Expository Essay Academic Vocabulary

What is an expository essay?

Expository Essay A type of writing where the purpose is to inform, describe, explain, or define the author’s subject to the reader.

What is a thesis statement?

Thesis Statement The main idea or point of an essay or article; in an argumentative essay the thesis is the writer’s position on an issue.

What is a topic sentence?

Topic Sentence A sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph; in an essay, it also makes a point that supports the thesis statement.

What are concrete details?

Concrete Details Specific details that are most often what we see and hear. In literature essays, concrete detail means examples or quotations from the text.

Transitions What are transitions?

Transitions A word, phrase, sentence, or series of sentences connecting one part of a discourse to another.

Hook What is a hook?

Hook An interesting quotation, anecdote, or example at the beginning of writing that grabs readers’ attention.

Conclusion What is a conclusion?

Conclusion The last paragraph in your essay. It should do one or more of the following: a)sum up your ideas; b)reflect on what you said in your essay; c) say more commentary about your subject; d)give a personal statement about the subject; e) make predictions. It gives a finished feeling to your whole essay. It does not include concrete details.

Facts What are facts?

Knowledge of information based on real occurrences. Facts Knowledge of information based on real occurrences.

Opinions What are opinions?

Opinions An opinion is a subjective belief, and it is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts.

What is an introduction?

Introduction An introduction is the first paragraph in your essay. It should capture the readers’ attention, and identify the topic and purpose.

What are commentary sentences?

Commentary Sentences Sentences that show your opinions about something. Interpretation Personal Response Analysis Insight Reflection

What is a concluding sentence?

Concluding Sentence It is the sentence at the end of a paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented.

What are body paragraphs?

Body Paragraphs Body paragraphs have the concrete details and commentary that will prove your thesis statement. TS: Topic Sentence CD: Concrete Detail CM: Commentary Sentence CS: Concluding Sentence