Expository essay

Expository Essay Writing

An expository essay divulges a topic in an insightful and straightforward manner. The subject is discussed objectively to ensure that the information provided is factual rather than subjective. Typically, an expository essay prompt uses the words ‘define’ or ‘explain.’ For example, explain how technology has transformed the lives of millennials. Note that you have not been asked whether or not technology has changed the lives of millennials. Therefore, you must explain regardless of your stance on the impact of technology on the lives of millennials. Consequently, the writer has to conduct thorough research to provide valuable information on the topic.

Expository essay writing is not limited to particular disciplines. You can write on any subject. So, how do you go about writing the expository essay?

The first step is to know the expository essay outline. The expository essay outline guides you on how to go about your writing. Without it, you will find it hard to stick to the subject since you will not know where to put your different ideas.

Introduction-It offers you the opportunity to charm your reader. The introduction comprises of:

The hook- A hook is the first sentence of your essay that draws the reader’s attention to your work. It can be an anecdote, a quote, statistical information or any other thing that will make the person want to read you’re your paper.

Background information and context- Shed light into the topic. Give some information about the subject you are going to tackle.

Thesis statement– In this part, mention the topic you are going to discuss. Limit yourself only to the matters you are going to analyze.

The Paragraphs of the Body

They comprise the backbone of your expository essay. There are no restrictions or specifications relating to the number of paragraphs you should include in your expository essay. The essential thing to remember is that you are required to do a thorough analysis of the subject. Therefore, the number of paragraphs you write should be dictated by that. Ordinarily, an expository essay will have 3-5 paragraphs. Your paragraphs should be written as follows:

The first topic- give one fact and the evidence, then provide the second fact and the evidence, the third fact, and the evidence and so on. Every paragraph begins with a topic sentence that introduces the subject you are going to address. Afterward, provide facts and evidence obtained from your research.

The second topic –give one fact and the evidence, then provide the second fact and the evidence, the third fact, and the evidence and so on.

The third topic- give one fact and the evidence, then provide the second fact and the evidence, the third fact, and the evidence and so on.

Conclusion

Do not introduce new information in your conclusion. Give a summary of the thesis, the facts you mentioned, and the evidence you provided. Talk about the importance of the subject and pose questions that arouse the reader’s curiosity about that subject matter. Wrap up your conclusion with a call to action.

Revise Your Work

Review your expository essay to find out if there are areas that need to be modified. Ask yourself if your work provides an objective argument that is logical and evidence-based. Look at your work critically and see if you veered from your topic in the course of writing. Fish out any unnecessary details from your expository essay. Consider your sentence structure and ask yourself if it is varied. Do not forget your word choice. Is it precise? Analyse the transitions you used when writing the sentences and paragraphs and assess their suitability for enhancing the reader’s understanding of your content. Look at your expository essay through the eyes of your reader and ask yourself if you communicated your points clearly and effectively. Lastly, take a look at your conclusion to find out if it mirrors your thesis and the main supporting ideas.

Proofreading

Always proofread your expository essay before submitting it. Look out for grammatical mistakes and errors in other mechanics of writing. Make sure that your work is clear and concise. You can ask a friend to go through your expository essay so that they can correct any errors you might have missed.

Tips on How to Write an Excellent Expository Essay

• Adapt the mind-set of an investigator when writing your expository essay. Imagine your boss has asked you to look into a particular topic keenly and to report facts that are not based on your views on the issue. Consider the following tips to write an excellent expository essay.

• No matter how familiar you are with the topic, do not assume that you know everything about it. Do thorough research before writing your expository essay.

• All the assertions and facts you mention should be backed up with evidence.

• The sources of information you use when writing your expository essay should be reliable.

• Do not fabricate information to stress on a point you want to put across.

• Ensure that you present facts that are not influenced by your personal feelings. Expository essay writing should be objective.

• Write clearly and succinctly.

• Make sure that you vary the length of your sentences.

• Quality outweighs quantity. Do not be preoccupied with providing many facts. Instead, focus on giving strong points that are supported by compelling evidence.

• Write in the second person, if your expository essay is talking about an activity or a process.

• Vague expressions are not appealing. As such, avoid them.

Expository essay writing is an important skill that is required in most careers. The reason is that expository essay writing helps a person acquire valuable skills. They include:

Critical thinking– An expository essay needs one to look at the topic analytically. To do that one has to employ critical thinking to look at the subject from different perspectives.

Research- Conducting research is part of writing an expository essay. As you write expository essays continually, you will do more research and sharpen your skills in the process.

Organizational skills- When writing an expository essay, it is vital to organize your ideas to create a paper that is easy to follow. The more you write expository essays, the better your organizational skills become.

Reporting- The expository essay carries a lot of information. Even so, you are required to be brief and to present your ideas straightforwardly and coherently that allows your reader to see your line of thought. In the process, you acquire the ability to express yourself better not just in writing but in other aspects of your life.