Planning an Exposition

Topic:“Animals should never be kept in cages.” What is your opinion?

Step One Throw all your thoughts and ideas about

the topic into this space. Let them flow freely! [These become your REASONS,

DETAILS AND EXAMPLES.]

Step OneCage limited space

  pets animals are social

birds flying free

      protection  best

friends   endangered

species   

     reproduce   free to

roam  family

zoos    companions  

    foodprovided

    extinction

Here are some ideas. Take a browse. Let’s group them.

Step Two Your thoughts and ideas above should

produce some main ideas. Write three TOPIC SENTENCES

expressing these main ideas here.

Step TwoCage limited space

  pets animals are social

birds flying free

      protection  best

friends   endangered

species   

     reproduce   free to

roam  family

zoos    companions  

    foodprovided

    extinction

1. Animals love their freedom as much as we do.

Step TwoCage limited space

  pets animals are social

birds flying free

      protection  best

friends   endangered

species   

     reproduce   free to

roam  family

zoos    companions  

    foodprovided

    extinction

2. Some animals may need to be caged for protection.

Step TwoCage limited space

  pets animals are social

birds flying free

      protection  best

friends   endangered

species   

     reproduce   free to

roam  family

zoos    companions  

    foodprovided

    extinction

3. Many pets do have to be caged at certain times.

Step Three Referring to your main ideas, formulate

your STAND on the topic.

Although it is better if we leave our animal friends alone in nature as far as possible, there are times when caging them is a good idea.

Refer to the Sample Exposition Annotate it

Exposition StructureParagraph What We Call It

Paragraph 1 Introduction

The Introduction has:1. A Hook 2. A clear Stand

Paragraphs between First & Last Paragraphs

Body Paragraph

Within each body paragraph:1. Topic Sentence (which is one main idea)2. Reasons, details, examples to support that

topic sentence

Last Paragraph Conclusion

The conclusion starts with: Restating the stand in a fresh way

Para 1- Introduction

“How would you feel if I put you in a cage?”

is a question an animal rights activist may ask. This

may seem to put a stop to any further discussion

on the topic. However, I feel that although it is

better if we leave our animal friends alone in

nature as far as possible, there are times when

caging them is a good idea, provided we can

ensure their proper care.

Hook

Stand

Body Para 1

No one can question that animals love their

freedom as much as we do. If you need proof, just

look at the swallows and sparrows soaring and

dipping in the fresh morning air. Most animals are

social in nature. The wolves in jungles, the

mynahs in the trees and the fish in the sea enjoy

the company of others of their kind.

Topic Sentence 1

Body Para 1

That being the case, we naturally feel that it is

despicable to lock away an animal in a cage. No

cage can be as big as the space they can romp and

explore in nature. And because cages have limited

space, the caged animal is unlikely to have many

companions. Therefore, we should never take away

the freedom of an animal unless there are very

good reasons.

Body Para 2

Here is one very good reason: animals may need to

be caged for protection. We may not think it is fun for an

animal to be locked away in an enclosure in a zoo and be

gaped at by many human eyes. But zoos do not exist just

for our entertainment. They protect endangered species

and try to help them reproduce in larger numbers.

Wouldn’t it be a pity if beautiful creatures such as pandas,

tigers, cheetahs and rhinoceroses no longer walk the

planet?

Topic Sentence 2

Body Para 2

Even as a cage keeps an animal in, it keeps

danger away. Zoos provide food and medical

care for these animals to ensure they do not die

out. Many endangered animals are able to

reproduce in larger numbers in zoos. This shows

that they feel quite happy and safe in their zoo

homes.

Body Para 3

What is another purpose for keeping animals

in cages? Well, if we feel that having pets is a good

idea, then we have to accept that many pets need

to be caged at certain times. Pets can enrich our

lives in many ways. They can be excellent friends.

If you want a friend who does not argue with you

or reveal your secrets, you may want to get a pet!

Topic Sentence 3

Body Para 3

Since the beginnings of the human civilisation,

animals like dogs, cats, birds and a myriad of

other fascinating animals have been the best

friends of human beings. Often, the cages are

necessary to make it possible for humans and

animals to live together in harmony.

Conclusion

It would be a rare animal who walks willingly

into a cage, because all creatures of the earth

(including humans!) enjoy having plenty of space

to roam and play. But when an endangered animal

can be saved from an unfriendly environment and

be cared for in a zoo, all meals provided, that can

be good news for it.

Stand Restated

Conclusion

Some animals may also actually be just as

happy living with human friends who love them,

feed them and play with them. So we may want

to respond to the animal rights activist, “If that

means I can avoid being eaten for lunch, and

enjoy free lunches the rest of my life, why not?”

Now, choose a topicPlan it on the fresh Planner worksheet.

Next Lesson: Write out the full composition from this plan.