MA.

HOANG NU MINH CHAU

What is an expository paragraph?
 An expository paragraph is a paragraph that explains, analyzes the
topic and shows connections within that information.
 It typically focuses on the questions of what, how, and/or why. As a
result, expository writing is found in most academic disciplines.

NOTE:
 Expository writing does not tell a story.
 Expository writing does not persuade a reader but only gives facts,
reasons and details.
 Where can an expository paragraph
be found?
 Academic disciplines: psychology, literature analysis, biology, chemistry,
health and sociology, etc.
 Magazines
 Newspapers
 Internet
 Self-help books
 “How to” articles
 Information on a health condition
…
 Topics of an expository paragraph?
What can be the topics of an expository paragraph?

 Explain the impact of different music genres on society.

 Explain the likely consequences of skipping classes.
 What's the best way to choose which college activities to be involved in as a
freshman?
 How can a student survive the first few weeks of college?
 How to get scholarships for college.
 What effect does social media have on interpersonal relationships?
 Which technological change has had the largest effect on life in our country? Why?
 What does it mean to have an OCD? How can you recognize it? How can it be
overcome?
Expository Organization
 Topic Sentence
- Introduces and explains the topic.
- Without a clear topic sentence, the writer may tend to ramble and have
difficulty deciding what information to include because the paper has no
clear focus.
 Supporting Sentences
- Give details and explanations to support the controlling idea.
- Writers use precise supporting details to elaborate the topic, such as statistics,
examples, comparisons, analogies, directions, anecdotes, and others.
 Concluding Sentence
- Restates the main ideas
Topic Sentence
The purpose of the topic sentence is to ask the writer to decide:
 “What am I going to prove?”
 “What am I going to explain?”
 “What information will I share?”

Supporting Details
 When writing supporting details, consider these three steps: You
should make your POINT, then PROVE it with examples, etc., and then
EXPLAIN or ANALYZE how it relates to the point you made in your
topic sentence.
Let’s Practice!
Write topic sentences for these topics:

1. What's the best way to choose which college activities to be involved in

as a freshman?
2. How can a student survive the first few weeks of college?
3. Which technological change has had the largest effect on life in our
country? Why?
4. What does it mean to have an OCD? How can you recognize it? How
can it be overcome?
Brainstorming and Outlining
Complete an outline

Topic Sentence - Topic + Controlling Idea

Supporting Sentences - Idea 1:

• Analysis or explanation of your idea and how it
relates to your topic
- Idea 2:
• Analysis or explanation of your idea and how it
relates to your topic
…

Concluding Sentence - Restate the topic

NOTES!
 Expository writing should use a clear, concise, logical and informative
language.
 Make use of transitional words/phrases to connect the ideas in the
expository paragraph.
 Include citations at the end of the paper if your paragraph contains any
quotations, sayings, ideas, etc. from another author.
 Review and edit your writing after you have finished your draft.