HORTATORY EXPOSITION TEXT: MATERIAL

Definition

A Hortatory Exposition Text is a type of argumentative text that aims to persuade readers or listeners to do or not to do something.

The writer presents an issue, gives logical arguments and supporting facts, and finally provides a recommendation or suggestion. Therefore, a hortatory exposition does not only explain an issue but also encourages the audience to take a particular action.

Hortatory exposition texts commonly discuss issues related to education, environment, health, technology, transportation, social problems, and other issues in everyday life.

Example:

Students should reduce the use of plastic bottles at school because plastic waste can harm the environment.

The sentence expresses an opinion and encourages students to take action.

Purpose of Hortatory Exposition Text

The main purpose of a hortatory exposition text is to persuade the readers or listeners to take action based on logical reasons.

The purposes include:

A. To persuade the readers

The writer presents logical arguments to make the readers believe that a particular action is necessary or beneficial.

B. To influence behavior or decisions

The text encourages readers to change their behavior or make a particular decision.

C. To raise awareness

The writer explains an issue and its consequences so that readers become more aware of the problem.

D. To provide recommendations

The writer offers a concrete suggestion or solution at the end of the text.

Generic Structure

A Hortatory Exposition Text consists of three main parts:

A. Thesis

The Thesis introduces the topic or issue and presents the writer’s position or opinion.

The thesis tells the readers what the writer thinks about the issue.

Example:

Plastic pollution is a serious environmental problem. Therefore, people should reduce their use of single-use plastic.

The first sentence introduces the issue, while the second sentence shows the writer’s position.

B. Arguments

The Arguments section contains reasons that support the writer’s opinion.

Arguments should be logical and may be supported by facts, examples, data, or explanations.

Usually, a hortatory exposition contains several arguments.

Example:

First, plastic waste can damage the environment. Plastic takes a very long time to decompose and can pollute rivers and oceans.

Second, plastic waste can harm animals. Many animals may eat plastic waste because they mistake it for food.

Each argument strengthens the writer’s position.

C. Recommendation

The Recommendation is the final part of the text. It contains a suggestion, recommendation, or call to action.

This section tells readers what they should, must, or ought to do.

Example:

Therefore, people should reduce the use of single-use plastic and use reusable bags and bottles instead.

The recommendation provides a concrete action based on the arguments presented previously.

Structure at a Glance

The basic formula can be remembered as:

THESIS → ARGUMENTS → RECOMMENDATION

Language Features

A Hortatory Exposition Text uses several important language features.

A. Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are commonly used to express suggestions, recommendations, or obligations.

Common modal verbs include:

• should → recommendation or advice
• must → strong obligation
• ought to → recommendation, usually more formal

Examples:

Students should keep their classroom clean.

The government must improve public transportation.

People ought to protect the environment.

B. Conjunctions and Connectors

Connectors are used to connect ideas and organize arguments logically.

1. Giving reasons

• because
• since
• as

Example:

Students should bring reusable bottles because plastic waste can pollute the environment.

2. Showing purpose

• so that
• in order to

Example:

The school should provide more trash bins so that students can dispose of waste properly.

3. Showing conclusions or results

• therefore
• thus
• consequently

Example:

Plastic pollution is increasing. Therefore, people should reduce their use of plastic.

C. Impersonal Style

Hortatory exposition may use an impersonal style to make the writing sound more objective and academic.

Instead of focusing heavily on personal expressions such as I think or I believe, the writer can focus on the issue itself.

Example:

It is believed that improving public transportation can reduce traffic congestion.

The policy was introduced to encourage people to use public transportation.

D. Lexical Cohesion

Lexical cohesion means maintaining unity by repeating important keywords or using related words throughout the text.

For example:

Public transportation is important for modern cities. Better public transport can reduce the number of private vehicles. An improved transportation system can also reduce pollution.

The words public transportation, public transport, vehicles, and transportation system are related and help maintain the main topic.

Common Expressions

Several expressions can help you write a Hortatory Exposition Text.

Introducing an opinion

• It is important to…
• It is necessary to…
• … is an important issue.
• We should consider…
• There are several reasons why…

Presenting arguments

• First,…
• Second,…
• Furthermore,…
• Moreover,…
• In addition,…
• Another reason is that…
• Therefore,…

Giving recommendations

• Therefore, we should…
• The government must…
• People ought to…
• We should take action by…
• It is recommended that…
• For these reasons, people should…

Example of Hortatory Exposition Text

Public Transportation Should Be Improved

Thesis

Public transportation plays an important role in modern cities. It helps people travel efficiently, reduces traffic congestion, and minimizes air pollution. However, public transportation in many cities is still inadequate. Therefore, the government should improve the quality and accessibility of public transportation.

Argument 1

First, improving public transportation can reduce traffic congestion. Many people use private vehicles because they consider public transportation uncomfortable or unreliable. If buses and trains become more convenient, punctual, and safe, more people will choose to use them. As a result, the number of private vehicles on the road can decrease.

Argument 2

Second, better public transportation can help protect the environment. Private vehicles produce carbon emissions that contribute to air pollution. By using buses, trains, and other environmentally friendly transportation systems, the amount of harmful emissions can be reduced.

Argument 3

Finally, reliable public transportation can support economic activities. People can travel to schools, workplaces, and markets more easily and affordably. A good transportation system can also make a city more attractive to businesses and investors.

Recommendation

In conclusion, the government must improve public transportation by increasing the number of vehicles, maintaining safety and cleanliness, and providing affordable fares. Citizens should also support this improvement by choosing public transportation instead of private vehicles. These actions can help create cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cities.

Important Points to Remember

A Hortatory Exposition Text:

1. Discusses an issue or problem.
2. Presents the writer’s position.
3. Provides logical arguments.
4. Uses supporting facts, examples, or explanations.
5. Ends with a recommendation or call to action.
6. Commonly uses should, must, and ought to.
7. Uses connectors to organize ideas logically.

Remember:

Hortatory Exposition = Opinion + Arguments + Recommendation

The most important difference is that the text does not stop at presenting an opinion. It also encourages the reader to take action.