Lecture 3: Expository Essay Assigned

EXPOSITORY WRITING ASSIGNMENT

Writing Situation: The notion behind expository writing is that the writer attempts to expose or reveal information that the reader is not likely to know. Your primary goal, then, is to explain a concept. Your objective in this essay is to demonstrate your proficiency at using well-chosen examples of various types. You will be expected to refer to your lecture notes, your textbooks and the class blog as resources for your writing.

Assignment: As we write well when we write about what we know, this essay subject should be about something on which you are an expert. Explain your topic to your audience (instructor, fellow students) through a variety of clear, well chosen examples. There is no requirement in this essay to include references or other evidence in support of your topic. Choose any topic you like.



If your creative well is dry, consider one of these topics:

• Traveling can broaden one's outlook.

• A good book beats a bad vacation.

• Computer skills are essential for any job in the 21st century.

• Cats are smarter than many people.

• Sick people ought to stay home.

• People eat the strangest things.

• Generation gaps do not really exist.

Organising and Structuring your Essay:

1. Introductory Paragraph: Begin your expository essay by raising the audience’s interest in the introductory paragraph with an anecdotal example (or another hook to get your reader interested). While using anecdotes is not the only method of building an introductory paragraph, it is fundamentally easy and an effective strategy for connecting with your audience. In the very last sentence of your introductory paragraph, state your expository thesis. Usually expository thesis statements, like the sample topics above, are expressed in the form of an opinion/claim. Yours should be stated in the form of an opinion/claim as well.

Feel free to e-mail me or meet with me to discuss your expository thesis.

2. Main Body Section: • In the main body of your essay, you must use 3-4 general examples. (Depending on your topic, you might also think of these general examples as “reasons”.) Each of these 3-4 general examples must be developed in a separate paragraph. Within each of these 3-4 paragraphs, employ the various types of specific, supportive examples discussed both in your textbook and in the class lecture (especially the one on paragraphs).

• Apply some organising principle (chronological, ascending or descending importance)

• Be sure that you constantly keep your expository thesis statement in mind, as that is the concept or opinion that you are trying to explain and illustrate to your audience.

3. Concluding Paragraph: Your concluding paragraph should clearly bring the essay to a close. You can use another anecdotal example, or you may use any other way to emphasise your main point in the essay. Remember not to simply restate your thesis statement.

• Page length: Your essay must be between 2 ½ and 3 typed, double-spaced pages. Remember to title your essay uniquely. Don’t call it the “Expository Essay Assignment”.

• Audience: your instructor, other college and university students. If you use any niche terms or particularly unusual examples you will need to explain them.

• Writing Mode: primarily expository; optional analysis.

• Purpose: to practise the skill of supporting claims with examples; to inform and explain.

• Style Guidelines: Remember, your paper must follow the basic conventions of standard Canadian written English (correct mechanics, usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure etc…) and MLA style if you do any referencing.

DRAFT DUE: September 29th

FINAL DRAFT DUE: October 22nd

 
 
NOTE: Your essays, of course, are to explain rather than obfuscate like Calvin's.