What is expository writing

What Is Expository Writing?

How to Write an Expository Essay

Expository writing is used to convey factual information (as opposed to creative writing, such as fiction). It is the language of learning and understanding the world around us. If you’ve ever read an encyclopedia entry, a how-to article on a website, or a chapter in a textbook, then you’ve encountered examples of expository writing.

Key Takeaways: Expository Writing

Expository writing is everywhere in everyday life, not just academic settings, as it’s present anytime there’s information to be conveyed. It can take form in an academic paper, an article for a newspaper, a report for a business, or even book-length nonfiction. It explains, informs, and describes.

Types of Expository Writing

In composition studies, expository writing (also called exposition) is one of the four traditional modes of discourse. It may include elements of narration, description, and argumentation. Unlike creative or persuasive writing, which can appeal to emotions and use anecdotes, expository writing’s primary purpose is to deliver information about an issue, subject, method, or idea using facts.

Exposition may take one of several forms:

Tips for Expository Writing

As you write, keep in mind some of these tips for creating an effective expository essay:

Start where you know the information best. You don’t have to write your introduction first. In fact, it might be easier to wait until the end for that. If you don’t like the look of a blank page, move over the slugs from your outline for the main body paragraphs and write the topic sentences for each. Then start putting in your information according to each paragraph’s topic.

Be clear and concise. Readers have a limited attention span. Make your case succinctly in language that the average reader can understand.

Stick to the facts. Although an exposition can be persuasive, it should not be based on opinion only. Support your case with facts, data, and reputable sources that can be documented and verified.

Consider voice and tone. How you address the reader depends on the kind of essay you’re writing. An essay written in the first person is fine for a personal travel essay but is inappropriate if you’re a business reporter describing a patent lawsuit. Think about your audience before you begin writing.

Planning Your Essay

What Is an Expository Essay?

An expository essay has three basic parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Each is crucial to writing a clear article or effective argument.

The introduction: The first paragraph is where you’ll lay the foundation for your essay and give the reader an overview of your thesis. Use your opening sentence to get the reader’s attention, and then follow up with a few sentences that give your reader some context for the information you’re about to cover.

The body: At a minimum, include three to five paragraphs in the body of your expository essay. The body could be considerably longer, depending on your topic and audience. Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence where you state your case or objective. Each topic sentence supports your overall thesis statement. Then, each paragraph includes several sentences that expand on the information and/or support the topic sentence. Finally, a concluding sentence offers a transition to the following paragraph in the essay.

The conclusion: The final section of your expository essay should give the reader a concise overview of your thesis. The intent is not merely to summarize your argument but to use it as a means of proposing further action, offering a solution, or posing new questions to explore. Don’t cover new material related to your thesis, though. This is where you wrap it all up.

Expository Examples

An expository article or report about a lake, for example, could discuss its ecosystem: the plants and animals that depend on it along with its climate. It could describe physical details about its size, depth, amount of rainfall each year, and the number of tourists it receives annually. Information on when it was formed, its best fishing spots, or its water quality could be included, depending on the audience for the piece.

An expository piece could be in third person or second person. Second-person examples could include, for example, how to test lake water for pollutants or how to kill invasive species. Expository writing is useful and informative.

In contrast, someone writing a creative nonfiction article about a lake might relate the place to a defining moment in his or her life, penning the piece in first person. It could be filled with emotion, opinion, sensory details, and even include dialogue and flashbacks. It’s a much more evocative, personal type of writing than an expository piece, even though they’re both nonfiction styles.

What is Exposition? Examples of Backstory in Action

Exposition is a literary device that introduces key background information to the reader. This can include anything from a character’s backstory to a description of the setting.

Though exposition is necessary for nearly every single story, it’s hard to get it right. You’ve probably already experienced an “information dump,” which happens when poorly-executed exposition becomes a wall of text that a reader hastily skips past.

For a practical demonstration of how great authors communicate information in their writing, here are 11 examples of exposition taken from famous works.

Revealing background information through dialogue

Dialogue is one of the most organic ways to introduce exposition: it’s a prime example of the #1 writing rule, “Show, don’t tell.” Instead of telling readers the key details, the author can show them through a conversation. Let’s take a look at some examples of expository dialogue in action.

Exposition example: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

In the opening of Pride and Prejudice, Austen provides a masterclass in elegant exposition, establishing character relationships and setting up the novel’s action in one conversation.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

“Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife impatiently.

“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”

This was invitation enough.

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

By eavesdropping on this short exchange, we’re able to both gain an understanding of the relationship between the Bennets (her being the gossip, him being the long-suffering listener), and learn that an inciting incident has disrupted their life’s status quo: the arrival of a wealthy single man into the village.

Exposition example: Lord of the Flies, William Golding

We begin Lord of the Flies in medias res, with a group of boys having already crash landed on an uninhabited island.

«This is an island. At least I think it’s an island. That’s a reef out in the sea. Perhaps there aren’t any grownups anywhere.»

The fat boy looked startled.

«There was that pilot. But he wasn’t in the passenger cabin, he was up in front.»

The fair boy was peering at the reef through screwed-up eyes.

«All them other kids,» the fat boy went on. «Some of them must have got out. They must have, mustn’t they?

Rather than having us witness the action, Golding establishes the crash and setting through dialogue, as we see the boys discuss what has happened, and question what will happen next.

Exposition example: Hamlet, Shakespeare

If anyone knows good dialogue, surely it’s Shakespeare. In this excerpt, we get an example of his efficiency in expositing dynamics and backstory through dialogue.

Take thy fair hour, Laertes; time be thine,

And thy best graces spend it at thy will!

But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son,—

[Aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind.

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

Not so, my lord; I am too much i’ the sun.

Here, he establishes the tense relationship between Hamlet and his uncle, and introduces one of their key conflicts: Claudius feels Hamlet is too upset over the death of his father, while Hamlet finds Claudius cruel.

Narrative digressions to fill in important details

Exposition doesn’t need to come from characters themselves. Another expository tool at writers’ disposal is the use of narrative digressions to flesh out background and fill in gaps in the reader’s knowledge.

This technique should be used delicately: a reader doesn’t need to know every mundane detail about a character’s life, and frequently breaking from the plot to insert backstory can make a story lose tension. As Kurt Vonnegut once said: “Every sentence must do one of two things: reveal character or advance the action.”

Great authors are usually sparing with this technique, only breaking from the action to fill in the most essential details. Let’s look at a few examples of narrative exposition to see how this can be achieved.

Exposition example: A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin

In this passage, Martin uses a brief narrative digression to establish both Catelyn Stark’s backstory and her religious piety.

Catelyn had been anointed with the seven oils and named in the rainbow of light that filled the sept of Riverrun. She was of the Faith, like her father and grandfather and his father before him. Her gods had names, and their faces were as familiar as the faces of her parents. Worship was a septon with a censer, the smell of incense, a seven-sided crystal alive with light, voices raised in song. The Tullys kept a godswood, as all the great houses did, but it was only a place to walk or read or lie in the sun. Worship was for the sept.

Martin is able to share insights into Catelyn personally, while also expanding on his worldbuilding, giving insight into religious norms and practices in a natural way.

Exposition example: Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell

Here, Orwell makes a digression from the action of the scene, the Two Minutes Hate, to give explanatory context to this act, and to provide more background history for his world.

As usual, the face of Emmanuel Goldstein, the Enemy of the People, had flashed on to the screen. There were hisses here and there among the audience. The little sandy-haired woman gave a squeak of mingled fear and disgust. Goldstein was the renegade and backslider who once, long ago (how long ago, nobody quite remembered), had been one of the leading figures of the Party, almost on a level with Big Brother himself, and then had engaged in counter-revolutionary activities, had been condemned to death, and had mysteriously escaped and disappeared. The programmes of the Two Minutes Hate varied from day to day, but there was none in which Goldstein was not the principal figure. He was the primal traitor, the earliest defiler of the Party’s purity.

Orwell takes the opportunity to establish who Emmanuel Goldstein is at a time when he has naturally appeared within the action, meaning the break from the plot is less jarring.

Exposition example: Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

The first person narration of Huck Finn allows Twain to easily establish key details about Huck and his story.

Now the way that the book winds up is this: Tom and me found the money that the robbers hid in the cave, and it made us rich. We got six thousand dollars apiece—all gold. It was an awful sight of money when it was piled up. Well, Judge Thatcher he took it and put it out at interest, and it fetched us a dollar a day apiece all the year round—more than a body could tell what to do with. The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent the widow was in all her ways; and so when I couldn’t stand it no longer I lit out. I got into my old rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and was free and satisfied. But Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable. So I went back.

Here, Huck’s backstory is explained through a condensed version of Twain’s earlier novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, told through Huck’s point of view.

Seamless exposition through internal monologue

Internal monologue is exactly what it sounds like: text that gives readers a direct glimpse into a character’s inner thoughts and feelings. As you might have guessed, it’s another way in which authors can insert exposition.

Exposition shown through internal monologue can establish key details while advancing character development, as we can now see into the character’s mind.

Exposition example: Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

The narration of Amma, one of twelve point of view characters in Girl, Woman, Other, frequently digresses as it follows Amma through the day her new play will open at the National Theatre.

forty years of first nights and she’s still bricking it

what if she’s slated by the critics? dismissed with a consensus of one-star reviews, what was the great National thinking allowing this rubbishy impostor into the building?

of course she knows she’s not an impostor, she’s written fifteen plays and directed over forty, and as a critic once wrote, Amma Bonsu is a safe pair of hands who’s known to pull off risks

what if the preview audiences who gave standing ovations were just being kind?

oh shut up, Amma, you’re a veteran battle-axe, remember?

This snippet of her internal monologue not only gives us insight into Amma as a person, and her underlying insecurities, but also provides more background information on her and her storied career as a playwright.

Exposition example: Tokyo Ueno Station, Miri Yu

In this passage, speaker Kazu’s reflections on the sound of rain and its associations leads to the reveal of a major part of his history, the death of his son.

On nights when it rained, I couldn’t stop myself from listening to the sound, which kept me from sleeping. Insomnia, then eternal sleep — held apart from one by death and the other by life, brought closer to one by life and the other by death, and the rain, the rain, the rain, the rain, the rain.

It rained on the day that my only son died.

This kind of associative internal monologue, using sensory experiences to trigger characters’ memories, is a realistic and natural way of introducing exposition.

Exposition example: Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie

This passage establishes key information about Mary Debenham, through the internal monologue of Poirot upon seeing her for the first time.

There was only one occupant at the moment, obviously the young English lady referred to by the conductor. She was tall, slim and dark—perhaps twenty-eight years of age. There was a kind of cool efficiency in the way she was eating her breakfast and in the way she called to the attendant to bring her more coffee which bespoke a knowledge of the world and of travelling.

She wore a dark-coloured travelling dress of some thin material eminently suitable for the heated atmosphere of the train. M. Hercule Poirot, having nothing better to do, amused himself by studying her without appearing to do so.

She was, he judged, the kind of young woman who could take care of herself with perfect ease wherever she went. She had poise and efficiency. He rather liked the severe regularity of her features and the delicate pallor of her skin. He liked the burnished black head with its neat waves of hair, and her eyes—cool, impersonal and grey. But she was, he decided, just a little too efficient to be what he called “jolie femme.”

We are able to not only gain an impression of Mary and her character, but also simultaneously gain insight into how Poirot’s mind works and how he views the world, which we wouldn’t have learned through a factual description of her appearance.

Epistolary exposition to add texture to a world

Finally, you might see authors introduce key story details through some special devices — namely, other forms of media, such as newspaper clippings, letters, or emails. This kind of exposition helps establish a sense of immediacy, as readers are able to experience the piece of information for themselves, while also creating the sense that this is a real, physical world that these characters are inhabiting.

Exposition example: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, JK Rowling

Newspaper clippings are an effective epistolary tool, due to the expositional nature of the newspaper form.

Harry held the paper up to the candlelight and read:

BLACK STILL AT LARGE

Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today.

“We are doing all we can to recapture Black,” said the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, “and we beg the magical community to remain calm.”

Fudge has been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis.

“Well, really, I had to, don’t you know,” said an irritable Fudge. “Black is mad. He’s a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister’s assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black’s true identity to anyone. And let’s face it — who’d believe him if he did?”

The reader and Harry simultaneously learn who Black is, why he’s such a threat, and the stakes if he isn’t recaptured. The article also adds texture to the wider world of the book, giving insight into the relationship between muggles and wizards, and providing historical context.

Exposition example: Howards End, E.M. Forster

Forster uses letters as a tool to make personal revelations in Howards End.

“Dearest, dearest Meg,—I do not know what you will say: Paul and I are in love—the younger son who only came here Wednesday.”

The confessional and conspiratorial nature of letter writing is used to full effect here, as Forster allows Helen’s letter to her sister Meg to break the news of her sudden infatuation to both the reader and Meg herself. Readers are able to learn about the relationship in “real time,” centering them within the story.

As we’ve seen, there are many approaches an author can take to exposition. By balancing the different tools at their disposal, a writer can seamlessly flesh out their characters and the world they inhabit, without resorting to the dreaded infodump.

If you’re looking for more insight into the tools at the disposal of great authors, why not check out our comprehensive list of literary devices every writer should know. And if you’ve enjoyed learning by example, try out our list of over 90 examples of metaphors in literature!

– Originally published on Mar 13, 2019

2 responses

After reading the article studiously. He was most enamoured with the exposition demonstrated by Charlotte Bronte. ‘I must endeavour to emulate this writing style’ he implored himself hopefully.

What is expository writing

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Expository Writing – Examples, Meaning And Types Of Expository Writing Style

Have you ever paid attention to the infinite scrolling feature on the internet? Whether it’s a Buzzfeed article or Twitter…

Have you ever paid attention to the infinite scrolling feature on the internet? Whether it’s a Buzzfeed article or Twitter updates, you can’t seem to stop scrolling, hungry for more news. If you’ve read a ‘how to do something’ article or a condensed version of a long news report, then you’ve encountered various examples of expository writing.

While expository writing dominates the content world today, businesses have been relying on this writing style for ages. Every professional should understand the dos and don’ts of expository writing for effective business communication and workplace success.

What Is Expository Writing?

The Different Types Of Expository Writing

The Importance Of Expository Writing In Business

What Is Expository Writing?

Before we explore the basic tenets of expository writing, let’s look at what exposition means. At its simplest, it means explaining something. The purpose of the expository writing style is to enlighten or instruct. In other words, it means to present an idea or relevant discussion that helps explain or analyze information. Some of the most common examples of expository writing include scientific reports, academic essays and magazine articles.

An expository writer can’t assume that potential readers have prior knowledge or understanding about the information that they present. It’s best to avoid beating around the bush and highlight things as they are. The main features of expository writing style include:

It needs to be informative and highlight relevant details for better understanding

There should be clarity and an expository writer should know what they’re talking about

Well-written expository pieces continue to focus on the main topic and list events in an organized manner

The use of the first-person narrative should be avoided; instead, second-person instruction is much more effective

It should steer clear of personal thoughts and opinions and present an unbiased version of the information

The Different Types Of Expository Writing

Most of us have written some form of expository writing whether it was in school, college or office. Here are the various types of expository writing that’ll help you deliver ideas clearly:

Problem And Solution

As the name suggests, you identify the problem, provide details about it to explain it and suggest a solution(s) to tackle it. You have to justify the solution with sufficient data and propose ways to implement those solutions.

Cause And Effect

It conveys why something happened and how will it impact something. The outcomes suggested can be either true or hypothetical but the author should validate them.

Compare And Contrast

In this type of expository writing, the writer compares the similarities and contrasts the differences between the two subjects. This is only possible when subjects belong to the same category. For example, a comparative study between indoor and outdoor stadiums.

Definition And Classification

It provides a complete description of a subject, elaborating on the meaning, types and examples. It includes terms that have concrete meaning (e.g., objects) as well as abstract meanings (e.g., emotions).

How-To/Process

This type of writing is instructive and tells the reader about a task and how to do it. The reader may also include step-by-step instruction for easier understanding. Cook-books and user manuals are ideal examples of expository writing.

The Importance Of Expository Writing In Business

Take any typical day at work and reflect on the kinds of tasks you’re involved with. Written communication will be a commonly recurring activity. Business communication is one of the cornerstones of professional success. It’s important that you become familiar with the meaning of expository writing and establish yourself as an effective communicator. People are bound to take notice at work. Here are some expository writing tips that you should consider.

Work with the information that you’re most familiar with. For example, if you don’t know how to begin your email, write the body and conclusion before the introduction. It’s easier to map your purpose, identify your thoughts and then put them into writing.

Case-studies and projects can’t be considered authentic unless you back your report with ample data. In order to be persuasive and convince your clients or customers, you need to provide them with substantial evidence.

Always come straight to the point as readers won’t always have the required attention span. It’s best to present your data succinctly and directly because the topics are likely to be dry or boring. However, steer clear from jargon and other technical words and make your writing accessible.

Always pay attention to the format. An effective way to organize your thoughts is to prewrite and outline. It’ll help you narrow down the topics or details you want to discuss. It’s best to have a concluding paragraph that reiterates your position.

Most of all, make sure that you edit and proofread your draft. You don’t want to give a wrong impression, affecting your professional relationship and reputation. Pay attention to detail and never leave room for confusion.

Harappa Education’s Writing Proficiently course will help you structure your thoughts, polish your writing style and teach you to write clearly, concisely and compellingly. The Pyramid Principle will guide you in presenting key points of messages upfront with supporting evidence. Make your business communication effective and leave lasting impressions with your expository writing style.

What is Expository Writing?

Expository writing is used to provide a reader with explanations, the steps in a process, or reasons to back a thesis. It is defined by its logical sequencing, thesis, and transitions. It is written with the assumption that the reader does not have any prior knowledge about the topic that is being discussed. Expository writing can be used as a tool to show the reader why something is or how it works. Because of this, it is important for it to be extremely clear so that the reader will have an understanding of the topic when they are finished. Expository writing is important for your child to learn so that they can explain a process or form an argument.

What Are the Building Blocks of Expository Writing?

To create an expository piece, there are some primary components that serve as the building blocks of the essay. Since an expository piece is meant to explain something, it needs to use concise, easy-to-read language. This type of writing will not contain overly descriptive language or advanced vocabulary. The sentences should be simple and to the point and shorter sentences are better for the reader.

The style should be the same throughout the entire piece and it is always important to consider the audience when writing it, making sure that it is explained in a way that the reader can easily understand. An expository essay will contain three primary sections. The first is the introduction which will state the thesis, idea, or process that is to be explained. The next section is the body which will include each of the steps or the reasons behind the stated thesis. Good body content will contain fact-based details. The piece should always be written in the second-person using «you» and «your» as you are explaining something.

How Is Expository Writing Different Than Descriptive and Narrative Writing?

Expository writing is different from descriptive and narrative writing in multiple ways. There is no story to be told, and you will not use any descriptive language unless it is necessary to make a step or reason more clear. An expository piece does not set a scene or convey a story or a lesson. It is used to inform a reader of why an idea is valid or how a process or procedure works. It is to the point, concise, easy-to-read, and uses more simple language.

How Do You Know if Your Piece Is an Expository Writing Piece?

There are a few components that a piece needs to contain for it to be considered an expository writing piece. A well-written piece will:

How Do You Explain to a Child Who Has Never Written an Expository Piece How to Start?

To help your child get started on expository writing, you must first have them understand how the piece is supposed to function. Have them start by establishing their thesis. They will need to come up with a topic where they will either explain a process or make an argument, where they will be able to easily prove their side. Once they have established this, have them create a list of the step-by-step instructions or the reasons behind the argument. If they have chosen an argument, have them then find facts and evidence to support each of their reasons. Once completed, this will serve as the outline for their paper. They can use this outline to begin writing their piece. Once done, have them read it to someone who does not know much about the topic and get their feedback as to whether or not they now understand the topic after reading the piece.

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How to Write an Expository Essay

Explaining a complicated concept is a very useful skill to pick up in life which is why expository essays are one of the four basic types of essays taught in school. We might think we’re good at explaining but writing an expository essay is a challenge because it requires critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to present your ideas clearly. In this article, our political essay service will explain what an expository essay is, how to structure it, get an outline, get step-by-step instructions for every paragraph, a list of topic ideas, and general tips and advice.

What Is an Expository Essay?

Put simply, an expository essay exposes facts about a subject. It relates information to the reader about a situation, person, concept, or phenomenon, and explains something about them. It does not try to convince the reader about a certain viewpoint or make a persuasive argument. The goal of an expository essay is to educate the reader about something, therefore, it relies on facts not personal opinion.

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What Is Expository Writing?

Since the goal of expository writing is to convey information to the reader, many types of writing you come across in your daily life are expository. This includes articles found in newspapers, magazines, social media websites, and listicles as well as scientific papers, textbooks, business communication, and a host of other things. Expository writing is the most common form of writing in the world because it includes everything from conveying information about your day to explaining a work project.

Remember, the main distinction between expository writing and other forms of writing is that the goal is not to convince or persuade someone, rather just to provide information. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot use techniques from descriptive, narrative, or persuasive writing to make your exposition more interesting. Borrowing techniques from descriptive or narrative writing can make the information you convey more real in the reader’s mind and when presenting facts and figures for persuasive writing you automatically use techniques from expository writing.

When writing an expository essay make sure you are using facts and logic rather than personal opinion or subjective truths. An expository essay definition could be “a type of writing that aims to expose the facts about a certain topic”, which means that the reader can expect trustworthy information about a topic presented in a logical way. Depending on the type of expository writing, you may have to structure it in different ways, but using an expository essay outline is always going to be beneficial to organize your research and to visualize the flow of the essay. Later on in this article you will come across an in-depth section about expository essay outlines.

Expository Essay Topics

Now that you know what expository writing is, you should think about what kind of topics you would like to write about. Finding the right topic is incredibly important because it will guide your research as well as help you determine the specific pieces of information that you will include in the final essay.

The single biggest piece of advice when coming up with a topic is to choose one that you are actually personally interested in. Doing research and relaying information can be boring, but if you choose something that you have a passion for then the entire process can become more enjoyable. What might be considered a boring assignment can be transformed into a fun way of talking about something you are passionate about.

Make sure that the topic you choose isn’t too broad. Broad topics may seem easier to write about but they don’t let you showcase in-depth research and bring up interesting facts. It may seem easier but most likely you will end up with a low grade. On the other hand, don’t choose a topic that is too specific. You need to make sure that there is enough information out there from reputable sources to back up any point you are trying to make.

Don’t just go with the first topic idea that pops into your head. Brainstorm several ideas and conduct a little bit of research on all of them to find a topic that you enjoy as well as a topic that has interesting research about it.

The most important thing to be careful of when coming up with an expository essay topic is to make sure that the topic you choose isn’t trying to convince or persuade somebody of something, rather it is just conveying information.

Here are some interesting topics for expository essays for you to consider and draw inspiration from.

10 Expository Essay Topics About Education

10 Expository Essay Topics About Mental Health

10 Expository Essay Topics About Society

10 Expository Essay Topics About Politics

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The Different Types of Expository Essays

Writing an expository essay can be easier if you know the different types of expository essays. Because expository writing can take on so many forms, knowing the different types of essays can help you choose a topic as well as plan the overall flow and structure of the essay. The following list of different types of expository essays is not exhaustive but contains the most common ones you will come across in an academic situation.

Process Essays

You can think of a process essay as a formal how-to guide. The goal of this type of essay is to give a step-by-step explanation of how to do something. A typical process essay introduces what you will learn in the introduction paragraph, uses the body paragraphs to provide step-by-step directions, and talks about the importance of what you have learned in the conclusion. A process essay can cover something like “how to groom your dog” or can be as complicated as “6 methods to expand your online digital marketing business”.

Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays analyze a topic by looking at how it is similar or different from something else. Remember that this is still an expository essay, so the goal of comparing or contrasting isn’t to make a judgment on whether one is better or worse, rather it is to provide information and let the reader make a decision for themselves. Comparison essays can either focus on similarities, differences, or both.

Cause and Effect Essays

Cause and effect essays look at how something came about or what the impact of something was. It provides information about the relationship between two connected things. An essay about the impact of being bullied on self-esteem as an adult is an example of a cause and effect essay. Cause and effect essays explore why things happened or what the impact of something might be and can point out interesting connections or highlight information about a cause or effect.

Classification Essays

Classification essays compare different things in the same category, highlighting what makes them different from each other but also noting what puts them in the same category. For example an essay about casual video games can talk about games like Mario Party as well as Candy Crush, and explain why even though they exist on different platforms they are both considered casual games. Classification essays can be particularly interesting when trying to fit something into a form of classification it usually does not belong.

Definition Essays

A definition essay or descriptive essay is one of the most pure forms of expository writing because it’s goal is to give information that defines a topic. This can be made more interesting by presenting information about the history of the topic, the etymology of the word, and by presenting information about how the definition has changed over time or will change with time. A definition essay doesn’t just give the dictionary definition of the word, rather it provides information that expands the overall idea of the term while explaining it in depth.

The Expository Essay Structure

If you are writing an expository essay for school then the essay will usually follow the typical 5-paragraph essay structure.This means that there will be an introductory paragraph, followed by three body paragraphs, followed by the conclusion. While the expository essay format can and should change based on the assignment and the audience, this is a general expository essay outline.

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Expository Essay Outline

Creating an outline is one of the most important steps before you actually start writing the essay. Many people think making an outline is a waste of time, but the truth is that the more thorough your expository essay outline, the less time you will need to spend researching and writing.

An outline breaks down each paragraph of the essay into different sections. This allows you to break down a larger task into manageable chunks as well as helps you visualize how different pieces of information will fit together. Let’s go through each section of the expository essay structure.

Expository Essay Introduction

An introduction is the first thing somebody reads. It is your first opportunity to impress the reader and to explain what the essay will be about. Writing a good introduction can be challenging, but If you follow the outline below you will have an introduction that is clear and engaging.

A hook is the very first sentence of the introductory paragraph and therefore the essay. It’s called a hook because the goal is to hook a reader’s attention the same way a hook catches the mouth of a fish. A good hook for an expository essay can pose a question or state an interesting fact with the goal of engaging the reader as quickly as possible. Whether it’s writing an article or an assignment for school, making the reader interested from the beginning is going to make you stand out.

The next few sentences of the introduction paragraph should give background information about the topic you want to discuss. This does not have to be too specific because you will expand upon these points in the body paragraphs, but make sure that the background information you present is both interesting as well as directly connected to the topic. The reader should have a basic understanding of some of the key terms and concepts that will be discussed in the paper after these sentences.

Next comes the thesis statement. A thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence declaration of what the purpose of the paper is. For an expository paper, a thesis statement clearly states the topic being explained and how it will be explained. As usual for expository writing, make sure that your thesis statement is not making an argument or trying to be persuasive.

You can either end the paragraph after your thesis statement or include a brief one-sentence transition to the body paragraphs. This transition sentence is usually more common when writing articles rather than writing academic papers.

Expository Essay Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are where you put your research. In an expository essay, you don’t need to build an argument, which can make body paragraphs simpler to write, but that doesn’t mean you should just dump information randomly. Typically, you should have three body paragraphs, each one talking about a specific issue related to your topic.

When conducting research, distill three main ways you want to explain your topic and explain each of them in a different body paragraph. You may be tempted to present as much information as possible, but a paper that is too dense with information can be complicated to understand. The goal of the body paragraph is to express information in a way that is clear, logical, and interesting.

Start a body paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph will be about. Make sure you connect the topic sentence to the overall topic and make it clear to the reader how they are related.

Next, present the facts and information, making sure that each fact you present is correctly cited and comes from a reputable source. Since the purpose of an expository essay is to explain something objectively, the quality of your sources is very important.

Finally, end a body paragraph with a transition sentence that either wraps up the information in the paragraph or hints at what the next paragraph will be about. Transition sentences improve the flow of an essay by giving the reader either a recap of important information or by clearly marking the end of one subtopic and connecting it to the next one.

Expository Essay Conclusion

The conclusion of an expository essay aims to recap the main pieces of information in the essay and restate the hypothesis to remind the reader about the purpose of the writing.

You can summarize the main pieces of information by looking at your topic sentences and transition sentences. Include all the main information that relates to your thesis so that the reader is reminded about it.

You should restate the thesis statement so that the audience understands how the information you have presented in the body paragraph connects to the main purpose of the essay. Follow this up with an explanation of why the topic is important, highlight interesting connections, and identify other interesting ways the information can be explained.

How to Write an Expository Essay

Even though you now know a lot about the expository essay format, there are other things to keep in mind as well. In this section, we’ll go over the specific steps you should take when figuring out how to write an expository essay.

Brainstorming Ideas

The absolute first thing you should do when given an expository essay assignment is to carefully go over the guidelines. Make sure you completely understand what is required of you. If it is for class, you may be limited to certain topics and word counts, there may be restrictions on the quality of sources you can use, etc. You might write an incredible essay but get a low grade because you missed out on some small restriction or guideline.

Once you know exactly what you are supposed to do, it’s time to think about different concepts you would like to explain. Make sure you are aware of the different types of expository essays so that when you brainstorm topics you have a tentative idea of what type of expository essay would be best suited for that topic.

Think about what has been covered in class, what the teacher might expect, and what you find interesting to try and come up with a list of topics. Do a little bit of research on each topic to figure out whether you can easily find reputable sources and to gain a further understanding of the topic. After keeping all these things in mind, you should end up with an expository essay topic that is appropriate, engaging, and high-scoring.

Fill Up an Outline

Once you have zeroed in on a topic it’s time to do research. One of the best ways to plan your writing is to use an expository essay outline to organize interesting information. While conducting research focus on the body paragraphs rather than on the introduction or conclusion. Think about three main ways you can explain the topic and put information that fits into those subtopics under the appropriate body paragraphs.

While conducting research and filling out an outline, think about potential thesis statements. Coming up with a thesis statement too early will restrict your research, so it is better to develop a thesis statement as you find out more and more information. That being said, by the end of the planning stage you should have a finalized thesis statement

Planning out your essay beforehand will give direction to your research, cut down on the amount of time you spend on the assignment, improve the overall flow of the final essay, and make the actual writing process much easier.

Write the First Draft

Now is the time to translate your outline into full sentences. It is often useful to leave the writing of the introduction till the end because after writing the body paragraphs you will have a better idea of what to say in an introduction, but make sure that you write down your thesis statement.

Use the information you have found to create a cohesive analysis of the topic in each body paragraph. Make sure that the information you present is on topic and connects to the other facts around it. Think about what the purpose of each body paragraph is and question whether the information you are presenting fits that purpose or not. Make sure to use transition words within the paragraph and use transition sentences between paragraphs to improve overall comprehensibility and flow.

Finalize Your Draft

Go over the first draft of the essay and focus on whether the different paragraphs make sense or not. Don’t be afraid to reorganize sections or completely get rid of some pieces of information. As you write your draft, new ways of expressing the information can come to mind that will make the overall essay more powerful.

Make sure that you are not trying to make a persuasive argument and that you are using facts rather than opinions as evidence.

Go over each sentence to make sure that it is clear and that it fits the purpose of the paragraph it is in. Look at the information you have included and make sure that it is useful and enhances understanding of the topic. It is better to have less information than more if the information is distracting or does not add anything to the essay.

Try and read the paper as if it is the first time you are coming across the topic to see if it makes sense or not. Congratulations, you are just one step away from being able to submit an expository essay!

Editing and Proofreading

Go over the final draft of your essay and check for formatting errors, grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, etc and make sure that it complies with all the guidelines of the assignment. Finally, ask a friend or relative to go over the paper to do the last check. If you feel like you still need to make a lot of changes, don’t be disheartened, spend the extra time to make the changes or reach out to a professional service.

Expository Essay Examples

One of the best ways to learn how to write an expository essay is to look at an expository essay example. Looking at expository essay examples can give you a deeper understanding of what is expected as well as how to write an essay that flows well. Make sure that you use any examples you find as inspiration rather than a place to directly source information or text!

Expository Essay Example

At the bottom of this page is a link to an essay Pro example of an expository essay. I don’t know how to link to it but someone on your side should.