UNIVERSITY OF QUINDIO

FACULTY OF EDUCATION
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
READING & WRITING II

EXPOSITORY WRITING
In an expository or explanatory paragraph you give information. You
explain a subject, give directions, or show how something happens. In
expository writing, linking words like first, second, and finally are
usually used to help readers follow the ideas.

This paragraph, like the others, organizes itself around three parts. A
topic sentence allows the reader to understand what you are writing
about. The middle part of the paragraph contains sentences that
follow one another in a logical sequence of steps. The final sentence
closes your subject with an emphasis on the final product or process
desired by the topic.

Example of an Expository Paragraph

Read the following sample of an expository paragraph paying attention to clarity, objective third person
language, and instructional value:

A disease that causes chronic gastrological disorders, IBD, is envisioned in a spectrum of

severities. Cats can vomit heavily and suffer from continuous diarrhea. Reasons for the disease are
yet unknown. Bacterial infections, gastrological irritation, lack of vitamins are often quoted as factors
contributing to the development of the disease. Veterinarians, treating IBD in cats, usually prescribe
medicine and advice on the dietary management as well as make surgical choices. If untreated, IBD
can be fatal for cats. Research –conducted mostly by pet owners- shows that a cat´s diet can be
critical. Further research will include inspection of several vaccines. So far, grain-free, raw meat diet
has already proved to be largely beneficial.

An expository paragraph, apart from explaining how something works or occurs, uses formal language
containing domain-specific terms and provides essential examples as well as comparisons.

Elements of an Expository Paragraph

Expository paragraphs contain the following elements:

 Formal language — third person voice and scientific terms are used instead of informal, emotive
vocabulary;
 Evidence — includes references to research, naming the author(s) of the inquiry, practical examples,
and comparisons;
 Explanation – the paragraph accounts for the variety of ailments characteristic of a disease explaining
the risks and symptoms;
 Background information – the paragraph relates to already conducted researches and their preliminary
results as well as provides information on further medical inquiry. It also gives examples of possible
medical interventions.
 UNIVERSITY OF QUINDIO
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
READING & WRITING II

EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH FRAMES

There are some basic ways in which authors may choose to organize information in an expository text:
1. Description-- in which a topic is introduced and followed by its attributes;
2. Sequence-- in which a topic is introduced and followed by details that need to be presented in an order;
3. Cause/effect—in which an event or act and its effects are described;
4. Comparison/contrast—in which the similarities and differences in two or more things are presented;
5. Problem/solution—in which the similarities and differences in two or more things are presented;
6. Opinion—in which an opinion is expressed and supported with logical reasons and accurate facts.

In this course, we are going to focus on 3 frames: Cause/effect, Comparison/contrast, and Opinion.

10 Tips to Write an Expository Paragraph

1) Use simple language: Use simple language to convey the message straight.
2) Main idea and supporting details: Focus on your main idea and choose appropriate supporting details.
3) Subject verb agreement: Check for subject verb agreement in the sentences.
4) Parallel structure: Parallelism error can spoil the flow of the language. Write everything in present
tense.
5) Run-on sentences: Too many ideas in a single sentence create run-ons. Every idea must be written in
a separate sentence.
6) Fragments: Fragments lead to incomplete sentences. Check if the sentences have a proper subject or
verb to avoid fragments.
7) Punctuation and capitalization: Use appropriate punctuation and capitalization.
8) Use ―such as,‖ and ―including‖ in the place of ―like.‖ An expository paragraph provides information. It is
better to use ―such as‖ and ―including‖ to convey the appropriate information.
9) Most important to least important: The ideas are arranged in order of most important to least important
or least important to most important.
10) Heading: Write an apt heading that reflects the topic sentence. The heading must tell what the
paragraph is about.

Organization: OUTLINES
Organizationally, the expository paragraph has a beginning, middle, and end:
 The paragraph begins with a topic sentence which clearly states the main topic to be developed.
 The body of the paragraph expands the main idea. It will generally consist of three or four points about
the main topic, each one followed by specific examples or proof.
 The conclusion rewords the main idea. In addition, if often comments on the importance of the main
idea. Because the beginning and end are usually very similar, the expository paragraph is sometimes
referred to as a picture frame paragraph, or a hamburger paragraph.
 UNIVERSITY OF QUINDIO
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
READING & WRITING II
Sample Expository Paragraph Outline

Topic Sentence:
Limit topic sentence to only those points that will be explained in the paragraph.
__________________________________________________________________________
Point #1
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (a)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (b)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Point #2
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (a)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (b)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Point #3
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (a)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Proof (b)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Concluding Sentence
Reword the idea stated in the topic sentence
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHOP
1. Define Expository writing.
2. What other name can you give to expository writing?
3. What are the elements of expository paragraphs?
4. Which are the basic ways in which authors may choose to organize information in expository texts?
5. Organizationally, what parts does an expository paragraph contain? Explain each one.
6. Focus on the 3 frames of expository writing Cause/effect, Comparison/contrast, and Opinion. Answer
these questions:
6.1. Mention 2 similarities among the 3 types.
6.2. Complete the following chart with the information you researched:
 UNIVERSITY OF QUINDIO
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
READING & WRITING II

EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPHS
Opinion Cause and Effect Comparison and
Contrast

DEFINITION

4 POSSIBLE TOPICS
TO DEVELOP USING
THIS FRAME

CONNECTORS USED
PARTICULARY IN
THIS FRAME