusion or restate of statements in the
topic that is truth about the case that has been stated in thesis. Moreover, grammatical
patterns that are usually applied in this genre are using; declarative sentence (positive
or negative), combination of present and past tense, using of verbs of beings, verbs of
having, verbs of doing in predicate, and using relevant conjunctions to show cause
and effect and sentence connectors to link arguments.
c. Language Features of an Analytical Exposition Paragraph
1. An analytical exposition focuses on generic human and not human participants.
2. It uses mental process. It is used to state what the writer thinks or feels about
something.
3. It uses emotive and evaluative words.
4. It often needs material processes. It is used to state what happens.
5. It usually uses simple present tense and present perfect tense.
6. Enumeration is sometimes necessary to show the list of given arguments, like
firstly, secondly,… finally, etc.

1. Definition of Analytical Exposition

In Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2008), analytical is an adjective which
has meaning “examining or liking to examine things very carefully”. While Exposition is
“a clear and full explanation of an idea or theory”. From the definition above, it can be
concluded that analytical exposition text is kind of text which explain or propose ideas
about things by examining it and also supported by some arguments or evidences
carefully.
Analytical exposition is a text that elaborates the idea about the phenomenon surrounding
(Anonymous, 2015). It is to convince the readers that something is an important matter to
get attention, thus it gives some arguments or evidences to support the idea. It may
propose or suggest pros or cons of the topic. Some experts think that this kind of text
belongs to argumentation text.

2. Generic Structure of Analytical Exposition

Similar with some other kinds of text, analytical exposition also has generic structure.
The generic structure here is the sequence of writing some kind of a text. The generic
structure of analytical consists of (Doddy, A., Sugeng, A., & Effendi, 2008: 62; Priyana,
J., Machfutra, E.D., & Muhammad, Z.A., 2008: 50):

a. Thesis

Thesis is usually the first paragraph of the text. In this part, it introduces a topic and
outlines the main arguments to be presented. Here also indicates the leaners’ position in
the topic.

b. Arguments

The next section consists series of arguments or some others call it as the body of the
text. Here, the main arguments is being restated and outlined in a preview, and then it
develops and supports each point/argument. It can be simply said that the arguments or
the 13
opinions that support the idea are presented in this section. The more arguments
presented, the stronger the idea.

c. Reiteration/Conclusion

The last section of the text is conclusion or some experts call it as reiteration. In this
section, the writer restates his position that has been described in the first section, thesis.

3. Language Features of Analytical Exposition

Analytical exposition has some language features which usually can be found in this kind
of text:

a. Using relational process/linking verbs: to be…, consist of…, function as…, derive
from…, to be classified into…, to be identified as…, etc.

b. Using temporal conjunction: firstly…, secondly…, next…, finally…, etc.

c. Using causal conjunction: because…, because of…, since…, for…, etc.

d. Using Simple Present Tense: Everybody needs to learn English; It is the reason; etc.
However, one of genres that is taught at SMA level is analytical exposition text.
Analytical exposition text is a spoken or written text that is intended to persuade the
listeners or readers that something is the case. This statement is supported by Purwati
and Yuliani (2006:114, in Cenrikawaty, 2008:13) who confirm that analytical exposition
is designed to persuade the readers or listeners that something is the case. Moreover,
Wahidi (2009:10) also adds that analytical exposition is a text that elaborates the
writer’s idea about the phenomenon surrounding us to convince the reader that
something is the case. In the other hand, Gerot and Wignell in Almita (2008: 25)
elaborate that analytical exposition text is the text that expands the writer’s ideas about
the phenomena surrounding us or text that states the introduction of a topic indicating
the writer’s position in persuadingthe readers or listeners that something the case. In
addition, Cahyono and Purnama (2009:1) explains that an analytical exposition presents
the argument in such a way that it sounds like the writer is an authority on the subject
and so it does not use first person pronoun (e.g. I, we or us), extravagant language or
cliches.