Knowing how to start an expository essay can be tricky to many students, but given the right formula it becomes much easier. If you’re struggling with getting started on your next exposition essay assignment, don’t worry — we’ve got some great tips to help you out get started.
- State the parts of an expository essay and their functions in a quick sentence or two at the top of your draft paper.
- Sketch out a thesis statement that is broad enough to cover all of your points and narrow enough to hold up throughout the course of your paper (you will likely revise this as you go).
- Organize your thoughts by mapping them onto a list, such as this one for ‘Parts of an Expository Essay’: Introduction; Background/Rising Action; Body; Climax; Resolution.
- Start writing! Tackle your introduction last, pulling in bits and pieces from the rest of your essay to create a strong opening.
Overview of the starting process
In order to write a successful expository essay, it is important to understand the four basic parts of this type of paper. These parts are: introduction, background or rising action, body, and resolution or climax.
- Introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic of the essay. The introduction should include such elements as: hook (clue to reader about topic) and thesis (controversial statement that must be supported by evidence).
- Background or rising action: The background provides important information about the topic without giving away the ending. The background or rising action provides important information that readers need to know in order to better understand your argument. It generally begins with a sentence that explains what you will talk about and gives an example of it.
- Body: The body is where the bulk of the work is done, with each paragraph providing a different point. The body includes supporting points, which can either be in paragraph form or organized using numbers and letters, etc., depending on your preference.
- Resolution or climax: The resolution or climax is the final main idea of the essay and often comes in the form of a conclusion sentence. The resolution or climax is the final step you want the reader to take after reading your expository paper; it can be a suggestion, recommendation, or simply a statement of fact.
- Conclusion: The conclusion ties up any loose ends and re-establishes your thesis for the reader. It is not necessary to include new information in the conclusion; rather, it should be a succinct summary of what has been discussed.
Now that you know how to write an expository essay, let us now review the complete process of writing an expository essay introductions which is a core part of learning how to start an expository essay.
How to start an expository essay
Starting to write an expository essay can be difficult if you are not sure where to begin. The following guide will help you through the process.
Brainstorming
The first stage is to brainstorm . Write down all of your ideas on a piece of paper, don’t worry about how messy it is or whether they make sense at this point. Keep writing until you have come up with roughly six examples for each part of the question (make sure that there is enough variety). You may find that some ideas work better than others do – these are the ones you should be concentrating on in later stages (make a note of which ones they are). Also, look out for any obvious examples that come directly to mind; these can be useful as introductory sentences or for giving more detail.
Choose a topic and generate ideas
Some topics lend themselves more easily to different types of essay. For example, if you are asked to write about the increasing cost of university education, you have a choice between writing an informative or argumentative piece. In general, if the question is trying to elicit examples then it should work well for an informative paragraph. However, if there is no obvious point that you want to argue then stick with the descriptive approach – don’t force yourself into being argumentative just because you have been asked to do so! If in doubt, it can often be better to go for something less common (e.g., ‘a recent survey showed…’), as this will make your writing stand out from other exam essays.
Don’t underestimate the importance of good quality research-based evidence. Poorly researched, unsubstantiated opinions will not impress your marker and can even be counter-productive if they happen to support the other side of the argument!
Structure
After you have generated your ideas, decide on a structure. Make sure that each paragraph has something relevant to say about your chosen topic and relates back to it rather than just being a random collection of examples – after all, how can an examiner be expected to assign marks if he or she doesn’t know what point you are trying to make?
Introductory paragraph
The introductory paragraph should set the scene and introduce the topic. It might be helpful to think of it as a ‘roadmap’ for the essay – this is what your reader will be looking for in order to understand where you are going with the argument. If you are writing about an opinion-based topic, then it is also worth introducing your own point of view at this stage (although you don’t have to necessarily state it as fact).
Body paragraphs
Each essay body paragraph should focus on one specific example that supports your argument. Don’t try to include everything that you have written down – this will only confuse the issue. Stick to the most relevant points and try to phrase them in a way that is interesting to read. In general, it is better to be positive rather than negative and avoid using words like ‘but’.
Conclusion
The conclusion should sum up your argument and state clearly whether you agree or disagree with the issue and why. If you have written an informative essay then it would also be a good idea to include some practical information that readers may find useful (e.g., further reading).
Note: It can often take quite a long time for ideas to start flowing so don’t get disheartened if they aren’t immediately forthcoming! The important thing is just to keep writing – it’s easier to sort things out later than it is in the middle of an exam. And remember that controversial research topics are much more likely to result in interesting essays – so embrace the challenge!
The best way to learn how to start an expository essay is practice. So why not start by trying one on a subject that you’re already familiar with? It can be anything from a recent news event to a personal experience. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, try tackling a more challenging topic. With a little effort practice, you’ll be able to write an expository essay in no time!
Effective tips when starting an expository essay
Now that you know the basics of expository essays, here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose a topic that interests you. This will make it easier to write about and ensure that your essay is engaging.
- Make sure your thesis statement is clear and concise.
- Support your thesis statement with evidence from credible sources.
- Write in a clear and concise manner. Use simple language that is easy to understand.
- Be sure to proofread your essay for grammar mistakes and errors.