organizing expository essay

Expository Essay

Complete Guide to Expository Essays: Writing Help and Topics

11 min read

What is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is a type of essay that seeks to inform, describe, or explain a particular subject or topic.

It's distinct in its approach as it emphasizes presenting facts, analyzing information, and providing a comprehensive understanding without incorporating personal opinions or biases.

Why Write an Expository Essay?

The purpose of writing an expository essay extends beyond academic requirements.

This form of writing nurtures the ability to research deeply, logically organize thoughts, and articulate information coherently.

Developing these skills not only enhances academic performance but also prepares individuals for effectively communicating complex ideas in various real-world scenarios.

Expository Essay Vs. Argumentative Essay

Expository and argumentative essays vary in their purposes and approaches.

Expository essays aim to inform or describe a topic without personal opinions, using a neutral, informative tone.

On the other hand, argumentative essays seek to persuade by presenting a clear viewpoint and supporting it with evidence.

Expository essays follow a simpler structure, providing information, while argumentative essays involve complex structures, presenting and countering arguments. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right essay type for specific writing goals.

Types of Expository Essay

Before we dive into the different types of expository essays, let's check out five common ones:

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays aim to create a detailed image or sensory experience in the reader's mind by vividly describing a particular place, object, person, or event.

They use rich language and sensory details to paint a clear picture and evoke emotions, making the reader feel like they're experiencing what's being described.

Process Analysis Essays

In a process analysis essay , the writer breaks down a series of steps needed to achieve a specific task or goal.

They provide a clear, step-by-step guide, making complex tasks easy to understand. For example, they might explain how to bake a cake, fix a bicycle, or perform a scientific experiment.

Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays focus on exploring the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.

They present a balanced view, showing how things are alike and how they're different. Whether it's comparing different cultures, products, historical events, or ideas, these essays aim to offer insights into relationships and contrasts.

Cause and Effect Essays

Cause and effect essays delve into examining the causes that lead to specific effects or the effects that arise from certain causes.

They analyze the relationship between events, explaining why things happen and what outcomes result from those actions or occurrences. They aim to provide a clear understanding of the connections between different elements.

Problem and Solution Essays

Focused on a specific issue, problem and solution essays identify a problem, its causes, and effects, and propose solutions to address and resolve the problem.

They aim to offer practical, effective solutions to real-life issues, providing a roadmap for solving problems or improving situations.

Structure of an Expository Essay

An expository essay typically comprises three main parts: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Here's what the general structure of an expository essay looks like:

Introduction

The introduction of an expository essay is where the writer presents the topic, provides background information, and ends with a clear thesis statement .

This section aims to grab the reader's attention and set the stage for the discussion that follows.

Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay contains a series of paragraphs that delve deeper into the topic.

Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea or argument.

These paragraphs present evidence, examples, or explanations supporting the thesis statement. Smooth transitions between paragraphs ensure a coherent flow of information.

The conclusion of an expository essay restates the thesis statement using different wording. It summarizes the key points discussed in the body paragraphs.

Finally, it offers a sense of closure, wrapping up the essay's main ideas. It's not just a repetition of earlier information but rather a synthesis of the key points to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

How to Write an Expository Essay?

Writing an expository essay involves a step-by-step process to effectively communicate information. Here's a guide to crafting an expository essay:

Select a Topic

When selecting a topic for an expository essay, it's crucial to choose something that's not only interesting but also suitable for an informative discussion.

Consider the following pointers while choosing an expository essay topic:

Select a topic that personally interests you.
Choose a topic that can be explained within the essay's scope
Choose subjects allowing for an objective, fact-based analysis.
Consider prevalent issues or areas of curiosity for discussion.

Conduct Research

When researching for your expository essay, explore diverse and credible sources like books, scholarly articles, and reputable websites.

Ensure the information gathered directly relates to your topic and is from reliable sources. Verify the credibility by checking the author's credentials and publication dates.

Consider various perspectives to present a well-rounded view. Organize your findings systematically, keeping detailed notes for citation. This approach helps in crafting a well-informed and supported expository essay.

Create an Outline

Develop a structured outline for your essay. Organize your thoughts, decide on the main points, and arrange them logically.

Here's what the general structure of an expository essay looks like:

This outline template provides a clear structure, allowing for a well-organized and coherent expository essay.

View this in-depth guide on creating an expository essay outline for a structured essay!

Write The Introduction

The introduction of an expository essay plays a pivotal role in engaging the reader and setting the stage for the discussion. Here are the essential components:

Engaging Hook : Begin your essay with a captivating fact, question, quote, or story related to the topic to captivate the reader's attention and encourage them to continue reading.
Background Context: Offer essential background information about the topic, providing the necessary context for the reader to understand its relevance and importance.
Clear Thesis Statement: End the introduction with a clear thesis statement. It should express the main idea or argument of your essay. This statement helps guide the reader, indicating the purpose and direction of your essay.

Compose Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs serve as the essay's core.

Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence introducing the main idea. Back up this idea with evidence or examples to support your point.

Make sure each paragraph smoothly connects to the next for a logical flow of ideas. This structured approach ensures a coherent and well-supported discussion throughout your expository essay.

Write the Conclusion

In the conclusion of your expository essay, recap the main points without introducing new information.

Restate the thesis in different words to reinforce the main argument. Additionally, offer closing thoughts or discuss the broader implications related to the topic. This section serves as a summary, emphasizing the significance of the essay's ideas and their broader relevance.

Revise and Edit

Revision and editing are crucial steps in the essay writing process.

Review the content for coherence and logical flow, ensure the essay structure is smooth and well-organized, and focus on clear, concise language.

Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, verify citations, and seek feedback for improvements. Finally, perform a final proofread to ensure the essay is error-free and polished for submission.

Expository Essay Example

Below is an example illustrating the concept of climate change and its effects, exploring the causes, impacts, and potential solutions.

This essay serves as a basic example of how an expository essay on climate change might be structured, offering insights into its causes, effects, and potential solutions.

Need more examples? Check out these expertly crafted expository essay examples on multiple topics and themes!

Tips for Writing a Good Expository Essay

Here are some tips for writing a good expository essay:

Ensure the essay has a clear and narrowly defined topic for effective exploration.
Present facts, statistics, and evidence without incorporating personal opinions or biases.
Utilize a well-structured format with logical sequencing of ideas and paragraphs.
Provide detailed and comprehensive explanations to support each point or idea.
Use diverse and relevant examples to illustrate and reinforce key points.
Present information in a concise and easily understandable manner, avoiding unnecessary details.
Use transitional words and phrases for seamless connections between paragraphs and ideas.
Make sure that all information presented is relevant and sourced from credible, reputable materials.

Expository Essay Topics

Expository essay topics typically revolve around subjects that can be explained, clarified, or described without personal opinions.

They cover a wide array of areas such as science, technology, education, health, social issues, historical events, and more. These topics should allow for in-depth exploration and factual analysis.

Here are some essay topics for students:

Expository Essay Topics for High School Students

The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers
Benefits of Exercise and Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Exploring Climate Change: Causes and Effects
The Importance of Education in Today's Society
Understanding Cyberbullying and its Impact
Analyzing a Historical Event: The Civil Rights Movement
The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning
Explaining the Process of Photosynthesis
The Effects of Video Games on Adolescents
The Role of Leadership in Problem Solving

Expository Essay Topics for University Students

The Future of Artificial Intelligence and its Ethical Implications
Analyzing the Impact of Globalization on World Economies
Climate Change: Policy Interventions and Global Strategies
The Psychology Behind Procrastination and Ways to Overcome It
Exploring Renewable Energy Sources and Their Viability
The Evolution of Social Media and its Societal Impact
Gender Disparities in the Workplace: Causes and Solutions
The Effects of Stress on Mental Health in Modern Society
Analyzing the Influence of Cultural Diversity in Global Business
Understanding Quantum Mechanics: Principles and Applications

Can’t pick a topic? Have a look at these extensive expository essay topics and get more ideas!

With our steps, tips, and topics, you have all you need to get started on your expository essay.

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Our proficient writers specialize in creating well-structured, informative expository essays. With our expert support, you can be sure you’ll receive a top-quality, plagiarism-free essay.

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How to Write an Expository Essay: Writing Tips & Structure

Have you ever been tasked with writing an expository essay and found yourself struggling to convey information clearly and concisely? Expository essays are a unique form of academic writing, requiring a neutral stance and factual evidence to educate the reader on a specific topic.

In this step-by-step guide on how to write an expository essay, we’ll delve into the intricacies of crafting a compelling expository essay, from brainstorming to polishing the final draft. Prepare to embark on a journey to enhance your writing skills and master the art of expository writing.

Table of Contents

Expository Essay Writing: Key Takeaways

Expository essays are structured academic writing that analyze a given topic objectively.
This guide provides a comprehensive approach to crafting an expository essay, from idea generation and research through outlining, drafting, refining and polishing techniques.
The structure of the essay should include a precise thesis statement with evidence-based body paragraphs and transition words for coherence.

The Essence of Expository Essays

Expository essays are a type of structured academic writing that utilizes factual evidence to analyze or investigate a designated topic. Different from descriptive essays and personal opinion pieces, expository writing focuses on providing the reader with information about a given topic, maintaining a neutral stance. This objective description is crucial in academic settings, where expository essays are often assigned as a means of assessment and featured in various exam formats.

To write a good expository essay, it is important to select an engaging topic and articulate a precise, well-informed thesis statement. Examining expository essay examples can offer valuable insights into constructing a well-organized, informative essay. Remember, creativity and artistry can still be incorporated into expository writing, so don’t let the formulaic nature of such essays discourage you from developing a captivating piece.

Crafting an Effective Expository Essay Outline

An effective expository essay outline is crucial for organizing your thoughts and research, as it serves as the foundation of your essay. The basic structure of an expository essay comprises an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The more comprehensive your outline is, the less time you’ll need to spend on research and writing, ultimately making the writing process more efficient.

There is no specific length for an expository essay; however, it should be sufficient to effectively articulate the thesis statement. Typically, a five-paragraph essay is a common approach, with an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. By crafting a detailed outline, you can ensure that each section of your essay supports and builds upon your thesis statement, resulting in a cohesive and well-structured piece.

The Writing Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of expository essays and the importance of outline, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to writing an expository essay.

This guide will cover idea generation, research, outlining, drafting, refining, and polishing, providing a comprehensive approach to crafting a compelling expository essay, including problem and solution essay techniques.

Generating Ideas and Researching

The first step to write an expository essay is brainstorming potential expository essay topics. Consider the topics discussed in class, anticipate what your teacher might expect, and choose something that genuinely interests you. This will ensure that you are engaged in the writing process and motivated to create a captivating essay. After narrowing down your options, conduct research on each topic to determine if reliable sources are easily accessible and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Once you have gathered sufficient information, it’s time to analyze your research and select an expository essay topic that best suits your interests and meets your instructor’s guidelines. Keep in mind that your chosen topic should be able to provide enough factual evidence to support your thesis statement, as this will be the core of your essay. By selecting a strong, engaging topic, you set the foundation for a successful expository essay.

Organizing Thoughts with an Outline

Creating an outline is essential for organizing your thoughts and laying the groundwork for your expository essay. Start by developing a strong thesis statement that outlines the main idea of your essay and provides a well-informed, reasoned response to your research question. Your outline should specify what information will be included in each paragraph, ensuring that each section of your essay supports your thesis statement.

The outline serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the writing process and helping you stay focused on your topic. By organizing your thoughts and research in a logical manner, you’ll find it easier to begin writing and stay on track throughout the development of your expository essay.

Drafting the Essay

With a comprehensive outline in hand, it’s time to start drafting your expository essay. Focus on crafting well-structured body paragraphs that stay on topic and provide factual evidence to support your thesis statement. It’s often beneficial to postpone writing the introduction until after you’ve completed the body paragraphs and conclusion, as this will allow you to develop a more accurate and engaging introduction based on the content of your essay.

As you write, use transition words and sentences to connect ideas, maintain narrative flow, and guide readers through your argument. This will ensure that your essay is coherent and easy to follow, ultimately enhancing the reader’s understanding of your topic.

Refining Your Draft

Once you’ve completed the first draft of your expository essay, it’s time to refine your work. Start by reorganizing content, ensuring that each sentence serves its purpose and enhances the reader’s understanding of your topic. Edit for clarity and coherence, and double-check that your essay remains focused on your thesis statement throughout.

As you review your draft, read the paper as if it’s your first encounter with the topic. This will help you determine if the essay is coherent and if the information provided is relevant to the intended purpose of each section. Remember to abstain from attempting to make a persuasive argument and to utilize opinions as evidence, as this can detract from the objective nature of your expository essay.

Polishing the Essay: Editing and Proofreading

The final step in crafting a compelling expository essay is editing and proofreading. Check for errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting, and ensure that your citations are accurate and adherent to the assigned style guide. Tools like Grammarly can be helpful in detecting errors and phrases that lack clarity, as well as ensuring a uniform tone throughout your essay.

In addition to self-editing, consider having someone else review your work. This can provide a fresh perspective and help identify any remaining inconsistencies or areas that need improvement. With your polished expository essay in hand, you’ll be ready to present your well-researched, informative, and engaging piece to your audience.

Analyzing Expository Essay Examples

Examining expository essay examples can be an invaluable tool in understanding how to create a well-structured, informative essay. By analysing the structure, style, and use of evidence in an expository essay example, you can gain insight into crafting your own compelling piece. Remember, it’s not recommended to directly source information or text from expository essay examples, but they can serve as an inspirational reference for your work.

Take note of how the thesis statement is presented, how the body paragraphs are organized, and how the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points of the essay. By carefully studying expository essay examples, you’ll be better equipped to create your own well-crafted, engaging, and informative piece.

Diving into Expository Essay Types

Expository essays come in various forms, each with its own unique purpose and structure. Understanding the different types of expository essays can aid in selecting a subject and organizing your essay’s overall trajectory and framework. The primary types of expository essays include classification, definition, process, compare-and-contrast, and cause-and-effect essays.

Classification essays identify and organize various subjects within one category, outlining their individual characteristics. A definition essay, on the other hand, provides a clear and concise explanation of a subject matter. A process essay outlines the steps necessary for completing a task, providing the reader with an understanding of the procedure.

Compare-and-contrast essays analyze the differences and similarities between sources cited. Cause-and-effect essays investigate the reasons behind a particular occurrence and the consequences that follow. Familiarizing yourself with these expository essay types will expand your writing capabilities and help you craft a compelling piece.

Structuring Your Expository Essay

To ensure a coherent and engaging expository essay, it’s crucial to understand the expository essay structure, which includes a distinct introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion that support your thesis statement. The introduction should include a precise and succinct thesis statement that outlines the primary focus of your essay, providing the reader with a clear understanding of the topic at hand.

Each body paragraph should contain evidence that supports your thesis statement, ensuring that every section of your essay contributes to the overall argument.

Finally, the conclusion should succinctly summarize the main points and provide a clear and concise statement of the essay’s overarching message. By following this structure, you’ll create a well-organized, informative, and engaging expository essay that effectively communicates your ideas to your audience.

The Role of the Thesis Statement

The thesis statement serves as the foundation of your expository essay, providing a succinct, precise synopsis of the primary point of your essay. A strong, clear, and memorable thesis statement is essential, as it gives the reader a clear understanding of the main focus of your essay and sets the tone for the entire piece. Examples of effective thesis statements include: “The effects of global warming are becoming increasingly evident in our environment,” “The use of technology in the classroom can have both positive and negative effects,” and “The rise of social media has had a profound impact on our society.”

To create a thesis statement, identify your essay topic, conduct research on the topic, and formulate a main idea or argument based on your findings. This statement should be concise and direct, ensuring that your essay remains focused and well-organized throughout the writing process.

Enhancing Your Essay with Transition Words and Sentences

Transition words and sentences play a crucial role in connecting ideas, maintaining narrative flow, and guiding readers through your argument. They serve as the binding element that keeps your essay’s foundation intact, preventing confusion and ensuring that your argument remains coherent and easy to follow. A lack of logical progression of thought can make it difficult for the reader to comprehend your essay’s argument, ultimately compromising its structure.

Examples of transition words and phrases include “however,” “in addition,” “on the other hand,” and “as a result.” By incorporating these transitions into your expository essay, you’ll create a seamless reading experience that effectively communicates your ideas and maintains the reader’s interest throughout the piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start an expository essay.

To start an expository essay, begin with a general statement about your topic that captures the reader’s attention. This should be followed by your thesis or main point of the essay, which can be further supported with three body paragraphs.

Use a formal tone and avoid introducing unnecessary information or summaries.

How do you write an expository essay step by step?

Writing an expository essay can be done step-by-step by organizing your thoughts, researching the topic, formulating a thesis statement, writing an introduction, composing the body paragraphs, and summarizing the essay in the conclusion.

Finally, revise and proofread the essay to ensure its quality.

What is an example of an expository essay?

An example of an expository essay is one that provides readers with a step-by-step guide on how to do something, or a descriptive essay that is loaded with details.

These types of essays seek to explain a particular topic in an informative and logical manner.

What are the 4 parts of the expository essay?

An expository essay is composed of four parts: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

It provides a clear and organized explanation of a specific topic.

What is an expository essay?

An expository essay is an essay that communicates factual information, requiring the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning it in a clear and concise manner.

It is important for the student to be able to organize their thoughts and ideas in a logical manner in order to effectively communicate their argument. Splitting the text into paragraphs is a key to better readability. Start a new paragraph whenever you introduce a new idea or change direction in your argument. This will be a success.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling expository essay requires careful planning, research, and organization. By understanding the essence of expository essays, creating an effective outline, following a step-by-step writing process, and analyzing examples, you can develop your writing skills and create an engaging, informative piece.

Familiarize yourself with the different types of expository essays and the importance of structuring your essay to support your thesis statement. Remember to enhance your essay with transition words and sentences, ensuring a smooth, coherent reading experience for your audience. With these tools and techniques in hand, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of expository writing.

How to Write an Expository Essay: Definition, Outline, Writing Tips, and Examples

In the realm of academic writing, this type of essay stands as a beacon of clarity, demanding writers to illuminate a subject with precision and objectivity. Whether you're a seasoned essayist or a student embarking on your first exploration of this genre, mastering the art of expository writing is a valuable skill that transcends disciplines. This form of essay invites you to delve into expository essay topics, dissect their intricacies, and present your findings in a straightforward manner.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the terrain of expository writing, unraveling the techniques and strategies that transform a mere composition into a beacon of insight. From understanding the fundamental principles to honing your ability to craft a compelling thesis, join us on a journey that promises to demystify the process of writing, empowering you to articulate ideas with clarity and purpose. Or, you can get our essay writing help and take care of other important tasks set for today.

What Is an Expository Essay

An expository essay is a form of academic writing that aims to elucidate, clarify, and present a balanced analysis of a particular topic or idea. Unlike other essay types that may delve into personal opinions or narratives, the expository essay emphasizes objectivity and factual accuracy. The primary objective is to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the chosen subject, exploring its various facets, presenting evidence, and ensuring a logical progression of ideas.

According to an expository essay definition, this genre requires the writer to delve into research, organize information systematically, and deliver a coherent and informative piece that educates the reader on the chosen topic. Whether investigating a scientific concept, historical event, or literary work, it serves as a vehicle for conveying knowledge in a concise, lucid manner.

Expository Essay Examples

An expository essay example serves as a valuable tool for students, offering a concrete illustration of the structure, style, and depth expected in this genre of writing. By studying examples, students gain insights into effective thesis formulation, organizing ideas within paragraphs, and integrating supporting evidence to bolster arguments.

Additionally, examples showcase how to balance factual accuracy and engaging prose, providing a model for clear and concise communication. Students can draw inspiration from the content and presentation of well-crafted expository essays, honing their own skills in research, analysis, and effective expression. By the way, we have an interesting autobiography example , so check it out!

Example 1: “The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence”

This expository essay explores the multifaceted evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), examining its historical roots, contemporary applications across various industries, and the consequential societal impact. It provides a comprehensive overview of AI's journey from philosophical debates and early computational developments to its current role as a transformative force in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and entertainment. Additionally, the essay addresses ethical considerations surrounding the widespread adoption of AI, including concerns related to job displacement, privacy, and responsible development. Ultimately, it navigates the complex landscape of artificial intelligence, shedding light on its remarkable advancements and its challenges to our ever-changing society.

Example 2: “The Benefits of Outdoor Education for Children”

This essay highlights the advantages of outdoor education for children, emphasizing its positive impacts on their physical, mental, and social development. It argues that outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and team sports not only promote physical health by encouraging movement and reducing sedentary behavior but also contribute to mental well-being by providing a respite from everyday stressors and fostering a connection with nature. Furthermore, it suggests that exposure to outdoor environments cultivates environmental awareness and a sense of stewardship among children.

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Types of Expository Essay

Expository essays come in several distinct types, each serving a unique purpose and requiring specific approaches to convey information effectively. One common categorization includes:

Descriptive Expository Essay. This type focuses on painting a vivid picture of a subject, using sensory details to engage the reader's imagination. It aims to create a clear and sensory-rich portrayal of a person, place, object, or experience.
Process Expository Essay. Here, the writer breaks down a complex process or procedure into manageable steps, providing a detailed and sequential explanation. This type of essay is instructional, guiding readers through a series of actions to achieve a specific outcome.
Comparison and Contrast Expository Essay. This form involves analyzing similarities and differences between two or more subjects, offering insights into their shared characteristics or divergent qualities. It requires a careful examination of the chosen elements to highlight their relationships.
Cause and Effect Expository Essay. Focused on exploring the reasons behind an occurrence and its subsequent consequences, this type delves into the cause-and-effect relationships within a given topic. Writers elucidate the connections between actions and outcomes, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Problem and Solution Expository Essay. Addressing real-world issues, this essay type identifies a specific problem, analyzes its root causes, and proposes viable solutions. It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, compelling readers to consider alternative approaches to challenges.
Definition Expository Essay. This essay seeks to clarify and explain the meaning of a particular term, concept, or idea. Writers provide a comprehensive definition, often including examples and illustrations to ensure readers grasp the essence of the subject.
Cause and Effect Expository Essay. This type of essay examines the reasons behind a particular phenomenon or event and explores its subsequent effects. It aims to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship, allowing readers to comprehend the interconnected elements of the topic.

Understanding these diverse types of essays empowers writers to choose the most suitable approach for effectively conveying information and achieving their communicative goals. Our experts can rewrite essay that you already did according to any of the above-mentioned types.

Expository Essay Topics

Selecting compelling expository essay topics requires thoughtful consideration of both personal interest and the potential engagement of the intended audience. Start by identifying subjects that genuinely captivate your curiosity or align with your expertise, as this enthusiasm will naturally infuse vigor into your writing. Additionally, assess the topic's relevance in the broader context, ensuring it addresses contemporary issues or timeless themes.

Consider the audience's interests, aiming for subjects that resonate with their experiences or evoke a sense of shared relevance. Striking a balance between uniqueness and accessibility is key—opt for topics that allow you to offer fresh perspectives while ensuring there is ample research material available. Ultimately, the best topics seamlessly blend your passion, the audience's interests, and the broader significance of the chosen subject, ensuring a captivating and informative exploration for both writer and reader alike. Here are expository essay ideas from our writers for your inspiration:

The influence of art on human emotions.
Exploring the life cycle of a star.
Tips for sustainable living in urban areas.
The impact of social media on political awareness.
How to cultivate a positive mindset in challenging times.
The history and cultural significance of tattoos.
The process of recycling electronic waste.
Benefits of incorporating meditation into daily routines.
The role of laughter in maintaining mental health.
Understanding the psychology of decision-making.
The impact of fashion on individual expression.
Tips for effective conflict resolution in relationships.
The science behind the sense of taste.
The significance of biodiversity in ecosystems.
Exploring the history of traditional folk music.
How to foster a sense of community in a neighborhood.
The benefits of learning a musical instrument.
The evolution of communication technologies.
The process of seed germination in plants.
Tips for creating a productive home office space.
The impact of artificial intelligence on job markets.
Understanding the concept of emotional intelligence.
The benefits of practicing gratitude daily.
The history and cultural importance of tea.
How to develop effective public speaking skills.
Exploring the world of virtual reality technology.
The significance of water purification methods.
Tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The process of making sustainable food choices.
The role of literature in shaping societal norms.

Expository Essay Outline

An outline for expository essay is a structured plan that serves as a roadmap for organizing the main ideas and supporting details of the essay in a logical and coherent manner. While the specific structure may vary based on the assignment or preferences, a typical outline generally includes the following components, beginning with how to start an expository essay:

Expository Essay Introduction

Hook or attention-grabbing statement.
Background information on the topic.
Clear thesis statement that presents the main idea.

Body Paragraphs (usually three or more)

Topic sentence for each paragraph, presenting a main point or supporting idea.
Supporting evidence, facts, or examples to illustrate and explain the topic sentence.
Analysis or interpretation of the evidence to connect it back to the thesis.

Expository Essay Conclusion

Restatement of the thesis in different words.
Summary of the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Concluding thoughts or insights, possibly suggesting implications or future considerations.

Transitions

Smooth transitions between paragraphs to ensure a cohesive flow of ideas.
Clear connections between sentences and paragraphs to guide the reader through the essay.

Revising and Editing

Space for notes on areas that may need revision or improvement.
Consideration of clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness.

By creating an expository essay outline, a college essay writer can organize their thoughts, ensure a logical progression of ideas, and maintain a clear and concise structure. This framework helps writers stay focused on the main purpose of the essay – to inform, explain, or analyze a particular subject – while providing a roadmap for readers to follow and comprehend the information presented.

How to Write an Expository Essay Step by Step

Writing an expository essay involves a systematic process that ensures clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in conveying information. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft an expository essay:

Choose a Topic

Select a topic that interests you and aligns with the purpose of an expository essay – to inform, explain, or analyze a subject.

Conduct Research

Gather relevant and credible information to support your chosen topic.
Utilize reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and reliable websites.

Create an Outline

Develop a clear and organized outline that includes the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Each section should have a specific purpose and contribute to the overall coherence of the essay.

Write the Introduction

Start with an attention-grabbing hook that relates to your topic.
Provide background information and context, leading to a concise and focused thesis statement that outlines the main idea.

Develop Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point.
Support the topic sentence with evidence, facts, or examples.
Ensure a logical flow between paragraphs, using transitions to guide the reader.

Provide Evidence

Support your points with credible evidence and examples.
Ensure that each piece of evidence directly relates to the topic sentence and supports the overall thesis of the essay.

Analyze and Interpret

After presenting evidence, analyze and interpret it.
Explain the significance of the evidence and how it relates to your thesis.
This step helps to ensure that your audience understands the relevance of the information presented.

Write the Conclusion

Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs without introducing new information.
Restate the thesis in different words and offer concluding insights or implications related to the topic.

Revise and Edit

Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and consistency.
Check for grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas.
Consider feedback from others or take a break before revising to gain a fresh perspective.
Carefully proofread your essay to catch any remaining errors, typos, or issues.
Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and argumentative essay format .

By following these steps, you can systematically approach the writing process and create a well-organized and informative expository essay. Remember to stay focused on the purpose of informing, explaining, or analyzing the chosen topic throughout the entire writing process.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to write an expository essay offers students several important advantages. First off, it helps them express their thoughts clearly and organize ideas effectively, skills that are useful not only in academics but also in various professional situations where clear communication is key.

Moreover, writing expository essays improves critical thinking as students practice analyzing information, connecting ideas, and presenting well-supported arguments. This skill is valuable in everyday decision-making and problem-solving scenarios.

Additionally, the process of crafting such essays enhances research abilities, teaching students how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. Overall, mastering expository writing equips students with practical, transferable skills that can positively impact their academic and professional pursuits. You can use our research paper service to cope with assignments better and faster.

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What are the Different Types of Expository Essays?

What is the most important part of the expository essay structure, what is the main idea in expository writing, related articles.

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Expository Essays

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The Modes of Discourse—Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)—are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these approaches and students’ need to understand and produce them.

What is an expository essay?

The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.

Please note : This genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various exam formats.

The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following.

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

Often times, students are required to write expository essays with little or no preparation; therefore, such essays do not typically allow for a great deal of statistical or factual evidence.

A bit of creativity!

Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is an art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of the Great Depression and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the exposition in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the Depression. Therefore, the expository essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph Essay

A common method for writing an expository essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of:

an introductory paragraph
three evidentiary body paragraphs
a conclusion

Expository Essay: 3 Building Blocks to Propose an Idea and Defend It

by Dixie-Ann Belle | 0 comments

If you saw the words “expository essay” on a writing assignment, would your mind draw a blank? Would you immediately feel as if you had stumbled into unexplored territory?

Well there's good news.

This post is written by guest writer Dixie-Ann Belle. You can learn more about Dixie-Anne at the end of this article. Welcome Dixie-Ann!

You might not realize it, but chances are this is not your first encounter with this type of essay. Once you have been writing essays in academic environments, you have probably already worked on expository writing.

In this article, I hope to help you recognize this essay type and understand the expository essay outline. Comprehending the building blocks is instrumental in knowing how to construct an exceptional expository essay.

Lay a Strong Foundation

Over the years, I have taught and tutored college students one on one as they write academic essays, in face to face classrooms and online, and I have noticed a pattern. They often approach essays in one of two ways.

Some consider them with apprehension and are fearful of making mistakes. Others feel confident that they have written many essays before and think they have already mastered expository writing.

Interestingly, it's the latter who often end up the most shaken when they realize that they are not as familiar as they think with this type of writing.

What I hope to instill in my students is that they should not feel intimidated whatever their situation or essay assignment.

I encourage them to make sure they understand the foundations of the expository essay structure. I try to get them to grasp the basic blocks that need to be there, and once they do, they have a good chance of crafting a substantial piece of writing.

What is an Expository Essay?

Students are typically assigned one of at least four types of essays: the persuasive/argumentative essay, the descriptive essay, the technical essay, or the expository essay.

Writing an expository essay is one of the most important and valuable skills for you to master.

According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab:

The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner.

Keep in mind that your expository writing centers on giving your reader information about a given topic or process. Your goal is to inform, describe, or define the subject for your readers.

As you work to achieve this, your essay writing must be formal, objective, and concise. No matter what your discipline, it's almost guaranteed that you will be required to write this common type essay one day.

Some expository essay examples could include:

Define the term ‘democracy'
Compare and contrast the benefits of cable television vs streaming
Outline the process that generates an earthquake
Classify the different types of tourism
Outline the aspects of a good fitness program

The possibilities are endless with expository writing, and it can cover a wide variety of topics and specialties.

3 Building Blocks of a Great Expository Essay

To make sure you're on the right track with this type of paper, it helps to understand the three building blocks of the expository essay format and how to apply them to the final expository essay structure .

1. Write an introduction

Most students know that an introductory paragraph should grab the interest of the reader. However, they might not realize that it should also provide context for the essay topic.

Ask yourself : What are you talking about in this essay? Why is this topic important? Some background details could help to establish the subject for your reader.

For example:

If you were writing an essay on the impact smartphones have on society, you might want to start with some information on the evolution of smartphones, the number of smartphones in society, the way people use the phones and more.

The introduction should start off with general information.

You then work your way down to the more specific and principal part of your introduction and the crown of your whole essay, the thesis statement.

What is the thesis statement?

Your thesis statement states in concise language what this essay is going to be about. It is one clear sentence which expresses the subject and the focus of this piece of writing. If there is a prompt, the thesis statement should directly answer that prompt.

Our smart phones topic might create a thesis statement like: Smart phones have many positive impacts for adults in the business world.

Right away the reader has some idea of what's ahead.

2. Write your body paragraphs

With your thesis statement clear in your mind and your introduction setting the scene, it is time to write your body paragraphs.

Each body paragraph contains supporting information including factual evidence for your essay topic. Each paragraph should each focus on one idea.

Depending on your word count and the teacher requirements, you can write any number of body paragraphs, but there are usually at least three for a basic five paragraph essay.

Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence is one single statement that explains the point of the paragraph. It directly refers to your thesis statement and tells you what the body paragraph is going to be about.

Remember our smart phone thesis statement? You need something that will relate to that thesis sentence and will alert the reader to what is to come.

Here's one possibility:

Smart phones can help increase productivity for professional adults.

This topic sentence not only reminds us that you are talking about positive impacts for adults with smart phones, it now shows us what the following paragraph will cover.

The best body paragraphs will go on to include different types of details, all of which would support your topic sentence. A good abbreviation to encapsulate the different details is spelt TEEES.

The TEEES Body Paragraph Structure

Let's break down this abbreviation and explore the types of details you'll need in your body paragraphs

T: Topic sentence

You'll begin with your topic sentence establishing the purpose of this paragraph. We'll use our example from above:

Smartphones can help increase productivity for professional adults.

E: Explanation

This is where you expand on your topic and include additional supportive information.

If you were talking about smartphones and productivity, maybe you could mention what elements of the smartphone make it optimal for productivity.

E: Evidence

This is the information from reputable sources you researched for your topic. Here's where you can talk about all the information you have discovered from experts who have carefully studied this subject.

For our smartphone essay, perhaps you could mention a quote from a technology reporter who has been following the rise of smartphones for years.

E: Examples

This would be concrete subject matter to support your point.

Maybe here you can list some of the smartphone apps which have proven to increase productivity in the workplace.

S: Significant/Summarizing sentence

This is the last sentence in the body paragraph which summarizes your point and ends this part of your essay. There should be no doubt in the reader's mind that you have finished talking about your topic, and you are moving on to another in the next paragraph. Here's how we could conclude this paragraph on smartphones and productivity:

Smartphones have transformed the productivity of the modern workforce.

3. Write the conclusion

Once you have written your body paragraphs, you're in the home stretch. You have presented all of your points and supported them with the appropriate subject matter. Now you need to conclude.

A lot of students are confused by conclusions. Many of them have heard different rules about what is supposed to be included.

One of the main requirements to keep in mind when ending an expository essay is that you do not add new information.

This is not the time to throw in something you forgot in a previous body paragraph. Your conclusion is supposed to give a succinct recap of the points that came before.

Sometimes college students are instructed to re-state the thesis, and this puzzles them. It doesn't mean re-writing the thesis statement word for word. You should express your thesis statement in a new way.

For example, here's how you could approach the conclusion for our smartphone essay.

You've come up with three points to support your thesis statement, and you've explored these three points in your body paragraphs. After brainstorming, you might decide the benefits of smartphones in the workplace are improved productivity, better communication, and increased mobility.

Your conclusion is the time to remind your reader of these points with concise language. Your reader should be able to read the conclusion alone and still come away with the basic ideas of your essay.

Plan Your Essay Based on an Expository Essay Outline

While writing fiction, it is sometimes okay to “pants” it and just leap into writing your story.

When writing essays in academia, this is rarely a good idea. Planning your essay helps organize your ideas, helps you refine many of your points early on and saves time in the long run.

There are lots of great brainstorming techniques you can use to get your ideas together, but after that, it's time to create a topic to sentence outline.

There are three steps to creating your topic to sentence essay outline.

Develop a powerful thesis statement. Remember, this is the overarching idea of your entire essay, so you have completed a significant step once you have one done.
Come up with the ideas you would like to support your thesis statement.
Based on your points, craft your topic sentences.

Here is an example of a topic to sentence outline:

Having these important foundation details completed is a great way to develop your essay as you build on each part. It is also an effective method to make sure you are on the right track.

Depending on your instructor (or tutor, if you have one), you can show your outline to them to get feedback before you launch into your entire essay.

Even if you don't have anyone to provide a critique, the outline can make it easier to revise how you will approach the rest of your paragraph essay.

You now have some firm foundations to help you as you construct your expository essay.

How do you organize an expository essay? Let us know in the comments .

Take fifteen minutes to practice writing your own expository essay.

First, choose an expository writing assignment topic. If you can't think of one, use one of the expository essay examples below .

What are the nutritional elements of a healthy breakfast?
What are some of the most influential types of music?
Compare and contrast the benefits of electric and gas cars.
What are the major steps to planning a stress-free vacation?
How do smartphones affect mental health?
Define true love.

Craft a thesis statement about your topic. Then, write three topic sentences for your body paragraphs.

With the time you have left, start writing your essay. You might be surprised how much you can write in fifteen minutes when you have a clear outline for your essay!

When your time is up, share your outline and your essay in the Pro Practice Workshop here . After you post, please be sure to give feedback to your fellow writers.

Happy writing!

Dixie-Ann Belle

Since she started scribbling stories in her notebooks as a child, Dixie-Ann Belle has been indulging her love of well crafted content. Whether she is working as a writing teacher and tutor or as a freelance writer, editor and proofreader, she enjoys helping aspiring writers develop their work and access their creativity.

Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. You’ll also get a free copy of our eBook 14 Prompts :

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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 essays | BlueandCreamSimpleExpositoryGraphicOrganizer | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

expository essays | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

THE ULTIMATE NONFICTION WRITING TEACHING RESOURCE

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Loads of tricks and tips to add to your teaching tool bag
All explanations are reinforced with concrete examples.
Links to high-quality video tutorials
Clear objectives easy to match to the demands of your curriculum

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

expository essays | expository essay types1 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

expository essays | expository essay types4 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

expository essays | expository essay template4 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

Example Expository Cause and Effect Essay:

The problem and solution essay.

expository essays | expository essay types5 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

expository essays | expository essay types6 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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?

expository essays | expository essay template1 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

DEFINITION ESSAYS

expository essays | expository essay types2 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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

expository essays | expository essay types3 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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:

expository essays | what is an expository essay | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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 essays | expository essay example | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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.

expository essays | img 60ffaf0c39e69 | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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:

REad our complete guide to researching here

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!

expository essays | HOW TO WRITE EXPOSITORY ESSAYS | How to Write Excellent Expository Essays | literacyideas.com

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Academic Writing

How to Write an Expository Essay

Last Updated: December 13, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Tristen Bonacci . Tristen Bonacci is a Licensed English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 564,624 times.

Expository essays are often assigned in academic settings. In an expository essay, you need to consider an idea, investigate the idea, then explain the idea. Some expository essays may include an argument, while others are purely informative. [1] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source While it may seem overwhelming, writing an expository essay is easy if you take it one step at a time.

Sample Essay Conclusion

Planning Your Essay

If you are writing an expository essay for an assignment, read the assignment guidelines. Ask your instructor if anything seems unclear.

If you are writing your essay for a class assignment, consider what your instructor will expect you to include in your essay.

Step 3 Generate ideas for your expository essay.

Try listing. List all your ideas for your expository essay. Then look over the list you have made and group similar ideas together. Expand those lists by adding more ideas or by using another prewriting activity. [6] X Research source
Try freewriting. Write nonstop for about 10 minutes. Write whatever comes to mind and don’t edit yourself. After you finish writing, review what you have written. Highlight or underline the most useful information for your expository essay. Repeat the freewriting exercise using the passages you underlined as a starting point. You can repeat this exercise many times to continue to refine and develop your ideas. [7] X Research source
Try clustering. Write a brief explanation of the subject of your expository essay on the center of a piece of paper and circle it. Then draw three or more lines extending from the circle. Write a corresponding idea at the end of each of these lines. Continue developing your cluster until you have explored as many connections as you can. [8] X Research source
Try questioning. On a piece of paper, write out “Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?” Space the questions about two or three lines apart on the paper so that you can write your answers on these lines. Respond to each question in as much detail as you can. [9] X Research source

Trustworthy internet sources usually include academic institutions like universities or research labs, government websites, and non-profit organizations.

Step 6 Evaluate your sources to determine their credibility before you decide to use them.

Identify the author and his or her credentials. Think about what qualifies this person to write about their subject. If the source has no author or the author does not have adequate credentials, then this source may not be trustworthy.
Check for citations to see if this author has researched the topic well enough. If the author has provided few or no sources, then this source may not be trustworthy.
Look for bias. Think about whether or not this author has presented an objective, well-reasoned account of the topic. If the author seems to value a particular argument or slant that is not supported or only thinly supported by fact, then this source may not be trustworthy.
Consider the publication date to see if this source presents the most up to date information on the subject.
Cross-check some of the information in the source. If you are still concerned about a source, cross-check some of its information against a trustworthy source.

Show when you have quoted a source word for word by putting it into quotation marks. Include information about the source such as the author’s name, article title or book title, and page number.
Write down the publishing information of each source. You will need this information for your "References," "Bibliography," or "Works Cited" pages. Format this page according to your instructor's guidelines.

Make sure your thesis is arguable. Do not state facts or matters of taste. For example, "George Washington was the first president of the United States," is not a good thesis because it states a fact. Likewise, "Die Hard is a great movie," is not a good thesis because it expresses a matter of taste. [16] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
Make sure your thesis provides enough detail. In other words, avoid just saying that something is "good" or "effective." Instead, say what makes something "good" or "effective. [17] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Introducing Your Essay

Step 1 Begin with an engaging sentence that gets right into your topic.

An engaging hook can take many forms. You could start with an anecdote, an informative and attention-grabbing quote, a bold opinion statement, or anything that will make your readers want to continue with your essay.

If you are writing about a book, provide the name of the work, the author, and a brief summary of the plot.
If you are writing about a specific day in history, summarize the day's events. Then, explain how it fits into a broader historical scope.
If you are writing about a person, name the person and provide a brief biography.
Keep in mind that your context should lead up to your thesis statement. Explain everything your reader needs to know to understand what your topic is about. Then narrow it down until you reach the topic itself.

Expressing Your Main Points

Step 1 Determine how many paragraphs to include.

A five-paragraph essay should include three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should discuss a piece of supporting evidence that supports your thesis.
Even if your essay is longer than five paragraphs, the same principles still apply. Each paragraph should discuss a piece of supporting evidence.

Step 2 Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.

"Dogs played an active role in Marine Corps missions in the Pacific."
"The Doberman Pinscher was the official dog of the US Marine Corps during WWII, but all breeds were eligible to train as war dogs."
"War dogs were even eligible to receive military awards for their service."

Step 3 Elaborate on your supporting evidence.

Most of your evidence should be in the form of cited quotes, paraphrases, and summaries from your research.
Your evidence could also come from interviews, anecdotes, or personal experience.
Try to provide at least two to three pieces of evidence to support each of your claims.
For example, if a paragraph starts with, "War dogs were even eligible to receive military awards for their service," the supporting evidence might be a list of dogs who got awards and the awards they were given.

Step 4 Analyze the significance of each piece of evidence.

You could write, "Even though Dobermans were the most common breed used in WWII, they were not the only breed, and were not the only dogs recognized for their help."

Concluding Your Essay

Step 1 Restate and rephrase your thesis.

Note that the second sentence repeats the information provided in your original thesis. It just says it in a new way while also hinting at the information you included in the body of the essay.

Step 2 Summarize and review your main ideas.

Explain how the topic affects the reader
Explain how your narrow topic applies to a broader theme or observation
Call the reader to action or further exploration on the topic
Present new questions that your essay introduced

Expert Q&A

If you are unsure about anything as you work on your essay, talk to your instructor or meet with a writing tutor for help. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/expository_essays.html
↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/expository-essay/
↑ Tristen Bonacci. Licensed English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
↑ http://writing.ku.edu/prewriting-strategies
↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-an-excellent-expository-essay.html
↑ http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/reading-and-researching/notes-from-research
↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/thesis-statements/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/index.html
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/conclusions.html

About This Article

Before you write an expository essay, take some time to jot down ideas for your essay. Try the clustering method by writing a brief explanation of your subject in a bubble in the center of your page. Then, draw 3 or more lines extending from the circle and jot down idea bubbles that connect to your main theme. Once you have a plan for your expository essay, write out an outline to organize what you’re going to say. Make sure to begin your outline with an engaging introduction sentence. After the introduction sentence, provide some background information and include your thesis statement, which is your main argument. If you’re writing a 5 paragraph essay, you should include 3 body paragraphs after your introduction then a conclusion paragraph that summarizes your main points. However you organize your essay, make sure to include credible sources for important information, like statistics, so your teacher knows that it’s accurate. To learn how to use transitions in your essay, read more from our Writing co-author. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Ultimate guide to writing expository essays, carla johnson.

June 14, 2023
Essay Topics and Ideas , How to Guides

Expository essays are a common type of academic writing that asks students to give clear, factual information about a certain topic. Expository essays are different from other types of essays because they don’t focus on personal opinions or arguments. Instead, they present facts in a clear and concise way.

The goal of an expository essay is to tell the reader about something, explain it, or describe it. This could be a scientific idea, an event from history, or a piece of writing. The goal is to make sure that the reader understands what is being talked about.

When writing an expository essay, giving clear, factual information is one of the most important things to do. Expository essays are different from other types of writing because the writer must focus on giving objective information that can be checked and is supported by evidence.

In this ultimate guide to writing an expository essay, we will look at the main parts of an expository essay, give tips on how to choose a topic, and give examples of good expository essays. Students can learn how to write clear and effective expository essays that teach and inform their readers by following these tips and looking at the examples given.

What You'll Learn

Elements of an Expository Essay

To write an effective expository essay , it is important to understand the key elements that make up this type of essay. The following are the essential elements of an expository essay:

Introduction: The introduction of an expository essay should provide some background information on the topic being explored and set the stage for the rest of the essay. It should also include a clear thesis statement that presents the main idea or argument of the essay.

Body Paragraphs: The body paragraphs of an expository essay should present the main points or arguments of the essay. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea and provide evidence and examples to support that idea.

Conclusion: The conclusion of an expository essay should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis statement in a new and interesting way. It may also provide some final thoughts or recommendations related to the topic being explored.

How to Choose a Topic for an Expository Essay

Choosing a topic for an expository essay can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help. The following are some tips on how to choose a topic for an expository essay:

Analyzing the Assignment Prompt: Start by carefully reading the assignment prompt and identifying any specific requirements or guidelines for the essay. This will help you narrow down your topic and ensure that your essay meets the requirements of the assignment.

Brainstorming Techniques: Use brainstorming techniques such as free-writing, mind mapping, or listing out potential topics to generateideas. This can help you come up with a variety of topics to choose from.

Narrowing Down Your Topic: Once you have generated a list of potential topics, narrow it down to a specific aspect or angle that you want to explore in your essay. This can help you focus your research and writing and provide a more specific and interesting essay .

Selecting a Topic that Interests You: Choose a topic that you are interested in and care a lot about. This can keep you interested and motivated as you do your research and write your paper.

When choosing a topic for an expository essay, you should look carefully at the assignment prompt, use brainstorming techniques, narrow down the topic, and choose a topic that interests you. You can write a good expository essay that teaches and informs your readers by focusing on a certain part or angle of a topic. Don’t forget to give clear, factual information and to back up your main points with evidence and examples . With practice, you can learn how to write expository essays and improve your ability to do research and think critically.

Expository Essay Outline

An outline can be a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before you start writing your expository essay. The following is a basic outline for an expository essay:

Introduction:

– Introduce the topic

– Provide some background information

– Present the thesis statement

– Preview the main points to be covered in the essay

Body Paragraphs:

– Present the main points or arguments of the essay

– Provide evidence and examples to support each point

– Analyze the evidence and explain how it supports the thesis statement

– Use transitions to connect each paragraph and create a clear and logical flow of ideas

Conclusion:

– Summarize the main points of the essay

– Restate the thesis statement in a new and interesting way

– Provide some final thoughts or recommendations related to the topic

– Emphasize the significance of the topic and the importance of further exploration

Expository Essay Structure

The structure of an expository essay is similar to other types of essays, but with some key differences. The following is a basic structure for an expository essay:

Thesis statement: The thesis statement presents the main idea or argument of the essay and provides a roadmap for the reader to follow.

– Provide evidence andexamples to support each point

When writing an expository essay, it is important to give the reader clear, factual information. You can write a good expository essay that informs and educates your readers by using evidence and examples to back up each point, analyzing the evidence, and making sure the ideas flow clearly and make sense. Be sure to keep a neutral tone and avoid arguing or giving your own opinion. With practice, you can learn how to write expository essays and improve your ability to do research and think critically.

Expository Essay Examples

Expository essays can cover a wide range of topics and subjects. Here are some examples of expository essay topics:

Example 1: The Importance of Time Management

– Explores the concept of time management and its importance in achieving personal and professional goals

– Provides tips and strategies for effective time management

– Analyzes the impact of poor time management on productivity and stress levels

Example 2: The Negative Effects of Social Media

– Explores the negative effects of social media on mental health , relationships, and self-esteem

– Provides evidence and examples to support each argument

– Analyzes the role of social media in shaping our behavior and attitudes

Example 3: The Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle

– Explores the benefits of healthy habits such as exercise, healthy eating, and stress management

– Analyzes the impact of healthy habits on physical and mental health , productivity, and overall well-being

Example 4: The Role of Technology in Education

– Explores the role of technology in transforming the way we learn and teach

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the impact of technology on student engagement and learning outcomes

– Analyzes the potential benefits and drawbacks of technology in education

Example 5: The Impact of Climate Change on the Environment

– Explores the impact of climate change on the environment, including rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and extremeweather events

– Analyzes the causes of climate change and the potential solutions to mitigate its impact

Tips for Writing an Effective Expository Essay

To write an effective expository essay, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

Stating clear and concise arguments: Each argument or point presented in the essay should be clear and concise. Avoid vague or general statements that do not provide specific information.

Providing relevant evidence and examples: Each argument or point should be supported by relevant evidence and examples. This can include statistics, research studies , or personal experiences.

Avoiding bias and emotional language: Expository essays require a neutral and informative tone. Avoid using emotional language or personal opinions that can bias the reader.

Using a neutral and informative tone: Expository essays require a neutral and informative tone. Avoid using emotional language or personal opinions that can bias the reader.

Students can write good expository essays that teach and inform their readers by using these tips and the examples given. Don’t forget to give clear, factual information and to back up your main points with evidence and examples. With practice, you can learn how to write expository essays and improve your ability to do research and think critically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is an expository essay.

An expository essay is a type of academic writing that presents clear and factual information on a particular topic. The purpose of an expository essay is to inform, explain, or describe a particular subject to the reader.

2. What are the elements of an expository essay?

The essential elements of an expository essay include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body paragraphs should present the main points or arguments of the essay and provide evidence and examples to support each point.

3. How do I choose a topic for an expository essay?

To choose a topic for an expository essay, you can use brainstorming techniques, analyze the assignment prompt, narrow down your topic, and select a topic that interests you.

4. What is the difference between an expository essay and a persuasive essay?

The main difference between an expository essay and a persuasive essay is their purpose. An expository essay is focused on presenting clear and factual information on a particular topic, while a persuasive essay is focused on convincing the reader to accept a particular point of view or take a particular action.

5. How do I structure an expository essay?

An expository essay typically includes a thesis statement, an introduction, body paragraphs that present the main points or arguments of the essay , and a conclusion that summarizes the main findings and insights of the essay.

Expository essays are an important type of academic writing that help students learn how to do research, think critically , and present information in a clear, factual way. Students can learn how to write good expository essays that teach and inform their readers by following the tips and rules in this ultimate guide.

In short, an expository essay should have clear, concise arguments that are backed up by relevant examples and evidence. To choose a topic, you need to carefully look at the assignment prompt, come up with ideas, and choose something that interests you. Make sure to keep the tone of your essay neutral and informative , and give it a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Expository writing is a skill that needs to be practiced , but with this guide, students can improve their skills and become good writers. By giving information in a clear and unbiased way, you can teach and inform your readers about a wide range of subjects.

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How to Write an Expository Essay

Sam Benezra

The expository essay is a genre of nonfiction writing in which a writer aims to explain a topic or concept. In this genre of essay writing, the writer is not required to put forward an original argument, but rather aims to educate the reader on a topic. This contrasts with the argumentative and persuasive essay genres, in which the writer takes a clear stance on a controversial topic, with the goal of swaying the reader toward agreeing with their position. An expository essay may cover a controversial topic, but in this genre, the writer will not take a hard stance on the topic, but rather provide a holistic overview of it.

Expository writing aims to be objective and thorough in its analysis. The term “expository” means to explain, describe, or define. In effect, the author should try to present a balanced perspective on the topic at hand. Expository essays most often appear in textbooks, in encyclopedias, in journalistic articles, and in scientific or technical writing.

In academic settings, expository essays are often assigned in high school or university courses to assess students’ understanding of a given topic. An expository essay prompt will typically ask the writer to “explain,” “define,” or “explore,” a given subject.

In this article, we’ll discuss the style, substance, and structure of expository essays.

Style of Expository Writing

In an expository essay, the writer aims to present information as impartially as possible. As a rule, expository essays generally avoid the use of subjective phrasing and vocabulary. They are centered around the presentation of facts and provide less analysis than other forms of writing.

In an argumentative or persuasive essay, writers will typically present facts in conjunction with an analysis. In this context, facts are used as evidence in support of a specific claim or argument, with the intention of leading the reader to a specific conclusion.

In expository writing, facts stand on their own. Any analysis is used toward the purpose of clarifying or explaining the factual information that is presented, not for the purpose of persuading the reader. Expository essays on controversial topics should therefore be dialectical in the sense that they give equal voice to all perspectives on the issue.

Because expository essays strive for this objective tone, they are virtually always written in the third person. The third person enables the writer to remove their subjectivity from the writing as much as possible. In other forms of writing, the writer’s voice may play an important role. In expository writing, the writer should aim to remove their voice as much as possible from the writing, allowing the information presented in the essay to speak for itself.

Process of Writing an Expository Essay

Choose a topic.

The process of writing an essay always begins with choosing a topic to write about. Expository essays generally seek to explain a phenomenon, event, idea, or object. There are a variety of sub-genres of expository writing, including but not limited to:

Definitional Article: Provides a detailed description of a phenomenon, event, idea or object (for example, an encyclopedia article)
Journalistic Article: Provides a detailed explanation of a current event or situation (for example, a newspaper article)
The How-To Article: Describes a process in a series of steps (for example, a recipe)
The Comparative Essay: Compares and contrasts two or more subjects in an impartial and informative manner
Analysis of an Issue: Describes an issue and various positions on or solutions for the issue, backed by evidence and data

In all of these sub-genres, the primary purpose of the essay — to inform and educate the reader about the subject of the essay — remains constant.

The research phase is the most important, and often the lengthiest stage in the development of an expository essay. During the research phase, the writer aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of their topic by consulting a variety of sources.

The research process may vary depending on the topic and the type of article. For example, a reporter covering a local crime for a newspaper will likely gather information through interviews of eyewitnesses and the police. They may also include background information about crime in the area by analyzing police records and public databases that provide crime statistics.

In contrast, a graduate student writing an essay on the American economy during World War II would research their topic by reading several books that provide various perspectives on the topic and by analyzing primary sources in research libraries.

A food blogger writing a recipe for peanut butter cookies would consult and experiment with various other recipes in order to develop the best process for making a peanut butter cookie.

In all cases, writers use the research process to develop expertise on the topic of their writing, so that they can then educate their readers.

Organize Information

After completing the research phase, you can start to compile and organize the information you’ve gathered during their research. During this transitional phase, you should start by thinking about how you can present your topic most clearly and logically.

The way information is presented to the reader can vary depending on the writer’s approach. Using our previous example of an essay on the American economy during World War II, the writer may see it fit to present their information chronologically — that is, organized sequentially by time. This approach enables the writer to emphasize changes in the economy at different stages of the war.

Alternatively, the writer could organize their research by categories. In this example, they might organize their paper by different industries in World War II and discuss the features of each industry during this time period in depth.

Both approaches are equally valid, but they provide different perspectives on the topic of the essay. It is important to think broadly about how you want to present your topic and more specifically about key points of emphasis as you organize your research.

Build Outline

After organizing your research in a logical order, you can start to build an outline . A complete outline should contain a draft of your thesis, topic sentences for each body paragraph or section, and evidence organized under each major claim you make throughout the essay. By the time you finish your outline, you should have completely finished gathering and organizing your evidence.

With a complete outline in hand, you can start to write your essay in earnest. With a complete and thorough outline, the essay-writing process should mostly consist of connecting evidence and fleshing out sections of your paper with transitions. It is important that your paper has a natural and logical flow and reads clearly.

Revise/Edit

Once a full draft has been completed, you can start the revision and editing process. In the revision phase, the writer aims to improve the essay by making changes to organization, structure, and word choice. In an expository essay, you should revise with clarity in mind. Often this may mean simplifying sentence structure or word choice or rearranging the structure to flow more logically. Editing refers to the basic process of proofreading the essay and fixing grammatical and spelling errors. Essays will often go through multiple stages of revision and editing before being finalized.

Structure of an Expository Essay

Like other genres of essay writing, expository essays are typically composed of an introduction that includes a thesis statement, body paragraphs featuring supporting details, and a conclusion . Some sub-genres of expository writing may feature variances on this structure. A “How-To” article, for example, may feature a bulleted list of steps in the body rather than traditional supporting paragraphs. However, most expository essays are written in a traditional essay format.

Introduction

The introduction of an expository essay should provide the reader with a general overview of the information that will be presented throughout the essay. The introduction of an expository essay will typically include three key features: a hook or topic sentence, exposition , and a thesis statement .

The hook is the first one or two sentences of an essay. In an expository essay, the hook serves to clearly present the topic of the essay. In some forms of essay writing, there is an emphasis on catching the reader’s interest early on in the essay, hence the phrase “hook”. In persuasive essay writing, for example, the use of an attention-grabbing quote or narrative component early on in an essay can serve to draw the reader into the writer’s perspective, thereby manipulating the reader. In an expository essay, this kind of dramatic flourish is generally unnecessary, and even distracting. Instead, the writer should attempt to introduce the reader as objectively as possible.

After the hook, the writer elaborates on their topic in the exposition , forming the middle of the introduction. In this section, the writer introduces key concepts and characters, which will be analyzed further in the body of the essay.

The thesis statement is typically contained in the last couple sentences of the introduction. In an expository essay, the thesis statement serves to state points of emphasis about the topic of the essay. In this genre of essay writing, the thesis statement does not need to be an arguable claim as it would in an argumentative or persuasive essay. Rather, the thesis statement should serve to bring the reader’s attention to key aspects of the topic that you want to highlight.

The body of an expository essay is composed of separate body paragraphs that individually bring attention to an aspect of the topic. Each of the body paragraphs should present details that support the thesis. Typically, body paragraphs of an expository essay will include the following features: a topic sentence , evidence , and a transition to the next body paragraph.

In the topic sentence of a body paragraph, the writer will always make a general statement that ties back to the thesis or reinforces the thesis statement. Depending on how long the essay is and how it is organized, multiple body paragraphs may discuss the same sub-topic or theme, but they should always serve to introduce an idea or some information that relates to the thesis. Each body paragraph should put forward new information that is necessary to understand the paper’s thesis.

After the topic sentence, the bulk of each body paragraph will be devoted to presenting evidence or information that supports the statement made in the paragraph’s topic sentence.

At the end of each body paragraph, the writer should write a brief transition to the next paragraph, allowing the essay to flow smoothly from one section to the next. The transition should be no longer than a sentence or two.

In the conclusion of an expository essay, the writer should reframe the thesis in light of the information presented throughout the essay. The conclusion should never present any new significant information or evidence. Rather, the writer should use the conclusion to tie together the information presented throughout the essay and to open up a discussion to broader implications.

In Conclusion

In an expository essay, the writer’s main purpose is to inform and educate their audience. In format and structure, expository essays typically resemble other genres of nonfiction essays. However, unlike similar genres like the argumentative or persuasive essay, the expository essay doesn’t aim to advance a position or argument, but rather to present information in as balanced and impartial a manner as possible.

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9.3 Organizing Your Writing

Learning objectives.

Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

The method of organization you choose for your essay is just as important as its content. Without a clear organizational pattern, your reader could become confused and lose interest. The way you structure your essay helps your readers draw connections between the body and the thesis, and the structure also keeps you focused as you plan and write the essay. Choosing your organizational pattern before you outline ensures that each body paragraph works to support and develop your thesis.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

Chronological order
Order of importance
Spatial order

When you begin to draft your essay, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner. Your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas in order to help process and accept them.

A solid organizational pattern gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your draft. Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. Planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research.

Chronological Order

In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing , which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first , second , then , after that , later , and finally . These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis.

For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first , then , next , and so on.

Writing at Work

At some point in your career you may have to file a complaint with your human resources department. Using chronological order is a useful tool in describing the events that led up to your filing the grievance. You would logically lay out the events in the order that they occurred using the key transition words. The more logical your complaint, the more likely you will be well received and helped.

Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and in what order, and the introduction should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem).

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that describes a process you are familiar with and can do well. Assume that your reader is unfamiliar with the procedure. Remember to use the chronological key words, such as first , second , then , and finally .

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Most essays move from the least to the most important point, and the paragraphs are arranged in an effort to build the essay’s strength. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to begin with your most important supporting point, such as in an essay that contains a thesis that is highly debatable. When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading.

For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case.

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
Writing a descriptive essay

Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your reader, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you.

The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point.

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

Attached to my bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as you enter. Just to the right of the rack is my window, framed by billowy white curtains. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, which sits to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a 3D painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up most of the wall, which is the color of lavender.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

Just to the left or just to the right
On the left or on the right
Across from
A little further down
To the south, to the east, and so on
A few yards away
Turning left or turning right

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

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Expository Essays: Overview

What is exposition writing.

Exposition can be either oral or written. It is used to explain, interpret, inform, or describe. An expository writer must assume that the audience has no prior knowledge regarding the topic being discussed. So the topic must be written in a clear manner explaining how things work (you can however, leave out common knowledge –you probably are not writing for first graders). Exposition reaches beyond the obvious. Its underlying purpose in explaining, interpreting, informing, or describing is to reveal aspects of substance. Exposition does not simply provide a definition of the term “fake news”; it explores the inherent danger in using a terms that grossly oversimplifies the true nature of news. In an essay one would explore how the term “fake news” should but often does not refer to unreliable news sources, rumor mills, and blogs or social media sites that purposely spread unsourced stories to fulfill a political or personal agenda. One might also write that “fake news” is a term applied to news that is sourced but that someone simply choices to openly discredit.

As most academic terms, exposition can acquire various definitions depending on the context in which a writer is using the word. The HarperCollins Collins English Dictionary defines exposition in seven different disciplinary contexts.

Within the Communication Arts / Journalism & Publishing discipline exposition is defined as: a systematic, usually written statement about, commentary on, or explanation of a specific subject
The act of expounding of setting forth information or a viewpoint
(Business / Commerce) of a large public exhibition, especially of industrial products or arts and crafts
The act of exposing or the state of being exposed
(Performing Arts / Theatre) the part of a play, novel, etc., in which the theme and main characters are introduced.
(Music / Classical Music) Music the first statement of the subjects or themes of a movement in sonata form or a fugue
(Christianity / Roman Catholic Church) RC Church the exhibiting of the consecrated Eucharistic Host or a relic for public veneration (Harper Collins Dictionary)

TYPES OF EXPOSITION

Description – The author explains a particular topic by showing characteristics, features, and examples.
Comparison – The author shows how two or more topics are alike.
Contrast – The author shows how two or more topics are different.
Cause and Effect – The author demonstrates the cause while showing the effects of the cause.
Problem and Solution – The author explains a problem, then explores possible solutions.
Analytical – The author evaluates a topic or argument revealing its strengths and weaknesses.
Classification – The author sorts things into useful categories, makes sure all the categories follow a single organizing principle, and gives examples that fit into each category.
Sequence – The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order.

FIND A TOPIC, READ, DISCUSS, AND RESEARCH

First you must find a specific aspect of a topic that would interest you. This means you will and must read about the topic. You will have to research the topic extensively so that you can explain it—what exposition is all about. Research your topic extensively if necessary. You will probably have to spend quite a bit of time, but remember that the researching can be exciting. The general initial researching may even provide some valuable information that you want to explain. Researching is like exercising: at first it hurts, but with time you become stronger and it’s easier to flex your researching muscles. After you have decided upon a topic, you can create a thesis.

When you read, read critically and actively as was discussed in the previous chapter. Question the author’s points, consider conflicting viewpoints and support evidence. Analysis and exposition is built upon disagreement. Don’t avoid it; explore it with an open mind.

Like reading and writing, writing and talking work in unison. Teachers often observe classes that actively read and then discuss what they have read are often much stronger writers. Moreover, some students find that discussion is an important step in articulating their ideas and galvanizing their viewpoints on a topic.

An expositional paper is most easily written when you have a “tight” thesis. This means that the focus of your topic is extremely specific. When your thesis is concise, you can write at length because you know exactly what you should be writing about. But when you have a sloppy, vague thesis, you can become lost and your writing reflects this. This goes back to choosing a topic focus that deals with something specific, and not overly general. A thesis makes a claim regarding your focus and is supported by details and facts. It is written in one or two complete sentences. An example of a thesis would be: “Gardening can be a rewarding hobby because of the creativity involved, the variety of plants, and the many uses of plants.”

Create a Sketchy Outline

After you write your thesis, create a sketchy outline so that you have a game plan for your paper. Your outline should have information that you want to include for each part of your thesis. For our thesis example, we could find lots of information that could support the different parts of gardening. Notice the word could –just because we have the information doesn’t mean we must use it in the paper. This is a rough outline after all.

Start Writing

Too often we don’t begin writing because we are stuck—don’t be, just start writing. You can begin anywhere. Start writing where you feel the most comfortable. When you have your outline, as sketchy as it may be, it reminds you of ideas that you want to include in your paper. Remember though that readers are interested in what YOU have to say—they don’t want to read regurgitated quotes and opinions of others, so make sure that your point is being heard.

STRUCTURE OF AN ANALYTICAL/EXPOSITORY ESSAY

The structure of an expository piece consists of first an introduction that contains the most crucial element—the thesis—the main point you wish to convey. After the introduction is the body, in which you clarify the different aspects of the thesis in great detail. The final piece, the conclusion, restates and rephrases (using different words) the thesis and ties up any “loose ends”.

Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any successful expository essay. A thesis statement controls the subject matter of the essay and states something significant to the reader. It is the one statement that summarizes the main point of the essay and states why the essay is important and worth reading. An essay that lacks a strong thesis will have broad scope and lack focus.

The following are qualities of a well-crafted thesis statement:

A thesis statement should identify a specific purpose for the essay.
A thesis statement should assert something about the essay, and it should be something with which others can reasonably disagree.
A thesis statement should be clear and easily identifiable by a reader.
A thesis statement generally comes toward the end of the introduction and is usually the final sentence.
A well-focused thesis statement, key to organizing an essay, contains two elements: a clear subject and a clear perspective on the topic.
o Vague – Ecological disasters are a major concern today.
o Precise – Pollution of underground water supplies threatens cities on the American West Coast.

A thesis should have the following characteristics:

*It should be simple or complex, BUT never compound.
*It should be stated positively.
*It should be restricted, precise, and unified.
*It should not contain figurative language.

INTRODUCTION

The very first part of your introduction should have an attention-grabbing device (a hook) to engage your readers. Hooks can be statistics, facts, questions, or unusual details. Don’t make general statements such as “it is clear that…” because you are trying to explain something that perhaps your reader doesn’t know, so it would not be clear to them. Instead be informative. The introduction will also contain your thesis. Good topic referring to Rhetoric. One can check it at the essays writing companies and already written essays accomplished by writing service writers.

Be creative in your introduction: use an anecdote, a provocative statement, a surprising or insightful quote, or even a shocking statistic. Bring the audience up to speed on the broader aspects of the subject on which you are basing your essay.

Consider starting with a criticism. For example, in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers , people view his research as a key to unlocking human potential, but that’s an overstatement. One might consider challenging the more common and popular interpretations of the book as being a “self-help” book.

Consider starting with praise. The book Outliers is the first widely read and very honest discussion of the commonly held belief that success in America is only a matter of hard work. The reader is confronted with the reality that even in America, privilege provides opportunities poverty cannot. Such an introduction establishes a viewpoint while introducing an important element of the book.

Now that you have your specific thesis, along with your sketchy outline, you must support your thesis claim by using concrete evidence and examples. You should exfoliate your thesis. Remember that expositional writing assumes that your readers have no prior knowledge regarding your topic, so you must explain things very clearly. Parallelism can be very important in your paper. It can give the readers a feeling of structure and importance. Pick a method of organization and stick with it.

In our example, we would explain in detail how much creativity is involved in gardening. We could write about the style of impressive European or Oriental gardens. Next, we would show how there are a variety of plants. We could write about plants found in different climates. Finally, we would explain the many uses of plants. We could write about floral bouquets and vegetables.

Because exposition’s purpose is to inform, you will want to establish common ground with your readers. You should write objectively, which will fulfill the purpose of explaining things.

Topic Sentence:

It may help to use a topic sentence to focus each paragraph and to keep the writer and the reader on point. This is a statement of the point you’ll make usually in the introductory paragraph.

Support should always come from the articles you found in your research, your author research, and through passages from the text. BE SPECIFIC when you refer to any text. Paraphrase with detail, and use direct quotes when necessary. This is very, very important.

Developing Paragraphs:

To develop paragraphs, consider one of the following forms of support for your point of view:

Use examples and illustrations (exemplification)
Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others)
Examine testimony or authoritative statements and published passages (what other people say such as quotes and paraphrases)
Use an anecdote or story (narrative)
Define terms in the paragraph. These terms should be important to the topic under discussion.
Compare and contrast (describe and explain the characteristics of two objects or ideas to draw attention to similarities and differences)
Evaluate causes and reasons for the occurrences of an issue or condition in the world. What do you or others believe causes anything from car accidents or racism or juvenile diabetes.
Examine effects and consequences of a particular action or state of being
Analyze the topic, supporting texts or common beliefs about some aspect of your topic. For examples, tackle a stereotype or a common belief about the topic.

In each paragraph, explain what you believe the support means. Many of you were already doing this in your paragraphs.

A conclusion wraps up your paper by recalling your main points, but do not use the identical words that you used in your introduction. Conclusions and introductions are like frames, they should tie your whole paper together. You should explain your main points briefly and freshly. Don’t be sloppy–this is the last impression you are making.

Some combination of the following is always helpful:

Refer back to your thesis.
Tell us what you ultimately think about the topic under discussion.
Tell us what readers can and should take from this discussion in terms of how we view the world, our families, specific populations, etc. Consider addressing these questions: What would you like us to learn from your discussion on the book? What points should we remember? What particular insights on the subject were most important?
How can you make your reader remember this essay?

Sources Used to Create this Chapter

The majority of the content for this section has been adapted from the following OER Material:

Let’s Get Writing by Elizabeth Browning et. al., which was published under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
English Composition by Ann Inoshita et. al., which was published under a CC-BY 4.0 license.
Expression and Inquiry by Sally Pierce and Melissa Lucken, which was published under a CC-BY 4.0 license.

Starting the Journey: An Intro to College Writing Copyright © by Leonard Owens III; Tim Bishop; and Scott Ortolano is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Organize an Expository Essay

Candice mancini, 26 sep 2017.

To remind yourself to stick to your argument and be engaging, think of your expository essay as a debate with a friend. Just as in a debate or conversation -- or even a sitcom episode -- your essay needs a beginning, middle and end and should leave your reader satisfied. If your reader is confused or bored by your essay, you have not done your job.

Explore this article

Thesis: Argue and Then Convince
Introduction: Engage, Summarize and Include Thesis
Body Paragraphs: Provide Evidence, Analyze and Transition
Conclusion: Wrap Up Creatively

1 Thesis: Argue and Then Convince

Your paper must contain a clear, well-defined thesis statement that will shape the rest of your paper. A thesis must argue something. For example, "Jazz music rose to popularity in the early 20th century in the United States," is not a thesis. However, "Jazz has been the most influential movement in music history since the Classical period," is. Place your thesis in your introductory paragraph.

2 Introduction: Engage, Summarize and Include Thesis

Begin your introduction with an attention-catching statement about your topic. For instance, "In the early 20th century, 'jazz' was considered a vulgar word connected to sex and mayhem." Follow this with important information that introduces the reader to your paper's key topics. Don't forget to include your thesis statement, which some instructors prefer placed in the final sentence of this paragraph.

3 Body Paragraphs: Provide Evidence, Analyze and Transition

The five-paragraph essay, a common approach to expository writing, is good for beginner writers. Each body paragraph should focus on a subtopic related to your thesis. For example, in one paragraph, discuss the developments of jazz and Classical period music; in another, analyze the influences each had on their societies; and in the last, describe how each influenced future music genres. Analyze each subtopic thoroughly with ample evidence, and connect paragraphs to one another and to the thesis with transition sentences at the end and beginning of each paragraph.

4 Conclusion: Wrap Up Creatively

Create an overview of your paper's main topics. To avoid being repetitive, place the information in a new context, such as discussing jazz in relation to the broader field of music. Consider including an interesting quotation that sheds new light on the topic. Reveal why your thesis is important, without restating it, such as, "Jazz added clarity and complexity to the ragtime-dominated music scene of the 20th century, just as Classical did during the Baroque-heavy 18th century, allowing for newer, bolder sounds."

1 Purdue OWL: Expository Essays
2 A Passion for Jazz: Etymology of Jazz

About the Author

Candice Mancini has always loved matching people with career paths. After earning her master's degree in education from the University at Albany, she spent a decade teaching and writing before becoming a full-time writer. Mancini has published articles and books on education, careers, social issues, the environment and more.

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COMMENTS

How to Write an Expository Essay
The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It's worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline. A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
How To Write An Expository Essay
Here are some tips for writing a good expository essay: Ensure the essay has a clear and narrowly defined topic for effective exploration. Present facts, statistics, and evidence without incorporating personal opinions or biases. Utilize a well-structured format with logical sequencing of ideas and paragraphs.
How to Write an Expository Essay: Writing Tips & Structure
Writing an expository essay can be done step-by-step by organizing your thoughts, researching the topic, formulating a thesis statement, writing an introduction, composing the body paragraphs, and summarizing the essay in the conclusion. Finally, revise and proofread the essay to ensure its quality.
PDF Writing an Expository Essay
Section 1 Essay structure An essay is a piece of writing made up of a number of paragraphs. Each paragraph has a speciﬁ c role in an essay. In a ﬁ ve-paragraph essay, the ﬁ rst paragraph is an introduction; the second, third, and fourth paragraphs form the body of the essay; and the ﬁ fth paragraph is a conclusion (see diagram on page 4).
Topics, Outline, Examples
An outline for expository essay is a structured plan that serves as a roadmap for organizing the main ideas and supporting details of the essay in a logical and coherent manner. While the specific structure may vary based on the assignment or preferences, a typical outline generally includes the following components, beginning with how to start ...
Expository Essays
The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.
Expository Essay: 3 Building Blocks to Propose an Idea and Defend It
The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. Keep in mind that your expository writing centers on giving your reader information about a given topic or process.
How to Write an Expository Essay (Updated for 2021)
Formatting an expository essay in a logical and organized fashion will help you explain your topic and inform your reader. If you want to write a good expository essay, always try to please your reader with straightforward language and strong organization. The expository essay follows a similar format to a traditional five-paragraph essay.
How to write Excellent Expository 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.
Organizing an Expository Essay
Originally recorded for a World Literature 101w course, this 20 minute webinar explains the goals of the expository essay genre and the structure of an expos...
4 Easy Ways to Write an Expository Essay
3. Generate ideas for your expository essay. Before you begin writing your essay, you should take some time to flesh out your ideas and get some things down on paper. Invention activities like listing, freewriting, clustering, and questioning can help you to develop ideas for your expository essay. [5]
Ultimate Guide To Writing Expository Essays
Expository essays are a common type of academic writing that asks students to give clear, factual information about a certain topic. ... An outline can be a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before you start writing your expository essay. The following is a basic outline for an expository essay:
Purdue Owl
Organizing You Expository/Persuasive Essay. How can I effectively present my argument? Use an organizational structure that arranges the argument in a way that will make sense to the reader. The Toulmin Method of logic is a common and easy to use formula for organizing an argument. The basic format for the Toulmin Method is as follows:
How to Write an Expository Essay
The expository essay is a genre of nonfiction writing in which a writer aims to explain a topic or concept. In this genre of essay writing, the writer is not required to put forward an original argument, but rather aims to educate the reader on a topic. This contrasts with the argumentative and persuasive essay genres, in which the writer takes ...
9.3 Organizing Your Writing
Exercise 3. On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.
Expository Essays: Overview
A thesis statement is one of the most important elements of any successful expository essay. A thesis statement controls the subject matter of the essay and states something significant to the reader. ... key to organizing an essay, contains two elements: a clear subject and a clear perspective on the topic. Use a precise topic rather than a ...
How to Organize an Expository Essay
To remind yourself to stick to your argument and be engaging, think of your expository essay as a debate with a friend. Just as in a debate or conversation -- or even a sitcom episode -- your essay needs a beginning, middle and end and should leave your reader satisfied. If your reader is confused or bored by your ...
How to Write an Essay Outline
Revised on July 23, 2023. An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph, giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold. You'll sometimes be asked to submit an essay outline as a separate ...
7 Graphic Organizers for Expository Writing
The visual aspect of a cause and effect graphic organizer works extremely well for setting up an expository paragraph or essay. Descriptive. ... The graphic organizer should assist students in identifying critical information and avoiding extraneous details. It is vital that students understand the importance of each detail leading back to the ...
Essay Map
Overview. Expository writing is an increasingly important skill for elementary, middle, and high school students to master. This interactive graphic organizer helps students develop an outline that includes an introductory statement, main ideas they want to discuss or describe, supporting details, and a conclusion that summarizes the main ideas.
Expository Essay Activities & Games
Organizing Expository Essays. Students often think of an expository essay as a report of sorts. However, an expository essay is more than that. In this type of essay, students can compare and ...