{"id":2241,"date":"2020-02-24T09:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T17:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/blog\/?p=2241"},"modified":"2020-02-24T09:53:33","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T17:53:33","slug":"expository-essay-outline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kibin.com\/essay-writing-blog\/expository-essay-outline\/","title":{"rendered":"Use This Expository Essay Outline to Stop Procrastinating"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you spent the afternoon surfing the \u2018net and checking every social media app in existence just to avoid working on your expository essay? Are you spending more time procrastinating<\/a> than you are writing?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s okay. I can\u2019t blame you\u2014writing an expository essay can be frustrating. It doesn\u2019t have to be that difficult, though. All you need is a gentle push in the right direction. That\u2019s what I\u2019m here for.<\/p>\n

In this post, I\u2019ll show you how to write an expository essay outline. I\u2019ve even included a downloadable outline template you can use to create your own outline.<\/p>\n

But Wait … What\u2019s an Expository Essay?<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s a great question. Sadly, the answer is probably a bit more vague than you want it to be. An expository essay is a catch-all category that describes any essay<\/a> where you thoroughly expose the inner workings of a topic and teach the reader something new<\/i>.<\/p>\n

In fact, this blog post could be considered an informal<\/i> expository essay.<\/p>\n

Usually, your teacher will ask you to write an expository essay to prove that you have done your research<\/a> on a subject. Your goal is to effectively explain what a reader needs to know about the topic and answer relevant and interesting questions.<\/p>\n

For the purpose of this blog post, let\u2019s say we’re writing an expository essay on the effects of social media on daily life. (I grabbed this idea straight from Crystal\u2019s blog post about expository writing<\/a>\u2014if you haven\u2019t read it yet, you should hop over there now. I\u2019ll wait).<\/p>\n

My goal in this expository essay is to expose interesting information about the topic through the revelation of factual evidence<\/i>.<\/p>\n

To avoid the daunting stare of the blank page and to ensure your information is organized, always start with an outline.<\/p>\n

Expository Essay Outline Structure<\/h2>\n

There is more than one way to pattern an expository essay,<\/a> including sequential, cause and effect<\/a>, compare and contrast<\/a>, spatial, topical, and many other patterns.<\/p>\n

Since we\u2019re writing about the effects of social media<\/a>, we\u2019ll use a cause and effect pattern<\/b> for this example. (Remember, just because you\u2019re using a cause and effect pattern, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that you\u2019ll need to focus on both causes and<\/i> effects. Check your assignment guidelines<\/a> to see what your teacher requires.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the general structure will look for this sample outline:<\/p>\n

1. INTRODUCTION<\/b><\/p>\n

A. Hook
\nB. Background
\nC. Thesis<\/p>\n

2. FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH<\/b><\/p>\n

A. Main idea 1
\nB. Evidence to support main idea 1
\nC. Evidence to support main idea 1
\nD. Analysis<\/p>\n

3. BODY PARAGRAPH 2<\/b><\/p>\n

A. Main idea 2
\nB. Evidence to support main idea 2
\nC. Evidence to support main idea 2
\nD. Analysis<\/p>\n

4. BODY PARAGRAPH 3<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/b>A. Main idea 3
\nB. Evidence to support main idea 3
\nC. Evidence to support main idea 3
\nD. Analysis<\/p>\n

5. CONCLUSION<\/b><\/p>\n

A. Restate or summarize your thesis or focus
\nB. Discuss the larger significance\/implications of topic or reveal unanswered questions<\/p>\n

Here’s a graphic in case you’d like a visual reminder to follow along with:<\/p>\n

Now, keep reading to see what a sample outline might look like with the details filled in.<\/p>\n

Expository Essay Outline: Introductory Paragraph<\/h2>\n

Hook<\/h3>\n

Start with a<\/b> hook sentence<\/b><\/a> to get your readers\u2019 attention<\/b>. Remember, your hook<\/a> should be both interesting and directly related to your topic.<\/p>\n

My hook might look something like this:<\/p>\n

Is social media ruining people\u2019s lives?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By posing such a salient question right off the bat, I’m encouraging readers to continue reading.<\/p>\n

(What if it is <\/i><\/b>ruining lives?!)<\/p>\n

Background<\/h3>\n

Provide background and context for the topic.<\/b> Don\u2019t assume <\/i>your readers<\/a> know anything about social media or its effects (as one of my English professors once taught me, to assume<\/i> makes an ass<\/i> out of u<\/i> and me<\/i>).<\/p>\n

For example, I might include the following as background:<\/p>\n

Social media allows people to connect online, keep in touch with family and friends, market themselves, or connect with customers. With the abundance of social media platforms\u2014such as Twitter, SnapChat, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook (to name a few)\u2014people can spend countless hours in virtual connectivity.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thesis statement<\/h3>\n

Write a clear, focused thesis statement.<\/b> The thesis statement is like a roadmap to your paper. It’s where you get to the point of your essay.<\/p>\n

My thesis statement<\/a> might be something like this:<\/p>\n

Even though social media can be a great tool to connect with others, most people don\u2019t realize how much social media interferes with their daily lives.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(If your expository essay takes an argumentative<\/a> stance, you might want to check out these examples of argumentative thesis statements<\/a> with a more serious tone<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

What exactly your thesis statement might look like depends a lot on what your prof requires, obviously. But it also depends on the exact type of expository essay you’re writing and the scope of your topic. Make sure you get the structure right by considering any thesis statement myths it might be okay to ignore<\/a> for your specific essay.<\/p>\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
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
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\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

Expository Essay Outline: Body Paragraphs<\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019ve caught your readers\u2019 attention, brought them up to speed on the basics, and laid out your thesis statement, your body paragraphs are set up to offer a deeper investigation into the topic of your essay.<\/p>\n

The exact number of body paragraphs you incorporate will depend entirely on the parameters of your assignment and\/or topic. My example includes three body paragraphs.<\/p>\n

Each body paragraph should include the following elements:<\/b><\/p>\n