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4.1: Expository Essays
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- Understand the function and use of expository essays
- Identify eight types of expository essays
- Apply expository essay structure
What Is an Expository Essay?
An essay that explains a writer’s ideas by defining, explaining, informing, or elaborating on points to allow the reader to clearly understand the concept.
Many of your future academic workplace writing assignments will be expository–explaining your ideas or the significance of a concept or action. An expository essay allows the writer the opportunity to explain his or her ideas about a topic and to provide clarity for the reader by using:
It may also include the writer outlining steps of a procedure in a way that is straightforward for the reader to follow. It is purely informative and often contains elements of summary.
Imagine you need to verbally explain a concept to your classmates, maybe a behavioural theory. What are the key elements on which you would focus? How would you organize the information? You could explain who came up with the theory, the specific area of study to which it is related, its purpose, and the significant details to explain the theory. Telling these four elements to your classmates would give them a complete, yet summarized, picture of the theory, so they could apply the theory in future discussions.
Although you did this verbally, you were still fulfilling the elements of an expository essay by providing definition, details, explanations, and maybe even facts if you have a really good memory. This is the same process that you would use when you write an expository essay. You may actually be doing this all the time; for example, when you are giving someone directions to a place or explaining how to cook something. In the following sections of the chapter, you will practise doing this more in different expository written forms.
The Structure of an Expository Essay
Sections versus paragraphs.
Before looking at the general structure of an expository essay, you first need to know that in your post-secondary education, you should not consider your essay as writing being constructed with five paragraphs as you might have been used to in high school. You should instead think of your essay in terms of sections (there may be five), and each section may have multiple paragraphs.
To understand further why you need to think beyond the five-paragraph essay, imagine you have been asked to submit a six-page paper (approximately 1,500 words). You already know that each paragraph should be roughly 75 to 200 words long. If you divide the required word count by five paragraphs (1,500 by 5), you end with 300 words per paragraph, way above the number you should have in a paragraph. If your paragraphs are too long, they likely have too many ideas and your reader may become confused. Your paragraphs should be two-third of a page at most, and never longer than a page.
Instead, if you think of your essays being divided into sections (with possibly more than one paragraph per section), your writing will likely be more organized and allow your reader to follow your presentation of ideas without creating too much distance between your paragraph’s supporting points and its topic sentence.
As you will see in Section 4.5, some essay forms may require even more than five paragraphs or sections because of how many points are necessary to address. For the rest of this chapter, the term paragraph will also imply section.
Sections of an Expository Essay
An expository essay, regardless of its purpose, should have at least five sections, which are:
- First body section/paragraph
- Second body section/paragraph
- Third body section/paragraph
The introduction should state the topic of your paper: your thesis statement as well as brief signposts of what information the rest of the paper will include. That is, you only want to mention the content of the body paragraphs; you do not want to go in to a lot of detail and repeat what will be in the rest of the essay.
The first body section or paragraph should focus on one of your main points and provide evidence to support that point. There should be two to three supporting points: reasons, facts, statistics, quotations, examples, or a mix of these. Both the second and third body sections should follow the same pattern. Providing three body sections with one point each that supports the thesis should provide the reader with enough detail to be convinced of your argument or fully understand the concept you are explaining. However, remember that some sections will require more explanation, and you may need to separate this information into multiple paragraphs.
You can order your sections in the most logical way to explain your ideas. For example, if you are describing a process, you may use chronological order to show the definite time order in which the steps need to happen. You will learn about the different ways to organize your body paragraphs in the next chapter.
The concluding paragraph , or conclusion, can be a little tricky to compose because you need to make sure you give a concise summary of the body paragraphs, but you must be careful not to simply repeat what you have already written. Look back at the main idea of each section/paragraph, and try to summarize the point using words different from those you have already used. Do not include any new points in your concluding paragraph.
Consider Your Audience: How Much Do They Know?
Later in this chapter, you will work on determining and adapting to your audience when writing, but with an expository essay, since you are defining or informing your audience on a certain topic, you need to evaluate how much your audience knows about that topic (aside from having general common knowledge). You want to make sure you are giving thorough, comprehensive, and clear explanations on the topic. Never assume the reader knows everything about your topic (even if it is covered in the reader’s field of study). For example, even though some of your instructors may teach criminology, they may have specialized in different areas from the one about which you are writing; they most likely have a strong understanding of the concepts but may not recall all the small details on the topic. If your instructor specialized in crime mapping and data analysis for example, he or she may not have a strong recollection of specific criminological theories related to other areas of study. Providing enough background information without being too detailed is a fine balance, but you always want to ensure you have no gaps in the information, so your reader will not have to guess your intention. Again, we will practise this more in Section 4.9.
What Comes Next?
In the next eight sections (4.2 through 4.9), we will look at different expository modes, or rhetorical modes, you will often be assigned. These are:
- Process analysis
- Compare and contrast
- Cause and effect
Rhetorical modes refers simply to the ways to communicate effectively through language. As you read about these modes, keep in mind that the rhetorical mode a writer chooses depends on his or her purpose for writing. Sometimes writers incorporate a variety of modes in any one essay. In this chapter, we also emphasize the rhetorical modes as a set of tools that will allow you greater flexibility and effectiveness in communicating with your audience and expressing your ideas.
In a few weeks, you will need to submit your first essay–an expository sample–and you will be given the choice of topic: one from each of the modes. Think about which types of expository essays are easier and which are more challenging for you. As mentioned, as you progress through your studies, you will be exposed to each of these types. You may want to explore a mode you find more challenging than the others in order to ensure you have a full grasp on developing each type. However, it is up to you. As you work through the sections, think about possible topics you may like to cover in your expository essay and start brainstorming as you work through the self-practice exercises.
After we explore each of the individual modes in the eight sections that follow, we will look at outlining and drafting; it is at this point you will want to fine tune and narrow the topic you will write about, so you can focus on that when doing the exercises.
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- How to write an expository essay
How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples
Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on December 7, 2022.
“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.
Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .
Table of contents
When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, frequently asked questions about expository essays.
In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.
Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.
The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.
Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.
An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).
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.
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Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.
Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.
It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.
Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.
The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.
The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.
Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.
The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.
An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.
Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.
You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.
An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.
Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.
An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.
An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.
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How to Write an Expository Essay
Explaining a complicated concept is a very useful skill to pick up in life which is why expository essays are one of the four basic types of essays taught in school. We might think we're good at explaining but writing an expository essay is a challenge because it requires critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to present your ideas clearly. In this article, our research paper service will explain what an expository essay is, how to structure it, get an outline, get step-by-step instructions for every paragraph, a list of topic ideas, and general tips and advice.
What Is an Expository Essay?
Put simply, an expository essay exposes facts about a subject. It relates information to the reader about a situation, person, concept, or phenomenon, and explains something about them. It does not try to convince the reader about a certain viewpoint or make a persuasive argument. The goal of an expository essay is to educate the reader about something, therefore, it relies on facts not personal opinion.
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What Is Expository Writing?
Since the goal of expository writing is to convey information to the reader, many types of writing you come across in your daily life are expository. This includes articles found in newspapers, magazines, social media websites, and listicles as well as scientific papers, textbooks, business communication, and a host of other things. Expository writing is the most common form of writing in the world because it includes everything from conveying information about your day to explaining a work project.
Remember, the main distinction between expository writing and other forms of writing is that the goal is not to convince or persuade someone, rather just to provide information. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot use techniques from descriptive, narrative, or persuasive writing to make your exposition more interesting. Borrowing techniques from descriptive or narrative writing can make the information you convey more real in the reader's mind and when presenting facts and figures for persuasive writing you automatically use techniques from expository writing.
When writing an expository essay make sure you are using facts and logic rather than personal opinion or subjective truths. An expository essay definition could be “a type of writing that aims to expose the facts about a certain topic”, which means that the reader can expect trustworthy information about a topic presented in a logical way. Depending on the type of expository writing, you may have to structure it in different ways, but using an expository essay outline is always going to be beneficial to organize your research and to visualize the flow of the essay. Later on in this article you will come across an in-depth section about expository essay outlines.
Expository Essay Topics
Now that you know what expository writing is, you should think about what kind of topics you would like to write about. Finding the right topic is incredibly important because it will guide your research as well as help you determine the specific pieces of information that you will include in the final essay.
The single biggest piece of advice when coming up with a topic is to choose one that you are actually personally interested in. Doing research and relaying information can be boring, but if you choose something that you have a passion for then the entire process can become more enjoyable. What might be considered a boring assignment can be transformed into a fun way of talking about something you are passionate about.
Make sure that the topic you choose isn't too broad. Broad topics may seem easier to write about but they don't let you showcase in-depth research and bring up interesting facts. It may seem easier but most likely you will end up with a low grade. On the other hand, don't choose a topic that is too specific. You need to make sure that there is enough information out there from reputable sources to back up any point you are trying to make.
Don't just go with the first topic idea that pops into your head. Brainstorm several ideas and conduct a little bit of research on all of them to find a topic that you enjoy as well as a topic that has interesting research about it.
The most important thing to be careful of when coming up with an expository essay topic is to make sure that the topic you choose isn't trying to convince or persuade somebody of something, rather it is just conveying information.
Here are some interesting topics for expository essays for you to consider and draw inspiration from.
10 Expository Essay Topics About Education
- What is the history of the western education system?
- What are the most effective ways of studying?
- At what age should children go to school?
- Are high grades the best predictor of future success?
- Pros and cons of college versus technical education?
- How has the pandemic affected education?
- Compare public high schools private high schools.
- What are the practical benefits of STEM education?
- Are there any benefits to home education?
- How video games can improve the quality of education for rural children.
10 Expository Essay Topics About Mental Health
- Mental disorders that are culturally specific.
- What are some of the effective treatments for personality disorders?
- What are the benefits of meditation on Mental Health?
- How is depression different based on socio-economic background?
- An analysis of social media psychologists.
- How has the treatment of mental disorders changed in the last century?
- How to help a friend with anxiety disorders?
- Potential ways to get help for improving mental health.
- What qualifies as a substance abuse disorder?
- What is the impact of war on mental health?
10 Expository Essay Topics About Society
- Compare human society to elephant society.
- What will future humans criticize present-day humans for?
- How does society impact media and vice versa?
- How does a country determine its national values?
- How should modern humans interact with indigenous humans?
- The history of colonialism in Southeast Asia.
- How did the Mongol Empire impact modern civilization?
- How is Europe different than America?
- Categorize different subcultures.
- What were the first human societies like?
10 Expository Essay Topics About Politics
- Compare and contrast different political systems.
- How does democracy help marginalized populations in society?
- How to become a senator.
- Ways of getting involved in local government.
- What are the basic differences between conservatives and liberals?
- Describe the life of a famous politician.
- How does oil impact politics?
- Trace the history of the UN.
- Analyze the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre.
- Why are more young people interested in politics now?
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The Different Types of Expository Essays
Writing an expository essay can be easier if you know the different types of expository essays. Because expository writing can take on so many forms, knowing the different types of essays can help you choose a topic as well as plan the overall flow and structure of the essay. The following list of different types of expository essays is not exhaustive but contains the most common ones you will come across in an academic situation.
You can think of a process essay as a formal how-to guide. The goal of this type of essay is to give a step-by-step explanation of how to do something. A typical process essay introduces what you will learn in the introduction paragraph, uses the body paragraphs to provide step-by-step directions, and talks about the importance of what you have learned in the conclusion. A process essay can cover something like “how to groom your dog” or can be as complicated as “6 methods to expand your online digital marketing business”.
Compare and Contrast Essays
Compare and contrast essays analyze a topic by looking at how it is similar or different from something else. Remember that this is still an expository essay, so the goal of comparing or contrasting isn't to make a judgment on whether one is better or worse, rather it is to provide information and let the reader make a decision for themselves. Comparison essays can either focus on similarities, differences, or both.
Cause and Effect Essays
Cause and effect essays look at how something came about or what the impact of something was. It provides information about the relationship between two connected things. An essay about the impact of being bullied on self-esteem as an adult is an example of a cause and effect essay. Cause and effect essays explore why things happened or what the impact of something might be and can point out interesting connections or highlight information about a cause or effect.
Classification essays compare different things in the same category, highlighting what makes them different from each other but also noting what puts them in the same category. For example an essay about casual video games can talk about games like Mario Party as well as Candy Crush, and explain why even though they exist on different platforms they are both considered casual games. Classification essays can be particularly interesting when trying to fit something into a form of classification it usually does not belong.
A definition essay or descriptive essay is one of the most pure forms of expository writing because it's goal is to give information that defines a topic. This can be made more interesting by presenting information about the history of the topic, the etymology of the word, and by presenting information about how the definition has changed over time or will change with time. A definition essay doesn't just give the dictionary definition of the word, rather it provides information that expands the overall idea of the term while explaining it in depth.
The Expository Essay Structure
If you are writing an expository essay for school then the essay will usually follow the typical 5-paragraph essay structure.This means that there will be an introductory paragraph, followed by three body paragraphs, followed by the conclusion. While the expository essay format can and should change based on the assignment and the audience, this is a general expository essay outline. Our article about argumentative essay format also contains a lot of additional useful information, check it out.
- Background information
- A thesis statement or a sentence explaining the main purpose of the essay
- Transition sentence
Body paragraph 1
- Topic sentence about the first main idea or fact being presented
- Supporting evidence and facts
- Transition to the second body paragraph
Body paragraph 2
- Topic sentence about the second main idea or fact being presented
- Transition to the third body paragraph
Body paragraph 3
- Topic sentence about the third main idea or fact being presented
- Transition to the conclusion
- Summary of the main ideas
- Restate the thesis statement or main purpose
- Final thoughts
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Expository Essay Outline
Creating an outline is one of the most important steps before you actually start writing the essay. Many people think making an outline is a waste of time, but the truth is that the more thorough your expository essay outline, the less time you will need to spend researching and writing.
An outline breaks down each paragraph of the essay into different sections. This allows you to break down a larger task into manageable chunks as well as helps you visualize how different pieces of information will fit together. Let's go through each section of the expository essay structure.
Expository Essay Introduction
An introduction is the first thing somebody reads. It is your first opportunity to impress the reader and to explain what the essay will be about. Writing a good introduction can be challenging, but If you follow the outline below you will have an introduction that is clear and engaging.
A hook is the very first sentence of the introductory paragraph and therefore the essay. It's called a hook because the goal is to hook a reader's attention the same way a hook catches the mouth of a fish. A good hook for an expository essay can pose a question or state an interesting fact with the goal of engaging the reader as quickly as possible. Whether it's writing an article or an assignment for school, making the reader interested from the beginning is going to make you stand out.
The next few sentences of the introduction paragraph should give background information about the topic you want to discuss. This does not have to be too specific because you will expand upon these points in the body paragraphs, but make sure that the background information you present is both interesting as well as directly connected to the topic. The reader should have a basic understanding of some of the key terms and concepts that will be discussed in the paper after these sentences.
Next comes the thesis statement. A thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence declaration of what the purpose of the paper is. For an expository paper, a thesis statement clearly states the topic being explained and how it will be explained. As usual for expository writing, make sure that your thesis statement is not making an argument or trying to be persuasive.
You can either end the paragraph after your thesis statement or include a brief one-sentence transition to the body paragraphs. This transition sentence is usually more common when writing articles rather than writing academic papers.
Expository Essay Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs are where you put your research. In an expository essay, you don't need to build an argument, which can make body paragraphs simpler to write, but that doesn't mean you should just dump information randomly. Typically, you should have three body paragraphs, each one talking about a specific issue related to your topic.
When conducting research, distill three main ways you want to explain your topic and explain each of them in a different body paragraph. You may be tempted to present as much information as possible, but a paper that is too dense with information can be complicated to understand. The goal of the body paragraph is to express information in a way that is clear, logical, and interesting.
Start a body paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph will be about. Make sure you connect the topic sentence to the overall topic and make it clear to the reader how they are related.
Next, present the facts and information, making sure that each fact you present is correctly cited and comes from a reputable source. Since the purpose of an expository essay is to explain something objectively, the quality of your sources is very important.
Finally, end a body paragraph with a transition sentence that either wraps up the information in the paragraph or hints at what the next paragraph will be about. Transition sentences improve the flow of an essay by giving the reader either a recap of important information or by clearly marking the end of one subtopic and connecting it to the next one.
Expository Essay Conclusion
The conclusion of an expository essay aims to recap the main pieces of information in the essay and restate the hypothesis to remind the reader about the purpose of the writing.
You can summarize the main pieces of information by looking at your topic sentences and transition sentences. Include all the main information that relates to your thesis so that the reader is reminded about it.
You should restate the thesis statement so that the audience understands how the information you have presented in the body paragraph connects to the main purpose of the essay. Follow this up with an explanation of why the topic is important, highlight interesting connections, and identify other interesting ways the information can be explained.
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Even though you now know a lot about the expository essay format, there are other things to keep in mind as well. In this section, we'll go over the specific steps you should take when figuring out how to write an expository essay.
The absolute first thing you should do when given an expository essay assignment is to carefully go over the guidelines. Make sure you completely understand what is required of you. If it is for class, you may be limited to certain topics and word counts, there may be restrictions on the quality of sources you can use, etc. You might write an incredible essay but get a low grade because you missed out on some small restriction or guideline.
Once you know exactly what you are supposed to do, it's time to think about different concepts you would like to explain. Make sure you are aware of the different types of expository essays so that when you brainstorm topics you have a tentative idea of what type of expository essay would be best suited for that topic.
Think about what has been covered in class, what the teacher might expect, and what you find interesting to try and come up with a list of topics. Do a little bit of research on each topic to figure out whether you can easily find reputable sources and to gain a further understanding of the topic. After keeping all these things in mind, you should end up with an expository essay topic that is appropriate, engaging, and high-scoring.
Fill Up an Outline
Once you have zeroed in on a topic it's time to do research. One of the best ways to plan your writing is to use an expository essay outline to organize interesting information. While conducting research focus on the body paragraphs rather than on the introduction or conclusion. Think about three main ways you can explain the topic and put information that fits into those subtopics under the appropriate body paragraphs.
While conducting research and filling out an outline, think about potential thesis statements. Coming up with a thesis statement too early will restrict your research, so it is better to develop a thesis statement as you find out more and more information. That being said, by the end of the planning stage you should have a finalized thesis statement
Planning out your essay beforehand will give direction to your research, cut down on the amount of time you spend on the assignment, improve the overall flow of the final essay, and make the actual writing process much easier.
Write the First Draft
Now is the time to translate your outline into full sentences. It is often useful to leave the writing of the introduction till the end because after writing the body paragraphs you will have a better idea of what to say in an introduction, but make sure that you write down your thesis statement.
Use the information you have found to create a cohesive analysis of the topic in each body paragraph. Make sure that the information you present is on topic and connects to the other facts around it. Think about what the purpose of each body paragraph is and question whether the information you are presenting fits that purpose or not. Make sure to use transition words within the paragraph and use transition sentences between paragraphs to improve overall comprehensibility and flow.
Finalize Your Draft
Go over the first draft of the essay and focus on whether the different paragraphs make sense or not. Don't be afraid to reorganize sections or completely get rid of some pieces of information. As you write your draft, new ways of expressing the information can come to mind that will make the overall essay more powerful.
Make sure that you are not trying to make a persuasive argument and that you are using facts rather than opinions as evidence.
Go over each sentence to make sure that it is clear and that it fits the purpose of the paragraph it is in. Look at the information you have included and make sure that it is useful and enhances understanding of the topic. It is better to have less information than more if the information is distracting or does not add anything to the essay.
Try and read the paper as if it is the first time you are coming across the topic to see if it makes sense or not. Congratulations, you are just one step away from being able to submit an expository essay!
Editing and Proofreading
Go over the final draft of your essay and check for formatting errors, grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, etc and make sure that it complies with all the guidelines of the assignment. Finally, ask a friend or relative to go over the paper to do the last check. If you feel like you still need to make a lot of changes, don't be disheartened, spend the extra time to make the changes or reach out to a professional service.
Expository Essay Examples
One of the best ways to learn how to write an expository essay is to look at an expository essay example. Looking at expository essay examples can give you a deeper understanding of what is expected as well as how to write an essay that flows well. Make sure that you use any examples you find as inspiration rather than a place to directly source information or text!
Expository Essay Example
At the bottom of this page is a link to an essay Pro example of an expository essay. I don't know how to link to it but someone on your side should.
The shift from traditional to current methods in treating diseases has improved the quality of many services, products, and processes. However, many regions worldwide are still applying traditional medicines (Stefanov et al., 2020). Therefore, conventional western medicine and alternative Eastern medicine are two recognized approaches to treating multiple diseases. Researchers have developed the foundational differences between these two approaches that have helped establish the pros and cons of each. Each approach has advantages and drawbacks. There have been debates on which approach is cheaper in terms of time and cost of treatment. Also, there is ongoing concern on which approach is safer than the other.
As of 2019, there were over 3.5 billion social media users globally, and this figure still increases by 9% each year. It is impossible to deny that social media has become an important part of many people’s lives. There are various positive effects linked with the platforms, including better connectivity. However, addiction to social media platforms, the increased comparisons between individuals, and the fear of missing out have increased depression and sadness. Social media addiction has become rampant, which has negatively influenced the lives of many individuals in society. Checking and scrolling through the different social media platforms has become increasingly popular over time, leading to excessive and compulsive use.
An expository essay can be a challenge to write if you don't choose the right topic and don't have a plan. On the other hand, expository papers are a fun way of exploring something you are passionate about and learning how to share information in a powerful way. Expository writing is one of the most common types of writing and chances are you will find it useful throughout your life. Learning how to present information and explain things will benefit you professionally and personally in a variety of ways, so, good luck!
We also recommend reading the autobiography example .
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Essay writing or rewrite essay process is never as easy as ABC, it takes time, knowledge, skill, attention, and dedication to handle the task well. And, in the case of an expository essay in particular, it also requires conducting an in-depth investigation on the given topic. With the tips, tricks, and guidelines from this article, you should be able to handle this task quickly and fairly easily. Still not sure if you can cope with it on your own? If that’s the case, remember that you have a loyal friend — college essay writer from EssayPro, who is always ready to provide you with any essay help and create top-notch papers to boost your grades. We process all your requests fast.
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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 Essays: A Complete Guide
You write a lot of essays, and while they might share some broad characteristics such as their structure, they can be quite different from each other. Some essays are meant to convince the reader that the position you’re arguing is the correct position, while others explore the differences and similarities between literary works. Beyond these, you might also be assigned to write essays that explain subjects, events, and concepts to the reader, sometimes walking them through processes. These essays are known as expository essays.
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What is an expository essay?
An expository essay is an essay that communicates factual information. Broadly, this type of writing is known as expository writing . Expository essays rely on different structures to communicate their positions, like compare and contrast, process essays, and analyzing cause and effect.
Expository writing is one of the four main types of writing . The others are persuasive, narrative, and descriptive writing.
Knowing how to write an expository essay, along with knowing how to write other types of essays , is an essential skill for any student to master. Expository writing isn’t the place to be cute, clever, or edgy; it’s the kind of writing where you position facts and observations to let them speak for themselves in the most effective way possible. It’s the kind of writing you do when you’re analyzing information you’ve been assigned to study, thinking critically about concepts covered in class, and explaining the processes and reasons behind the conclusions you’ve reached.
The purpose of expository writing
Expository writing has a clear purpose: to educate the reader. While it may also entertain or persuade the reader, these are secondary benefits and not the author’s goal. Well-crafted expository writing demonstrates the author’s expertise on the subject and in many cases demonstrates how they learned about their subject.
For example, you might be assigned to write an essay about the mock trial your class held. In this essay, you would introduce the assignment and the case your class worked on through the trial. Then in the following body paragraphs , you would describe each stage in the mock trial process (discovery, opening statements, cross-examination, closing statements, jury deliberation, and verdict) and how your class completed each of these stages. In the final paragraph, you would state the verdict your class reached and the judge’s ruling.
Your essay about the mock trial doesn’t argue that the ruling was right or wrong. It merely explains the process your class used to work through the trial process and learn how real court cases move through the court system. In other words, your essay would present facts and process rather than opinion and commentary.
Types of expository essays
As we mentioned above, expository essays come in many forms. These include the following:
In a classification essay, you write about various subjects within one category, discussing each subject’s unique characteristics alongside the characteristics that connect it with others in its category. For example, you might write a classification essay about different kinds of herding dogs. Your essay would start with a thesis statement about how herding breeds are different from other categories of dogs, then in each paragraph, discuss specific herding breeds (corgi, collie, heeler, etc.).
A definition essay defines its subject by presenting clear facts about it. Your definition essay might challenge commonly repeated myths about a historical event by presenting firsthand accounts of the event from primary sources and discussing relevant social, political, and economic trends that impacted the event and influenced perceptions of it.
A process essay walks the reader through the steps involved in completing a task. A recipe has a lot in common with a process essay. A process essay’s opening paragraph explains the process that will be covered and the end result of following the directions. Each body paragraph is a step in the process, then the conclusion explains what the reader should have achieved by completing each step.
In a compare-and-contrast essay , you support your thesis statement by examining the differences and similarities between the sources cited. For example, you might write an essay comparing and contrasting the dress code at your school with the dress codes at two neighboring schools. Your body paragraphs might examine the differences in which articles of clothing are and aren’t allowed as well as the overall preciseness of each dress code’s language and the amount of “gray area” present in each policy.
As the name implies, a cause-and-effect essay gets into how specific events and/or actions caused others to occur. They sometimes trace chains of events to explore why we find ourselves facing certain circumstances today. An example of a cause-and-effect essay might be one tracking how shifting market trends over the past few decades impacted the industries in your region, creating the current local economy.
How expository essays are structured
Expository essays follow the same general structure you use with every essay assignment : an introduction, body paragraphs that support and expand upon the points you made in your introduction, then a conclusion that reiterates those points and underscores your thesis.
Unless your instructor requires your essay to hit a certain word count, there’s no specific length your essay needs to be. Similarly, it doesn’t need to have a specific number of paragraphs—but it does need to express your points thoroughly and accurately. To achieve this, your essay should follow this format, give or take the quantity of body paragraphs for the number of supporting points you make:
In the introduction, you present your essay topic and your thesis statement, ideally hooking your reader with intriguing facts. You also introduce your supporting evidence and all necessary context to help your reader understand your thesis.
Each supporting point you make needs its own body paragraph. Although the five-paragraph essay is typically considered the “standard” essay length, you might need a six-paragraph or longer essay to thoroughly communicate your thesis statement.
Use transition words and sentences to transition between body paragraphs. Transition words and sentences are the phrases that express the relationship between two paragraphs, signaling to the reader why you’re making a specific point and how that point fits into your overall work.
In your last body paragraph, you’ll need to transition to your conclusion. That doesn’t mean you should start summarizing here—give your final body paragraph as much insight and detail as you gave your previous body paragraphs.
In your conclusion, you restate your thesis statement and summarize the points you made in your body paragraphs. It should neatly tie up any loose ends and answer any lingering questions the reader may have.
How do you write an expository essay?
Before you write your next expository essay, familiarize yourself with the conventions and rules for essay writing . These general guidelines will help you structure your essay and determine the most effective way to present your information. But because you’re writing an expository essay, it’s also important that you understand and incorporate all the characteristics that separate expository essays from other kinds of writing. Keep the following rules for expository writing in mind:
- Despite the taboo, insects make an excellent food source and could stem humanity’s looming food shortage, based on both their protein output and the sustainability of farming them.
- The backlash to rock ’n’ roll music in the ’50s by religious groups and traditionalists actually boosted the genre’s popularity instead of diminishing it as intended.
- Your tone should be objective and academic . While narrative and descriptive essays can take on artistic, impassioned, and familiar tones, expository essays stick to conventional language and a neutral tone.
- Stick to the facts. An expository essay is not the place to express your opinion—or even present the facts in a way meant to change or shape the reader’s opinion.
- Always be completely sure of the facts you’re presenting. That means thoroughly vetting your sources, cross-checking them with other reputable sources, and properly citing every fact you put forth as the truth.
Start writing your expository essay the same way you would start the writing process for any other project: by brainstorming. If you weren’t assigned a topic, you’ll need to determine an appropriate topic on your own—brainstorming is where you’ll determine that topic. It’s also where you’ll determine your thesis statement, the most important component of your expository essay . Don’t move forward with outlining your essay until you have a thesis statement.
Once you have a clear thesis statement, it’s time to outline your essay. With an expository essay, it’s especially important that you present accurate facts in a logical way. It can be very helpful to note your sources for each paragraph in your outline.
With a completed outline, it’s time to start writing. Follow the standard writing process through this first draft, editing, and your revision. Once you’re finished, make sure you proofread your essay carefully—not only for grammar and spelling mistakes, but to double-check that you’ve properly cited every source and formatted your essay according to your assigned style guide.
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In an expository essay, it’s especially important that your writing is mistake-free. Having spelling and grammatical mistakes in your writing undermines your credibility as a writer, so even if your ideas and insights are solid, readers won’t get as much out of your work as they would if it had no mistakes.
That’s why proofreading is so important . . . and why Grammarly is so helpful. Before you submit your essay, use Grammarly to catch any mistakes or unclear sentences that might have sneaked past you while you were proofreading your work. It can also ensure that the tone you’re using is the tone you want to be using—and that it’s consistent through your whole essay.
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What Are The Main Components Of A Quality Expository Essay
The essential parts of an expository essay are the introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion. However, each of these parts has specific elements that should be taken into account while writing.
The first sentence of the introduction should be engaging and involve the reader in the reading. It should contain a hook, an attention grabber, that is both interesting and relevant to the topic.
- The context.
Give your readers an idea of what you’re going to describe or analyze in your paper. Be reader-friendly, and either give brief background information on your topic, or outline the context that will facilitate the comprehension of the following paragraphs.
- Thesis statement.
The main element of the introduction is the thesis statement. All previous sentences should lead up to it. It should be a kind of summary expressed in one sentence, and should state clearly what you’re going to explain or describe. Remember that the opening paragraph is the door to the essay.
An expository essay has a five-paragraph structure. There are usually three body paragraphs, each presenting a separate supporting topic or argument. There can also be more body paragraphs if you have more ideas to be discussed. Anyway, check the guidelines to your assignment to these if there are limitations on length. Each paragraph should contain:
- A topic sentence that presents the key idea.
- Supporting evidence that support your thesis.
- Your analysis, in which you explain the significance of the evidence.
- A transition sentence that connects one paragraph with the next and ties your ideas together.
- Restate your thesis in the first sentence, but not in exactly the same way as in the introduction.
- Review the main ideas you discussed in the concluding paragraph by demonstrating how the presented information and facts influenced the thesis.
- Make sure you don’t repeat, but rather reexamine your arguments.
- Don’t introduce any new information. Instead, show how your thoughts progressed and how they prove the thesis, and reflect on the significance of the topic.
- You can give your final conclusion by offering solutions, next steps, presenting a new question that emerged, or asking the reader to take a closer look at a problem. Also, you can ponder why the topic is relevant or important personally for you or your audience; think about how it correlates with the broader context.
The title of your paper also matters. Pay special attention to it, and think about it after you’ve completed the writing. This way you’ll come up with a heading that accurately reflects the main idea of the text.
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Beginner’s Guide to Write an Expository Essay
14 min read
Published on: Jul 29, 2018
Last updated on: Dec 30, 2022
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Expository essays provide an investigation of an event, a place, or experience, evaluating the evidence. It requires a lot of effort, time, and good writing skills, as this essay explains the idea in detail. It requires you to do research to collect strong evidence and add ample details related to the topic.
Explaining something is not always easy. It takes critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to present your ideas interestingly to people who have not experienced or read about them before so they can understand what you are saying.
Are you looking for an expository writing guide?
Read on to learn more about it and understand how to write an expository essay step by step.
What Is an Expository Essay?
The expository essay is a genre of academic writing that discusses a topic in detail. It explains the main topic by providing the information in chronological order. This type of writing aims to give the reader all the information they need to understand a topic easily.
According to the expository essay definition:
An expository essay may seem like a descriptive essay but it is different from it. Similarly, an argumentative essay looks similar, but it is not. An argumentative essay is written to present an argument and prove a certain point of view. Whereas expository essays are written to provide information, define, and illustrate a certain topic.
What is the Purpose of an Expository Essay?
An expository essay's purpose is to provide a balanced, objective description of its topic with the format allowing for a clear and logical explanation instead of proving a point or providing a personal opinion.
You should use clear and simple language, not assume your audience knows something about the topic you are discussing.
It is better to stay objective and neutral in your claims when you write an academic essay. You should use a formal tone, no matter what type of expository essay you are writing.
Expository essays are common school assignments because they help improve students’ academic performance and allow developing writing skills that will be useful for their future.
Features of an Expository Essay
Types of Expository Essay
There are six types of expository essay :
- Compare and contrast essay: It is a type of essay that compares and contrasts two things. Learn to write a compare and contrast essay from our ultimate guide.
- Cause and effect essay: This essay tries to find out the causes of some things and their effects on something. Learn cause and effect essay writing with this guide.
- Process essay: This essay explains the process of making or doing something.
- Problem and solution essay: This essay presents a problem and provides its possible solutions.
- Classification essay: In this essay, the topic is divided into categories. The examples, ideas, and characters are defined for each category in the form of groups. Follow the link for a detailed guide on classification essay writing.
- Definition essay: This essay defines what the topic exactly means. A definition essay provides clear and specific information about the topic and uses examples to clarify it.
Difference Between Persuasive Essay And The Expository Essay
Expository essay topics.
Below are some useful expository essay topics and ideas for your ease.
Expository Essay Topics About Social Issues
- Explain why writing prompts are difficult to choose
- Explain why teenagers indulge in drugs
- What are the consequences of selling drugs?
- Describe productive ways a student can utilize their free time
- Explain why kids have a rough time when their parents are getting a divorce
- Explain how music affects your life
- Describe the effects of marijuana
- Describe the consequences of taking drugs
- Why do people become poor during Covid 19?
- What are the reasons for mental illness?
Expository Essay Topics About Education
- Effects of diversity in a classroom
- Importance of education
- The role of education in national development.
- Coping with illness while at college
- Private school vs. public school
- Who should set the curriculum for a class?
- The connection between education and wealth
- What is innovative education?
- Why is it important to read?
- Online schooling is important
Expository Essay Topics About Ethical Issues
- Issues behind unpaid internships
- Should prostitution be legalized?
- Why are some people dog lovers while others are cat lovers?
- Explain the relationship between education and quality of life
- What is the reason for fantasy books becoming best sellers these days?
- What is a smart consumer?
- What changes need to be made in your lunchroom?
- Ethics vs. leadership values
- Nursing ethics
- Is plastic surgery ethical?
Expository Essay Topics About Mental Health
- Benefits of good mental health
- Common mental health problems in our societies
- The main protective factors in mental health
- Important drawbacks of poor mental health
- How is color related to a mental state?
- Negative impact on mental health
- How do you decrease anxiety?
- Personality disorders of teens
- Medicines testing on animals
- An analysis of social media psychologists.
Expository Essay Structure
The format for every essay is generally the same. It has an introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. What makes these essays different from each other is the purpose due to which they are written. A typical 5 paragraph essay follows the pattern given below:
- A captivating hook statement
- Brief background information
- An intriguing thesis statement
- Body paragraph 1: First main point, its supporting evidence, and transition to the second body paragraph
- Body paragraph 2: Second main point, its supporting evidence, and transition to the third body paragraph
- Body paragraph 3: Third main point, its supporting evidence, and transition to the conclusion
- Restate the thesis statement
- Summarize all the main points
- Provide a good message
The expository essay structure is no different as far as the sections are concerned. However, it is different because of its highly explanatory nature. It explains the specific topic in detail while evaluating the evidence.
Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Expository Essay Outline
There are specific steps that you need to take in order to write a good expository essay. To start, you should plan your paper and create an outline.
An expository essay outline helps you give a proper structure to your essay. The idea of an outline is to organize all the content that helps compile a good expository essay.
Moreover, an expository essay outline consists of three parts;
1. Expository Essay Introduction
Expository writing informs the readers or explains a certain topic. Therefore, adding an unknown and engaging fact will help hook your reader and keep them glued to your essay.
Don’t assume that your reader already knows everything about the topic. Create a background regarding your topic for the readers. This will help them understand the topic better.
Pay careful attention to the opening lines and consider the following points while writing an essay introduction paragraph:
- Provide interesting information or ask a question
- Introduce all the necessary information to help the reader understand what the expository paper is all about
- Write an effective thesis statement
2. Expository Essay Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are written to provide supporting evidence and to explain the topic in detail. Every paragraph discusses a separate point of the topic.
Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence , provides facts and opinions to expand and explain the topic. Transition words are used to connect the paragraphs logically and to maintain the smooth flow of the essay.
The number of body paragraphs can vary according to the topic. Keep in mind the following points when you proceed to the body of the essay:
- Provide a key idea for each paragraph
- Include supporting sentences in each of your body paragraphs
- Explain the significance of your provided facts and examples
3. Expository Essay Conclusion
To conclude your essay, begin the concluding paragraph by restating your thesis statement. Your essay conclusion should be strong and powerful to give a concise overview of your topic.
Add questions or propose further action to engage the readers. Don’t add any new details in the concluding paragraph; just wrap up your essay and restate the thesis briefly.
Ensure the following information to come up with an effective and interesting expository composition.
- Provide an overview of the essay
- Discuss the possible solutions
- Discuss the importance of your research
How to Start an Expository Essay?
Before you start writing your essay, make sure that you have enough evidence and credible information to explain your idea.
Here is a step-by-step procedure for how to write an expository essay.
1. Choose a Topic
Pick an interesting and good expository essay topic to write an essay on. The topic must be captivating and fascinating enough to catch the reader's attention immediately.
2. Do some Research
The more information you have about a topic, the better you will write your essay. Thus, before writing an essay for class or just because your interest has been piqued - do some research.
The internet is always there with everything from books to videos that can help answer any question related to in-depth study and would provide great insight into how things work and why certain events happened.
Thus, never skip this step when you start writing your essay.
3. Write the Thesis Statement
In an expository paper, the thesis statement should summarize what you are trying to explain in your work. Make sure that it is not making any arguments or persuasive for one side of an issue.
4. Create an Outline
The easiest way to plan an interesting expository essay is by using an outline. When writing an expository essay, the main points of your argument should be clear in both the introduction and conclusion.
With the help of an essay outline, you should easily create a well-written essay. Thus, first, create it and then start writing the essay.
How to Write an Expository Essay
To write an expository essay, you will need to gather information and present it in a clear and concise way. Make sure to use evidence to support your points, and be sure to structure your essay in a way that is easy to follow.
Here are some steps that you should follow after creating the essay outline and start writing an essay.
1. Write the Introduction
An essay introduction is the first thing someone reads. It is your opportunity to make a good impression on the reader and explain what the essay will be about.
Writing a good introductory paragraph cannot be difficult, but if you follow these guidelines;
- Start with an interesting hook statement
- Provide background information
- End the essay introduction with a thesis statement
2. Prepare the Body Paragraphs
In an expository essay, you present information rather than making an argument. This makes the body paragraphs simpler to write. However, you should not just dump information randomly. Typically, you should have three body paragraphs, each discussing a specific issue related to your topic.
3. Craft a Conclusion
The conclusion of an expository essay is meant to remind the reader of the main points in the essay and state the hypothesis one more time.
The information presented in the conclusion connects to the main purpose. The thesis statement is restated and explained in greater detail.
4. Revise Your Essay
Do not forget to revise your essay as a good thorough read helps you refine your essay. Revise your essay to check the following things:
- Correct any spelling and grammatical errors
- Correct the punctuation errors
- Make sure that your essay is making sense
- Check if your content is in a logical flow
- Check the sentence structure
- Remove any irrelevant information
Expository Essay Examples
Here are some expository essay examples to clarify further how an expository essay should look like. Read the essay example and know the basic structure of this essay.
Below are some more examples for your help.
Expository Essay Sample
Expository Essay on Education
Expository Essay On Global Warming
Expository Essay Template
Expository Essay on Covid 19
Expository Essay Format
Expository Essay on Consumer Culture
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of an expository essay.
An expository essay's purpose is to provide a balanced, objective description of its topic with the format allowing for a clear and logical explanation instead of proving a point or providing a personal opinion.
How long is an expository essay?
Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case you'll usually be given guidelines regarding length. You may also want to ask for some help if needed with your 800-word essay about the topic at hand.
What are the five elements of expository writing?
The main five elements of expository writing are;
- Thesis statement
What are the characteristics of expository writing?
The main characteristics of expository writing are;
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Sections of an Expository Essay · Introduction · First body section/paragraph · Second body section/paragraph · Third body section/paragraph
A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
If you are writing an expository essay for school then the essay will usually follow the typical 5-paragraph essay structure.This means that
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion. Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together.
An expository essay is an essay that communicates factual information. Broadly, this type of writing is known as expository writing.
Address separate aspects of the topic in each paragraph. • Paragraphs elaborate on key components. • Specific details and examples support the main idea of each
Your first paragraph should include a topic sentence that clearly states your thesis or main point of the essay. A good thesis should be simple
Introduction · The hook. · The context. · Thesis statement.
The expository essay is a genre of academic writing that discusses a topic in detail. It explains the main topic by providing the
Elements of Expository Essays. Watch later. Share. Copy link. Info. Shopping. Tap to unmute. If playback doesn't begin shortly