Reading between the Lines

A table cannot stand on its own without its legs. The computer cannot function without the monitor or the Central Processing Unit (CPU). A business cannot operate well without a manager and his employees. Big things come from small things; these tiny parts make up the structure of the big things. Without these elements, a certain system or item will never be complete. Like a table and its legs or the business and its employees, an expository essay needs certain elements to make its structure complete.

Expository writing aims to explain the essence of an idea, process or thing. It seeks for a better understanding and appreciation of a concept through in-depth research and reasoning. Several important elements should make up the structure of an expository essay so that it becomes effective to its readers. Some of these components are explicitly stated in the piece while others are only implied.

A logical plan is crucial in the making of an expository essay. The first step is always planning. It is divided into two parts – the pre-writing process and the outlining process. In pre-writing, the writer has several techniques to choose from: clustering, questioning, brainstorming and free-writing. Making the outline of the essay is like creating a game plan. The writer must be aware of his goal in writing and his plans in attaining it.

Every essay has a subject to talk about. This subject is presented in the form of the thesis statement. The thesis is the central idea of the essay. It is the opinion of the writer and not a mere statement of facts. It suggests the direction and flow of the essay, defining the limits and scope of the discussion. It can be developed through illustration, comparison and contrast, classification, narration, description and definition. Relevant and logical evidence must be presented to support the claim of the writer. For complete understanding of the topic, counterarguments must also be shown in the essay. These counterarguments make up the antithesis. Corresponding evidence that oppose to the thesis are stated here. The positive and negative sides of the matter, therefore, are both presented, reaching synthesis.

Organization of the composition must be clear and clarified so as readers can follow it easily. The division of information must be parallel; they must not overlap. The sequence of information is also important as the most important information receives proper emphasis. The essay must be rich with facts and evidence, provided that the sources are properly acknowledged. The piece’s introduction must be appealing to capture the attention of its readers. Likewise, the conclusion must be equally powerful to leave a lasting impact on its readers. After writing the first draft, revision and copy reading are done to improve the essay until it becomes presentable enough to be published.

Like small things that make up big things, an expository essay cannot be accomplished without its little but essential parts. If the readers read between the lines, they will surely find them.