Expository Essays
Analyze the Question
Determine the task asked of you. Make sure you understand all aspects of the question. This
includes an understanding of any categories given within the question that you should frame
your response around.
Pay attention to every word in the question. Look carefully at any conjunction in the question.
Does the question ask you to “compare and contrast” or does the question ask you to
“compare or contrast”. Underline the directive verb in the question (explain, evaluate, or
analyze) and do your best to make sure that the definition of this verb matches what you have
assumed is your task.
All questions have one thing in common, they demand analysis of historical evidence. A
question is never satisfactorily answered by simply reporting information. If you think that you
can write an essay without making some judgment on the issue, you have not understood the
question.
Collect, Sort, Outline
Once you understand the question, brainstorm what you know about the topic (people,
documents, issues, battles, social changes, Supreme Court cases, etc.). List everything; then
categorize according to the categories given within the question. If no categories are given,
organize in some meaningful way, such as political, social, and economic.
Make a working thesis, a general answer to the prompt.
Outlining is important in the pre-writing stage. It focuses attention on organization of material.
Anticipate counterarguments. Consider arguments that are against your thesis, not to prove
them, but to show you are award of opposing viewpoints. The strongest essays confront
conflicting evidence.
In General
Avoid words like bad, good, big, small, huge (inexact and too subjective), terms such as alot, and usage
of “I” or “My.”
The five-paragraph essay is the expected form of organization.
Be careful of generalizations and unsubstantiated statements (don’t leave undeveloped thoughts or
arguments on the table.)
Thesis
Your brief answer to the prompt given. Your thesis should take a stand on an issue or historical
problem. The simple formula for a thesis is what you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it.
Introductory Paragraph
Establish relevant background information, i.e., time and place (setting). Define your key terms
or those terms that are vague or controversial (effective, liberal, revolutionary, etc.)
In general, work from broad to specific. The most specific sentence will be the last sentence of
your introduction – the thesis statement. Your thesis will provide your response to the prompt.
If possible, avoid restating the prompt as your thesis.
Body Paragraph
Begin each paragraph of the body with a topic sentence that points back to your thesis
sentence. Every sentence that follows within a paragraph should relate to and support the
main idea of that topic sentence. Make sure the order of your body paragraphs matches the
order established in your thesis statement.
Within the body of your essay it is up to you to prove your arguments. Tell how or why the
thing happened. Provide factual information to prove your thesis. Each set of facts that
supports a category (either self-determined or given) should be in a separate paragraph.
Evidence should be used, such as data (facts and figures) or authority (what historians know, or
think they know). Evidence is detailed information that gives the reader reason to believe what
you tell them. All generalizations and assertions should be supported by facts.
If necessary, use structural indicators (first, in the second place, etc.) and use transitional
devices between body paragraphs.
Conclusion
The conclusion should focus on the thesis. Restate the thesis in a fresh and interesting manner
or explain its significance. Do not introduce new evidence.