The Expository Essay … an overview

Definition: The function of the expository essay is to explain, or to acquaint your reader with a body of knowledge

Explain/Demonstrate By explaining a topic to the reader, you are demonstrating your own knowledge

Example: For example, if you are asked to write an essay about how to drive a car, you decide what you plan to concentrate on, create a paragraph structure, and describe the process step by step

Explaining/Describing When describing, or exposing the process by which one drives a car, all you are doing is explaining the steps or process

Inform, Explain or Define: Expository essays require that the writer give information, explain the topic or define something

Facts, Statistics, Examples: To accomplish this, expository essays are best developed by the use of facts and statistical information, cause and effect relationships, or examples Research may be necessary

Not Emotional: Since they are factual, they are written without emotion and usually written in the third person

Third Person: The third person means that the use of the pronoun "I" is not usually found within the essay. Instead the writer will refer to the first person (I) in the third person (one)

Thesis Statement: Expository essays also have a distinct format. The thesis statement must be defined and narrow enough to be supported within the essay

Controlling Topics: Each supporting paragraph must have a distinct controlling topic and all other sentences must factually relate directly to it

Transition Words: The transition words or phrases are important as they help the reader follow along and reinforce the logic Examples: Also Furthermore In addition Plus Then

Conclusion: Finally, the concluding paragraph should restate the thesis and the main supporting ideas It should be the first sentence of the final paragraph

Reinforcement: Finish with a statement that reinforces your position in a meaningful and memorable way

No New Material! Never introduce new material in the conclusion

Guessing: Your reader should never have to guess what you mean Give your readers everything they need to know to follow your reasoning