Knowing how to write an expository essay has become one of the most crucial academic lessons in schools and colleges. If you are a student, you should know how to write an expository essay.
As a student myself, I know sometimes it gets very irritating when you do not find all the required materials in front of you while expository writing.
Writing an expository essay is not a walk in the park. Suppose you are looking to write a well-structured expository essay for your assignment. In that case, I highly suggest you read this article to the end, as through this article, I will be telling you all the nitty-gritty of writing an expository essay.
But before we begin, let us first take a look at what an expository essay is.
What Does The Term ‘Expository Essay’ Mean?
As the name suggests, the word expository has come from the word exposition, which means to expose information. An expository essay is much like an explanatory essay where a topic is dealt with by going into its details and specificities.
All in all, an expository essay delves deep into investigating an idea and provides relevant argumentative information for it; all of it is done by keeping an academic style intact. It includes clear language so that normal people are able to comprehend it.
What Are The Types Of Expository Writing?
When it comes to expository writing, there are mainly five types.
1. Comparison Essay
A comparison essay is an essay where two subject matters are compared; after comparing, the finding is further explained.
2. Process Essay
These kinds of essays generally include ‘how to’ guides. Process essays are mainly written with the sole purpose of teaching and learning.
3. Problem And Solution Essay
Problem and Solution Essays are some of the most popular forms of expository essays. In this essay, a problem is addressed, and the solution for the same is also given.
4. Descriptive Essay
Descriptive Essays are mainly an essay where the essay writer describes something in detail. And descriptive essays give the essay writer a lot of freedom in regards to context.
5. Cause And Effect Essay
Cause and effect expository essays deal with how and why things happened. The introduction of such essays is filled with problems, and the solutions are given throughout the Body.
What Is An Expository Essay Structure?
Just like other forms of essay writing, expository essays have a structure that has to be maintained by the essay writer. Most universities follow the MLA format and follow 5 paragraph writing.
- Introduction
- 1st Body
- 2nd Body
- 3rd Body
- Conclusion
How To Write An Expository Essay In 9 Easy Steps?
Now that you know what an expository essay means, its different types, and its structure. It is now the perfect time to learn how to write it in 9 Steps.
Step 1: Know the Essence of an Expository Essay
Before you start writing, knowing what an expository essay is is essential. The major purpose is to offer an objective explanation of the subject matter. Common types of expository essays are:
- Descriptive essays explain a person, place, or thing in detail.
- A Process Essay is concerned with how certain effects come into being by describing the procedure involved in making them happen (e.g., how to bake a cake and how the process of photosynthesis works).
- Comparison and Contrast Essays highlight how two subjects seem to be alike or different from one another (e.g., online vs. traditional schooling).
- A Cause-and-Effect Essay explains the various reasons for an event or action and its consequences (i.e., causes of air pollution and its effects on human health).
- A Problem-Solution Essay presents some possible solutions to a problem (how to reduce plastic in the waste given in an environment).
Thus, knowing the type of expository essay that you are writing will help you in its structural arrangement.
Step 2: Selecting a Topic
When discussing the first vital step, the choice of the topic is involved. Consider the following factors in choosing your topic:
- Interesting to the reader and engaging: Select relevant and captivating topics.
- Specific and focused: Narrow down an issue to avoid scope creep, that is, topics or content that are overly general for the essay to handle.
- Good topic for research: Ensure there is sufficient information on the topic.
Examples of good topics:
- How does climate change affect agriculture?
- The importance of financial literacy in the present world.
- The digestive process in humans and metabolism.
- How technology is changing education today.
Step 3: Research, Research, Research
To write an expository essay, one must write with knowledge gained from accepted authorities in the field. What are some reasonable sources?
- Academic journals
- Books
- Governmental reports
- Respected news agencies
- Research studies
Notetaking requires organizing information into categories that indicate the organization of the essay. These sources should be checked for correctness and credibility.
Step 4: Strong Outline
An orderly outline lets you keep up with logical flow without missing important points in your content. Understood generally, an expository essay has the following type of outline:
Introduction:
- Hook: A phrase, quote, or fact to catch readers’ attention.
- Background information: Short information about the subject.
- Thesis statement: A statement that indicates the essay’s main idea or the writing’s intent.
Body Paragraphs (3 at least):
Each body paragraph should concentrate on one point that supports the thesis.
- Topic Sentence: A brief introduction to the supporting point.
- Supporting Evidence: The provision of instances, statistics, or other base facts.
- Explanation: An exposition of how the evidence works.
According to research, stress is reduced by 68% through the daily reading procedure. Immersion of an individual in a book brings the person to an experience similar to meditation, resulting in mental relaxation.
Alongside decreased heart rate and tension, the person tends to feel good about himself and enjoys reading as an effective means of reducing stress.
Conclusion:
- Express the same thesis in different words.
- Summarize main points.
- Ending with a thought-provoking statement or call for action.
Example Outline for an Essay on the Benefits of Reading:
Introduction
- Hook: “People who won’t read have the same advantage as those who can’t.” -Mark Twain
- Background Information: Trace a slight decline in the reading habit.
- Thesis statement: Reading improves cognitive abilities, enhances creativity, and enlarges vocabulary skills.
Body Paragraphs
- Paragraph 1: Cognitive benefits- improved memory and critical thinking skills.
- Paragraph 2: Creativity enhancement-exposure to new ideas, imagination boost.
- Paragraph 3: Vocabulary development and language skills.
Conclusion
- Restate thesis: Reading is the greatest for cognitive development and personal growth.
- Summary of benefits.
- Last thought: Encourage the reader to cultivate a reading habit daily.
Step 5: Write an Interesting Introduction
The introduction is an essay setting. It must engage as well as inform.
Example Introduction:
“Have you heard that reading for just 30 minutes a day can greatly improve brain functioning and emotional intelligence? In the screen-based world today, the habit of reading books is slowly fading. This essay will discuss how reading develops cognitive abilities, stimulates creativity, and enhances language proficiency; thus, it has proven to be one of the most precious habits.”
Step 6: Develop Strong and Coherent Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph should Follow the structured format:
- Topic Sentence: State what the main idea will be about.
- Supporting Evidence: Cite research, facts, or examples in real life.
- Explanation: Describe how the evidence relates to the argument.
- Transition Sentence: Smoothly connects to the next paragraph.
Example Body Paragraph:
“Reading has its greatest benefits for the mind. Research has found that reading daily reduces stress by as much as 68%. Immersing oneself in a book sends the mind into a state akin to meditation. This decreases heart rate, tension eases into comfort, and overall wellness improves, making for good engagement in an effective stress-reduction technique.”
Step 7: Write a Strong and Meaningful Conclusion
The conclusion should reiterate your thesis and leave the reader with a thought.
Example Conclusion:
“In short, reading is a potent proponent of cognitive functioning, creativity, and language refinement. As technology advanced, keeping the reading habit alive became even more important. In a world full of dying art, spending just a few hours each day reading novels, newspapers, and research articles can go a long way in cultivating one’s intellectual and emotional faculties.”
Step 8: Revise and Edit Your Essay
Once the essay has been completed, do a thorough review, confirming clarity, coherence, and correctness. Check up on the following, for starters:
- Logical flow of ideas.
- Grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Sentence structure and choice of words.
Step 9: Proofread and Finalize
- Dare to Read: Read your work aloud to catch the odd sentence.
- Consult with a friend or instructor: Your feedback will be invaluable.
- Verify compliance: Be sure to check the essay against the assignment guidelines.
Tips for the Expository Essay
- Keep Objectivity: State only the facts; keep the opinions aside.
- Easy and Clear Language: Jargon-free and simple.
- Sticking to Structure: Follow the standard setting.
- Backing with Evidence: Rely on trustworthy sources.
- Employ Transition Words to help: To maintain a flow of logic (Example: “Besides,” “Also,” “On the other hand,” etc.).
Final Thoughts On Expository Essay
There you go, those were the steps for writing a well-structured expository essay. I hope you have got some insights on writing an explanatory essay from this article.
I hope you have found this article informative. If you have any further queries or feedback in regards to this article, consider leaving a comment down below.
