Nova A.
Nova A.

How to Write an Expository Essay? Complete Writing Guide

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Published on: Apr 19, 2023

Last updated on: Jun 19, 2023

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The expository essay is a type of writing that requires you to investigate an event, place, or experience in detail. The key ingredient is good research as it provides strong evidence for your argument and adds information related to the topic. If this sounds like what you need help with, then keep reading!

Below we will explain what an expository essay is? What are the expository essay types? How to write an expository essay? And what tips are required to write an expository essay?

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What is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay explains an idea or issue logically and straightforwardly. Present relevant evidence and support the presented ideas. The expository essay’s main purpose is to explain something to the reader about a particular concept or point of view.

The writer uses formal language in the expository essay to make the concept clear for everyone. A neutral tone is used in the essay to explain the facts. In the essay, do not try to convince the reader to support your point. The writer should follow fact-based content and consistent formatting in an expository essay.

Expository essay writing is based on presenting and explaining hard facts with the help of evidence. The visual presentation of data through graphs, charts, presentations, and statistical data is the best way to explain the facts.

Expository Essay and Argumentative Essay

The below table shows the differences that will help you understand them better.

Expository EssayArgumentative Essay
Thesis statement argues the titleThesis statement states the argument
UnbiasedBiased
EducationalConvince others
ObjectiveSubjective
Write in the third personWrite in the first person

What is Expository Writing?

The most common form of writing in the world is expository. Since it can be used for anything from explaining your day to someone else or telling somebody about something you're doing.

The goal of expository writing is to convey information. This means that many types of things you come across in your daily life are also considered expository. Such as;

  • Articles from newspapers or magazines
  • Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter
  • Scientific papers
  • Textbooks

Moreover, expository writing isn't to convince or persuade someone, but just to provide information. However, this doesn’t mean that you can't use techniques from other forms like narrative when making your explanation more interesting.

The main purpose of an expository essay is to provide the reader with trustworthy information about a certain topic. To do this, you need only use facts and logic rather than personal opinion or subjective truths in your writing style. Thus, it will be easier for them to find out what they want from reading.

Expository Essay Topics

If the essay’s topic is not good, you do not grab the reader’s attention and write a successful essay. For example, you can write about education, health, movies, sciences, law, history, etc.

Choose a topic that you can easily explain to the reader. When choosing an expository essay topic, the most important thing to remember is that it should merely convey information. You can't try convincing somebody of anything with this type of writing.

Here is a list of good expository essay topics; choose from them, and write a good essay.

Expository Essay Topics About Education

  • Where to invest money after graduation?
  • Education makes us humble
  • Coping with grief while at college.
  • Private school vs. public school
  • Dealing with the college bully
  • What is the significance of homeschooling?
  • Why is tuition so high in the US?
  • Explain why your schoolwork is important.
  • Ordering writing helps online: Yes or No.
  • Benefits of higher education

Expository Essay Topics About Mental Health

  • How to cure depression by self-meditation?
  • How does music improve your life?
  • How to stop yourself from negative thoughts?
  • Difference between anxiety disorders
  • How does mental health impact students in school?
  • Benefits of good mental health
  • Common mental disorders
  • Obesity affect mental health
  • How to overcome depression?
  • Ways to improve mental health

Expository Essay Topics About Society

  • Some are active in tackling bullying.
  • Why is family so important?
  • Life in a hostel or a house.
  • What qualities make someone popular?
  • Is YouTube spreading propaganda?
  • Nationwide prohibition of the 1920s: causes and effects
  • Poverty
  • Harmful hobbies for students.
  • Music and its effects on society
  • Media and society

Expository Essay Topics About Politics

  • Totalitarianism: pros and cons.
  • Discuss the role of politics in society
  • Describe the characteristics of a true leader.
  • Describe your code of ethics.
  • Describe the advantages of time management that political leaders follow
  • Electoral systems around the world
  • Obama care does more harm than good.
  • Lack of educated ministers
  • Obama Care is still not affordable
  • History of Canada

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Types of Expository Essays

In an expository essay, one more thing to consider is their types. There are various types of expository essays, but they differ in structure and content. Therefore, before writing the expository essay, the writer knows its types. An expository essay can be categorized into six types.

  1. Compare and Contrast essays: Describe similar and different aspects between two or more concepts, places, people, or objects. You can use alternating, combination, or block method techniques to present your findings in a compare and contrast essay.
  2. Cause and effect essays: In a cause and effect essay, explain the cause-effect relationship of a particular event. Identify the relations, classify the results, and discuss the results.
  3. Problem and solution essays: The writer raises an issue and analyzes it from different perspectives. Before presenting the problem, you should know its solution.
  4. Classification essays: In this essay, categorize the topic into different categories according to their distinct features. In this essay, discuss the facts of the classification essay topic in detail. Start the essay with the general subject, define it, and then give examples.
  5. Definition essays: They provide information about the specific term or concept to the reader. You may include examples and tell the reader about places, situations, or experiences.
  6. Process essays: Explain the step-by-step process of something. Guide the reader about its procedure or how to do it. This essay includes the instruction list.

Expository Essay Structure

Once you have decided on the essay type, it’s time to think about its structure. Like other essays, expository essays consist of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The block structure and the chain structure are the common types of essay structure. You can write an essay in any format and present your arguments.

In block structure, discuss one object first and describe another subject in a separate paragraph. In chain structure, describe the problem point-by-point. This structure is useful for lengthy papers.

Both structures are suitable for expository essay writing, and you choose from one of them. Choosing the right format for the essay is as important as selecting the right essay type.

This general outline will serve as your guide for creating an informative piece with clear argumentation that addresses all relevant points.

Introduction

  • Hook
  • Background information
  • Thesis statement

Main Body Paragraph 1

  • Discuss the first main idea
  • Provide supporting facts and evidence

Main Body Paragraph 2

  • Discuss the first main idea
  • Provide supporting facts and evidence

Main Body Paragraph 3

  • Discuss the first main idea
  • Provide supporting facts and evidence

Conclusion

  • Wrap up the entire essay
  • Restate the thesis statement

Expository Essay Outline

An expository essay is related to research and informs the reader about an issue or a fact. The outline should include these sections:

Expository Essay Introduction

An expository essay should start with the introduction paragraph. The introductory paragraph should be short and informative. The first sentence of the introduction presents the problem in an extra interesting way and grabs the reader’s attention. Then, write the main things about the topic, why it is relevant, what the essay is all about, and discuss it.

Through this part, the writer easily grasps the reader’s attention. You do not assume that the reader knows about the topic if you describe something obscure.

The main part of the essay introduction is the thesis statement or statement of purpose. It informs the reader what your essay is all about. Avoid expressing your personal opinion and present it neutrally. Spend some time and make this statement powerful.

Expository Essay Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs explain your arguments. It should be in a more detailed form, but do not add extra details.

Each body paragraph focuses on one particular idea. It helps the reader to stay focused. The paragraph ends with transition sentences that introduce your next topic sentence.

All topic sentences connect with the thesis statement. It introduces the idea of the whole paragraph. Write each paragraph clearly and concisely.

Use facts and examples to support your point—support topic sentences with strong evidence.

Correctly cite all the references and show the audience that your information is correct and trustworthy.

Expository Essay Conclusion

The concluding paragraph summarizes the main points without adding new facts or ideas. Then, restate the thesis statement and outline the supporting arguments. If you do not add any point in the body paragraphs, you do not need to put it in the conclusion.

How to Write a Good Expository Essay?

Before starting to write an expository essay, it is important to understand how to write it correctly. Successful essay writing requires some planning and preparation. Divide your work into different phases, and do not burden yourself.

Follow these writing steps and write a good essay.

  1. Brainstorming

    Start the writing phase by brainstorming. Before you start writing an expository essay, you’re required to search the topic by brainstorming. First, brainstorm the ideas and possible arguments. Then, note all the ideas on the paper and choose the one you feel more comfortable with.

    The topic of the essay is not too vast or narrow. However, the essay topic should be relevant, and you can easily gather information about the topic.

  2. Planning

    After brainstorming, the writer starts the planning phase. First, divide the information into the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion section. Then, the writer has a clear idea in their mind about which thing to write in the essay.

  3. Writing

    When you have done your planning phase, start writing. It should be easier for you if you have completed the planning and brainstorming phase before writing. Make sure that you distribute information equally in all sections.

  4. Proofreading

    When you complete the writing phase, proofread your essay. Edit your essay and correct all the flaws. In the essay, there are no spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Read the essay aloud and correct all the mistakes.

  5. Submitting

    It is the scariest stage for some students after proofreading. If you complete the proofreading phase and make sure that your essay is free from all errors. Then submit the essay or publish it.

Expository Essay Examples

The following examples of a perfect expository essay. It's clear, well-organized, and easy to follow while still being creative, which keeps your reader engaged.

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Tips for Writing the Expository Essay

Follow these tips and write a good expository essay.

  • Use transition words in your essay and create a link between paragraphs.
  • The title of the essay should be eye-catching and noticeable.
  • Pick an interesting and relevant topic for your essay.
  • Write the first draft of your essay and then get feedback from your friends, teachers, or classmates.
  • Write a strong thesis statement about your topic.
  • The structure of the essay communicates your idea to the reader.
  • Each body paragraph should cover one topic and present new ideas.

Before you start writing, take a moment, and understand everything about the expository essay.

If you're not sure how to choose a topic for your essay and what format works best, don't worry! Many websites offer professional writers who can help with all types of papers.

For example, WriteMyEssay.help offers an online service where customers get essays written by qualified experts at affordable prices. So whether you want them to write an argumentative essay, persuasive essay, or critical essay, they’ve got you!

So, why wait? Consult us and get the best "Do my essay online" service.

Nova A.

WRITTEN BY

Nova A., Literature, Marketing

Nova Allison has eight years of experience writing both technical and scientific content. As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova focuses on developing online content plans that engage audiences. She strives to write pieces that are not only informative but also captivating.

Nova Allison has eight years of experience writing both technical and scientific content. As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova focuses on developing online content plans that engage audiences. She strives to write pieces that are not only informative but also captivating.

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