The simplest definition of an expository essay would be, it
is an essay that tries to explain a topic by providing facts without trying to
express the writer’s personal opinions.
Now there are mainly five ways of writing expository essays.
They are:
Ø
by defining a topic or subject or parts of it like
Love, Happiness, Self-Dependence, etc.
Ø
by comparing and contrasting two things, persons, or places, showing how they are similar
and how they are different, i.e. How to be a Brighter Student?
Ø
by stating causes and effects. Here the writer
mainly tries to focus on why things happen the way they do and the results or
effects of those happenings, i.e. The effects of Television on Bhutanese
teenagers.
Ø
by explaining the process of making or doing
something step-by-step, i.e. How to make ema
datshi, and finally,
Ø
by narrowing down a broad topic into small
fragments and generally writing in sequence, i.e. What is the History of the
ULFA/BODO war in the borders of Bhutan?
Points to keep in mind while writing an expository essay in
the examinations:
Step-1:
1.
Select a topic about which you are fairly knowledgeable.
2.
Start your essay with the Thesis Statement as it
allows you not to lose focus.
3.
Select one of the above methods/ways relevant
for writing or developing your essay.
4.
From the exam point of view, it is convenient to
write your essay in five paragraphs.
Step-2.
1.
The first paragraph is The Introduction which contains
the Thesis Statement (the main idea for your essay), 3 supporting points and
the concluding sentence that more or less repeats the main idea.
2.
Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 begin with the Topic
Sentences which are none other than the supporting points 1,2 and 3
respectively. As all the Topic Sentences are related to the Thesis Statement,
each one of them needs to be elaborated with adequate examples and facts.
3.
The concluding lines of all the body paragraphs
should repeat the ideas expressed through the Topic Sentences.
4.
Paragraph 5 is the conclusion which is similar
to The Introduction as it restates the Thesis Statement, the supporting points
with the concluding sentence repeating the main idea. But the language cannot
be the same and should be different from that of the introductory paragraph.
Now let’s try to write an expository essay on the topic: An
Ideal Student.
Paragraph-1. The Introduction with the
Thesis Statement followed by the supporting points.
The concluding sentence
repeating the main idea.
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It is a dream for
every student to be an ideal student. An
ideal student is someone who is a cut above the other students of the school.
She is always responsible and respectful (S.P.1). She is also extremely good
in the academics (S.P.2). Besides, she is selfless and adored for her
sacrificing mentality. So any student,
who possesses the above qualities, is believed to be an ideal student.
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Paragraph-2. The Topic Sentence ( S.P.1) followed by the
elaboration of the point.
The concluding sentence
repeating the topic sentence.
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An ideal student
is responsible and respectful. She not only respects her parents,
teachers and seniors but she also treats her juniors with respect. She is responsible down to a T and carries
out all her assignments and tasks in time. Being respectful and responsible therefore, is an inherent quality of
an ideal student.
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Paragraph-3. The
Topic Sentence (S.P.2)
followed by the elaboration of the point.
The concluding sentence
repeating the topic sentence.
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Moreover, an
ideal student always excels in the academics. Normally she is one of
the toppers and unfailingly tries to incorporate the morals from her daily
lessons into her disciplined life.
Conventions demand an ideal student to pursue excellence in the academics for
the other students to imitate and emulate.
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Paragraph-4. The
Topic Sentence (S.P.3)
followed by the elaboration of the point.
The concluding sentence
repeating the topic sentence.
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In the final
analysis, what cuts an ideal student out from the rest of her friends is her
selfless nature and her sense of sacrifice. She puts the well being of
others above any petty self-interest and is ever ready to go out of her way, as far as practicable, to make large-scale sacrifices for those who simply
cannot do without help. An ideal
student invariably possesses the quality of selflessness and sacrifice.
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Paragraph-5. The Conclusion restating the Thesis Statement, the supporting points.
Concluding sentence repeating
the main point once more.
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It is no wonder
therefore, that an ideal student is a student who possesses lots of qualities.
She is responsible and respectful in the first place and takes great delight
in her studies. She is also the sacrificing type with selflessness for the
benefit of others, being her characteristic trait. So it can be safely stated that an ideal student is a student who
possesses all the qualities of the head and the heart.
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