The Expository Essay

What is the expository essay?

An expository essay explains, or acquaints the reader with knowledge about the topic. Expository essays use facts and statistical information, cause and effect relationships, or examples. The Expository Essay

The main idea (thesis statement) must be narrow enough to be supported within the essay. Each supporting paragraph must have a main supporting idea and all other sentences must relate directly to it. Transition words or phrases are important as they help the flow and reinforce the logic. The conclusion paragraph should originally restate the main idea (thesis) and the main supporting ideas. Finish with the a statement that reinforces your position in a meaningful and memorable way. Never introduce new material in the conclusion. Format

Expository Essay Expectations

Proper: Font Header Margins Title header Spacing MLA format

Formal and accurate word choice Formal and informal language serve different purposes. The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two styles.  Formal language is less personal than informal language. It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments. Formal and accurate word choice

3rd person point of view 3rd person point of view only See handout Do NOT use first person: “I, we, us” Do NOT use second person: “you, your” See handout 3rd person point of view

Varying Sentence Structure/beginnings Do not start sentences the same Choose different words Choose different sentence structure compound/complex sentences Varying Sentence Structure/beginnings

What are conventions? Grammar Punctuation Spelling Proper Conventions

In order to maintain formal tone, avoid use of contractions: Can’t Won’t Should’ve They’d Avoid Contractions

Avoid Shortening of Words See formal writing handout Avoid Shortening of Words

Parallel Structure The dog ran and the cat is playing. The dog ran and the cat played. Parallel structure is all about maintaining verb tense and logical order. Parallel Structure

Essay Structure Introduction (5-7 sentences) Use funnel method Broad to narrow Thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction 3 Body Paragraphs(7-10 sentences) Three power paragraphs that follow the preceding essay expectations Clear topic sentence Supporting sentences with smooth transitions Clear conclusion sentence Conclusion (3-5 sentences) First sentence restates the thesis statement Narrow to broad Essay Structure

Word Count Word Count (600-800 words) The word count must be at the end of the essay and should look like this. (748) Word Count

Reminders Do NOT say: Do NOT “In this paper, I will be writing about…” ask questions in formal writing. Reminders

1. Create a google document and title it LAP 1 Summative Essay or Expository Essay 2. Turn in a typed, printed, stapled copy to the assignment folder. 3. Submit essay electronically to turnitin.com with the submission title: LAP 1 Summative Essay Essay Submission

Questions...