Expository Essay: Be it social media updates or an article you have read online, have you ever noticed our hunger for more content? An expository essay satisfies this hunger of ours. ‘Expository’ the word is derived from the medieval Latin word ‘expositorius’, from exposit.
This brings us to the question what are expository essays? Typically an expository essay can be defined as:
An investigative paper where the author decides on a topic does the research work on it and presents a thesis which is knowledgeable for the readers.
It’s time we dive deeper into the wide aspects of expository essays and try to understand the various expository essay topics and expository essay format, with the help of certain expository essay examples.
Expository Essay Format
- What Is An Expository Essay?
- How to Write an Expository Essay?
- Types of Expository Essays
- Topics of expository essay
- Tips for writing an amazing essay
What is an expository essay?
In an expository essay the person is required to choose a topic, investigate about the various facts associated with it by carefully studying the evidences, and expound it to inform readers about it.
It is very often observed that students are more than often given assignments based on expository essays. This type of essay among all the other forms of essays is found to be the most benefiting among researchers, students or any person in search for more knowledge on a topic.
An expository essay is more often written to educate the readers about the subject; it is written in a process that it elaborates the topic to the readers.
A successful expository essay demands a detailed study on the topic to provide exhaustive information about it. It is often written in third person, with a formal language, and in a precise, logical manner.
How to write an expository essay?
Since we are now acquainted to the idea of an expository essay let us delve into the process of writing an expository essay.
Research, Research, and Research!
The only success mantra is doing deep research about the topic in consideration. Research work is the backbone of an expository essay.
This type essay is typically a well organized academic writing which uses evidences and other information about the topic to the reader, and the only way it can be written efficiently is by researching well on the subject matter.
Prewrite and outline
It is pivotal to organize the plan of the entire essay before writing it. In order to write a five paragraph essay one needs to jot down the facts they want to elaborate on, to stop exaggerations of the idea. Making an outline of the entire essay leads to higher chances of writing a successful expository essay.
Introduction
The introduction must have an opening sentence [hook] and some context about the thesis that the reader is going to read in the essay. It is very important to have a good hook as it decides if the essay draws interest of the reader. Keep it precise.
Body of the essay
The body should be of about three paragraphs. Every paragraph in the body of the said essay should always focus on its own distinct problem that helps develop and maintain the thesis statement in your topic sentence. Start with the general topic sentence to explain the main idea of the first paragraph.
It should be supported by evidences from reputable sources to support the thesis. The second paragraph can be written keeping in mind to analyze the evidence, like why this information or evidence is worth using and how it is supportive to the thesis.
A transition sentence can used to connect this paragraph to the idea that will come in the last paragraph of the body.
Concluding the expository essay
It is advised that this paragraph should contain mainly the information used earlier. This space can be used very well to restate the thesis, and summarize the points of the body.
In short wrap it up. While for some topics a solution may be provided by the writer, or some point that might leave the reader with a question about the topic.
Types of Expository Essays
There are six types of Expository Essays:
Descriptive Expository Essay
Here the readers are provided with the places, situations or experience about the concerned topics. This type mainly gives information by explaining the meaning of the topic or word.
Classification Expository Essay
This type breaks down a broad topic into various categories. Here the essay is started with the general idea and then it is defined with evidences and divided into categories and subgroups.
Impacts or Reasons Expository Essay
They ideate the background behind the impact or the reasons why the topic or subject is important. Like focusing on what happened between the subjects, or the effect of an interaction, or the causes of the effects laid by the topic.
Juxtapose Expository Essay
They mainly differentiate, compare and contrast various subjects.
Process Expository Essay
This type of essay is mainly a step-by-step process of doing something.
Problem/Solution Expository Essay
You describe a problem and then tell readers how to solve it.
Topics of expository essay
Expository essays topics for College
- The pros and cons of the internet.
- How to save the planet.
- Dealing with financial literacy
- Advancement of Communication in last 20 years
- Is expressing your emotions helpful?
- Missing link found
Expository essays topics for High school
- Do aliens exist?
- How big is the universe
- Big bang theory
- Blue Whale
- Investigative studies on plants and animals
- Can we measure happiness?
- ETC
Expository essay about music
- Different genres
- Difference between two genres
- How to launch a music album
- How to launch a music label
- Earning through singing
- Effect of music on people
- Does music really have healing powers?
Expository Essay Topic [easy]
- Compare between psychiatry and psychology
- Bibliophobia- A mental disorder?
- What is the difference between the left and right halves of the brain?
- Comment on the technical development with an account of the US history
- Newspaper invention- a boon or bane?
- The Great Depression
- The era of technology
- Humans search for extraterrestrial life?
- Personality development- describe its stages
Social issues as expository essay topics
- Do children lie?
- Are you fat or overweight?
- Reasons behind a suicide
- Global warming
- Is something wrong with our species
- Taking care of oneself – is it important
- Hunger for money or want for flaunting?
- Communication strategies with mentally numb people.
- Hungry and being lonely are they really connected?
- How expensive is to live on the moon?
- Some hobbies harmful for teenagers
- Double standards
- Does gender create issues at work?
- Teenage pregnancies rise in number
- Why is voting in the elections necessary
- Human brain capacity
- Technology effecting relationships?
Tips for writing an amazing expository essay
Focusing on clarity
To write a successful essay it is important that the points are clear, concise language which is understood by the readers. The use of figurative language is not preferred here. If the topic is complex and needs to be defined before getting into the intricate details make sure it is done.
Prepare the thesis statement
Once the outline is made the thesis statement is to be given utmost importance. It serves as the backbone of the essay. An example of a good thesis statement is
Music is influencing our lives and structuring our behavior.
Using transitions while shifting paragraphs
In the body of the essay transitions plays an important role, when the paragraphs are connected together it is important to use transitioning words to make the essay approach the later paragraphs smoothly.
Sentences can be connected with worlds like ‘such as’ ‘in account of’ ‘while’ ‘however’. These must be clear and related to the idea of the main subject of the essay.
Example
Music help us pass the times of struggles with a hint of ease and soothing our hearts, making us feel less lonely However it also helps us enjoy and make memories of the good times when we are in an buoyant cadence.
Using correct supporting evidences
It is crucial to work with evidences and supportive information that are true, and are taken from reputable or genuine sources, failing to do so may spread wrong information among the readers and other problems.
Writing a strong conclusion
A conclusion shouldn’t just regurgitate your thesis. A strong ending will make your thesis more meaningful. Give it a summarized ending to keep it short and clear.
Focusing on rephrasing the argument, recapitulating the evidences and points, summarize the key points, and approaching the thesis for further study or discussion. The ending is the last chance for leaving a mark in the readers thought that will hook the reader to the thesis and give importance to your point of view.
This helps the reader get a hint of your personality, helping him to even further relate to your work. This makes you gain more audience.
Revise
It is very important to review, modify, and reorganize the work with the goal of making it the best. Keeping some considerations in mind:
- Does the essay give unbiased analysis of a fact using the best facts that are relevant for the reader?
- Is the information presented with utmost clarity?
- Watching out for paragraph sprawls
- Reduce unnecessary detailing
- Is the transition between the paragraphs well understood?
- Is the concluding paragraph communicating the value and meaning of the thesis and key supporting ideas?
Expository essays are a gift. It provides the fast learning world always hungry for content with the food required for growing knowledge. This type of essay allows the learners to express their minds without fear of being told they’re wrong. It’s the view point of the learner to the reader.
Now that you know about this amazing type of essay, and know how to write it , consider further development of your abilities and go ahead with one and review it yourself. Happy writing!