Expository Essay: Four Essential Rules Beginners Should Know

Defining expository essays, it can be stated that such essays provide an area of generally accepted knowledge, rather than opinions and debatable views. In that regard, expository essay is a collection of facts, which is connected to a common topic and a purpose.

Expository essays can be in the form of process description, how-to lists, instructions, description of subjects or events, etc. Being an expository essay in itself, this article provides basic rules and guidelines for writing such essays.

The main purpose of an expository essay is explanation, and thus, the format and the structure of the essay might vary in accordance to the selected theme, topic and purpose, e.g. instruction of a process will differ from a description of an event. Nevertheless, even with variations there are accepted guidelines in such essays. Some guidelines include the following:

• The narration perspective is in second person, i.e. you should address the reader as you in the essay.

• Do not express personal opinion in expository essay. It can be assumed that an exception can be made in case the writer of the essay contributed to the subject he/she is describing, but nevertheless, if that is true, such contribution should be presented as a fact rather than an opinion.

• The expository essay should have a main point or a thesis, which should express the main purpose of writing the essay. For example, if the expository essay is the answer to a particular question, then a short answer would be considered as the main thesis of the essay.

• Follow the general accepted rules of essay, in terms of clarity, organization, format, citation, etc. Expository essays are not different in other typical essays requirements, and thus you should follow them as well.

It can be concluded that even not knowing the correct definition of expository essay, most likely you already wrote one. Thus, the aforementioned rules should help you in framing the essay under accepted norms and standards in writing.