Expository Essay Outline - Format Guide & Samples

Expository writing is very tiring for students. It requires a lot of research work and good writing skills. The essential element of an essay writing process is an organized outline. No matter what type of paper you are writing, ensure that you create a strong outline for it.

Such an outline can make your job very easy as it will provide you a pathway to write your essay. It also serves as a guide for the reader. And allows the audience to know the basic elements of the essay. Hence, let us hop in and see how an effective expository essay outline can be created.

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Expository Essay Outline

An outline helps an essay writer keep track of whatever he/she is writing in the essay. While talking about the essay outline, you should know that the format is the same for all types of expository essays.

In case you do not know, expository essays are of different types, and each one has a different purpose of serving. No matter what type of expository essay you are writing, it is important to learn how to create an outline.

Keep in mind; an outline will help you logically organize your expository essay’s main ideas in one place. Also, its format is the same as a descriptive, argumentative, and compare and contrast essay.

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5 Paragraph Expository Essay Outline

This is a typical format that is commonly used for creating an outline. It is called the 5-paragraph essay outline, as it has five paragraphs. The details about the paragraphs used in this format are as follows:

• 1.  Paragraph I: The Introduction

  It is the first paragraph of the outline. It explains the essay’s topic, background information, and the purpose of the essay to the reader.

  To write this paragraph, the writer is supposed to use the most compelling words and sentences. An introduction paragraph must include the following elements.

  • A hook statement to attract the reader’s attention.
  • Brief background information related to the essay topic.
  • A strong thesis statement to support the entire essay.

• 2.  Paragraph II: Body Paragraph I

  This is the first paragraph that makes the body of the essay. It has the following elements.

  • A starting sentence is known as the topic sentence.
  • Supporting evidence regarding the key element that is being discussed.
  • Analysis of the evidence and supporting information.
  • Transitional words or sentences.

• 3.  Paragraph III: Body Paragraph II

  This is the second paragraph that discusses the elements given below.

  • A topic sentence that introduces the second main idea of the essay.
  • Supporting evidence for the key element.
  • Analysis of the evidence that is used.
  • Concluding remarks and transition to the next idea.

• 4.  Paragraph IV: Body Paragraph III

  This paragraph is the last body paragraph of the essay. It contains the following elements.

  • Topic sentence: The most important central idea of the essay.
  • Supporting evidence.
  • Analysis of the evidence.
  • It concludes with a transitional sentence.

• 5.  Paragraph V: Conclusion

  This is the last paragraph of the outline. While you are writing this paragraph, make sure that you do not add any new element to this part. Make sure that after reading this paragraph, the reader should get a sense of accomplishment and must be able to conclude.

  Add the given elements in this section.

  • Restate the thesis statement.
  • A summary of the essay.
  • Answer the unanswered questions.
  • Call to action.

Go through this expository essay example to understand in a better way.

How to Write an Expository Essay Outline?

No matter what type of college essay you write, you will have to create an outline for it. For this, you need to brainstorm the ideas and note down all the key elements related to your essay. Later, you can add these points to create an outline.

Follow the below-given steps to create an amazing outline for your expository essay.

1. Choose an Interesting Topic

   The first thing that a writer must do before start writing an essay is to choose a good topic. It must be eye-catching as it is the first thing that a reader sees.

   Make sure that the topic of your essay must convince the reader to read your entire writing piece. Also, keep in mind that your topic should neither be very simple nor too complex.

2. Write an Engaging Introduction

   A good introduction gives you a chance to impress your readers and convince them that the entire essay is worth reading. For this reason, you should make sure that the introductory paragraph is very interesting. It should inform the reader that what is the main idea of your essay. Follow the below instructions to write the introduction.

   • Use a catchy and relevant hook statement to start the essay’s introduction. It must be directed towards the topic of your essay. Search online to look at some hook statement examples and choose what you think is relatable to your paper.
   • After writing an engaging hook, provide the reader with some brief background information about the topic. Also, let the reader know about the reason that leads you to write this essay.
   • Create a well-defined and strong thesis statement. It is a sentence or a group of sentences that serves as the essence of the entire essay.
   • Use the proper essay structure.
3. Write the Body Paragraphs

   The body paragraphs can provide all the necessary information and evidence that supports your thesis and the entire essay. Moreover, these paragraphs are written to explain the topic of the essay thoroughly.

   • Use a good topic sentence to start each paragraph.
   • Use all the evidence that you have collected to support your essay.
   • Analyze all the information and make sure that it is understandable for the reader.
   • End each body paragraph with concluding remarks that add a transitional effect. It will connect the reader to the next paragraph.
   • Use smooth transitions between sentences.
   • Follow the step-by-step outline.
4. Draw a Formal Conclusion

   The conclusion is the last part of the essay. It must be written in such a way that it leaves an impression on the reader. Therefore, a writer must know how to write a conclusion properly.

   • The essay conclusion must start with the restatement of the thesis statement. It will allow the reader to recall the main purpose of your essay.
   • Summarize the key elements of your essay. However, do not drag and keep it to the point.
   • Answer all the possible questions that could arise in the reader’s mind. It must give a sense of accomplishment.
5. Proofread and Edit

   Once you are done writing the outline for your essay, the final step is to re-check it. Reread it and see if any spelling mistakes need to be corrected. Never miss this step, as the quality of the essay depends on this.

   • Read the outline aloud to identify any grammatical mistakes. It will allow you to analyze that the sentences you have used are making sense.
   • Remove extra and irrelevant details.
   • Ensure that the information you have used is logical.

Here, we have mentioned a detailed outline for you to get an idea of writing one.

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Expository Essay Outline Examples

Below-given are some examples of expository essay outlines. Use them as a guide and create an effective outline.

To create an effective expository essay outline for college, middle, or elementary school, one must have strong writing skills. Since it is an essential element of an essay, you can not take risks by writing it with carelessness. For this reason, we prefer you to seek help from professional writers.

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