Expository Essay

EXPOSITORY ESSAY INST 3
WRITING
WHAT IS EXPOSITORY
WRITING?
Expository writing
is writing to explain.
Expository writing
seeks to inform,
explain, clarify,
define or instruct.
EXPOSITORY WRITING
CAN INCLUDE
•Describing Something
•Listing the order of events
•Comparing two or more things
•Explaining the cause and effect
•Describing a problem and a solution
COMMON USE OF
EXPOSITORY ESSAY
•Essay questions on tests
Example:
What are the three major factors in the
increasing poverty rate of the
Philippines?
Describe life on a farm. Use as many
specific details as you can.
HOW IS EXPOSITORY
WRITING DIFFERENT FROM
OTHER TYPES OF WRITING?
•Expository writing does not tell a story.
•Expository writing does not persuade a reader
but only gives facts and reasons.
•Expository writing is not a summary of the book.
•Expository writing is not a book review or a

book report.
•Expository writing is not ONLY your opinion.
You must base your ideas on evidence from the
text.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
EXPOSITORY WRITING
Focus on main topic
Logical supporting facts
Details, explanations, and examples
Strong organization
Clarity
Unity and coherence
Logical order
Smooth transitions
BUT HOW DO
WE DO THAT?
5 ELEMENTS OF
EXPOSITORY WRITING
1. Organization
2. Topic Sentence, Thesis Statement, and
Subtopics
3. Transitions
4. Evidence and Examples
5. Conclusion
ELEMENT 1: ORGANIZATION
When you organize an essay it
needs to follow a logical
sequence.
Novel: beginning of the book,
middle of the book, end of the
book.
2/3/1: 2nd best idea, 3rd best
idea, best idea.
EXPOSITORY ESSAY
FORMAT
Introductory Paragraph
Body Paragraphs
= Subtopics
Concluding Paragraph
INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH
The first paragraph of an essay should introduce
the reader to the essay topic.
It should create interest in the essay, outline the
writer’s main ideas, and suggest how these ideas
will be presented within the body of the essay.
The introduction consists of three main elements:
a hook, building sentences, and a thesis statement.
WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE?
INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH
Hook—The first sentence (or sentences) of an essay
should catch the reader’s attention. It introduces the topic
of the essay in an interesting way.
After the hook, the following sentences should provide
background information to give readers some context
about the topic. They should ”build“ towards the thesis
statement.
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introduction.
It is the most important sentence in the entire essay
because it presents the essay topic and the writer’s
position on that topic. It also indicates the main ideas that
will be discussed in the body paragraphs.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH—
INVERTED PYRAMID
BODY PARAGRAPHS
The body of an essay typically consists of three

paragraphs.
Each body paragraph explains in detail one of the
main ideas expressed in the thesis statement.
There are three parts to a body paragraph: a topic
sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding
sentence.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Topic sentence—The first sentence of a body paragraph
expresses the topic of the paragraph and provides a
controlling idea about the topic. All information in the
paragraph supports the controlling idea.
Supporting sentences—Supporting sentences explain
and develop the topic sentence. They present logical
thoughts, evidence, and explanations in support of the
controlling idea.
Concluding sentence—The paragraph may end with a
concluding thought on the paragraph topic. It may also
show a transition to the next paragraph.
WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE?
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Purpose of Body Paragraphs: To support your

topic statement using direct quotations, specific
textual detail, and strong explanations.
Elements of a Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence (CLAIM)
Textual Evidence (CITE)
Explanation of Evidence (CLARIFY)
CONCLUSION
The concluding paragraph ends the essay by

reviewing the main ideas from each body
paragraph and leaving the reader with a final
thought.
The conclusion consists of three elements: a
restated thesis, a summary of main ideas, and a
final thought.
CONCLUSION
Restated thesis—At the start of the conclusion, the
thesis is restated in words different from those in the
introduction.
Summary of main ideas—The main ideas from each
of the body paragraphs are summarized as a reminder
to the reader.
Final thought—The writer ends the essay by
presenting a final thought on the topic – for example,
by stating an opinion, a solution, or a prediction. The
final thought should leave a strong impression and
encourage the reader to think further about the topic.
ELEMENT 2: TOPIC
SENTENCES, THESIS
STATEMENTS, AND
SUBTOPICS ARE THE HEART
Thesis: a statement
discussing the topic of
your paper.
Subtopics: the main
ideas that support your
thesis.
Topic Sentences: a
statement that
discusses the topic of
each paragraph.
THESIS STATEMENT
GUIDE
The thesis statement is the most important
sentence in the essay because it specifically states
what the essay will be about.
In other words, it states the purpose of the essay.
Therefore, a thesis statement should include:
 the topic of the essay.
 the writer’s position or approach to the topic.
 the main ideas that will develop and support the writer’s position.
THESIS STATEMENT
GUIDE
Also note the following about the
thesis statement:
It appears at the end of the introductory
paragraph and, in short essays, is usually one
sentence long.
The main ideas are listed in the same order as
they appear in the essay, which gives the reader
a clear preview of what the following
paragraphs will be about.
EXAMPLE OF A THESIS
STATEMENT
Solar power is improving people’s lives in
developing countries by providing efficient
light safely, linking them to the global
mobile community, and increasing their
independence.
What is this essay going to be about in six
words or less?
What are the topic sentences of the body
paragraphs going to be about?
ELEMENT 3: TRANSITIONS
Like shifting from one
gear to the next in a car,
a transition shifts from
one paragraph to the
next. It is the glue of an
essay.
What are some examples
of transitional words and
phrases that we have
discussed in class?
ELEMENT 4: EVIDENCE AND
EXAMPLES
Your evidence is the meat
of the essay. You need to
prove what you know.
Remember the Es:
-Examples
-Explanations
-Evidence
Which part of CCC
-Elaboration
does this apply to?
ELEMENT 5: CONCLUSION
Conclusions restate
your thesis and
subtopics, and remind
your reader what you
wrote about.
Do not include any
new information in
your conclusion.
SOME NOTES ABOUT
EXPOSITORY ESSAYS
•Because it is presenting information the
tone should be formal
•Avoid slang
oThe cat makes me laugh lol
•Avoid “I statements” (Write in a third
person)
-I think the Philippines sounds like a nice
place to visit.
REFERENCES
•If you do research for the paper you will
need a reference page
•Reference page lists the resources used for
research
•If you are writing an essay in class or a
test situation with no preparation time you
do not need a reference page
QUESTIONS
THANK YOU!

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EXPOSITORY ESSAY INST 3

•Expository writing is not a book review or a

The body of an essay typically consists of three

Purpose of Body Paragraphs: To support your

The concluding paragraph ends the essay by

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