What to Know
This page summarizes some of the information from the Web sites you explored. This information helps you learn what you need to know for this activity about choosing a topic. You may want to take notes to help you remember the most important points. You can return to the Web sites for more exploration if you want to learn more.
Choosing a Topic for an Expository Essay
You can write an expository essay about almost any subject. However, that does not mean that you should write an expository essay about any subject. You want to make sure your topic will make an interesting and informative essay. Of course, you also want to make sure your essay is appropriate for the assignment for which you are writing.
First, narrow your focus to a specific topic within the subject. Then, make sure that your topic can be thoroughly explained using one or more expository styles. Finally, make sure you have enough sources and time to explain the topic thoroughly.
Tips for Choosing a Topic
The most important quality of a topic for any essay is that you are interested in the topic. Here are some strategies for choosing a topic for an expository essay:
- Make a list of topics. Brainstorming is a great way to think of a topic. You can make a list of topics that interest you. Do not worry if they are good topics. Just write down or type anything that comes to mind.
- Evaluate the topics. After you brainstorm a list of topics, look at your list and consider whether the topics are appropriate. For an expository essay, make sure the topic is something that you can explain. In addition, consider what type of expository writing would be most appropriate to explain the topic.
- Narrow the focus. After you choose a topic, you should focus on a specific aspect of the topic. You do not want a topic that is too broad to fully explain and support with details.
- For a cause-and-effect essay make sure the topic does not have too many causes or effects to explain fully in an essay.
- For a classify-and-divide essay, make sure you can sort all the important items in your topic into a category.
- For a compare-and-contrast essay, make sure you can explain all important similarities and differences.
- For a definition essay, make sure you can define the topic so that it cannot be mistaken for another.
- For a process essay, make sure you can explain your topic so that the reader will be able to follow the sequence without any missteps or mistakes.
- Check for sources. Finally, make sure you can find enough information about the topic. For an expository essay, you need enough information to explain all important parts of the topic thoroughly. Make sure that you will be able to locate sources and write the essay before the due date. Check with your teacher if you are not sure that your topic is appropriate for an expository essay.
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