‘Expository’ is a synonym of ‘explanatory.’ An expository essay or article, thus, is a piece of writing that explains or informs. It is meant to be based on fact and free of the writer’s prejudices. Opinion is often expressed, but only if it is backed by fact. For example, if someone asked you to write an essay on the causes of World War II, you would write about Germany’s losses in World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Hitler led Nazism. In other words, everything would be based on verifiable fact – an expository essay.
The expository writing process is centered on four activities:
Generate a rough idea or hypothesis (your thesis).
Find evidence to back up this idea.
Expound on the idea.
Present an argument to back up the idea.
Note: you must incorporate at least one external source and cite it correctly, including both in-text citations and a work cited list.
Topic Suggestions for your Essay:
Explore how obesity affects a nation’s productivity and economy.
What were the direct and indirect causes of World War II?
What are the long-term effects of global warming, especially its estimated impact on coastal cities.
What is your favorite retail business (Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.)? Describe to a layman how this business was started, what products it sells, how it makes money, and what are its best qualities.
Describe the evolution of communication in the last 20 years since the advent of the internet.
What is your favorite poem or short story? Explore and analyze its salient features in an essay.
What is a serious public health concern that you believe does not get enough attention? Describe this problem in detail. Back up your arguments with appropriate research.
Why is diversity in a workplace important?
What are the causes and effects of not voting in the elections?
What steps would you take to buy a new computer? Describe the process in-detail.
Essays must be 500 – 750 words in length, double spaced and typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Essays must incorporate sources accurately, according to MLA format and include a work cited list.