3 Examples of a Good Expository Essay

expository essay examples

If you are reading this article, there’s a high probability that you are to compose an expository essay. Don’t panic! Writing a good expository essay is not difficult at all. Based on own professional experience, as well as a bunch of reputable sources, I’ve developed a list of tips that will help you to come up with a truly nice paper. Besides, make sure to check expository essay examples for your better understanding.

Alright, let’s go ahead now!

What Is Expository Writing?

You may probably wonder what an expository essay is. Ok, Purdue Online Writing Lab defines expository writing as “a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner.”

Still confused? No, worries. Let’s approach the genre in terms of what expository essay IS and what it IS NOT.

Remember that a good expository essay:

  • Informs the reader, describes or explains something.
  • Introduces facts.
  • Provides exhaustive information on a particular topic.

At the same time, if you are requested to analyze something or persuade your audience about something, then you are looking in the wrong direction! Expository essays do not deal with these issues.

Now as you understand what an expository writing is, let me suggest you a number of topics that can inspire composing a great expository essay.

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Topics for High School Expository Essay

  • “What is antibiotic resistance?”
  • “What Are the Short- and Long-Term Effects of Juvenile Delinquency?”
  • “The Life and Creative Activity of Henry Fielding”

Also, consider

Topics for College Expository Essay

  • “What Is Transhumanism?”
  • “What Is So Special about Introverts?”
  • “What Are the Reasons for Obesity?”

In fact, there are many more issues to write a nice expository essay about. Still, choosing an interesting topic is not enough, and you may probably wonder how essay examples looks like. Below, I have collected several samples of truly great papers.

Expository Essay Example for High School

My Favorite Storybook

Moby Dick“Since I am an avid reader, it is very difficult to choose a particular storybook. But if I were to choose the only one, I would write about Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick, or the Whale. The novel was written in 1851 and it is about a confrontation between a man and a whale. Captain Ahab, the protagonist, is chasing the white whale, because he had lost the leg to the animal. The captain wants to revenge Moby Dick, and no one can convince a raged man that his aspiration to kill the animal is pointless and may even lead to his own death. Eventually, Captain Ahab traces the whale and begins a long chase. But Moby Dick does not want to lose his life easily. The injured animal destroys the boat and kills all his pursuers. The only man left is Ishmael, a narrator who entered the whaling ship to satisfy the wanderlust.”

Expository Essay Example for College

Reasons for Obesity

obesity is a desease“Obesity has become a common condition in the United States. According to CDC (2018), 36.5% of U.S. adults are obese. Since obesity is a serious and very costly problem, experts seek to understand the reasons for the condition. Researchers point out to genetics as a major precondition for obesity (Gillman & Kleinman, 2007). There is ample evidence that offsprings of obese parents are likely to be obese compared to their peers whose parents are not overweight (Bouchard et al., 1990). Also, there is an opinion that the lack of food culture leads to obesity. Unfortunately, many people become addicted to the junk food that is cheap and “hyperpalatable” (Avena, Rada, & Hoebel, 2008). People eat unhealthy products for various reasons, but mainly because they are not fully aware that consumption of junk food is a harmful habit, the long-term consequences of which are hard to predict. In addition to the mentioned reasons, individuals become obese because recently there has been a dramatic increase in food availability. People no longer need to visit grocery stores to replenish their supplies. These days, food is everywhere: on the street, gas stations, and even on the internet…”

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Expository Essay Example about Education

What Is Scaffolding Teaching

 “Scaffolding teaching practices are gaining momentum in academia. Experts define scaffolding as “a process through which a teacher adds support for students in order to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of task”(Iris Center, 2018). Educators have developed a range of approaches to instructional scaffolding. Obviously, the most commonly used one is the “show and tell” approach. In it, an instructor demonstrates to students what they are expected to do. Noteworthy, this approach involves a number of strategies, including the fishbowl activity and think aloud techniques. Another popular scaffolding approach is about giving students time to discuss what they have learned. The logic behind this approach is simple: students need time to articulate and make sense of what they have understood. In addition to the mentioned scaffolding practices, teachers make use of the pre-teach vocabulary, tapping into prior knowledge and utilization of visual aids techniques. Each of these approaches has distinctive advantages, thereby requires in-depth examination.”

How to Write a Good Expository Essay: A Ste-by-Step Guideline

Also, to polish your writing and come up with a quality expository essay, consider these simple tips that sum up years of experience in the field of academic writing.

  • Choose a topic

There are thousands of topics to write on. In case you don’t have any personal preferences or doubt whether your topic will be of interest to potential readers, consider some external search. Luckily enough, there are many sites suggesting topics for expository writing. Personally I liked this one.

  • Gather ideas

Evidently any topic you select implies a variety of perspectives. For instance, you can discuss teen pregnancy in terms of its effect on high school dropout rates. But you can also approach the topic with regard to the long-term health effects, social stigma, right to abortion and even transgenerational trauma. The point is that gathering of ideas gives you a better understanding of the topic and helps to choose the angle from which your description will be most interesting for the target audience.

By the way, remember to

  • Evaluate the Audience

Before writing an expository essay, make sure you have answers to these questions:

(1) “Which is my audience?”

(2) “What do they know about the topic?”

(3) “What else do they want to learn?”

(4) “What tone will my audience like/dislike?”

(5) “Which point of view will they consider most appropriate/effective?”

  • Write a Strong Thesis Statement

You already know what thesis statement is, so I’m sure you won’t have any difficulties writing a great one.

  • Organize Your Essay

There are so many ways to organize your essay. However, a novice writer will probably benefit from the 5-paragraph structure. Basically, this structure includes:

  • Introduction
  • 3 evidentiary body paragraphs
  • Conclusion

5 paragraph essay structure

Now, you can see that writing an expository essay is as easy as a b c. You can try your hand at writing sample expository essays. Please, don’t forget to report your progress.

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