por What are explanatory resources?
The explanatory resources They include all those strategies that are commonly found in expository texts to help their readers to apprehend the information that they are trying to convey. To a large extent, the structure of the text and the topic addressed determine what type of resources are appropriate to achieve this objective.
In this sense, an expository text, also called explanatory, is a text in which objective facts are presented on a certain topic. This can be aimed at both a general public and a specialized one. In either case, expository texts have the main function of informing, explaining or persuading.
On the other hand, these writings are linked to the dissemination of knowledge in the fields of science, technology or art. It is important that the information is displayed in a logical, clear and orderly manner. Its main characteristic is objectivity and the predominant linguistic function is representative, that is, they account for a reality.
So, in order to fulfill this informative mission, the authors use different explanatory resources. These are justified by the author’s desire to anticipate the difficulties of understanding that his work could cause the addressee. In this way, they provide in advance the necessary tools for reading comprehension.
Types of explanatory resources
Definitions
The definition consists of the delimitation of an object or subject to include what belongs to it and exclude what does not, distinguishing it and giving it a precise meaning, with specific characteristics.
This class of explanatory resources are recognized because they begin with verbal expressions such as contains, is called, refers to, is defined as either it is formed byamong other.
On the other hand, the definitions can be of three types. Definitions by equivalence are those in which a known term that has a similar meaning is used. Mainly, it is recognized because it uses the verb to be as markers.
Secondly, there are descriptive type definitions, which are achieved through a detailed list of the characteristics of the object of interest.
This resource is easily recognizable by the use of markers such as is composed of, It is made up, It is composed of, consists in and other equivalents.
Finally, there are the functional type definitions. In this type of definition, the object is presented indicating its function, its purpose or its use.
The specific markers for this type of definition are the expressions serves for, is used for, has as function, aims and other similar expressions.
Comparisons and analogies
Comparing is fixing attention on two or more objects or concepts to point out their similarities and differences. This is a procedure that is used to test or reinforce the characteristics of something based on the characteristics of a different object.
For its part, an analogy consists of the use of comparisons and metaphors relating the explained or defined objects with others from a different field with which they maintain some kind of similarity relationship.
By establishing analogies, it is clarified or illustrated from the creation of relationships between a concept with other concepts from other fields. This resource is very useful for understanding difficult-to-understand concepts that are not in everyday use.
Characterizations
In the characterization, objects or concepts are grouped into classes or categories according to some established criteria. This class of explanatory resources are based on the use of adjectives and verb forms. Among these verb forms, the most common are has, presents, It is made upamong other.
reformulations
Reformulation is the repetition of a concept using terms or structures other than those already used. It is a redundant procedure, but essential to fix concepts and make them understandable.
This resource is recognizable because it uses linguistic markers such as I mean, that is to say, In other words, in other words or similar.
exemplifications
The use of examples brings to the reader’s experience formulations that may otherwise be abstract or distant, the result of which is misunderstanding.
They are identified by the use of connectors such as For example, namely and others. Examples are also sometimes included right after a colon or in parentheses.
By exemplifying, the idea is transferred to a scenario close to the experience of the interlocutor. The examples that are used to exemplify can be sayings, facts, problems or situations.
Quotes
Quotations are very effective explanatory resources. These bring to the explanation expert voices that confirm and give credibility to the explanatory approach.
Citing is a resource through which the reliability of a fact or explanation is appealed. This reliability rests on the prestige of the person who formulates it (an expert or a textbook).
Examples of explanatory resources
Definition
«Feeling experienced by one person towards another, which manifests itself in wanting their company, rejoicing with what is good for them and suffering with what is bad…» (Definition of «Love» according to María Moliner in her book Dictionary of spanish use)
Characterization
“The basic characteristics of love are: giving, caring, responsibility, respect, knowledge and freedom. Without these 6 characteristics, the love that we exercise can be anything, but it is not love, even when it is called that way…» («Characterization of love» according to Salvador Alvarado in his book a gift of love)
Reformulation
“Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that usually affects the forehead, nose, cheekbones, and chin. Groups of capillaries close to the surface of the skin dilate, producing facial erythema, that is, reddened areas, with papules and sometimes pustules, that simulate acne…” (“Rosacea” according to Nutritious recipes that heal)
Exemplification
“… input units, for example the keyboard, which provides information to the computer; output unit, for example, the monitor, which displays the results” (The great reference book of the global newspaper The country)
Comparison
«This species [Amaranthus dubius] It is similar to Amaranthus spinosus, but it differs in that this is a plant without thorns” (In the work Main weeds associated with bean cultivation in the Andean Region)
Appointment
“…and I quote Ángel Rama, ‘to the extent and to the extent that the imperial expansion of the European industrialized powers are shaping the countries of the continent with the economic and social forms of their capitalist organization’” (In Women and modernity in the chronicles by Jose Martiby Inés Guerrero Espejo)
References
University of the Point. Digital Public School (s/f). Text properties. Taken from contenidosdigitales.ulp.edu.ar.
Importance Guide (2015, March 08). Expositive text. Taken from importance.org.
Eastern Catholic University (s/f). Textual typology II: Expository-explanatory texts. Taken from uco.edu.co.
Llorca Miramon, C. (2006). The explanatory/expository text. Madrid: Liceus, Management Services and Communications SL
ORT Institute of Technology (s/f). explanatory resources. Taken from campus.belgrano.ort.edu.ar.
Guzzetti, B.J. (2002). Literacy in America: An Encyclopedia of History, Theory and Practice. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.