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. The generic structure of Hortatory
exposition usually has three components: (1) Thesis, (2) Arguments and (3) Recommendation.

A. 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

B. 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.It uses mental processes. It is used to state what the writer or speaker thinks or feels about something.
For example: realize, feel etc.

3.It often needs material processes. It is used to state what happens, e.g. ….has polluted… etc.

4.It usually uses Simple Present Tense and Present Perfect Tense.

5.Enumeration is sometimes necessary to show the list of given arguments: Firstly, secondly …, Finally,
etc.
Television Violence

TELEVISION can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and behaviour in

children. Studies have shown that extensive viewing of television violence by children
can cause them to become aggressive. Children who view programs where violence is
very realistic, frequently repeated or left unpunished, are more likely to imitate what
they observe on television. The impact of television violence may be immediately evident
in a child's behaviour or it may surface years later. In many families, television has
become an electronic baby-sitter, as children who spend their time alone will learn
behaviour from television, which is considered to be acceptable. Several studies have
highlighted that children may become 'immune' to violence, gradually accepting it as a
way to solve problems.

Children watch an average of four to five hours of television each weekday and
ten hours of television during weekends. 50% of television programs contain
violence that is 'psychologically harmful' to a child. It has been estimated that
by age 18, the average person will have viewed 200,000 acts of violence on
television alone. When a child is placed in front of a television, their focus can
not be diverted and their gaze cannot be broken. The bright colours and quick
movements capture the child's attention. Watching television is a passive event
where children remain completely immobile. Television can often create an
environment that assaults and overwhelms a child. Children observe millions of
colourful images in one afternoon of television viewing and 57% of this
contains violence. Viewing excessive violence does not necessarily cause a
child to act violently, but it contributes to promoting a view that violence is
acceptable. A diet of television violence and promotion of aggressive reaction
can cause violence to be seen as acceptable through the eyes of children. Only
4% of violent programs show non-violent alternatives to solving problems.

Children are now becoming a challenge for parents due to their unrestricted viewing of
television violence. They often behave differently after viewing violent programs such as
the popular children's show, 'Power Rangers', which portrays violent heroes. They can
become aggressive, disobedient and impatient, both in the playground and in the
classroom. Parents should advocate their responsibilities. Researchers have found
significant differences between children who are light viewers (1 hour or less per day)
and those that are heavy viewers of television (4 or more hours per day). Heavy viewers
of television put in less effort at school, have poorer reading skills, have fewer hobbies
and are more likely to be overweight. Television violence affects children of all ages, of
both genders, at all socio-economic levels and of all levels of intelligence. Television
violence has also been found to effect children emotionally. They may become
desensitized to real-life violence. This refers to the increased toleration of violence. It is
of particular concern as a long-term effect of heavy viewers of violent content. Some of
the most violent programs are children's animated series, where violence is intended to
humour the audience and where realistic consequences of violence are not shown.

Parents can limit their child's exposure to negative influences, by selecting shows which
model positive behaviour and at a more frequent pace. Research has shown that direct
parent intervention to prevent children from excessive television violence is infrequent.
Parental monitoring and ineffective discipline may be critically important in determining
the link between the viewing of violent content and the aggression of children. There are
many steps which a parent can take, to ensure that the television programs to which
their children are exposed are of high quality and do not contain violent images. High
quality programs encourage children to explore their feelings, learn about the world and
increase their understanding. Programs that exploit children's feelings of envy,
competitiveness and frustration, do not assist in a child's development and behaviour.

A television program that is constantly attacked, is the screening of the World Wrestling
Federation although it accounts for only a small percentage in the growing problem of
television violence. As the Undertaker approaches the ring, he lifts his challenger by the
neck and furiously throws him to the ground, leaving his opponent seemingly
disorientated. The crowd fiercely applauds and in a quiet suburban home, a 7-year-old
boy, who is seated in front of a television with eyes wide-open and clenched fists, joins
them in their ovation. Violence is present in homes through a variety of television
programs, including sitcoms, commercials and even cartoons. In addition, violence can
be witnessed through many of the popular video games and toys.

There are two ways of preventing children from viewing television violence, through the
V-chip technology and the new television rating system. The V-chip technology, which
was developed by an engineer named Tim Collins, is a device that can obstruct the
transmission of violent programs. It allows parents to prevent their children from
viewing a television program, if a rating system determines that it has a high level of
violent content. Another system has been devised, which is called the 'TV Ratings
System'.

Television programs are now labeled in the following categories:

- there are shows which are acceptable for all ages

- shows that contain some violence which is not suitable for children who are
under the age of seven

- programs that require parental guidance

- programs suitable for mature audiences only.

These ratings have been designed as a guide for viewers and indeed parents as a means
of protecting their children from excessive television violence.

As we progress further into the future, children will become more exposed to violent
images, if the correct parental supervision of such shows isn't enforced during the
developmental stages of a child's life. Many studies have been carried out on the link
between television violence and its potential effects on children and will continue to do
so well into the future. Teaching children that violence is not acceptable behaviour, nor
does it solve problems and helping them to make informed viewing choices, will certainly
reduce the risk of a child being powerfully influenced by violent images on our television
screens.