If you are asked to expound or summarize the main points of a given text, you need to:

(a) identify and paraphrase (write in your own words) the author's thesis or central argument. If the text is not argumentative in nature, you can at least try to work out what the author's central point or purpose is: What factors or circumstances motivated the author to write this piece? What was he/she attempting to achieve? To whom is the piece addressed?

(b) isolate the major points the author uses to support his/her thesis. Also make a note of any illustrations or examples which figure substantially in the text;

(c) arrange these major points and illustrations according to the order they assume in the text. Try to point out why that particular order was chosen by the author;

(d) paraphrase the author's conclusion;

(e) you now need to ensure that your own expository paper is organized, coherent and makes sense. You could show your paper to a peer/colleague to see whether or not you have represented the author's views clearly. Your paper might have the following format:

Brief introduction, giving background to author/text

Statement of the author's thesis

Brief statement of the author's main points and how the author has organized these

A more detailed description of each of these major points

Commentary on the author's use of examples, evidence and /or reasoning

Statement of the author's conclusion