Comprehensive Guide to Expository Essay Writing and Topic Choice
Expository essays rank high among challenging essay assignments for students. Unlike standard papers, these essays call for unbiased writing and are free of personal opinions.
Often, students struggle with grasping what the expository essay entails and familiarizing themselves with the steps for writing an essay. If you were facing any challenges, this article will address various steps for expository essay writing to help you overcome any challenges experienced along the writing process.
What is an expository essay?
An expository essay is an essay meant to explain facts and evidence on a topic, an event, a process, or a phenomenon. Expository essays thus include how-to essays, step-by-step essays, description essays, and compare and contrast papers.
These essays are meant to educate a reader on a given topic and require that you communicate factual information without bias.
Structure of an expository essay
The expository essay follows the standard five-paragraph structure with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, there is no limit to the essay length as you can expand your essay to accommodate relevant essay ideas.
- Introduction
This section of your essay comprises the thesis statement, a hook, and background information. Your introduction should hook your reader and introduce them to the main essay ideas and your essay framework.
- The body
Body paragraphs should explain your essay phenomenon in detail with each paragraph containing a topic sentence, evidential support, and a transition to the next paragraph. When possible, link your ideas with transition words, to guide your reader through various points and to show how various ideas link within your essay.
- The conclusion
Your conclusion should restate your thesis and offer a summary of the main ideas addressing your essay objectives. Here, avoid presenting any new ideas that have not been tackled within your essay as this may result in an incomplete argument.
How to write an expository essay
Some of the steps we recommend that you follow when writing an expository essay include:
- Topic selection
Before you begin writing your essay, brainstorm ideas that are relevant to the essay guidelines. In addition to your brainstormed ideas, you may consult emerging issues in your discipline to yield topics that allow you a wide range of fresh insights.
Finally, develop your thesis statement and a title that properly captures your paper’s essence.
- Conduct extensive research
Since expository essays are based on factual information, it is vital to familiarize yourself with all information on your topic. If you are struggling with topic sources, consult your librarian for guidance on the materials related to your topic.
You could also start off on Wikipedia and use their reference section as a guide to books and journals which are relevant to your topic.
- Prepare an outline
Before writing your draft, organize your thoughts in an outline. This tool allows you to gauge the completeness of your paper and organize your ideas for a smooth-flowing essay.
The outline is crucial as it keeps you on track with your process essay, reducing conflicting ideas that might derail your writing efforts.
- Draft
Finally, develop a draft based on your thesis and edit your paper to eliminate various errors that could compromise your final score.
Expository writing outline
- Introduction
- Hook
- Background
- Thesis statement
- Body
- body paragraph 1
2.1.1. Topic sentence
2.1.2. evidence support
2.1.3. Further analysis
- body paragraph 2
2.1.1. Topic sentence
2.1.2. evidence support
2.1.3. Further analysis
- body paragraph 3
2.1.1. Topic sentence
2.1.2. evidence support
2.1.3. Further analysis
- Conclusion
- restate thesis
- key points
- summary
Expository essay topics
Expository essay topics college
- Describe the effects of changing schools on teenagers.
- Examine the long-term consequences of global warming.
- Can a person treat their own mental illnesses?
- How do tobacco companies specifically target teenagers?
- Describe the advantages of a shorter school week.
- Describe the impact of commercials on consumer product selection.
- Describe why a person you met deserves to be regarded as a leader.
Expository essay topics high school
- Describe the ways in which Covid-19 has harmed businesses.
- Describe why high school athletics should be required.
- Describe the likely effects of skipping math classes in high school.
- Describe the social effects of abolishing the death penalty.
- Describe the five habits that have a negative impact on college students.
- Describe the benefits of sports commentary shows for boosting public morale.
- Describe the reasons why crime decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Describe the factors that lead some women to stay in abusive relationships.
Good expository essay topics
- Describe the mechanism by which solar panels lower air pollution in large cities.
- Describe the most useful mobile applications for increasing productivity.
- Describe how marijuana's effects on judgment work.
- Describe the effects of mandatory uniform policies in schools.
- Describe the options available to teenagers who are facing pregnancy.
- Describe how having a sibling as a child affected your personality.
- Describe how your favourite teacher contributed to your development as a person.
Ideas for expository essays
- Does it make a difference if you read the book before seeing the movie?
- How should I handle my financial issues?
- How should bullying in schools be handled?
- Why do people listen to depressing music when things are bad?
- What distinguishes psychiatry from psychology?
- Are those who are heroic mentally healthy?
- Describe the effects of World War II.
- Why has the number of allergy sufferers suddenly increased?
