Hortatory Exposition

When we recognize three levels in essay writing intense; descriptive, argumentative, and
persuasive, then we have to include the hortatory exposition text in the persuasive essay. This
kind of text is socially functioned to drive readers to act like the writer thought; while, its
purpose is to influence and persuade the readers by presenting the supporting arguments, point
forward that certain thing should or should not be done. In many social activities, hortatory is
applied for writing recommended thought, sales letter, advertising, speech campaign, and news
advertorial.

Hortatory exposition is similar to analytical exposition, but if we have to differentiate

both from one to each other, we have one useful tool by making analysis on the generic structure.
What makes hortatory different from analytical exposition is the last finalizing step which
analytical exposition is ended by a reiteration while hortatory is finalized by certain a
recommendation. The generic structure is as follows:

1. Thesis : thesis is similar to tentative conclusion which needs to be proven by

certain fact and argument. In the end, it can be true or false
2. Arguments : this is the phase which tries to examine and support that the thesis stated
above is true.
3. Recommendation : this is what should or should not be done in the hortatory text. This
recommendation is differentiating from analytical exposition.

Hortatory exposition has dominant language features, such as:

1. Using Simple Present Tense

2. Using modals
3. Using action verbs
4. Using thinking verbs
5. Using adverbs
6. Using adjective
7. Using technical terms
8. Using general and abstract noun
9. Using connectives/transition

Now, we will see the following example of hortatory text:

1. Watch your Kids While

Watching TV
Television becomes one of the most
important devices which take place in almost
houses. It can unite all members of the family as
well as separate them. However, is it important
to know what your kids are watching? The
answer is, of course, absolutely Yes and that should be done by all parents. Television can
expose things you have tried to protect the children from, especially violence, pornography,
consumerism and so on.

Recently, a study demonstrated that spending too much time on watching TV during the
day or at bedtime often causes bed-time disruption, stress, and short sleep duration.

Another research found that there is a significant relationship between the amount of time
spent for watching television during adolescence and early adulthood, and the possibility of
being aggressive.

Meanwhile, many studies have identified a relationship between kids who watch TV a lot
and being inactive and overweight.

Considering some facts mentioning above, protect your children with such tips as: (1)
limit television viewing to one-two hours each day, (2) do not allow your children to have a TV
set in their own bedrooms, (3) review the rating of TV shows which your children watch, and (4)
watch television with your children and discuss what is happening in the show.

Notes on the Generic Structure of this Hortatory Exposition example

The above text can be considered as a hortatory exposition text, as its purpose is to
influence and persuade the readers by presenting the supporting arguments. The following is the
analysis of its generic structure:

Thesis :
The writers thought is presented as thesis which is proven with several arguments. In the
first paragraph, the writer points his thought about the importance of accompanying children
while they are watching TV show. It is important to protect the children from the bad influences
of TV show.

Arguments :
The next paragraphs show the writer arguments in supporting his thesis. It is supported
by various researches that there are a great relationship between watching TV and the watchers
personality. One study describes that much time in watching TV can cause bed-time disruption.
The others show the possibility of becoming an aggressive character because of watching
television too much.

Recommendation :
After stating the thesis and proving with various arguments, the text is completed with
the writers recommendation on how the parents should protect the children from the bed effect
of watching TV.

2. Smartphone
Thesis :
Nowadays, in modern era, smartphone is a very important gadget for student of senior
high school, it give many advantage for student live.

Argument 1 :
As we know, smartphone has many advantage and function for supporting student life.
First, it can support student for studying and give various information about school subject.
Second, it can help student surfing on the internet and help student to do their homework and
school task and exercise. Third, if you forget to take a note about the lesson you can take a
picture about the lesson.

Argument 2 :
In the other side, smartphone also can be used to communicate between student and their
parent if they got into trouble. It also can be used to communicate with their classmate or the
other student about urgent information.

Recommendation :
From the arguments above, as senior high student it considered to bring and use
smartphone for our usage and advantage.

3. Where should be after High School?

Thesis :
The National examination result will be publicly enounced in next short time. Euphoria
will flood for those who get success. In the other hand, It will be sorry to hear that there are some
of them do not succeed in their national final examination. For those who succeed soon will
think to decide; where will they be after graduating high school? Actually it will be easy to
decide for those has been arranged and thought earlier but for those have not planed yet, it will
be quite confusing.

Argument 1 :
Continuing study or looking for work is the primary choice among them. When they
think about continuing study, they will think hard about the time and cost. How long the higher
study will last? And how high is about the cost. In the same way, when they think about
straightly seeking job, what skill and competence they have got is a big matter of questioning.
So, doing both choices in the same time is an alternative.

Argument 2 :
Continuing study as well as seeking job is possibly done but it will be hard for them.
Conventionally studying in the university needs much time to spend especially in the first year. It
is true because they have to do and adapt a lot of things in their new higher school. it will be very
hard to looking for job. Therefore it should come to their mind of continuing studying at higher
school from their own home. As result, the available time will be more flexible for them. Then it
will be very possible to seek job and get the appropriate one. This type of studying is publicly
known as distance learning.

Recommendation :
As the alternative method of studying, besides the conventional studying which students
and the lecturer have to meet in the fixed time and place regularly, distance learning provides
possibility to grow better. Possibly working and studying surely will create high quality
graduate. Distance learning should appear as a considerable choice for them.