21LEH101T– Communicative English
Unit – I : Session – 11 : SLO/SLR - 1
1
Expository Writing
The “How and Why” of Writing
SLO 1 Define what an expository essay is
SLR 1 Use clear and self explanatory language
What is Expository Writing?
• Expository writing is defined as presenting reasons,
explanations, or steps in a process
• Informational writing
• An expository essay should follow a logical
sequence and have three different main points
• Logic and coherence is the main focus of an
expository essay
How is it different ?
• Expository writing does not tell a story
• Expository writing does not persuade a reader but
only gives facts and reasons
• Expository writing can also give the steps of a
process
WHAT IS AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY?
An EXPOSITORY essay is a multi-paragraph essay with a
specific structure.
It explains a position or opinion that you have regarding a
topic or text.
It provides adequate textual evidence to support that
opinion.
AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY IS NOT …
It is not a summary of the book.
It is not a book review or a book report.
It is not ONLY your opinion. You must base your ideas
on events from the text.
Organization
• When you organize an essay it
needs to follow a logical
sequence.
• Novel: beginning of the book,
middle of the book, end of the
book.
• 2/3/1: 2nd best idea, 3rd best
idea, best idea.
• Directions:
• 1st step, 2nd step, 3rd step.
FORMAT OF AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY
An EXPOSITORY essay contains ____
paragraphs.
All paragraphs have a name:
1st Paragraph(s) : Introductory Paragraph(s)
Paragraph #2, 3, 4 etc.: Body Paragraphs
Final Paragraph(s): Concluding Paragraph(s)
Topic Sentences, Thesis Statements, and Subtopic are the
Heart
Thesis: a statement
discussing the topic of
your paper.
Subtopics: the main ideas
that support your thesis.
Topic Sentences: a
statement that
discusses the topic of
each paragraph.
Definition of Terms
• Thesis Statement: The main idea of the whole essay
• Transition words: Words such as first, second, as a
result, which make transitions easy in the essay.
• Main Ideas: Each paragraph should have a main
point or idea
• Supporting Details: Details support the main ideas
Introductory Paragraph
Body Paragraphs
= Subtopics
Concluding Paragraph
Expository Writing
• Introduction of an expository should include the
main idea and what the essay is about
• The three main reasons supporting this main idea
should also be included in the introduction
Thesis Statement
• The thesis statement can be first in the paragraph,
last in the paragraph or implied throughout the
paragraph
• OR more experienced writers use the inverted
pyramid style introduction.
Introductory Paragraph – Inverted Pyramid
Introduction
• Hook- Hook your reader with a question, quote,
short anecdote, or personal experience statement
Thank you
