expository essay about rice

• Open access
• Published: 15 August 2008

The Relevance of Rice

• Robert S. Zeigler 1 &
• Adam Barclay 1 , 2  

Rice volume  1 ,  pages 3–10 ( 2008 ) Cite this article

18k Accesses

112 Citations

Metrics details

Research into rice—the world’s most important food crop—is crucial for the development of technologies that will increase productivity for farmers who rely on rice for their livelihood. This is particularly the case throughout the developing countries of Asia and is also true for much of Latin America and, increasingly, Africa. The benefits of such increased productivity will flow through to rice-growing countries’ landless rural and urban poor, all of whom (1) are net consumers of rice and (2) spend a large proportion of their income on rice. Recent steep rises in the price of rice have amplified the need for investment in high-quality research targeted toward both the intensive irrigated rice-based systems (in which 75% of the world’s rice is grown and that must provide the rice for rapidly increasing urban populations) and the rainfed rice-based systems (many of which are characterized by unfavorable environments and extreme poverty).

The price of rice

Rice has always been relevant to global food security and socioeconomic stability. But it was not until one of the steepest price rises in food history that the mainstream media really started to comprehend the grain’s importance. As export prices tripled in a mere few months at the beginning of 2008 (Fig.  1 ), rice became front-page news not only in the Asian countries where it is the staple but also in countries halfway across the world where it is not grown at all and eaten only a little.

Monthly export price (US$/ton FOB) of Thai rice 5%-broken, 1998–2008 (March 1998 to May 2008). By the time of publication, rice prices had settled somewhat, but remained around double those of 1 year previously. Source of raw data: The Pinksheet, World Bank.

The reasons for the rice price increase were numerous, but in many ways, it is research that lies at the heart of the issue. The modern era of farming began in the 1960s when high-yielding rice varieties developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines were adopted on a large scale throughout Asia. The resultant jump in yields, which heralded the Asian Green Revolution, prompted an era of steadily increasing productivity that kept rice production ahead of the population-growth curve. This, in turn, allowed governments to shore up stocks of rice and prices dropped steadily from the food-crisis peaks of the early 1970s (Fig.  2 ).

Trends in world rice production and price, 1961–2008. Source: Production: USDA, 13 May 2008. Rice Price: www.worldbank.org ; 2008 is May 2008 price. Relate to Thai rice 5%-broken deflated by G-5 MUV Index deflator (adjusted based on 17 April 2008 data update).

Why is the price of rice, Oryza sativa , so important? Domesticated from the wild grass Oryza rufipogon 10,000 to 14,000 years ago, this tropical cereal is the main staple for about half of the world’s population—more than 3 billion people. It provides about 20% of direct human calorie intake worldwide, making it the most important food crop. Rice consumption exceeds 100 kg per capita annually in many Asian countries (compared with the US average of 10 kg, for example) and is the principal food for most of the world’s poorest people, particularly in Asia, which is home to 70% of those who earn less than $1 a day (Fig.  3 ). For such people, the more productive rice farming and lower prices brought about by the Green Revolution had a huge impact on poverty [ 1 ].

Cartogram showing country size as a function of the number of people living on less than one dollar per day. Source: R. Hijmans, IRRI.

In Asia, the poorest of the poor spend up to 50% of their total income on rice alone. For them, any money saved on cheaper rice can be used to buy more nutritious food, to meet medical needs, or to clothe and educate children. Furthermore, as rice rapidly gains popularity in Africa, more and more of that continent’s poorest stand to benefit from advances in rice research and production.

Therefore, anything that lowers the price of rice will benefit hundreds of millions of poor consumers, and anything that increases rice-farming productivity will benefit millions of rice farmers and their families. The Green Revolution in Asia, spurred by IRRI’s development of high-yielding, short-duration, short-stature, fertilizer-responsive rice varieties, did just that and led directly to the Asian economic miracle of the last 40 years [ 6 ].

The cheap food myth

As the benefits stemming from agricultural research and development became evident, governments and funding agencies opened their wallets and invested. IRRI’s budget, for example, climbed rapidly from the early 1970s and stayed healthy for almost 20 years. However, in the early 1990s, complacency set in (Fig.  4 ). Public agricultural research found itself losing out to more fashionable (but worthy) causes such as the environment. The fundamental food problem—producing enough—had been solved. Cheap food was here to stay. Or so people thought.

IRRI total funding (inflation adjusted), 1960–2007. Source: IRRI.

While funding for institutes like IRRI dwindled, the flow of improved farming technologies slowed. The pipeline did not dry out, but important programs were diminished or cut. The trouble with the idea that the food problem had more or less been solved is that agricultural research is never finished. A new rice variety, for example, may be resistant to a particular disease but not forever. There is no ultimate variety whose development will signal the end of the need for research. We will need agricultural research for as long as we need agriculture.

With the flow of improved technologies stemmed, the productivity growth of the previous decades stagnated (Fig.  5 ). Sure enough, in the last few years, we have seen clear signs that the world is consuming more rice than it is producing. A steady reduction in stocks is the clearest indicator (Fig.  6 ).

Trend in average world rice yield (1960 to 2007) and the key technological interventions associated with it. Changes in breeding objectives and release years of selected IRRI rice varieties are indicated in the bottom half. Major changes in management and emerging new management objectives are indicated above the yield trend line [ 4 ].

Rice stocks, 1990–2007. Source of raw data: PSD Online ( www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdhome.aspx ), USDA, 2008.

If there is a positive to be gained from the price spike of early 2008, it is that agriculture—including public agricultural research—is back on the development agenda. Ahead of a United Nations summit held on 3–5 June 2008 to address the current food crisis, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director General Jacques Diouf talked of “re-launching” agriculture. A key policy document prepared for the Summit calls for support to agricultural research that serves the needs of poor farmers, noting that “high food prices represent an excellent opportunity for increased investments in agriculture by both the public and private sectors to stimulate production and productivity.”

The question, of course, is whether or not the words will turn into the dollars required to revitalize agricultural research and, ultimately, agriculture itself.

Simultaneous research revolutions

Nevertheless, it would be dishonest to paint a picture of utter doom and gloom. Despite the withdrawal of investment in research, the last 15 years have seen some impressive successes. This is true for our understanding of the rice plant and consequent genetic improvements, and it is also true for the less glamorous but equally important agronomic side of the equation: Improvements in crop management incorporating such practices as site-specific nutrient management and conservation agriculture have had demonstrable impact in farmers’ fields. Similarly, water-saving practices such as alternate wetting and drying, which allows farmers to grow rice with up to 25% less water, are becoming increasingly important as water becomes an ever scarcer agricultural resource [ 3 ].

Simultaneous revolutions in molecular biology and genetics, computational power and storage capacity, and communications have the potential to help scientists dramatically accelerate the pace of their research. Using the information revealed by the sequencing of the rice genome, techniques such as marker-assisted selection allow new varieties to be bred in a fraction of the time required as recently as 20 years ago. Advances in biotechnology are allowing the development of nutritionally enhanced strains of rice that have the potential to avert the hidden hunger of malnutrition that afflicts so many of the poor. The internet, along with exponentially increasing computing power, has permitted scientists the world over to share and analyze vast volumes of data and knowledge. Although it is difficult to know whether this has had significant impact in farmers’ fields, it has undoubtedly helped scientists in developed and developing countries improve their research capabilities.

More specifically, several key areas of research are bringing together scientists’ increasing knowledge of the biology of the rice plant with work to help farmers improve productivity.

First, researchers are developing, and must further develop, novel and robust approaches to use the wealth of genetic diversity of rice. IRRI is mobilizing the scientific community to establish a public genetic diversity research platform using a variety of germplasm and specialized genetic stocks.

Second, we must continue to develop methods to understand complex traits. By fully exploiting functional genomics tools, it will be possible to bridge the many existing genotype–phenotype gaps [ 2 ]. If we take progress in human genetics as a guide—in which scientists have been able to see how complex traits can be defined despite limited capacity to do controlled genetics—much more can be done in rice research in terms of discovering novel genetic control. In many ways, it is not technology that limits researchers, but the resources and investment needed to apply various toolboxes to rice.

Third, we must continue to develop the rice plant as both a crop and biological model for plant-science research and, in so doing, build a critical mass of knowledge directed to solving practical problems. We cannot expect every plant-science graduate to become an agricultural scientist, but having rice as a research model will enable us to tap into a vast pool of talented people and channel their energy and knowledge into solving some of the greatest agricultural challenges we face.

There are two key points in this paper. First, our capacity to perform research—to increase our understanding of the rice plant and the environments in which it is grown and to thus develop technologies that can help millions, if not billions, of people—is greater than ever. Second, given the world’s current food situation, the need for such research is equally great. The potential is enormous, but it will take commensurate will—political, economic, educational, and scientific—to approach that potential.

Another crucial element, especially for IRRI and its national partners throughout the rice-growing world, is the need to target research toward areas where it is most needed. To do that, we must have the best possible understanding of not only the rice plant, its physiology, and its agronomy, but also the big picture—knowledge of where and how it is grown and by whom, of how it is processed, transported, and marketed, and of how it is consumed and stored.

Rice, global food security, and poverty alleviation

Broadly speaking, rice is grown in more than a hundred countries, with a total harvested area of about 153 million hectares (1 ha = 2.5 acres), producing more than 600 million tons annually. About 90% of the rice in the world is grown in South Asia (58 million hectares), Southeast Asia (43 million hectares), and East Asia (31.5 million hectares). In Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (8 million hectares), almost all rice is grown on small farms of 0.5−3 ha. Yields range from less than 1 ton/ha under very poor rainfed conditions to 10 tons/ha in intensive temperate irrigated systems. Small, and in many areas shrinking, farm sizes account for the low incomes of rice farm families.

About 50% of the rice area is grown under intensive irrigated systems, which account for 75% of global rice production. These are systems in which the water supply is assured from either surface sources (rivers and dams) or wells and where controlled drainage is possible. Modern high-yielding varieties do very well under these conditions, and farmers typically apply fertilizer to obtain high and reliable yields. These systems were the home of the Green Revolution in rice, and global food security will continue to depend upon their continued ability to sustain high yields.

The other half of global rice area is rainfed, meaning that it depends exclusively on rainfall and, in some cases, unpredictable floods, for water. Rainfed rice can grow on steeply sloping lands, such as in the mountainous areas of Southeast Asia. But the largest areas are in the flat rainfed lowlands that predominate over much of the delta and coastal areas of South and Southeast Asia. These are level fields in which farmers construct bunds or levees to capture rainwater and maintain standing water in the field for as long as possible. Because rainfall can be so variable, rice in rainfed areas typically is prone to stresses such as drought and catastrophic flooding—sometimes in the same year. Farmers thus rarely apply fertilizer even when they grow improved varieties because these varieties are intolerant of the stresses. For resource-poor farmers, the risk of losing their investment is unacceptably high. Rainfed lowland rice predominates in those areas of greatest poverty (Fig.  7 ): South Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Yields are very low (1–2 tons/ha), and farm families remain trapped in poverty. Even though these farmers are very poor, it is important to keep in mind that, for most, without rice, they would have no livelihood at all.

Poverty and rice distribution and irrigation by country, and subdivisions for China and India. The size of the pie diagram is scaled (not linear) to the total rice area in a country. There is a clear relationship between the prevalence of rainfed rice and the level of poverty. Source: R.Hijmans, IRRI.

To keep up with the demand and to rebuild rice stocks, the world needs to produce 8–10 million tons more each year than it did the previous year. In 10 years, for example, global production will need to be 80–100 million tons above today’s 600 million tons. This is a daunting challenge because, as much of Asia develops economically, urban expansion and industrial development are displacing some of the world’s best rice lands. And, in Asia at least, little suitable extra land is available for rice production. Cities and industry also demand water that previously entered irrigation schemes for rice production. Furthermore, in fast-developing countries such as India and China, animal feed is displacing rice as people add protein-rich meat and dairy foods to their diet. At the same time, in many countries where increasing wealth had allowed people to begin to diversify their diets, per-capita rice consumption has started to increase again because higher food prices mean that, once more, people cannot afford the more expensive alternatives. And, unchecked, the burgeoning biofuel industry threatens to displace food crops across the globe.

Therefore, tomorrow’s rice needs will have to be met from less favorable lands and using less water. Put in another way, much of the world’s extra rice, especially in Asia, will need to come through increased productivity—more per unit area—rather than through establishing new rice fields.

Research challenges ahead

We are rapidly approaching a time when more than half the world’s population is urban. It is therefore increasingly important to assure affordable food for the urban poor. Across much of the globe, this means maintaining inexpensive rice supplies, and these must come from the intensive irrigated systems. Boosting the productivity of intensive systems is thus one of the main challenges in rice that must be addressed to prevent global poverty from spiraling out of control. Specifically, in the intensive rice systems, we need research that leads to technologies that can achieve the following:

Exploit all options for raising the yield potential of rice. Increasing the yield potential of inbred rice cultivars has proven to be difficult but must be revisited. Hybrid rice improvement may allow for additional yield increases but will require a better understanding of heterosis in rice.

Close yield gaps, increase yield stability, and improve net returns through improved germplasm with multiple resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses and improved crop management. Irrigated rice fields can produce stable yields with highly efficient resource use [ 8 ], but significant options still exist for developing more stress-resistant varieties through new precision-breeding methods. Likewise, breeding for adaptation to specific rice-based cropping systems and management practices can lead to greater fine-tuning of system performance. Research must also be done on second-generation problems such as partial irrigation due to water shortages, salinity, soilborne diseases, micronutrient depletion, and pest/weed buildup related to emerging crop management and land-use patterns.

Add value by improving grain quality and/or the nutritional composition of rice through germplasm improvement and resource management.

Develop sustainable management technologies for diversifying rice systems. Researchers must exploit opportunities to increase the productivity of rice in seasons when rice is the best adapted crop (the rainy season) and provide management options for additional crops or the replacement of rice by crops such as maize or vegetables in other seasons. However, diversification may jeopardize the intrinsic sustainability of irrigated lowland rice systems and reduce the amount of rice available for domestic consumption.

Manage ecosystem services. We must develop the ability to value, monitor, and optimize a wide range of supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services.

Understand and adjust to global climate change. Substantial opportunities exist to adapt rice crops and systems to become less vulnerable to climatic extremes, take advantage of rising atmospheric CO 2 levels and, at the same time, emit fewer harmful greenhouse gases and remain profitable for farmers.

Improve delivery of technologies. We require a better understanding of the cultural, social, and economic factors that influence the adoption and adaptation of robust integrated technological advances for increased and ecologically sustainable rice production.

A second challenge is to significantly increase the productivity of rainfed lowland rice. Reliable and sustainable productivity increases will increase farm income directly. However, the indirect effects may be greater. Knowing that a crop will give a good yield—even if, for example, it is subjected to full submergence for 2 weeks or a moderately severe drought—will encourage farmers to apply inputs and obtain even higher yields. A reasonable assurance of enough rice to eat and a surplus to sell will provide farmers with the means to invest in diversification and obtain off-farm employment. Most important, perhaps, children will be able to attend school without interruptions caused by crop failures. Such interruptions often result in children being permanently withdrawn from school and condemning yet another generation to poverty [ 9 ].

Research has been less successful in producing technologies that will improve the productivity of rainfed systems. However, advances in genomics and molecular biology of rice, enabled by the sequencing of its genome [ 7 ]—the first of the crop species—and improved analytical approaches, have allowed rice scientists—breeders, geneticists, and physiologists—to make dramatic progress in developing rice lines that tolerate complete submergence, drought, and salinity. There is now an unprecedented opportunity to make strong contributions to the well-being of farmers and the landless in rainfed systems. The incorporation of major tolerance of complete submergence into varieties already grown on millions of hectares is a concrete proof that this opportunity can be translated into reality [ 10 ]. The following work also needs to be done:

Identify additional genes conferring tolerance of abiotic stresses. The deployment of cultivars carrying the submergence-tolerance gene shows that such traits can be transferred to widely grown varieties, as its strong effect is independent of genetic background. Genes conferring tolerance of drought and salinity stresses must be identified and evaluated for their expression in different backgrounds.

Transfer stress-tolerance genes into present and future mega-varieties (grown on more than 1 million hectares). The most suitable approach is by marker-assisted backcrossing, which can be completed in less than 3 years.

Develop new mega-varieties through modern precision-breeding methods. The currently grown mega-varieties are becoming susceptible to new pests, and there is also a need for varieties with higher grain quality that can be sold at a higher price to increase income.

Evaluate new breeding lines and improved crop management practices in farmer participatory trials and under different cropping systems. As farmers become more confident in the performance of their varieties under stress conditions, options for diversifying their systems should be explored.

New frontiers: climate change and a new rice engine

Attempting to overcome abiotic stresses for rainfed rice generates a “convenient convergence” in two key ways. First, rainfed rice farmers in Asia and Africa all face the same basic physical constraints to rice productivity. Thus, addressing problems that are important for millions of rice farmers in Asia will also address some of the critical needs of poor rice farmers in Africa. Second, it is increasingly likely that climate change will bring about more severe weather that will translate into droughts, floods, and sea-water intrusion. The development of drought-, heat-, submergence-, and salt-tolerant rice essentially translates into “climate-ready” rice. This will be important for both rainfed systems and intensive irrigated systems.

Taking a longer view, rice research also offers one of the most exciting examples of science in any field: the ambitious plan to reengineer rice photosynthesis to make it similar to that of the more efficient maize, sorghum, and sugar cane. The latter have a photosynthetic mechanism (termed C 4 ) that reduces losses of fixed carbon and therefore increases biological yield potential by some 30–50%. It also improves water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies. Success here would mean the scientific equivalent of moving from horse-drawn vehicles to the motor car, with “supercharged” rice having the clear distinction of being environmentally beneficial. Since C 4 photosynthesis has evolved independently several times within the grasses and since the metabolic components of the C 4 pathway already exist in rice, the research, still in its early stages, is generating much enthusiasm. It may take as long as 10–15 years of dedicated work by a global scientific team, but C 4 rice could boost yields and increase the efficiency of resource use more than any other advance since the first modern varieties of the Green Revolution.

Conclusions

Agricultural research in a development context does more than simply produce knowledge and technologies that can be used to improve productivity in developing countries. We know that countries that have had access to advances in agricultural technology have done better, economically, than those that have limited or no access. And we also know that regions that the Green Revolution failed to reach, such as sub-Saharan Africa, are now a long way behind those countries that experienced the Revolution not only in terms of existing technologies but also in terms of capability in and access to modern agricultural research techniques. Thus, the gap continues to widen between the countries that missed out and the countries that benefited 40 years ago [ 5 ].

Whether or not we realize the potential for science to help solve the previously intractable problems in rainfed systems and also to meet the challenges facing intensive systems depends upon how well acceptable products are developed and how well they can be marketed. The experience and lessons of the rice Green Revolution in Asia and Latin America are that farmers will take up new varieties and enabling technologies on a massive scale, and consumers will eat these varieties as long as the price is attractive and the quality acceptable.

Worryingly, however, when the crisis of the 1970s struck, investment in agricultural research had injected the R&D pipeline with the Green Revolution technologies that were able to help farmers turn things around quickly. The current crisis has hit at a time when investment has dropped off. There are technologies in the pipeline, but there could be many more. The new awareness will need to be translated into genuine support if good ideas are to become the technologies we need to keep the world’s most important grain plentiful and affordable for all.

It has taken a food crisis that is echoing that of the early 1970s, but after almost two decades, there is a growing realization once again that agricultural research in general and rice research in particular are worthy of major international support. If any rice scientists ever doubted that their career was worthwhile, they need not doubt any longer.

Alston JM, Chan-Kang C, Marra MC, Pardey PG, Wyatt TJ. A meta-analysis of rates of return to agricultural R&D: Ex pede herculem? Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2000.

Google Scholar  

Benfey PN, Mitchell-Olds T. From genotype to phenotype: systems biology meets natural variation. Science. 2008;320:495–7.

Article   PubMed   CAS   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Bouman BAM, Lampayan RM, Tuong TP. Water management in irrigated rice: coping with water scarcity. Los Baños, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute, 2007.

Dobermann A, Witt C, Buresh R. Ecological intensification of irrigated rice systems in Asia. In: Recognizing past achievements, meeting future needs: Proc. 5th International Crop Sci. Congress, 13–18 April 2008, Jeju, Korea (CD).

Evenson RE. The scientific origins of the green and gene revolutions. In: Maskus KE, editor. Intellectual property, growth and trade. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science; 2007. p. 465–96.

Evenson RE, Gollin D. Assessing the impact of the Green Revolution, 1960 to 2000. Science. 2003;300:758–62.

Article   PubMed   CAS   Google Scholar  

International Rice Genome Sequencing Project. The map-based sequence of the rice genome. Nature. 2005;436:793–800.

Article   Google Scholar  

Pampolino MF, Laureles EV, Gines HC, Buresh RJ. Soil carbon and nitrogen changes in long-term continuous lowland rice cropping. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2008;72:798–807.

Article   CAS   Google Scholar  

Pandey S, Bhandari H, Hardy B, editors. 2007. Economic costs of drought and rice farmers’ coping mechanisms: a cross-country comparative analysis. Los Baños, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

Xu K, Xia X, Fukao T, Canlas P, Rodriguez MR, Heuer S, Ismail AI, Bailey-Serres J, Ronald PC, Mackill DJ. Sub1A is an ethylene response factor-like gene that confers submergence tolerance to rice. Nature 2006;442:705–8.

Download references

Acknowledgments

Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research, and Hei Leung, senior plant pathologist and leader of IRRI’s program on Rice genetic diversity and discovery: meeting the needs of future generations for rice genetic resources.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

International Rice Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines

Robert S. Zeigler & Adam Barclay

Adam Barclay

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adam Barclay .

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Zeigler, R.S., Barclay, A. The Relevance of Rice. Rice 1 , 3–10 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12284-008-9001-z

Download citation

Received : 17 June 2008

Accepted : 18 June 2008

Published : 15 August 2008

Issue Date : September 2008

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12284-008-9001-z

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Rice research
• Rice prices
• Food security
• Irrigated and rainfed rice production systems
• Rice productivity
• Climate change

Introduction and Background

• First Online: 18 June 2020

Cite this chapter

• Bee Ling Tan 3 &
• Mohd Esa Norhaizan 3  

278 Accesses

Rice is a staple food for nearly half of the global population. Irrigated rice contributes to nearly 55% of the global harvested area, which is about 75% of global rice production (410 million tonnes of rice per year), which is 100 times more productive compared to upland rice. The yields of rice production depend on water supply, herbicides, and fertilizers. They are several rice by-products produced during the rice milling process including rice bran, rice husk, brewers’ rice, and rice straw. However, most of the rice by-products were used as animal feed and some of them were not efficiently utilized. Unused rice by-products are usually burnt in the field and thus leading to a serious environmental problem. Substantial evidence shows that rice by-products contain a high amount of bioactive compounds, for instance, pigmented compounds, γ-oryzanol, vitamin E, flavonoids, and phenolic acids that possess potential health benefits such as anticancer, antimutagenic, and antioxidative activity. Therefore, this book attempts to discuss issues related to rice by-products, including rice demands and rice by-products production, phytonutrients and antioxidant properties of rice by-products, potential health benefits, application in food products, and future prospects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Adom KK, Liu RH (2002) Antioxidant activity of grains. J Agric Food Chem 50:6182–6187

Article   CAS   Google Scholar  

Ali N (2018) Co-occurrence of citrinin and ochratoxin A in rice in Asia and its implications for human health. J Sci Food Agric 98:2055–2059

Bayer C, Zschornack T, Pedroso GM et al (2015) A seven-year study on the effects of fall soil tillage on yield-scaled greenhouse gas emission from flood irrigated rice in a humid subtropical climate. Soil Tillage Res 145:118–125

Article   Google Scholar  

Butsat S, Siriamornpun S (2010) Antioxidant capacities and phenolic compounds of the husk, bran and endosperm of Thai rice. Food Chem 119:606–613

Castanho A, Lageiro M, Calhelha RC et al (2019) Exploiting the bioactive properties of γ-oryzanol from bran of different exotic rice varieties. Food Funct 10:2382–2389

Chaudhary AK, Singh V, Tewari M (2016) Utilization of waste agriculture byproduct to enhance the economy of farmers. Ind Res J Ext Educ 12:89–92

Google Scholar  

Daifullah A, Girgis B, Gad H (2003) Utilization of agro-residues (rice husk) in small waste water treatment plans. Mater Lett 57:1723–1731

Dang KB, Windhorst W, Burkhard B et al (2019) A Bayesian Belief Network-based approach to link ecosystem functions with rice provisioning ecosystem services. Ecol Indic 100:30–44

Daou C, Zhang H (2014) Functional and physiological properties of total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fibers derived from defatted rice bran. J Food Sci Technol 51:3878–3885

Dobermann A, Fairhurst T (2000) Rice: nutrient management and nutrient disorders. PPI/PPIC and IRRI, Singapore, p 162

Fairhurst TH, Dobermann A (2002) Rice in the global food supply. Better Crops Int 16:3–6

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT) (2019a) Food balance–food balance sheets. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#compare . Accessed 3 Jul 2019

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT) (2019b) Production–crops. http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#compare . Accessed 4 Jul 2019

Gao Y, Guo X, Liu Y et al (2018) A full utilization of rice husk to evaluate phytochemical bioactivities and prepare cellulose nanocrystals. Sci Rep 8:10482

Gong L, Cao W, Chi H et al (2018) Whole cereal grains and potential health effects: involvement of the gut microbiota. Food Res Int 103:84–102

Greenland DJ (1997) The sustainability of rice farming. CAB International, Wallingford, p 273

Hall KT, Kenneth JEB, Mukamal KJ et al (2019) COMT and alpha-tocopherol effects in cancer prevention: gene-supplement interactions in two randomized clinical trials. J Natl Cancer Inst 111(7):684–694

Horgan FG, Ramal AF, Bernal CC et al (2016) Applying ecological engineering for sustainable and resilient rice production systems. Procedia Food Sci 6:7–15

Hossain MS, Hossain A, Sarkar MAR et al (2016) Productivity and soil fertility of the rice-wheat system in the High Ganges River Floodplain of Bangladesh is influenced by the inclusion of legumes and manure. Agric Ecosyst Environ 218:40–52

Kim G-H, Ju J-Y, Chung K-S et al (2019) Rice hull extract (RHE) suppresses adiposity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and inhibits differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Nutrients 11:1162

Liu YQ, Strappe P, Shang WT et al (2019) Functional peptides derived from rice bran proteins. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 59:349–356

Muthayya S, Sugimoto JD, Montgomery S et al (2014) An overview of global rice production, supply, trade, and consumption. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1324:7–14

Peanparkdee M, Iwamoto S (2019) Bioactive compounds from by-products of rice cultivation and rice processing: extraction and application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Trends Food Sci Technol 86:109–117

Peanparkdee M, Yamauchi R, Iwamoto S (2018) Characterization of antioxidants extracted from Thai Riceberry bran using ultrasonic-assisted and conventional solvent extraction methods. Food Bioprocess Technol 11:713–722

Rafe A, Sadeghian A (2017) Stabilization of Tarom and Domesiah cultivars rice bran: physicochemical, functional and nutritional properties. J Cereal Sci 74:64–71

Rungratanawanich W, Abate G, Serafini MM et al (2018) Characterization of the antioxidant effects of γ-oryzanol: involvement of the Nrf2 pathway. Oxidative Med Cell Longev 2018:2987249. 11p

Satapathy SS, Swain DK, Pasupalak S et al (2015) Effect of elevated [CO2] and nutrient management on wet and dry season rice production in subtropical India. Crop J 3:468–480

Sharif MK, Butt MS, Anjum FM et al (2014) Rice bran: a novel functional ingredient. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 54:807–816

Shi X, Long Y, He F et al (2018) The fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae suppresses innate immunity by modulating a host potassium channel. PLoS Pathog 14:e1006878

Spangenberg JH, Beaurepaire AL, Bergmeier E et al (2018) The LEGATO cross-disciplinary integrated ecosystem service research framework: an example of integrating research results from the analysis of global change impacts and the social, cultural and economic system dynamics of irrigated rice production. J Paddy Water Environ 16:287–319

Subramanian V (2013) Global rice trade faces uncertainty in 2013. In: Rice today, pp 38–39

Talhelm T, Oishi S (2018) How rice farming shaped culture in Southern China. In: Uskul AK, Oishi S (eds) Socioeconomic environment and human psychology. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 53–76

Vo TBT, Wassmann R, Tirol-Padre A et al (2018) Methane emission from rice cultivation in different agro-ecological zones of the Mekong river delta: seasonal patterns and emission factors for baseline water management. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 64:47–58

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Bee Ling Tan & Mohd Esa Norhaizan

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Tan, B.L., Norhaizan, M.E. (2020). Introduction and Background. In: Rice By-products: Phytochemicals and Food Products Application. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46153-9_1

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46153-9_1

Published : 18 June 2020

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-46152-2

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-46153-9

eBook Packages : Biomedical and Life Sciences Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Essays on Rice

Faq about rice.

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.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

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 June 24, 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

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Paper Types / How to Write an Expository Essay

How to Write an Expository Essay

Every student has to write an expository essay at least once in their educational career. These are actually fairly simple essays to write, but they do require some serious research skills. Like most academic essays, the expository essay requires formal writing with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Guide Overview

• Focus on the thesis
• Listen to the assignment
• Explain, don’t argue
• Revise and edit, revise and edit
• Choosing the right topic

Tips for Writing a Kick-Butt Essay

Want to really impress your professor? Here are a few ways you can turn an ordinary essay into something that will blow their socks off.

Focus on the Thesis

Your thesis is the central point of the entire essay, so if it’s amazing, you’re off to a great start. Begin with this and make sure you decide on something that is impressive to kick off the essay.

Listen to the Assignment

Your professor may give you hints on what they’re looking for. If you just write down the basics of the assignment, you could miss out on some key points. For example, your professor may hint at a preferred topic or give tips that could result in a higher score. Write it all down and then analyze what is wanted before you write.

Long before you actually put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard to write the essay, you need to complete the pre-writing phase. This is where you do research and outline your essay. You’ll be amazed at how much better your writing is when you have these basic elements in place first. If you need help with these basic elements consider using an Expository Essay Template.

Explain, Don’t Argue

If you’re not careful, an expository essay can turn into a persuasive or argumentative essay. Focus on explaining the topic, rather than convincing people of something about it.

Revise and Edit, Revise and Edit

Going over the essay once to edit and polish isn’t really enough. If you’re tight on time, such as when writing an essay for an exam, just once will do. However, if you have time, it’s a good idea to edit immediately, then let the essay sit overnight or even longer. When you come back, you won’t be as close to the writing and can look at it more objectively.

Choosing the Right Topic

Topics for an expository essay vary widely, but ideally, you should select something you’re interested in writing about. Topics can answer a question such as “How can we prevent bullying in school?” or they can describe something like a historical building in your area. Other interesting topics to inspire you include:

• How does technology affect our relationships?
• How to treat a burn
• What are the must-haves for a freshman in college?
• How to handle anxiety attacks naturally
• How to train your dog to stop barking on command
• Research the history of a monument in your area
• Why roller skating is a great exercise

As you can see, there’s no limit to the types of topics you can choose for your essay and it really comes down to what the professor assigns you and what you enjoy writing about. How narrow your topic is will also depend on how much you plan to write. An entire history of the Civil War won’t fit into two page, for example, so you’ll need to narrow it down to a specific battle or element of the Civil War.

Writing an expository essay can actually be a fun experience if you approach it the right way. When you enjoy the topic and are interested in it, your essay will show that and will stand out from those written out of boredom.

Finally, if you’re ever facing writer’s block for your college paper, consider WriteWell Essay Templates to help you get started.

EasyBib Writing Resources

Writing a paper.

• Academic Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• College Admissions Essay
• Expository Essay
• Persuasive Essay
• Research Paper
• Thesis Statement
• Writing a Conclusion
• Writing an Introduction
• Writing an Outline
• Writing a Summary

EasyBib Plus Features

• Citation Generator
• Essay Checker
• Expert Check Proofreader
• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tools

Plagiarism Checker

• Spell Checker

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Grammar and Plagiarism Checkers

Grammar Basics

Plagiarism Basics

Writing Basics

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Essay Service Examples Life Chicken

Essay on How to Prepare Jollof Rice and Chicken

Introduction

Ingredients:.

• 2 cups of long-grain rice
• 1 kg of chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a whole chicken)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, blended or finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of thyme
• 1 teaspoon of curry powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional, for heat)
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
• Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

• Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and half of the minced garlic.
• In a large skillet or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
• In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and bell peppers.
• Sauté the vegetables until they are soft and fragrant, usually for about 5 minutes.
• Add the blended or finely chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and the scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.
• Add the rice to the pot and stir it with the vegetables to coat it evenly.
• Sprinkle in the thyme, curry powder, paprika, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
• Gently place the browned chicken pieces on top of the rice.
• Cover the pot again and continue to cook on low heat for another 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
• Occasionally check the pot to ensure the rice does not stick to the bottom. If needed, add a little more broth or water to prevent burning.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
• Fluff the rice with a fork, mixing in the chicken and vegetables.
• Serve the jollof rice and chicken hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

Most popular essays

• McDonald’s

McDonald's, a globally recognized fast-food chain, has become synonymous with its iconic menu...

Being from the south, I insist that everyone should experience the taste of a southern chicken...

• Cultural Diversity

Jerk chicken is a popular and iconic dish originating from the beautiful island of Jamaica. It is...

It’s Saturday evening and you and your friends are getting ready to watch the big game or a movie...

In this report, I will be talking about how accommodations for chickens should be set up and...

These burritos are stuffed with huge amounts of protein and fiber. Even better, they're light and...

Research Question: Can the recent exponential increase in imported Chicken, into South Africa, be...

Chicken sexing is a crucial process in the poultry industry that involves identifying the sex of...

Every year millions of people sit down and watch the Superbowl and thousands of those people take...

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

How to Write an Expository Essay

4-minute read

• 29th March 2020

An expository essay explains something. This means investigating an idea, looking at evidence, coming to a conclusion, and explaining your thinking. But how do you write a strong expository essay? Our top tips include:

• Read the essay prompt carefully and using it to guide your research.
• Come up with a thesis statement (i.e., a position that you’ll explain).
• Plan the structure of your essay before you start writing.
• Once you have a first draft, revise and proofread to make sure it is perfect.

For more advice on how this works, check out the guide below.

1. Read Your Essay Prompt

Most expository essay prompts will ask you to do one of the following:

• Define and explain a concept or theory.
• Compare and contrast two ideas.
• Examine a problem and propose a solution.
• Describe a cause and effect relationship.
• Explain a step-by-step process.
• Analyze a broad subject and classify examples into groups.

When you’ve been set an expository assignment, then, check the prompt or question carefully. You can use the phrasing to guide your research. You may also need to select a topic to write about. If so, try to think of something:

• You already know at least something about.
• You find interesting enough to research.
• That fits with the instructions in the essay prompt (e.g., if you’ve been asked to contrast two things, you’ll need a topic that allows for a comparison).
• That is narrow enough to discuss in one essay.

Start by brainstorming topics, then narrow it down to one or two ideas.

2. Come Up with a Thesis Statement

Once you have a topic, you’ll need to do some research and develop a thesis statement. This is the proposition or position that you’ll explain in your essay.

Your thesis statement should be something you can back up with evidence and facts, as well as something that answers the question in your essay prompt. Keep in mind, too, that an expository essay should present a balanced account of the facts available, not personal opinions. For instance, we’ve come up with thesis statements for a few example essay prompts:

When you’ve selected a thesis, make sure you’ve got evidence to back it up! This may mean doing a little more research before you start writing.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

3. Structuring an Expository Essay

The exact length and content of your essay will depend on the topic and prompt. However, most expository essays follow a similar basic structure:

• Introduction – A paragraph where you introduce the essay topic and your thesis statement (i.e., the issue or idea you will explain in the essay).
• Main Body – A series of short paragraphs in which you explain your thesis statement, providing evidence and arguments to support each point.
• Conclusion – A final paragraph where you restate your thesis and how your evidence supports this. Try not to introduce any new information here (if it’s important, it should go in the main body).
• References – If required, include a bibliography of sources you’ve used.

Before you start writing, then, create an essay outline with the structure above in mind and plan what each paragraph will say.

4. Editing and Proofreading

When you have a first draft, take a break and re-read it. Now comes the redrafting ! This is where you go back over your essay and look for areas to improve. Do you provide enough evidence? Is your argument clear? Even a few tweaks may increase your mark, so make sure to redraft at least once!

Finally, make sure to have your essay proofread before you submit it for marking. This will ensure your writing is error free and easy to read, giving you an even better chance of getting the grades you deserve.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

How to Ace Slack Messaging for Contractors and Freelancers

Effective professional communication is an important skill for contractors and freelancers navigating remote work environments....

3-minute read

How to Insert a Text Box in a Google Doc

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

5 Expository Essay Examples (Full Text with Citations)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

• Video Overview
• Quick Example
• Formatting Guide

An expository essay attempts to explain a topic in-depth, demonstrating expert knowledge and understanding.

This form of essay is structured around the clear, factual presentation of information, devoid of the writer’s personal opinions or arguments.

The primary goal is to inform or explain rather than persuade.

Unlike an argumentative essay, which is built around defending a particular point of view with evidence and persuasion, an expository essay maintains a neutral stance, focusing on delivering straightforward facts and explanations.

An example of expository writing could be an article explaining the process of photosynthesis.

The article would systematically describe each stage of how plants convert sunlight into energy, detailing the role of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

It would explain the sequence of reactions – first, second, third, fourth, fifth – that occur and the importance of each step in supporting the life of the plant.

An expository essay generally follows this essay format:

• A) To persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint
• B) To inform or explain a topic clearly
• C) To present the writer’s personal opinions and arguments
• D) To entertain the reader with creative writing
• A) An expository essay uses creative storytelling techniques
• B) An expository essay remains neutral and avoids personal opinions
• C) An expository essay focuses on persuading the reader with evidence
• D) An expository essay prioritizes the writer’s personal experiences

Expository Essay Examples

#1 impacts of technology on education.

955 words | 4 Pages | 15 References

Thesis Statement: “The integration of technology in education represents a complex and critical area of study crucial for understanding and shaping the future of educational practices.”

#2 Impacts of Globalization on Education

1450 words | 5 Pages | 9 References

Thesis Statement: “This essay examines the profound and multifaceted effects of globalization on education, exploring how technological advancements and policy reforms have transformed access to, delivery of, and perceptions of education.”

#3 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Interpersonal Relationships

1211 Words | 5 Pages | 22 References

Thesis Statement: “The central thesis is that EI, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, is a crucial determinant of success and well-being.”

#4 The Future of Renewable Energy Sources and Their Impact

870 words | 4 Pages | 20 References

Thesis Statement: “The essay posits that although renewable energy sources hold immense promise for a sustainable future, their full integration into the global energy grid presents significant challenges that must be addressed through technological innovation, economic investment, and policy initiatives.”

#5 The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior

1053 words | 4 Pages | 17 References

Thesis Statement: “The thesis of this essay is that consumer behavior is not merely a product of rational decision-making; it is deeply rooted in psychological processes, both conscious and subconscious, that drive consumers’ choices and actions.”

How to Write an Expository Essay

Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular point of view.

Instead, they focus on providing a balanced and thorough explanation of a subject.

Key characteristics of an expository essay include:

• Clarity and Conciseness
• Structured Organization (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
• Objective Tone
• Evidence-Based (Cite academic sources in every body paragraph)
• Objective thesis statement (see below)
• Informative purpose (Not argumentative)

You can follow my expository essay templates with AI prompts to help guide you through the expository essay writing process:

How to write a Thesis Statement for an Expository Essay

An expository thesis statement doesn’t make an argument or try to persuade. It uses ‘is’ rather than ‘ought’ statements.

Take these comparisons  below. Note how the expository thesis statements don’t prosecute an argument or attempt to persuade, while the argumentative thesis statements clearly take a side on an issue:

💡 AI Prompt for Generating Sample Expository Thesis Statements An expository essay’s thesis statement should be objective rather than argumentative. Write me five broad expository thesis statement ideas on the topic “[TOPIC]”.

Go Deeper: 101 Thesis Statement Examples

Differences Between Expository and Argumentative Essays

Expository and argumentative essays are both common writing styles in academic and professional contexts, but they serve different purposes and follow different structures.

Here are the key differences between them:

• Expository Essay : The primary purpose is to explain, describe, or inform about a topic. It focuses on clarifying a subject or process, providing understanding and insight.
• Argumentative Essay : The goal is to persuade the reader to accept a particular point of view or to take a specific action. It’s about presenting a stance and supporting it with evidence and logic.
• Expository Essay : It maintains a neutral and objective tone. The writer presents information factually and impartially, without expressing personal opinions or biases.
• Argumentative Essay : It often adopts a more assertive, persuasive, and subjective tone. The writer takes a clear position and argues in favor of it, using persuasive language.
• Expository Essay : The reader is expected to gain knowledge, understand a process, or become informed about a topic. There’s no expectation for the reader to agree or disagree.
• Argumentative Essay : The reader is encouraged to consider the writer’s viewpoint, evaluate arguments, and possibly be persuaded to adopt a new perspective or take action.

Go Deeper: Expository vs Argumentative Essays

Ready to Write your Essay?

Take action! Choose one of the following options to start writing your expository essay now:

Read Next: Process Essay Examples

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 19 Top Cognitive Psychology Theories (Explained)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 119 Bloom’s Taxonomy Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Self-Actualization Examples (Maslow's Hierarchy)

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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

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

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

What Is an Expository Essay

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

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

Expository Essay Examples

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

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

Example 1: “The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence”

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

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

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

Need some help with your homework? 

Get help from our expository essay writing service ! Leave us a notice and we'll make your tasks asap.

Types of Expository Essay

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

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

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

Expository Essay Topics

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

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

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

Expository Essay Outline

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

Expository Essay Introduction

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

Body Paragraphs (usually three or more)

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

Expository Essay Conclusion

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

Transitions

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

Revising and Editing

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

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

How to Write an Expository Essay Step by Step

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

Choose a Topic

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

Conduct Research

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

Create an Outline

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

Write the Introduction

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

Develop Body Paragraphs

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

Provide Evidence

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

Analyze and Interpret

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

Write the Conclusion

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

Revise and Edit

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

Want to Ace Your Expository Writing? 

Your wish is our command - order now and experience the excellence of our expert writers!

What are the Different Types of Expository Essays?

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

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

How to write an expository essay

Published September 27, 2020. Updated June 5, 2022.

Expository essay definition

An expository essay is a type of academic or research essay. An expository essay exposes information.

Overview of an expository essay

An expository essay is the traditional academic essay: you give information and analyze what it means. To write an effective expository essay, research needs to be conducted on the topic to find credible sources. Then, the findings should be presented along with their own analysis to explain the research and the connections between the sources. Every essay will have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction part consists of a hook, background information, and a thesis statement. A typical expository essay should have at least three body paragraphs. The essay should be concluded by tying back to the thesis statement (in the introduction). Then, the main parts of the essay should be summarized. Since the body paragraphs of an expository essay need to include analysis as well as information, the MEAL plan is one way to organize them. MEAL stands for M ain idea, E vidence, A nalysis, and L ink/ L ead out.

This page will cover the following points:

Key takeaways

What is an expository essay, parts of an essay, the meal plan.

• Essay outline
• Expository essay templates and examples
• An expository essay is also known as an academic essay or a research essay.
• It will take time to write an expository essay because you need to do research, see how the evidence from various sources fits together, and analyze your evidence.
• Outlines are helpful for seeing quickly and easily if you have enough information, how your ideas relate to each other, if your argument is logical, and if there are any gaps or irrelevant ideas.
• Use the MEAL plan to write the body paragraphs.
• Cite your sources!

Look at the word “expository.” Doesn’t it look like the word “expose”? Expository essays expose information. An expository essay is the traditional academic essay: you give information and analyze what it means. You may be asked to write an expository essay for many different types of classes, not just writing classes, and it is a valuable skill for many careers as well. To write an effective expository essay, you will need to conduct research on your topic to find credible sources, and then present your findings along with your own analysis to explain the research and the connections between sources.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

Before you begin writing, make sure to conduct thorough research on your topic and identify a variety of credible sources. Since the goal of an expository essay is to present and analyze the information you found, the tone of your essay should be objective and you should avoid the use of humor or emotion. Every essay you write will have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Think of the organization of an essay like this:

• Intro – Tell your reader what you’re going to write about.
• Body – Write about it (using the MEAL plan).
• Conclusion – Tell them what you wrote about.

Let’s go through each of those parts for an expository essay. Each part will include a sample. The complete sample essay is available here .

Note: All sources for the evidence were linked in the sample essay. This is how online articles cite sources. However, this is not a proper academic citation method. When you write your own expository essay, make sure you know which citation method you are required to use.

Introduction

You want to begin your essay with a hook. A hook is an interesting opening that “catches” your reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. Your hook is usually the first sentence (or the first few sentences). You will begin your introduction with a general idea that is connected to your topic.

After you’ve hooked the reader, you want to give some context or background information. Your background information can include information from other sources. Make sure you cite them!

Think of each sentence in your intro as a stepping point. Each sentence brings you closer to your thesis statement.

Once you’ve given some context, write a thesis statement, which in an expository essay is called a claim.

Your claim must be arguable. In order to be arguable, your claim should not be a statement of fact, since you cannot argue with facts. It should also not just be your personal bias since everyone is entitled to their opinion. Rather, it should be an idea you came to after researching your topic.

Your claim tells the reader exactly what they’re going to read about. Think of it like a map to the rest of your essay.

Sample introduction

• In this sample, look at how the hook is written. Did the first several sentences get your attention?
• In which sentence is the main topic of the essay introduced?
• Are there sources in the introduction paragraph? How do you know?
• Can you see how each sentence in the introduction brings you closer to the thesis statement?
• Can you identify the thesis statement? What is the claim?

Do you believe you’re creative? Do you consider yourself athletic? What about musically inclined?  If not, do you think you could become those things? What if you worked really hard at them? Carol Dweck , an American psychologist who studied motivation in children, came up with the theory of fixed versus growth mindset. As this article explains, the concept is rather simple: there are children who believe that their abilities are innate. They are either smart or not, athletic or not, creative or not. That is fixed mindset. Then, there are children that believe that their abilities can be developed through hard work. That is growth mindset. In this article , Dweck states that children with a growth mindset tend to be more successful since they believe that hard work leads to mastery. Furthermore, Dweck claims that growth mindset can be taught, which leads to academic improvement. As logical and intuitive as this theory is, it is not without controversy. There are several criticisms directed at the theory and the studies that led to it, and this paper will examine some of them.

A typical expository essay should have at least three body paragraphs—fewer than three wouldn’t give you the space needed to put forth evidence for your claim and analyze it.  However, you can write as many paragraphs as you need (or as many as your teacher assigns you). Regardless of how many body paragraphs you have, they will all be organized in a similar manner. Make sure to cite any evidence you use from your sources, and either paraphrase information in your own words or include direct quotations to avoid plagiarizing. Once you have presented your evidence and appropriately cited it, it is important that you then explain your analysis of the evidence and connect it to the claim of your essay.

For more information on body paragraphs in expository essays, go to the MEAL plan section.

Sample body paragraph

Note: Due to length, only one sample body paragraph is included. The complete sample essay is available here.

• Can you identify the main idea (topic sentence)? Does it link to the claim? Is it in the writer’s own words?
• Can you identify which sentences are evidence and which are analysis?
• Can you identify a link or lead out?

The main criticism of Dweck’s research with mindset is that her findings are not replicable. According to this article and this article , Dweck’s main study showed drastic results when students were praised in a way that encouraged growth mindset. These drastic results raised red flags since psychological experiments tend to show very small results. Clearly, when a study claims significant results, the scientific community tries to replicate those results to further validate the findings. So far, this has not happened. This article describes another experiment that was conducted on growth mindset with a group of students from a low socioeconomic status school. The results actually showed that teaching growth mindset only benefitted students who were already academically advanced. In fact, for one of the other groups, teaching about growth mindset disadvantaged the highest performing students. The results from this particular experiment seem to directly contradict the results claimed by Dweck. With inconsistent results like these, the findings from Dweck’s studies are put into question.

This is how your essay ends and is the last impression your reader takes away.

Conclude your essay by tying back to your thesis statement (in the introduction). Then, summarize main points from your essay.

Since you are re-stating your claim and summarizing your findings, you are not including any new evidence. You do not need any citations in your conclusion. However, if you do introduce new evidence or include a quote taken from a source already mentioned, make sure you cite it.

If you want, end with a closing statement: an idea that you want your reader to walk away with.

Sample conclusion

• Can you identify the sentence that ties back to the thesis statement?
• Can you identify the summary of the main points?
• Can you identify a closing statement?

This essay explored some of the criticisms of a theory that caused quite a sensation when it was first published. Like any scientific discovery, experiments need to be replicated with similar results in order to confirm their validity. The more the study is replicated, the more the results are trusted. However, that has not happened with Dweck’s research. In addition, the techniques for developing growth mindset in students have been found to be problematic, with some teachers misunderstanding the steps needed. In some cases, this has resulted in unintended, negative consequences. Some students have performed worse when taught about growth mindset. This might be caused by students feeling less “special” by realizing that what made them successful was hard work. Regardless of how clear and apparent a theory seems to be, due diligence must be done in order to confirm its validity.

Since the body paragraphs of an expository essay need to include analysis as well as information, the MEAL plan is one way to organize them. MEAL stands for:

• L ink/ L ead out

The Main idea of each body paragraph will be the topic sentence. This sentence is written in your own words (that is, it’s not information that comes from other sources). It should have a connection to the thesis statement (your claim) and give the reader a general idea of what the paragraph is about.

The Evidence is the information you gather from other sources to support your claim. Since it comes from other sources, evidence must be cited.

The Analysis is where you interpret the evidence and give it meaning, supporting your claim. Analysis should be in your own words and not from other sources. You don’t cite analysis.

Note: Your body paragraph should have several sentences of evidence followed by analysis. How you organize that is up to you. For example, you could have:

E, E, A, E, E, A.

Or: E, A, A, E, A, E, A, A.

Or: E, A, E, A, E, A, E, A.

That is up to you and will depend on what information you find.

However, you should NOT have: E, E, E, E, A, A, A, A. Every piece of evidence should be followed by its analysis.

The Link , or Lead out , will either link back to the main claim (the thesis statement) or summarize and lead out to the next paragraph. Whether you link back or lead out, your paragraph should have a feeling of conclusion.

Complete expository essay outline example

I. There are several criticisms directed at Dweck’s Growth Mindset theory and the studies that led to it

II. Findings are not replicable

A. Dweck’s studies showed drastic results https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/a-myth-that-keeps-growing-and-growing https://www.buzzfeed.com/tomchivers/what-is-your-mindset

• Red flags – psych studies tend to show small results
• Significant results, try to replicate results to validate

B. Low socioeconomic students https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201710/the-growth-mindset-works-not-everyone

C. Only benefitted academically advanced students

D. Other group: Disadvantaged highest performing students

• This experiment contradicts Dweck

With inconsistent results like these, the findings from  Dweck’s studies are put into question.

III. Difficulty in applying the principles in a classroom setting

A. “Educators have applied principles with tremendously gratifying results” https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-caorl-dweck-revisits-the-growth-mindset/2015/00

B. However: “Teachers misunderstand how to develop mindset”

C. Teachers need to be taught principles and steps

• Dweck seems to try to justify herself and her results

D. “If scientists trying to replicate have a hard time teaching, how can we expect teachers to do it right?” https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/a-myth-that-keeps-growing-and-growing

• Teaching initiative should come with training, or could backfire

IV. Learning about growth mindset might negatively impact high-performing students

A. High-performing students feel special = feedback loop https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201710/the-growth-mindset-works-not-everyone

B. Perhaps learning they performed well because they worked hard = demotivating https://www.happyasannie.com/adopt-growth-mindset/

• Being “gifted” more important than being “hardworking”

C. Society glorifies geniuses & natural talents – we’ve adopted “collective fixed mindset”

D. “Anyone can try hard and succeed. Nothing special. But try and fail? Pathetic”

• Society rewarding “special” not hardworking.
• Geniuses: How often do we see them on social media working hard?
• We usually see end result, not process.

V. Regardless of how clear and apparent a theory seems to be, due diligence must be done in order to confirm its validity

Templates and examples

Expository essay template in mla, expository essay template in apa, example expository essay.

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

By Halina Stolar. Halina has a master’s degree in teaching and taught English as a Second Language and writing for almost 15 years overseas. She now works as a freelance writer and geeks out over grammar for fun.

Common Writing Assignments, Apps & Tests

• Analytical Essay
• AP synthesis Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• Book Report
• Compare and Contrast Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay
• College Admissions Essay
• Critical Analysis Essay
• Definition Essay
• Descriptive Essay
• Dissertation
• Explanatory Essay
• Expository Essay
• Informative Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Opinion Essay
• Personal Essay
• Persuasive Essay
• Reflective Essay
• Research Paper
• Rhetorical Analysis
• Scholarship Essay
• Short Essay
• Thesis Paper

What’s included with a Chegg Writing subscription

• Unlimited number of paper scans
• Plagiarism detection: Check against billions of sources
• Expert proofreading for papers on any subject
• Grammar scans for 200+ types of common errors
• Automatically create & save citations in 7,000+ styles
• Cancel subscription anytime, no obligation

Still have questions? Leave a comment

Add Comment

Checklist: Dissertation Proposal

Enter your email id to get the downloadable right in your inbox!

Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services, expository essays | step-by-step manual with examples.

• Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

The term “expository” refers to expounding on, or elaborating on a topic. Hence, the main goal of an expository essay is to provide factual information on a particular subject. Although writing an engaging essay is definitely a plus, it is secondary. The main goal of writing an expository essay is to educate. 

An expository essay is a relatively unbiased piece of writing that explores a topic from all angles. In this article, we will explore the meaning of an expository essay and how to write one with the help of a few expository essay examples. Let’s take a look.

Elevate your essay with our expert essay editing services! Get started

What is an expository essay?

An expository essay is an unbiased, factual piece of writing that provides an in-depth explanation of a topic or set of ideas. It aims to explain a topic from all angles and takes no decisive stance on it.

Expository essays make no new arguments on a topic but rather explain preexisting information in a structured format. They are mainly used in assignments or exams to test the student’s knowledge of a subject. 

However, the expository essay definition remains incomplete without understanding the different types of expository essays. An “expository essay” is an umbrella term used to describe different types of essays. These essays include classification essays, definition essays, process essays, compare and contrast essays, and cause-and-effect essays.

Now that we’ve understood what is an expository essay, let’s look at its types.

1. Classification essay

A classification essay aims to group objects into distinct categories. It also involves comparing objects within the same group and highlighting their similarities and differences. For example, if the essay topic is evergreen trees, it would explore different types like pine and fir and discuss the similarities and differences between them.

2. Definition essay

A definition essay aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of a particular topic. As the name implies, the main goal is to define the subject matter in detail. So if you were writing a definition essay on the Victorian era, you would begin by defining the historical period. Then, you would move on to describe the cultural aspects such as fashion styles, notable figures, and societal norms that characterized that period.

3. Process essay

A process essay is a step-by-step guide to performing a particular task. It follows a logical, chronological order of detailed steps on how to achieve a desired outcome. For instance, if you want to write a process essay on “how to make a paper airplane” you will provide a step-by-step chronological guide on how to fold the paper in different ways to create the airplane. 

4. Compare and contrast essay

A compare and contrast essay aims to point out the subtle differences or unexpected similarities between two or more subjects. For instance, a compare and contrast essay about the types of ramen served in different parts of Japan may include the differences and similarities in the broth, ingredients used, types of noodles, and flavor profiles in each of them. 

5. Cause and effect essay

A cause-and-effect essay seeks to explore the aftermath of a specific incident. So a cause-and-effect essay on the Himalayan mountain range may analyze the movement of the tectonic plates that led to the formation of the Himalayas.

Now that we’ve fully understood what’s an expository essay let’s understand its structure.

Expository essay structure

An expository essay is written in the third person and the expository essay format, like any other essay format, consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. There is no limit on the length of your essay unless instructed by your teacher or professor. 

The expository essay format typically consists of one paragraph for the introduction and conclusion and three paragraphs for the body. But you can add additional body paragraphs depending on the scope of your topic. Here’s the expository essay paragraph structure:

1. Introduction

The purpose of an introduction is to acquaint your reader with‌ your topic or thesis statement. It also involves using engaging information and a relevant context to captivate the reader.

The thesis statement for an expository essay should be unbiased and should aim to provide the reader with more information on a topic. Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph for an expository essay:

• Background information
• Thesis statement

The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, left an indelible mark on English society. With its strict expectations governing everything from fashion to employment, it was known to be a conservative society. But amidst the rigidity, the period also saw remarkable progress in industry, technology, and science. It’s a time of paradox, where tradition and innovation coexisted. In this essay, we’ll delve into the fascinating complexities of the Victorian era and how they shaped English society for generations to come.

2. Body paragraph

After understanding how to start an expository essay the next step is to construct substantial body paragraphs. Each body paragraph in an expository essay consists of a topic sentence, its explanation, and a transition statement. A single idea should be introduced in each paragraph. 

These ideas can be arranged chronologically, in the order of importance, or even in a random manner, depending on the purpose and the message of your essay. For instance, a step-by-step guide will always be written chronologically, from the first to the final step.  Let’s take a look at an example of a body paragraph for an expository essay.

• Topic sentence
• Explanation
• Transition statement

During the Victorian era, the social hierarchy was rigid, with the aristocracy and landed gentry holding most of the power, wealth, and privilege . Shockingly, the upper class comprised only 0.7% of the population, yet dominated England’s resources and politics. Meanwhile, the working class, who made up the majority of society, faced harsh living and working conditions and had limited opportunities for upward mobility. Working-class men in industrial cities had an average life expectancy of just 16 years. Despite these challenges, the Victorian era also saw a growing movement towards social reform, such as the National Health Service and Factory Act, aimed at improving the working class’s quality of life. Although the oppressive social hierarchy was highly apparent, the Victorian era represented a time of progress and change in England for many.

3. Conclusion

The purpose of the conclusion is to tie up loose ends and to provide a short summary of your essay. End your essay with a strong, meaningful statement that leaves a lasting impression. This helps reinforce the significance of your thesis statement to the reader.

The conclusion should introduce no new information but rather focus on the broader impact and applications of your topic and central idea. Here’s an example of a concluding paragraph for an expository essay.

• Updated thesis statement
• Brief overview
• Concluding statement

The Victorian era brought about significant changes in society, culture, and technology, including the rise of the middle class, the expansion of the British Empire, the emergence of new literary and artistic movements, and the advancement of science and technology. Despite its flaws, it laid the foundation for modern society and continues to impact contemporary culture. This essay explored the Victorian era’s impact on literature, social norms, and technological advancements, providing a comprehensive overview of this era’s influence on society and culture. Overall, the Victorian era’s legacy continues to shape our world today.

Now that we’re familiar with the structure of an expository essay, let’s understand how to write it.

How to write an expository essay  

Although an essay is a highly versatile piece of writing, it follows the same basic steps. This involves choosing a relevant topic, crafting a clear thesis statement, creating a structured outline, and writing and revising your essay. Here are some simple steps to write an expository essay.

1. Choose an appropriate topic

An expository essay is based on accurate facts and information, so it makes sense to choose a topic you’re already familiar with. This will not only make the research process much easier but will also help you approach your topic in depth.

2. Craft the thesis statement

Create an interesting and succinct thesis statement that you can expound on. A thesis statement that is both intriguing and clear creates a strong foundation for your essay.

3. Create an essay outline

You can better understand how to structure your expository essay by constructing an outline.

An outline not only provides flow to your essay but also serves as a base to fall back on when in doubt. It is created by constructing relevant topic sentences that support your thesis statement and arranging them in a logical order. 

4. Write the first draft

Once you have created the outline, the next step is to flesh it out and start writing your essay. Make sure that you use reliable sources of information and accurately cite them during your writing process.

5. Revise and proofread 

After the first draft of your essay is complete, make sure to proofread it and revise any structural, grammatical, or factual inconsistencies. If you have the option, it always helps to hire essay editing services that can handle this crucial task for you.

Expository essay outline 

Before embarking on your essay writing journey, make sure that you have a solid base to fall back on. This can be done by creating a comprehensive expository essay outline with a detailed thesis statement, relevant topic sentences, and supporting bits of information. 

Here’s an example of an expository essay outline on the impact of the wheel on modern-day technology: 

The Impact of the Wheel on Modern-Day Technology

I. Introduction

A. Hook: An interesting fact or a historical anecdote about the invention of the wheel

B. Context: The significance of the wheel in ancient times

C. Thesis statement: The wheel has been a crucial invention that has influenced modern-day technology in various fields.

II. History and Evolution of the Wheel

A. Origin and early uses of the wheel

B. Development of the wheel and axle

C. Role of the wheel in ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, China, and Egypt

D. The role of the wheel in the Industrial Revolution

III. The Influence of the Wheel on Transportation Technology

A. The invention of the modern-day car and its components

B. The development of airplanes and trains

C. The influence of the wheel on space exploration

IV. The Influence of the Wheel on Manufacturing Technology

A. The role of wheels and conveyors in modern factories

B. The use of wheels in heavy machinery and equipment

C. The influence of the wheel in assembly line production

V. The Influence of the Wheel on Everyday Technology

A. The role of the wheel in household appliances and gadgets

B. The use of wheels in sporting equipment and toys

C. The influence of the wheel on modern-day robotics

VI. Conclusion

A. Restate thesis statement

B. Summarize the main points of the essay

C. Final thoughts: The significance of the wheel on modern-day technology

D. Call to action or recommendation for further research or action

Expository essay example

To help you in your writing process, we’ve provided a comprehensive expository essay example. It discusses the impact of Shakespeare’s work on modern-day literature. This expository essay sample deviates from the original five-paragraph structure and consists of an introductory paragraph, four body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

Influence of Shakespeare on Modern-Day Literature

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in the history of English literature. His works have had a significant influence on modern-day literature, and his plays continue to be performed and adapted into various forms, including films, television shows, and novels. In this essay, we will explore the influence of Shakespeare on modern-day literature.

Shakespeare’s influence on the English language cannot be overstated. He is credited with the invention of over 1,700 words and phrases, including “eyeball,” “fashionable,” “addiction,” and “bedazzled,” to name a few. His writing style, characterized by poetic language, rich imagery, and powerful themes, has inspired countless writers and poets over the centuries. Many writers have attempted to imitate his style or use his works as a reference for their writing.

Moreover, Shakespeare’s plays, which were written over 400 years ago, still resonate with audiences today. His exploration of universal themes such as love, jealousy, power, and ambition, continues to captivate readers and audiences worldwide. The characters in his plays, such as Romeo and Juliet , Hamlet , Macbeth , and Othello , are iconic and have become part of our cultural heritage.

As a result, today’s media and entertainment have been heavily influenced by Shakespeare’s works. Many writers have adapted his plays into modern settings, retelling the stories in contemporary contexts. For example, the musical West Side Story , which is based on Romeo and Juliet , is set in 1950s New York City, while the film 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew .

Shakespeare’s influence is not only evident in media but also in the language and themes used in modern literature. His exploration of human nature and the human condition has inspired many writers to delve deeper into the human psyche, exploring complex emotions and motivations. His use of metaphors, symbolism, and imagery has become a hallmark of literary writing, inspiring many writers to use similar techniques in their works.

In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s influence on modern-day literature cannot be overstated. His works continue to be read and performed, inspiring writers and artists around the world. His use of language, themes, and characters has become part of our cultural heritage and continues to shape how we view the world. Shakespeare’s impact on modern-day literature is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest writers of all time.

Now that you have clarity about expository essays, you can use this information to write expository essays. As providers of essay editing services , we realize that you may also have doubts about other types of essays like narrative essays, argumentative essays, and more.

Keep reading with more resources from your loyal editors and proofreaders:

• Narrative Essay | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
• 8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
• How to Write an Essay in 8 Simple Steps (Examples Included)
• What Is an Essay? Structure, Parts, and Types
• How to Write an Argumentative Essay with Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an expository essay, how long is an expository essay, how are persuasive and expository essays different, how is an analytical essay different from an expository essay, is writing an expository essay easy, what is the structure of an expository essay.

Found this article helpful?

Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Your vs. You’re: When to Use Your and You’re

Your organization needs a technical editor: here’s why, your guide to the best ebook readers in 2024, writing for the web: 7 expert tips for web content writing.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get carefully curated resources about writing, editing, and publishing in the comfort of your inbox.

How to Copyright Your Book?

If you’ve thought about copyrighting your book, you’re on the right path.

© 2024 All rights reserved

• Terms of service
• Privacy policy
• Self Publishing Guide
• Pre-Publishing Steps
• Fiction Writing Tips
• Traditional Publishing
• Additional Resources
• Dissertation Writing Guide
• Essay Writing Guide
• Academic Writing and Publishing
• Citation and Referencing
• Partner with us
• Annual report
• Website content
• Marketing material
• Job Applicant
• Cover letter
• Resource Center
• Case studies

Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — African American Culture — The Origins and Significance of Jollof Rice

The Origins and Significance of Jollof Rice

• Categories: African American Culture Rice

About this sample

Words: 662 |

Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 662 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Origins of jollof rice, significance of jollof rice, cultural and social importance.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Arts & Culture Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1251 words

1 pages / 1367 words

1 pages / 1814 words

3 pages / 1348 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on African American Culture

In recent years, the conversation surrounding higher education in the United States has increasingly focused on the barriers faced by various minority groups. Among these groups, African American female college students [...]

Zora Neale Hurston's short story "Spunk" is a powerful representation of the complexities of human relationships, particularly within the context of love and jealousy. Through her vivid storytelling and use of dialect, Hurston [...]

The African American culture is rich in history, traditions, and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation. As an African American college student, I am proud of my heritage and appreciate the diverse [...]

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but his success on the court is not solely attributed to his physical abilities. Jordan's character traits played a significant role in his [...]

This research paper is for those who tend to eat food specifically geared toward their culture and have never veered from it. One would see this research essay as a form of reference/reasoning to their many questions regarding [...]

Within every ethnic group there are many forms of culture. Each culture is divided into various categories. These categories can be referred to as subcultures. Subcultures are smaller segments of a culture that are not against [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free