10 Expository Paragraph

Kristin D Shelby

What is an Expository Paragraph? 

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

This paragraph, like any other, 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 supporting sentences that follow one another in a logical sequence of steps. The concluding sentence closes your subject with an emphasis on the final product or process desired by the topic.

Remember that all paragraphs should contain a topic sentence. It may be even more important in the expository paragraph because this is where the main idea of the paragraph is expressed. This topic sentence lets the reader know what the rest of the paragraph will discuss.

Words to Use in Expository Writing:

 

*First Reason Starters:  first of all, most important, to begin with, to start with
*Second and Third Reason Starters:  also, another reason, equally important, furthermore, in a like manner, in addition, in fact, last of all, likewise, moreover, of greatest importance, undoubtedly
*Summary/Conclusion Starters:  all in all, although there may be more reasons, in conclusion, in summary, on the whole, to conclude, to summarize
*Don’t forget that after each supporting detail, you need to add an example.  

*Below are a few words to choose from to signal examples.

  • for example
  • to illustrate
  • for instance
  • in the case of case
  • specifically
  • namely
  • in this case
  • such as
  • on this occasion
  • notably

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The Writing Handbook Copyright © by Kristin D Shelby. All Rights Reserved.

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