
Expository paragraphs are paragraphs in writing that focus on informing and educating readers with facts. These paragraphs make up most of, if not all of informative writing, such as how-to’s and news articles.
So, while you may think you’re new to the concept, you’ve likely read hundreds of expository paragraphs in online guides and curriculum books, often using expository writing to explain concepts clearly.
Although the term “expository” may sound technical, understanding these paragraphs and their elements is easy, which is the focus of this article.
So, what are expository paragraphs?
What are Expository Paragraphs?
The word “expository” means “to expose” or “intended to explain.” Thus, expository paragraphs are paragraphs that expose and/or explain a topic.
Unlike in creative writing, where a strict paragraph format is not required, expository paragraphs use a structured format to deliver intended information in a logical order for smooth transitioning of ideas, resulting in greater clarity.
The Purpose of Expository Paragraphs
Unlike the other three types of writing — descriptive writing, which describes a subject; narrative writing, which narrates a story; or persuasive writing, which persuades readers to agree with a viewpoint — expository writing only intends to inform and educate readers.
That’s also why writers are supposed to approach a topic from a neutral, objective perspective and use a neutral tone in said writing (which isn’t always the case) to inform and educate readers, and not to do the opposite: misinform. Whereas readers can form their own conclusions based on the transparent information.
Now that we’re familiar with expository paragraphs, let’s go over their elements.
Elements of Expository Paragraphs
A well-composed paragraph isn’t just a cumulation of random sentences. Instead, a well-composed paragraph is made up of different types of sentences that perform different functions. For example, a paragraph focusing on explaining a concept starts with an introductory sentence, which introduces the concept, then moves to a body sentence, which explains the concept, and ends with a concluding sentence, which leaves readers with the key takeaway or a final thought on the topic.
Likewise, an expository paragraph has the same three elements:
- Topic sentence
- Body sentence
- Concluding sentence
1. Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is the first sentence of an expository paragraph. It serves to introduce readers to the topic being discussed in the paragraph along with any categories and elements that’ll be discussed. Let’s see an example:
- Example: “While video games are fun, they can enable a lot of health dangers if played without any check and balance. Studies have found that excessive gaming can lead to health issues, including sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, and addiction. Moreover, prolonged gaming sessions have been associated with physical health problems, including repetitive strain injuries, eye strain, and even visual impairment. Therefore, it's important to engage in gaming responsibly and be aware of these potential risks.”
The first sentence of the example expository paragraph introduces the topic (video games) while specifying it by bending the discussion toward its health dangers. Notice how the sentence first mentions video games being fun using the word “while” to suggest that although video games being fun is true, it is not the topic of discussion. The following sentences then elaborate the topic sentence further.
2. Body Sentence
A body sentence is the explanatory sentence that follows a topic sentence, elaborating on the central idea of the paragraph in detail.
An expository paragraph contains at least one body sentence, and more can be added as needed to fully explain the topic.
Sometimes, a topic sentence introduces different categories of the subject. In such cases, one body sentence should focus on explaining one category at a time.
For example, if a topic sentence introduces writing and its categories: “Writing is a form of communication, and can be divided into four types: expository, narrative, persuasive, and descriptive.”
Each body sentence should explain one writing type in the same order as mentioned in the topic sentence. Additionally, a single category may require more than one body and supporting sentences to be explained properly.
3. Concluding Sentence
A concluding sentence summarizes the main idea to wrap up or conclude the paragraph, giving the key takeaway to readers. For example:
- The concluding sentence after a paragraph about the benefits of reading could be: “Thus, reading regularly not only broadens one’s vocabulary but also helps gain knowledge and broadens one’s perspective.”
Sometimes, the concluding sentence offers a final thought about the topic, signaling its end. It may also entice further thinking about the topic or connect the paragraph’s idea to the broader topic.
Other times, the concluding sentence is replaced by a transition sentence, which transitions the paragraph into the other rather than concluding by hinting at what’s to come in the next paragraph.
However, what a concluding sentence shouldn’t do is introduce new information and start a new topic.
Examples Expository Paragraphs
Below are two examples of expository paragraphs:
Example 1:
Example 2:
These examples illustrate the formatting of expository paragraphs. The habit of structuring your paragraphs in a particular format may seem challenging to get used to at first. But with some practice, you can learn to sort your sentences logically and write well-organized expository sentences naturally, without worrying about the structure and order.
Once you’ve gotten used to writing these sentences, writing expository essays and articles will also become easier.
Steps to Writing Expository Paragraphs
Here are some steps for writing well-composed expository paragraphs:
1. Brain-dump The Topic
Brain-dumping refers to getting ideas out of your head. It’s a technique to put the ideas in your mind in perspective before jumping to a task like writing.
Brain-dumping allows us to brainstorm ideas freely without any judgement before we get mentally stressed mid-work. Since expository writing involves following a structure, not knowing what to write and where to write can be challenging. That’s why the technique can be used to organize your thoughts to avoid these problems.
Here’s how to do it:
After you’ve decided and researched your topic, take a notebook and start writing any idea that comes to your mind about the topic. It could be a specific aspect of the topic/subject you’d want to highlight or the different ways you could write the topic sentence. Just write anything that comes to your mind without worrying about grammar, incomplete sentences and their order, and other mistakes.
2. Write Sentences
After you’ve brain-dumped the ideas, it’s time to compose them into sentences.
Here’s how to do it:
Start writing complete sentences using the ideas you’ve brainstormed. You don’t have to form a paragraph just yet.
In this stage, try to brainstorm the different types of sentences for your expository paragraph: topic sentence, body sentences, and concluding sentence. Consider the following questions:
- How should the topic sentence open?
- How should the body sentence connect to the topic sentence?
- Are my topic and body sentences on point?
- How should the concluding sentence subtly conclude the sentence while not feeling disconnected to the rest of the paragraphs?
After you’ve composed your sentences, move on to drafting.
3. Draft Your First Expository Paragraph
Use the sentences you’ve composed to draft your first expository paragraph. Combine the topic, body, and concluding paragraphs and see if you want to include any more information.
But remember, drafts are not meant to be perfect. So, don’t force perfection.
4. Revise and Refine Your Draft
Revise your draft a few times and see if it explains the topic thoroughly. Afterall, that’s the whole purpose of expository writing.
Revising your draft will help refine it for clarity and conciseness, which are crucial for a well-composed expository paragraph.
Here’s how to do it:
Consider rewriting sentences with bad structures or wordiness. You can also rephrase clunky sentences using Paraphraser.us, an AI paraphrase tool that paraphrases your input text by changing its wording, sentence structures, and voice for greater clarity.
Another way to refine your draft is through your friends’ and seniors’ feedback.
5. Finalize Your Paragraph
Take a final look at your paragraph to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy.
Check for grammatical mistakes, ensure the sentences flow smoothly, and connect well while staying on point, and confirm the paragraph explains the topic thoroughly.
Conclusion
The term “expository” means “to expose” or “intended to explain or describe.” An expository paragraph is the one that informs and educates readers by explaining the topic to them. Expository paragraphs have three elements that make up its format: a topic sentence, which introduces the topic or main idea of the paragraph; one or more body sentences, which extend the topic sentence and explain the main idea or topic in detail; and a concluding sentence, which leaves readers with a key takeaway or final thoughts on the topic.
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