Good Expository Writing: the Essay

Let’s just say nonfiction is a piece of
expository writing based in fact. Further definitions are as
follows: piece-a work with a beginning, a middle and an end.
Expository writing-writing with a purpose such as, but not limited
to, explanation, definition, information, description of a subject to
the extent that a reader will understand and feel something.

When we consider that each of us has something to share, whether
it is a set of knowledge, an idea, a point of view or an otherwise
special perspective, the essay suddenly becomes a less daunting task.
For instance, my sister Sarah works is a paleontological botanist.
Not only is she very intelligent, she has studied this science in
both the class and in the field. When Sarah sits down to write an
essay on her findings she can probably use any of the above types of
essays depending on her audience. For the academic or scientific
community she’ll choose an appropriate tone. But, if she wants to
write something for the literary magazine, she’ll take a tone that is
accessible to readers (and editors) that is more universal. So,
perhaps she wants to illustrate a point about deforestation, or
travel, or cultural understandings of the people Peru, she will have
to use her knowledge and experience to make a reader who may not be
well versed in the fields of paleontology or botany, understand her
point.

Well, what about the rest of us who just want to write an essay?
I recently read a wonderful opinion in the Wall Street Journal about
the economic state of affairs in America today. Please read this:
Warren Kozak’s “Food Stamps and the $41 Cake.” Mr Kozak poses
some interesting questions in this informal essay. He’s compared a
number of things: his normal grocery store, and the one this
experience takes place in. He compares his grandmother’s common
sense to the transaction he sees before him. And in a time of
economic crisis, this essay can give fodder either side of the food
stamp issue. It’s a brilliant piece of writing, and The Wall Street
Journal published it.

Moving along, if you want to write an essay, here’s the primer I
came with:

Pick a topic: make it pertinent.
If you choose a highly charged subject like abortion or the death
penalty you have lost at least 50% of your readers before you start,
and you will probably lose more along the way. Pick something unique
and universal.

Introduce yourself and your
position. Why are you writing
this, and why are you qualified to write this?
Make your point of view. This
will guide readers into the fold of your thought. In Mr Kozak’s
essay, he states: “How did this great nation travel from the
common sense of our grandparents to where we are today?”
Write your thesis (control, topic)
statement. This is basic high
school English stuff. This is your declaration to the world,
especially to readers, as to what this essay is all about. Many
argue that this one sentence is what will make or break your essay.
When you get this sentence, rewrite as many times as you can until it
is perfect. This statement will probably change as your research
grows.
ResearchResearch some moreWrite the body of the essay.
This reinforces your purpose and your thesis statement. The body of
the essay needs to be supported by your research. In all of my rants
about having a beginning and middle and end to everything you write,
consider this the middle.
Conclude it:
This is your end. Make it good. If a reader has made it this far in
your essay, this will be the last thing the read sees.
Introduce it:
Some people find that writing the beginning last helps them to be
more focused. Remember, this is the beginning of your piece of good
expository writing. If the introduction is well written and
engaging, your reader will stay with it.
And
once you’ve come this far, you should have a completed piece. Don’t
be fooled into thinking you’re finished. These last two items are too
often overlooked:
Revise it (language, tone, voice and
flow)Revise it again.