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Outline and Structure of a General Expository Essay, Essays (university) of English Literature

Typology: Essays (university)

2020/2021

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Structure of a General Expository Essay
The following maps a commonly used structure for many academic essays. Use this outline to guide you
as you compose your own argument, research or even descriptive essay.
Introduction
Opening Sentence
Start your paper with a general statement about your topic that
catches the reader’s attention, a relevant quotation, question,
anecdote, fascinating fact, definition, analogy, the position
opposing one you will take, or a dilemma that needs a solution.
Context
Provide the information the reader will need to understand the
topic.
Thesis Statement
State your arguable position on the topic that you will support
with evidence in your body paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence
Provide the main idea of the paragraph.
Supporting Evidence
Include specific textual evidence: cited quotes, paraphrases or
summary; or evidence that supports your thesis from other
sources: anecdotes, first-person interviews or your own
experience.
Analysis
Explain to the reader the significance of the evidence you have
provided. Think about why you chose to include it. How does the
piece of evidence support your thesis?
Transition
Connect each paragraph with a sentence or two that demonstrates
how each idea leads into the next, and how they work together to
support your position.
Conclusion Provide the reader an overview of the main ideas you discussed,
but also be sure to highlight the progression of your thought
process, offer solutions, next steps or present new questions that
your paper generated. Don’t only restate your thesis but show the
significance of your synthesis of the information.
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Structure of a General Expository Essay

The following maps a commonly used structure for many academic essays. Use this outline to guide you

as you compose your own argument, research or even descriptive essay.

Introduction

Opening Sentence

Start your paper with a general statement about your topic that

catches the reader’s attention, a relevant quotation, question,

anecdote, fascinating fact, definition, analogy, the position

opposing one you will take, or a dilemma that needs a solution.

Context

Provide the information the reader will need to understand the

topic.

Thesis Statement

State your arguable position on the topic that you will support

with evidence in your body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence

Provide the main idea of the paragraph.

Supporting Evidence

Include specific textual evidence: cited quotes, paraphrases or

summary; or evidence that supports your thesis from other

sources: anecdotes, first-person interviews or your own

experience.

Analysis

Explain to the reader the significance of the evidence you have

provided. Think about why you chose to include it. How does the

piece of evidence support your thesis?

Transition

Connect each paragraph with a sentence or two that demonstrates

how each idea leads into the next, and how they work together to

support your position.

Conclusion Provide the reader an overview of the main ideas you discussed,

but also be sure to highlight the progression of your thought

process, offer solutions, next steps or present new questions that

your paper generated. Don’t only restate your thesis but show the

significance of your synthesis of the information.

My Outline

Try applying this structure to your own writing: write sentences for the corresponding elements of your

introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion in the space provided below.

Introduction:

Begin your paper with a opening sentence or “hook” about your topic that catches the reader’s attention. Reference the list on the front for ideas.

Include context: provide the information the reader will need to understand the topic.

State your thesis , your arguable position on the topic. What side will you take? What will you prove in your paper? What are you going to explore?

One Practice Body paragraph:

Write a general topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph for your first body paragraph, or for one you are having difficulty organizing.

Write down the specific textual evidence or evidence from other sources that you are using to support your thesis.

Analyze your evidence: tell the reader what is significant or important about this evidence. How does the piece of evidence support your thesis? Why did you choose to include it?

Don’t forget a transition sentence: Connect each paragraph with a sentence or two that demonstrates how each idea leads into the next.

Conclusion:

Make connections for the reader in your conclusion. You should refer back to your thesis, but don’t simply restate it. Use some of the following questions to guide you:

  • Did you propose any solutions? Are there solutions yet to be discovered?
  • What questions still need to be answered?
  • What is the larger significance of the topic you chose to write about?
  • What should the reader do or think after reading your paper?