{"id":2226,"date":"2014-07-28T09:00:12","date_gmt":"2014-07-28T16:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?p=2226"},"modified":"2019-04-22T06:32:15","modified_gmt":"2019-04-22T13:32:15","slug":"expository-essay-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/expository-essay-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Expository Essay Advice from a Kibin Editor"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve ever had your work edited by Crystal W.,<\/a> you already know that she’s a genius when it comes to the written word. I sat down with her to find out what makes a good expository essay. Here’s what she has to say.<\/p>\n

In simple terms, what is an expository essay?<\/h2>\n

An expository essay exposes something\u2014no, not that<\/em>\u2014sheesh, get your mind out of the gutter! It lays out all the facts, and only facts, to inform, investigate, evaluate and, in some cases, propose an argument. It\u2019s not an argumentative essay, however. While you can pick a side, it\u2019s not mandatory. The focus is on explaining.<\/p>\n\t

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Stuck on Your Expository Essay?<\/div>\n\t\t\t
Get inspired. Write your essay faster.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes! Show Me Examples.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

You encounter expository writing everywhere\u2014nonfiction books, textbooks, newspaper articles, biographies, online articles, just to name a few. What makes something expository is one key feature: it answers a question. Below are just a handful (or two) of relevant questions.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1.  What is X?<\/li>\n
  2.  How does X work?<\/li>\n
  3.  What does X mean?<\/li>\n
  4.  How are X and Y similar? Different?<\/li>\n
  5.  What\u2019s the connection between X and Y?<\/li>\n
  6.  What is the history of X?<\/li>\n
  7.  How has X evolved?<\/li>\n
  8.  How do you do X?<\/li>\n
  9.  What causes X?<\/li>\n
  10.  What are the effects of X?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    So, for example, you might create one of the following corresponding expository topics:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1.  Down and Dirty in the White House: The Clinton Sex Scandal<\/li>\n
    2.  How Urban Legends Are Born<\/li>\n
    3.  Honey on the Brink: What Bee Extinction Means for the World<\/li>\n
    4.  Why the Internet Turns Everyone Into a Nosey Neighbor<\/li>\n
    5.  Why Cops and Donuts Go Together Like Bread and Butter<\/li>\n
    6.  Wall Street Swindlers: How the Pyramid Scheme Got Started<\/li>\n
    7.  The Evolution of Donald Trump\u2019s Hair<\/li>\n
    8.  How to See Invisible People: Making Introverts Feel Welcome<\/li>\n
    9.  Why a Butterfly Sneezing in Guatemala Might Mean Higher Prices at the Pump<\/li>\n
    10.  Binge or Purge? Effects of Social Media on Daily Life<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What makes for a particularly good expository essay?<\/h2>\n

      A good expository essay sticks to the facts, follows a logical pattern, and teaches readers something they didn\u2019t know\u2014whether it\u2019s how to fix anything with duct tape and WD-40 or learning about dog shaming<\/a>. You should assume your reader has no background knowledge of the topic unless it\u2019s super common knowledge.<\/p>\n

      For example, if you\u2019re comparing and contrasting the superpowers and feats of Batman and Captain America, don\u2019t assume your readers know what each superhero\u2019s powers are or how each has (in theory) saved the world from extinction and utter annihilation.<\/p>\n

      Instead, inform<\/em><\/strong> readers about the powers and major feats, use facts to investigate<\/em><\/strong> how those powers were used, and evaluate <\/em><\/strong>how the use of the powers saved the world. Most importantly, stick to facts you can (and do) prove<\/em><\/strong> by using appropriate resources. <\/strong><\/p>\n

      What makes for a particularly bad expository essay?<\/h2>\n

      If I read your expository essay and you\u2019ve taught me nothing or the information you\u2019ve provided is all subjective and biased, that\u2019s bad\u2014bad like Donald Trump\u2019s wayward (alleged) toupee.<\/p>\n

      Using superheroes again, a bad essay would provide only subjective support. Since your goal is simply to inform, you don\u2019t need to convince someone why Batman or Captain America is the best superhero in the galaxy. So avoid writing subjective information like “Batman is way better than Captain America.”<\/p>\n

      Assumptions also create a particularly bad expository essay. Assume nothing, and describe every step or element. If you\u2019re explaining a process\u2014how to shame your dog online, for example\u2014don\u2019t assume readers know what takes place. You will need to explain what \u201cdog shaming\u201d is, that they should write a note about their dog\u2019s bad behavior and take a photo of the dog proudly showcasing the note, and where to submit the picture of their unapologetic pooch.<\/p>\n