California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

Which structure is most commonly associated with an expository essay?

1. Chronological

2. Problem-solution

3. Five-paragraph format

4. Comparative

The correct answer is: Five-paragraph format

The five-paragraph format is a widely recognized structure for expository essays, primarily due to its clarity and organization. This format typically includes an introduction that presents the main idea or thesis, three body paragraphs that explore supporting details or examples, and a conclusion that summarizes the key points and restates the thesis in a new way. This structured approach helps students present their information logically and coherently. While chronological, problem-solution, and comparative structures can also be effective for expository writing, they are less commonly seen in traditional expository essays. Chronological organization focuses on the sequence of events, problem-solution presents an issue and potential resolutions, and comparative structure analyzes similarities and differences between subjects. Although these formats can express ideas effectively, they are not as universally applied as the five-paragraph format in expository writing, particularly in educational contexts. This makes the five-paragraph format the most familiar and helpful structure for students learning to write expository essays.