Expository type of essay

EVERY week we have been following the type of essays set in the public examinations. Avid followers of this column have been following all the essay types from narrative, descriptive, discursive. Today we consider the expository type.

Expository essay is the explain type. What is expository? This is to explain, inform or teach. No story, no argument, no opinion. Just clear facts. Think: Textbook chapter or “How to” guide. One examination body formula is equal to “P-E-E-L”. P: State 1 main idea for the paragraph.

One way to prevent soil erosion is by planting trees. E- Explain. Explain that point. Trees hold the oil together with their roots. Example: Give an example or detail. For example, in Zimbabwe farmers plant vetiver grass along contours. L- Link back to the question. Therefore, planting trees is an effective method.

Common public examinations expository topics: How to prepare sadza. The importance of trees. How to stay healthy.

Causes of road accidents. Key Rule: No. “Think” Just facts. Like a teacher explaining.

Here I a practice topic: Explain how to keep your school compound clean. Your task: Write just the P- Point sentence for paragraph 1. Starter: One way to keep our school compound clean is … We will use P-E-L and build a full essay.

Topic: Explain how to keep your school compound clean. Full expository essay. “How to keep your school compound clean.” P: POINT. –Introduction. A clean school compound creates a healthy and pleasant environment for learning.

Keeping it clean requires effort from everyone. This essay will explain three ways to keep our school compound clean.
E: Explain –Body paragraph 1: Litter bins. One way to keep the school compound clean is by providing enough litter bins. When bins are placed in classrooms, corridors and outside, students have nowhere to throw rubbish. This prevents papers and plastic from being thrown on the ground.

For example, in my school, bins in every classroom reduced litter by half. Therefore, litter bins help to control waste.

Another way is to have a cleaning schedule. Each class can be given a day to pick up rubbish and sweep the grounds.

This teaches learners responsibility and ensures the whole compound is cleaned every week.

For instance, Monday can be Form 1, Tuesday for Form 2 and so on. As a result, the compound remains clean throughout the week. Not to boast and show off, my school has won the national clean schools competition. The school embarks on the national clean up exercise which is carried out on the first Friday of every month.

All this supports on the weekly cleaning done by different classes. From Monday to Thursday different classes carry out cleaning of the school grounds. All this makes it possible to find the whole school very clean close to no sign of rubbish. This is possible if the school adopts this habit of always cleaning and picking any litter on sight.

L: Link –Body Paragraph 3: Education/Awareness. The third way is to educate students about cleanliness. Through school assemblies and posters, learners can be taught the dangers of littering. When students understand that a dirty environment causes disease, they will take ownership.

For example, after a health talk, our school sees fewer students littering. Thus, education changes attitudes towards cleanliness.

L: Link –conclusion. In conclusion, a clean school compound can be achieved through providing litter bins, having a cleaning schedule and educating students. If every learner plays their part, our schools will be clean, safe and beautiful.

How is such an essay marked or judged? Content is 5/5: 3 clear methods, with examples. No story. Organisation 5/5: P-E-L in every paragraph. Clear links: One way, Another way. The third way. In conclusion.

Language 5/5: Formal, factual. This prevents … For example … Therefore … Relevance 5/5: Every paragraph answers “how to keep clean”. Total: 20/20 is equal to A + Grade. P-E-L formula to remember. P- Point: One way is …/ Another way is…

E-Explain- Example: Explain it, then say For example … L-Link: Therefore … / As a result … / Thus … Read this given example of an essay, but do not copy and cram to remember in the examinations. Follow how it is done throughout this example and you will improve your essays.

Try to answer these questions: Which of the 3 methods do you think works best for your school: bins, schedule or education? You should be ready for the last type 5: Argumentative/ Persuasive? That is where we learn to convince and take only one side.

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