expository essay prompts 5th grade

61 General Expository Essay Topic Ideas to Practice Academic Writing

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Expository essays discuss topics by using facts rather than opinions, requiring students to evaluate and investigate while setting forth their arguments clearly and concisely. Teachers often include expository essays as part of assessments , especially in college-level courses, so students can help themselves succeed by practicing writing these types of essays. When teachers are integrating writing throughout the curriculum, students can use expository essays to demonstrate what they've learned in other courses.

Sample Expository Essay Topics From Students

Tenth-graders wrote the following general expository essay topics. Students can practice writing these topics or use the list to come up with topics of their own. The important thing to remember is that these expository essays are based on facts rather than the writer's beliefs or feelings.

• Explain why you admire a particular person.
• Explain why someone you know should be regarded as a leader.
• Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
• If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
• Explain why you especially enjoy a particular teacher.
• Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
• Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
• Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
• Explain why getting a driver's license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
• Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.
• Explain why you like or don't like working in a team.
• Describe some nonmaterial things that make you happy.
• Explain why some teens commit suicide.
• Explain how music affects your life.
• Explain the impact of different music genres on society.
• Explain why students listen to a particular type of music.
• Explain why some teens skip school.
• Explain the likely consequences of skipping school.
• Describe the likely consequences of doing poorly in school.
• Explain why teens do drugs.
• Describe the likely consequences of selling drugs.
• Describe the likely consequences of taking drugs.
• Explain why teens smoke cigarettes .
• Explain the likely consequences of being kicked out of school.
• Explain the likely consequences of skipping classes.
• Explain the likely consequences of brothers and sisters constantly fighting.
• Explain why teens wear makeup.
• Explain the consequences of having alcohol on the school campus.
• Explain the likely consequences of being sexually active without using protection.
• Explain why some teens' parents do not like to be alone with their child's boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Explain the likely consequences of increasing the time between classes from five to 15 minutes.
• Explain why some teens join gangs.
• Explain the difficulties some teens have once they are in gangs.
• Explain how life for a teenager changes once she has a baby.
• Describe what you feel a boy should do if he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant.
• Explain why you should or should not laugh at embarrassing moments.
• Describe the effects of marijuana.
• Explain the likely consequences of teens becoming sexually active.
• Explain why it is helpful to organize your materials and activities.
• Explain why your schoolwork is important.
• Describe the ways you help out at home.
• Explain the likely consequences of abolishing capital punishment.
• Explain the consequences of adopting a pass/fail grading system.
• Explain the likely consequences of enforcing an 11:00 p.m. curfew.
• Explain the likely consequences of ending forced busing.
• Explain why some teenagers dislike saying the pledge to the flag.
• Explain why some schools don't have open lunch policies.
• Explain why most teenagers are materialistic.
• Explain why some teens get jobs.
• Explain the consequences of having a job while in high school.
• Explain the likely consequences of dropping out of school.
• Describe some productive ways students can spend their leisure time.
• Explain why dealing with their parents' divorce can be difficult for many teens.
• Explain why teens love their parents even when family situations are difficult.
• Describe the things that bring you the greatest happiness.
• Describe three things you would like to change the world and explain why you would change them.
• Explain why you prefer living in an apartment (or house).
• Describe the likely consequences of requiring a childbearing license.
• Describe three objects that symbolize our culture and explain why you selected them.
• Explain why you are interested in a particular career.
• Explain the likely consequences of requiring students to wear school uniforms.
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75 Creative Fifth Grade Writing Prompts (Free Slides!)

Get them excited to write every day!

Fifth grade is such an exciting time! For many kids, it’s the last year of elementary school, and so many exciting things lie ahead. Fifth graders have accumulated some interesting stories to tell by now, and they’re building stronger writing skills. These fifth grade writing prompts encourage kids to imagine, explain, persuade, and reveal—improving their writing abilities day by day.

If you’d like even more upper elementary writing prompts, check out the Would You Rather questions we post regularly on the Daily Classroom Hub . Kids will get a kick out of these, for writing or discussion!

(Want this entire set of fifth grade writing prompts in one easy document? Get your free PDF or Google Slide bundle by submitting your email here .)

1. How important is it to finish what you start?

2. What does it mean to be honest? Give one solid example of what honesty looks like.

3. What three qualities do you think are most important in a friend? Why?

4. Since fifth grade is the top grade in elementary school, should fifth graders get special privileges? If so, write in detail about one privilege you think they should get. If not, why not?

5. Vincent van Gogh said, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Describe one of your favorite places in nature in detail.

6. Are fifth graders old enough to babysit little kids? Why or why not?

7. Write about three qualities that make a good leader.

8. Should teachers assign homework? Why or why not?

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What are your favorite fifth grade writing prompts? Come share your ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, check out 50 fifth grade math word problems of the day ., you might also like.

101 Exciting 4th Grade Writing Prompts for 2023 (Free Printable!)

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45 Expository Writing Prompts

Expository writing exercises help students practice informing or explaining a topic to their readers, without leaning too much on opinions and instead focusing on facts.

Learning how to write an informative essay is a lifelong skill that will carry readers through their entire education. The earlier they refine these skills, the more successful they will be with the practice as their education progresses.

We’ve put together a list of prompts to help students practice their essay-writing skills, covering various topics and interests.

Using These Prompts

These writing prompts can be used as writing exercises in class, or separately as homework assignments. As long as students practice this skill, they’re already on the right track to succeed.

Here are a few ways you can use this writing guide with your class:

• Challenge students to use one writing prompt in their journal every day for a week.
• Have students choose a number between 1 and 45 and use that number to choose their prompt.
• Use these activities for students who finish their work early and need something to do while they wait for others to finish.
• Use these activities if they fall in line with what students are learning in other classes (such as social studies or history).

Expository Writing Prompts

• Explain why it’s important for students to go to school.
• Write an essay about what qualities make someone a good friend.
• Write an essay about the life and habits of an animal that interests you.
• Describe your favorite place to vacation with your family.
• Describe your favorite holiday and why people celebrate it.
• Why is it important to eat healthy foods?
• Write an essay describing a recent local news event.
• Write an essay that explains the importance of good dental hygiene.
• Is it important to read the book before watching the movie? Explain.
• Write an essay that explains how to play your favorite musical instrument.
• Choose a prominent Black person in history, and write an essay explaining why their accomplishments are important.
• Explain the steps of the scientific method.
• Explain why people who are best friends can sometimes still experience conflict.
• Write an essay describing your favorite board game. Why should others play it?
• Write an essay explaining the process of getting ready for school in the morning.
• Explain what it’s like to have siblings or to be an only child.
• Explain why closed captioning is an important accessibility tool.
• What qualities make someone a good teacher?
• Explain the history of your favorite hobby.
• Explain how to send a text message.
• Why is it important for students to follow the rules at school?
• Write an essay that explains your dream job.
• How does technology shape our daily lives?
• Write about how your family deals with difficult situations.
• What does it mean to be a good person?
• Why is regular exercise an important part of a healthy lifestyle?
• Write an essay that defines feminism. Give examples.
• Explain the importance of recycling.
• What are some ways to stay entertained without using technology?
• Describe a book you recently read and loved. Why did you choose it? What was it about? Why did you love it?
• Describe the life cycle of a butterfly.
• Why is it important that students learn how to do math?
• Talk about your favorite music and why you like it.
• Write an essay about the history of your town.
• Define bravery. Provide examples of what it means to be brave.
• Explain what you would do if you were at a large store and couldn’t find your parents.
• Why is it important for students to learn fire safety at school?
• Explain how to add four-digit numbers.
• Describe the characteristics of your favorite planet.
• Think of your role model. Explain why other people should admire them as well.
• What are the harmful effects of too much screen time?
• Explain why it is important to learn how to read.
• Give three examples of how to get back on task when you get distracted.
•  Your class is making a time capsule to be seen in 75 years. Write an essay explaining the one thing you put in that box and why.
• Explain why it is important to help people who are less fortunate than us.

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If you are looking for something specific and can’t find it on our site, reach out and let us know. We’re here to help you help your students succeed!

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65 Expository Prompts for Kids

1. Write about what you think the world will be like in 100 years.

2. We are learning all the time.  Write about something you have learned recently and how it has affected you.

3. You have been asked by your principal to recommend one course which will help you prepare for the job you want in the future.  It could be a course your school is already offering or a new course.  Write an essay to explain to your principal the course you would recommend.  Be sure to give the reasons for your suggestion.

4. Explain the main reasons why you think students drop out of school.

5. Talk about your favorite music and why you like it.

6. Think of your favorite year in school.  Explain why it was your favorite year.

7. Friends are important, but everyone has a different opinion of what makes a good friend.  Explain what, in your opinion, makes a good friend.

8. Some teachers are special.  Without giving any names, explain why one particular teacher in your life was special.

9. If you could change one thing about your school, what would you change?  Explain why.

10. We all get angry at times, but different people react in different ways.  Some people show their anger openly, and some hide it within themselves.  Explain and describe what you do when you get mad.

11. Friends sometimes experience conflicts.  Explain why this happens.

12. If someone were new to your town, explain to him/her the highlights.

13. If you could make changes to your school lunchroom, what would you do?

14. Most people like one particular animal more than others.  Explain why your favorite animal is your favorite animal.

15. Most people remember one day that really was special.  Think about a special day you have had and write an essay explaining why that day was so special.

16. Your generation faces many problems.  Identify one of these problems that you feel is the most important, explain it, and propose some possible solutions to the problem.

17. Much has been written about the negative effects of television on young people.  Are all television shows bad for children?  Write an essay describing a show you feel has a positive impact on today’s teens and explain how the show could be helpful.

18. Rules are important in our daily lives.  We have rules for driving, rules for studying, and even rules for playing.  Think about the rules you have in your school.  What three rules should every school have? Write an essay explaining to the reader the three rules you selected. Give clear reasons why each one is needed.

19. Games are fun and often teach us something as well.  Think about your favorite game.  Write a paper telling about your favorite game. Explain to the reader your reasons for enjoying it.

20. Suppose you have been appointed to a neighborhood improvement committee.  You must make recommendations on ways to make your neighborhood a better place to live.  Think about some changes you would like to make in your neighborhood.  Write an essay to inform your reader of changes you would recommend to improve your neighborhood and why these changes are important.

21. If you could choose any animal for a class pet, what would you choose and why?

22. What is your favorite time of the year?  Explain why this is your favorite time.

23. Everyone has something or someone that is important to him/her. Pick an object, a person, or a feeling that is important to you and explain why it is so important in your life.

24. Eating healthy foods is very important.  Write an essay explaining why it is important to eat healthy foods.

25. Explain why it is important to learn to read.

26. Think back to when you were little and had a favorite toy.  Explain why you liked this particular toy.

27. Everyone has chores to do.  Explain why you do the job or chore you have.

28. If you could be any other person for a day, who would you be?  Explain why you would like to be that person for a day.

29. We are increasingly worried about our environment.  Write an essay explaining about one environmental problem you think is important and  propose some possible solutions to the problem.

30. Suggest one change that you think can make this country better.

31. If you had a time machine and could go to any time in the past or future, where you go?  Explain why you chose that particular time.

32. Everyone has responsibilities.  Write a paper explaining a responsibility you have now or will have in the future and why you shoulder that responsibility.

33. Write an essay explaining whether you prefer a big city or small town in which to live and why you prefer it.

34. Your class is making a box to be seen in 2096.  Write an essay explaining the one thing you put in that box and why.

35. Think of your favorite year in school.  Now write an essay explaining why it was your favorite year.

36. Most adults in this world have a job of some sort.  Think of the ideal job for you when you complete your schooling.  Now, think of some reasons why this would be your ideal job.  Write an essay to explain why this is your ideal job.

37. Schools do not offer all the elective courses (like art and music) that students would like to take.  Think of one elective course you want to take that your school does not offer at this time.  Think of some reasons why you think this course should be offered.  Now, write an essay explaining why you think that this particular elective should be offered in your school.

38. Everyone has a book that he or she enjoyed reading, whether it be a book recently read or one read as a small child.  Think of one book you have read that you really enjoyed.  Maybe it was your favorite book when you were little.  Maybe it’s one you read recently.  Think of some reasons why you liked that book.  Now, write an essay explaining why you really like your favorite book.

39. Many writers, scientists, and politicians have a view of what the world will be like 50 years from now.  What do you think the world will be like by the time you are in your 60’s?  Think of the future and the direction you think the world is headed.  Write an essay explaining what you believe the world will be like 50 years from now.

40. Many students drop out of school before they graduate from high school.  Think of some reasons why you think these students do not finish high school.  Now, write an essay explaining why you think students drop out of school.

Alternative for younger students: Many students do not do their work in school and then later often quit school before they graduate.  Think of some reasons why you think these students do not do their work and get bad grades.  Now, write an essay explaining why you think these students do not work in school and often quit school before graduating.

41.High school English classes require students to read Shakespeare and other classics.  Some students object to this practice.  Think of some reasons why you think the state requires that Shakespeare and the classics be taught in high school English.  Now, write an essay explaining why you think Shakespeare and the classics are required.

Alternative for younger students: In school, students must read classic books that the teacher picks.  Some students do not like to be told what to read.  They would rather pick their own books.  Think of some reasons why your teachers require these classic books that are so famous.  Think of some that your teacher has read to you or that you have read yourself.  Now, write an essay explaining why you think the teachers insist that students read and listen to the famous classics.

42. Imagine that time travel to the past was possible.  Think of where and when you would like to go for a visit.  Write an essay telling where and when you would go in the past and explain why you choose to go there.

43. Imagine that you had no TV or radio for one week.  Think of some activities that you can do instead to keep you busy and out of trouble. Write an essay to explain what you can do to keep occupied in a week of no TV or radio.

Or, alternatively, if your students are having trouble with this type of essay: Imagine that you had no TV or radio for one week.  Think of one activity that you would like to do instead to keep you busy and out of trouble.  Write an essay explaining one activity to replace the TV and radio for that week.

44. Teenagers (children) are faced with many problems today.  School, home, society, peers all complicate your lives.  Think of one problem that really bothers you.  Now, think of some solutions to that problem that might make it easier to bear.  Write an essay offering solutions to your worst problem.

45. Many teenagers (children) complain that adults expect too much of them.  Many adults think that teenagers (children) do not help out enough at home, at school, or in society doing volunteer work.  What do you think?  Do adults expect too much of you?  Think of some reasons to support your answer.  Now, write an essay explaining whether or not you think adults expect too much of you.

46. Each year many teenagers are killed by driving under the influence of alcohol or by being in a car driven by another teen who has had too much alcohol.  How can the number of alcohol-related deaths be reduced?  Think of some solutions you and your friends could implement to solve this problem.  What do you think would work to reduce the deaths?  Now, write an essay proposing some solutions to help stop teenagers from risking their lives and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Alternative for younger students: Each year many teenagers are killed by driving under the influence of alcohol or by being in a car driven by another teen who has had too much alcohol. Think of what you and your friends, as younger persons who cannot yet drive, can do to keep your older brothers and sisters and friends from drinking and driving when drunk.  Write an essay explaining your ideas to keep these teens out of the car if they drink.

47. Pollution, excessive garbage, toxic and industrial waste, using up nonreplaceable resources are all problems facing our environment.  Think of one particular environmental problem that you believe could be solved.  Now think of some possible solutions to that problem.  Write an essay proposing and explaining your solutions to the environmental problem you chose.

48. We all have a place where we can imagine or go where we relax, let our troubles disappear, and have a good time.  For some it is a place far away, and for others it is a place close to home.  Think of your favorite place where you can feel an escape from the hassles of your world, a place you love to be, your favorite place.  Now, write an essay explaining why this place is your favorite.

49. Everyone has something they do to relax and have fun.  Some like to read; others prefer sports; still others like to chat with friends. What is your favorite thing to do to relax and have fun?  Think of why  you enjoy this activity so much.  Now, write an essay explaining why your favorite activity is your preferred way to relax and have fun.

50. In the past few years, there have been more and more incidents of violence reported on school campuses.  In fact, there have been many reports of violence even at the kindergarten level!  What do you think is the cause of this rise in violence?  Think of some possible reasons. Write an essay explaining why you think there have been more incidents of violence in schools in recent years.

51. By the time we reach high school, at least one teacher has made an impact in our lives.  Think of a teacher you have had who influenced you and really helped you to learn and to mature.  Think of some reasons why this teacher made such a positive impact on your life. Now, without mentioning the teacher’s name (use Mr. or Ms. X),explain why this teacher has had such a positive influence in your life.

52. Many kids hear their parents and grandparents talk about “the good old days.”  Is this just a figment (imaginary thought) in older people’s minds as they remember their youth?  Was life really better twenty or forty years ago?  What do you think of this statement?  Is life for teens harder now or when your parents and grandparents were young? Now, write an essay explaining your answer to this question.

53. Philosophers have written books and books about the meaning of life. Each one is different.  What is your philosophy of life?  What is life all about?  Decide what you think are the most important elements that make us human, that are the ideas (philosophies) of the way you run your life.  Write an essay explaining your philosophy of life.

Alternative for younger students: There are many books that talk about the meaning of life.  Your teacher talks about living a “good” life.  What do you think are the most important things to remember to follow in the years to come?  What do you think are the most important things to do in your life that will lead to your happiness? Now, write an essay explaining what will make life good and meaningful for you.

54. We all have different personalities, different ways of dealing with life, different points of view.  What are the main elements of your personality?  What kind of a person are you?  What are you really like inside?  Write an essay explaining your personality to your reader.

55. Life is filled with conflicts, conflicts of interest, conflicts of opinion, conflicts of life styles, etc.  Most good novels have some sort of conflict in them to add to the interest.  Resolving that conflict is what the novel is about.  Think about some of the conflicts in your life. Now think how you resolve those conflicts.  Write an essay to explain how you usually resolve conflicts.  What is your method?

56. Everyone, no matter how young, has a year in his or her life that was not so good.  Think of the worst year of your life.  Think of reasons why it was your worst year.  Write an essay  explaining why that particular year was the worst year of your life. (Or conversely)

57. Your school (the United States, your state, etc.) is not perfect.  No matter how good something is, there are always ways to make it better.  Think of one problem your school (the United States, your state, etc.) has that might be improved with some clever plans.  Now, think of some solutions, some ways to make that improvement.  Write an essay explaining your solutions to the problem.

58. Imagine that going to the future was possible.  Think how far ahead into the future you would like to visit.  Think about your reasons why you would like to choose that particular time.  Write an essay telling how far into the future you would like to go and explain why you chose that particular time.

59. When we are young, we play games—board games, imaginary games, sports games.  Think of some reasons why you really liked this game. Now, write an essay explaining why this game was your favorite as a younger child.

60. Medical studies have shown that exercise is a necessary part of our daily routine.  What do you think?  Do you exercise?  Think about some reasons why you exercise.  Exercising is important.  Write an essay why it is important to exercise regularly.

61. We consider certain people (real or made up) to be our heroes.  Think about a real or made-up person and why he or she is your hero.  Now write an essay explaining why that person is your hero.

62. Imagine if you could do anything you wanted for an entire week.  Pick one thing you would like to do that week of freedom.  Now write an essay to explain why you chose to do that one thing in a week in which you could have done anything you wanted.

63. You have been told for years by your parents and teachers to eat healthy foods instead of junk food.  Think of some reasons why eating healthy foods is important.  Now write an essay explaining why eating healthy foods is important.

64. At school, at work, and at play we have to work in teams in order to achieve our goals.  Think of some attributes that make a good team player whether it be in a sport, at work, or at school when working in groups.  Now write an essay to explain what makes a person a good team player.

65. Your parents and teachers insist that respect for others is very important.  Think of some reasons why this might be important.  Now write an essay explaining why respect for other people is important.

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11 thoughts on “ 65 Expository Prompts for Kids ”

Thank you but i would do something more fun for a little one.

these are fun

I think this is pretty helpful

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

28 Expository Writing Prompts for Middle School

October 12, 2014 in  Pedagogy

The ability to provide information in different contexts is essential to effective communication. Students must practice expository writing throughout their academic careers. The sooner they start, the better. Below are some descriptive, sequential, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem/solution writing prompts to help you give your students the practice they need.

Descriptive

• Write an essay describing your school to a potentially new student.
• Write an essay describing the appeal of reality TV shows.
• Write an essay describing a rainy night.
• Write an essay describing your first pet.
• Write an essay describing your first memory.
• It’s Christmas morning and there is a package under the tree containing exactly what you requested. Describe the contents of your package..
• Write an essay describing how you feel when you wake up and discover snow on the ground outside — and school has been cancelled.
• Writing an essay explaining the process you use to style your hair in the morning.
• You have invited your two best friends to spend the afternoon at your home. Write an essay telling how your prepare for their visit.
• Everyone has lost something at one time or another. Write an essay telling what you did to find what you had lost.
• Describe how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
• Tell how you wash your hair.
• Describe the plot of your favorite book.

Compare and Contrast

• Write an essay comparing and contrasting ownership of cats and dogs.
• Compare and contrast this year in school to last year.
• Compare and contrast your two favorite characters.
• Compare and contrast your family’s home and the home of your dreams.
• Compare and contrast a typical day in your life today and what you think a typical day in your life will be like when you are 25.
• Compare and contrast your two favorite teachers.

Cause and Effect

• Write an essay telling how peer pressure has affected you this year.
• Write an essay explaining what causes students to drop out of high school.
• Discuss the causes and effects of bullying in schools.
• Discuss the causes and effects of poverty in rural (urban) areas.
• Discuss the causes and effects of drug or alcohol use on families.

Problem/Solution

• Most students do not read or watch news, resulting in a lack of knowledge about the world outside of their immediate neighborhood. Write an essay describing why this is a problem and telling how this problem might be solved.
• Think about the community in which you live. What could you do to make it a better place? Choose one problem that needs to be solved to make your community a better place to live. Write a letter to the editor describing how solving this problem would make your community a better place, and tell what you would do. Give reasons why you think your plan would work.
• Think about what you could do to make your school more beautiful. Think about how you would do this. How could you persuade the people in your school that your idea is a good one? Write a letter to the principal of your school asking for support for your plan for making your school more beautiful. Tell what you would do and how you would do it. Explain why you think your plan is important and why it would work.
• Think about animal abuse. Some people abuse animals by being intentionally cruel to them or neglecting their basic needs; others abuse animals out of ignorance. Think about what could be done to prevent both kinds of animal abuse. Write a letter to leaders in your community describing how you would solve this problem, and how treating animals better would improve the lives of animals and people. Explain why you think your plan will work.

Related topics: Informative Writing , Quickwriting

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

• Pingback: Writing in the Middle School-Thoughts and Ideas | Teachers Pondering

the prompt should be harder,and including a think about and quote.

Thank you very much for your input, Amelia!

this info is very helpful and all but right now at school (i am in middle school) i have to write an expisitory essay on any topic i am really having trouble finding a topic but it has to be something u can argue like for example: football: people think it is a dangerous sport but the rules have changed more saftey… yeah stuff like that something u can argue ur opinion and so far i have nothing i was really hoping this would help but no but thx anyways i am gonna go to another website but in the future this could really help thx!!!!

But it makes your teacher happy to know what your input is for example what your input is about bullying and drugs.

Thank you so much for this. I need to give my 8th-grader, reluctant writer, some options for what he writes as practice on spring break. This is a great list. I added one about describing the appeal of the YouTube videos he watches, and another about the cause-and-effect of DOnald Trump’s candidacy, since my son is very interested in Trump.

Thank you this helped a lot when I didn’t know what to write for my essay.

I really like this website because i like writing essays for practice and these are a little difficult but It is good for it to be a little diffcult because it is more challenging.

These are great! I will be using these suggestions with my 6th graders! I love expository writing!!!! 🙂

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How to Write Excellent Expository Essays

WHAT IS AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY?

An Expository essay ‘exposes’ information to the reader to describe or explain a particular topic logically and concisely.

The purpose of expository writing is to educate or inform the reader first and foremost.

Though the term is sometimes used to include persuasive writing , which exposes us to new ways of thinking, a true expository text does not allow the writer’s personal opinion to intrude into the text and should not be confused.

Expository Writing follows a structured format with an introduction, body paragraphs presenting information and examples, and a conclusion summarising key points and reinforcing the thesis. Common expository essays include process, comparison/contrast, cause and effect, and informative essays.

EXPOSITORY ESSAY STRUCTURE

TEXT ORGANIZATION Organize your thoughts before writing.

CLARITY Use clear and concise wording. There is no room for banter.

THESIS STATEMENT State position in direct terms.

TOPIC SENTENCE Open each paragraph with a topic sentence.

SUPPORTING DETAIL Support the topic sentence with further explanation and evidence.

LINK End each body paragraph by linking to the next.

EXPOSITORY ESSAY TYPES

PROCESS Tell your audience how to achieve something, such as how to bake a cake.

CAUSE & EFFECT Explore relationships between subjects, such as climate change and its impact.

PROBLEM & SOLUTION Explain how to solve a problem, such as improving physical fitness.

COMPARE & CONTRAST Compare and contrast two or more items, such as life in China life vs life in the United States or Australia.

DEFINITION Provides a detailed definition of a word or phrase, such as self-confidence.

CLASSIFICATION Organizes things into categories or groups, such as types of music.

STRUCTURE & FEATURES OF EXPOSITORY WRITING

While there are many types of expository essays, the basic underlying structure is the same. The Hamburger or 5-Paragraph Essay structure is an excellent scaffold for students to build their articles. Let’s explore the expository essay outline.

INTRODUCTION:

This is the top bun of the burger, and here the student introduces the exposition topic. This usually consists of a general statement on the subject, providing an essay overview. It may also preview each significant section, indicating what aspects of the subject will be covered in the text. These sections will likely relate to the headings and subheadings identified at the planning stage.

If the introduction is the top bun of the burger, then each body paragraph is a beef patty. Self-contained in some regards, each patty forms an integral part of the whole.

EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPHS

Each body paragraph deals with one idea or piece of information. More complex topics may be grouped under a common heading, and the number of paragraphs will depend on the complexity of the topic. For example, an expository text on wolves may include a series of paragraphs under headings such as habitat, breeding habits, what they eat, etc.

Each paragraph should open with a topic sentence indicating to the reader what the paragraph is about. The following sentences should further illuminate this main idea through discussion and/or explanation. Encourage students to use evidence and examples here, whether statistical or anecdotal. Remind students to keep things factual – this is not an editorial piece for a newspaper!

Expository writing is usually not the place for flowery flourishes of figurative imagery! Students should be encouraged to select a straightforward language that is easy for the reader to understand. After all, the aim here is to inform and explain, and this is best achieved with explicit language.

As we’ve seen, several variations of the expository essay exist, but the following are the most common features students must include.

The title should be functional. It should instantly inform the reader what they will learn about in the text. This is not the place for opaque poetry!

A table of contents in long essays will help the reader locate helpful information quickly. Usually, the page numbers found here will be linked to headings and subheadings to be found in the text.

HEADINGS / SUBHEADINGS:

These assist the reader in finding information by summarizing the content in their wording.

Usually listed alphabetically, the glossary defines unusual or topic-specific vocabulary and is sometimes accompanied by pictures, illustrations etc.

The index lets the reader identify where to find specific information in longer texts. An index is much more detailed than a table of contents.

VISUAL FORMS OF INFORMATION

Expository essays sometimes support the text with visuals, such as:

• Pictures / Illustrations / Photographs:

These can be used to present a central idea or concept within the text and are often accompanied by a caption explaining what the image shows. Photographs can offer a broad overview or a close-up of essential details.

Diagrams are a great way to convey complex information quickly. They should be labelled clearly to ensure the reader knows what they are looking at.

• Charts and Graphs:

These are extremely useful for showing data and statistics in an easy-to-read manner. They should be labelled clearly and correspond to the information in the nearby text.

Maps may be used to explain where something is or was located. 

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Types of expository essay

There are many different types of expository texts (e.g. encyclopaedias, travel guides, information reports , etc.), but there are also various expository essays, with the most common being.

• Process Essays
• Cause and Effect Essays
• Problem and Solution Essays
• Compare and Contrast Essays
• Definition Essays
• Classification Essays

We will examine each of these in greater detail in the remainder of this article, as they have slight nuances and differences that make them unique. The graphic below explains the general structure for all text types from the expository writing family.

THE PROCESS ESSAY

This how-to essay often takes the form of a set of instructions. Also known as a procedural text , the process essay has very specific features that guide the reader on how to do or make something.

To learn more about this type of writing, check out our information-packed article here .

Features of a process essay

Some of the main features of the process essay include:

• ‘How to’ title
• Numbered or bullet points
• Time connectives
• Imperatives (bossy words)
• List of resources

Example Expository Process Essay:

The cause and effect essay.

The purpose of a cause-and-effect essay is to explore the causal relationships between things. Essays like this often bring the focus back to a single cause. These essays frequently have a historical focus.

The text should focus on facts rather than assumptions as an expository essay. However, cause-and-effect essays sometimes explore hypothetical situations too.

There are two main ways to structure a cause-and-effect essay.

The Block Structure presents all the causes first. The writer then focuses on the effects of these causes in the second half of the essay.

The Chain Structure presents each cause and then immediately follows with the effects it created.

Example Expository Cause and Effect Essay:

The problem and solution essay.

In this type of essay, the writer first identifies a problem and then explores the topic from various angles to ultimately propose a solution. It is similar to the cause-and-effect essay.

While the problem and solution essay can use the block and chain structures as outlined above – substitute cause with problem and effect with a solution – it will also usually work through the following elements:

• Identifies a problem
• Contains a clear thesis statement
• Each paragraph has a topic sentence
• Supports with facts, examples, evidence
• The conclusion summarizes the main points

Suggested Title: What Can Be Done to Prevent Bullying in Schools?

Example Expository Problem and Solution Essay:

The compare and contrast essay.

In this type of essay, students evaluate the similarities and differences between two or more things, ideas, people, etc. Usually, the subjects will belong to the same category.

The compare-and-contrast expository essay can be organized in several different ways. Three of these are outlined below.

In the three structures outlined, it is assumed that two subjects are being compared and contrasted. Of course, the precise number of paragraphs required in the text will depend on the number of points the student wishes to make and the number of subjects being compared and contrasted.

Suggested Title: In-Class or Remote Learning: Which Is Best?

DEFINITION ESSAYS

This type of essay provides a detailed description and definition of a word or phrase. It can be a concrete term, such as car or glass, or a more abstract concept, such as love or fear .

A definition essay comprehensively explains a term’s purpose and meaning. It will frequently contain some or all of the following elements:

• A definition of the term
• An analysis of its meaning
• The etymology of the term
• A comparison to related terms
• Examples to illustrate the meaning
• A summary of the main points

Example Expository Definition Essay:

CLASSIFICATION ESSAYS

Like definition essays, a classification essay sorts or organizes things into various groups or categories and explains each group or category in detail.

Classification essays focus on:

• Sorting things into functional categories
• Ensuring each category follows a common organizing principle
• Provides examples that illustrate each category.

Example Expository Classification Essay:

One of the best ways to understand the different features of expository essays is to see them in action. The sample essay below is a definition essay but shares many features with other expository essays.

EXPOSITORY WRITING PROMPTS

Examples of Expository Essay Titles

 Expository essay prompts are usually pretty easy to spot.

 They typically contain keywords that ask the student to explain something, such as “define,” “outline,” “describe,” or, most directly of all, “explain.”

 This article will examine the purpose of an expository essay and its structure. It will also examine the primary language and stylistic features of this vital text type.

 After this, we’ll explore five distinct tips for helping your students get the most out of writing their expository essays.

Expository Essays vs Argumentative Essays

 Expository essays are often confused with their close cousin, the argumentative essay. Still, it’s easy to help students distinguish between the two by quickly examining their similarities and differences.

 In an expository essay, students will attempt to write about a thing or a concept neutrally and objectively, unlike an argumentative essay where the writer’s opinions permeate the text throughout. Simple as it sounds, this may take some doing for some students as it requires the writer to refine their personal voice almost out of existence!

 Luckily, choosing the correct viewpoint from which to write the essay can go a long way to helping students achieve the desired objectivity. Generally, students should write their expository essays from the third-person perspective.

Contrastingly, argumentative essays are subjective in nature and will usually be written from the first-person perspective as a result.

 In an expository essay, the text’s prime focus is the topic rather than the writer’s feelings on that topic. For the writer, disassociating their personal feelings on a topic is much easier when they’re a step removed from the narration by using the third-person POV rather than the first-person POV.

Expository Essay Tips

Follow these top tips from the experts to craft an amazing expository essay.

 Tip #1: Choose the Right Tool for the Job

Surprising as it may seem, not all expository essays are created equal.

 In fact, there are several different types of expository essays, and our students must learn to recognize each and choose the correct one for their specific needs when producing their own expository essays.

 To do this, students will need to know the 5 types of expository essays:

• The Cause and Effect Essay : This type of essay requires that the writer explain why something happened and what occurred due to that event and subsequent events. It explores the relationship between people, ideas, events, or things and other people, ideas, events, or things.
• The Compare and Contrast Essay: In a compare and contrast essay, the writer examines the similarities and differences between two subjects or ideas throughout the body of the piece and usually brings things together in an analysis at the end .
• The Descriptive Essay: This is a very straightforward expository essay with a detailed description or explanation of a topic. The topic may be an event, place, person, object, or experience. This essay’s direct style is balanced with the freedom of the writer can inject some of their creativity into the description.
• The Problem and Solution Essay : In this expository essay, the student will work to find valid solutions to a specific problem or problem.
• The Process Essay : Also called a how-to essay, this essay type is similar to instruction writing, except in essay form. It provides a step-by-step procedure breakdown to teach the reader how to do something.

 When choosing a specific topic to write about, students should consider several factors:

 ●      Do they know the topic well enough to explain the ins and outs of the subject to an unfamiliar audience?

 ●      Do they have enough interest in this topic to sustain thorough research and writing about it?

 ●      Is enough relevant information and credible sources available to fuel the student’s writing on this topic?

Tip # 2: Research the Topic Thoroughly

Regardless of which type of expository essay your students are working on, they must approach the research stage of the writing process with diligence and focus. The more thorough they are at the research stage, the smoother the remainder of the writing process will be.

A common problem for students while researching is that sometimes they don’t have a clear understanding of the objective of their research. They lack a clear focus on their efforts.

Research is not mindlessly scanning documents and scrawling occasional notes. As with any part of the writing process, it begins with determining clear objectives.

Often, students will start the research process with a broad focus, and as they continue researching, they will naturally narrow their focus as they learn more about the topic.

Take the time to help students understand that writing isn’t only about expressing what we think; it’s also about discovering what we think.

When researching, students should direct their efforts to the following:

• Gather Supporting Evidence : The research process is not only for uncovering the points to be made within the essay but also the evidence to support those points. The aim here is to provide an objective description or analysis of the topic; therefore, the student will need to gather relevant supporting evidence, such as facts and statistics, to bolster their writing. Usually, each paragraph will open with a topic sentence, and subsequent sentences in the paragraph will focus on providing a factual, statistical, and logical analysis of the paragraph’s main point.
• Cite Sources : It’s an essential academic skill to be able to cite sources accurately. There are several accepted methods of doing this, and you must choose a citation style appropriate to your student’s age, abilities, and context. However, whatever style you choose, students should get used to citing any sources they use in their essays, either in the form of embedded quotations, endnotes, or bibliography – or all three!
• Use Credible Sources: The Internet has profoundly impacted knowledge sharing as the Gutenberg Press did almost 600 years ago. It has provided unparalleled access to the sum total of human knowledge as never before, with each student having a dizzying number of sources available at their fingertips. However, we must ensure our students understand that not all sources are created equal. Encourage students to seek credible sources in their research and filter out the more dubious sources. Some questions students can ask themselves to help determine a source’s credibility include:

●      Have I searched thoroughly enough to find the most relevant sources for my topic?

●      Has this source been published recently? Is it still relevant?

●      Has the source been peer-reviewed? Have other sources confirmed this source?

●      What is the publication’s reputation?

●      Is the author an expert in their field?

●      Is the source fact-based or opinion-based?

Tip #3: Sketch an Outline

Every kid knows you can’t find the pirate treasure without a map, which is true of essay writing. Using their knowledge of the essay’s structure, students start whipping their research notes into shape by creating an outline for their essay.

The 5-paragraph essay or ‘Hamburger’ essay provides a perfect template for this.

Students start by mapping out an appealing introduction built around the main idea of their essay. Then, from their mound of research, they’ll extract their most vital ideas to assign to the various body paragraphs of their text.

Finally, they’ll sketch out their conclusion, summarize their essay’s main points, and, where appropriate, make their final statement on the topic.

Tip #4: Write a Draft

Title chosen? Check! Topic researched? Check! Outline sketched? Check!

Well, then, it’s time for the student to begin writing in earnest by completing the first draft of their essay.

They’ll already have a clear idea of the shape their essay will take from their research and outlining processes, but ensure your students allow themselves some leeway to adapt as the writing process throws up new ideas and problems.

That said, students will find it helpful to refer back to their thesis statement and outline to help ensure they stay on track as they work their way through the writing process towards their conclusions.

As students work through their drafts, encourage them to use transition words and phrases to help them move smoothly through the different sections of their essays.

Sometimes, students work directly from an outline as if on a checklist. This can sometimes be seen as the finished essay resembling Frankenstein. That is an incongruous series of disparate body parts crudely stitched together.

Learning to use transitions effectively will help students create an essay that is all of a whole, with all the joins and seams sanded and smoothed from view.

Tip #5: Edit with a Fresh Pair of Eyes

Once the draft is complete, students enter the final crucial editing stage.

But, not so hasty! Students must pencil in some time to let their drafts ‘rest’. If the editing process occurs immediately after the student finishes writing their draft, they’ll likely overlook much.

Editing is best done when students have time to gain a fresh perspective on their work. Ideally, this means leaving the essay overnight or over a few nights. However, practically, this isn’t always possible. Usually, though, it will be possible for students to put aside their writing for a few hours.

With the perspective that only time gives, when returning to their work, students can identify areas for improvement that they may have missed. Some important areas for students to look at in the editing process include:

• Bias : Students need to remember the purpose of this essay is to present a balanced and objective description of the topic. They need to ensure they haven’t let their own personal bias slip through during the writing process – an all too easy thing to do!
• Clarity : Clarity is as much a function of structure as language. Students must ensure their paragraphs are well organized and express their ideas clearly. Where necessary, some restructuring and rewriting may be required.
• Proofread: With stylistic and structural matters taken care of, it’s now time for the student to shift their focus onto matters of spelling , vocabulary choice, grammar, and punctuation. This final proofread represents the last run-through of the editing process. It’s the students’ final chance to catch mistakes and errors that may bias the assessor (aka You! ) against the effectiveness of the piece of writing. Where the text has been word-processed, the student can enlist inbuilt spelling and grammar checkers to help. Still, they should also take the time to go through each line word by word. Automatic checkers are a helpful tool, but they are a long way from infallible, and the final judgement on a text should employ the writer’s own judgement.

Expository essays are relatively straightforward pieces of writing. By following the guidelines mentioned above and practising them regularly, students can learn to produce well-written expository essays quickly and competently.

Explaining and describing events and processes objectively and clearly is a useful skill that students can add to their repertoire. Although it may seem challenging at first, with practice, it will become natural.

To write a good expository essay, students need a good understanding of its basic features and a firm grasp of the hamburger essay structure. As with any writing genre, prewriting is essential, particularly for expository writing.

Since expository writing is designed primarily to inform the reader, sound research and note-taking are essential for students to produce a well-written text. Developing these critical skills is an excellent opportunity for students through expository writing, which will be helpful to them as they continue their education.

Redrafting and editing are also crucial for producing a well-written expository essay. Students should double-check facts and statistics, and the language should be edited tightly for concision.

And, while grading their efforts, we might even learn a thing or two ourselves!

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Expository Writing Passages and Prompts with Lexile Levels – 4th & 5th Grade

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Expository Writing Passages and Prompts – 4th & 5th Grade

⭐ This expository writing passages and prompts unit contains five sets of original Lexile leveled passages with corresponding expository prompts. Printable PDF & Digital Google Slides versions make this resource perfect for classroom and distance learning. Leveled specifically for 4th & 5th grade, students use the passages and corresponding prompts to write their own reports on each topic.

⭐ This unit is perfect for standardized test prep or to be used as an assessment to demonstrate 4th & 5th grade expository writing mastery.

⭐ This resource is aligned to Common Core Standards W.4.2 and W.5.2. If you don’t use Common Core, this resource can still be used to teach and develop expository writing skills. Aligns with many state specific standards like TEAKS and VASOL.

**This resource can be used on its own or alongside my  Report Writing with Google Slides  Unit. Both units are available at a lower price as a  bundle .

✏️   Certified Lexile Levels:  This resource contains 5 sets of certified Lexile leveled passages that students use as resources for their expository report writing. Each passage is specifically crafted to fall within the 4th & 5th grade text complexity band.

✏️   Test Prep Ready:  Writing prompts mimic many standardized test assessments, making this resource perfect for test prep.

✏️   Integrated Assessment:  Included rubric makes self and teacher assessment easy.

✏️   Highly Engaging:  Each topic is selected to be educational and engaging. Original texts and illustrations are crafted specifically for 4th & 5th grade readers.

✏️  Flexible Formats:  Printable and digital versions are perfect for in-person and remote learning. Google Slides version is compatible with Google Classroom and can be downloaded in PowerPoint to integrate with Microsoft Teams.

What’s Included:

1. Passage & Prompt Set 1: (The Sewing Machine)

• Source 1: The Invention of the Sewing Machine
• Source 2: How to Use a Sewing Machine

2. Passage & Prompt Set 2: (Beekeeping)

• Source 1: The Development of the Domesticated Beehive
• Source 2: What Goes on in a Beehive?
• Source 3: Tips for a Wannabe Beekeeper

3. Passage & Prompt Set 3: (The Great Depression)

• Source 1: It Wasn’t Just the Stock Market: Other Causes of the Great Depression
• Source 2: The Great Stock Market Crash: October 29th, 1929
• Source 3: What Happened During the Great Depression?

4. Passage & Prompt Set 4: (Charles Darwin)

• Source 1: Who Was Charles Darwin?
• Source 2: Evolution and Natural Selection, Explained

5. Passage & Prompt Set 5: (Wildfires)

• Source 1: What are Wildfires?
• Source 2: Wildfires: The Serious Consequences
• Source 3: Benefits of Wildfires
• Source 4: Wildfires: Control and Prevention

6. Standards-Based Scoring Rubric

Copyright & Terms of Use

For copyright information and a summary of how this resource can and cannot be used, please review the  Terms of Use Page .

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Expository Essay Prompts for 3rd to 5th-grade Students

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In the journey of nurturing young minds, one pivotal skill stands out as a cornerstone of effective communication and critical thinking – the ability to craft a compelling expository essay. As educators, guiding our 3rd to 5th-grade students through the art of explanatory writing not only fortifies their linguistic abilities but also lays the groundwork for lifelong skills in research, analysis, and self-expression.

This packet includes 20 prompts, a reusable graphic organizer, and a suggested rubric.

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