Writing Essays

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Expository Essays An expository essay provides the reader with information about a particular topic. The writer of an expository essay investigates the topic, evaluates evidence, develops the idea, and puts forward the thesis. An expository essay may draw comparisons, provide definitions, give examples, or analyze the cause and effect of a concept. Expository essays are focused on analyzing the topic and not putting forth an argument with the intent to persuade readers. An expository essay usually begins with a thesis statement in the first paragraph. The writer needs to explain this key idea further in the essay. The next few paragraphs contain evidence to support the thesis. The last paragraph typically repeats the thesis statement and ends with a conclusion derived from the evidence and the main ideas presented in each body paragraph. An expository essay topic asks you to explain a topic of interest. For example, you may be asked to describe the skills required to be a good leader. Read the expository essay "The Lowest Animal" by Mark Twain. As you read, note how Twain structures the essay.

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Narrative Essays A narrative essay describes an event as a story. Autobiographies, memoirs, and book reports are types of narrative essays. A narrative essay is usually written in the first person I. It has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Like any story, a narrative essay also has a well-developed plot, characters, and setting. To make a narrative essay more interesting to read, writers usually use vivid imagery that engages the five senses. An assignment for a narrative essay might be to describe an event from your life. You might choose a topic such as "The best day of my life so far." Read the first five paragraphs of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass. As you read this essay, pay attention to how the writer describes the events of his life.