Skip to Content

How to Write an Expository Essay

jobs college students can do online young woman on a laptop sitting on a bench next to a brick wall working on a laptop Middle Class Dad

As you write at the college level and in other positions, you will come across several types of essays. Some people think that once you learn one type of essay, all the others follow. This is wrong, especially considering that different papers need different approaches to accomplish the idealized goals. An expository essay is among the most frequently written at the college level. Unlike argumentative essays that just about anyone has heard of, there are expository essays that are a bit distinctive.

Before we explain how to write an expository essay, we believe that first learning what they are is more crucial. By learning its rules, guidelines, and regulations for one; it will be easier to write in the future. Admittedly, expository writing will demand a lot from you, but they all aim to provide an easy-to-read and relevant paper. Where to begin when you are looking for how to write an expositor essay?

What Is an Expository Essay?

Somewhere in high school or even at lower levels, students are taught about various forms of essays. Depending on the institution and its set curricula, expository writing may be present or not. Regardless of the same, they are one of the most straightforward types. An expositor paper refers to writing that focuses on the factual evidence of an occurrence or event.

In writing an expositor paper, you should note that they are slightly different from informative and argumentative ones. the goal of these papers is to offer a basic description or information regarding a matter. If you look at an example from Edusson, you will note that they do not take any sides. The paper is expected to remain impartial at all times. The only thing needed is research and additional support for the main points.

The actual process of writing these papers is not as hard as many students think. It mostly requires a few basic points that apply to other types. Here are some helpful tips.

Choose the Essay Structure

Essay writing normally follows a basic three-step process. Any how-to write-a-paper guidelines you will find will mention something to do with an introduction paragraph, a body, and a conclusion. Do expository essays follow the same structure? With these types of essays, a simple structure is recommended. This structure divides your paper into basic parts that allow readers to follow the facts as they have been put down.

Other than the intro-body-conclusion structure, there are other instances where writers choose other structures. Such can include the body of facts and concluding with the thesis statement. The difference between the normal structure and this one would be the placement of the thesis. With whichever structure you choose, ensure that you fully explore the evidence needed for the particular topic.

Choose a Topic

Once you have your chosen structure in mind, the next step is to figure out a topic. It is impossible to write without a central guiding thought when it comes to writing. The topic should inform the contents used to fill in your paragraphs. It is always advisable to use topics of something that you find interesting.

This is because you must offer research-based information on the issue. If you select one that you do not derive pleasure from, then it is likely that you will offer sub-par quality. It is always helpful to aim to provide quality work in essay writing. Some common topics you can choose include; apple growing, increased rates of veterinary services, and more.

Write an Outline

One of the key steps in essay writing is coming up with an outline. An outline serves as the skeleton of your paper. A basic one includes the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. A more advanced one contains elements such as topic sentences for the various paragraphs and the sourced information to support the given points. An outline can serve as your rough draft giving you a clear picture of what your paper contains and what it is missing. The actual writing process becomes a walk in the park with an outline.

Focus on Clarity

Some types of essays allow the writer some level of freedom. For instance, argumentative papers require the writer’s input to decide which side is right. With an expository essay, this is highly discouraged. At no point should you feel free to add your opinions on the matter. The paper aims to share factual information and should not contain long ramblings trying to make a point. On the contrary, the sentences should be brief and straight to the point. Clarity is always preferred with this type of essay.

Prepare the Thesis Statement

Embedded in the introduction, the thesis statement serves a very critical purpose. Your thesis statement offers an overview of your paper’s content. In some cases, the thesis informs the reader of the research utilized in the paragraphs. When structuring the thesis, always reflect on the rest of the essay. Also, avoid giving long statements that may end up beating around the bush and not getting to the main point.

Writing the body paragraphs.

Some people think the best way to gauge your essay writing skills is by starting the writing process. Your body paragraphs are the most important parts of the essay. They not only introduce your topic sentences but also expound on the researched information. Remember that expository papers do not require your insight. All you need to do is provide the facts and explain them further. Otherwise, they should contain the topic sentence, supporting points, a restated form of the thesis and transition sentences to guide the reader to the next sentence.

Concluding your essay

Like with any other paper, a conclusion is needed. The conclusion serves the purpose of restating the thesis, summarizing the main points, and indicating the end of your paper. Conclusions should always be brief. Also, ensure that you do not add any new information at this juncture. Its sole purpose is to summarize your points and reinstate them in a way that makes them easier to recall.

Wrapping up

there is a likelihood that you may find yourself struggling with comprehending one type of essay or another. Expository essays are among the common ones that people find to be a bit challenging. The trick to writing an impeccable one is understanding its purpose and guidelines. After that, conceiving a topic and offering factual information becomes easier. When writing these essays, it is always helpful to remember to avoid sharing your opinions. On the other hand, stick to the facts and provide the reader with as much information as possible.

Jeff Campbell