cbest expository essay examples

CBEST Writing Samples

Below is a sample response to each of our CBEST Practice Essays . Review these responses for an example of two high-scoring essays. These CBEST sample essays follow the template that’s in our CBEST Writing Guide . Below each example is a short commentary which explains why it is an effective essay and why it would receive a high score.

  Commentary

According to the CBEST Writing Score Scale, essays are given a score ranging from 0–4. This essay would receive a score of a 4. It is a well-written example of a response to a Type 1 Essay Question.

From the beginning, the essay addresses the question with a story about an obstacle the writer has had to overcome, by writing, “We all face obstacles in our lives, but there are no obstacles that are more frustrating than the ones we construct ourselves. The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome in my life is my fear of failure.” The writer chooses to discuss an obstacle that he has constructed for himself, which is a major focus of the entire response. He clearly states his main idea and maintains it throughout the rest of the response.

The following paragraphs explore the moment that the writer learned how to overcome his fear of failure. He begins by explaining (1) how this obstacle has affected him. He then describes (2) the precipitating event that helps him make a change. He finally finishes the story by explaining (3) how things have changed since he has learned to overcome the obstacle. The story is engaging, makes sense, and remains focused on addressing the essay question. The conclusion brings the story back together with the prompt and even discusses how this event will help the writer in the future.

Additionally, the writer’s style is clear, focused, and entertaining. Instead of just dryly responding to the question asked, the writer weaves an entertaining story that proves his point. He spends just the right amount of time telling the story so that it has an impact on the readers without boring them, and effectively concludes in a way that ties the response up nicely and neatly.

According to the CBEST Writing Score Scale, essays are given a score ranging from 0–4. This essay would receive a score of a 4. It is a well-written example of a response to a Type 2 Essay Question.

The introduction to the essay presents a clear thesis, as the writer declares, “I believe that people are more influenced by their environment than by their instinctive human nature.” The writer manages to focus on proving that thesis throughout the rest of the response, using several different examples to support her position.

The examples provided in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphs remain on topic, and effectively support the writer’s overall thesis. The writer discusses (1) the impact families have on a student’s success, (2) how The Lord of the Flies proves her point by telling the story of children shaped by their environment, and (3) how people are shaped by the cultural beliefs of the people around them. The logic of these examples make sense, and even though some of the analysis the writer makes is arguable, it is still convincing and effective. The conclusion brings all of the writer’s examples together to drive home the writer’s thesis statement.

Additionally, the writer’s response is focused, clear, and well-supported. The writer’s logic is easy-to-follow and convincing, and she does a great job proving her point. There are no real errors in grammar or mechanics either, which helps elevate this response to a high score.

You should now be fully prepared for the CBEST Writing Section. To review how to create high-scoring essays like the samples above, revisit our CBEST Writing Guide . For CBEST Reading and Math practice please visit CBEST Practice Test .

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CBEST Writing Examples: Test Questions, Tips, and Dates 2024

The CBEST Writing exam is a critical step in achieving your goal of becoming a teacher in California. It assesses your writing abilities and is mandatory for obtaining a teaching certificate. To give yourself the best chance of passing, it's important to start preparing now. Don't miss this opportunity to take your career to the next level, read on to learn more about the test and how to prepare for it effectively.

The page will include the following:

• What is the CBEST Writing Exam?
• CBEST Writing Examples .

How Is Your Writing Evaluated?

• CBEST Writing Tips .
• CBEST Writing Test Dates .
• How to Practice for the writing section of the CBEST?

Let’s dive in.

Get more practice with our Free CBEST Practice Test or get full access to our CBEST PrepPack.

If you are looking for a different test, or are not sure which test is relevant for your position, please  contact us , and we will do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming assessment.

What Is CBEST Writing Exam?

The CBEST writing exam consists of two sections that measure your writing ability. The first topic asks you to analyze a situation or statement. The second section asks you to describe an experience you have had.

Test Instructions

Make sure you address all of the points raised in the initial paragraph and only write about the topics presented. Use specific examples to support generalizations. Take the time to read the content of the paragraph before you start writing, and build a mental plan in your mind.

Write an original response, without copying or paraphrasing anyone else's or some other work.

The responses you provide will not require any specialized knowledge.

How Long is the CBEST Writing Test?

The length of the CBEST writing section is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

CBEST Writing Examples and Topics

To practice read the following CBEST essay writing examples and topics and choose some for practice, the test will include a time limit so give yourself about 45 minutes to write an appropriate essay.

Writing example 1: Are you in agreement or disagreement with the following statement? Dogs are man's best friends. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Writing example 2: It has been said, "The key to success is to stop talking and start doing." Compare and contrast success gained from correct planning and consulting with other people with success gained from doing the work. In your opinion, which strategy is more important? Why?

Writing example 3: "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.

Writing example 4: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I will remember. Involve me and I learn". Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Writing example 5: Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Writing example 6: Which habit is most important to be successful in today's world? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Writing example 7: What are the important characteristics of a good father or mother? Over time, have these qualities changed in your culture or remained the same? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Writing example 8: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "In this life, we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Writing example 9: There are many people who prefer to work for themselves or own their own businesses. Others prefer to be employed by someone else. Is it more appealing to you to be self-employed or work for someone else? Break down your decision into specific points.

In order to determine the score for the CBEST Writing Score Scale, the following characteristics of written performance are evaluated.

Rhetorical Force: How clearly the central idea or point of view is expressed; the coherence of the writer's argument.

Organization: The author's logical flow of ideas and the clarity of his or her writing.

Support and Development: The quality, depth, and specificity of supporting information.

Usage: How carefully and precisely the words are chosen in the writing.

Structure and Conventions: A writer's ability to avoid errors in syntax, paragraph structure, sentence structure, and mechanics (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization).

Appropriateness: The writer's approach to the topic and the way language and style fit the audience and purpose.

CBEST Writing Tips

The CBEST Test has a scoring system that ranks each essay from 1-4. A "4" is a well-written essay that effectively communicates a whole message to the intended audience.

To communicate your message effectively keep in mind the following tips:

• Clearly present a central idea or point of view while maintaining focus on that topic.
• Writing outline - Arrange your Ideas or points of discussion in a logical way, and state their meaning clearly.
• Make sure you don't make generalizations without supporting them with relevant, specific, and detailed arguments.
• Be precise, careful, and accurate in your use of words.
• Build coherent paragraphs by composing sentences of syntactic complexity and variety.
• Use language and style appropriate for the given audience and purpose when forming your response, and make sure it addresses the topic fully.

CBEST Writing Test Dates

You can set a date for your CBEST writing test through the following Pearson Vue link. Fill in the location closest to your home and a suitable date, and it will show you the closest test centers.

As of February 2024, applications received before 12/5/2023 are still in process. Check out the State of California's official site for more information about the upcoming Test dates. 

How to Practice for the Writing Section of the CBEST?

Prior to the exam, write at least three or four full practice essays. Choose writing prompts formats that are similar to the one you might receive on the CBEST, rather than just writing samples about anything you want.

There will be very specific criteria that examiners will be looking for, so even if you're an excellent writer, you should make sure you're able to write in the way they expect.

Go over the 'how is your writing evaluated' section and make sure you cover all the key parameters.

Is the CBEST writing test hard?

The difficulty of the CBEST writing test can vary for different individuals. Some may find it challenging due to poor writing skills or familiarity with the test format, while others may have an easier time with proper preparation and practice. Ultimately, it is subjective and can depend on the individual's abilities and level of preparation.

What is the average CBEST writing score?

The writing section scores range between 4 and 16, and they are scaled to provide a more accurate representation of the student's performance, with an average range of 20 to 80.

Related Teacher Prep Pages

• Full guide to the CBEST Test
• CBEST Reading Practice Test
• CBEST Math Practice Test

How to Write the CBEST Writing Section Essays

You may feel a bit rusty when it comes to writing essays. Or, perhaps you have failed the CBEST writing section in the past.

Whatever the case may be, if you need to pass the CBEST writing section, you’ve come to the right place.

The CBEST writing portion of the test includes two essays that you have to write within a relatively short time. 

You are no doubt familiar with the rubric and the scoring criteria, so I won’t waste your time with any of that information. Instead, you and I will go straight to the meat of the matter. 

I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to write each of the essays. The first essay is personal, and the second is expository, which means it is argumentative.

So, let’s dive right in and learn how to write each of these essays on a tight timeline of the CBEST test.

How to Write the CBEST Personal Essay

First, let’s quickly discuss the main difference between the personal and the expository essays on this test.

The expository (argumentative) essay is the same 5-paragraph essay that they kind of taught you how to write in school. It is also a basic college essay in which you state an argument and support it. 

The personal essay, especially as described in CBEST prompts, is essentially a story with a lesson. This is the easiest way to approach it. 

So, in this part of the tutorial, we’ll be writing a 5-paragraph personal story with a lesson that you learned from it. I will use my personal example as an illustration. 

Our Sample CBEST Personal Essay Question

“Most people have experienced a significant challenge that changed their life in some way. This challenge is usually a loss of some kind, such as a loss of health, of a job or financial asset, or of an important relationship. In an essay to be read by an audience of educated adults, discuss one such challenge and how it changed you as a person.”

Note that any CBEST personal essay question will involve some kind of a challenge, something from your past you wish you could change, or some kind of a loss. 

Does this sound familiar? 

Every Hollywood movie is structured this way. You have a character who has a problem, and she overcomes that problem, but she has to change in order to do that.

In your personal essay, you are essentially doing the same. Your 5-paragraph structure becomes your 5-act movie. Let’s break it down into paragraphs.

CBEST Personal Essay Structure

Paragraph 1

In the first paragraph, you want to immediately answer the posed question. This will also mean that you are stating a problem that you had in the past. Describe the outer world problem.

Paragraph 2

Here, you reveal your inner world problem. This is something psychological about the situation. Think – there is a flat tire and there is a “story of the flat tire.” You also describe the situation in more detail, providing more context. 

Paragraph 3

Describe what you did to overcome the situation. This is about what you did in the outer world and what challenges or problems you encountered. 

You did not overcome the challenge yet. You had to deal with another problem that prevented you from winning at this point.

Paragraph 4

You realize that something needs to change for you to get the result. Something in your mindset had to shift. 

Paragraph 5

Describe how you finally achieved the result, what lesson or lessons you learned, and how you changed as a person. 

Please note that this structure is an approximation. You are simply telling a story with a beginning, middle, and an end. 

This structure gives you ideas of what to put in each paragraph. Use it as a reference when telling your story because each story is different. 

Also, keep in mind that if your story is somewhat simple, you can write only four paragraphs. That is okay, too. 

And now, let’s write an essay, using this template. Notice how this sounds familiar in terms of a Hollywood movie or any good story you’ve ever heard or read. 

CBEST Personal Essay Example

“One fine April evening many years ago, during an exercise routine, I made a wrong move and twisted my body in an unusual way. I heard a loud pop in my left knee and fell on the floor, writhing in pain. As it later turned out, I had torn my anterior cruciate ligament, a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. I now walked with a limp and had intense pain whenever I tried to extend my leg or when stepping onto a sidewalk. I was 30 years old, and I had a trauma that changed the way I walked. 

That injury did not just affect my physical body. I also became very stressed out about the situation. Doctors told me I needed an operation. But when I looked up the procedure on the internet, I realized that it involved cutting off parts of my leg, drilling holes in my bones, and fixing things with screws. I really did not want that done to me. But it seemed I had no other options. I was very scared, despondent, and was even becoming depressed. 

After months of looking for solutions, I came across a clinic in Europe where they treated joint diseases. It was located in a nice spa town, so I figured I needed a break from it all and had a chance to heal my leg at the same time if I went. So, I bought airplane tickets and packed my bags. I spent a couple of weeks in that town, all the while being treated at the clinic. But I saw no results. My hopes were being crushed. However, I met an interesting person there who suggested that I should look for an active way to achieve healing rather than trying to find someone to “do it for me.”

I had never thought of that before. That advice really shifted my mind. When I came back to New York, I started to look for self-healing solutions rather than for doctors who wanted to “do something to me.” Miraculously, I came across a website that taught people how to heal from an injury using a set of exercises. When I saw that, I immediately knew that this would work for me. It was a strange intuitive feeling. I called up the people in charge, made an appointment, and my self-healing began. 

The result did not come right away. The trainers taught me to be patient and keep doing the work. Persistence would have to be the key. Two months later, while doing my exercises, I suddenly realized that my pain was gone, I could extend my leg freely, and I could walk without a limp. I couldn’t believe it! I was healed. This healing made me realize that in order to achieve something, the ultimate place to look for answers is within. Nobody can do for us what we can do for ourselves when it comes to overcoming a major life problem.”

Key Points about this Essay

• This essay has 492 words.
• It is based on the 5-paragraph structured outlined above. 
• It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
• It contains a shift – from outside healing to self-healing.
• It ends with a triumph and the lesson learned. 

Key Takeaways and Tips

Your personal stories are fascinating.

If you really think about any of your personal stories, you’ll find that there is always more under the surface. 

Something happened, but why did it happen? What was a possible hidden cause?

As an exercise, just sit back and think of one of your stories of adversity and triumph. And by following the 5-paragraph structure, just retell that story to yourself. 

You’ll find that the structure I gave you helps bring out things that perhaps you never noticed before. Your stories are dramatic and interesting. 

Every good story involves an inner shift.

Luke Skywalker can only become a Jedi if he can overcome self-doubt. 

Rocky can only gain the respect of others if he first gains self-respect. 

In my story, I had to shift from the idea of being healed by someone to the idea of taking my healing into my own hands. 

The structure is only a guideline.

You can find elements from the 5-paragraph structure in any of your personal stories. So, just use those elements you can identify. 

But try to find as many of them as you can:

• the loss itself
• the inner problem resulting from it or causing it
• the early ineffective solution
• the final effective solution
• the lesson(s) learned. 

Any CBEST personal essay question is about adversity and triumph.

If you’re asked to describe a time you disappointed a loved one, this is a dramatic story. It’s about the disappointment, how it resolved, and what you learned in the end.

If you’re writing about a personal loss or challenge, this is a drama. You started at a low point, fought through obstacles, and triumphed. You definitely learned something.

If you have to write about something in the past that you could change, that’s a dramatic story. Why do you wish you could change it? Because it was some kind of a loss. 

In other words, the 5-paragraph structure that I gave you will work for any essay prompt you get on the CBEST test.

It’s time to move on to the CBEST argumentative essay. 

How to Write the CBEST Expository Essay in 5 Steps

An expository essay is simply an essay in which you present an argument and then support it, using evidence. A simple, college argumentative essay is an expository essay.

And that is the second kind of an essay you have to write on the CBEST writing test. It is also known as an opinion essay. 

In this essay, you want to stick to a 5-paragraph structure and shoot for about 400 words. Let’s get right to it. 

Writing a CBEST expository essay is a 5-step process:

• Take a stand 
• Write the thesis statement
• Write the support (body of the essay) 
• Write the conclusion
• Write an introductory sentence

Our Sample CBEST Expository Essay Question 

“Amit Kalantri once said that ‘great losses are great lessons.’ In an essay intended for educated adults, state whether you agree or disagree with Kalantri’s observation. Support your argument with logical reasoning and specific examples.”

I deliberately chose a prompt that is very similar to our personal essay question. You’ll see that the ways we write the personal and the expository essays are very different.

Let’s shoot for 400 words in this essay. This makes for an easy way to judge how much to write in each paragraph, as I’ll show you in a minute.

Step 1. Take a stand

This is a very simple and easy step in which we simply decide whether we agree or disagree with the statement and write it as a complete sentence.

You’ll notice that most choices whether to agree or disagree are really easy to make. They kind of “beg” for either a positive or a negative answer. 

This quotation I chose just begs for you to agree with it. So, let’s make this simple decision and choose to agree with Kalantri. And let’s write out the complete main point:

“I agree with Kalantri’s statement that great losses are great lessons.”

And we’re done with step 1. 

Step 2. Write the thesis statement

The thesis statement must include not only your main point but also your supporting points. For a 5-paragraph essay, you always want to have three supporting points or ideas.

Each of these supporting ideas will correspond to a body paragraph of your essay. To find the supporting points, you must ask yourself why you agree (or disagree) with the statement in the prompt.

Let’s find three reasons why we agree that great losses are great lessons:

• Losses make people think
• Losses reveal people to themselves
• Losses usually lead to greater advantages

When coming up with these three reasons, make sure that they are different from one another. 

Now that we have our reasons, let’s write out a complete thesis statement. We can simply copy and paste our main and supporting points together and make sure they flow:

Our Complete Thesis Statement

As you can see, we simply copied and pasted all of our points together and made a few tweaks to make the paragraph flow. 

We now have a complete thesis statement that is also our outline. Note in the diagram below how we will distribute the 400 words across paragraphs. 

And we’re ready for the next step. 

Just so you know, I wrote a detailed tutorial on how to write a thesis statement , in case you want to master this skill. 

Step 3. Write the Support (Body of the Essay)

Our body of the essay will consist of three paragraphs, about 100 words each. If you know an exact number to shoot for in each paragraph, your life becomes a lot easier. 

Each paragraph must proceed from general to specific. The first sentence in a body paragraph is called a lead sentence (or a topic sentence). It is the most general sentence in the paragraph.

The next most general part of a paragraph is some kind of an explanation why we believe this statement is true.

And finally, the most specific part of a body paragraph is an example.

Here’s what an overall structure of a body paragraph looks like:

Let’s go ahead and write the body of the essay.

Losses make people think, and great losses make them think a lot. Comfort tends to relax people, and when people are relaxed, they simply do not need to think. But as soon as a loss has occurred, the person’s significance, security, or even livelihood may be threatened. To quote Tony Robbins, “When people succeed, they tend to party. When they fail, they tend to ponder.” I remember when I lost 80% of my income in the crash of 2008. That loss made me think and look for ways to compensate and establish better financial security in the future. 

Losses reveal people to themselves, and personal revelations are the greatest lessons. It is a well known phenomenon in psychology that a crisis is a very powerful way to make a person see something in her life that was hidden theretofore. This is illustrated very well in the Wizard of Oz. Each of the characters who accompanied Dorothy to Emerald City thought he lacked a quality. But by dealing with a crisis, they eventually realized that they actually had the courage, the brain, and the heart. I know that this happens in real life because it was not until I faced a financial crisis that I found out that I had the strength and courage to start again in the face of difficulties. 

Great losses usually lead to far greater advantages. Some of the most important lessons that lead to great success are not even available to human beings until and unless they face a crisis of some sort. For example, Lee Iacocca was fired from the Ford Motor Company in 1978. That was a big blow to Lee’s ego and finances. But he found a way to rebound. He subsequently went to work for Chrysler and led that company’s growth in the 1980’s. That was an even greater success for Lee, according to his autobiographical account. 

And we’re done with the body. Please note:

• Each paragraph is about 100 words long.
• Each one starts with a lead sentence, proceeds to an explanation, and provides an example.

It’s time for the next step. 

Step 4. Write the conclusion

Writing the conclusion for the CBEST expository essay is really easy. All you need to do is simply restate what you already said – in different words. That’s all.

Use the same structure as the thesis statement. But use synonyms and paraphrase so that your conclusion doesn’t sound like a copy of the thesis statement.

Just use your thesis statement as reference. Let’s do it.

This conclusion is 58 words long, which is perfect for our overall word count. And it does what it should do – it restates the main and the supporting points using different words and phrases. 

By the way, I wrote a detailed tutorial on how to write conclusions , if you want to dig a bit deeper into this skill. 

Step 5. Write an introductory sentence

This step is easy, as well. You just want to add a sentence in the beginning of your opening paragraph, in which you introduce the main point. 

This introductory sentence will be the very first sentence of your essay. To write it, you need to take a step away, zoom out from your main point and provide a perspective. 

In other words, in this sentence you explain why what you’re about to argue is important. 

Here’s our full opening paragraph, including the introductory sentence and the thesis statement:

As you read the paragraph, can you hear how the first sentence introduces your main point really nicely? 

The first sentence is just a way to “get into the subject.” How do people usually react to great loss? They freak out. But they shouldn’t, and here’s why. 

And guess what – we’re done writing our CBEST argumentative essay! It has 416 words of high quality persuasion. 

I hope this was helpful!

Now practice a little and go ace that test.

How to Write a 300 Word Essay – Simple Tutorial

How to expand an essay – 4 tips to increase the word count, 10 solid essay writing tips to help you improve quickly, essay writing for beginners: 6-step guide with examples, 6 simple ways to improve sentence structure in your essays.

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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CBEST Writing Prompts & Top Tips (2024)

The CBEST writing section is considered by many to be the ‘wild card section’ of the CBEST test due to the fact that one’s score can vary based on a number of factors as well as how lenient the evaluator was when looking over the entirety and style of your essay, making the use of CBEST writing prompts and guides highly vital in preparing for it.

This is because it won’t matter if you have perfect grammar and can write multiple paragraphs in the span of a few minutes because you will be given little to no points if you didn’t conform to the scoring criteria of the exam.

When you take the CBEST writing test, you will have to write two essays:

• The Expressive Essay – Where you have to write an essay that contains your personal opinion or experiences on the topic given.
• The Expository Essay – Where you have to make an analytical essay on the topic supplied to you.

This means that you should be careful not to mistake one for the other and make good use of CBEST writing essay samples and other CBEST writing tips and techniques as the mere volume will not get you anywhere and can even prove disastrous to your score if you try to brute force it.

How to Ace CBEST Writing Section։ Top Tips

Write your essay in five parts:.

Ideally, you should write your essay in five paragraphs, but since everyone has their own writing style, it is instead recommended that you compose your essay in five parts for both Expressive and Expository essays, namely:

• The Introductory Paragraph
• First Example
• Supporting Example
• Most Important Example

For the Expressive Essay, focus on impact:

Since this particular essay requires you to talk about a personal experience, mentioning how it affected you or changed you in some way will bolster your conclusion. Let’s say that the subject given to you revolves around saving money, you can use instances where you realized that it’s better to buy in bulk in the long run due to the convenience of never having to travel to the grocery store too often, saving you gas or transportation costs, among other things.

For the Expository Essay, try to mention statistics:

Due to the analytical format of this essay, it is almost completely vital for you to mention concrete information, recent studies, or recent national events to solidify your narrative or point

Don’t overshoot:

Apart from writing a terrible or mediocre essay, another reason why so many test-takers fail to get a lot of points in the CBEST writing test is because they try to use overly complex examples that they barely understand but wanted to use because it’s somewhat related to the subject given to them in the test. In reality, however, the CBEST essay writing section doesn’t require you to have an intensive knowledge of the topic in your essay, only enough to convey your message or point.

What is the CBEST Test and why is Essay Writing Included in it?

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is an aptitude test that measures the cognitive abilities of aspirant teachers in the states of Oregon and California. Math, Reading, and Writing are the three sections of the test. At Prepterminal we have created the CBEST guide and CBEST practice tests to help you ace the exam and start your career as a teacher.

The writing section was included in the CBEST test to measure a prospective teacher’s ability to write and convey information effectively. Because it is one of the three main sections of the exam, the others being the reading and math sections, preparing for it should just be as important due to how many points you can miss out on for just winging it. That’s why we have developed Math practice and Reading practice tests for you to get a taste of what is going to be on the real exam.

As practicing is the main guarantee that you can ace the CBEST test, Prepterminal offers you the actionable CBEST prep course. Our CBEST preparation course has been developed by experts and psychometric specialists who regularly keep an eye on the exam so that our content is always updated. The course includes 10 core modules and video-based modules on the reading and math sections of the CBEST assessment. These modules contain numerous question banks and practice tests for each subject or subsection, allowing you to be as prepared as you can be.

So, don’t wait, ensure you successfully embark on your teaching career and enroll in our CBEST course today!

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CBEST Essays

Cbest essays – expository essays.

You must write two CBEST essays for the California Basic Educational Skills Test. The first of these essays will be the personal essay question.

The second type of essay that you will have to write for the test is the expository type of essay.

Click here for more information on our CBEST Sample Essays and Essay Writing Guide instant download.

For expository essays, exam candidates will be given a statement. The candidates are then asked to evaluate or analyze that statement in their written essays.

For example, prompts for expository essays might ask: “It is often said that every cloud has a silver lining. State whether you agree or disagree with this statement, giving logical reasons and detailed examples.”

For these types of essays on the test, you will write about some kind of issue, and you will often be asked to take a side or state an opinion.

Expository essays are also referred to as analytical essays or argumentative essays.

The best tip we can give you for writing expository essays is to use the third person. In other words, avoid using the word “you.” CBEST examiners have commented that the use of the word “you” in essays makes them feel that they are being told what to do.

Remember that expository essays, as well as personal essays, are graded on the following criteria:

• Focus on task
• Organization
• Supporting detail
• Word choice and usage
• Grammar and mechanics
• Style and tone

If you pass only one of the essays, you will need to re-take the entire writing section of the test, in which case you will have to write both essays again.

Our Guide to Writing CBEST Essays can help!

Click here to download our CBEST Essay Writing Guide .

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• How to write an expository essay

How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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Table of contents

When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

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The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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CBEST Writing Samples with Study Guide

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Get Exam SAM's CBEST Writing Samples and Study Guide PDF to ace your essay!

CBEST Writing Study Guide: with Sample CBEST Essays and CBEST English Grammar Review Workbook by Exam SAM

This is a PDF download, which you will get right away after you pay.

You are allowed to save and print one copy of the download.

• The download guides you through the essay writing process step by step.
• It explains how to write both the expository essay and the personal experience essay.
• There are five CBEST essay topics and 5 CBEST writing samples.
• It includes the 5 CBEST writing samples (i.e. model essays) with examiner's comments and tips for improvement.
• The PDF includes a grammar review guide that covers the mistakes students usually make in their essay writing.
• The last section of the download is a sentence building guide.
• It shows you how to write richly developed sentences in your essays.

The table of contents for the download is given below.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CBEST Essay Format & Question Types

The CBEST Expository Essay Task

The CBEST Personal Experience Essay Task

CBEST Essay Scoring – How Your CBEST Essays Are Marked

How to Avoid Common Essay Errors and Raise Your Score

PART 2 - Writing the CBEST Expository Essay

CBEST Expository Essay Structure

Creating Effective Thesis Statements

Thesis Statement – Exercises and Answers

Writing the Introduction 

Writing the Introduction – Exercises and Answers

Organizing the Main Body

Elaboration in the Body Paragraphs

Elaboration of Supporting Points – Exercises and Answers

Writing the Main Body Paragraphs – Exercises and Answers

Writing Clear and Concise Topic Sentences

Topic Sentences – Exercises and Answers

Writing the Conclusion

Writing the Conclusion – Exercises and Answers

Sample Expository Essay – Model Essay 1

Sample Expository Essay – Model Essay 2

Analysis of Model Essay 2

Sample Expository Essay – Model Essay 3

Analysis of Model Essay 3

PART 3 – Writing the Personal Experience Essay

CBEST Personal Experience Essay Structure

CBEST Personal Experience Essay Tips

Useful Phrases for the Personal Experience Essay

Sample Personal Experience Essay - Model Essay 4

Analysis of Model Essay 4

Sample Personal Experience Essay – Model Essay 5

Analysis of Model Essay 5

PART 4 – CBEST English Grammar Review

Avoiding Misplaced Modifiers

Negative Inversion

Past Participle Phrases

Past Perfect Tense

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun Usage – Correct Use of Its and It’s

Pronoun Usage – Correct Use of Their, There and They’re

Pronoun Usage – Avoiding “You” and “Your”

Pronoun Usage – Demonstrative Pronouns

Pronoun Usage – Relative Pronouns

Punctuation – Avoiding the Parenthetical

Punctuation – Using the Apostrophe for Possessive Forms

Punctuation – Using Colons and Semicolons

Punctuation – Using Commas with Dates and Locations

Punctuation – Using Commas for Items in a Series

Punctuation and Independent Clauses

Punctuation and Quotations Marks

Restrictive and Non-restrictive Modifiers

Sentence Fragments

Subject-Verb Agreement

Grammar and Punctuation Exercises

Grammar and Punctuation Exercises – Answers

PART 5 – Developing Your Sentences

Using Phrases, Clauses and Cohesive Devices

Sentence Linkers

Phrase Linkers

Subordinators

Cohesive Devices by Category

Sentence Development Exercises

Sentence Development Exercises – Answers & Explanations 

Improve your grammar and essay writing skills with this great download!

NOTE: CBEST and the California Basic Educational Skills Test are trademarks of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Pearson Education, Inc, which are not affiliated with nor endorse these practice tests.

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Expository Essay Writing

Expository Essay Examples

Expository Essay Examples for Students

10 min read

Published on: May 18, 2020

Last updated on: Mar 25, 2024

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Are you looking to dive into the world of expository essays? Whether you're a student or a writer, understanding what makes a great expository essay is essential. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the concept of expository essays and provide you with 10+ examples to illustrate various aspects and styles of expository writing.

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Key Features of Expository Essays

An expository essay is all about explaining, not persuading or giving step-by-step instructions. Unlike argumentative essays that aim to convince, expository essays provide information without personal opinions. They differ from process essays , which guide you through steps, and are also different from news articles.

There are different types of expository essays , each serving a unique purpose and requiring distinct approaches to presenting information.

Expository essays mainly focus on the 5 Ws:

Here are some additional features of an expository essay:

• Clarity: Expository essays should be written in a clear and straightforward manner, making it easy for the reader to understand the information presented.
• Objective Tone: Writers should maintain an objective tone throughout the essay, avoiding personal bias or emotional language.
• Thorough Research: Expository essays rely on credible sources and factual evidence to support the topic or thesis statement.
• Logical Organization: Essays should follow a logical structure and a clear outline. Check out our expository essay outline blog to learn how to structure your essay correctly. 

Expository Essay Format Example

Expository essays typically follow a five-paragraph format; they provide a clear and structured framework for presenting information. 

Examples of Expository Essays

Here are some good sample expository essays in easily downloadable PDF form that you can follow to write your essay.

5th grade Expository Essay Examples

6th grade Expository Essay Examples

7th grade Expository Essay Examples

8th grade Expository Essay Examples

Expository Essay Examples Middle School

Expository Essay Examples For High School

Expository Essay Examples College

Expository Essay Examples University

Expository Essay Examples about Covid 19

Expository Essay Examples Cause and Effect

Informative Expository Essay Examples

Short Expository Essay Examples

Let's take a look at some short essays: 

Example 2: 

Expository Essay Examples Topics 

The following topics encompass a range of current and relevant issues, providing opportunities for in-depth exploration in expository essays.

• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
• The Rise of Online Learning: Advantages and Challenges
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society
• The Importance of Financial Literacy for Young Adults
• The Influence of Video Games on Youth Behavior
• The Evolution of Gender Roles in the 21st Century
• The Effects of Urbanization on the Environment
• The Phenomenon of Fake News and Its Impact on Society
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 

Need more ideas? Visit the Expository essay topics blog to get plenty of inspiring topic ideas!

Tips to Write an Expository Essay

Expository essays are a common assignment in academic settings, designed to inform, explain, or describe a particular topic or idea. To draft a successful expository essay, follow this writing approach:

• Choose a Topic: Select a subject that you can thoroughly explain or analyze. It could be anything from historical events to scientific concepts or social issues.
• Research: Gather relevant information and evidence to support your thesis statement. Use reputable sources such as academic journals, books, or credible websites.
• Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts and ideas into a structured outline. Start with an introduction that includes a clear thesis statement, followed by body paragraphs that each focus on a specific aspect of the topic. Finally, conclude by summarizing the main points and restating the thesis.
• Write the Introduction: Begin with an attention-grabbing hook to engage the reader. Provide background information on the topic and introduce your thesis statement, which outlines the main argument or purpose of the essay.
• Develop Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should focus on a single main idea or point related to your thesis. Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main point, followed by supporting evidence and examples. Ensure that each paragraph flows logically and transitions smoothly to the next.
• Use Transitional Words: Incorporate transition words and phrases to connect ideas and improve the flow of your essay. Examples include "furthermore," "however," "in addition," and "on the other hand."
• Write the Conclusion: Summarize the main points of your essay and restate the thesis statement in a new light. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and instead focus on reinforcing the significance of your argument.
• Revise and Edit: Take time to review your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar errors. Ensure that your writing is concise and that each sentence contributes to the overall effectiveness of the essay.

Wrapping it Up!

Expository essays serve as valuable tools for conveying information, explaining complex concepts, and exploring diverse topics. By studying these 10+ examples, you can gain insight into the structure, style, and content of expository writing. 

Remember, the key to writing an effective expository essay lies in clarity, objectivity, and thorough research. 

If you are still unsure about your writing abilities, simply get help from professionals. At CollegeEssay.org , we have qualified and expert writers who can help you write any academic essay. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good expository essay topic.

Here are some good expository essay topics for your help. 

• What is your favorite school subject? 
• Explain why teens do drugs. 
• How would you stop racism? 
• What is it like to live with a pet? 
• How to take care of yourself? 

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5 Expository Essay Examples (Full Text with Citations)

An expository essay attempts to explain a topic in-depth, demonstrating expert knowledge and understanding.

Unlike an argumentative essay, it aims to remain objective and neutral throughout.

It generally follows this essay format:

Below are five expository essays to demonstrate style and tone.

Expository Essay Examples

#1 impacts of technology on education.

955 words | 4 Pages | 15 References

Thesis Statement: “The integration of technology in education represents a complex and critical area of study crucial for understanding and shaping the future of educational practices.”

#2 Impacts of Globalization on Education

1450 words | 5 Pages | 9 References

Thesis Statement: “This essay examines the profound and multifaceted effects of globalization on education, exploring how technological advancements and policy reforms have transformed access to, delivery of, and perceptions of education.”

#3 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Interpersonal Relationships

1211 Words | 5 Pages | 22 References

Thesis Statement: “The central thesis is that EI, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, is a crucial determinant of success and well-being.”

#4 The Future of Renewable Energy Sources and Their Impact

870 words | 4 Pages | 20 References

Thesis Statement: “The essay posits that although renewable energy sources hold immense promise for a sustainable future, their full integration into the global energy grid presents significant challenges that must be addressed through technological innovation, economic investment, and policy initiatives.”

#5 The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior

1053 words | 4 Pages | 17 References

Thesis Statement: “The thesis of this essay is that consumer behavior is not merely a product of rational decision-making; it is deeply rooted in psychological processes, both conscious and subconscious, that drive consumers’ choices and actions.”

How to Write an Expository Essay

Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, expository essays do not aim to convince the reader of a particular point of view.

Instead, they focus on providing a balanced and thorough explanation of a subject.

Key characteristics of an expository essay include:

• Clarity and Conciseness
• Structured Organization (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
• Objective Tone
• Evidence-Based (Cite academic sources in every body paragraph)
• Objective thesis statement (see below)
• Informative purpose (Not argumentative)

You can follow my expository essay templates with AI prompts to help guide you through the expository essay writing process:

How to write a Thesis Statement for an Expository Essay

An expository thesis statement doesn’t make an argument or try to persuade. It uses ‘is’ rather than ‘ought’ statements.

Take these comparisons  below. Note how the expository thesis statements don’t prosecute an argument or attempt to persuade, while the argumentative thesis statements clearly take a side on an issue:

💡 AI Prompt for Generating Sample Expository Thesis Statements An expository essay’s thesis statement should be objective rather than argumentative. Write me five broad expository thesis statement ideas on the topic “[TOPIC]”.

Go Deeper: 101 Thesis Statement Examples

Differences Between Expository and Argumentative Essays

Expository and argumentative essays are both common writing styles in academic and professional contexts, but they serve different purposes and follow different structures.

Here are the key differences between them:

• Expository Essay : The primary purpose is to explain, describe, or inform about a topic. It focuses on clarifying a subject or process, providing understanding and insight.
• Argumentative Essay : The goal is to persuade the reader to accept a particular point of view or to take a specific action. It’s about presenting a stance and supporting it with evidence and logic.
• Expository Essay : It maintains a neutral and objective tone. The writer presents information factually and impartially, without expressing personal opinions or biases.
• Argumentative Essay : It often adopts a more assertive, persuasive, and subjective tone. The writer takes a clear position and argues in favor of it, using persuasive language.
• Expository Essay : The reader is expected to gain knowledge, understand a process, or become informed about a topic. There’s no expectation for the reader to agree or disagree.
• Argumentative Essay : The reader is encouraged to consider the writer’s viewpoint, evaluate arguments, and possibly be persuaded to adopt a new perspective or take action.

Go Deeper: Expository vs Argumentative Essays

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