Essay Writing Class National Officers Academy Expository Essay

Expository Essay
(Type: Problem-Solution Essay)

The expository essay is an informative piece of writing that presents a balanced analysis of a topic.
Usually, not always, the essays discussing certain issues of national, economic or social importance are
expository essays. In expository essay, the writer explains a topic, using facts, statistics, and examples.
Expository essay uses a wide range of writing variations, such as the “comparison and contrast” writing,
the “cause and effect” writing, and the “how to” (problem-solution) or process writing.

Problem-Solution Essay, as its name implies, is a kind of expository essay that presents the writer’s
position in two segments: A problem(s), and ways to resolve the problem(s)

With this kind of essay, begin by introducing the problem at hand. In the subsequent body paragraphs,
cover possible methods for resolving the problem, discussing how each is suited to fixing the problem,
and potential challenges that can arise with each. You can certainly state which you think is the best
choice—that could even be your thesis statement. In your conclusion paragraph, summarize the problem
again and the desired resolution, endorsing your method of choice (if you have one).

Similarly if you are identifying more problems then mention the problems one by one in separate body
paragraphs and ,in the next section, suggest the solutions to each problem in the subsequent paragraphs.

Problem/Solution Essay Guideline

Introductory paragraph
1. Does the paragraph contain interesting facts, statements, or anecdotes that
grab the reader’s attention? HOOK
2. Does the paragraph include background information about the problem?
3. Does the paragraph identify the problem and indicate its seriousness?
4. Does the thesis statement identify possible solutions?
Supporting paragraph
1. Does each paragraph discuss one possible solution to the problem?
2. Is sufficient information and detail included to explain each solution?
3. Are the paragraphs organized according to order of importance of the solutions?
4. Do all paragraphs relate to and support the thesis statement?
5. Does the topic sentence of each paragraph have a controlling idea?
6. Is unity achieved by having all the sentences in the paragraphs relevant to the
topic?
7. Is there a logical concluding sentence for each paragraph?
Concluding paragraph
1. Does the paragraph effectively indicate the end of the essay? 1.
2. Does the paragraph restate the thesis statement?
3. Does the paragraph summarize the solutions the problem?
4. Does the paragraph draw a conclusion or make a prediction based on
suggestions for solutions? Or Does the paragraph contain any final thoughts of
the writer?

By Sir Ali Shahab

MA (Eng) PGD- TESOL (UK)
Ex-Officer (ECP). LLB
Essay Writing Class National Officers Academy Expository Essay

Exercise 1

Read the solution essay below and answer the questions that follow.
Is your heart as healthy as it should be? Many doctors would probable answer no. Millions of people
throughout the world are currently living sedentary lifestyles and eating vast amounts of food lacking in
nutritional value, and by doing so they are in advertently creating problems for their heart. Improving their
situation could be accomplished fairly easily, without incurring monumental medical bills or making
depressing changes in their lifestyles. These minor changes include exercise, diet, and meditation.

There have been countless studies conducted by medical professions that tout the benefits of even
modest amounts of exercise. Exercise accomplishes two vital things at once. When people exercise, they
burn calories, which results in reducing body fat. Maintaining an appropriate weight is essential for good
cardiovascular health. People who are overweight place an extra burden on the heart; it has to work much
harder to circulate the blood through the body. This extra exertion causes weakening of the heart
over time. In addition to burning calories, exercise strengthens the heart. The heart is a muscle, and like
all muscles in the body, it needs to be exercised regularly to maintain peak performance. The exercise
does not need to be exceedingly strenuous or time consuming. A person doesn’t have to turn into a
professional athlete to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Doctors report that even 30 minutes of light exercise
a day will result in benefits to one’s heart.

Another fairly easy change is to modify one’s diet. With the hectic schedule of many people today fast
foods have allowed individuals to eat on the run and not waste time. Unfortunately, most fast food today is
lacking in nutrition. It is loaded with sugar, fat, and salt. It may taste delicious, but the price people pay for
a little convenience is too high. Foods high in sugar will eventually add unwanted pounds. Foods high in
fats, if eaten for long periods of time, increase the amount of cholesterol in the body, which eventually
leads to the narrowing of the arterial walls. Foods high in salt increase blood pressure. Increased blood
pressure makes the heart work much harder to circulate the blood, which will eventually weaken it. To
improve this situation all one has to do is start eating better. Instead of three eggs, a large pile of bacon,
and toast loaded with butter for breakfast one could eat oatmeal, a bowl of non-sugary cereal with skim
milk, and a glass of juice. Instead of munching down on a candy bar or cookies for a snack try a carrot or
celery stick. Not only do these snacks keep the calorie count down, they are a good form of roughage.

Meditation and deep breathing exercises are other ways to benefit your heart, especially if you are prone
to high blood pressure. Sitting quietly, thinking of nothing at all and letting your body and mind relax
completely does wonders for the heart, not to mention the turmoil of the mind. It has been estimated that
60% of all doctor visits are stress related. Increased stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, and
respiration rate. Meditation and deep breathing can help reduce stress, thus providing benefits to the
cardiovascular system. Research has shown that meditation and deep breathing exercises lower blood
pressure, without the adverse effects that could occur with medication. Meditation also reduces another
cardiovascular risk, a higher than average heart rate, which also weakens the heart over time.

Many things in life are important, and a healthy heart tops the list. No matter what one accumulates or
accomplishes in life, if you have a bad heart it all could end in a heartbeat, literally. There are easy and
effective means to ensure that a person maintains a strong heart that are simple to maintain and don’t
involve vast financial resources. So do yourself and your loved ones a favor- take a quiet, relaxing walk
down to the corner grocery store and pick up a brunch of grapes for lunch.

By Sir Ali Shahab

MA (Eng) PGD- TESOL (UK)
Ex-Officer (ECP). LLB
Essay Writing Class National Officers Academy Expository Essay

Questions

1. What is the thesis statement?

2. What are the three methods listed that can improve cardiovascular health?

3. What technique is used in the introduction to grab the reader’s attention?

4. What are the transition words used in the essay that indicate a solution is being discussed?

5. List three supporting facts that were included in the essay.

Exercise 1.2.

Write a problem/solution essay for one of the topics below.

Dangers of global warming.

Natural disasters and our preparedness.
Law and order situation in Pakistan.
Over population- a time ticking bomb.
The menace of illegal immigration.
The rising debt trapping the third world.
The problem of ageing population.
Education in Pakistan has failed to produce efficient human resource.
Depletion of natural resources and question of human survival.
The youth unemployment issues and possible remedies.
The importance of conflict litigation and resolution in the workplace

By Sir Ali Shahab

MA (Eng) PGD- TESOL (UK)
Ex-Officer (ECP). LLB
Essay Writing Class National Officers Academy Expository Essay

Transition Words
The cohesiveness of the paragraph below could be improved with the addition of transition
words.

Insert appropriate transition words from the list below in the blanks.
undoubtedly whereas although
furthermore following nonetheless
as a result in addition

Tutankhamen, ____________ not as notable a pharaoh as Seti I or Rameses II,

____________ gained wide-spread fame because of his tomb. Howard Carter

discovered Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922 in the Valley of the Kings. Surprisingly, the

tomb was largely intact; ____________ most Egyptian tombs had been pillaged and

plundered over the last 3000 years by grave robbers. The treasures revealed in the

tomb include his mummy and solid gold sarcophagus. ____________ a priceless gold

mask, wall paintings, furniture, chariots, statues, jewelry items, weapons, games,

clothing, cosmetic equipment, and other artifacts were discovered. ____________,

these items have given archeologists a unique portrait of the life of ancient Egyptian

royalty. ___________, to add to the tombs myth, ____________ the opening of the

tomb a number of unexplained and mysterious deaths sparked rumors of the mummy’s

curse. ____________, it was widely believed that anyone disturbing the peaceful

remains of the tomb was doomed to a terrible death. Much more can be learned about

the legend and treasures of Tutankhamen by visiting the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

By Sir Ali Shahab

MA (Eng) PGD- TESOL (UK)
Ex-Officer (ECP). LLB