In an expository essay, you try to educate or inform readers about a subject matter. This is not an argumentative or opinion writing where you allow your emotions or personal thoughts to influence your writing. You are just to put forward bare facts about the subject.
Brief tips about expository essay:
- It aims to inform readers
- Mainly comes in 5 paragraphs, i.e., two pages long
- Include subtopics and add adequate facts, while being objective
Steps to follow when writing an Expository Essay
Writing an expository essay could be easy when you know the steps to follow. Here are the four main stages to follow:
- Choose a Topic
Choosing a topic for an easy subject can be tricky as a student. You should consider the following;
Your topic should be relevant to your target audience and straightforward. You shouldn’t confuse your audience by being complex. If you have any, break it down into subtitles. You can consider the following topics.
- Why are water and food essential to the human body?
- Choose any two US presidents, and compare their legacies.
- What strategies could be adopted to reduce crime in your local community?
- What is the most efficient way to learn a new language?
When you are given the freedom to select a topic, go for something you are cognisant with. This makes it easier to put your thoughts together.
- Research into the topic and plan
Research is critical when writing any type of essay. It determines the quality of work and tells readers you have in-depth knowledge on the topic. You can research on the internet, books on the subjects, and even through discussions. However, when using the internet, be mindful of the sources you use. There are many “trash” on the net currently and using authentic/trusted sites should be a priority.
In planning, you should consider your target audience. Who is the essay meant for? Gender, age group, nationality, or even race should be considered in the planning stage.
- Writing stage
An expository, like any other essay, should include an introduction, body, and conclusion. It also usually comes in a five-paragraph form. Therefore, you have one paragraph for the intro, three for the body, and one for the conclusion.
Your introduction must be short and catchy but clear, giving your audience an overview of what the essay is about. You should grab the reader’s attention to read more and more right from the start.
The main body is where you take the time to explain the topic further. It is where all your research and evidence you’ve gathered come to play. Organize your thoughts well and structure the body such that one thing leads to the other to keep the reader reading.
The conclusion summarises everything in one paragraph. You highlight the points you’ve made in the body with emphasis on the most important facts.
- Revise your work
Going over your work helps in correcting errors, adding up, or restating some points. In doing this, take the posture of a reader and ask yourself some critical questions like:
- Have you done justice to the topic?
- Did you maintain your focus throughout?
- Are there enough facts and examples?
- And does the conclusion summarise the main essay?
After reviewing your essay, you are good to submit it to your teacher or publish on the intended platform.
Good luck!
