Expository Essays
Intended to explain, inform, illustrate,
or define
Format
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Introduction
Two or more body paragraphs
Conclusion
Two body paragraphs=four paragraph essay
Three body paragraphs=five paragraph essay
Introduction
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An introduction should be at least four sentences long.
It should move from broad to specific.
It contains (one sentence each):
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Attention Grabber – general, 1+ sentence(s)
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ask a question, state an alarming fact, problem, or statistic, define an
important word, or use a quote—HOOK!
Background Info – narrows the focus (when dealing with
literature, include author and title)
Central/Controlling Idea – what the essay should prove
Thesis Statement – how your essay is organized in order to
prove your central idea
Body Paragraphs
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A body paragraph expands the topic. This is where you
explain, inform, illustrate, or define.
It contains:
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Topic Sentence
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Major Support
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Transition
Major Support
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Minor Support
 Commentary
Minor Support
 Commentary
Minor Support
 Commentary
Minor Support
 Commentary
Transition
Concluding Sentence
Topic Sentence
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one statement; particular point from the thesis; how
you will support the central idea (not a simple
fact/quote/summary)
First sentence
main point
DOES NOT:
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Contain direct quotations
Contain a rhetorical question
Summarize the plot
State a fact
Example Topic Sentence
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Atticus Finch is a character in the novel To Kill a
Mockingbird.
Atticus Finch is a courageous character in the
novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Major Support
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support for the topic sentence
Answers: “How is my topic sentence true?”
“What makes my topic sentence valid?” or “Why
is my topic sentence true?”
DOES NOT
Contain direct quotations
 State a fact (instead, explain)
 Summarize the plot
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Minor Support
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SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
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textual evidence or quotes, examples, facts, details,
etc.
Must have lead-in
Must make sense
Should support the topic sentence fully
DOES NOT
Summarize
 Appear without commentary
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Commentary
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Analyze the minors
Explain the minors in relation to your assertion
in the topic sentence (“So what?” and “Why is
this important?”)
See notes on lead-ins and citations for ideas of
what to write
Commentary DOES NOT:
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Summarize Contain direct quotations
Use “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” or “In my
opinion”
Repeat the major support
Restate something that can be found directly in
the text
Explain lessons the characters learn
Paraphrase minor supports
Transition
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words/phrases/clauses which link ideas Makes
the paragraph easier to read
Flows
Not formulaic (first, second, third, next, finally,
in conclusion)
Concluding Sentence
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Restates the topic sentence CREATIVELY
sense of closure
DOES NOT:
Contain direct quotations
 Contain a rhetorical question
 Summarize
 Give new information
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Conclusion
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sense of closure and completion
It contains:
Restating the Thesis –different words to bring the
reader back to the overall point
 Referring to Main Points –usually major supports
 Strong Closing Statement – satisfying and powerful
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Things to Avoid in Essays
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Do not speak directly to your audience (do not
use second person—you). Do not give a moral
to the story or tell them what they should take
away from your essay.
Do not end with a question.
Do not use first person (I, me)
Do not use contractions. Write them out.