what is an example of expository essay

5 Expository Essay Examples (Full Text with Citations)

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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

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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!

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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Expository Writing: Everything You Need to Know

Expository writing, as its name implies, is writing that exposes facts. In other words, it’s writing that explains and educates its readers, rather than entertaining or attempting to persuade them. When you read a scholarly article, a textbook page, a news report, or an instructional guide, you’re reading expository writing. 

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What is expository writing?

Expository writing is writing that aims to inform its reader. As we mentioned above, this includes all types of factual writing, like textbooks, news stories, technical guides, and pieces of business writing. Many journalistic pieces are pieces of expository writing, but not all are—advertorials, opinion pieces, and many pieces of political writing are not pieces of expository writing because their primary goal is something other than providing unbiased facts. 

An easy way to understand expository writing is to compare and contrast it with other types of writing . Three other commonly recognized types of writing are descriptive , narrative , and persuasive . Each of these types of writing has a specific goal. Descriptive writing creates a sense of time, place, and experience in the reader’s mind. Narrative writing tells the reader a story. Persuasive writing convinces the reader that a specific position is the right position. Expository writing gives the reader the facts they need about a specific topic to deepen their understanding of it. 

Expository writing is:

• Usually presented in a linear format
• Always presented in a logical format
• Clear about its purpose

Expository writing is not:

• The author’s opinion
• An attempt to change the reader’s mind or shape their perspective
• Nonlinear or otherwise unconventional in how it presents content

Expository writing can still be fun and engaging

Although expository writing is fact-based, it doesn’t need to be dry or boring. Skilled writing can present factual information in an engaging way that only increases the reader’s comprehension of the topic, often by borrowing techniques used in narrative and descriptive writing to make the facts more vivid and impactful. If you’ve ever seen the docuseries Cosmos , you’ve seen engaging expository writing in action. In both the 1980 and 2014 versions, the host captivates viewers by guiding them through our known universe, our solar system, and how life on Earth evolved over millennia. Although Cosmos is a docuseries, the narrative that speaks directly to the viewer and constantly positions them within our universe’s story is a kind of expository writing: screenwriting.  

However, discerning an expository piece’s credibility can be tricky at times. Remember one of the kinds of writing we mentioned above, advertorials? An advertorial is an advertisement disguised as an editorial. In other words, it’s an article presented as either fact or the author’s personal thoughts, but really, it’s a sponsored advertisement. Advertorials aren’t the only instance where you can find subjective opinions disguised as objective facts—many documentaries, journalistic pieces, books, and even scholarly articles are written according to the author’s bias or to fit a specific agenda.

This is why it’s so critical to carefully vet every source you use when you’re working on an expository writing assignment. Inadvertently using a biased source in your academic writing can undermine your work by making it look like you either didn’t research the topic carefully or are pushing a specific agenda in your writing.

Types of expository writing

There are numerous ways to present topics in a piece of expository writing:

• Compare and contrast . In a compare-and-contrast essay , you present two or more subjects and write about their similarities and differences. 
• Definition. This type of expository writing defines a subject. For example, you might write a piece that defines a historic figure by exploring their actions, motivations, and circumstances. 
• Classification. In a classification piece, you write about the characteristics of multiple subjects within one category. For example, you might write a blog post about the types of expository writing. In that blog post, you explain each type of expository writing, covering their differences as well as their similarities. 
• Problem and solution. In a problem and solution piece, you explain an existing problem and then explore the most effective solution for that problem. This kind of structure can also be found in persuasive writing, but when it’s used in expository writing, it’s generally used in troubleshooting guides and to explain how specific problems have been solved.
• Process. When you need to explain how a process works or the steps the reader needs to follow to assemble something or complete another task, you write out the process step by step, providing as much explanation as necessary for each step.

Just like the other commonly recognized writing styles , you’ll find lots of drastically different expository writing examples. Technical manuals and research papers are both types of expository writing. So are lab reports, investigative journalism pieces, expository essays, and explainer video scripts. Even recipes count as pieces of expository writing, as do travel guides and biographies. 

How to do expository writing effectively

As a student, many of your writing assignments are pieces of expository writing. Presenting facts in a logical, clear way is a much different task from writing a fictional story or supporting your opinion. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re completing expository writing assignments:

Work through the entire writing process

The first step in writing a strong piece isn’t typing words on a screen, but rather brainstorming your topic. With other kinds of writing, like narrative or persuasive writing, you might have a clear idea of what you want to write from the moment you receive your assignment and, with it, skip ahead a few steps in the writing process . But because you’re working with facts and a strategy for presenting them in a coherent, engaging way, you’ll need to devote time to thoroughly brainstorming, researching, outlining, and then drafting your work. 

Be creative, but constrained

There’s room to have a little fun in your expository writing, but it’s not going to be a party on the page. Use literary devices like similes and juxtaposition sparingly and only when they serve to make the facts clearer to your reader. 

Always check the facts

Expository writing is all about the facts. When you’re researching, you might come across contradictory sources. If this happens, examine the conflicting information to find the truth. You can do this by researching that specific piece of information and finding what other scholarly sources have to say about it and by examining who published the two conflicting sources. If one is a personal blog and the other is an article from a .edu or .gov website, the latter is more likely to be unbiased. 

Share the facts with style

Expository writing is logical and fact-based, but it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it shouldn’t be. But it’s not always easy to present facts and figures in an engaging style. 

Grammarly can help. Our writing suggestions ensure you’re using engaging vocabulary and that your sentences flow clearly. In addition, with Grammarly’s tone detector, you can instantly see how your writing is communicating with its reader: confident, friendly, direct, and casual are just a few of the tones Grammarly can pick up. 

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Expository Essays

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What is an expository essay?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

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

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

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

• A bit of creativity!

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

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

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

A complete argument

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

The five-paragraph Essay

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

• an introductory paragraph
• three evidentiary body paragraphs
• a conclusion

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Expository Writing: Definition and Examples

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

What is expository writing, what is an expository paragraph, expository writing examples, how prowritingaid can help you with expository composition.

One of the most common types of writing is expository writing. Whether you’re a student taking an English class or a professional trying to communicate to others in your field, you’ll need to use expository writing in your day-to-day work.

So, what exactly does this term mean?

The short answer is that expository writing refers to any writing designed primarily to explain or instruct.

Read on to learn the definition of expository writing as well as some examples of what this type of writing can look like.

Before we look at examples of expository writing, let’s start with a quick definition of what this term actually means.

Expository Writing Definition

The term expository writing refers to any writing that’s designed to explain something. We use the word expository to describe any passage of writing that’s supposed to present information and help you understand it in an objective way.

Some common examples of expository writing include academic essays, textbooks, instructional guides, and news reports. Good expository writing should be factual, objective, and clear.

To better understand what this term means, think about the difference between a scientific article, a short story, and an advertisement.

The scientific article is considered expository writing because its primary purpose is to explain a particular topic in more detail. It presents data, analyzes what that data means, and focuses on the facts.  

On the other hand, the short story isn’t considered expository writing, because its core purpose isn’t to explain or inform—instead, it’s probably trying to entertain you or to take you on a journey. Short stories are narrative writing.

Similarly, an advertisement isn’t expository writing because its core purpose isn’t to explain or inform—instead, it’s trying to persuade you to buy what it’s selling. Advertisements are persuasive writing.   

Here’s a quick rundown of what expository essays should and shouldn’t do.

An expository essay should:

Teach the reader about a particular topic

Focus on the facts

Follow a clearly organized structure

Present information and details from credible sources

An expository essay should not:

Try to change the reader’s mind about something

Present the author’s personal opinions

Include made-up narratives or stories

Follow experimental or nonlinear structures

An expository paragraph is exactly what it sounds like—a paragraph of expository writing.

A well-written expository paragraph should follow a specific format to make it as clear and easy to read as possible. Most expository paragraphs do the following things:

Start with a topic sentence, which explains what the paragraph will be about

Then, include 3 – 5 body sentences that provide supporting details for the topic sentence

Finally, wrap things up with a closing sentence that summarizes what the paragraph has said

Writing an expository paragraph is a great way to practice expository writing. That’s because the paragraph follows the same structure as a more complex expository essay, just on a smaller scale.

Most expository essays should follow this format:  

Start with an introductory paragraph that includes the thesis statement, which tells the reader the core statement of the essay

Then, include 3 – 5 body paragraphs that provide factual evidence to support the thesis statement

Finally, wrap things up with a concluding paragraph that summarizes what the body paragraphs and thesis statement said

You can see the similarities between the two formats. If you can write a fantastic expository paragraph, you’ll be well-prepared to move on to writing a full expository essay.

Example of Expository Paragraph

Here’s an example of an expository paragraph that follows the structure described above.

The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, which can be fatal if it leads to heart attack or cardiac arrest. Heart attacks occur when a blockage in the coronary artery prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the heart. Cardiac arrests occur when the heart stops pumping entirely, which prevents the patient from breathing normally. Both of these problems can be deadly, even in seemingly healthy people who don’t have noticeable risk factors. As a result, heart disease is an important problem that many doctors and scientists are researching.

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There are many ways you can present information in an expository essay. Here are four of the most popular ways, along with examples of each one.  

Problem and Solution Essay

A problem and solution essay presents the reader with a problem and then considers possible solutions to that problem. 

Here’s an example passage you might find in a problem and solution essay:

Among the many proposed solutions to rising carbon emissions, one promising possibility is carbon trapping. Scientists are figuring out how to pull carbon emissions out of the atmosphere and trap it in less harmful forms, such as by injecting carbon dioxide underground so it will turn to stone.

Compare and Contrast Essay

This type of essay takes two subjects and compares and contrasts them. It focuses on highlighting the differences and similarities between those two things.

Here’s an example passage of this type of expository writing:

Though country music and R&B music have very different sounds, they also share many similarities. For one thing, both types of music embody a specific cultural identity. For another, both genres trace their roots back to the 1920s, when the Victor Talking Machine Company signed singers from the American South.

Classification Essay

In a classification essay, you describe the categories within a certain group of things.  

Here’s an example passage you might find in a classification essay:

There are three ways in which artificial intelligence might become stronger than humans in the future: high speed, high collective intelligence, and high quality. A speed AI would be able to perform calculations and experience the world much faster than humans. A collective intelligence, like a hive mind, would be able to break down a complex task into several parts and pursue them simultaneously. Finally, a quality AI would simply be able to solve more complex problems than humans could.

Process Essay

In a process essay, you give the reader the steps for completing a specific process. This is similar to a how-to guide or an instruction manual.   

Here’s an example passage you might find in this type of expository writing:

Caramelize the chopped onions in a frying pan. When the onions have caramelized, mix in the bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes and stir for 4 – 6 minutes or until all the ingredients have softened. If you want to add meat, you can add ground beef and cook for another 4 – 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  

Good expository writing should be easy to read. After all, the purpose of exposition is to explain things to your readers, and you won’t be able to accomplish that if they have trouble understanding your writing.

That’s why ProWritingAid can help you write an expository essay. The grammar checker can help you ensure your sentences flow well, you’re not missing any necessary punctuation, and all your words are precise and clear.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah Yang

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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Expository Essay

Definition of expository essay, types of expository essay, difference between an expository essay and an argumentative essay, examples of expository essay in literature, example #1: how chinese mothers are superior (by amy chua).

“I’m using the term ‘Chinese mother’ loosely. I know some Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Irish and Ghanaian parents who qualify too. Conversely, I know some mothers of Chinese heritage, almost always born in the West, who are not Chinese mothers, by choice or otherwise. I’m also using the term ‘Western parents’ loosely. Western parents come in all varieties. All the same, even when Western parents think they’re being strict, they usually don’t come close to being Chinese mothers. For example, my Western friends who consider themselves strict make their children practice their instruments 30 minutes every day. An hour at most. For a Chinese mother, the first hour is the easy part. It’s hours two and three that get tough.”

Example #2: Learning to Read (by Malcolm X)

“It was because of my letters that I happened to stumble upon starting to acquire some kind of a homemade education. I became increasingly frustrated at not being able to express what I wanted to convey in letters that I wrote, especially those to Mr. Elijah Muhammad. In the street, I had been the most articulate hustler out there. I had commanded attention when I said something. But now , trying to write simple English, I not only wasn’t articulate, I wasn’t even functional. How would I sound writing in slang , the way I would say it, something such as, ‘Look, daddy , let me pull your coat about a cat, Elijah Muhammad — ‘ Many who today hear me somewhere in person, or on television, or those who read something I’ve said, will think I went to school far beyond the eighth grade. This impression is due entirely to my prison studies.”

Example #3: Summer Ritual (by Ray Bradbury)

“About seven o’clock you could hear the chairs scraping from the tables, someone experimenting with a yellow-toothed piano , if you stood outside the dining-room window and listened. Matches being struck, the first dishes bubbling in the suds and tinkling on the wall racks, somewhere, faintly, a phonograph playing. And then as the evening changed the hour, at house after house on the twilight streets, under the immense oaks and elms , on shady porches, people would begin to appear, like those figures who tell good or bad weather in rain -or-shine clocks. Uncle Bert, perhaps Grandfather, then Father, and some of the cousins; the men all coming out first into the syrupy evening, blowing smoke, leaving the wSWomen’s voices behind in the cooling-warm kitchen to set their universe aright. Then the first male voices under the porch brim, the feet up, the boys fringed on the worn steps or wooden rails where sometime during the evening something, a boy or a geranium pot, would fall off.”

Functions of an Expository Essay

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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.

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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.

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Writing an Expository Essay: Structure, Outline, Example

What is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay is one where a topic or subject is explained and explored. It is a form of academic writing where the subject is presented in a completely objective manner. Unlike in the case of argumentative or analytical essays, expository essays do not require the writer to adopt a discernible stance. 

Expository essays can fall into various categories, such as compare and contrast , descriptive, and cause and effect. All these types of essays are dedicated to investigating their subjects in detail. 

Sections of an Expository Essay

Expository essays are structured in the following manner.

• Introduction: The introduction, which is the first paragraph, is meant to provide a brief background presenting a global context to the essay as well as the thesis statement. The writer could choose to incorporate a hook in the very first sentence, ensuring that they have captured the reader’s interest and encouraging them to continue reading the essay.

Thesis statement: The thesis statement is the key element of the essay, defining what the essay will be about. It should be formulated before the essay is written, after the initial research. Without a clear and concise thesis, the essay becomes confusing to both read and write.

• Body: Divided into multiple paragraphs , the body carries the bulk of the explanation in the essay. To effectively aid comprehension, each paragraph tackles a single subtopic derived from the thesis. These topics are declared in the topic sentences that begin each paragraph. And the logical connections between these paragraphs are further made clear with the use of the right transition words and sentences at the beginning and/or end of the paragraphs.

The explanation in body paragraphs should be augmented by factual evidence. It is essential that objectivity be maintained throughout as the purpose is to present a point, not to make it.

In general, a minimum of three paragraphs is expected. More paragraphs can be added based on the ambit of the essay.

• Conclusion: In the final paragraph, the thesis is reiterated but in the light of the matter of the body paragraphs. No new points are added to the essay here. Instead, a brief summarization of the preceding paragraphs helps come to a conclusion, rounding out the essay.

Outline for Expository Essays

• Introduction:
• A hook draws and holds the reader’s attention.
• A brief background contextualizes the essay.
• The thesis statement succinctly defines the scope of the essay.
• The scope of the essay is split up into multiple topics, each covered in one paragraph.
• The topic sentence of each paragraph announces its point of discussion.
• Explanatory reasoning and/or evidence is then laid out.
• Conclusion:
• The points of discussion elaborated on in the body paragraphs are summarized, and the thesis is recapitulated.

Example of an Expository Essay

The following essay discussing types of sports is an example of an expository essay.

The writer begins with a quotation that not only sets the scene, but also acts as a hook. They then elaborate on it, providing the reader with the background to their chosen subject. The subject is then clearly pointed out in the paragraph’s final sentence – the thesis statement.

““Sports are for fun, but they also offer benefits and lessons that carry over into all aspects of life.” All kinds of physical games or sports are healthy because they involve running, jumping, stretching, and other such movements. However, the rules and traditions that are embedded in most games also offer benefits to players that are oftentimes overlooked or forgotten. Players develop discipline, sportsmanship, and other similar personal traits that will help them in other areas of their life as well. The many sports played around the world can be categorized based on the number of players into individual, dual, and team sports.”

In each paragraph, the first sentence is the topic sentence, which informs the reader what the paragraph is about.

“Individual sports, which make up the first category, are those that a person can play alone if they do not have a partner. They include golf, fishing, skating, skiing, swimming, martial arts, and cycling. These are sports that a person can play on their own for enjoyment even as they maintain their fitness. Unlike team sports, individual sports focus on personal growth and accomplishment. Here, success is based on individual merit and so is failure. Some people do their best when they know that they are responsible for their own improvement, and are thus likely to achieve a great sense of accomplishment through such games.

Dual sports are the second category. Played by two people at a time, examples of such sports are tennis, squash, ping pong, and wrestling. These games are good for everyone, particularly those who are afraid of facing large groups of people during the game and cannot perform well in team sports. Through dual sports, such people can work on potentially playing with a team, and can also build their confidence as well as personality. In addition, they also boost the physical and mental strength needed to cope with team players.

Team sports comprise the last category. They involve a group of people working together to help the collective team win. Such sports are played between two teams pitted against each other. The aim is usually to score a goal against the opposing team, or to achieve a target before they do. Basketball, water polo, softball, baseball, and football are some good examples of team sports. They help develop skills such as learning to cooperate with others and remaining calm and composed with one’s teammates. Teamwork discourages discrimination of all kinds; everyone just plays as a group. During the game, players put aside such matters and work as a family to help their team win.”

The writer ends the essay with a quick recollection of what the different types of sports are.

“Playing sports everyday keeps sickness at bay and helps one stay fit throughout their life. If one is alone, they can play individual sports; if there are only two people, dual sports are the way to go; and if one wants to play in a group, they can join clubs and existing teams, or form one of their own. Thus, there is a wide range of options to choose from to help people live a long, courageous, and happy life.”

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How to Write an Expository Essay

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• 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.

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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.

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How to Write an Expository Essay

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Does Expository Writing Have You Confused?

Maybe you find yourself on this page because your instructor asked you to write an expository essay, and you aren't exactly sure what's expected of you—if so, you've certainly found the right place. Expository writing, or exposition, is a type of discourse used to describe, explain, define, inform, or clarify. It literally means "to expose." Exposition can be found in writing or oral discourse, but for the sake of this article, we'll stick with expository writing.

You are likely familiar with expository writing already, even if the name sounds unfamiliar. Common examples include newspaper articles, how-to manuals, and assembly instructions. Expository writing is also the most frequent type of academic writing !

Present the facts, and only the facts

If you are asked to write an expository essay, then you are essentially being asked to present the facts; there is no place for bias or opinion in expository writing. In a way, this makes writing simple—it is a matter of gathering and presenting the facts about a certain topic.

Something important to keep in mind when writing exposition is that you should not assume your readers have any knowledge of the topic; don't gloss over basic or important details, even if you think they're common knowledge.

When writing expository essays, it is best to use third person narration, although second person is acceptable in some instances, such as for instructions—or articles on expository writing.

Characteristics of expository writing

There are a few characteristics of expository writing you should remember when crafting an expository essay. The first is to keep a tight focus on the main topic, avoiding lengthy tangents, wordiness, or unrelated asides that aren’t necessary for understanding your topic.

In the same vein, be sure to pick a topic that is narrow, but not so narrow that you have a hard time writing anything about it (for example, writing about ice cream would be too broad, but writing about ice cream sold at your local grocery store between 5:00 and 5:15 pm last Saturday would be too narrow).

You must also be sure to support your topic, providing plenty of facts, details, examples, and explanations, and you must do so in an organized and logical manner. Details that can support your expository writing include:

• Comparisons
• Descriptive details
• Definitions
• Charts and graphs

Formatting an expository essay

The typical format for an expository essay in school is the traditional five-paragraph essay. This includes an introduction and a conclusion, with three paragraphs for the body of the paper. Most often, these three paragraphs are limited to one subtopic each.

This is the basic essay format, but expository writing does not need to be limited to five paragraphs. No matter how long your essay is, be sure your introduction includes your thesis statement and that the paper is based on facts rather than opinions. And, as with all good essay writing , make sure to connect your paragraphs with transitions.

Methods for writing an expository essay

There are a few different methods for writing an expository essay. These include:

• Compare and contrast
• Cause and effect
• Problem and solution
• Extended definition

Generally, you will want to pick one method for each piece of expository writing. However, you may find that you can combine a few methods. The important thing is to stay focused on your topic and stick to the facts.

Now that you have a clearer understanding of expository writing, you're ready to write your essay. One final tip: be sure to give yourself plenty of time for the writing process. After you've completed your first draft, let your paper sit for a few days—this lets you return to it with fresh eyes. If you'd like a second opinion, our essay editors are always available to help.

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Writing Guides  /  How to Write an Expository Essay (Professor Approved Guide)

How to Write an Expository Essay (Professor Approved Guide)

What is an expository essay? Expository essays are essentially informative essays. They are intended to be neutral, presenting facts so the reader can draw their own conclusions. They require the writer to extensively research the topic, determine the most essential points, and give those facts to the reader logically and cohesively. In fact, the role of research in an expository essay is vital. You may also hear people call them research papers since they depend on you doing research and presenting the research results to the reader.

Not surprisingly, one of the most significant risks when writing an expository essay is that you will go down a rabbit hole. It is easy to begin researching a topic, find a fascinating element, and put too much emphasis on that element. You want to avoid that and present a comprehensive overview of your subject matter.

Many students begin college knowing how to write an expository essay. In fact, most K-12 education emphasizes the expository essay over other types of writing. They are easy to structure and help the writer research and learn more about a topic. No wonder they are a favorite essay type for educators everywhere. Plus, the skills you learn when writing an expository essay can translate to other kinds of writing.

How to Write an Expository Essay Step by Step?

There are seven basic steps to writing an expository essay

• Thesis Statement
• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

Including these steps while writing your essay is one of the best ways to ensure you meet your professor’s expectations.

Step One: Research Your Topic

An expository essay starts with research. You need to understand the topic before you write about it. You also need to understand what points the reader needs to know to comprehend the subject. The internet has been outstanding in terms of helping people get access to information. Unfortunately, it has also increased your likelihood of being exposed to misinformation. For an expository essay, you want to present unbiased sources. After all, you are supposed to be neutrally presenting information.

Reliable sources generally are

• Use citations for their source material
• Written by experts

Not sure where to start? Your university may have access to databases of academic research. Contact your library’s helpdesk or student writing center to ask about those resources. If not, you can use Google for your research. However, you do not want to do a standard Google search. Instead, you want to use a function called Google Scholar .  You can search academic articles, textbooks, and other academic sources there. It is an excellent place to begin your research.

You may be tempted to use Wikipedia for your research. Some schools have rules against citing Wikipedia in your research since anyone can edit it, and it is not peer-reviewed. For those reasons, it is not a great source to note in your paper. However, if you do not understand a topic, Wikipedia can be a good starting place to learn more information. Some of the better Wikipedia articles have significant citation sections, which can be a good starting place for academic research. So, if you are lost, check out the scholarly articles in those citations.

While research is typically the first step of an expository essay, there are some circumstances where you may not be conducting research. You may be asked to write an expository essay for an exam. In those instances, you will not be conducting outside research. Instead, the research will have occurred as part of your classroom learning. Your essay must synthesize that information to demonstrate what you have learned. Since research usually is the start of an expository essay, you may feel a little lost. However, as long as you remember that classroom learning takes the place of outside research for these essays, it should be easier to understand them.

Step Two: Write a Thesis Statement

The next step is to write your thesis statement. While we have this as step two, some people write their thesis statement after writing the essay’s body. It would help if you did whichever one works best for you.

Your thesis statement should let the reader know what to expect in your essay. It is the main argument that you are supporting with your paper. Writing a thesis is easy for articles where you take a position. However, it is more difficult for expository essays, where you are presenting a neutral account of the information.

Your thesis statement should be confident, strong, and clear and provide the reader with the expectations for the essay. In many ways, it is a thumbnail version of the report. However, your thesis statement should not contain facts. A statement of fact is not a thesis. Instead, it should have a central idea or ideas that the facts you present will support.

While you want to start your essay with a thesis in mind, think of your initial thesis as a rough draft. As you write your essay, you may need to revise the thesis. You want the paper to support the thesis. If you are not supporting the thesis, you need to change the content of your body paragraphs or revise your thesis statement.

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Step Three: Pick a Structure for the Essay

Once you have determined what you want your essay to say, which is your thesis statement, you need to determine how you will present it. The five-paragraph essay is the default way to give information in an expository essay. This standard essay begins with an introduction, contains three supporting body paragraphs, and ends with a conclusion. Need additional support? No problem- you add those in as additional body paragraphs. If your expository essay is longer, you might consider breaking it down into smaller versions of the five-paragraph paper, with each mini-essay supporting one of the points you make in the outline.

Step Four: Write an Outline

Next, we suggest writing an outline. This may or may not be an essential step for you. Some writers can tackle their essays without writing an outline. However, an outline provides an excellent skeleton if you are struggling to write your essay. A thorough outline will provide a complete roadmap, so you must flesh it out to complete your paper.

Assuming that you have selected the five-paragraph format, your outline should look like this:

I. Introduction

A. Supporting Fact 1

B. Supporting Fact 2

C. Supporting Fact 3

D. Thesis Statement

II. Supporting Fact 1

A. Evidence

B. Evidence

C. Evidence

III. Supporting Fact 2

IV. Supporting Fact 3

V. Conclusion

A. Restate Thesis

B. Restate Supporting Fact 1

C. Restate Supporting Fact 2

D. Restate Supporting Fact 3

E. Concluding Sentence

Step Five: Write the Introductory Paragraph

Wondering how to start an expository essay? Once you have written your outline, you know what your introductory paragraph should look like. The first sentence should introduce the topic. The next three or so sentences should preview the body paragraphs. The final sentence or two should be your thesis statement.

One of the essential parts of your introductory paragraph is the hook. The hook is a sentence or two that captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to continue reading your essay.

Step Six: Write the Body Paragraphs

Your next step is to write your body paragraphs. Your introductory paragraph and outline have already provided the subject of your body paragraphs. Now, you need to fill in two to three facts to support the topic of each body paragraph.

In the body paragraphs, you put the research you did back into the paper. They are where you include quotes, figures, and cited facts. Remember, the body paragraphs are there to provide supporting evidence for the claims that you have made in the introductory paragraph. They should be thorough, but they should also be concise. Review them critically to ensure that you have stayed on topic.

Step Seven: Write the Conclusion

This is the easiest step in writing your paper. Your conclusion will essentially be a flipped version of your introductory paragraph. Start by restating your thesis. Next, summarize the supporting facts that you used in your introductory paragraph. Finally, you will end with a concluding statement. The type of concluding statement you use will depend on the nature of your expository essay.

Expository Essay Topics

Because expository essays are informative, you can choose almost any topic for your paper, as long as you explain or describe it. Remember that you do not want to be persuasive or argumentative. Even if you explain why you like something, your goal is not to get the reader to agree with you but to get the reader to understand you.

Some ideas to consider

• How dogs (or other animals) became domesticated.
• Why rural areas tend to be more conservative than cities.
• The impact of climate change on coastal areas.
• Why eating in a calorie deficit is necessary for fat loss.
• Reasons for the rise in Autism rates.

Expository Essay Writing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you start an expository essay.

You start an expository essay with research. You need to thoroughly understand the topic before you can explain it to someone else.

What is an example of an expository essay?

One of the most common examples of expository writing is news articles. These articles are objective and provide facts to the reader.

What are the 5 parts of an expository essay?

Suppose you use the five-paragraph model for your expository essay. In that case, the five parts of the paper are the introduction, body paragraph 1, body paragraph 2, body paragraph 3, and the conclusion.

What is a good expository essay topic?

Picking the right topic depends on what type of expository essay you are writing. Expository essays include

• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Cause and Effect
• Problem and Solution

So, use the subtype of the essay to guide your topic selection.

Need help writing your expository essay? Check out our writing tools for writing an expository essay today!

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Expository Essays Made Simple: The Guide With Examples

What is an expository essay?

How to write, structure, and format it to reach its purpose?

This article is here to answer all your questions on expository writing. I’ll share the meaning and provide a few templates and examples for extra clarity.

Expository Essay Definition

Examples of such explanatory texts are:

• Scholarly articles
• Instructional or technical guides
• Unbiased journalistic investigations
• A news report
• Business writing

It’s an expository text definition for us to understand the nature of this paper type. For more info, let’s learn the characteristics and elements of an expository essay.

What are the characteristics of expository essay?

Expository papers are factual and objective. They have a clear purpose, and their structure is linear and logical. In such essays, writers don’t share their opinions and don’t try to persuade readers.

Expository essays:

• Teach readers about the topic.
• Provide detailed information.
• Describe and explain facts.
• Clear, concise, and written with formal language.
• Organized, in the 3rd person, with precise word choice.

What are the elements of an expository essay?

• Strong thesis statement
• Evidence and examples
• Specific supporting details to explain the topic for a better understanding
• Logical structure and transitions between paragraphs
• Compelling conclusion to help readers remember the information better

What Is the Purpose of an Expository Essay?

The purpose of an expository essay is to present information and explain a topic. No personal opinions or biased statements are here, just facts with evidence.

The main focus is logic and coherence.

I’ve found the method for you to remember expository essays’ organization. It’s POET:

• P — Purpose: analyze, tell, explain, and connect the information.
• O — Organization: do research, outline, and structure your paper.
• E — Evidence: use facts, statistics, expert quotes, and examples.
• T — Thesis: be concise and straightforward.

Expository vs. Argumentative

An easy way to understand the meaning and purpose of explanatory papers is to compare them with other text types. Students most often confuse expository essays with argumentative (persuasive) ones. The above table demonstrates the differences for you to remember.

Types of Expository Writing

As a rule, teachers mention the type of expository essay in the assigned prompt. It helps you understand how to structure and present the information in your paper.

The five types of expository writing are:

• Definition. These papers describe and explain concepts. You just tell readers about something: a person, a place, a situation, etc.
• Classification. Here you need to break a broad concept into subcategories. Start with a general topic, and then tell about each subgroup. (Example: an essay about movie genres, cat breeds, book styles, etc.)
• Process (how-to). These texts explain to readers how to create or do something. Give instructions, steps, and practical tips. We also know process essays as problem-solution papers. A writer introduces and describes a problem and then tells the audience how to solve it.
• Compare-and-Contrast. Here you tell about the similarities and differences between at least two subjects. Or, you can describe the pros and cons of something. (Example: compare two novels of the same author; pros and cons of living in a village; etc.)
• Cause-and-Effect. These essays explain why something happened and what the outcome was. (Example: why Executed Renaissance (1) happened in Ukraine in the 1930s and what effects it has now.)

Expository Essay Structure

In academia, expository essays are standard 5-paragraph papers. You write an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Below is more information on what to include in every paragraph.

Introduction

The introduction of expository essays includes the topic and the main idea. Three elements to write here:

• A writing hook to grab the reader’s interest
• A topic’s background (introducing the topic)
• A thesis statement summarizing the main idea (what you’ll tell about the subject)

Here’s an example:

Body Paragraphs

Expository papers have at least three body paragraphs, each exposing one idea. It’s critical to craft logical transitions between paragraphs and include evidential support.

Each paragraph should have a logical connection to the thesis statement. As for evidence, use statistics, citations, and other info you’ve got when researching. (2)

Here go your four E’s to consider:

• Explanations
• Elaboration

That’s what a body paragraph of your expository paper might look like:

Three elements to include:

• Topic sentence (to state what this paragraph will be about)
• Explanation of the topic in detail
• Concluding sentences with a logical transition to the next paragraph

The final paragraph restates the thesis, given the evidence you provided in the essay. Summarize the topic, but don’t introduce any new information. Leave readers with a positive impression of your work.

Three elements of expository essay conclusions:

• Readdressing the thesis in light of the provided information
• A brief overview of the essay’s key points
• The key takeaway for readers to remember from your essay

Expository Essay Format

Example of Expository Essay

Below is your example of expository writing to see the structure and format. It’s a standard five-paragraph essay students write in college. The number of words and paragraphs may differ depending on the prompt you get from teachers.

Feel free to use it for inspiration and a better understanding of how to write:

What is the primary purpose of an expository text?

The primary purpose of an expository text is to inform readers about the topic. Such texts describe and explain concepts to educate the audience. They are objective. A writer shouldn’t express personal opinions or attempt to persuade readers. Expository essays are descriptive, not argumentative or persuasive.

How to write an expository essay?

First, review the prompt; it will tell you all the instructions. You’ll know a topic, a word count, a format, etc. Then, do research and gather all the information about your subject. What will you tell the readers? What evidence you’ll use to support your points? Once ready, create an outline. You’ll need to specify the thesis statement and think about how you structure an essay. Finally, write a draft and proofread and edit it before submitting it to a teacher’s review.

What is typically included in the introductory section of an expository essay?

An introductory paragraph starts with a hook to grab readers’ attention to the topic. Then, provide a topic’s background for readers to understand what you write about. Finally, finish your introduction with a thesis statement. In the thesis, summarize the main idea of your paper.

How long is an expository essay?

Target about 800 words for expository writing. It includes five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Check your prompt carefully: It often mentions the number of words to write.

Over to You

I hope this article has answered your “What is an expository essay” question. Remember about the purpose: inform and educate readers. Imagine yourself as a lecturer who needs to tell the audience about the subject — and voila !

Follow the logical structure, write in the 3rd person, and use evidence to prove your information. The above tips and examples are here to help you.

References: 

• https://www.husj.harvard.edu/articles/the-executed-renaissance-paradigm-revisited  
• https://www.nhcc.edu/academics/library/doing-library-research/basic-steps-research-process  
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Get the ultimate guide on writing an expository essay – step-by-step tips and examples.

Are you grappling with the challenge of composing a compelling expository essay? Look no further, as this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential tools and techniques to effectively convey your ideas and captivate your readers. By employing powerful writing strategies and supplementing your work with concrete examples and real-life anecdotes, you will unlock the true potential of your explanatory essay.

Begin your writing journey by harnessing the power of clarity and conciseness. Structuring your essay with a logical flow will allow your readers to effortlessly follow your thought process and grasp your central ideas. Employing strong transitions between paragraphs and employing cohesive language will ensure a seamless reading experience. Additionally, honing your analytical skills and supporting your claims with factual evidence will lend credibility to your work while fostering a deep understanding of the topic.

Furthermore, incorporating vivid examples and engaging anecdotes will breathe life into your expository essay, making your content relatable and memorable. By utilizing descriptive language and the art of storytelling, you will create a lasting impact in the minds of your readers. Whether it is a personal experience, a historical event, or a scientific study, weaving in these narratives will amplify the effectiveness and persuasiveness of your essay, leaving a lasting imprint on your audience.

Mastering the Art of Crafting a Compelling Expository Composition: Pointers and Illustrations

An in-depth exploration of the fundamentals behind composing an impactful expository essay can serve as an invaluable tool in your academic and professional endeavors. By harnessing the power of language, analysis, and evidence, you can construct a persuasive and enlightening piece of writing that will captivate your readers. Let us embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of crafting an exquisite expository essay.

1. Avoid monotony: Deliver your ideas in a fresh, stimulating manner to enthrall your audience. Strive to maintain a captivating narrative flow by skillfully employing synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and metaphors. This will invigorate your writing and make it truly memorable.

2. Be concise yet comprehensive: Accomplish the delicate balance of being succinct without sacrificing the clarity and depth of your exposition. Remember to select your words wisely, presenting each idea concisely while ensuring it is thorough and complete.

3. Provide evidence: Back up your statements with solid evidence and well-researched examples. Citing credible sources, such as reputable studies, expert opinions, and statistical data, will add credibility and weight to your arguments, making them more persuasive and powerful.

4. Organize your thoughts: Structure your essay in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that each idea flows seamlessly into the next. Utilize transitional words and phrases to guide your readers through the different sections of your essay, enabling them to follow your line of reasoning effortlessly.

5. Cater to your audience: Tailor your language, tone, and examples to suit the preferences and background of your intended audience. Use relatable and engaging references to convey your message effectively and establish a connection with your readers.

6. Emphasize clarity: Clarity is key when it comes to expository writing. Avoid excessive jargon, convoluted sentences, and ambiguous expressions. Instead, strive for lucidity and precision, ensuring that your readers can easily grasp the main points of your essay.

7. Show don’t tell: Instead of merely stating information, aim to vividly illustrate your ideas through anecdotes, case studies, and real-life examples. This will make your essay more relatable and memorable, enabling your readers to form a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

8. Revise and refine: Do not underestimate the importance of the revision process. Review your essay meticulously, focusing on grammar, clarity, and coherence. Eliminate redundancies, enhance sentence structure, and refine your vocabulary to elevate the quality and impact of your writing.

By equipping yourself with these essential guidelines and examples, you are well-prepared to embark on your expository essay writing journey. Remember, mastering the art of crafting a compelling expository composition requires practice and perseverance. Let your ideas flow, embrace creativity, and allow your words to inspire, educate, and leave an indelible mark in the minds of your readers.

The Significance of an Expository Article

When it pertains to written compositions, the significance of an expository article cannot be underestimated. This type of writing piece serves a crucial purpose in communicating information, presenting facts, and explaining ideas in a clear and concise manner. By utilizing objective analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and logical arguments, an expository essay provides readers with a deeper understanding of a subject matter.

Unlike other forms of writing, an expository essay focuses on informing rather than persuading or entertaining. It acts as a reliable source of knowledge, offering readers an opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain new insights. Whether used in academic, professional, or personal settings, the expository essay serves as a valuable tool for conveying information accurately and objectively.

Furthermore, an expository essay aids in building critical thinking and analytical skills. Through the process of researching and organizing information, the writer develops the ability to evaluate sources, discern facts from opinions, and present arguments based on logical reasoning. This type of writing encourages readers to question assumptions, analyze evidence, and draw their own conclusions.

Moreover, mastering the art of composing an expository essay equips individuals with essential communication skills that are applicable in various aspects of life. By learning how to present complex ideas in a clear and coherent manner, one becomes an effective communicator across different fields and disciplines. Whether it be writing research papers, reports, or even delivering presentations, the skills acquired from writing an expository essay are invaluable in expressing ideas persuasively and engaging an audience.

In conclusion, the importance of an expository essay lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive and objective understanding of a subject matter. By offering factual information, logical arguments, and clear explanations, this type of writing contributes to the development of critical thinking skills and effective communication. Whether in academic, professional, or personal settings, the expository essay plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge and fostering intellectual growth.

Understanding the Purpose and Audience

In order to create a compelling and impactful expository essay, it is important to have a clear understanding of the purpose and audience of your writing.

The purpose of an expository essay is to explain or inform the reader about a specific topic or idea. Unlike other types of essays, the main goal is to provide a balanced analysis and present factual information in a clear and concise manner. The purpose may vary depending on the specific assignment or context, but it is important to always keep the purpose in mind when writing an expository essay.

Equally important is knowing your audience. Understanding who will be reading your essay will help you tailor your writing style, tone, and level of complexity to effectively communicate your ideas. Consider the background knowledge, interests, and beliefs of your audience to ensure that your essay is accessible and engaging.

• Start by identifying the demographic characteristics of your audience, such as age, education level, and background.
• Consider their prior knowledge on the topic. Are they familiar with the subject matter, or do you need to provide additional context?
• Think about their potential biases or preconceived notions. Are there any potential challenges or objections you need to address?

By understanding the purpose and audience of your expository essay, you can craft a well-written and relevant piece that effectively communicates your ideas and engages your readers.

Choosing the Right Topic and Gathering Information

One of the crucial steps in writing an outstanding expository essay is selecting a compelling topic and gathering relevant information. The topic should be interesting, relevant, and align with the purpose of your essay. It’s important to choose a topic that you are passionate about and have a good understanding of, as it will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and easier.

Start by brainstorming different ideas and concepts that you find intriguing. Consider your personal experiences, hobbies, or areas of expertise that you would like to explore further. You can also look for inspiration from current events, popular trends, or societal issues that grab your attention. Once you have a list of potential topics, narrow it down to the one that has enough depth and scope for exploration.

Once you have chosen a topic, it’s time to gather information to support your thesis statement and provide evidence for your claims. Start by conducting thorough research using various sources such as books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, and interviews with experts in the field. Take notes and keep track of the sources you use for referencing purposes.

By choosing the right topic and gathering relevant information, you lay the foundation for a well-researched and compelling expository essay. Take the time to explore different ideas, conduct thorough research, and organize your findings effectively. Remember, a well-chosen topic and solid information will make your essay engaging and informative for your readers.

Structuring Your Expository Essay

When it comes to composing an expository essay, the way you structure your piece is crucial. Organizing your thoughts and ideas in a clear and logical manner will not only make your writing more coherent and easy to follow, but it will also help you effectively convey your message to the readers.

One effective way to structure your expository essay is to use the traditional five-paragraph format. This format consists of an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. Each paragraph serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall development of your essay.

The introduction paragraph is where you grab the attention of your readers and provide them with a brief overview of what your essay will be about. It should include a strong thesis statement that clearly states your main argument or point of view.

The body paragraphs are where you present your evidence, provide supporting details, and analyze your topic. Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea or aspect of your topic. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point, and then provide examples, facts, or explanations to support your argument.

In the conclusion paragraph, you should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new information or arguments in this section. Instead, focus on leaving a lasting impression on your readers and reinforcing the main ideas discussed throughout your essay.

Remember to use appropriate transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs and ideas. Examples of transitional phrases include “firstly,” “in addition, “finally,” and “on the other hand,” among others.

By following a well-structured approach, you can effectively organize your expository essay and make it engaging and informative for your readers. Take the time to plan your essay, identify your main points, and arrange them in a logical order. With a clear structure, your expository essay will be a powerful piece of writing that effectively conveys your ideas.

Enhancing Clarity and Coherence

Creating a clear and coherent expository essay requires skillful use of language and organization. By carefully selecting words and arranging ideas logically, you can ensure that your essay is easy to understand and follow.

Word Choice: One of the most effective ways to enhance clarity is through thoughtful word choice. Consider using precise and specific language to convey your ideas. Instead of using general terms, opt for more descriptive words that accurately depict the information you are presenting.

Logical Organization: Coherence in your essay can be achieved through proper organization. Present your ideas in a logical progression, ensuring that each paragraph flows smoothly into the next. Use transitional words and phrases to connect your thoughts and guide the reader through your essay.

Consistent Structure: To enhance clarity and coherence, maintain a consistent structure throughout your essay. Use a clear introduction to outline your main points and a strong conclusion to summarize your findings. Each body paragraph should focus on a single topic and provide sufficient evidence and examples to support your claims.

Effective Transitions: Transitions are essential in ensuring a cohesive flow between ideas and paragraphs. Use transitional words and phrases such as “however,” “in addition,” and “furthermore” to link your ideas and create a smooth transition between different sections of your essay.

Eliminating Ambiguity: To enhance clarity, it is crucial to eliminate any ambiguity or confusion from your writing. Be precise in your language and avoid using vague terms or jargon. Make sure your ideas are clearly articulated and leave no room for misinterpretation.

Proofreading: Finally, closely edit and proofread your essay for clarity and coherence. Look for any unclear sentences or confusing phrases and revise them for greater clarity. Ensure that your ideas are presented in a logical and coherent manner, leaving no room for confusion.

By enhancing clarity and coherence in your expository essay, you can effectively communicate your ideas and engage your readers. Thoughtful word choice, logical organization, consistent structure, effective transitions, and careful proofreading all play important roles in creating a clear and coherent essay that will leave a lasting impact.

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Expository Essay: Definition, Outline, Topics & Examples of Expository Essays

Expository Essay! When it comes to essay writing, there are a whole variety of essay types and it can become confusing to choose the correct one for your needs. In this article, we are going to be taking a look at the expository essay and what this type of essay is used for. We are also going to be looking at some tips and ideas for writing an excellent expository essay yourself. Alongside this we are going to explore some interesting topics on which you might write your expository essay as well as taking a look at a pre-written example.

What Is An Expository Essay?

An expository essay is one which is used to explain something, in the most simple terms. The word expository comes from the word expose, and this means to uncover something so that other people are able to understand it for what it is. This type of essay is therefore used as a way of explaining or clarifying the subject for the reader.

It might function as an evaluation or an investigation, but it could also function as an argument surrounding the idea for clarification. It is easy to confuse this type of essay with the argumentative essay but the key difference is that the expository essay will remain neutral whereas the argumentative essay tends to take a side.

A good expository essay will allow the reader to gain a certain level of knowledge on the subject that is being explained and will clear up any misunderstandings that the reader may have had. The essay serves as a way of looking neutrally at any given topic and does not give the writers personal views.

How To Write An Expository Essay

Now that we are clear on what an expository essay is used to discuss, we are ready to begin writing one for ourselves. However, as with any type of essay, there are certain rules that you must follow in order to achieve the best results. We are now going to take a look at the steps you should take in order to write a great expository essay.

Select A Topic

The most crucial part of any essay planning is selecting the right topic, and there are so many to choose from when it comes to writing an expository essay. You should choose a topic that can be easily researched so that you can get a good amount of information for both sides of the story but also one which strike an interest in you. Let’s take a look at some examples of topics you might write on.

• Explain Religion and which one you should introduce your child to.
• Explain Global warming.
• Explain Science and its effect on the world.
• Explain the best countries to visit for families/singles/couples
• Explain what life is like for an illegal immigrant
• Explain how music has an influence on our way of life
• Explain the best time period of the last 500 years.
• Write an essay on a certain sport.
• Explain why parents need to be strict with their children.
• Explain cryptocurrency and how it has affected the economy.
• Explain why your admire someone.

Research The Topic

Once you have selected your topic, it is important that you perform the relevant research. When writing an essay, it is critical that you present data and facts that are up to date and correct. This means that research should be an integral part of your preparations in writing an expository essay.

Choose Some Examples

In order to properly explain the topic, you should present your readers with some examples and choosing the right ones will not only keep your reader engaged but will also serve to explain the topic in the most detailed and easy to understand way. For example, if you have decided to write about which religion you should introduce your children to, you might select one or two of the major religions which you believe to the most relevant, for example Islam and Christianity.

Outline Your Essay

Every essay needs a good essay outline in order for the author to be able to write the piece effectively. Creating your essay outline is one of the most integral parts of the process and good attention should be paid to it.

• Introduction – In your introduction, you should include a hook to get the attention of the reader and a short description of what the essay is going to be about. You should also include your thesis statement which will tell the reader the purpose of the essay.
• Body paragraphs – usually an essay will be made up of three body paragraphs, however you can be flexible with this should you need more or less words to complete your work. In each of these paragraphs you should include one argument point along with any data and sources to back this up.
• Conclusion – The conclusion will wrap up all the ideas that were talked about during the essay and will refer back to the thesis statement once again.

Write Your Essay

Remember that the purpose of an expository essay is to clarify something to the reader and so it is important that you write in clear terms which are easy to understand.

You should include any examples of the topic which are backed up by data and statistics as this will give the reader a greater knowledge on the subject by the end of the essay.

Once you have finished writing, it is very important to go back over your work and check for any spelling errors or grammar mistakes as well as adding and taking away any necessary information.

An Example Of An Expository Essay

As a way to gain a further understanding on what an expository essay should look like and how it should be written, we are now going to take a look at a passage taken from an expository essay called ‘Learning to read’ written by Malcolm X .

It is because of my letters I happened to come across beginning to acquire a form of homemade education.

I was becoming more and more frustrated in not being able to say what I had wanted to convey in a letter, particularly ones which were written to Mr E Muhammad.

On the street, I’d been the hustler who was most articulate and has commanded everyone’s attention when I had said something. However, now whilst attempting to write in simple English, not only was I not articulate but I was not even functional. What would I sound like if I wrote in slang, a way I would normally  say  it, something along the lines of ‘Hey daddy, lemme pull ya coat about the cat’

Many of the people who hear me today either in person or on the television, perhaps who read something said by me, assume that I went to school for much longer than just the 8th grade. This is an impression given entirely because of my prison studies.

Expository Essay Infographic

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How To Write an Excellent Expository Essay: Expert Tips and Examples

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Some days, life can feel like an endless series of explanations. You explain to your family why your job has been such a bummer lately. You explain to your landlord that you’re not actually a millionaire and thus deserve a rent decrease. While you might be tired of all that explaining, it does give you the foundation of a good expository essay. With a little refining and helpful tips, you’ll learn how to write an expository essay that will amaze and astound.

1. Understand Exposition and What Makes It Special

Okay, there’s admittedly a little more to an expository essay than just explaining. The operative word in expository essay is exposition , which, yes, does refer to explanation, but it’s a more comprehensive and critical explanation about a specific idea, theory, or topic .

Exposition is about exposing information or ideas that may lie deeper within a subject through research and critical analysis .

Differences Between Expository, Narrative, and Descriptive Essays

At first glance, an expository essay seems synonymous with a narrative essay and a descriptive essay . And it’s true that your expository essay will probably have some elements of narrative (explaining through storytelling) and description (providing details about a subject).

In practical terms: A description will give you details about a cheeseburger. A narrative will tell you a story about that cheeseburger. An exposition might tell you about the history of the cheeseburger and how it has affected American culture.

Exposition vs. Argument

The really tricky part is differentiating between exposition and argument. There’s certainly some overlap between expository essays and argumentative essays, and some people suggest it comes down to being objective or subjective. That’s a little tricky considering expository essay theses can make claims that seem opinionated but aren’t — it’s more about presenting facts and findings than picking a side.

Exposition can involve agreeing or disagreeing with something, but it’s typically based more on emotion and textual evidence, like “This poem effectively considers a theme, and here’s how and why.” An argument is about taking a real stance on a debatable topic and uses hard stats, empirical data, and quantitative research, which might look more like “Spoons are the superior utensil, and here are some stats and a survey to support that.”

2. Determine the Type of Expository Essay You’re Writing

Expository essay  is more of an umbrella term for other essay types. The general structure and purpose of the essay may not change, but knowing the type of expository essay you’re writing is always a good idea.

The main types include:

• Analytical essays
• Compare and contrast essays
• Cause and effect essays

Dissertations and theses are also technically expository essays, though in a much longer and more in-depth form.

3. Start With What Interests You About the Topic

As with any essay, the hardest part is getting started. Essays in general have a reputation for being heady, buttoned-up, and overly academic pieces of writing, which can be intimidating for anyone. Expository essays can be particularly difficult because they have to contain a thesis that is opinionated, critical, and otherwise well-thought out.

Instead of getting bogged down under all that, start from a place of curiosity. What interests you about the topic? Is it a single line from the text? Is it a specific bit of historical context? Is it some random interview with a filmmaker? Figuring out what interests you helps to bring all the headiness of an essay to your own level.

Answering those questions can help you get started on your expository essay and build a thesis, which you can then modify and adjust as you get deeper into your essay writing.

4. Use That Interest To Structure Your Essay

Expository essays tend to be the most standard when it comes to their structure. The best news: If you’ve written a typical five-paragraph essay for class, you already know what an expository essay outline will look like (an intro, some body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

Sounds a little basic, but that reliability and consistency is part of the draw with these types of essays. The uniqueness is in the subject itself and what you bring to the essay.

If you’re writing an expository essay about a poem, for example, your outline might look like:

• An introductory hook that brings the reader in
• Some background context that you think the reader might want to know
• Your thesis: “This poem effectively represents certain themes through its line structures and word choice.”
• A deep dive into a significant line in the poem
• A look at the word choice, rhyming, and rhythm structure of that line
• An explanation of how that effectively addresses themes
• A look at another line or section that somehow connects to the line discussed in the previous paragraph
• A look at word choice and rhythm within that line or section
• Discussion of the poem as a whole
• A deeper look at the themes you’re discussing
• A callback to the first line you mentioned
• Restating the thesis statement
• A broader discussion of the themes or the poem within a larger historical context

5. Use Figurative Language

Yes, you should be analytical and use clear, concise language so that your reader understands what you’re trying to explain or claim in your thesis statement. You also don’t want to be too academic or dry. Otherwise, your readers won’t get past the first sentence.

Essays are an art form unto themselves. Even if you’re not telling an outright narrative, figurative language can play a really important role in your expository essay by building flow, supporting your thesis, and just making your writing feel a bit more human. Metaphors , similes , and all of those good literary devices can be great tools in your expository essay, so don’t ignore them.

6. Stick With Third-Person POV

Personal narrative essays are very much about your personal experiences and thus rely on a first-person perspective or creative use of second- or third-person.

By contrast, expository essays more often get grouped into “academic writing,” which generally requires a third-person point of view . That doesn’t mean avoiding your own thoughts and opinions. In fact, your essay should always feel like you’re speaking your mind. You just have to get creative with how to state that opinion without saying I or me .

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Writing essays can be a real challenge for many students. They often struggle to organize their thoughts and convey them clearly in expository essays.

This struggle leads to essays that lack clarity and fail to captivate the reader’s interest.

But worry not! This guide is your go-to helper. We're going to break down the ins and outs of expository writing using simple steps. Plus, we’ve included some tips and topic ideas, so you can craft essays that are both clear and engaging!

So, keep reading!

• 1. What is an Expository Essay?
• 2. Types of Expository Essay
• 3. Structure of an Expository Essay
• 4. How to Write an Expository Essay?
• 5. Expository Essay Example
• 6. Expository Essay Topics
• 7. Tips for Writing a Good Expository Essay

What is an Expository Essay?

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

It's different in its approach as it focuses on presenting facts and analyzing information. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding without adding personal opinions or biases.

Why Write an Expository Essay?

The purpose of writing an expository essay is to explain, describe, or inform the reader about a specific topic in a clear and straightforward manner. 

This type of essay aims to present facts, provide explanations, and offer insights. It avoids the writer's personal opinions, enabling readers to understand the subject thoroughly.

Types of Expository Essay

Expository essays come in various forms, each designed to explain or inform in different ways.

Here are the main types of expository essays:

Descriptive Essays

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

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

Process Analysis Essays

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

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

Compare and Contrast Essays

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

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

Cause and Effect Essays

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

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

Problem and Solution Essays

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

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

Structure of an Expository Essay

An expository essay typically has three main components: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. 

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

Introduction

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

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

Body Paragraphs

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s a standard expository essay format:

How to Write an Expository Essay?

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

Select a Topic

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

Consider the following pointers while choosing an expository essay topic:

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

Conduct Research

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

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

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

Create an Outline

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

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

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

Write The Introduction

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

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

Compose Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs serve as the essay's core. 

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

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

Write the Conclusion

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

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

Revise and Edit

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

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

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

Expository Essay Example

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

Here is another expository essay sample:

Expository Essay PDF

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

Expository Essay Topics

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

You can pretty much write an expository essay about anything, including a person, any piece of music , a book or themes like education , bullying , mental health or friendship . These topics should allow for in-depth exploration.

Here are some essay topics for students:

Expository Essay Topics for High School Students

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

Expository Essay Topics for University Students

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

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

Tips for Writing a Good Expository Essay

Here are some tips for writing a good expository essay:

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

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

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

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4.1: Expository Essays

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Learning Objectives

• Understand the function and use of expository essays
• Identify eight types of expository essays
• Apply expository essay structure

What Is an Expository Essay?

An essay that explains a writer’s ideas by defining, explaining, informing, or elaborating on points to allow the reader to clearly understand the concept.

Many of your future academic workplace writing assignments will be expository–explaining your ideas or the significance of a concept or action. An expository essay allows the writer the opportunity to explain his or her ideas about a topic and to provide clarity for the reader by using:

• Explanations
• Definitions

It may also include the writer outlining steps of a procedure in a way that is straightforward for the reader to follow. It is purely informative and often contains elements of summary.

Imagine you need to verbally explain a concept to your classmates, maybe a behavioural theory. What are the key elements on which you would focus? How would you organize the information? You could explain who came up with the theory, the specific area of study to which it is related, its purpose, and the significant details to explain the theory. Telling these four elements to your classmates would give them a complete, yet summarized, picture of the theory, so they could apply the theory in future discussions.

Although you did this verbally, you were still fulfilling the elements of an expository essay by providing definition, details, explanations, and maybe even facts if you have a really good memory. This is the same process that you would use when you write an expository essay. You may actually be doing this all the time; for example, when you are giving someone directions to a place or explaining how to cook something. In the following sections of the chapter, you will practise doing this more in different expository written forms.

The Structure of an Expository Essay

Sections versus paragraphs.

Before looking at the general structure of an expository essay, you first need to know that in your post-secondary education, you should not consider your essay as writing being constructed with five paragraphs as you might have been used to in high school. You should instead think of your essay in terms of sections (there may be five), and each section may have multiple paragraphs.

To understand further why you need to think beyond the five-paragraph essay, imagine you have been asked to submit a six-page paper (approximately 1,500 words). You already know that each paragraph should be roughly 75 to 200 words long. If you divide the required word count by five paragraphs (1,500 by 5), you end with 300 words per paragraph, way above the number you should have in a paragraph. If your paragraphs are too long, they likely have too many ideas and your reader may become confused. Your paragraphs should be two-third of a page at most, and never longer than a page.

Instead, if you think of your essays being divided into sections (with possibly more than one paragraph per section), your writing will likely be more organized and allow your reader to follow your presentation of ideas without creating too much distance between your paragraph’s supporting points and its topic sentence.

As you will see in Section 4.5, some essay forms may require even more than five paragraphs or sections because of how many points are necessary to address. For the rest of this chapter, the term paragraph will also imply section.

Sections of an Expository Essay

An expository essay, regardless of its purpose, should have at least five sections, which are:

• Introduction
• First body section/paragraph
• Second body section/paragraph
• Third body section/paragraph
• Conclusion.

The introduction should state the topic of your paper: your thesis statement as well as brief signposts of what information the rest of the paper will include. That is, you only want to mention the content of the body paragraphs; you do not want to go in to a lot of detail and repeat what will be in the rest of the essay.

The first body section or paragraph should focus on one of your main points and provide evidence to support that point. There should be two to three supporting points: reasons, facts, statistics, quotations, examples, or a mix of these. Both the second and third body sections should follow the same pattern. Providing three body sections with one point each that supports the thesis should provide the reader with enough detail to be convinced of your argument or fully understand the concept you are explaining. However, remember that some sections will require more explanation, and you may need to separate this information into multiple paragraphs.

You can order your sections in the most logical way to explain your ideas. For example, if you are describing a process, you may use chronological order to show the definite time order in which the steps need to happen. You will learn about the different ways to organize your body paragraphs in the next chapter.

The concluding paragraph , or conclusion, can be a little tricky to compose because you need to make sure you give a concise summary of the body paragraphs, but you must be careful not to simply repeat what you have already written. Look back at the main idea of each section/paragraph, and try to summarize the point using words different from those you have already used. Do not include any new points in your concluding paragraph.

Consider Your Audience: How Much Do They Know?

Later in this chapter, you will work on determining and adapting to your audience when writing, but with an expository essay, since you are defining or informing your audience on a certain topic, you need to evaluate how much your audience knows about that topic (aside from having general common knowledge). You want to make sure you are giving thorough, comprehensive, and clear explanations on the topic. Never assume the reader knows everything about your topic (even if it is covered in the reader’s field of study). For example, even though some of your instructors may teach criminology, they may have specialized in different areas from the one about which you are writing; they most likely have a strong understanding of the concepts but may not recall all the small details on the topic. If your instructor specialized in crime mapping and data analysis for example, he or she may not have a strong recollection of specific criminological theories related to other areas of study. Providing enough background information without being too detailed is a fine balance, but you always want to ensure you have no gaps in the information, so your reader will not have to guess your intention. Again, we will practise this more in Section 4.9.

What Comes Next?

In the next eight sections (4.2 through 4.9), we will look at different expository modes, or rhetorical modes, you will often be assigned. These are:

• Illustration
• Description
• Classification
• Process analysis
• Compare and contrast
• Cause and effect

Rhetorical modes refers simply to the ways to communicate effectively through language. As you read about these modes, keep in mind that the rhetorical mode a writer chooses depends on his or her purpose for writing. Sometimes writers incorporate a variety of modes in any one essay. In this chapter, we also emphasize the rhetorical modes as a set of tools that will allow you greater flexibility and effectiveness in communicating with your audience and expressing your ideas.

In a few weeks, you will need to submit your first essay–an expository sample–and you will be given the choice of topic: one from each of the modes. Think about which types of expository essays are easier and which are more challenging for you. As mentioned, as you progress through your studies, you will be exposed to each of these types. You may want to explore a mode you find more challenging than the others in order to ensure you have a full grasp on developing each type. However, it is up to you. As you work through the sections, think about possible topics you may like to cover in your expository essay and start brainstorming as you work through the self-practice exercises.

After we explore each of the individual modes in the eight sections that follow, we will look at outlining and drafting; it is at this point you will want to fine tune and narrow the topic you will write about, so you can focus on that when doing the exercises.

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