BLENDED LEARNING I

ELC231
INTEGRATED LANGUAGE
SKILLS III
Expository Essay
Expository writing
 is a form of writing that provides explanations, reasons, or steps of a
process
 is informational writing
 basically has three different main points
 follows a logical sequence and coherence
FORMAT OF AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph

Body Paragraphs

Concluding Paragraph
Introductory Paragraph
 Provides an overview of the topic in a form of an attention-grabber
 Some methods that can be used: Asking questions, using quotations and
using anecdotes
 Provides some background information leading to a thesis statement
 Provides a clear and complete thesis statement containing three main
ideas to be developed in the essay
Samples of Attention-Grabber
• Asking Questions
Do you know what is inline skating? Have you tried it before? Actually,
inline skating is a thrilling form of exercise which is making a
comeback from the 70’s era. Beginner skaters may have difficulties to
stay upright initially; however, constant practise, will make them
develop the dexterity to skate with ease. If you like to try a new form of
fitness that challenges your body and mind, inline skating should be
considered as it is a low-impact cardiovascular exercise, it strengthens
muscles, and improves balance.
Samples of Introductory Paragraph
• Using Quotation
No pain, no gain. All of us have heard of the expression. If you ask any
celebrities who have lean, toned and beautiful bodies, what have they
done to sculpt their bodies, most would say that they do some form of
exercises like power yoga, weight lifting, running, bicycling and etc. to
gain those bodies. In fact, most of them spend hours or minimum of
three times a week to perform any types of exercises. Thus, besides
having beautiful bodies, exercising regularly helps you to combat
diseases, improves mood and boost your energy.
Samples of Introductory Paragraph
• Using anecdotes
Every time I passed the weight lifting area, I felt envious at those strong,
muscular women pumping the iron. After several times, I picked up the courage
to seek the help of a personal trainer to teach me the ropes of weightlifting. Alas,
just within two months I could see the results that I had been wishing for –
leaner and stronger me! So, what is weightlifting? It is a form of strength
training that uses weights as resistance to challenge the muscles to adapt and
become stronger. Although many associate weightlifting with ripped
bodybuilders or Arnold Schwarzenegger, the National Centre for Health
Statistics states that weightlifting has actually many benefits for women’s health
such as builds strong bones, reduces stress and helps women lose weight faster.
Body Paragraphs – Use strong explanations and specific details to
support thesis statement and ends with a concluding or transition
sentence.
Elements of a Body Paragraph:
 Topic Sentence

 Explanations

 Specific details or examples

 Concluding/ Transition Sentence

 Sample of Body Paragraphs
Topic: Benefits of regular exercise
The first benefit of regular exercise is it helps to combat diseases. For
example, high blood pressure. When you exercise you can increase
(HDL) which is high-density lipoprotein, or what is known as "good,"
cholesterol. This also reduces “bad” cholesterol or unhealthy
triglycerides. As a result, your blood flows smoothly, decreasing your
probability of getting cardiovascular diseases. In general, regular
exercising helps you to avoid several types of diseases like arthritis,
stroke, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Meanwhile, the other benefit of regular exercising is it improves your
mood. Whenever, you feel stressed at your workplace and in need to
blow off some steam, doing some kickboxing or any vigorous physical
activity can really help. This is because when you exercise, various
brain chemicals are stimulated making you feel happier and more
relaxed. In addition, looking at your toned, improved appearance may
make you feel good about yourself and enhance your self-confidence
and self-esteem. In short, it improves your overall mood as well.
The last benefit of exercising is it boosts energy. Although many claim
that they are too tired to exercise, what they do not realise is that when
they do exercise, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to their tissues
smoothly and because of this their cardiovascular system can work
more efficiently. This means that people who exercise will have more
energy to go about their daily chores when their heart and lungs have
the ability to function efficiently. Indeed, exercising enhances energy.
Transition Signals
• As you write your introductory and body paragraphs , you have to
make sure the ideas are linked logically and coherently with transition
signals.
• Some examples of transition signals are :
In fact, thus, the first, for example, as a result, in general, meanwhile,
the second benefit, this, in addition, the last and although
Concluding paragraph - Sums up main ideas and provide
conclusive thought of the essay

Elements of Concluding Paragraph

 Restate the thesis statement
 Recap main ideas of the body paragraphs
 Ends the paragraph by giving recommendations, using quotes or
predicting future scenario
Samples of Concluding Paragraphs
 Giving recommendations
To sum up, most people make excuses for not exercising regularly;
however, if they can really understand the importance of exercising
regularly to their health, they may think twice about this. What
people can do as a start is to just start walking for at least ten
minutes a day. They can do this during lunch time or even walk to
their colleagues’ workstation. In short, they have to start somewhere
if they want to reap the benefits of exercising.
Samples of Concluding Paragraphs
 Using quotes
In short, the benefits of exercising regularly are numerous. Not
only it has health benefits but it also helps people improve their
confidence and self-esteem. So people should stop making
excuses and follow what Nike says “ Just Do It”.
Samples of Concluding Paragraphs
 Predicting the future scenario
In conclusion, many people need to understand the importance of
exercising regularly. Everywhere, they can see the effects of not
wanting to exercise on a regular basis as obesity can lead to a
wide range of diseases, stress and ailments. What will happen
to the future generation? Are we going to let our grandchildren
inherit our lazy habits and unhealthy lifestyles? If this happens,
they might not be able to see their own grandchildren.
References
 Michael, G.R.D. et al. (2010) EAP Crossing Borders, Petaling Jaya:
Longman, Pearson
 Siew et.al. (2009) Getting Ahead with English, Shah Alam : Marshall
Cavendish
 Practice
 1) Choose one of the topics given and write an introduction.
 2) Choose one of the topics given and write a conclusion.
 3) Choose one of the topics and write one of the points for the body
of the essays.
 4) Choose one of the topics and write an expository essay.
 Topics for expository essays
 1. Benefits of recycling waste
 2. Effects of social networking to university students
 3. Effects of global warming to the environment
 4. Benefits of health education programmes
 5. Homelessness in urban areas
 6. Eating disorders
 (Lecturers can add other topics)
 Links
 https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/how-to-write-an-expositor
y-essay/
 https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/17-expository-essay-topics
/
 https://www.sbcc.edu/clrc/files/wl/downloads/StructureofaGeneralEx
positoryEssay.pdf
 https://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/expository-essay/
 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/02/
 https://essaypro.com/blog/expository-essay/
 Links
 https://edusson.com/blog/how-to-create-expository-essay-outline
 www.cambridge.org/download_file/586172/0/
 https://prezi.com/jsz1l9_hzyqp/expository-essay-guidelines-ronniekot
ob/