expository essay introduction ppt

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• 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 July 23, 2023.

“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 .

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

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, other interesting articles, 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.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

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.

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.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

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.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

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.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/expository-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, how to write an argumentative essay | examples & tips, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Expository Essays

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

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

How to Write an Expository Essay

Table of contents

• 1 What Is An Expository Essay?
• 2 What Is the Purpose of Expository Writing?
• 3.1 Expository Essay Topics about Culture
• 3.2 Expository Essay Topics about Music
• 3.3 Expository Essay Topics about Education
• 3.4 Expository Essay Topics about History
• 3.5 Expository Essay Topics about Literature
• 3.6 Expository Essay Topics About Social Issues
• 3.7 Expository Essay Topics about Psychology and Philosophy
• 3.8 Controversial Expository Essay Topics
• 3.9 Expository Essay Topics about Science and Technology
• 3.10 Expository Essay Topics about Health
• 3.11 Expository Essay Topics about Ethical Issues
• 3.12 Expository Essay Topics About Social Problems
• 3.13 Expository Essay Topics for Middle School
• 3.14 Expository Essay Topics for High School
• 3.15 Expository Essay Topics for College
• 4.1 How to Organize Expository Essays
• 5.1 Step 1: Select a Topic
• 5.2 Step 2: Write a Thesis Statement
• 5.3 Step 3: Select Your Method of Development
• 5.4 Step 4: Organize Your Ideas
• 6 Structure of an Expository Essay Outline
• 7 An Expository Essay Format and Style
• 8 What is a Good Expository Essay Outline Example?
• 9 Conclusion

When it comes to writing an expository essay, it can be a challenging task that requires researching, analyzing evidence, and organizing information in a structured manner. To help make the process easier, Papersowl provides expert guidance on the structure and requirements of a successful expository essay.

What Is An Expository Essay?

There are many essay writing types, including descriptive, persuasive, contrast, effect, and personal opinion essays. As explained earlier, a good expository essay is an explanation, investigation, or exposition for clarification. It is different from a descriptive essay or a definition essay. The main difference between this type of write-up and an argumentative essay is that the tone used in an expository essay is neutral. However, in an argumentative essay , the style must highlight the position taken before the argument is presented.

Ideally, an expository essay aims to make the reader aware of all the key points in the article. It is different from descriptive writing.

What Is the Purpose of Expository Writing?

According to the definition of an expository essay, this type of writing aims to inform and clarify a particular topic. Its primary goal is to present facts, information, or opinions. This should be done in a clear, concise, and straightforward manner. The academic tone does not have the purpose of persuading.

It is commonly used in academic settings, such as in research papers, essays, and reports. It is also used in everyday life in instructional manuals, news articles, and online blogs.

One of the key features of expository writing is its focus on clarity and critical thinking. The writer must present the information in a way that is easy to understand. They should also provide clear and detailed explanations of complex concepts to ensure the reader grasps the topic.

Another crucial aspect of expository writing is the use of factual information to support the writer’s position. By citing credible sources, the writer can provide evidence that supports their argument. Presenting facts is particularly important when discussing scientific theories or historical events.

Overall, the goal of the entire essay is to help the reader gain a better understanding of a specific topic or concept. It effectively bridges the gap between experts and the general public. It provides a means for complex ideas and information to be communicated clearly and concisely. It also allows the reader to understand the position that the writer takes.

By presenting information in a straightforward and accessible manner, expository writing enables readers to develop informed opinions. They can then make well-informed decisions.

Choosing a Type of Expository Essay

The format of expository essays mostly features words such as “define” or “explain”. For example, “Write an essay on how to curb global warming.” In this case, you must “explain” the ‘measures that can be implemented to help minimize climate change and its effects.’

If you noticed, no instruction requires you to form an opinion or argument on whether or not there is global warming. However, explaining a certain topic is challenging.

It is paramount to know the various types of expository essays.

• Cause and Effect Essays

Outlines reasons that cause something and then discusses its results and effects.

• Problem and Solution Essays

They highlight all the problems associated with a particular situation and suggest solutions to those problems.

• Classification Essay

This sorts things out things into different categories based on the pre-defined criteria of each type.

• Comparison or Contrast Essays

It focuses on similarities and differences between objects, events, or notions.

• Definition Essays

They explain a complicated concept.

• Process Essay

A process essay, a “how-to-essay, ” explains the procedures involved in doing something.

Expository Essay Topics about Culture

Culture has always been a prevalent aspect of people’s lives, which makes it a great expository essay topic for students. You can select one direction and narrate about local cuisine, the country’s folk music, a certain poet’s writing, and anything that would be suitable for a subject. Without knowing the distinctive features of such an essay idea, it might be complex to come up with a decent title. The options that you see below are some of the most intriguing and exciting within the cultural field. Consider that even using our sample expository essay topics, you need time to complete the assignment, so start early.

• Development of Jewish culture
• Why is Oriental culture that different?
• How does gambling affect culture in the United States?
• How does culture affect personality?
• Gender inequality in the culture
• Benefits and perks of multicultural education
• Industry of the culture
• Education in Chinese and American culture
• Handling media manipulation properly
• The way political and cultural issues affect you

Expository Essay Topics about Music

To add a bit of entertainment to your studies, you can write an essay about music. The imagination is wide open: talk about the influence of your favorite boys-band on American teenage culture or write a paper about the positive influence of symphony on the human brain. Specifications are completely up to you. Moreover, by picking something of your interest, you will ease your mind and decrease the workload.

• Connections Between Different Genres
• Can Music Be Considered a Propaganda?
• Advancement Of Sound Production
• Correlation of Tunes of Your Motherland and Foreign Countries
• Evolution Of Tunes
• Tunes And Other Types Of Media Comparison
• Explanation of High Cultural and Low Cultural Tunes Explained
• How Tunes Shape The Society Today
• Current Key Points of Itunes Production
• The Connection Between Poetry And Tunes

Expository Essay Topics about Education

The field of education is pretty broad. You can turn to different branches of knowledge, their sources, and teaching methods. Choosing this option is a nice idea if you don’t want to put that much effort into doing deep research. Remember that your goal is just to explain and describe one of the processes that are anyhow connected to the educational activity. Below, you’ll see several offers from us. One of them may even become the basis of your expository.

• Why Higher Education Has Huge Positive Effect On Career
• Traditional Versus Online Learning
• The Essential Meaning of Homework
• Teaching: a Complete Struggle or a Noble Profession
• Why People With A Higher Degree Get The Job First
• How to Come Up With a Decent Title for Your Essay?
• The Future Changes of Literature and Its Impact on Society
• How Can You Complete a Perfect Paper?
• How Learning Foreign Languages Benefit Your Life
• Difference between literate and illiterate individuals

Expository Essay Topics about History

Similar to previous suggestions, history has a variety of essay options. You can start from the very beginning of time or select a subject out of current events. Any point on the world’s timeline would be both — interesting for the author to describe and for the audience to read. Make sure to create a solid statement and provide 100% accurate shreds of evidence. In case, use some of our variations as prompts.

• The Changes in the Economy after Titanic Sinking
• Spanish-American War: Cultural Effects
• What caused the Battle of Germantown?
• Child Labor within the Puritan Era
• The Impact of the US on WWI
• The Impact of the US on WWII
• Aztectimes Religion
• The Great Depression And Unemployment Of Women
• How the Industrial Revolution Impacted the Planet
• The Outcomes and Consequences of the WWII

Expository Essay Topics about Literature

School always means lots of reading as much as writing. At some point, you will receive an assignment with the descriptive task. You may talk about the main idea of a certain drama or compare the literary features of several works. Although learners frequently get such homework, narration about literature would be harder than other good expository essay topics. For starters, you have to read the whole book to be able to create a title for your expository essay and analyze the writing. Mainly, remember to stay focused and provide enough details.

• Romeo and Juliet: explaining the use of language in Shakespeare’s masterpiece
• Examples of Dramatic Irony in Shakespeare’s Plays
• Two Examples of Figurative Language and the way it’s implemented in Literature
• The Causes and Clarification of Hamlet and Claudius Dispute
• The Lesson I’ve Learned from My Favorite Shakespeare Play
• The Development of Women Role in Literature
• Opinion Personal Opinion on Character development in Ophelia
• Personal Impression of Romeo and Juliet
• The Importance and Effect of Huge Poems on individuals
• The Author that Changed Your Lifestyle The Most?

Expository Essay Topics About Social Issues

If you’re interested in the way society works and how it correlates to individuals, picking social issues as your expository topic would be suitable action. It gives lots of opportunities to describe and explain certain complications, current problems, and specific processes and elements. You can also account for anthropological and psychological issues when they relate to the social aspect. Be aware that you will need plenty of data and the skill to manage it wisely. First, start with an outline, add a description to each paragraph you’re going to write, and then form a solid essay step-by-step. If needed, apply to the topics proposed by us.

• What Problems Do Young Individuals Regularly Face?
• Can You Use Poetry To Deal With Life Problems?
• Why Should Individuals Change Their Appearance?
• Social Issues: Definition and Clarification
• How Essential is the Social Structure of Childhood?
• The Way Local Community Prevents Crimes
• The View on Abortion: Is It Really Supposed to Be Regulated by Law
• Cyberbullying: The Current Condition and The Way It Affects Individuals
• Beauty Standards Appropriateness
• Does The Government Sets Proper Mandates?
• Free unlimited checks
• All common file formats
• Accurate results
• Intuitive interface

Expository Essay Topics about Psychology and Philosophy

Lots of decent expository essay topics take their place in this section. Psychology is a great part of people’s lives, careers, etc. It may be simple and clear on the one hand, but at the same time, complex and versatile on another. Needless to mention, it is one of the hardest ideas to research and requires attentiveness. Yet, it’s easier to come up with a title for an essay as they are based on the individual’s life processes.

• Modifying Lifestyle in 2 weeks: possible or just a myth?
• How to Define the Friend is Lying
• Receptivity of the concept of time by different people
• How Our Specific Features Shape Our Character
• Specifications and Distinctive Features of a Particular Region
• The Main Life-Lesson Elderly People Would Advice
• How to Reduce Stress Among Students
• Mental Disease Description
• Why Do Teenagers Tend To Be Depressed
• What Qualities You Need to Become Popular at School

Controversial Expository Essay Topics

The audience is always keen on something that makes them question the whole process; therefore, a controversial expository essay would be just the option to catch readers’ attention. Although it seems entertaining and interesting to dig in, you have to be highly professional and do accurate research. Controversial stories also require staying focused and they have to be written in detail. If you feel like you can handle it, then go for it.

• Dispute: how many negotiations are required?
• Communism as a Compound of Dictatorship
• The danger of military activity in Asia
• Art as a Way to Treat Mental Disorders
• The Effect and Outcome of Prohibitions after 20’s
• Main Points of John Kennedy’s Political Activity
• How important is IQ?
• What Causes Racism?
• Crusaders: good guys or villains?
• How can you become a good therapist?

Expository Essay Topics about Science and Technology

Technology is a crucial part of our world nowadays. Developing subjects out of this field will be exciting and interesting. Choose anything that is relevant and touches on scientific and tech aspects, and try to be specific within the narration. Even the feature perspective of technology may be suitable for your essay title or overall theme. Below are several options that we’ve created to help you to start.

• Current Influence of Tech
• Suitable Projects for Online Format
• The Way Lifestyle Changes 25 Years from Now
• Are People Truly Connected Online?
• AI: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Selling a specific item
• The Invention Of A Specific Object In Your Home
• Description of Another Planet
• Memory and How it Works
• The Causes of Global Warming

Expository Essay Topics about Health

Those students who dream of becoming doctor or nurse would benefit from selecting health as the field of their research. For starters, you will learn lots of essentials for your future occupation and provide readers with something they didn’t know before. You can connect your essay to medication, various diseases, different kinds of procedures, etc. We’ve tried our best to gather the most remarkable titles to ease your mind and quickly start the writing process.

• How Do Doctors Get Their Licenses?
• Most Common Myths
• How Does Anesthesia Work?
• How does an X-ray machine work?
• Explain Hip Replacement Surgery
• Why Chemically Induced Coma Is Important
• Ebola crisis Explanation
• The Most Complicated Surgeries
• Skin Graft: Definition and Importance
• How To Protect Yourself From Viruses

Expository Essay Topics about Ethical Issues

Living in current society, people often ask themselves why the ethical part of our culture is on such a low level. You can become one of a few learners who would share their essays on a topic like that. Tell the audience about the ethical changes in the US, show them the ways to improve the situation, or mention anything relevant to your preference.

• Caught bullying: report or not?
• Should assisted suicide be legalized?
• Is Plastic Surgery a Good Idea for Kids?
• What if your friend cheats on the test?
• Should Church And Politics Be Completely Separated?
• Should you report if your friend abuses animals?
• Should coaches earn more than professors?
• Should All Companies Increase Data Collection?
• Should the death penalty be mandatory?
• Would you tell if your friend drinks at the prom?

Expository Essay Topics About Social Problems

In comparison to social issues, social problems have a slightly different direction in the field. Here you should write your expository essay about the issues that are happening around you. For instance, global pandemic or discrimination based on the color of the skin or sexual orientation, etc. If there is anything that concerns you in terms of social activity, make it the basis of your paper and research the topic from the inside out. Apply our suggestions when you need some inspiration.

• Impact of COVID 19
• Supply chain during the COVID 19 pandemic
• Discrimination by skin color
• Green Energy Convention
• Modern Society: Healthcare Bias
• US soldiers in Afghanistan
• Remote Education Challenge
• Global Vaccination And Pandemic
• The environmental situation in Arctic Pole
• Political Polarization Increase

Expository Essay Topics for Middle School

A middle school is the first place where you get acquainted with such things as expository essays. Usually, teachers ask you to describe a simple subject to shape your writing skills and teach you the essay’s specifications. You are free to pick anything you want, as the aim of the assignment here is to let children complete the paper all by themselves. Doesn’t matter how good the quality will be, but matters how much effort you put into creating it.

• The Way You Spend the First Day of School
• The Picture of Your First Teacher
• Your Weekend with a Favorite Pet
• Your Favorite Hobby and Why
• The Best Place in the World

Expository Essay Topics for High School

When choosing expository essay topics for high school, you need to try something mature and more complex. The title may remain ordinary, but the focus has to be on a broad range of aspects. However the initial goal is to practice and get prepared for college expository assignments in the future.

• Can a dog smell fear?
• How do you manage stress?
• Aliens: real or a myth?
• How significant is the universe?
• Can people truly change for the better?

Expository Essay Topics for College

Now you’re at the final level, where you have to show all you’ve learned throughout the years. For excellent results, it’s advisable to use online writing tools for college students or ask your professor to give you more guidelines. Still, in creating expository essays for college, you have to put in much more effort.

• Can We Still Save The Earth?
• Internet Utility Dispute
• The Book That Appeals To You The Most
• The Ways Out Of Personal Financial Crisis
• Can Little Things Still Bring Happiness?

The Expository Essay Structure

Expository essay assignments are common in academic writing and can also be used in everyday life, such as in instructional manuals or news articles. The structure of an expository essay typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Typically, it needs to be a five-paragraph essay.

An expository essay’s introduction paragraph sets the tone for the report and grabs the reader’s attention. It should include a thesis that provides the paper’s main focus and previews the main points to be discussed in at least three body paragraphs.

Each body paragraph of an expository essay should present and develop the essay’s main points. Each section should begin with a topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement and provides a clear focus for the paragraph. Supporting evidence, background information, and examples should be included in each section.

An expository essay’s conclusion summarises the main points made in the body paragraphs and restates the thesis statement. It should not introduce any new information or arguments. Instead, it should provide a sense of closure to the essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the topic.

How to Organize Expository Essays

In addition to the traditional structure, several different approaches to organizing an expository essay exist. One common method is the “compare and contrast” approach, where two or more subjects are compared and contrasted by explaining similarities and differences. Another approach is the “cause and effect” method, where the writer describes how one event or action leads to another.

Regardless of the approach used, the structure of an expository essay should be logical and easy to follow. The writer should strive to present information clearly and concisely, using evidence and examples to support their arguments. By doing so, they can effectively explain and clarify a topic for their audience.

Steps to Write Expository Essays

In most cases, your tutor will assign you a topic to write on; however, choosing the right topic is crucial when you have to develop your topic. You should always cover an issue you are conversant with since it will be easier to explain the case to your readers and will need minimal research.

The two crucial aspects of your write-up that form the hook for an expository essay are the topic and statement of thesis. These two things strike your reader’s attention and determine if they will be triggered to read your entire paper. Thus, it is always advisable to choose an appealing topic and a good thesis statement for an expository essay.

Another critical aspect is maintaining clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion of the expository essays.

Lastly, ensure that everybody’s paragraphs feature evidential support. This means that each expository essay body paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This gives your reader clarity and direction.

Step 1: Select a Topic

Brainstorm a list of topics you’re interested in. Then narrow down the list of the  good expository essay topics you feel would be easiest to write and that which is manageable within the required word count.

Step 2: Write a Thesis Statement

If you are used to writing argumentative papers, you will likely take a strong position on the topic or a particular idea. However, this should be the case with an expository essay. Here, your thesis statement should only give an insight into what you are writing about and why it is important.

Step 3: Select Your Method of Development

This is the most important part of essay writing. Determine the type of expository essay you will be writing. Is it compare and contrast, process analysis, cause and effect, or other types?

Step 4: Organize Your Ideas

Before you begin writing the body section, you must clearly understand how to plan an expository essay. In this case, you should list the major divisions to be discussed in the main paragraphs and the direct support for each body paragraph.

Structure of an Expository Essay Outline

Although writing any great essay is primarily creative, it should have a clear structure and plan. The structure is one of the most important elements because it involves highlighting the main meaningful elements of the text and establishing logical connections between them. An expository essay outline includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your outline should show which three main arguments you want to discuss in each paragraph.

Usually, the introductory part of any essay is similar to each other. If, even on this part, the idea of writing an outline for an expository essay scares you, or if you have particular questions, don’t hesitate to contact expository writing services online . We will gladly take this odious problem upon ourselves.

The very structure of the text plays a very important role in expressing the structure. First of all, its main function is to interest and encourage the reader to read the covered topic. Second, it will give the reader an idea of your  expository essay topic .

Your first sentence statement should be like a hook that captures the reader’s thoughts from the first second. A great tip for this is to start with a general statement about your topic. It can be anything, such as a certain quote, a question, an anecdote, a fascinating fact, or a dilemma that needs to be solved.

If, at this point, you have thoughts like who would write essays for me , then don’t worry. We already have a solution. That way, after learning something new in the first sentence, people will be interested to see what you talk about next. The following sentences briefly present the main points and emphasize their connection with the thesis. It is important to add that the thesis of an essay, as a rule, is also based on facts and not on one’s thoughts.

The main part of the essay is where the most difficulties and problems arise with understanding where to start and how to write an essay. The main part consists of one or several paragraphs. First, start with a general sentence that expresses the paragraph’s main idea. Most body paragraphs have three sections covering concepts, explanations, and any arguments that may arise. To make things easier, write out specific textual evidence from other sources that you use to support your thesis. A variety of apt quotes and paraphrases are suitable for this. It is also essential to use reliable facts. An extraordinary hint on how to write an expository essay outline is also useful here. Avoid using the first or second person. When moving from one paragraph to another, it is important to remember to use transitional words. Each paragraph should be connected by one or two sentences that demonstratively lead from one idea to the next. This is necessary to ensure the linguistic flow is maintained.

After writing the two parts listed above, you are ready to complete the text. This part of the work is also quite responsible. How is it built? Conclusion – specific and brief information about what was listed in the introduction and body. In simple words – a simplified version of the entire text. Despite its brevity, it should be a strong enough reinforcement not to spoil the general impression and all previous efforts. Here it can be useful to restate the main idea of your subject, but in different words to emphasize its importance. In addition, this technique nicely directs the reader’s attention to important things. Remind him why this topic should interest him. Do not introduce new information in this part, as this will lead to a new discussion.

An Expository Essay Format and Style

The main feature of this genre that distinguishes it from others is the provision of all relative information without the author taking any specific point of view.

Recognizing the format and style required for writing an expository essay is essential. Also, it is necessary to present details and various examples clearly and concisely. Use facts to reinforce the content of the text. If you do not understand what style to choose for writing and doubt your decision, remember whether the professor gave you a certain task. Usually, they guide you. If not, then use the well-known APA and MLA standards. If you still do not know how to choose a citation style , then realize that the topic often determines the style of writing. So, for example, if your work concerns the discussion of humanities, it can be foreign languages or history, it is better to use MLA. If the chosen topic concerns expressing ideas in psychology or social sciences, APA is the most appropriate format.

What is a Good Expository Essay Outline Example?

Below is an expository essay template that you can follow.

It is important to know that the body paragraphs of an expository essay may consist of two or more parts. The outline for expository essay includes the following:

I. Introduction Hook sentence to grab the reader’s attention Background statements Clear, focused thesis statement Body paragraphs II. Main concept 1  Fact 1 and testimony to support the main idea Fact 2 and testimony to support the main idea Analysis III. Main concept 2  Fact 1 and testimony to support the main idea Fact 2 and testimony to support the main idea Analysis IV. Main concept 3 Fact 1 and testimony to support the main idea Fact 2 and testimony to support the main idea Analysis V. A conclusion Summarize the question of the thesis Discuss the large significance Reveal unanswered question

To sum up, there are four main kinds of essays, each with its role and task. As for the expository essay, it is needed to transmit information that is based on real facts. To write it correctly, you need to play on contrasts, your strong facts should speak for themselves, and it is equally important to provide commentary analysis. Be sure to take enough time to write an outline of an expository essay. That’s how your paper will gain new colors. If you don’t have time to write this essay, you can always pay for college papers . This is a great way to get a top quality paper without spending too much time and effort.

In conclusion, expository writing is a challenging task. This form of academic writing differs from descriptive essays, classification essays, and even persuasive essays. However, by following the guidelines in this article, such as the proper essay structure, the different types of expository essays, and the steps to write an expository essay, you can effectively clarify a topic for your audience.

Expository writing is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between experts and the general public, providing a means for complex ideas and information to be communicated clearly and concisely. By presenting detailed explanations in a straightforward and accessible manner, expository writing enables readers to develop informed opinions and make well-informed decisions.

Readers also enjoyed

WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!

Just fill out the form, press the button, and have no worries!

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.

Writing an Expository Essay

Sep 22, 2014

1.31k likes | 2.89k Views

Writing an Expository Essay. Expository writing. Exposition, which means explanation is the most common way we communicate. Expository Essays. Expository Essays explain something. They answer questions like: What is it? How should we define it? How do you do it? How does it work?

Share Presentation

• body paragraph
• expository essay
• people tend
• red cross people
• dogs make great pets

Presentation Transcript

Expository writing Exposition, which means explanation is the most common way we communicate.

Expository Essays • Expository Essays explain something. They answer questions like: • What is it? • How should we define it? • How do you do it? • How does it work? • What is the history of it? • What caused it? What are the effects? • What is the meaning of it?

An expository essay… • Informs readers about a meaningful and interesting subject. • Conveys information clearly and completely. • Does not argue for or against the subject or make a judgement about its value or worth.

Basic Essay structure • Introduction: introduce your topic and purpose for writing. State your thesis. • Body: Provide reasons and explanations for your thesis. • Conclusion: wrap up your ideas and restate your thesis. • Note: If you’ve structured an essay properly, you should be able to read the introduction and conclusion and they should make sense together.

Writing an Introduction A good introduction must have the following: • A hook (one to two sentences that grab the reader’s attention) • General introduction to topic • Thesis (one sentence that states the point of the essay).

Writing hooks A hook is an attention-grabbing sentence or two. Your hook could be: • An interesting quote • A short anecdote (brief personal story related to topic) • An interesting fact • Interesting or unusual statement • A question • A strong statement • An exaggeration

Example introductions with hooks • (Using a question) Do you own a pet? Lots of people love animals and many people share their homes with a four legged companion. Typically people tend to have cats or dogs for pets and, typically, people tend to classify themselves as either cat or dog people. Some people may feel that cats make the better pet since they are relatively independent animals, but doesn’t that mean that they really don’t need us? Dogs, on the other hand, can play a huge part in our day-to-day routines. Sometimes there are inconveniences but, for the most part, dogs are great pets because they are beneficial to our lives. • (Using a quote) Samuel Butler states, "The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too". Although this quote is very true, perhaps the best known saying about dogs is that they are man’s best friend. Why are dogs characterized this way, though? Maybe, as Butler indicates, dogs are perceived as man’s best friend because they never judge us and love us unconditionally. More importantly maybe dogs make great pets because they are beneficial to many areas of our lives. *Note how the thesis flows into the ideas of the paragraph and isn’t just dropped into the paragraph awkwardly. You can always add words or rearrange your thesis in order to achieve this – as long as the main idea of your essay is clear. Thesis statement Thesis statement

Creating your own topics:Read through the following topics and create possible expository essay topics Body art smoking Popularity drugs UFC and IFL exams Keep in mind the purpose of an expository essay is to explain, describe or inform. Consider using these words when creating your topics: how? what? why? Example: What is involved in getting a tattoo?

Thesis statements • A thesis statement is one sentence that tells what your essay is about • The formula for writing a thesis for an expository essay is: Topic + point= thesis Keep in mind that for an expository essay your purpose is to explain, describe, or inform.

Expository Topic suggestions: • Describe a world-class athlete. • Describe how communication has changed in the last 20 years. • Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future. • What is courage? • What is a soul-mate? • Explain why someone is a leader. • Describe the major stresses on a teen’s life • Explain why teens take up smoking. • Explain why teens might turn to drugs. • Explain why students skip school. • Explain the importance for teens of having a driver’s license. • Explain an important invention. • Explain the benefits of a particular career.

Writing Effective Body Paragraphs • Give a specific example that helps explain your thesis in each body paragraph. • Do not make your whole paper sound like an introduction paragraph. • Begin your body paragraphs with a topic sentence. • Each body paragraph develops one clear, specific reason or example for your thesis statement.

Body Paragraph Example During September 11th, when the terrorists attacked the World Trade buildings, Americans of all races and ages helped each other escape the crumbling buildings. The fireman and police worked overtime and put themselves in danger from the dust and piles of building scraps to help pull the injured out from under the rubble. These men and women gave everyone hope in their heroic, selfless acts. Their actions reveal that it is admirable to put others first.

Another Sample Body Paragraph It is important to care about others because then other people will like you. Everyone wants to have friends. Caring is part of friendship. This student received a bad score because the body paragraph is too vague. What does that mean?

Yet Another Sample Body Paragraph A nurse will spend most of her or his day caring for hurting people. Nurses are one example of people who put others first. • Too vague! Develop the idea! Your paragraph must develop the idea of the nurse helping the sick. This is an okay start, but it’s certainly not a paragraph.

The Last Example of a Body Paragraph The Red Cross is an organization that helps people in need. For example, they respond to hurricane or tornado victims with places of shelter, blankets, clothing, and food. The Red Cross people are volunteers that make life bearable in times of emergencies. It is important to help people in tough times; one never knows when he or she will need assistance.

Brainstorming before Writing News/History World Events Books/Movies School/Community

Brainstorming before Writing Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future. News/History World Events Miley Cyrus Gabby Douglas Books/Movies School/Community Michael Oher – The Blind Side The Outsiders or The Hunger Games

Expository essays - a Re-cap: • Explains/informs/discusses a topic • Includes a thesis • Contains evidence and reasoning • Provides a conclusion

• More by User

Writing Workshop Expository Writing: Comparison-Contrast Essay

Writing Workshop Expository Writing: Comparison-Contrast Essay. When you compare and contrast two or more things, you look for similarities and differences. Comparison-and-contrast writing helps you understand and analyze elements in a story, poem, play, or novel.

520 views • 14 slides

What is an Expository Essay? . Expository is just a synonym for informationThe expository essay attempts to completely cover a narrow topic.The information is clear

679 views • 11 slides

Writing an Expository Essay. An expository essay is. a written composition that conveys information or explains and proves something. Introduction to Expository Writing. In order to classify as expository, an essay needs:

836 views • 60 slides

Expository Essay

Expository Essay. The Outsiders. CHOOSE A BIG IDEA. CHOOSE ONE BIG IDEA FROM THE FOLLOWING THAT WE’VE TALKED ABOUT: Friendship Loyalty Belonging Stereotypes Individuality Lasting Impressions Worth the Fight. CHOOSE 3 Situations That Support Your Big Idea. WORTH THE FIGHT

522 views • 18 slides

Expository Essay. Sophomore Essay #1. Choose one of the following topics: 1. Life is full of momentous events that change the course of our futures. These events may occur because of a decision that someone makes or because of uncontrollable circumstances.

1.58k views • 18 slides

Writing the Expository Essay

Writing the Expository Essay. By Carmen P. Carter. The expository essay will explain the process of how something is done. How do I fry an egg?.

131 views • 4 slides

Expository Essay. Mrs. Carrie Hunnicutt 6 th Grade ELAR 2013-2014. Expository Writing. U sed to explain, describe, and inform readers about a specific topic. This is done through giving direct information, and proving that the information is correct by showing the reader details.

359 views • 21 slides

Expository Essay. What is it? How does it differ from the persuasive essay?. Content requirements —for ANY essay:. Focus Several key ideas Elaboration using specifics vivid details Logical organization Cohesive devices. What’s the dif?. PERSUASIVE ESSAY It’s an argument

490 views • 17 slides

EXPOSITORY ESSAY

EXPOSITORY ESSAY. Brainstorming and Drafting. Expository Essay Prompt. READ the following quotation. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it . —Michael Jordan THINK carefully about the following statement.

323 views • 9 slides

Expository Essay. Types of Expository Essays. Definition Example Compare and contrast Cause and effect Classification Process analysis. Introduction. Grab your reader’s attention Ask a question State a fact/statistic Tell a short short story Quote from someone famous

416 views • 18 slides

Writing an Expository Essay. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines an expository essay as…. ex·po·si·tion (noun). a discourse or an example designed to convey information or explain what is difficult to understand . Introduction to Expository Writing.

641 views • 30 slides

Writing An Introduction Expository Essay – Compare/Contrast

Writing An Introduction Expository Essay – Compare/Contrast. Georgia Performance Standard . The student produces writing (multi-paragraph expository composition such as description, explanation, comparison and contrast, or problem and solution) that:

624 views • 21 slides

Writing the Expository Essay. English IV .

238 views • 13 slides

EXPOSITORY ESSAY. Paragraph ONE: Intro Paragraph. 1. Hook (purpose is to catch the reader’s attention. Questions, setting, allusion, quote, acceptable fragments, etc.) 2. Explain hook (do not give away thesis yet. Just explain hook and transition toward points and thesis.)

212 views • 5 slides

Writing an Analytical or Expository Essay

Writing an Analytical or Expository Essay. Adapted from Write for the Future By Lindsey Mercer. Step 1: Analyze the Prompt. Read the prompt. Do you understand the prompt? Highlight keywords from the prompt. Restate the prompt in your own words. One Compare/Contrast Define

632 views • 19 slides

Expository Essay. Lesson 3. What’s that mean? (review). An expository essay is “a form of writing which intends to define, inform, explain, elaborate and expound the author’s subject to the reader”. Huh…? It means: You get to write about a topic you know and explain it to your reader.

289 views • 10 slides

WRITING AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY

WRITING AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY. Sixth Grade Language Arts Portfolio Writing. First Paragraph – Interest Catcher. Interest Catcher does just that – it “catches” the interest of your reader You have three choices for an interest catcher: 1. Question as an interest catcher

278 views • 12 slides

Writing an Expository Essay. An expository essay is. a writing that conveys information or explains and proves something. Introduction to Expository Writing. In order to classify as expository, an essay needs: a thesis statement at the end of the introduction that answers the prompt

1.11k views • 59 slides

Expository Essay. Unit… “Unsung Heroes”. Journal Response. “There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.  That way lays defeat and death.“ –Nelson Mandela

366 views • 20 slides

Expository Essay. An EXPOSITORY essay explains, informs, or describes a topic to the reader. It should includes these characteristics: a thesis statement that answers the prompt strong evidence that backs up the thesis statement (in the body paragraphs) e xplanation of the evidence

197 views • 11 slides

Expository Essay. Junior Essay. Choose one of the following topics: 1. Life is full of momentous events that change the course of our futures. These events may occur because of a decision that someone makes or because of uncontrollable circumstances.

219 views • 18 slides

Expository Essay. Expose: verb— make (something) visible, typically by uncovering it. Choose one theme from your worksheet. First Draft: On a separate piece of paper, write down the first draft. Second Draft: Then, create a second draft. Is it surprising? Is it positive or negative?

776 views • 75 slides

• My presentations

Auth with social network:

Download presentation

We think you have liked this presentation. If you wish to download it, please recommend it to your friends in any social system. Share buttons are a little bit lower. Thank you!

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Intro to Expository writing

Published by Alžběta Kadlecová Modified over 5 years ago

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Intro to Expository writing"— Presentation transcript:

On-Demand Writing Assessment

How to Write a Critique. What is a critique?  A critique is a paper that gives a critical assessment of a book or article  A critique is a systematic.

Nonfiction is the broadest category of literature

RESEARCH PAPER Port of Los Angeles.

RESEARCH PAPER English III. Objectives  Students will learn prewriting, drafting, and revising techniques for writing a literary research paper  Students.

Essay Writing Elements of the Essay.

Magazine Journalism How to write an Article.

Literary genres: nonfiction

The Writing Process Introduction Prewriting Writing Revising

The California Writing Exam Grades 4 and 7

Essay Appreciation.

Drafting Your Research Report. The Style of the Draft A research report is a type of objective, formal writing. Therefore, you should avoid making the.

WRITING THE RESEARCH REPORT & CITING RESOURCES BUSN 364 – Week 15 Özge Can.

Informative/Explanatory Writing

Presenting facts about a topic... From Reading to Writing What would it be like to live in a different place and in a different time period? Nonfiction.

Thew Thursday Wrap up Crucible discussion How to take an essay test  A Guide to Writing the Timed Essay  Academic Vocabulary/Ways to Respond to a Quotation.

Determining Purpose PurposeDetermining Purpose:1. Do you need to explain something in a factual, matter-of-fact way? (Expository) 2. Do you need to describe.

Writing for an Audience Why We Write and Who We Write For.

What are the characteristics of “good writing”? What are the characteristics of “good writing”?

About project

© 2024 SlidePlayer.com Inc. All rights reserved.