WRITING SKILLS  CED 2123 Lecture 4   Expository Essay Murni Salina Fac of Education & Social Science UNISEL Bestari Jaya
Expository Essay Expository essays are simply essays that explain something with facts, as opposed to opinion.  Samples of expository essays include: Essays that described how to do something. Essays that analyze events, ideas, objects, or written works. Essays that describe a process. Essays that explain/describe an historical event. Expository essays are often written in response to a prompt that asks the writer to expose or explain a specific topic.
Expository Essay Expository essays normally will look like the following: Explain the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Explain how to balance a checkbook. Describe the composition and function of a chicken's egg. An expository essay should have an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a summary. The length of your essay can vary, according to context.  The introductory paragraph will contain the thesis sentence, and the topic of the thesis should be grounded in fact.
Introduction The introduction is the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals. 1. Capture the reader's interest It's a good idea to start your essay with a really interesting statement, in order to pique the reader's interest. Avoid starting out with a boring line like "In this essay I will explain why Rosa Parks was an important figure." Instead, try something like "A Michigan museum recently paid $492,000 for an old, dilapidated bus from Montgomery, Alabama." The second sentence sounds much more interesting, doesn't it? It would encourage most people to keep on reading.
2. Introduce the topic The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement. "The old yellow bus was reported to be the very one that sparked the civil rights movement, when a young woman named Rosa Parks..." Introduction
3. Make a claim or express your opinion in a thesis sentence. Your thesis sentence should provide your specific assertion and convey clearly your point of view. "In refusing to surrender her seat to a white man, Rosa Parks inspired a courageous freedom movement that lives on, even today." Introduction
Body The body of the essay will include three paragraphs, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis. You should state your idea, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence or examples. Example of a main idea: "It took incredible courage for an African American woman to make such a bold stance in 1955 Alabama." Offer evidence to support this statement: "This act took place in an era when African Americans could be arrested and face severe retribution for comitting the most trivial acts of defiance."
Include a few more supporting statements with further evidence, then use transition words to lead to the following paragraph. Sample transition words: moreover in fact on the whole furthermore as a result simply put for this reason similarly likewise it follows that naturally by comparison surely yet Body
Conclusion The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim. It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples. Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well. You might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly. By doing this, you will ensure that every sentence in your essay supports, proves, or reflects your thesis.
Few examples of expository essay topic
Chorus and Band Essay Topic Many people listen to music on as they travel, work and play. Think about the ways music affects you. Now explain how music affects your life. Geography Essay Topic Many families move from one place to another. Think about the effects moving has upon teenagers. Now explain the effects moving from place to place has on teenagers.
Health Essay Topic For some people, TV and junk foods seem as addictive as drugs and alcohol for they feel at loss without them. Think about the things you and your friends do almost every day. Now describe some of the things teenagers seem to need on a daily basis. Leadership Essay Topic Every country has heroes and heroines. They may be political, religious or military leaders, but they serve as moral leaders by whose examples we can follow in our quest to live lives of excellence. Think about someone you know who shows moral leadership. Now explain why this person should be regarded a moral leader.
Languages Essay Topic When studying a foreign language, students often become aware of differences in the ways people in various countries think about values, manners and relationships. Think about some of the differences in ways people in __________ think and behave differently than here in ___________. Now describe some of the differences in the ways people think and behave in ___________ compared to the ways they think and behave in ____________. Math Essay Topic A friend has asked your advice about which math course would be most helpful in everyday life. Think about the times you have actually used mathematics you have learned in school in your daily life and decide which course had the most practical value. Now explain to your friend how a particular math course will be of practical assistance to him.
Science Essay Topic Your friend in Arizona just emailed you asking if he can visit you in South Florida to try out his new surfboard. You don't want to hurt his feelings when you tell him that South Florida does not have big waves, so you decide to explain the reason. Think about what you have learned about wave action. Now explain why South Florida does not have high waves. Social Studies Essay Topic People communicate with a variety of signals such as facial expressions, voice inflection, body postures in addition to the words. Sometimes the messages being sent seem contradictory. Think about a time when someone seemed to be sending a contradictory message. Now explain how people can send conflicting messages.

Lecture 4 Expository Essay

  • 1.
    WRITING SKILLS CED 2123 Lecture 4 Expository Essay Murni Salina Fac of Education & Social Science UNISEL Bestari Jaya
  • 2.
    Expository Essay Expositoryessays are simply essays that explain something with facts, as opposed to opinion. Samples of expository essays include: Essays that described how to do something. Essays that analyze events, ideas, objects, or written works. Essays that describe a process. Essays that explain/describe an historical event. Expository essays are often written in response to a prompt that asks the writer to expose or explain a specific topic.
  • 3.
    Expository Essay Expositoryessays normally will look like the following: Explain the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Explain how to balance a checkbook. Describe the composition and function of a chicken's egg. An expository essay should have an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, and a summary. The length of your essay can vary, according to context. The introductory paragraph will contain the thesis sentence, and the topic of the thesis should be grounded in fact.
  • 4.
    Introduction The introductionis the first paragraph in your essay, and it should accomplish a few specific goals. 1. Capture the reader's interest It's a good idea to start your essay with a really interesting statement, in order to pique the reader's interest. Avoid starting out with a boring line like "In this essay I will explain why Rosa Parks was an important figure." Instead, try something like "A Michigan museum recently paid $492,000 for an old, dilapidated bus from Montgomery, Alabama." The second sentence sounds much more interesting, doesn't it? It would encourage most people to keep on reading.
  • 5.
    2. Introduce thetopic The next few sentences should explain your first statement, and prepare the reader for your thesis statement. "The old yellow bus was reported to be the very one that sparked the civil rights movement, when a young woman named Rosa Parks..." Introduction
  • 6.
    3. Make aclaim or express your opinion in a thesis sentence. Your thesis sentence should provide your specific assertion and convey clearly your point of view. "In refusing to surrender her seat to a white man, Rosa Parks inspired a courageous freedom movement that lives on, even today." Introduction
  • 7.
    Body The bodyof the essay will include three paragraphs, each limited to one main idea that supports your thesis. You should state your idea, then back it up with two or three sentences of evidence or examples. Example of a main idea: "It took incredible courage for an African American woman to make such a bold stance in 1955 Alabama." Offer evidence to support this statement: "This act took place in an era when African Americans could be arrested and face severe retribution for comitting the most trivial acts of defiance."
  • 8.
    Include a fewmore supporting statements with further evidence, then use transition words to lead to the following paragraph. Sample transition words: moreover in fact on the whole furthermore as a result simply put for this reason similarly likewise it follows that naturally by comparison surely yet Body
  • 9.
    Conclusion The finalparagraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim. It should point out your main points, but should not repeat specific examples. Once you complete the first draft of your essay, it's a good idea to re-visit the thesis statement in your first paragraph. Read your essay to see if it flows well. You might find that the supporting paragraphs are strong, but they don't address the exact focus of your thesis. Simply re-write your thesis sentence to fit your body and summary more exactly. By doing this, you will ensure that every sentence in your essay supports, proves, or reflects your thesis.
  • 10.
    Few examples ofexpository essay topic
  • 11.
    Chorus and Band EssayTopic Many people listen to music on as they travel, work and play. Think about the ways music affects you. Now explain how music affects your life. Geography Essay Topic Many families move from one place to another. Think about the effects moving has upon teenagers. Now explain the effects moving from place to place has on teenagers.
  • 12.
    Health Essay Topic Forsome people, TV and junk foods seem as addictive as drugs and alcohol for they feel at loss without them. Think about the things you and your friends do almost every day. Now describe some of the things teenagers seem to need on a daily basis. Leadership Essay Topic Every country has heroes and heroines. They may be political, religious or military leaders, but they serve as moral leaders by whose examples we can follow in our quest to live lives of excellence. Think about someone you know who shows moral leadership. Now explain why this person should be regarded a moral leader.
  • 13.
    Languages Essay Topic Whenstudying a foreign language, students often become aware of differences in the ways people in various countries think about values, manners and relationships. Think about some of the differences in ways people in __________ think and behave differently than here in ___________. Now describe some of the differences in the ways people think and behave in ___________ compared to the ways they think and behave in ____________. Math Essay Topic A friend has asked your advice about which math course would be most helpful in everyday life. Think about the times you have actually used mathematics you have learned in school in your daily life and decide which course had the most practical value. Now explain to your friend how a particular math course will be of practical assistance to him.
  • 14.
    Science Essay Topic Yourfriend in Arizona just emailed you asking if he can visit you in South Florida to try out his new surfboard. You don't want to hurt his feelings when you tell him that South Florida does not have big waves, so you decide to explain the reason. Think about what you have learned about wave action. Now explain why South Florida does not have high waves. Social Studies Essay Topic People communicate with a variety of signals such as facial expressions, voice inflection, body postures in addition to the words. Sometimes the messages being sent seem contradictory. Think about a time when someone seemed to be sending a contradictory message. Now explain how people can send conflicting messages.