The Expository Essay
Contributors: Jack Baker, Allen Brizee
Last Edited: 2010-04-17 05:33:24
What is an Expository Essay?
The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence,
expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be
accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.
Please note: This genre is commonly assigned as a tool for classroom evaluation and is often found in various
exam formats.
The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following:
A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the
assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an
effective or persuasive essay.
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of
thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.
Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction
throughout the essay. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is
important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis
statement in the opening paragraph.
Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).
Often times, students are required to write expository essays with little or no preparation; therefore, such essays
do not typically allow for a great deal of statistical or factual evidence.
A bit of creativity!
Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is an art form nonetheless. Try
not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting.
Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting
impression on the people evaluating your essay.
A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that
will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical.
Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion
concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.
A Complete Argument
Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to
discuss the cause of the Great Depression and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time,
there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the exposition in the
middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the
Depression. Therefore, the expository essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent
or argument.
The Five-Paragraph Essay
A common method for writing an expository essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no
means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the
method consists of:
1. an introductory paragraph
2. three evidentiary body paragraphs
3. a conclusion
Citation:
Purdue Writing Lab, The. 2010. “The Expository Essay.” Retrieved Sept. 29, 2010 from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/02/.