Expository Essay Types

Flashcards reviewing different expository essay types and their explanations.

What is the purpose of a definition essay?

To explore in greater depth the significance associated with a term or concept.

What is the main goal of a compare/contrast essay?

To explain the similarities and/or differences between two subjects.

What does a classification/division essay do?

Places concepts or things that share sufficient key characteristics under a single heading, concepts or things that share sufficient key characteristics as to be considered similar

What is the purpose of a cause/effect essay?

Explains why something happened by showing the direct causal relationship between two or more things.

What is the function of an analogy essay?

Compares something less familiar with something more familiar in order to help the reader understand the former

What is the aim of a process analysis essay?

Explains how the various steps of a procedure lead to its successful accomplishment.

Definition

A=B

Compare/ Contrast

Thing 1 + Thing 2 = Thing 3 OR Thing 1 /= Thing 2 Because Thing 3

Classification/ Division

Category A = Thing 1 + Thing 2 + Thing 3 + etc…

Cause/ Effect

A because B,C,D

Analogy

A (Unknown) = B (Known)

Process Analysis

1 = A, B, C, D (In Order)