Expository Essays
SOME GUIDANCE
Introduction Paragraph and Thesis
 Your introductory paragraph must always
have a clear, efficient and firm thesis as the
first sentence of your essay.
 Thesis=first sentence of essay!
 Thesis=demonstrates something you
intend to prove.
 Thesis=a statement that is clear, efficient
and provable.
Introduction Paragraph and Thesis
For example, if the essay prompt is:
How has the introduction and use of the USA
PATRIOT Act diminished or strengthened the
freedoms of U.S. Citizens from 2001 to the present?
A possible thesis could be:
Certain tactics used by federal agencies to implement
the U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act have diminished civil rights
of U.S. citizens.
Introduction Paragraph and Thesis
 After your thesis is established clearly and
efficiently the rest of your introductory
paragraph should:
[1] Include several [3-5] examples that you
intend to use to prove your thesis.
[2] Simplified and brief descriptions [1-2
sentences] explaining how each example will
prove your thesis.
Introduction Paragraph and Thesis
Level 5 Thesis and Introduction paragraph
Thesis
Supporting
sentences
of the
introductory
paragraph
will include
specific
examples [at
least 3] to
support
thesis].
Certain tactics used by federal agencies to implement the U.S.A.
P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act have diminished civil rights of U.S. citizens. The
use of National Security Letters [NSLs] by U.S. intelligence agencies
such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation [F.B.I.] and [Central
Intelligence Agency [C.I.A.] to acquire potentially valuable
information related to terrorists was unconstitutional. Recipients of
NSLs were forbidden from publicly disclosing [gag orders] types of
information requested by U.S. intelligence agencies. Such requests
prompted lawsuits by NSL recipients citing free speech violations of
the First Amendment. Secondly, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act [FISA] courts issued secret warrants to U.S. intelligence
agencies granting authority to search financial, educational and
property records to detect possible links to terrorism. As a result of
these secret searches many U.S. citizens believed Fourth
Amendment privacy rights were violated. Thirdly, the use of
indefinite detentions of suspected terrorists has undermined the
moral position of the U.S. The hypocrisy of indefinitely detaining
so-called enemy combatants has contradicted protections
guaranteed by the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Body and Content Paragraphs
 Your body paragraphs must begin with clear and
efficient topic sentences.
 The topic sentences will let the reader know how
the body paragraphs will prove [help support]
your thesis.
 You must have clear fact-based examples within
each body paragraph that will explicitly provide
an understanding of how your facts prove your
thesis.
What to avoid in your body paragraphs?
 Vague statements that have little to no meaning and
do not help to prove your thesis.
 Generalizations such as…
 All U.S. citizens are faithful to their country.
 How can anyone possibly know if all U.S. citizens are
indeed faithful to their country?
 Stick to what you can prove with facts!
 Avoid pronouns such as he, they, we, us, them
[Who are these mysterious people?]
Concluding Paragraphs
 Your concluding paragraph must serve as a way
to remind the reader(s) of how you have proved
your thesis throughout the essay.
 You should restate your thesis in the most
efficient and clearest way possible [you may
restate your original thesis but should narrow it
even further].
 Cite and summarize the most important
examples [2-3] that you believe best help to
prove your thesis.
Additional Thoughts and Suggestions
 Opinions are important and they are highly
encouraged.
 If you wish to share and opinion be sure to
support it with a clear, well reasoned, fact-based
argument.
 If you do not your opinion is basically considered
worthless for the purposes of including it in a
formal essay.
 Proof reading your work is very important [do it
3, 4, 5, 6 times in order to remove errors and
create clarity in your writing].