How to Write an Expository Essay

An expository is different from a narrative. A narrative is something like a story where there are characters, setting, theme, plot and climax. However, an expository does not have these elements. It is not a story but a descriptive essay which does not specifically refer to a particular event. It is general though it can have different perspectives and viewpoints. A narrative is either first, second or third person perspective; in an expository there is also first, second and third person viewpoints, however there are also certain criteria we must take into consideration before embarking on the essay. If the essay is about a personal experience, it is written in first person. If it is directed at the reader, a second person is used. A third person is the most common as it talks about others and not directly at the reader. Second person viewpoint is not used as it can occasionally be rude as if instructing the reader to execute something or so.

This is how an expository should be written:

Introductory paragraph: It starts with a hook which engages the reader to continue reading the article. Hooks include definitions of key concepts, quotes, unusual stuff, a statistic, anecdotes, a shocking statement, an interesting fact or even a question. Following it is the link to the thesis. It connects the hook to the thesis. Before the thesis itself, there must be the basis for the thesis, only after does the thesis appear.

Body Paragraphs: These are the main supporting paragraphs for the thesis. Commonly 4 to 5 of these are used in an essay, and they follow the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Elaboration and Link). The point is the topic sentence which is a brief overview of the paragraph. Following is the examples and explanation to back up the topic sentence. Finally there is the link to show how the evidence links back to the topic sentence and ultimately the thesis. This process is repeated 4 times.

Conclusion: To end the essay, this paragraph sums up (not summarizes) the whole essay and links it back to the thesis and answers the question if necessary. It can also provide the reader with future implications and even pose a closing question.

So that is how an expository essay should be written.

(Term 2 Post #3)