How to Conquer the Expository Essay

Technology has vastly changed the educational landscape. Tablets, easy internet access and learning management systems (LMS) have altered the way teachers present new material and the way students process it. Nevertheless, some things about formal schooling show no signs of changing. Students will always have to read and write. They will always be taught certain basics in math and history. And, at least as things currently stand, they will always have to write the expository essay.

The expository essay is both loved and hated in the education world. Some say it teaches the fundamentals of writing, instilling the central abilities to analyze, interpret and tie everything together. Others criticize expository essays as limiting and formulaic, arguing that they restrict students' writing and breed generations of young people who have no love for the art.

Whatever your opinion, the expository essay can be conquered. By understanding its structure and following a few key steps, there's no reason why you can't excel on your expository assignment, whether you love it or hate it. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

The thesis is everything

The most important part of writing a successful expository essay is coming up with a strong, clear thesis statement. The thesis must be arguable, you must be able to support it with evidence, and that evidence must be able to be broken down into body paragraphs. Ultimately, every element of the essay revolves around the thesis: the introduction builds to it, the body paragraphs together support it, and the conclusion considers its implications.

Build body paragraphs around your evidence

Whether your essay discusses a work of literature or a political controversy, you'll want to break it down into pieces of evidence that support your argument. When planning a body paragraph, build it around that paragraph's key piece of evidence:

1. Set up the evidence with a sentence beforehand.
2. Present the evidence.
3. Explain it with a sentence or two afterward.
4. Add a topic sentence and a concluding sentence that connect the evidence to the surrounding paragraphs and to the thesis.

Separate yourself from the rest

If you're writing the essay for a class, there's a good chance you'll come up with a solid thesis, decent supporting paragraphs and a perfectly acceptable conclusion, just like many of your classmates. To truly stand out, make your transitions as smooth as possible and your conclusion as strong and far-reaching as you can.

For example, organize your paragraphs so that they naturally lead to seamless transitions, and don't be afraid to discuss the larger implications of your argument at the end of your conclusion. It also helps to have a wide repertoire of transition words and phrases to draw from. Done right, this will greatly strengthen your essay.

There are many other ways to improve your skills as an expository writer. Although it is sometimes a boring and formulaic approach, the expository assignment certainly forces you to think about structure, and in any piece of writing, structure is an important component to consider. For more general advice, see how to write an essay.