Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular point of view.
Instead, they focus on providing a balanced and thorough explanation of a subject.
Key characteristics of an expository essay include:
Clarity and Conciseness
Structured Organization (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
Objective Tone
Evidence-Based (Cite academic sources in every body paragraph)
Objective thesis statement (see below)
Informative purpose (Not argumentative)
Expository/Example 1
Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
“The Important of Technology”
Answer
How important is technology in our lives? Take a moment to look around you. We are surrounded by technology. It does not matter what time of day or where we are, almost everything we touch or use is created by technology.
In the last 100 years, there has been tremendous technological changes. In communications, for instance, we have moved from humble telephone to using the Internet for global communication.
If the telephones of the early twentieth century only allowed two persons to use the device at any one time, by the end of that century, video conferencing had enabled people from different corners of the world to hear and see each other in real time as long as they are
connected. Businessmen, politicians, governments, or just anybody can benefit from this technology
If scholars in the earlier part of the last century had to go through shelves in libraries and browse through tonnes of books to get information, today's scholars need not leave the comforts of their rooms to source for materials. By just typing in key words on a reliable search engine followed by a click of the mouse, they will get tonnes of materials related to the topic of their search. The Internet has brought knowledge to
our doorstep. Now, millions of students around the world can carry out their research electronically without leaving their homes.
Just like in other fields, the business world has also benefited from advancement in technology. The clicking
sounds of the abacus are now replaced by the soft taps of the cash registers as purchases are totalled up efficiently and accurately. Similarly, storekeepers no longer have to stock using thick books. When the bar code on a package is scanned at the checkout counter, the sale is automatically registered and recorded in the company's sales records, enabling the storekeeper to keep tabs on his stock. Likewise, if a customer needs to check the price of a product in a large and busy supermarket, he only needs to take it to a special
scanner to have the bar code scanned. The price of the product and other information like the weight and the shelf-life of the product will be displayed on the screen immediately. The medical field has benefited much from technology.
The CAT scan and the PET scan have enabled doctors to look inside the human body to locate tumours or signs of unusual growths. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology allows us to convert scanned images of text into searchable digital documents. Similarly, the ultrasound has allowed gynaecologists to identify the gender of unborn babies in pregnant mothers. The ultrasound is also able to pick up certain in foetuses. This information will help parents and doctors decide on the next course of action. Technology in
science has also helped change the lives of millions of people around the world. People suffering from renal failure can have their life prolonged through dialysis machines, patients with breathing difficulties are kept alive with respirators while premature babies are given a better chance of survival in incubators. The benefits of technology in medical science are indeed enormous.
Countless great advances that we enjoy today have been based on concepts of engineering, biology, physics and chemistry that were discovered hundreds or even thousands of years ago. These 'gifts' have given us the comforts and conveniences that we enjoy today without which life would be very different.
Written by: Azman J. Singh
Expository/Example 2
Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
“The Global Food Crisis”
Sample Answer
In this composition, I wish to discuss the causes and effects of the global food crisis. I shall also consider what can be done to meet the challenge of this crisis.
The global food crisis is fast moving to a critical stage. Unless something is done, there will be food riots and protests in many countries. Mass hunger and starvation may occur in many poor countries. Millions may die.
Countries without food may go to war against others. One theory is that there is enough food to feed the world. But the food is not being distributed fairly.
Corruption, hoarding and civil war are making it difficult for food to reach the poor. If this is the truth, there is hope for mankind because we can all campaign for a fairer distribution of food for all.
However, there is a different view as well. There is an acute shortage of food supplies because of overpopulation and the economic boom in China and India: Millions of rural farmers have given up farming to take up jobs in factories. Food production has fallen but there is a greater demand for food. This has caused prices to soar.
Another factor is the growth of the meat industry especially the beef industry. Grains are being channelled to feed and fatten farm animals in order to obtain meat for export. This is again raising the price of grain. In addition to this, the growing use of corn and soya bean to feed the biofuel industry has sky-rocketed food prices.
What is to be done? We have to take short-term and long-term measures The short-term measures are mainly lifestyle changes. We have to be more austere in our lifestyle. People in the middle and lower income group may have to eat at home and cut down on going out for meals.
Some people may choose to reduce meat in their diets. We may need to cut down on luxuries such as cigarettes, drinking and on annual holidays.
The long-term measures should be aimed at raising food production in the poor countries. We have to improve agricultural research in every way. Better seeds and fertilisers are needed to increase yield. We can also increase food production through aquaculture and rearing livestock. Agricultural training is therefore very important in poor countries. We also need to improve irrigation in dry areas.
Our future depends on the ready supply of food. We cannot afford to neglect this problem because it affects the future of mankind. Hunger and starvation for millions means war and death are near at hand!
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Written by: Azman J. Singh
Expository/Example 3
Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
“Effect of Human Activity on the Environment”
Sample Answer
Human beings, more than any other living organism on earth, have brought about tremendous change to the environment. As the human population grows, more forest are cleared to make way for houses and factories. As a result, many species of flora and fauna are lost.
Land is also required for agriculture to produce enough food for the increasing population. This clearing of land has resulted in the siltation of rivers. This happens when rain falls and washes loose soil into rivers. Rivers then become choked with this loose soil. The siltation of the rivers in turn leads to flash floods in low-lying areas.
The loss of forests has also resulted in increased temperatures and a decline in rainfall. When trees are cut, the carbon cycle is disturbed, resulting in an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. This increased
level of carbon dioxide leads to global warming. This is why many areas in the world have now reported higher temperatures. Here in Malaysia, it has been noted that temperatures in Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands have increased and these hill resorts are no longer as cool as they used to be. Global warming has led to fear of the polar caps melting. If this happens, massive flooding will take place. Many low-lying countries will be submerged.
The increased amount of industrial activity has led to increased air, water and land pollution. Factories belch poisonous gasses into the environment and in the event of rain, such chemicals are washed into the water tables and into rivers. The increase in population has also led to growing mountains of urban solid waste in municipal waste dumps the world over.
The environment has also suffered greatly from unrest in various parts of the world. Improved warfare has led to the total devastation of large areas of land. During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1990s, oil wells were burnt, causing thick clouds of smoke to form and choke the air. Today, with the use of nuclear warheads, the environment is further threatened by radiation.
We have done great harm to Mother Earth. It is time we become more responsible towards our environment.
Written by: Azman J. Singh
Expository/Example 4 Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
“The Lure of Advertising”
Writing Tips:
You may write on:
Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
• what advertising is and how it works;
• purpose of advertising;
• types of advertisements;
• advice consumers.
Answer Advertising is a lucrative business. It is public promotion
and deals with the publicising of a new product, service or
idea. The main purpose of advertising is to persuade
consumers to purchase a product or service, while providing
information about it at the same time. Another purpose is of
course, to promote the new product or service in order to boost
sales. In short, advertising creates demand for a product.
Advertising is mainly carried out through print and
electronic media. Print media range from brochures and
posters to billboards, magazines and newspapers. Electronic
advertising, on the other hand, includes radio, television and
the Internet. It often employs the use of catchy jingle and
tunes to persuade, attract and tempt the consumers.
Advertising preys on our vanity. We all desire to be
admired and accepted, whether socially, physically
intellectually or professionally. We desire prestige and status,
and think we can achieve it simply by using a product
carrying a renowned brand like Calvin Klein or Versace.
Advertisements have the power to influence our thoughts
and emotions, and lure us into buying a product or service
we may have no need for. They are successful because we,
consumers, are gullible and vulnerable to the sales gimmicks
and strategies used by marketers. We succumb easily to
irresistible offers like Puy one, get one free' and 'Free gifts’
Consequently, we end up purchasing a product or service,
Advertisements work because they usually present,
misleading and untruthful information to create a sense of
desire for the product in a consumer. Ultimately, we have the
right to choose what we do or do not want. As business
become increasingly competitive, advertisements will become more aggressive by the day. We, therefore, need
rational and exercise our rights as consumers and need to be
marketers take control of our lives through advertising.
Written by: Azman J. Singh
Expository/Example 5 Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic.
“The Importance of Eating a Balanced Diet”
Writing Tips:
You can look at the food pyramid to see what a balanced diet should consist of.
Answer
We all know that we have to eat to survive but how many
of us are careful with what we eat? Many of the food or
drinks that we consume have no nutritional value but bring
harm to our bodies instead. At the same time, there is some
misunderstanding about a balanced diet. It is not just about
eating a variety of food but eating the right food that supplies
our body with a balanced variety of nutrients. Using the food
pyramid as a guide is a good way to ensure that we are eating
a balanced diet.
According to the pyramid, a diet that is rich in fruit and
vegetables, moderate in protein and low in fats is the best.
Fruit and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals,
the vital nutrients for good health. They are also a great
provider of dietary fibre and the main source of antioxidants,
which protect our body against cancer and coronary heart
diseases. Vitamin supplements cannot replace the combating
effects of natural vitamins and minerals found in fruit and
vegetables.
Protein is essential for growth and repair of body tissues.
A diet short of protein will lead to muscular waste or a
breakdown of muscles in the body. However, excess protein in the diet is not good either. If the body in inefficient in disposing it, broken down protein in the form of uric acid will accumulate in the joints, leading to gout.
Carbohydrates found in starchy food such as rice and potatoes supply the body with energy and are the body’s fuel. The bulk of a balanced diet should be made of carbohydrates. However, when eaten in excess, carbohydrates are converted and stored in the body as fats.
Hence, eating in moderation is again the key to a healthy body.
Fats are a rich source of energy in the diet. They have essential roles to play in the well-being of our body. However,
are needed in smaller quantities compared to other nutrients for an efficient working body A deficiency in fatty acids
may result in stunted growth in children or the slow
healing of wounds, hair loss and scaly skin. On the other
hand, a high intake of fat in the diet and a lack of exercise
will lead to obesity.
A diet that is restricted or imbalanced will deprive the body of essential nutrients and may open the door to a host of medical problems and diseases. Hence, it is good practice to be conscious of what we eat and to monitor the intake.