5 Expository Essay Examples (Full Text with Citations)
- Video Overview
- Quick Example
- Formatting Guide
An expository essay attempts to explain a topic in-depth, demonstrating expert knowledge and understanding.
This form of essay is structured around the clear, factual presentation of information, devoid of the writer’s personal opinions or arguments.
The primary goal is to inform or explain rather than persuade.
Unlike an argumentative essay, which is built around defending a particular point of view with evidence and persuasion, an expository essay maintains a neutral stance, focusing on delivering straightforward facts and explanations.
An example of expository writing could be an article explaining the process of photosynthesis.
The article would systematically describe each stage of how plants convert sunlight into energy, detailing the role of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
It would explain the sequence of reactions – first, second, third, fourth, fifth – that occur and the importance of each step in supporting the life of the plant.
An expository essay generally follows this essay format:
- A) To persuade the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint
- B) To inform or explain a topic clearly
- C) To present the writer’s personal opinions and arguments
- D) To entertain the reader with creative writing
- A) An expository essay uses creative storytelling techniques
- B) An expository essay remains neutral and avoids personal opinions
- C) An expository essay focuses on persuading the reader with evidence
- D) An expository essay prioritizes the writer’s personal experiences
Expository Essay Examples
#1 impacts of technology on education.
955 words | 4 Pages | 15 References
Thesis Statement: “The integration of technology in education represents a complex and critical area of study crucial for understanding and shaping the future of educational practices.”
#2 Impacts of Globalization on Education
1450 words | 5 Pages | 9 References
Thesis Statement: “This essay examines the profound and multifaceted effects of globalization on education, exploring how technological advancements and policy reforms have transformed access to, delivery of, and perceptions of education.”
#3 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Interpersonal Relationships
1211 Words | 5 Pages | 22 References
Thesis Statement: “The central thesis is that EI, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, is a crucial determinant of success and well-being.”
#4 The Future of Renewable Energy Sources and Their Impact
870 words | 4 Pages | 20 References
Thesis Statement: “The essay posits that although renewable energy sources hold immense promise for a sustainable future, their full integration into the global energy grid presents significant challenges that must be addressed through technological innovation, economic investment, and policy initiatives.”
#5 The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior
1053 words | 4 Pages | 17 References
Thesis Statement: “The thesis of this essay is that consumer behavior is not merely a product of rational decision-making; it is deeply rooted in psychological processes, both conscious and subconscious, that drive consumers’ choices and actions.”
How to Write an Expository Essay
Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular point of view.
Instead, they focus on providing a balanced and thorough explanation of a subject.
Key characteristics of an expository essay include:
- Clarity and Conciseness
- Structured Organization (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
- Objective Tone
- Evidence-Based (Cite academic sources in every body paragraph)
- Objective thesis statement (see below)
- Informative purpose (Not argumentative)
You can follow my expository essay templates with AI prompts to help guide you through the expository essay writing process:
How to write a Thesis Statement for an Expository Essay
An expository thesis statement doesn’t make an argument or try to persuade. It uses ‘is’ rather than ‘ought’ statements.
Take these comparisons below. Note how the expository thesis statements don’t prosecute an argument or attempt to persuade, while the argumentative thesis statements clearly take a side on an issue:
💡 AI Prompt for Generating Sample Expository Thesis Statements An expository essay’s thesis statement should be objective rather than argumentative. Write me five broad expository thesis statement ideas on the topic “[TOPIC]”.
Go Deeper: 101 Thesis Statement Examples
Differences Between Expository and Argumentative Essays
Expository and argumentative essays are both common writing styles in academic and professional contexts, but they serve different purposes and follow different structures.
Here are the key differences between them:
- Expository Essay : The primary purpose is to explain, describe, or inform about a topic. It focuses on clarifying a subject or process, providing understanding and insight.
- Argumentative Essay : The goal is to persuade the reader to accept a particular point of view or to take a specific action. It’s about presenting a stance and supporting it with evidence and logic.
- Expository Essay : It maintains a neutral and objective tone. The writer presents information factually and impartially, without expressing personal opinions or biases.
- Argumentative Essay : It often adopts a more assertive, persuasive, and subjective tone. The writer takes a clear position and argues in favor of it, using persuasive language.
- Expository Essay : The reader is expected to gain knowledge, understand a process, or become informed about a topic. There’s no expectation for the reader to agree or disagree.
- Argumentative Essay : The reader is encouraged to consider the writer’s viewpoint, evaluate arguments, and possibly be persuaded to adopt a new perspective or take action.
Go Deeper: Expository vs Argumentative Essays
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Read Next: Process Essay Examples
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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]
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Expository Essay: It maintains a neutral and objective tone. The writer presents information factually and impartially, without expressing personal opinions or biases. Argumentative Essay: It often adopts a more assertive, persuasive, and subjective tone. The writer takes a clear position and argues in favor of it, using persuasive language.
The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It's worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline. A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
An expository essay is written in the third person and the expository essay format, like any other essay format, consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. ... This expository essay sample deviates from the original five-paragraph structure and consists of an introductory paragraph, four body paragraphs, and a concluding ...
Expository Essay Outline Example. I. Introduction. A. Opening statement: Diverse workplaces are 35% more likely to outperform their more homogenous counterparts. B. Main points. 1. Workforces are more diversified than ever before due to globalization, but also due to changing social norms. 2.
An expository essay typically comprises three main parts: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Here's what the general structure of an expository essay looks like: Introduction. The introduction of an expository essay is where the writer presents the topic, provides background information, and ends with a clear thesis statement.
Step One: Research Your Topic. An expository essay starts with research. You need to understand the topic before you write about it. You also need to understand what points the reader needs to know to comprehend the subject. The internet has been outstanding in terms of helping people get access to information.
Expository Writing follows a structured format with an introduction, body paragraphs presenting information and examples, and a conclusion summarising key points and reinforcing the thesis. Common expository essays include process, comparison/contrast, cause and effect, and informative essays.
The expository essay is 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. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.
Examining expository essay examples can be an invaluable tool in understanding how to create a well-structured, informative essay. By analysing the structure, style, and use of evidence in an expository essay example, you can gain insight into crafting your own compelling piece. ... The introduction should include a precise and succinct thesis ...
An expository essay example serves as a valuable tool for students, offering a concrete illustration of the structure, style, and depth expected in this genre of writing. ... Expository Essay Introduction. Hook or attention-grabbing statement. Background information on the topic. Clear thesis statement that presents the main idea.
3. Structuring an Expository Essay. The exact length and content of your essay will depend on the topic and prompt. However, most expository essays follow a similar basic structure: Introduction - A paragraph where you introduce the essay topic and your thesis statement (i.e., the issue or idea you will explain in the essay).
An expository essay will require you to take the five-paragraph essay approach: an introductory paragraph, a main body paragraph, and a concluding paragraph. This is often referred to as the hamburger style of the essay because, like a hamburger, it contains five main parts: the introduction and conclusion being the bun that encapsulates ...
An expository essay is a type of essay that involves explaining an idea or theme within a given subject or topic. We guide you through writing one with examples. Dictionary ... Expository Essay Introduction Example. Introductions can feel like a bit of a thankless task. Your reader already knows that they're reading an essay, so why do you ...
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. Provide Background: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
An expository essay asks for a critical explanation of a specific idea, theory, or topic. Our expert tips can help you write a well-structured and informative piece. ... If you're writing an expository essay about a poem, for example, your outline might look like: Introduction. An introductory hook that brings the reader in;
Section 1 Essay structure An essay is a piece of writing made up of a number of paragraphs. Each paragraph has a specifi c role in an essay. In a fi ve-paragraph essay, the fi rst paragraph is an introduction; the second, third, and fourth paragraphs form the body of the essay; and the fi fth paragraph is a conclusion (see diagram on page 4).
Level Up Your Team. See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Learning how to write a good expository essay is an academic writing skill that lays the foundation for the type of expository writing that's necessary for numerous professions.
The typical 5 paragraph essay consists of 1 introduction, 3 body, and 1 conclusion paragraph. ... In conclusion, these expository essay examples offer a valuable resource for students. They serve as effective learning tools, providing insight into the art of expository writing. By studying these examples, students can improve their writing ...
The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented. ... Expository essay example paragraph. The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a ...
Get past the thesis statement with two examples of expository essays. Learn more about the format, requirements, and types of expository writing for middle and high school. Dictionary Thesaurus Sentences ... Introduction: Start with a "hook" to get your reader's attention.
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1. Give Cliches a Twist. Questions, sayings, quotes, and definition of terms might be the most common way to start an essay, but dumbing down these usual ways of starting an essay is the last thing you might want to do. The reason why a cliche is formed is when an effective method gets to the point of being overused until it does not anymore ...