How to Write an Expository Essay?

A Guide to Writing an Expository Essay

Our life is an endless sequence of explanations. And through expository essays, students comprehensively explain a precise idea, theory, or subject field. 

Academic experts opine – An expository essay aims to expose the topic coverage's deeper or veiled truth. The writer performs critical analysis through in-depth research. 

Expository writing is a necessary skill many professionals seek in potential candidates. Those professions could pertain to a subject area (like Science), business, or journalism. 

Write an Excellent Expository Essay in 7 Simple Steps

Start by Grasping the Exposition & Why It Is Unique

Academic experts also state- exposition essays are more than exposing information or ideas lying deeper inside a subject or topic through in-depth research. 

Take, for example – 

• A narrative essay will reveal a tale about a hamburger. 
• A descriptive essay will provide facts about the hamburger. 

But an expository essay will unveil the history of hamburgers and how they influenced the US culture and eating habits. 

Moreover, an exposition may cause the readers to agree or disagree with a specific topic. However, often it relies on textual findings, data, and deep-rooted emotions. 

So, take time to understand the exposition and why it is unique or meaningful to the readers.

Figure out What Expository Essay You'll Work On

Moreover, an expository essay falls into several categories. They include as follows –

• Classification essay
• Analytical essay
• Process Essay
• Definition Essay
• Compare and Contrast Essay
• Cause and Effect Essay

Believe it or not, dissertations and theses also fall under expository writing. However, the length of the paper varies from other forms of expository essays.

Clarify with the professor beforehand if nothing is mentioned in the writing instructions.

Pick a Topic You Fancy or Are Interested In

When picking an expository essay topic, choose something you fancy or are interested in. It will make the writing process enjoyable. Working on your preferred topic will also keep you motivated throughout the writing process.

After sorting the topic, determine what form of expository writing would suit the topic. Moreover, when researching the topic, narrow it down and only focus on necessary facts and findings.

Prepare the Expository Essay Structure/Outline

Like most essays, an expository essay comprises the typical 5 stanza writing structure/outline. 

They include – The Introduction, The Body, and the Conclusion.

It may seem boring. But it lends consistency and reliability to the essay structure. Your unique topic exposition and your writing quality will make the essay distinctive from the rest. 

Write the Essay per the Set Structure/Outline

After preparing the structure, begin writing the essay per the outline. 

• The Introduction must comprise a reader's hook, background information on the topic, and the thesis statement in its last line.
• The body must provide comprehensive explanations of the topic from various angles and by focussing on its different facets. You can segregate the body section into 3 (or more)stanzas to write the exposition. Write an anchor sentence at the first line of each paragraph connecting with the topic and allowing readers a hint of what to expect in the stanza.
• The Conclusion – The final segment of your expository essay must comprise a summary of all crucial points covered in the body. It will comprise a summary of the thesis statement and a meaningful call to action to trigger a response among the readers. Writers can also use a strong statement or question to influence the audience and make them want to know more. 

Edit and Proofread Your Essay Thoroughly

Editing and proofreading is the next step after writing your expository essay. Take a small break of 15-30 minutes. If you still have time left, do it the next day with a fresh mind.

When you revise your work, re-check the thesis statement and present evidence and facts.

Check if all in-text source citations are accurate. Remove dodgy or complex-sounding sentences. Add transitions after paragraphs if missed out to maintain flow and coherence. 

Revise in reverse to check if each line of each stanza sounds correct and logical. Make changes if needed.

Once you revise your work manually, check it again with grammar-checking software. It will polish your work more. 

Finally, scan for duplicate content traces using a quality plagiarism checker. Correct whenever applicable. Once the file shows 0% plagiarism, download a report.

Get a Second Opinion about Your Work

It always bodes well if you ask a trustworthy peer or close sibling to review your expository essay and provide suggestions for improvement. 

Focus on those recommendations and make edits wherever you see fit.

Additional Tips for Writing an Expository Essay

• Use figurative language when writing your expository essay. It will ensure your readers don't stutter and comprehend the write-up without hassle. Avoid academic tone or any other dry tone for your exposition. Instead, use relevant metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to make the piece engaging from start to finish.
• Use 3rd person writing tone for your expository essay piece. Use your creativity to explain your views, thoughts, and perspectives without using 'Me'or 'I.'
• While revising your work, re-check the writing guidelines to see if you have incorporated everything into your essay. Doing so allow you to remove minor glitches or inconsistencies left ignored. 
• Double-check the accuracy of the source citations and the citation index below.

15 Excellent Expository Essay Topics for Students

1. What causes loneliness in today's modern society?
2. Why is unemployment such as prevalent social issue in Pakistan?
3. What are the causes and issues resulting from Urbanisation in India?
4. Social media influence- positives and negatives
5. What are the moral dilemmas of experiments done at Stanford Prison?
6. What are the moral dilemmas on Social Media Security and Data Privacy?
7. What's the natural remedy for relieving tennis elbow discomfort?
8. What are the reasons, signs, and treatment options for Cystic Fibrosis?
9. What are the recommended treatments for Leukemia?
10. What are the recommended steps for eliminating smallpox? Present a historical exposition
11. How to increase metabolism rates?
12. What are Huntington's disease's causes, symptoms, and treatment options?
13. Write an expository piece on 'Why Nations Fail'?
14. Write an analysis of 'White Fang.'
15. Write an expository essay on Women's treatment and Feminism during the Victorian era

Need more quality expository essay topics? Feel free to contact our experts today and get customized essay writing help!