An Expository Essay: What Is It?

All the students, regardless of their subject areas and disciplines, often need to write expository essays. What an expository essay is, and how to write a good essay that will bring you high grades? Don’t worry, WritersHouse.com will help you!

An expository essay requires you to conduct research and to study a certain idea, collecting evidence and supporting your point. There are many methods that can help you accomplish this goal. For example, you may use causes and effects or contrasts. In other words, an expository essay is a research paper.

How to Write a Good Expository Essay

There are many approaches to writing an expository essay. For example, one of the most effective methods is called POET. Let’s consider it in more detail.

P is for Purpose

• Expository essays always have a particular purpose. For example, your teacher may assign a topic, or you may choose it yourself.
• If you can select a topic, make sure to choose a topic you’re passionate about. It should also be specific and not too broad so that you can cover it in the essay format.
• If you’ve got a topic assigned by a teacher, pay your attention to the verbs used in the prompt. Words like “compare,” “connect,” or “analyze” are especially important.
• A good essay should be consistent and serve the main purpose.

O is for Organization

• Start by writing an introduction. It must introduce your thesis statement and provide your readers with the necessary background on the topic. The very first sentence of the introduction should grab your readers’ attention and encourage them to learn more.
• Your essay should be organized properly, with each body paragraph addressing a particular aspect of the topic and providing a piece of evidence that supports your claims.
• Every paragraph must begin with a topic sentence, explaining what exactly this paragraph will be about. Don’t forget that every paragraph should support your thesis statement.
• End your expository essay with a meaningful conclusion. It should not only restate your thesis statement but also link all the pieces of evidence to each other, backing your thesis. Don’t include any new facts or ideas in the conclusion.

E is for Evidence

• A good essay should not only provide your claims but also support all your ideas with evidence.
• Use only reputable, proven sources.
• Always cite used sources. If you don’t include proper citations, it will result in plagiarism. Make sure to use the right citation format (APA, MLA, etc.)

T is for Thesis

• The thesis statement is the main idea of your paper. Therefore, every paragraph and every piece of evidence should refer back to it and support it.
• Most often, the thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction.
• Your thesis statement shouldn’t restate the prompt. It must reflect your opinion on the topic and put your claims together

Example prompt: Explain the impact of digital devices on children’s development. What are the benefits and threats of digital devices for children?

A bad thesis: Children shouldn’t spend too much time on their digital devices.

A good thesis: Digital devices are very valuable for education, however, if children spend too much time on their phones or tablets, it may lead to sleeping problems, shortening of their attention span, and problems with social interactions.

Before you submit your essay, proofread it and make sure that there are no grammar or spelling errors. In addition, you should ensure the overall consistency in terms of ideas and style. If you want to get the best paper possible, just ask our professional writing experts for help. You can order professional proofreading and editing on WritersHouse.com.