Expository Essay Structure
An expository essay structure helps you to write a flawless expository essay. This is an essay that offers an analysis, evaluation and investigates a given idea or concept. There are different types of expository essays including compare and contrast essay as well as the cause and effect papers among others. Even so, they have common distinctive features in that they are fully backed with evidence or facts and not just ideas.
In many cases, expository essay is used to inform the target audience of a given subject, offer evidence and factual information on specific topics, teach skills and offer background information and to enhance a story. The essay is also used to examine a subject of public concern, to persuade and to reveal the significance of a topic or subject.
Significance of the expository essay structure
An expository essay follows an ideal structure. In many types of expository essays, a five paragraph essay format is highly recommended. However, this depends on the length and type of expository paper you are working on. An ideal structure includes the following:
Introductory paragraph–
The introductory part of the essay should always start with a catchy sentence introducing the topic or the subject to the reader. The topic sentence is mainly tailored to serve as attention getter and is the most important part of your paper. To write a good introduction you can
- ask one or two sentences based on the topic of the essay
- offer an interesting story on the topic or subject
- present an important statistic or fact
- quote an expert on the topic or subject
- offer an example that demonstrates your thesis or
- Simply tell of an incident or event that tells the reader how you became interested in your topic.
Two to three body paragraphs
Body paragraphs are part of an expository essay structure that present the reader with the problem in the paper. It makes up the imaginary part of the essay. Each paragraph covers one problem or topic. What’s more, each paragraph should not be less than seven sentences long. Therefore, you should
- Provide sufficient supporting evidence and ideas to fully develop your thesis
- Answer all questions including those that your reader is more likely to ask
- Use specific information that is clear and concise as well as professional language to present each detail fully
When starting a new body paragraph, it is wise to ask yourself whether it is the right time to introduce a new subject or not. Therefore, you should begin a new paragraph when you are talking of a new idea, when there is a shift or change in your expository essay. The changes or transitions are known as paragraph shifts and should be used
- When emphasizing a shift
- When introducing a new or main idea
- Or when indicating a change in place or time
However, you should not just make paragraph shifts anyhow. Learn to arrange your paragraphs in the most professional and the best way possible. This can be done by
- Order of significance
- By classification and
- By time
Additionally, ensure that the paragraphs are cohesive and are connected by the right transitions.
Concluding paragraph
The concluding paragraph summarizes the essay in relation to the subject or topic. It should connect with the introduction and develop the main idea. It ties main ideas in the paper together and draws the final ending. Even so, ensure that the conclusion helps readers to have a better understanding of the significance of your subject. Some of the best strategies to writing an effective expository essay conclusion are
- Summarizing the body of your paper
- Using new words to restate the thesis
- Drawing the conclusion as per the body or main ideas of the essay
- Adding a clear insight on the thesis statement and
- Finally, writing an interesting and unforgettable clincher sentence
Expository essay structure writing strategies
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of expository essays and it is imperative to understand how to work on each. With the essay structure in mind, writing strategies will help you to craft a quality paper that serves its purpose right
Process expository essay- when writing the process essay, explain and discuss how to do something or how something works or how to create something while adhering to the structure above.
Cause and effect expository essay- while following the format of the essay, identify the most important points in relation to the topic or subject. You also have to clearly state the effects.
Compare and contrast essay- evaluate and examine the differences as well as the similarities between two or more subjects
Definition expository essay- explain a term or concept that is commonly used and not defined easily
Solution or problem expository essay- offers a clear statement of the issue and a final discussion of the most ideal solutions.
Based on the topic or subject of your expository assignment, you should always combine any of the strategies above with expository essay structure for a paper that is acceptable.
Tips for expository essay structure and the writing process
There are essential expository essay guidelines for each part of the expository essay structure and the entire writing process you should adhere to.
They include the pre-writing phase which involves brainstorming on the main idea and the topic. At this stage, you also take time to carry out research and draft an outline revealing the details in each paragraph. Most importantly, ensure the information is organized sequentially.
The second step is essay drafting. Draft your paper by introducing it, developing the thesis and concluding the paper. Since expository essay explores and discusses the views of other people or a situation, ensure to write in third person.
Revising the essay is the next phase and it is imperative because it helps you to organize your ideas and the essay to make it the best it can be. In this stage,
- avoid unbiased analysis
- provide facts
- ensure the information you give is clear
- avoid paragraph sprawling
- ensure your sentence and paragraph transition help the reader to understand your topic better and
Editing the essay is the next significant phase that helps you to proofread and correct any errors. Enhance the clarity and style of your paper. Make it engaging and lively to maintain the attention of a reader and refresh the perspective of your essay.
The last step is sharing your essay online or with colleagues to learn of their feedback. This will help you in making your next essay even better.
Most importantly, always remember the purpose of an expository essay when crafting your paper. The main objective of the essay is to inform readers of something based on the subject, main idea or topic. Therefore, do not write about your personal opinion but inform readers while backing up your statement with facts. You can always use
- Graphs
- Statistics
- Charts and
- Examples to back up your facts
With facts, readers will always have a better understanding of what your paper is all about. Lastly, ensure your essay is engaging to avoid putting off your readers.
Examples of expository essays
Essay topic…The global financial crisis of 2008-causes and effects
The global financial crisis of 2008 is said to be worst fiscal problem to have hit the world since the 1930’s Great Depression. An economic boom preceded the crisis leading high levels of investment. As a matter of fact, many economists in the US had aired their concerns over amount of credit flow in the country and their investments. The question is, what really caused the financial problem and what effects did it have in the US and the world at large? (This is an exceptional causes and effects expository essay example and you can get the full essay here: the global financial crisis of 2008 – causes and effects.
Example 2…
Essay topic: Student Sportsman
Students Sportsman has their difficulties while joining college from high school. Even so, a sportsman may experience different levels and types of stress when joining college as a result of sports demands, social and academic life especially in the first year of college. Any person experiences stress and can have negative feelings especially when faced in a situation or expectations placed on them by the school, friends or parents and are not in a position to meet follow the link to read the student sportsman expository essay.
Example 3…
Essay topic: Cultural Identity
Culture plays a very crucial role in the definition of a given group of people or a community, as documented by many experts. Cultural identity is therefore used in regards to how people from a given setting live their lives. This is based on the fact that culture greatly impacts how individuals communicate with each other and it is imperative to note that different communication methods vary from one culture to other.
Therefore, what may be considered acceptable in one community and culture may not be necessarily acceptable in another. What’s more, culture plays an important role in intercultural communication communication. Here is the link to the essay on cultural identity.
With the above expository essay structure, guidelines and examples, it’s our hope you can craft a good expository essay. However, if you experience difficulties, get in touch with us here for assistance or visit our homepage to see what other services we offer and how we can assist you.
You may also want to continue reading more guidelines on writing different academic papers or other non-related material. To do so, continue looking in this blog where you will also find academic sample papers under different disciplines.
Online Sources:
http://www.ozessay.com.au/expository-essay
http://study.com/academy/lesson/expository-essays-types-characteristics-examples.html
http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/expository-essay/