How to Write an Expository Essay Successfully: 7 Easy Steps

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Date: April 3, 2024

If you are a professional writer or studying in a college, you would have written a plethora of essays. These essays might be different from each other. Similarly, the purpose of these essays could be different as well. 

As we all know that some essays mainly focus on convincing readers that your stance about any specific thing is correct and authentic. Similarly, many essays are meant to differentiate between different subjects or explain similarities among them. 

Besides, there is a possibility that they would be asked to write essays that explain various subjects, ideas, or events and guide their readers about their purposes. 

In today’s article, we will discuss everything about expository essays from their structure to purpose and writing tips. So, read this blog post till the end to get familiar with the complete information.    

What Is an Expository Essay? 

An expository essay is a type of essay that explains factual information. 

Expository essays are mainly based on different structures that communicate their attributes, like comparing and contrasting, analyzing essays, and examining the cause and effects.  

You cannot use any information or emotional sentences in such essays. Instead, you must add factual information, such as facts and figures, that prove your stance and help readers understand your idea effectively. 

Additionally, while writing an expository essay, you need to analyze the information you find related to the assigned topic, then use your own critical thinking by considering the concepts shared by your instructor in the class, and explain the reasons that help you reach a conclusion.  

The Purpose of Expository Essay

The primary purpose of expository essays is to educate readers about any particular topic or subject. It is not essential that the information you share in your essay entertain or persuade the readers. 

Expository essays mainly show the expertise of the writer on any particular topic or subject and define how they learned about it. Moreover, these essays give a balanced and clear objective description of a topic.  

Types of Expository Essays 

Expository essays have different types. We will discuss some major types here:   

1. Classification Essays 

In this type of essay, writers share information about different subjects that fall under the same category while discussing unique characteristics that link it with other subjects in the same category. For instance, if you are asked to write about different kinds of golden eagles. You need to start the essay with a thesis statement that explains how golden eagles are different kinds of eagles and then discuss different kinds of golden eagles.  

2. Definition Essays 

As the name defines, this type of essay describes a subject by explaining authentic facts about it. There are possibilities that your definition essay challenges the repeated myths about any particular subject, concept, or historical event by sharing the information from primary sources and explaining relevant trends, which can be political, social, and economic, that influenced perceptions of it.  

3. Process Essays

Process essay guides the readers about the procedure of completing a specific task. For example, you can say that recipes are much similar to process essays. In process essays, you start by writing an opening paragraph explaining the method we will discuss and what the outcome will be if you follow the method. After that, all body paragraphs are basically the step of the process to complete the task. Then you move to the conclusion section that guides readers about the importance and functionality of each step.  

4. Compare-and-Contrast Essays 

A compare and contrast essay defines the major differences and similarities between two subjects, ideas, or the sources cited. For example, you can write an essay that compares and contrasts the course outline of your subject and the outline of the same subject in other schools. Your essay will explain the differences in the course outline and how it is similar to others.  

5. Cause-and-Effect Essays  

In these essays, you discuss how a particular event or action caused others to occur. For example, cause-and-effect essays trace chains of events to find out why we couldn’t get good marks in the exams. An easy example of a cause-and-effect essay could be finding the financial condition of a country over the specific duration that impacted the lives of humans living in it.  

How to Write an Expository Essay? 

Here are a few important suggestions that will help you craft an engaging expository essay. One thing that is important to discuss before sharing tips is that always use MLA format to write expository essays.  

1. Prerequisites and Outline 

Writing an expository essay requires proper planning and prewriting research. First, you need to write down pertinent notes and do extensive research about the topic you desire to write. Then, once you are done with the research and brainstorming, start working on making an outline that covers all the important points you will discuss in each paragraph. 

2. Write an Appealing Introduction  

The starting paragraph of your essay holds great importance in getting your reader’s attention and making them read the entire essay. Therefore, you should write compelling sentences in your first paragraph that clearly defines the main point of your expository essay. The thesis statement should be unambiguous, which you can easily explain in the body part of your essay.  

3. Write Factual Information in Paragraphs 

While writing an expository essay, it is essential for you to ensure that each paragraph of your essay should focus on its own distinct issue that supports the thesis statement in your topic sentence. It is also vital to use factual information to support your statements that maintain a clear objective.  

4. Use Figurative Language

The language and tone of the essay play a crucial part in setting its quality and engagement. So, always use clear and concise language to make your readers easily understand what you desire to convey in your thesis statement. It is also essential to avoid being too dry and unattractive. Else, you may fail in grabbing your reader’s attention. 

Moreover, use figurative language to develop a flow in your expository essay, making it feel a bit more human. Besides, you can also use metaphors, similes, and all of those good literary devices that can be great tools to make your essay more appealing and attractive for the readers.  

5. Be Consistent with Third-Person POV 

An expository essay presents a third-person perspective and falls into the category of academic writing. In contrast, personal narrative essays present first-person perspectives and focus on personal experiences. It doesn’t mean that you cannot use your own ideas or thoughts in expository essays. You only require to be creative enough to explain your opinions without using a first-person tone.  

6. Write a Concluding Paragraph 

It has been found that many writers often make the mistake of adding new information in the conclusion paragraph. Every student should understand that the conclusion paragraph sums up your thesis statement or provides any additional insight that proves it. You should use this paragraph to redefine your thesis and points that support your body paragraphs. In short, this paragraph is only to wrap up your entire essay. 

7. Revise and Proofread

Once you’re done with the writing process, then comes the proofreading phase. Be sure to reread your essay carefully and double-check all factual information from credible sources. All paragraphs should be connected flawlessly, and the flow of information throughout your essay should never be interrupted. Lastly, check for grammar and spelling mistakes in your text to ensure it is free from all writing mistakes.

Bottom Line: 

Writing an expository essay becomes a no uphill task anymore. The suggestions shared in this blog post will help you learn how to craft an expository essay perfectly. We hope this article will help you learn about expository essays, their types, and how you can structure them appropriately. Moreover, the tips we have shared in this blog will enable you to write an expository essay like a pro.